Penny for your Thought

Welcome back to Penny for your Thought. Last month’s edition talked gently about the climate change march and had other exciting thoughts. This month’s edition was organized around two topics (with the ability to ignore the topics) that were Book/Movie Recommendations and What You Are Thankful For. 

If you are interested in submitting something for the next iteration of Penny for your Thought, December’s Topics will be: Small Reflection on This Semester and What you are looking forward to next semester. Again, topics are only suggestions and different thoughts are welcomed.
Form can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/FSPennyforyourThought

Book and Movie Recommendations:

“The documentary Avicii: True Stories is the masterpiece of the eon.” – Anonymous, Third Year Student

“The Overstory, by Richard Powers, really is magical. If you’re feeling apocalyptic about climate change and needing to gather some perspective, this is your text. The deep wonder of trees is the book’s real subject, told through a dozen characters in interrelated stories. The best books reframe the world so we see it with new eyes, and this is one of those.” – Sara Hendren, Faculty

“Jupiter Ascending may not have been a particularly intellectual movie, but it was fun and campy. I rewatched it recently on Netflix, remembering very little about it beyond the fact that it was bad, and found myself genuinely enjoying it. The pad scene and the “I love dogs; I’ve always loved dogs” will never not be funny. Plus, it was directed by the Wachowski sisters. “ – Anonymous

“Sneakers (1992 Film)” – Steve Matsumoto, Faculty

“I read Educated by Tara Westover and it was an incredible memoir of self-discovery that’s at times horrific, unbelievable, and beautiful. (TW: physical abuse, violence, hateful language, religious extremism). The author grew up in a Mormon fundamentalist family that idolized anti-government extremists and put her to work scrapping metal in a junkyard when she should’ve been (but wasn’t) in 7th grade. She endures physical abuse at the hands of her loved ones which turns more psychic when she starts to put distance between her old life and the new one she’s clawing together for herself in college, then grad school and beyond. Tara’s perseverance, even in the face of hardships that will scar her forever, is a remarkable thing to bear witness to. This was one of the most powerful books I’ve read in some time.” – Callan, Staff

“The Power, by Naomi Alderman, is a very powerful book. It made me rethink my role as a feminist and the role of revolution in society. Highly recommend.” – Emma Pan, Third Year Student

“Borne or Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer are both weird dystophians that explore technology and environments. Borne is more heavy with biotech with Annihilation being a look at climate change (in a non global warming sense). Borne and Annihilation are often under $5 as ebooks.” – Erika A. Serna, Third Year Student

What You Are Thankful For:
“I’m thankful for my friends walking through nourishing conversations with me” – David Freeman, Third Year Student

“Thankful for: Modern medicine.” – Rick Osterberg, Staff

“I’m grateful for the black comfier chairs at the tables in the library” – Anonymous, Fourth Year Student

“I’m thankful for getting feedback that actually makes me reflect on why I interact with people the way I do and what I may be able to change to be a more effective communicator” -Anonymous

Other:

“Three men check into a hotel. They each pay $10 for a total of $30. Later, the manager realizes that the room only cost $25 and gives the bellhop $5 to return to the guests. Along the way, the bellhop decides that $5 is hard to split between 3 people and pockets $2. He returns $3. Now the men paid $30 initially, with $10 each. They each got $1 back, totaling $9 each for $27. The bellhop has $2 totaling $29. Where is the remaining $1?” – Anonymous

“We’re just the stories we tell about ourselves.” – Anonymous

“you’re doing a great job :)” – Anonymous

“Strong magnets are reverse hammers.” – Zack Davenport, Fourth Year Student

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