Happy Thoughts Thursday

I've found that Happy Thoughts Thursday posts are the perfect way for this disorganized blogger to pretend to have some kind of order in her life. Spoiler alert: I don't. Here goes!

+ Arizona weekend. I'm ashamed to admit this, but my sister has lived in Tucson for three years and I've yet to visit her. However, that all changes tonight when I set off for a long weekend of girl talk, wedding dress shopping, engagement photos, plenty of tacos, and general Southwest tourism. I cannot wait to finally meet her precious dog, Ollie, and Instagram the crap out of some cacti. Does anyone have any touristy suggestions or must do's while in Tucson?

+ My niece. I mean, is she kidding me with that face? Her bottom teeth are poking through, she has a little mullet going on in the back, and I'm basically worthless when she's around. Oh, and she's crawling now. How is it possible to be so in love with a person who can't even talk to you yet?

+ Pigs on the canal. Over the course of my time in Indy, I've seen some very strange things on the canal. Pacers players on segways, insanely dedicated Pokemon Go hunters, people sleeping in tents, tightrope walkers. But this week, I came across a Vietnamese potbelly pig that was being walked on a leash. His name was Hoggle and, like my childhood pet pig, he is a member of the family and lives inside their house. After talking with the owner for a bit, she informed me that earlier in the walk, a dog snapped at Hoggle, which scared him out of his harness, and he promptly jumped into the canal. I would have given almost anything to see him swimming around in the canal like those famous swimming pigs in the Bahamas.

+ Jack's Donuts. I have no data to back this up, but I think Indianapolis probably has the most donuts per capita of any city in the U.S. Between Long's Bakery, Rocket 88, General American Donut Company, Square Donuts, and the Dancing Donut, it seems that the sugary breakfast pastry market would be entirely over-saturated. However, Jack's Donuts just opened downtown (near the Circle) and I believe we've found a new go-to spot. Not only is this place open until midnight on the weekends, but the donuts are absolutely delicious. They even make them covered in Cookie Crisp and Fruity Pebbles because gluttony.

+ Valentine's Day. Wheat and I have an agreement that Valentine's Day shouldn't be a big event with lavish gifts and big plans. I know it's cheesy, but he really does make me feel cherished and special every single day of the year. So, our Valentine's Day consisted of dinner cooked at home, candy for him, and pink tulips for me. We also saw 50 Shades Darker because I'm a woman with hormones, a serious case of FOMO, and a crush on Jamie Dornan.

+ "I Don't Wanna Live Forever" by ZAYN and Taylor Swift. Speaking of 50 Shades, this song is a total banger. Can ZAYN do no wrong?



Did you do something special for Valentine's Day?
Have you forgiven ZAYN for what he did to One Direction?
What's making YOU happy this week?

The tough stuff brought on by Selma

Rather than watch Tom Brady toss a deflated football around on Sunday night, Wheat and I did something a little more meaningful with our time and saw Selma. Side note: Don't let me fool you into thinking we're better than the NFL. We hate both the Patriots and the Colts and wanted to take advantage of an empty theater.

The movie itself, despite its recent Oscar nomination snubs, was excellent. The acting was strong, the story was heartbreaking, and it didn't shy away from the unsavory aspects of Dr. King's life (ex. his extramarital affairs) or the internal battle that raged within the Civil Rights movement (ex. the debate over a violent or nonviolent approach, the friction between the SCLC and SNCC, etc.). It also prompted an hour-long discussion on the state of race relations today and what it was like for Wheat growing up in the South. I'm always fascinated to hear how complicated histories are taught to the descendants of the perpetrators. For instance, how are modern German students taught about the Holocaust? How did Wheat learn about the painful history of Alabama while living in Birmingham? I'm equally interested in this topic because most of the southerners I know are fiercely proud of their heritage, despite the knowledge of the atrocities that occurred on the very soil they love.

Of course, that's not to say that descendants of Southern plantation owners or the racists who opposed desegregation aren't equally as horrified by those pages of history. Unfortunately, that's also not to say that those whose ancestors hail from north of the Mason-Dixon line weren't (and still aren't) racist.

As you know, this is still a very sensitive subject.

According to Wheat, growing up in the American South was a uniquely complicated experience. He said that the Civil Rights battles of the 1960s were taught in approximately the same way they were in my little Ohio hometown with minimal skirting around the harsh truths. He did mention, however, that the Civil War is taught a little differently...with slightly less focus put on slavery as the primary cause of the war. Considering that a large percentage of the Southern population is actually African-American, he said that these topics are, for the most part, approached delicately, but honestly.

