Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Cure of the Black Pearl

It’s a little ridiculous, and it’s been a while so I can’t say for sure, but the original Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is one of my favourite movie stories of a romantic relationship because the relationship between Will and Elizabeth that is, actually tolerable.

While much of this might be due Keira Knightley’s Elizabeth that curses, is dominant, assertive in the film and in her own life, their relationship seemed like a better understanding than is what usually portrayed in stories (fiction and non-fiction). Friends, with a real partnership who happen to be romantically involved where neither acts better than the other and both feel the other is better than them. 

*Shout out also to Knocked-Up and This is 40 stars, Pete and Debbie

June 12th 2018: National Die-in

Two years ago was a bad time for Orlando Florida. In a short time, a child had been ripped away from the beach and his parents and killed by an alligator, the Zika virus had become more prominent and in the early morning hours of June 12th, 49 people had been murdered in the largest domestic terror incident in the US history, and the highest casualty terror incident in US history except for 911.

At the time I was going to Orlando for a vacation, and to visit family, and while I noted how there was a lot going on as I heard about the attack in a taxi cab later that morning, I had come to a more startling realization. I had no reaction, I knew it was upsetting, I knew many had been murdered and I was sad but I was not shocked, confused, or in wonder.

The incident at Pulse was the first acknowledgement that I had become desensitized to mass casualty incidents, to terrorism, to violence and to hate. Thinking back, maybe this should have been a warning to the outcome of the 2016 Presidential elections that were focused and promoted hate, elitism, and close-mindedness. At this moment, 12-minute Die-in’s, are happening in remembrance of these losses and in honour those who were taken by working towards lessening these events in the future

Lucius and Narcissa

While I cannot say I like these two, I don’t mind them as much as one would think. Partially, because both really have no substance to dislike; yes, they are cruel, greedy, elitist, and quite a few horrible other things but really all they are, is the greatest example of snowflakes in the wizarding world

“wah.....some person with no history of magic is more skilled than me”

“wah....those with power are trying to help those without”

“wah....people don’t think my son is as great as I think”

on and on and on 

Regardless of their complete lack of character and spine, there were a few things I enjoyed. For starters, they really were perfect for each other. True, they needed to be assisted in every aspect of their lives, but they both fawned of their son in separate ways, both held strong beliefs with no interest in taking any related action (my belief about Lucius joining the Death Eaters was because it was the cool thing to do at the time), and both were just blinded by ego and wealth. They are just a morally gross version of Arthur and Molly, they support each other completely in being boringly horrible. 

Related to their lack of character, I do enjoy snowflake Lucius as he loses his place in the world and the realistic outcomes he and Peter Pettigrew experience by just being followers, but there are different levels with Narcissa. In a small level, it is funny to see how similar she is to everyone else as, as a side character, we see typical family relationships as she has with her sister, husband and son. And it’s just nice to get that background and reminder. 

More telling, unlike Lucius who I think was not only too stupid to see why Voldermort brought Draco into the Death Eaters but also would gladly use Draco just to gain status, I have no doubt that Narcissa would sacrifice herself for her son just as Lily had. And I know I’m right because she already did. Similar to Draco’s questions of morality and evil, while she may have had more alignment with the beliefs of the Death Eaters she had more strength than Draco in knowing and fighting for what truly was most important to her. Considering both put each other over the stupidity of murdering muggles and Death Eaters it’s upsetting, annoying and that dumb-poetic of just TALK to each other and they really could have avoided all this mess. Leave Lucius behind, he’s the weakest link and really it didn’t seem that either would be too heartbroken over it. I mean you guys are already weak, why not just be weak for the good guys. But whatever. 

I do enjoy these two, mostly just for a laugh, but also for the reminder that there is no black and white, and that we all need to remember to look past the surface

Charles Minor

Charles’ Best Moment: Season Five, Episode Twenty-Four: Heavy Competition

When he calls Dwight into a private meeting because he see’s Dwight as a good performer and wants to make sure he’s happy, and gives Dwight more responsibility.

Charles’ Worst Moment: Season Five, Episode Twenty-Five: Broke

When he lets him embarrassment and annoyance with Dwight make him not listen to Dwight or question more that the Michael Scott Paper Company is broke.

Charles’ Best Line: Season Five, Episode Twenty-Eight: Company Picnic

When he says to Jim "Must be nice to get a rest from all your rest”

Charles’ Most Memorable Moment: Season Five, Episode Twenty-One: Two Weeks

“I am aware of the effect I have on women”

Re-imagined, Reinstated, Regretted

Today many libraries are closed because of…..ahhh!

 For a few, today is Christopher Columbus day and with it being removed many have fought for it to remain as part of Italian’s contributions and mark on the U.S. But that’s stupid, whenever Christopher Columbus was celebrated or taught we learned about how he sailed for Spain and ate Turkey with Native Americans—not his Italian Heritage. Instead join in on the celebration and reflection of Indigenous people and the Native Americans slaughtered and create a separate day truly for Italian Americans as a whole or focused on the many Italian-American Nobel winners (six, who are literary focused and whose work is noted as different tones of their heritageà https://theculturetrip.com/europe/italy/articles/six-italian-nobel-prize-winners-in-search-of-a-national-identity/) by dropping the loser who GOT LOST at best.

