March For Your Life

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’m happy for her an all, but notably sad for myself. I gasped when I saw this on the News. Love her, holding it in for her Netflix stuff. 

BREAKING: Leslie Jones will not be returning for SNL’s 45th season

Mr. Ollivander

Today is Mr. Ollivander’s birthday, the wandmaker who sells Harry his wand on his 11th birthday, measures the wand’s of all the Champions in the Tri-wizard Tournament and is held prisoner during the Second War at Malfoy Manor. According to Pottermore he was influential to the wizarding world as he completely transformed wand making when he took over his family’s business. While I would have also liked the previous method of bringing something personal to have a wand made out of, Mr. Ollivander’s method of creating wands from selective materials and selling them to the wizard who had a connection with the wand is both a more logical approach and produced a noticeable change in strength and beauty for the wand holder. 

But there is more to his story....

As with the first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Mr. Ollivander was Harry Potter’s, and our’s, first taste of magic. In his wandshop is where Harry first gets to perform just a bit of magic and, as he repeats throughout his years, how much he loves it. While Harry Potter might have been a special case, I believe that Mr. Ollivander was passionate and caring about each new (or older) wizard who came in for a companion in their wand and enjoyed being with them as they started their journey and full embracing the beauty that is magic. So thank you Mr. Ollivander for your passion, compassion, brilliance and heart. 

Eh....Anonymous

All right, I’m not clean, proud nor happy about this but facts are true when we like them and when we don’t. These three films are brilliant (in my opinion), and I love them and while I will not purchase anything related to the man behind the shadows of these films, to not have them included in my favorites would be a lie—so I crammed them all together as films I wish were associated with someone else –and that’s all I can say on the matter as my alliance for these films still struggles.

The Curse of the Jade Scorpion 

Way back when, my family (mostly my Dad and I) would watch two films on New Year’s Eve instead of just one, along with getting Chinese food for dinner. The Curse of the Jade Scorpion was one of the first ones, one we watched at least a second New Year’s Eve and is one of my favorite comedies. I have re-watched it many times and I always love it. Like its main character, it’s ridiculous and cartoon-like, perfectly matching the music that goes with it--like a live-action Bugs Bunny cartoon. Watching an investigator thump around and somehow, luckily solve the mystery—is preposterous, even more so than the romantic ending. But if you find to have similar taste as I do, which most don’t, this one will have you laugh out loud so much that your father starts to watch from another room.

Crimes and Misdemeanors

Please, please, hold the accurate screams for the stars of this film that escape from your body as if you are a stereotyped middle school girl from ten years ago that just saw Justin Bieber. Sam Waterson, Jerry Orbach (RIP) and Alan Alda—heaven and probably my main reasons for loving this film (in order) not just because it was them but because I saw a different character of them that I was more used to (thou not Alan Alda in this case, I agree he was schmucky). I would agree with other reviewers that it’s not exactly the suspense of what’s going to happen that fuels the story but what these ‘average’ people will do, how they will react and how the rest of their lives will be impacted. Except for Judah’s connection to hitman, and part of the story having a connection to the acting/film industry—the stories are all pretty common. People who are in unhappy marriages, people who have affairs; these stories are common. A lot of “coming of age” stories are about teenagers and young adults, but after 50 or so years sometimes we come to a new level of understanding of ourselves or a different realization than before and make different choices and we adapt again rising to a new challenge or falling below expectations—but which one was which

“And after the awful deed is done, he finds that he's plagued by deep-rooted guilt. Little sparks of his religious background which he'd rejected are suddenly stirred up. He hears his father's voice. He imagines that God is watching his every move. Suddenly, it's not an empty universe at all, but a just and moral one, and he's violated it.”

Match Point

Match Point really is just an extension of Crimes and Misdemeanors, the only larger change is that the ending result comes from a combination of the actions of the main character along with ‘fate’ as opposed to just dumb luck. Both main characters in Crimes and Misdemeanors and Match Point show that with real consequences, the choices you make are different than what you think they would be; but also how your worst choices show your true character because even thou both Judah and Tom both felt extreme guilt….they got over it pretty quickly

 Shout out: Melinda and Melinda a complete extreme of how perspective can shape so much

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.

The Office (US)

It is the end of the year and the end of an era. The Office (US) series is about to leave Netflix, and along with spending time with our families during this global pandemic in the US this is also the time of more “traditional” family time. 

Whether to get through spending this time with your family or celebrating with them, you still have time to rewatch the series without too much strain. Watching just two to three hours a night you can relive all 201 episodes and nine fabulous years of The Office by the end of the year.

Today, with only a six-episode long Season 1 you’d jump into Season 2 tomorrow, get to Pam and Jim’s first kiss this Sunday night, cheer up the middle of your week with Season’s 3 Christmas party battle, see Ryan’s promotion with the beginning of Season 4 on Friday December 4th, meet Holly Sunday December 6th with the start of Season 5, visit Niagra that Friday in the beginning of Season 6, see Michael off the following week towards the end of Season 7 and seeing Andy as new manager for the beginning of Season 8 starting December 19th. As you continue with this routine the last chunk of special, longer episode you can watch all Christmas Day or spread out them out for the remainder of the year. 