While growing up, he said that the rich, albeit painful history of the area was almost tangible. Field trips were taken to Birmingham's Sixteenth St. Baptist Church (the site of a bombing that killed four young girls in 1963) and Atlanta's King Center. Despite the painful reminders of the difficult past and the frequent race-related battles still being waged across the country (I wouldn't call Ferguson, Missouri; Sanford, Florida; or Staten Island, New York the traditional "South"), Wheat said that those in the South, both white and black, share a unique bond, forged together by the events that preceded them and a cultural common ground. Specifically, he mentioned sports and music as a source of shared pride, citing Alabama football and the Memphis Grizzlies as primary examples.

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I'm also heartbroken by how events portrayed in the movie still apply today. I don't even mean in the literal sense of white police officers violently beating or killing black citizens. I'm referring to things much simpler, but much more reflective of the big picture.

January box office records are currently being shattered by American Sniper, a movie that chronicles the career of Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, the most lethal sniper in American history. While his service and sacrifice are unquestionably admirable (and worthy of a blockbuster movie), it is also important to temper that admiration with the knowledge of Kyle's well-publicized, anti-Muslim sentiments. The Academy has chosen to (rightfully) recognize Bradley Cooper's performance as Kyle, but did not nominate David Oyelowo for his portrayal of Dr. King, which is perfectly fine. But merely one year after praising the impressive performances in 12 Years a Slave, the Academy failed to make any kind of real progress when it decided not to nominate Ava DuVernay for Best Director (Selma). She would have become the first African-American woman nominated for the honor.

And yes, I realize that the Academy Awards aren't meant to pave the way for social change and should be awarded to the best body of work or performance, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, etc. I just can't help but notice the glaring omissions and hypocrisies.

It's not lost on me how sheltered I am.

I walked away from Selma, citing it as an inspirational think piece, completely oblivious to the violence happening in "the bad part of town," a mere three miles away from the comforts of my apartment. However, as easy as it would be for a privileged white girl from Ohio to see Selma and call it 'events of the past,' I know better than to do that. The battle for racial (and gender) equality wages on today...and that's as evident on the streets of Ferguson as it is in the announcement of the Oscar nominations.

Hey, Batter Batter!

Over drinks a couple weeks ago, my friends learned that I haven't seen several classic baseball movies. I saw Field of Dreams for the first time last year, but I haven't seen The Rookie, The Natural, Bull Durham, or Major League. So, being good friends, they decided that a baseball movie night was in order. I jumped at the opportunity to host a theme party and the date was set for Sunday night (after the Bengals travesty).

I might have gone a little overboard with the planning. I wanted to have a hot dog and nacho bar, so we boiled the hot dogs and set out the toppings (sour cream, onions, shredded cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, queso, guacamole, refried beans, ketchup, mustard, Skyline chili, and barbeque sauce). I bought some Cracker Jacks, peanuts, and Big League chew to give our apartment the ballpark feel.

I made a banner sign that said 'Concessions,' filled Wheat's old baseball glove with peanuts, and printed out a cute sign for decoration. Wheat helped with the decorations by hanging some of his old Orioles and personal memorabilia around the apartment. I really can't handle his cute little league baseball card from 1996. I also bought the guys small packs of baseball cards and they had fun proposing trades that weren't accepted.

My favorite part of the night, however, was busting out my french vanilla baseball cupcakes.

We decided to watch Major League and if I'm being totally honest, the movie was just alright. The company, though? They're pretty awesome.

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This #Blogtober prompt deserves a post of its own, but I'll do my best to be succinct. My Dream Vacation is almost impossible to narrow down, but I'll go with one I've been fantasizing about recently. You might think I'm cheating, but my dream vacation is a blitz through western Europe with Wheat. I'd really love to see Greece, but I think that'd be a trip on its own.

I may or may not have already planned out a loose itinerary.

Okay, I have. Here it is:

- We'd start in Amsterdam, enjoying all that the city has to offer. We'd tour the Anne Frank house, rent bikes to cruise along the canals, check out the Van Gogh Museum, take a cruise on a canal boat, and walk along the Red Light District.

Amsterdam via

- Next, we'd make our way to Germany. We'd stop in Berlin to learn about the Wall and see Checkpoint Charlie. We'd admire the gorgeous feudal castles, take a cruise on the Rhine River, and walk through the tiny villages in the Rhine Valley. We'd stop in Munich for some history, some beer (I would force myself to drink it here), and a trip to the Dachau concentration camp. We'd get pictures of Neuschwanstein Castle (the inspiration for the famous Disney castle) before heading to Venice.

- We would spend a decent amount of time in Italy, of course. Venice would be filled with getting lost along the canals, admiring St. Mark's Basilica, and taking a gondola ride. Next, we'd travel to Florence, where we'd admire David in the Accademia, eat gelato, peruse the markets, and tour the Uffizi Gallery. We would do so much in Rome and the Vatican. Wheat would give me lessons while visiting the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon, St. Peter's Basilica, and the Vatican Museum.

