Best Conference Room Meetings

March for your life

Yesterday I spoke with someone about making sure to take care of themselves, advice later that night I realized again I wasn't taking. It's hard, for us to not feel disappointed in ourselves when we don't meet our own unrealistic expectations and it's even more difficult for us to remember that it's okay to prioritize our own health and well-being

Last year, over 800 Marches for gun reform and gun violence were orchestrated by minors. It was not the beginning of activism for many of those minors, but it did bring them to the centerstage and give them a global community full of love and support. Today's anniversary speaks not only for the issues effecting the younger generation, their fight, their endurance or their intelligence, but also for their support of each other and a reminder for them to take care of themselves as they work to make the world a better place for everyone

“I dedicate this to all the Indigenous kids in the world who want to do art and dance and write stories, we are the original storytellers and we can make it here, as well.” 

Congratulations, Taika Waititi, on a historic win at the Oscars. Thanks for another beautiful film.

Professor Quirrell

Professor Quirrell, Harry Potter’s Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher (the first of many) that turned out to be trying to help Voldemort return to power. There is not much to say about this character; as he played dumb so well, he kind of was very easily forgettable. I don’t even remember much of what they learned from him. (Also thou, it’s upsetting that there is a specific Defense Against the Dark Arts class that children are required to take for 5 years--why aren’t there more prevention for this, why do kids have to be SO prepared).  While definitely not the best person to learn from, unexpectedly he can be a great lesson to all of how (1) book smart is not the same as street smart and (2) to be careful, cautious and not overconfident about who you are

But I will say that while it was unfortunate it was him, I always loved how excited Harry was to meet him. All of these wizards finally get to meet “The Boy Who Lived” and here Harry is just as excited to meet Professor Quirrell because to Harry THIS is someone important, someone, he can and will learn from about magic. I always loved that.  

But, there are a few things that bother me as going back in history, the main two are: 

1. Why didn’t Voldemort mention to Quirrell (he was there) that he could ask Snape for help to get the Sorcerer's Stone? Voldemort always trusted Snape! 

2. Why didn’t Snape share his concerns with Dumbledore? I know that Snape’s concerns with Lupin held more to the story, but I feel like he still would have mentioned it, especially considering how much he pursued Quirrell. Did he not bring it up, or was he ignored?

** Bonus moment: Obviously the later fact how Fred and George were hitting Voldemort with snowballs <3<3<3

Newsies

Ahh, Newsies. A major throwback, I’ll start by saying I loved how the broadway show and the music played was able to bring me back to remembering how much I loved this movie—so much that I ruined the VHS. There is a lot of things you can draw to be important for viewers to see: issues of children pre-foster care, the resourcefulness of children, how not to judge a book by it’s cover (from all angles: Newsie and schoolboy), and the historical significance. But the biggest feeling was the overall comradery of the film within the gangs and between the different gangs'

It was very “boys will be boys” but in the genuine way that expression should be—that boys are more likely to roughhouse, make inappropriate jokes and get dirty, not be overly aggressive or hostile towards each other. While they would mess around with each other and insult, there was no doubt in the minds of any of them that in a true need they would be there for each other, and had become their own family. That’s what truly resonated with this film, and while I cannot say why people didn’t see it in theatre, is probably what made it the cult film it became.

Gilderoy Lockhart

Another Ravenclaw embarrassment, Gilderoy Lockhart’s biggets lessons to us were more lessons to Hermione: that crushes aren’t real, and that it’s important to look past the surface of people and how they aren’t always what they seem; while very similar these two lessons are two important and different beast life stories to learn.

Attractive and intelligent were two qualities Lockhart had but like anyone who has ever had a crush, Hermione filled in the gaps she didn’t know about Lockart’s personality with qualities and explanations that could fit, and ones she also admired.

Hermione thinks: Lockhart wants to get some hands on experience (when he released and then left them to ‘round up’ the Cornish Pixies

She fills this in because she likes to be independent and smart. This happens to everyone, and unfortunately for some more than once. Crushes are different than true relationships with depth. This is also why we should evaluate all of our relationships as time goes by. This is because people can grow distant and people change and just because we connected with someone once or had the same values doesn’t mean we do now. These are relationships that without pain or malice we can let go.

Similarly, certain things about Lockhart just didn’t add up. Yes, he wrote autobiographies, but not one other person from his cases or towns that he saved ever came forward, joined him on tour, or admitted to have been save by him and was a fan. Given his charm and ‘wanting to help others”, this doesn’t fit even the part of his personality he promoted: where he would have wanted to seem more accessible and like the “every-man”, and therefore better than the everyman. No one confirming his stories or telling his historic and impressive saves as a victim are two crucial clues that show have allowed even the distant observer insight into the fraud he was.