 So why is this being mentioned during National Book month or as part of this celebration and spotlight on libraries? I wasn’t taught this distinction in class, I learned it on my own. After being taught and performed a play about how Christopher Columbus discovered America it was mentioned quickly that the Vikings discovered America and questions about the contradictory lessons were ignored and I looked on my own where I could. So thank you books on shelves up high, heavy and beaten. Thank you for making HIStory not the only story left

Professor McGonagall

Today is the birthday of Professor McGonagall, our stern but motherly figure while attending Hogwarts, especially for those in her house, Gryffindor. While off topic, as JK Rowling stated she wanted English actors only to portray the Hogwarts students, she also stated that she always wanted Maggie Smith to portray Professor (Minerva) McGonagall who not only played the part but held it as dear to her heart as we do, as she continued to film both Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part II. 

Professor McGonagall was always a great mother figure to me as she was clearly an independent woman; she was also strict and fair: important qualities for someone who is going to need to guide young wizards, teach, and be a guardian at a boarding school. She was also a role model, maybe not directly as Hermione Granger was, but she taught all of her students (readers included) to stand up for themselves, believe in themselves, and be honest and truthful about yourself, to yourself, and your surroundings. 

Some of my best moments with her will always be in regards to Neville, who throughout his years as a students at Hogwarts she repeatedly told him that all he needed was confidence. She further pushed this when after the O.W.L.S. she stood up for him to himself, reminding him that he should be proud of his accomplishments and not base his happiness on his grandmother. With these developments, and her change from guardian to friend as our Hogwarts friends grew older, there was much to admire and adore and want in a personal relationship with Professor McGonagall, all before getting to her history and heartbreak pre-Hogwarts years and her odd relationship with Dumbledore. She was force to be reckoned with, her and her Maggie Smith, and I encourage all to re-read the books and explore her history more to understand how truly Brave, Clever and Kind she was. 

OH MY GOODNESS and her AND her patronus was a Cat!!! <3

While not the best of ideas, in the pre-internet times--books sometimes were your only saviour. Even today, I still appreciate the new worlds, in some aspect better worlds books can take me to and inspire me to create

Todd Packer

Packer's Best Moment: Season Eight, Episode Sixteen: After Hours When Dwight gets kicked by Jim after he gets the buttons from Cathy per "college rules" in 'The King and The Hunchback' and he comments with his double meaning statement.

“and he lost at his own lame game”

Packer's Worst Moment: Season Nine, Episode Seventeen; The Farm When he laced the cupcakes that he brought as 'apology cupcakes' to the office and the staff either got stoned or diarrhea

Packer's Best Line: Season Two, Episode Two

So a guy goes home, tell his wife, "Honey, pack your bags, I just wont the lottery" She goes "Oh, my god, that's incredible, where are we going? He goes "I don't know where you're going, just be out of here by five."

Packer's Most Memorable Moment: Season Three, Episode Eleven: Back from Vacation When he gets Michael’s picture of Jan from their Sandals Jamaica trip “Wait. I just got it from somebody else. Wow, this is hot. Damn! How do I get you out of this picture? “

Deangelo

Deangelo’s Best Moment: Season Seven, Episode Twenty-Three: The Inner Circle

When he brings up positive changes as negative changes in his (first) conference room meeting post-Michael:

The he plans to leave the office at 5pm

That the company will send Darryl to business school, full ride

He’s getting Toby a new chair

Ice Cream Thursdays

Deangelo’s Second Worst Moment: Season Seven, Episode Twenty-Two: Goodbye, Michael

When he cuts out two huge corners of the cake, eats one with his hands, and then leans in close to yell “No!” at the cake.

Deangelo’s Best Line: Michael’s Last Dundies

When he see’s Meredith’s place and tells Michael “This reminds me of Katrina”

DeAngelo’s Most Memorable Moment: Season Seven, Episode Twenty-Three: The Inner Circle

His fake juggling routine

Dobby, the Great House Elf

In the beginning, the middle, and I’m sure to his end, had his final moments not been so serious and painful, Dobby could easily be considered very annoying. He wouldn’t listen and didn’t fully think things thru, making things a lot harder and sometimes more dangerous for Harry. But while I would consider him an adult, just with all the pitfalls of hanging out with a toddler, Dobby was fantastic and a great role model for those who are trying to accept themselves.

While at first Dobby loves Harry for being the boy who lived, his admiration for Harry grows more overtime for the simplicity of Harry treating him as an equal, something that Dobby didn’t experience in his life before and wouldn’t experience much in his lifetime at all. Overtime Dobby begins to love and appreciate himself more, becoming someone who stands up to bullies and is always there for his friends but he shows how rough of a battle it is. While he has always wanted his freedom, he wasn’t able to take the 10 galleons a week and weekends off provided by Dumbledore for wages thinking it to be too much, and wasn’t able to easily tell Harry about Umbridge considering she was his temporary master. While we can easily see Dobby’s friendship, loyalty, and equality with Harry Potter, it is the struggle to change and be yourself that is a lesson less shown or seen that we can grasp with Dobby as while Hermione and Luna were always confident with their intelligence and didn’t care for others, Dobby knew who he was and was proud but still struggled, something that is much more common, especially for young kids and teenagers.

Dobby knew what he was worth, was kind and giving, and did what was right—even against his friends. He struggled with his place in the world but knew to really only care about the opinions of those who matter