- We'd spend a day in Cinque Terre to lay on the beach and take a proper vacation. But then we'd head straight to Switzerland to see the gorgeous Swiss Alps. We'd spend a day hiking through the mountains before traveling to France.

- We would explore Paris, admire the works of art in the Louvre, tour the Notre Dame Cathedral, share crepes, walk along the Champs-Elysees, and of course, kiss at the top of the Eiffel Tower. After a couple days, we would board the Chunnel to London for our final stop.

Paris via

- London would be filled with even more history - trips to the London Bridge, the Tower of London, and Buckingham Palace. We'd see a Broadway show, take in the view from the London Eye, and take a cruise on the River Thames.

I'm not opposed to staying in hostels along the way, but money isn't an object in this fantasy vacation. That's the beauty of daydreaming.

Happy Thoughts Thursday

It's been a couple weeks since I've shared some happy thoughts, so I'm way overdue.

- Wheat Sightings. When Wheat was in Miami for Game 6 last week, the Pacers tweeted out this picture and I nearly screamed in my office. He's the good-looking one in the yellow, by the way. I'm so proud of him and how hard he works. *swoon*

"I'm going to come out as aggressive as I was in Game 5." - @Paul_George24 pic.twitter.com/xSVwknbGZh
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 30, 2014

- Visitors. Over the last couple weeks, my mom, Jamie, Jenn, and Sam have all visited me in Indy. I love sharing my new city with friends and family and I couldn't feel more loved when people are willing to drive out to see me. I really am a lucky girl.

- Cyclones are in the Kelly Cup Finals. The Cyclones earned the Eastern Conference title and advanced to the Finals in Game 6 over the Greenville Road Warriors last week and it was so awesome to be there for it. The tilt couldn't have been more exciting - it went into overtime and the game-winning goal was a shorthanded blast by Jonathan Hazen. Although overtime makes deadlines a little tougher to meet, those are the types of games you want to cover as a writer. It was so exhilarating and so much fun to watch the team and coaching staff celebrate on the ice and receive their trophy. They are playing the Alaska Aces in the finals right now and the Aces currently lead the series, 2-1. I hope the Cyclones can pull a couple wins out this weekend at home!

- Wheat time. Sorry for the Wheat-centric post, but now that the Pacers are out of the playoffs, we finally have had some much-needed time together. It's been raining quite a bit the past week and my mood has definitely followed suit. As I was complaining about the rain a couple days ago on gchat, Wheat took the opportunity to do what he does best: make me smile and change my perspective.

- Frozen. Brace yourself, friends. I hadn't seen Frozen until last Friday when my loving friend Sam corrected my ways and insisted we rent it from the nearest Redbox immediately. She was right - I was missing out. I've heard talk that Disney isn't anywhere near its '90s heyday and that Frozen (and its unavoidable theme song "Let It Go") is vastly overrated. I've also heard of thousands of children obsessing over the film, incessantly singing its songs and watching it on an endless loop, much to the delight (or horror?) of their parents. If you trust my opinion, the truth lies somewhere in between, leaning more toward the latter. The movie was definitely entertaining - a cute plot, good music, and lots of jokes, even for adults.

Was I the only one left that hadn't seen Frozen?
What's making YOU happy this week?

The Best of Vince Vaughn

Recently, one of my favorite bloggers, Helene in Between, made a Definitive Ranking of Zac Efron Movies and it inspired me to make a list of my own. I consider myself to be a bit of a Vince Vaughn connoisseur, so without further ado, I bring you:

Swingers

If you haven't seen Swingers, do yourself a solid and watch it. This is vintage Vaughn through and through. Plenty of the quick-wit, fast-talking, charming banter and monologues that you've come to expect from him, but without the cheesy, forced feeling of his recent movies. This is honestly one of my favorite movies of all time and his real-life friendship with Jon Favreau shines through in every scene.

Wedding Crashers

Let's be real: This is Vince Vaughn at his absolute best. You get the sense that most of the dialogue between Vince and Owen Wilson was improvised, a natural rapport that he has tried (and failed) to replicate ever since.

Old School

For me, Old School kicked off the Frat Pack craze of the 2000s, when each comedy tried desperately to top the last with raunchy hilarity. It's nice to go back and watch Vince, Will, and Luke Wilson lay the groundwork before ushering in the era of Judd Apatow.

The Break-Up

A perfect combination of funny and endearing, silly and serious. Unlike most of his prior movies, The Break-Up is realistic, hitting a bit too close to home for some couples. Although it was tough to contain my jealousy, I also loved Vince's brief fling with Jennifer Aniston. I mean, if I can't have him, it might as well have been Jen.

