I Still Read

Bellatrix Lestrange

It is not needed to be said that one should not have Bellatrix as a role model in regards to her morality; however, unlike other characters, she was a force of nature, an exemplary, strong and unique female character full of traits to be honoured and contradictions worth exploring.

First, as one of the top three hated characters and one of the two most hated women in the series, I thought it would be important to note how Bellatrix is different, and much better, than Umbridge. On the surface they would seem very similar, both elitist and cruel, but in reality, Bellatrix was so much more. With no limit of her devotion to Voldemort or the cause, she consistently held him in high esteem and never denounced him, even once captured and in Azkaban. Umbridge, on the other hand, more was interested in the power and the ability to put other beneath her than the actual belief that they were less than her, as we see with her father who she was ashamed of even though he was a wizard because he didn’t have enough status in the wizarding world.

What’s also interesting about Bellatrix, is how much her life is based on emotions, and how with her it is a very weakening characteristic. She was definitely the only person he came closest to loving and respecting, and had he felt a need for an equal or partner it definitely would have been her, but while her emotions and darkness made her eviler, they also are part of what scared him. An example is how both Voldemort and Bellatrix torture Harry and Neville; Voldemort is trying to gain information, power, immortality, but what is Bellatrix gaining? She is just being cruel, trying to show off. She didn’t see Neville as an equal, so why bother trying to egg him on and best him. Unfortunately the emotions also hurt her relationship with him because she was just so desperate to be even more to him than she already was, she wanted to be the one to kill Harry, was ashamed and would agonize when Voldemort mentioned her blood traitor sister and half-breed niece (btw, how the heck did they know who got married to whom and had a kid, this is some fourth-wall BS), and he would dismiss her constantly—even if not as obnoxious as he did with Pettigrew or Malfoy and whether this helped drive her mad or just made her more sadistic, I don’t think it did anything for their bond except increase her usefulness to him.

While evil and repulsive, she was a very strong character with depth. As she explained with Harry and the Cruciatus Curse—you have to mean it. She was honourable in that she didn’t back down from her beliefs even when it came to turning on family (I wonder what she would have done if she lived in regards to Narcissa) and that she demanded your attention and respect as someone who was brilliant and talented

Best Camera Looks

1. Season Two Episode Nineteen: Michael’s Birthday

Ryan’s look to the camera’s after being in the kitchen while Angela and Dwight fight over who should take care of Michael’s Ice Cream Birthday cake and whether or not Dwight will get any ‘cookie’ later.

2. Season Three, Episode Twelve: Traveling Salesman

Angela’s glare from behind the pillar as Andy explains how he got rid of Dwight.

3. Season Two, Episode Seven: The Client

Jan looking between Michael and Louis sucking ribs at Chili’s

4. Season Five, Episode Eighteen: Blood Drive

When Jim and Pam look into the camera while Bob Vance feeds Phyliss after they catch them having sex in the bathroom during their Valentine’s lunch date

5. Season Five, Episode Nine: The Surplus

Jim’s involuntary shake in the conference room/interview after Pam tells him “I’m not threatening you. I love you. But you should know you’re on very dangerous ground” and gives him the smallest of pecks.

6. Season Five, Episode Nineteen: Golden Ticket

Darryl’s look at the camera crew after Michael asks him “What is a pallet?”

7. Season Four, Episode Thirteen: Job Fair

When Pam flashes the camera the sheet of paper Michael had her go back to the office to get for the Job Fair after

Not letting her bring more than one paper

Insisting they only can use Dunder Mifflin Paper

Having her go back because someone wrote their name on the paper which he wanted to have left blank but didn’t tell anyone

8. Season Two, Episode Seventeen: Dwight’s Speech

Pam’s sarcastic look to the camera after Angela ‘non-chalantly’ wishes Dwight luck on his speech from across the office

9. Season Two, Episode Seven: The Client

Dwight’s look to the camera when he realizes Jan stayed the night

10. Season Nine, Episode Nineteen: Stairmageddon

Clark’s look to the camera after Stanley stabs himself with the bull tranquilizer

Best Conference Room Meetings

1. Season Three, Episode Four: Grief Counseling

When Pam and Ryan, and then Kevin tell fake grief stories based on movies.

2. Season Five, Episode Three: Business Ethics

Michael: Spent an entire week watching YouTube, in particular the Cookie Monster sings Chocolate Rain.

Oscar: Will sometimes take a long lunch.

Kelly: Downloads pirated music onto her work computer.

Meredith: For the past six years, Meredith was sleeping with a supplier in exchange for discounts on office supplies and Outback Steakhouse coupons.