So Dumbledore is correct, “there is plenty to be learned even from a bad teacher: what not to do, how not to be” and I cannot help but feel this was especially true of a lesson to give to Harry Potter, probably more than any other lesson. That no one, for talent, intelligence, beauty or charm, is better than anyone else

Hope in all it’s agony

The Blindside

2009 was the YEAR for Sandra Bullock movie-wise. All About Steve was hysterical and the immigration scene at the end of The Proposal was brilliant even thou the rest of the movie is a bit cliché but of course the main movie of that year was The Blind Side. While some controversy exists from real-life Michael Oar’s feeling that the book and film placed too much emphasis on the Touhy’s efforts and not enough understanding of his own (along with dumbing him down), this was still a great movie that portrayed fostering’s ups and downs both for families and children in the system, racism, adoption, family-values, Christian values, love and acceptance all in ways that didn’t come off cliché or too happily-ever-after even thou it was a real story and we got a seemingly unrealistic, but true ending.  

The campiest part of this story is how Michael is able to bring his grades up in order to get into college. While true, it is a unique situation that reminds us not everything real in life comes of real in a story. But campy and true, this small part is the overall story of Michael Oher: keep trying, find your way in and ask for help. A good overall lesson for those who feel they have fallen behind or lost their way. But if I were to pick one thing to take away from this is the scene where “Big Mike” gets called Michael, because he doesn’t actually like to be called Big Mike. A short scene, just a few lines but with a big impact and understanding if you (like Leigh Anne) are willing to be open-minded and pay attention.

Lean on Pete

Lean on Pete is another story about family and loss and heartache but—oof--does it have a different feel. While during The Blind Side we see Michael Oher slowly rise up, Charley falls, falls and falls catching every heartbreak that can occur, and how life can slowly becoming crushing, especially when it seems someone has no one.

While overall the movie crushed me and its dark it is important to look at the idea of the film and for Charley was a focus on hope. He leaned on the horse Pete and by the end, we are left with the idea that things will be alright. Now, those I saw the film with had different opinions than I did about this, to them he really will be okay while I think he’ll survive but be severely traumatized, but maybe they’re right and we're supposed to believe regardless of all the missteps and bad fortune that things can turn around if we keep believing and striving for good and how if we don’t need those people to help us up, we should be those people to help others up

Bill Weasley

I went back and forth with doing a “what I learned from Bill Weasley” because I feel like I barely know Bill.This is especially apparent in comparison with the rest of the Weasleys (sorry Charlie--ha). I know he’s a good son and husband. A werewolf and a hard worker. But not so much of Bill, as Bill.

But, while we don’t learn much about Bill directly, he does remind us of some things quite prominently. From his relationship with Fleur, we are reminded that relationships are deeper than appearances, the importance of being a good person and son with his relationship with his parents (and especially his mother), and from his experiences with Goblins and at Gringotts the importance of deep respect and politeness. Finally, do not be a prat. as he was so excited to join his mother at Hogwarts to wish Harry good luck before the third task of the Triwizard tournament. 

So thank you Bill, we might barely know you, but you still have taught us well. 

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

Darryl Philbin

Darryl’s Best Moment: Season Four, Episode Four: Money

When Kelly tells him “you’re going to have to make a choice. It’s either your daughter or me”

And without looking back at her, taking a moment, or even consider anything, just says “my daughter”.

Darryl’s Worst Moment: Season Nine, Episode Twenty-Two: A.A.R.M.

When he sneaks out of Dunder Mifflin, and doesn’t say goodbye to anyone.

Darryl’s Best line: Season Seven, Episode Thirteen: Ultimatum

“I’m telling you, don’t do it. I got nothing against strip clubs; but I do have something against them at noon, on a Monday. The day shift, at a strip club? You can’t unsee that”.

Darry’s Most Memorable Moment: Season Eight, Episode Three: Lotto

When he decided “My future isn’t going to be determined by seven little white lotto balls, it’s gonna be determined by two big black balls”.

Forgotten, Flexible and Free

There has been a pretty one-sided debate about libraries and overdue fines with a majority of speakers stating that they go against the purpose of libraries and aren’t productive in getting books returned, and pretty much no speakers on the other side of the debate. Over the past few years various communities across the US have worked or looked into removing the fines and research has shown that 1) the fines are more time and sometimes monetarily more costly to the library, 2) you end up lessening your patronage as community members don’t want to deal with the hassle or cannot afford the fines, 3) those who have racked up the fines are majorly those who need the library resources the most: children and those without disposable income.

Recent removable of library late fees or fines by the Chicago Public Library system and San Francisco Public Library system will increase access for low-income families and children, who in Chicago make up 20% of cardholders who have had access removed because of late books fees, and will bring the library back to its true calling: where book lovers and the local community can come together

(1)    https://princh.com/4-reasons-why-removing-fines-could-be-the-next-breakthrough-for-your-library/#.XZeSQkZKgdU

(2)    https://www.citylab.com/equity/2019/10/public-library-late-fees-chicago-san-francisco-equity-access/599194/