A Cool, Dry Place

You've likely never heard of this movie and that's probably because the plot is nothing groundbreaking. It is refreshing, however, to see Vince tackle a serious role and he completely melts my heart as single dad Russell Durrell. Oh, I should also mention that he used to look like this:

Honorable Mentions: Jurassic Park: The Lost World - I bet you didn't realize/remember he played a major role in the blockbuster sequel. Into the Wild - I really love this movie, but Vince is hardly in it, so I can't count it. Anchorman - The same is true here: So great, but too little Vince to count. Rudy - Speaking of too little Vince, did you know that Vince plays the quarterback in Rudy? The breeding ground of a beautiful friendship with Favreau.

What's your favorite Vince Vaughn movie?

Hoosier Hysteria!

I was looking through my list of things to do in Indianapolis and I've decided to write a post about one of the coolest things I've done since I moved here. Unfortunately, it happened last summer when I was still taking a blog hiatus, so I'll probably miss most of the details, but here goes.

Confession: Before last summer, I had never seen Hoosiers.

Nearly everyone that heard that admission was baffled and/or disgusted, especially people around here. They didn't have to say it - I could tell by their judging eyes. Suddenly, my validity as a sports fan was called into question. Can someone be a real sports fan without having seen the "greatest sports movie of all-time," as decided by ESPN? Probably not, I finally decided and set out to change the error of my ways.

Fortunately for me, Hoosiers was playing at IMA's Summer Nights, so I jumped at the chance to go with Wheat.

Every summer, IMA shows a series of classic movies outside at the gorgeous amphitheater that overlooks the White River. They sell popcorn, candy, soda, and wine, but you can bring whatever you want in a picnic basket. Wheat and I settled on Subway and staked out our spot on the grass before exploring the Art Park for a couple hours.

The movie itself lived up to the hype. I enjoyed it and I understand why it has inspired such a cult-like following over the years. Also, can you beat the opportunity to join in a group clap with an entire audience of actual Hoosiers after a motivational speech from Gene Hackman? I don't think so.

After seeing the movie, I planned to take us to nearby Knightstown, Indiana to tour the real-life Hoosier Gym.

Please notice the flower pots.

It was totally worth the trip and I highly recommend it to anyone in the area. The gym, which was used as the home of the Hickory Huskers, looks untouched since they filmed the movie. Nothing has changed, including the signs on the wall, and you just feel the special aura when you step on the hardwood floors.

In the entrance, there is a little shrine of sorts to the gym, which was actually built in 1921, and the movie, complete with memorabilia, pictures of famous people at the gym, and a tiny gift shop.

Eternally playing against Terhune...

Ball signed by the real-life Jimmy Chitwood, Bobby Plump

Admission is completely free and the people that work there do so on a volunteer basis. The guy who gave us our tour was awesome, so knowledgeable on the history of the gym and its involvement in the movie. He took us down to the locker room, which was used in several memorable scenes, and even quizzed us on the movie.

When he left us to explore on our own, we picked up some basketballs and shot around on the court for a while. I may or may not have attempted to make a last-second shot like Jimmy Chitwood.

Oh yeah - you can rent the place for $25/hour, so we're keeping it in mind for our wedding reception. Kidding.

Happy Thoughts Thursday

It's going to rain all day long, so let's focus on the good things, shall we? Happy thoughts! Go!

- Inside Llewyn Davis. Wheat and I rented it this weekend and I highly recommend it. I found it surprisingly funny and the music was great. I also just enjoyed the premise of the movie and the small roles played by awesome people, including Adam Driver, Alex Karpovsky, and Justin Timberlake. Check it out.

- Daddles. My dad came to visit me last night and we went to the Pacers-Pistons game. The Pacers won, 101-94, and it was so great to spend some quality time with my dad. I'm a lucky girl.

- Warmth. I know I'm probably jinxing myself, but it has felt wonderful this week. Keep it coming, mother nature. I'll even settle for your April showers, as long as they bring May flowers and we're finally done with the snow.

- My second feature for the Cyclones. I wrote a story on versatile defenseman Pat O'Keefe and I'm proud of it. I wish I knew of some freelance opportunities in Indianapolis because writing is definitely what fulfills me.

- G.H. Cretors Chicago Mix Popcorn. Taste bud explosion. Whoever first decided to combine cheese and caramel popcorn has a one-way ticket to heaven.

Do you pay any attention to the NBA?
Have you ever tried the majesty that is cheese and caramel popcorn?
What's making YOU happy this week?

Happy Thoughts Thursday

After a couple weeks off, I'm back with a flurry of happy thoughts. Enjoy.