Whether this will just be another journey into The Office (US) or a long-embraced farewell you can still enjoy all the camera looks, romantic couple moments, friendship moments, awkward moments, parties, pranks, one-liners, office-colleague and coworker moments, advice, interviews, conference room meetings, “that’s what she said” jokes, introduction sequences, ending sequences, and lingering questions of Jim, Pam, Dwight, Michael, Holly, Jan, Andy, Stanley, Phyllis, Kevin, Meredith, Creed, Oscar, Angela, Ryan, Kelly, Toby, Gabe, Darryl, Erin, David Wallace, Charles Miner, Nellie Bertram, Robert California, Roy, Karen, Pete, Clark, Val and Todd Packer

Thank you, and Cherrio!

JK Rowling

Harry Potter and the Sorcerors Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blooded Prince, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I literally grew up with the release of the books and films. From September 1st 2018 to midnight, July 21st, 2007 I grew up with Harry, Ron and Hermione. But even 20 years later children and adults around the world are growing up with them, learning from the characters, the books, the films, their friends, their families, their teachers, and their stories. 

We have learned about compassion, friendship, empathy, inner strength, how to persevere; we have learned about activism, to fight against inequality, to fight for more than just ourselves. It has been scientifically concluded that these stories have increased people’s humanity and lessened the possibility of hate from taking over. The generation that grew up with these stories, those who read them to us and those who have read them since believe and have a new understanding about those around them that aren’t like themselves due to religion, race, politics, economics, immigration and all the other things that make us beautifully different. What we learned from Harry Potter, what we learned from you over these past 20 years today (in the states), in these 19 years and counting, thank you JK Rowling. Thank you for the world you created in these stories, and so much more

Thank you

Arthur Weasley <3

As you can probably could tell by the heart, I could go on for a while about how wonderful Arthur Wealsey is as a father, a man, a husband and a human being in general. So let’s start with his picture, as dignified as he is and commanding as much respect and honor as the world can offer (that will never be enough)

The main things I want to focus on with Arthur is how he was as a father and husband, and how much he just loved the world. 

As a father and husband, Arthur is the gold standard as well as a gold standard in human being all around. First in regards to fatherhood, his children adored him and he was part of their rock that was him and Molly. Yes, he caved, a lot. He was the good guy to Molly’s bad cop, that’s just who they were, but that’s not why they adored him, admired him and gave him that look of “oh brother” whenever he went on a rant or couldn’t figure something out; Arthur loved his children unconditionally, 100%. Something that is much less common than realized. Bill and Percy at banks and in government, sure; Charlie chasing Dragons and growing out his hair, Fred and George experimenting and taking risks...just be safe! He loved and supported his children with whatever they wanted to do and it just makes him so endearing and heart warming. Plus, while we didn’t see it much, we know he did the same with Molly, even thou he couldn’t scare the way she could, he would back her up (when he could control himself) and also knew how to calm her down, without “calming her down”. 

Thirdly, Arthur was an outstanding role model for being a fabulous human being, and a man. While gender based stereotypes are outside my preference, it is noted that strong, positive male models are crucial for girls and boys growing up. And Arthur exemplified all of these by showing how his children could be sensitive and be excited, being supportive and caring with his wife, and being caring to others with how he and Molly took in Harry as their own and did what he knew was right and holding onto the truth and his convictions with his job long before and even during Voldemort’s return--> he was on Umbridge’s list for a reason!!

While always seen by some as a joke and good for a laugh by all, the one who laughed the most at Arthur was himself. While mostly fixed on Muggle items (and separately the respect he had for those who lived and survived and engineered without magic--> told you there would never be enough time), Arthur loved the entire world around him. He enjoyed life, learning new things, going to new places and always wanted to test himself. Similarly to Hermione who always wanted to learn and mostly did so from books, Arthur always was up for a new experience, new adventure, and to learn by doing and mastering. 

I always will love Arthur Weasley for the honest and compassionate person that he is. One in a million, Molly is just as noble, kind and brilliant and it is not mystery to why they fit so well and raised such an impeccable group of children. 

Holly Flax xoxo

Holly’s Best Moment: Season Seven, Episode Nineteen: Garage Sale

Two parts: when following a conversation with her parent’s Holly realizes she has to return to Colorado to be with them before they pass; and two, asking Michael to go with her.

 Holly’s Worst Moment: Season Seven, Episode Four: Sex Ed

When she tells Michael that he romanticizes things, that’s he’s making them out to be more than they were and that they were “a fun fling” and “good memory”.

Holly’s Best Line: Season Seven, Episode Sixteen: The Search

“Two People in Love?”

“I love you”

“Wait, wait, wait. What do you mean you love me? We’ve only been dating for a week. Do you mean you love me like, “oh there’s Holly, I love that girl”, or do you mean you love me like you love me, love me?”

“I love you, love you”

“Wow, you love me, love me. I love you, love you”

Holly’s Most Memorable Moment: Season Five, Episode Three: Business Ethics

When Holly is adamant that what Meredith sleeping with a supplier is inappropriate and against general business ethics.