Librarius

To remake, or to definitely not remake

Films that just remake the original (Red Dawn 2012), I don’t see the point of, why wouldn’t I just watch the original? Yes, sometimes we get confused because we’re stuck in our modern world (when first seeing a Walk to Remember—it never made sense why the doctors gave up so easily but I figured it was just what’s “in the script”, until I learned that the original story was set in the 1950s).  Remakes that take the older film (Dial M for Murder, Rear Window) and bring it into a new time with technological or societal, or political changes (A Perfect Murder, Disturbia) are not ripping off the ideas of the original but re-creating it.

I did not see Dial M for Murder and A Perfect Murder on the same night as usual with remakes but over the same weekend, giving time to reset my mind and put the movies as their own. In Dial M for murder, the husband’s plans are set in motion because he discovers his wife’s affair and doesn’t want to lose his lifestyle as he has just retired and feels betrayed. The resolution mostly happens because the husband messes up, not because of the watch or even that the wife lives, that he clears up pretty quickly—and even confuses leads the wife into giving confusing information so she looks guilty (whether intentional or not). But with ample opportunity, he doesn’t clean up the messes he could have changed, that would have let him get away. This is the same with A Perfect Murder, where with a little more patience, the husband would have gotten away with it.

In A Perfect Murder while the affair is still an issue, the main reason for the murder for the husband is his money issues at work, not really caring about his wife’s betrayal but as a way to come off clean about the murder. An added level that I didn’t care for (thou mostly out of pity for the wife—thou I guess she doesn’t deserve it) is in A Perfect Murder, her boyfriend gets involved while in Dial M for Murder he fights and fights to clear her name. What I do like, is that while in Dial M for Murder the police mainly figure out what happened, in A Perfect Murder the wife figures it out—saving herself twice.

Neither movie would be the same without the aspect of the key as the switcheroo, as both were simple and, I believe, brilliant stories. In the remake, there were the updates and changes of cellphones, characters’ intention and how the crime was solved—but the main thrill and suspense was kept, but this doesn’t always happen. I’ve seen both Red Dawns, 1984 and 2012 and I didn’t really understand the point of a remake. It’s not updated to a modern time and while the characters have more camaraderie, there is also less story, somehow. It’s just not worthy of a remake, and many agree.

PS-- I love how we know everything, but don’t know how it will all piece together or turn out

Bibliothek

Switzerland isn’t as neutral as portrayed, ranking high in various records related to education, intelligence, happiness and diversity. While not definitive, the online access and draw of its libraries may symbolize how these institutions wish to encourage development in various education and entertainment avenues. Bibliothek Chur is extremely automated and while having strict rules and either monthly or yearly patronage costs is overall reasonable, especially considering the service and information provided. Similarly, Konzier bibliotheken has fewer hours but boasts an online presence and has events focused on individual community issues and larger intersectional issues.

The prime example of course is The Swiss National Library. With a newsletter release every four to six weeks, you may also take guided tours and speak with workers online or in person if you need help understanding or accessing the archives you are trying to work towards. Within the past ten years, they have even had a focus on both the “digital future” of libraries and books, while holding onto the history of printed bookts

Focused on more than just literary documentation, the Swiss National Library also promotes the importance images and sound documents as important artifacts of their shared history in addition to the smaller archives of each canton (individual states) and different exhibits that occur at the libraries.

I still read

but I definitely read for different reasons now as there is less companionship that I need to fill in books or stories from far away

Relatable

19 Years Later, not everything has changed for the better

19 Years ago a school shooting shocked the US, our families, our friends, strangers, the world. It was everywhere, 13 people were murdered in a public school. People around the world watched the news, spoke about the tragedy, felt guilt, confusion, compassion, pain, everything. We felt everything

 In these 19 years, things have changed by getting worse. I have become numb, for all of us it has become par-for-the-course. These students were taught how it’s part of their lives and to be prepared as 75 years ago they were prepared to hide under desks from nuclear bombs. These children here, they weren’t even born 19 years ago.That’s why they want change; this should have never been their issue to deal with but the generation of gun violence they are rightfully pissed off and are going to make it so those after them don’t have to. 

Freedom, חופש, Vrijheid

While libraries should be for everyone, not everyone will be able to use them the same way. Some will use them for tutoring, others for book clubs, some for research and other for light novels readings among other uses. Here are BLANK libraries that are working with those different needs (1)

Multiple studies recently released indicated a difference in male and female brains; (2) while not specifically divided by gender, the Tromsø Library has set different temperatures on different floors allowing those who operate best or have different comfort levels for reading or needed for their focus to all use the library together at the same time. Separately, the Biblo Tøyen, is selective in it’s audience. Only open for residents ages 10-15.

While not limiting patron wise, the Levinksi Garden Library operates with a specific function and purpose, as a haven. Open 24/7 this library has no closed off structure (no walls or doors) and operates as an encouraging, open space to receive refugees and migrants in Israel. (3)

Throughout the world, many countries also have libraries specifically for prisoners as they are held within prisons. Libraries in prisons however are not universal but some countries that also provide more equality and freedom to prisoners while serving their time have libraries and librarians focused on goals for the inmates after they are released and have seen less recidivism back into the criminal justice system (as defendants).

 (1)    https://www.visitnorway.com/things-to-do/art-culture/literature/6-libraries-you-need-to-visit/

(2)    https://time.com/5592353/office-temperature-study/

(3)    https://litreactor.com/columns/the-10-most-unusual-libraries-in-the-world

Power Family: Stanley, Phyllis and Andy

Stanley’s Best Moment: Season Five, Episode Two: Weight Loss Part 2

When he takes off 5 extra days for vacation anyway as a reward to himself for losing seven pounds over the summer

 Stanley’s Worst Moment: Season Two, Episode Twenty-One: Conflict Resolution

After his complaint comes out that Phyllis cries too much and she says they’re close he replies “we sit close” when you can see she’s clearly upset and feels she’s getting ganged up on

 Stanley’s Best Line: Season Four, Episode Twelve: Did I Stutter?