- Her. Wheat and I saw the new Spike Jonze movie this week and I absolutely loved it. Everything about it was stunning - the performances (from Joaquin Phoenix and Amy Adams), the setting, the concept. Although the notion of falling in love with an operating system is bizarre, it is told in a strangely realistic, relatable way. The movie also sends such true, beautiful, and touching messages about love, communication, and change within relationships. I highly recommend it!

- Studio Movie Grill. I found this theater in December when they were doing a retro showing of It's a Wonderful Life and we love it. It's a theater that serves you dinner while you watch the movie. Each seat has a tray table and a service button that you press when you need something. They bring you the receipt while the movie is finishing so you're free to leave when the lights come back on. The food is a little pricey, but it makes for a perfect dinner-and-a-movie date.

- I wrote my first feature story for the Cyclones on goaltender Joe Howe and the successful start to his ECHL career. I really enjoyed writing it and, although I like doing game recaps, I'm excited to do more of this type of writing.

- In celebration of my first feature story, Wheat came home with a bouquet of gorgeous flowers and an ice cream cake. Am I the luckiest girl in the world? Yep.

- The view from our balcony. I'm not crazy about these subzero temperatures and scraping my windshield three times a week, but I can't get enough of this gorgeous view.

- The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty. I really liked it and recommend it to anyone looking for a quick, easy read with a little mystery.

Have you seen Her yet?
What are you reading?
What's making YOU happy this week?

Happy Thoughts Thursday

- Work. I use the term 'work' loosely here, as I'm not getting paid, but my time with the Cyclones has been awesome so far. I'm learning so much, working on my writing, getting more practice working on a deadline, and oh yeah - I get to watch hockey for free. Games have been going into overtime and shootouts lately, which makes my job a lot tougher, but it's fun to be a part of something I love and I feel myself getting more confident with every game. Also, my story from Tuesday's shootout win ran on the Cincinnati Enquirer's webpage and I can't tell you how cool it felt to be published by a newspaper that used to show up on my family's doorstep every Sunday.

- Catching Fire. Yes, I'm one of those adults obsessed with the Hunger Games trilogy. Judge me all you want - it's awesome. I won't be seeing the movie at midnight (like I desperately want to), but I can't wait to see it early next week.

- Boots. Whoa. I had no idea how comfortable and cute books could be. I've been missing out all these years.

- The Penguins. They beat the Capitals tonight, 4-0, and it felt good. Really good. Also, Crosby scored the prettiest goal ever.



- Mix CDs. The radio is nice, but sometimes on my drives to Cincinnati, I just want to listen to hand-picked music.

- Wheat. I know it's sappy, but I don't care. I honestly never thought I could be this happy. Whether we're cuddling on the couch watching Top Chef, trying out a new restaurant in Broad Ripple, or reading to each other in bed, every second I spend with him feels perfect. I can't believe how lucky I am that he chose me.

- "Dark Horse" by Katy Perry ft. Juicy J. Please ignore Juicy J's horrible lyrics.



Who else can't wait for some fierce Katniss action this weekend?
Am I the only one who still burns CDs?
What's making YOU happy this week?

Michael Buble and a Triple Feature.

On Saturday night, Wheat and I finally made it out to Tibbs Drive-In Theater. He had never been to a drive-in before, so I figured it would be the perfect date night. We bought our tickets on Sweet Jack, so we had two adult admissions and a large popcorn for $10. It ended up being the best deal ever because we stayed for a triple feature.

The movies were great. My favorite was Lee Daniels' The Butler. Forest Whitaker plays Cecil Gaines, a White House butler who served under eight presidents. In addition to his duties at the White House, Gaines also balances an overwhelming family life, complete with an alcoholic wife (played by Oprah Winfrey) and an outspoken son who is active in the civil rights movement. To me, the movie was very reminiscent of Forrest Gump, in that it used a somewhat ordinary character as the lens through which American history is seen. The juxtaposition between servile, obedient, and apolitical Gaines and his rebellious, politically-motivated son allows the audience to watch the progression of the civil rights movement throughout much of the 20th century. On top of all of that, the movie is based on the incredible real life of butler Eugene Allen, who served in the White House from the Eisenhower administration until he retired during the George H. W. Bush years. I highly suggest it to anyone who likes history, if for no other reason than to laugh at the all-star cast they chose to play the presidents.

Next, we watched Fruitvale Station, the heart-rending true story of the last day of Oscar Grant's life. In what seemed to be a Trayvon Martin-type situation, Grant, a 22-year-old father, boyfriend, and son, was killed in 2008 by a police officer at the Fruitvale BART station in San Francisco. The movie was heartbreaking, but definitely worth watching. You've been warned, though. It's so depressing.