3. Season Seven, Episode Thirteen: Ultimatum

⦁ Creed wanting to learn how to do a cartwheel (Ditto). ⦁ Kevin not knowing how to eat broccoli.

4. Season Seven, Episode Nineteen: Garage Sale Conference room meeting where Oscar, Ryan, Jim and Pam all work with Michael to plan the perfect proposal to Holly.

5. Season Two, Episode Twenty: Drug Testing When Pam sets up Jim to tell “the story about a friend who got caught up in the world of drugs” knowing per jinx he couldn’t speak. 

6. Season Four, Episode Four: Money When Michael is supposed to be teaching everyone PowerPoint but forgot, then the meeting get sidelined to the universally confusing question: Is whom a real word, and if so, when do you use it?

7. Season Six, Episode Twenty-Five: The Chump

When the meeting gets refocused on how to shoot Bin-Laden, Hitler and Toby with only two bullets.

8. Season Four, Episode Four: Money The Conference room meeting held at Michael’s other job as a telemarketer at the Lipaphedrine Diet-pill Company--they love him.

9. Season Two, Episode Twenty-One: Conflict Resolution  When Michael mediates between Angela and Oscar through the five mediation techniques.

10. Season Four, Episode Seven: Survivor Man

The Conference room meeting, that wasn't. Jim is trying to end the all the birthday parties as they waste time, but almost gets tricked into having a conference meeting about it per Pam's suggestion.

Dolores Umbridge

I was wondering what I could write about what we learned from Umbridge, did I really need to write about all the characters, did I learn from them? How people in power can be corrupt and self-indulging, how people can use their greatest insecurities or fears and inner hate as a foundation against others, these are things we know already from life and can see from other characters so why write about her. Well, there are two things—one is just a quandary. It is interesting that as she became more and more in power, more absolute in her hatred of others that she also became more ‘polite’ (a false-politeness as most is) and more ‘girly’ focusing on a love of kittens, the color pink and attempts in being fragile. Why? She didn’t want to come across as fragile or dainty.

Secondly, there are many characters that are hated for the level of pain or evil they caused: the Dursleys, the Malfoys, Pettigrew, while Voldemort, Bellatrix and Umbridge are usually at the top and considered the worst, Voldemort has never been considered high above Umbridge in this aspect, and for many falls beneath her.  Here is the man who split his soul into seven pieces (then accidentally eight), had Cedric murdered just because he wasn’t useful (seriously, just knock him out), tried to kill a baby who might one day kill him (good job on that one), murdered his entire family (both sides), he’s just an evil guy. So how is he not automatically the big villain Umbridge is? Why is she even able to compete? It’s a personal opinion, and choice, and one that fluctuates for most. Umbridge is so hated I believe, because of how much power she was allowed to have, and how she was able to slip in, remain and grow within the Ministry and be seen as someone with intellect, someone who should be compassionate, engaging and encouraging was narrow-minded and without individuality. In comparison, Voldemort had to fight for his power and to promote his beliefs, and people fought against him and disrespected him for it. Being forced to respect either Umbridge or Voldemort will make them hated, but as Umbridge was considered by many adults as one of the ‘good guys’ or that her crimes and hatred against others weren’t important enough to be obliterated and that she was supported makes us hate her and the system more.

The respect, power and approval by the ‘good guys’ she was given is similar to my earlier point in how her affection for kittens and delicate things was in opposition, and a falsehood, of who she really was. I cannot speak for others, but I do feel that giving someone with the same hatred and cruelty in her as Voldemort, giving her the power and respect he wanted is what makes her so hated—what she does is approved and while teachers under Voldemort’s rule would torture students, they did it as it went against their beliefs and because that’s who they were. They didn’t pretend it was for the benefit of the other students or under the guise of someone else. With all her arrogance and self-importance, she really had no confidence or true pride.

Tough, Tattered and Tiny

A food desert, simply put, is an area in a community where at best residents and others in the community “best” access to food may be a local convenience store. Similarly, as technology has changed our world to more internet-based and virtual there are fewer libraries that are more spread out. While only hitting on a few of the benefits of libraries, these libraries have grown in the absence of traditional libraries. They’re small, partially funded by people’s unwanted or previously read books where you can take and leave books as you please and allows those who don’t have access to wider libraries to still keep the *free* possibility of reading open. A barrier that an enthusiastic reader such as myself cannot ignore.