Line: “It’s like I used to tell my wife, I do not apologize unless I think I’m wrong. And if you don’t like it you can leave. And I say the same thing to my current wife and I’ll say it to my next one too”

 Stanley’s Most Memorable Moment: Season Six, Episode Twenty-One: Happy Hour

After doing 26 pushups and getting to go home early he just says “excuse me” and just leaves for the day

Phyllis’ Best Moment: Season Six, Episode Ten: Murder

When she does well fooling everyone (but Dwight) that she was the murder as Beatrix Bourbon; and how upset she gets when she’s outed by Michael.

Phyllis’ Worst Moment: Season Nine, Episode Eighteen: Promos

When she makes everyone uncomfortable as she humps everything around her while listening to 50 Shades of Grey on tape.

 Phyllis’ Best Line: Season Seven, Episode Twenty-Two: Goodbye Michael

“But, you can’t get them wet, and they can’t be dry cleaned either. You have to hand was without water, ring dry gently, and use a hair dryer on cool.”

Phyllis’ Most Memorable: Season Five, Episode Eleven: Moroccan Christmas

“Oh I don’t think its blackmail, Angela just does what I ask her to do so I won’t tell everyone that she’s cheating on Andy with Dwight. I think for it to be blackmail, it would have to be a formal letter”

Andy’s Best Moment: Season Eight, Episode One: The List

When he doesn’t accept Robert California’s bullshit explanation of why it’s okay he called people losers.

“But, you don’t know these people but I do and if I let you work with fault information than I’m not doing my job as regional manager”

Stanley, you may think he is a lazy grump but did you know he has the most consistently high sales numbers of anyone in this office

Meredith Palmer, supplier relations, the word no, not even in her vocabulary

Pam, easily the most creative and kind person I have ever worked with

Erin, the receptionist and my closest confidant, a winner if there ever was one 

Andy’s Worst Moment: Season Nine, Episode Sixteen: Moving On

When he hires Alice and Gabe, Pete’s and Erin’s exs, to “prove a point” about how working with an ex while they are in a new relationship at the office isn’t something you just “move on from”. Yes it’s rough but Erin and Pete weren’t obnoxious about their relationship, but also, Gabe could probably guess on some level why he was getting hired and at least knew Erin would be there. We have no idea what Alice left or why, it was really messed up and selfish.

Andy’s Best Line: Season Four, Episode Three: Launch Party

When he gets his acapella group to help him sing a song in asking Angela out

“If you change your mind, I’ll be first in line. 

Honey I‘m still free, take a chance on me.

If you need me, let me know, gonna be around.

If you got no place to go, if you’re feeling down.

If you’re all alone, when the pretty birds have flown. 

Honey I’m still free, take a chance on me.

Gonna do my very best, and that ain’t no lie.

If you put me to the test, if you let me try.

Take a chance on me”

 Most Memorable: Season Six, Episode Thirteen: Secret Santa

When he got Erin the 12 days of Christmas, even though he could have done the first days with just the birds differently, pushing to the 12 drummers drumming was perfect.

1st book: HP

If I ever had to choose a favorite book, it would be Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Bought by my mother because of it’s rampant success in England, it was and still is a very important book for me. The series was the first new-generations understanding of youth activism, feminism, equality and kindness. But the first book was, for lack of a better word as this word doesn’t seem to do it justice, home. I, like all great books, was taken out of my world to another place where I found friends and a family, and security. It gave me confidence, hope and connection while pushing me and allowing me to feel safe, all at the same time.

But Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is not my favorite books because of the story, a particular character or author, time period or residual feeling of inspiration. While it is one that continues to connect to me, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is my favorite book just because it is my home, my base and my beginning of reading. While I read before Harry Potter and surely would’ve read without it, the first chapter can always make me smile and bring me back to really beginning to love reading and experiencing that other world and how much books can bring joy, compassion and comfort. This book, that will always be my favorite book, represents more than even the world of Harry Potter represents to me with the characters and connections; it does in fact just represents me and my child hood and my love of reading and excitement to learn. 

All of the Harry Potter books will always have a place with me, but Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is the first and the strongest and the one that can always bring me back to the places I love. Happy National Book Month

i have a reading list longer than my life expectancy

Road to Change

Today in Chicago, the two-month summer tour “Road to Change” by the March for our lives movement, begins. Along with open-discussion and proposals on how to make US citizens safer in the daily lives, the Road to Change is working to get the youth and others who are either generally ignored or kept out of the voting and political process active. 

Earlier this month, as part of NYC mandates, we had our semi-annual fire safety drill instructions: test if the door is hot, don’t take the elevator, call 911, etc.) but a new segment of this discussion was added, active shooter drills. We were told to turn our cell phones on silent (not vibrate), how a fire extinguisher is a good weapon is needed for the chemical can disarm the eyes and then you can knock the shooter out, how to barricade the door, and how to exit with your hands out and empty so you are not mistaken as the shooter. 

We were also told that the below video is good to watch, just about 6 minutes, that gives you additional tips on the three main ways to survive. First Run if you can and Hide if you can’t, and if left with no other options, Fight. 

Whether you agree with them or not, the activists related to March for Our Lives are keeping the discussion at the forefront and are doing everything they can so that everyone has a voice in not only this issue but all issues. Click on: Road to change tour dates, and you will be brought to their schedule for June on the March for Our Lives website where you can also find more information about how to register to vote, how to encourage others to vote, tips on how to become an activist yourself and other changes they are fighting for and how you can help.