In order to cheer up after Fruitvale Station, we watched We're the Millers, which was about what you'd expect. It was pretty funny and let's be real: Everyone likes Jason Sudeikis and Jennifer Aniston.

On Sunday, my parents came into town because Wheat got us four tickets to see Michael Buble at Bankers Life Fieldhouse! This was my third time seeing him and he was just as entertaining as always. He played a great balance of original songs and covers, new songs and old. He was just as funny as ever, interacted with the crowd, and even made fun of Justin Bieber during one of his extended commentaries.

His set has gotten much more elaborate and fun to watch since the first time I saw him. He even had fireworks this time. His band also slides around to different positions on stage, depending on the song.

It was also the third time I've seen Naturally 7 open for him and they never cease to amaze me. Seriously, if you don't listen to anything else I say, check them out. They sing everything a cappella and simulate different instruments with their voices, which they call "vocal play." They played "Wall of Sound," Cream's "Sunshine of Your Love," and "Fingertips" by Stevie Wonder. However, my favorite was their beautiful rendition of Coldplay's "Fix You."

At one point, Buble and Naturally 7 came out to a stage right in front of our section to sing a medley of Motown songs. It was glorious.

Here is the setlist:

Fever
Haven't Met You Yet
Try a Little Tenderness
You Make Me Feel So Young
Moondance - LOVE
Come Dance with Me
Feeling Good
I've Got the World on a String
Everything
That's All
Close Your Eyes
How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?
Home

From the stage near us:

Get Lucky - Daft Punk cover!
Who's Loving You
I Want You Back
To Love Somebody

Back on the main stage:

All You Need is Love
Burning Love
It's a Beautiful Day

Encore:

Cry Me a River
Save the Last Dance for Me
A Song for You - My favorite ever. He always closes with this and sings the last verse with no microphone. It's incredible.

Aside from some of the songs, the only major difference I noticed between this concert and the other two was that I was more interested in the guy next to me than the guy on stage. What a nice change.

Man Meat Monday #37

Like the rest of America, I fangirled over saw The Hunger Games this weekend. Although the age-old adage of "The book was better" remains true, I thought the movie was great. It stayed remarkably close to the book and, aside from the ridiculous, sporadic cheering from the audience, I really loved it. The casting, in particular, was pretty close to perfect.

So, for this week's installment of Man Meat Monday, I thought I'd bring you the most aesthetically pleasing part of the casting...

Liam Hemsworth

Claim to Fame: Actor (The Last Song, The Hunger Games)

Birthday: January 13, 1990 (The very first slice of Man Meat born in the '90s - we're getting old, friends)

Even without seeing the cast, I was on Team Gale. Let's be honest. There is something irresistible about a motivated, rogueish revolutionary that hangs out in the woods. However, after seeing Mr. Hemsworth, any lingering doubts in the Peeta/Gale debate were dashed. Hello, Liam. Congratulations on your face.

Here's what you need to know about him: He's from Melbourne, Australia (he has the accent to match the face). He's 6'3". He is the younger brother of Thor (AKA Chris Hemsworth). There must be something in the Australian water.



Random Tidbit: He auditioned for the role of Thor before it was eventually awarded to his brother.

Only downfall?: He's dating Miley Cyrus. I'm not a fan.

You want to hear his voice. Trust me.



So, readers: It's your turn. You'd much rather be in that cave with Gale than Peeta. Real or not real?

EvGrammy Malking Dead.

So many things happened this weekend. I'm in emotional overload. So, I will give you some special Valentine's Day Man Meat on Tuesday. Also, in an effort to make this post even slightly coherent, I will split it into three sections: Penguins, Grammys, Random.

First, my Penguins.

They won both of their games this weekend, beating Winnipeg 8-5 and Tampa Bay 4-2. Geno has been playing like a man possessed for a full month now. He ended the weekend with 3 more goals and 4 more assists, solidifying his position as league leader in points with 69. Claude Giroux (of the Flyers) and Steven Stamkos (of the Lightning) are tied for second, with 62 points each. My Geno Baneno is almost a sure thing for the Hart Trophy this year...and I will walk to Vegas if I must...



"Hahahaha. I best. Sorry I not sorry. I'm keep score."

Next, the Grammys.

- The tributes to Whitney and Etta were classy and beautiful. Jennifer Hudson did an incredible job under such short notice.

- Maroon 5 and Foster the People performing with The Beach Boys was probably my favorite performance of the night. I'm a huge Beach Boys fan (they were my second concert), the covers were great, and the Beach Boys still sound awesome. Oh yeah - I also got to stare at Adam Levine.

- I know that everyone on the planet hates Chris Brown. There is absolutely no excusing his past behavior (ex. Rihanna, Good Morning America), but can't we agree that he's incredibly talented? I was thrilled that he won and I thought his performance was amazing. Everyone deserves forgiveness. If Rihanna's forgiven him, can't everyone else?