 The most common, and smallest, are similar to those influenced or constructed by www.LittleFreeLibrary.org; that sells various little libraries that can be customized, eco-friendly and even some that also work as benches. While not ideal, these libraries can also serve as a viewpoint of the local community; are they sharing information about learning how to knit, how to join law enforcement, gaining citizenship? Are there more kids or adults, fashionistas or environmental advocates? Both? For those who cannot access a traditional local library, and even those that can; these smallest libraries are simply fabulous and I would encourage anyone to check out a book, check in a book or make a donation.

Dorian

First, it’s amazing to me that I still don’t remember the TRUE title of this book. I always refer to it just as Dorian, then remember it’s Dorian Gray--completely forgetting it’s actually “The Picture of Dorian Gray”

I love this book so, so much. Forget the ridiculousness of homophobia in general and in the book, for Oscar Wilde to have written this book, have the visual degree he had, the understanding he had--it baffles and bothers me that people really considered anything else except for the pure genius that he was with this story and concerned themselves with other things. 

First, for the story, the use of the painting and Dorian as a split between him and his soul is amazing. While he begins his journey with a great lack of understanding, it brings about the idea that without consequences many will go astray--while also pointing out that those who choose to put their value in images or status instead of nature and character are going to be missing the truth about people--warned by Sybil, the painting and Bail’s disbelief of the rumours

Secondly, Dorian’s journey over the 18 years that were inspired by Basil’s painting and Lord Henry’s small chat, along with Dorian’s lack of follow thru to stay with Sybil both before and after her death--what concerns me with this is the reflection that that at that point his fate is sealed. While later true, Dorian and the other characters take the easy way out and similarly to my first point go towards the path of least resistance--in more ways than one, regardless of the logic or lack of behind it. 

Finally, and for me, the most awe-striking genius that I continue to be stunned by is the ending where Dorian meets his demise. While I know that our creativity comes from an inspiration within, the ending especially (along with the idea of the painting in general) was so ahead of its time. I am again in awe

Into Thin Air

I’m still in the process of reading this book for the first time, but as I slowly read thru their final days on the Summit, I know this book will be with me forever. Not even knowing the events beforehand Jon Krakauer’s words will break you; you are only able to remove yourself so much as he highlights impending consequences of what were the best-made decisions. Little, inconsequential choices and feelings in crucial moments that were unknown to him at the time turn out to be the worst of his life, you can feel them now—you can feel his sorrow, guilt and pain.

His words are intensified by quotes included by other climbers and authors about climbing, about life and about death. I have added his other works onto my list, as never before have I been able to see a world so clearly, been in the place of someone so closely, feeling their heart within mine. He is an amazing writer, for lack of more deserving words and praise, and I wish peace upon all those in his, and similar stories.

“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.

The Presitge

I was originally going to highlight Unbreakable (2000) today, but given the ending of the trilogy is getting released on Friday, I postponed. The Prestige (2006) will always be a film marked as one of my favorites as it’s a suspense film I can handle and I love when there is a bit of thinking and question as opposed to pure terror (see Cape Fear—the most frightening moments of the film being when literally NOTHING happens but it’s 5 straight, pure minutes of agony).

I like this film because it taps into a lot, struggling for success, secrets, devotion, mystery and it’s related suspense. While we mostly follow Angier and root for him to succeed for his redemption against Borden, we also delve a bit more into Borden and want to root for him sometimes as well. It shows and tests the very complex journey of our aspirations and what may happen when things get out of hand. The fake and true deaths of Angier and Borden show both the worst that comes in us destroying ourselves and how when we lose track of ourselves we can lead others to destroy us.

PS—plus the Borden switch—damn

Krijasto

It should not be any surprise that a majority of the Happiest report countries in the world, also have the highest reported intellect, education and success. One such country, Finland, is consistently praised for various reasons. It has great access to nature (including the Northern Lights) and a clean environment, there is a real sense of community as it is not uncommon for people who have lost their wallet to have it returned and high parental leave for all parents; and there is a great freedom to express oneself as seen with the creativity that has pushed design boundaries, created mobile games and metal music.

While not the only foundation of these achievements, another instrument of this success is the love Finland has for their books and public libraries. Noted as the country that takes out/borrows the most libraries in the world these libraries truly are epicenters of the community where new and established residents may learn, explore, think, question and grow

(1) https://s3.amazonaws.com/happiness-report/2019/WHR19.pdf

(2) https://www.visitfinland.com/article/greatest-things-about-finland/

(3) https://www.buzzfeed.com/frankmartela/12-surprising-things-in-which-finland-is-the-best-fvkn

(4) https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/may/15/why-finlands-cities-are-havens-for-library-lovers-oodi-helsinki