That time I won a contest that I didn't enter.

Probably to no one's surprise, I saw The Ides of March on opening night. My anticipation for the movie was through the roof - I love political melodrama, the movie was filmed all around Ohio, and everyone loves George Clooney and Ryan Gosling. It didn't disappoint. Really, I suggest everyone goes to see it. It is a thought-provoking commentary on human loyalty and honesty, not only in the political realm, but in life. It explores the often self-serving world of politics through a very cynical lens, depicting the failure and eventual corruption of an idealistic campaign staffer with all the right intentions (Gosling) in an environment that is far too wrought with insincerity and deceit to accomplish anything worthwhile. This, of course, is a perfect allegory for the betrayal of Julius Caesar by Marcus Brutus on the "ides of March," March 15, 44 BC.

Gosling was incredible (as usual), George directed it beautifully, and Paul Giamatti and Philip Seymour Hoffman acted with all the capability we've seen in their roles from the past. With solid performances from Evan Rachel Wood, Marisa Tomei, and Max Minghella, I left the theater disturbed, yet strangely satisfied.

Like I said, the movie takes place on the campaign trail in my home state of Ohio, where Pennsylvania Governor Mike Morris is fighting to win a hotly-contested democratic primary and the bid for president. I loved seeing places I recognize throughout the film. Some scenes were filmed at my alma mater Miami University (and some of my friends were extras!). Last year, I ventured to Oxford in hopes of keeping finding George, Ryan, and/or Max. Of course, I left slightly disappointed, but I did find the movie's campaign bus!


Throughout the movie, you can see Farmer Business School, the Ohio River, the Millennium Hotel (in downtown Cincinnati), Paul Brown Stadium, and Newport (Kentucky). They mentioned a ton of other Ohio colleges, including Ohio State, UC, Kent State, and Xavier.

Despite all the hometown excitement, there was one scene in the movie that got me particularly excited. In a pivotal scene in which Ryan Gosling meets secretly with Paul Giamatti at a sports bar, I noticed a framed Rick Nash jersey hanging on the wall. This, of course, is highly unrealistic because no one in Cincinnati cares about Blue Jackets hockey or knows who Rick Nash is. After fangirling a bit and annoying Jenn, I decided to tweet the Columbus Blue Jackets to tell them about the small cameo for the captain.

One day later, I received a tweet from Nirva Milord, the NHL Director of Entertainment Publicity (@NHLnlm):


Apparently, he had contacted the Blue Jackets announcing a contest that would give a prize to the first fan who tweeted about the Nash jersey in the scene. Being the creep I am, I noticed and tweeted about it before the contest was announced. So, I won! ....a contest that I didn't know existed. I love Twitter.

Today, I got my prize! An official NHL puck signed by none other than my future husband, Rick Nash. Seriously, all of these run-ins must be more than coincidence, right?


Just another thing for the shrine. Next time I see him, I'll try to collect a lock of his hair.

Is it just me or should I be playing the lottery these days?