- The Civil Wars sounded incredible. I love that southern, folksy sound and I can't believe it comes from just two people and a guitar. Check them out.

- Unpopular opinion time: I know Nicki Minaj terrified everyone with her performance tonight, but I thought it was cool. She's so bizarre and I didn't like the song at all, but I loved the creepy Exorcist-style video/concept.

- Bon Iver won Best New Artist. Sweet, sweet justice is served. They aren't 'new' by any stretch of the imagination, but man, so well-deserved. Listen to this.



- Adele is the Evgeni Malkin of the music world right now. Not only did she win everything, but she sounded amazing and looked gorgeous. Yeah, I'm jealous.



..and finally, random stuff.

- I'm so sad about the death of Whitney Houston. As a kid, I was constantly singing "I Will Always Love You." I can't tell you how many times my family yelled at me to stop singing it. Her death is a massive loss to music and the world. Her seemingly effortless voice was a gift that will endure well beyond the negative hits her reputation took in recent years. Chills.



- The Walking Dead is finally back! It truly is the best show on TV. Guest appearance from Michael Raymond-James (Rene from True Blood). I love when my favorite shows collide and I can fangirl all over my living room. Sorry, mom and dad.

- Unpopular opinion time: I saw The Vow this weekend and I wasn't a big fan. Let me be clear: Channing Tatum on the big screen for two hours is always okay with me. I'm just not a big girly movie girl and, although it's based on a true story, it couldn't compete with The Notebook. Maybe nothing ever will...

So, what are your thoughts? Do you want to squeeze Geno's cheeks? Who was your favorite performance at the Grammys? Have you seen The Vow? Do you wish Shane was the sexy leader of your group during the zombie apocalypse?

I make no sense.

Halloween Countdown

In the spirit of Halloween, I've decided to do a creepy countdown today. I love, really love, scary movies. Unfortunately, I've seen so many that it takes something truly terrifying to scare me. However, I have a lot of favorites, so after a lot of thought, here are my...

Top 10 Favorite Scary Movies

10. Signs - I will admit it. Aliens scare me. Combine the prospect of hostile aliens with M. Night Shyamalan and you get the scariest alien movie I've ever seen (and I'm afraid of ET).

9. The Strangers - Nothing scares me more than the idea of completely delusional people with no absolutely no remorse. This movie scares me because, unlike aliens, witches, vampires, zombies, monsters, ghosts, and religious possession, it could happen...to anyone.

8. The Blair Witch Project - Although it has been parodied beyond belief, the concept for this movie was incredible. Everything about it was gritty and authentic and the marketing and production made it seem incredibly real. The final scene in the basement when Heather finds Mike facing the wall then drops her camera is easily one of the creepiest things I have ever seen.

7. Saw - I can't not include this franchise on my list. Although I haven't seen the last two Saw movies, it became a Halloween staple/tradition for me for a number of years. Making a game or riddle of something so horrific is disturbingly intriguing.

6. Psycho - A total classic. Somehow, Hitchcock created a masterpiece that is both terrifying and sexy. Its iconic scenes simultaneously play into the audience's deepest desires and fears. I've always been somewhat attracted to Norman Bates. I blame Vince Vaughn.

5. The Ring - The Ring was honestly the first supernatural movie that ever really scared me. It also started a furious rash of Japanese horror movie remakes that included The Grudge and The Eye.

4. The Exorcist - The classic possession/exorcism movie. It set the stage for other creepy exorcism movies, but nothing quite compares to a possessed Regan coming down the stairs in the crabwalk position.

3. Paranormal Activity - I will never forget how I felt leaving the theater after seeing the first movie. None of us talked the entire way home.

2. Scream - I credit this movie for my love of horror films. It is, without a doubt, Wes Craven's best work. From start to finish, it completely redefined the modern slasher movie, brought the genre back to the forefront, and, for possibly the first time, mixed horror with humor. To this day, I have not seen a better opening scene in any movie.

1. Halloween - Although it's not that scary, it established the ground rules for the classic slasher flick, paved the way for other such movies and franchises, created one of Hollywood's most famous villains in Michael Myers, and gave haunted houses everywhere a pretty creepy theme song.

Honorable Mentions: Pet Sematary, Jaws, The Shining, Insidious, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Amityville Horror

Did I miss any good scary movies? What scares YOU the most?

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?

MOVIE TIME!

As soon as I get some pictures, I will do a post on Cara and Jake's wonderful wedding. Until then, you'll have to deal with some more pop culture.

The most wonderful time of the year for Southwestern Ohio is the fall. No question. The weather finally becomes bearable, hoodies become an acceptable piece of your ensemble, and football games completely monopolize the television screen. However, another perk of the changing of the seasons comes in the cinematic world.

For the most part, movie production studios follow this release pattern:

January to May - Movies with very low expectations; Movies the studio regrets paying to make (ex. Paul Blart: Mall Cop, Red Riding Hood, typically anything starring Nicolas Cage)

May to September - Summer Blockbusters (ex. Big sequels, Action/Adventures, Comedies, Superhero movies)

September to December - Oscar-worthy movies (ex. Most biopics, film festival favorites, etc.)

So, along with the coming of cooler weather comes an enjoyable trip to the movie theater. In my old blog, I reviewed movies almost every week. I can't promise to do that with any regularity, but I will make a better effort to continue that tradition here.

Here are five movies coming this fall that I cannot wait to see:

Red State (September 23) - Kevin Smith strays from his comedic roots in this film about a group of teenagers who answer an online sex ad only to find that the ad was posted by a group of Christian fundamentalist, right-wing extremists intent on punishing them for their sins. I am interested to see if Kevin Smith, who was inspired initially by the appalling Westboro Baptist Church, can pull off a horror film with such controversial political and religious undertones.

The Ides of March (October 7) - I cannot explain my excitement for this movie. Not only was it shot on my alma mater's campus and in downtown Cincinnati, but some of my friends were used as extras! When idealistic campaign staffer Stephen Myers (Ryan Gosling) learns a detrimental secret about presidential candidate Mike Morris (George Clooney), he must decide if electoral success is worth such a high moral cost. I love political thrillers, George Clooney is directing, this looks to be an absolute Oscar magnet, and two words: MAX MINGHELLA. Yum.

J. Edgar (November 11) - Clint Eastwood extends his directorial resume with a biopic about J. Edgar Hoover, a controversial American figure and the first director of the FBI. The movie is sure to depict the interesting professional and personal life of Hoover (Leonardo DiCaprio), including his secret love affair with Clyde Tolson (Armie Hammer). I'm a sucker for biopics and this one is written by Dustin Lance Black (writer of Milk), so its approach to his secret homosexuality will certainly be compelling. Plus, the mere thought of Leo kissing Armie Hammer (the sexy Winklevoss twins in The Social Network) has me shelling out $10 for my ticket and another $6 for the popcorn right now.

The Muppets (November 23) - Pretty self-explanatory. I'm a big kid, I love the Muppets, and Jason Segel is the father of my unborn child. You do the math.

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (December 25/wide release in January) - A nine-year-old searches New York City for the lock that matches the key left behind by his father, a victim of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Released ten years after 9/11, this movie will probably pack a powerful, emotional punch, bolstered by a strong cast that includes Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock.

Which movies will you be seeing on opening night this fall?

...and yeah, I'll probably see Breaking Dawn: Part 1 at midnight. Judge me all you want, but you can't keep me from Taylor Lautner.

The official end of my childhood.

I never thought today would come.

Unfortunately, I'm not referring to a Bengals' Superbowl victory. I am, in fact, referring to the midnight release of the final installment of the Harry Potter series.

How do I even begin to explain what Harry Potter has meant to me over the years? When I look back, I realize that the series has been an incredibly important part of my formative years. I've read all seven books (most multiple times) and seen all of the movies (most at midnight). I've made Harry-Potter-themed t-shirts with friends and brought wands to a movie. I've waited for hours at bookstores for the release of new books. I've stayed up all night long, unable to put the new books down and insistent on finishing them for fear of someone spoiling the ending. I've eaten Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, made fake pumpkin juice, and bought a Sirius Black t-shirt. I've tattooed fake lightning bolts on my forehead and attended local Harry Potter festivals. I've visited Platform 9 3/4 in London and fantasized about a trip to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.


The books have made me laugh. They've made me cry. They've made me angry, nervous, and excited. I've grown to love the characters. I realized long ago that I am Hermione Granger. I love Ron Weasley and his twin brothers. If I lived in the wizarding world, my celebrity athlete crush would definitely be Victor Krum. Oliver Wood is as passionate about playing his sport as I am about watching mine. I wanted to kill Dolores Umbridge and Bellatrix Lestrange. I made fun of Harry's emo stage (circa Order of the Phoenix), didn't like Cho Chang, and rooted not-so-secretly for Ginny. I always knew Snape was innocent, cried when Dumbledore died, sobbed when Dobby died, and I can't even talk about what's going to happen tonight. I watched Darren Criss's A Very Potter Musical and literally screamed when Ron and Hermione kissed. The books have taken me to incredible places that could never exist, but that I wished desperately did. The movies have done a wonderful job of doing the books justice and I feel like I've grown up alongside Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson. I've even developed crushes on some of the actors (HELLO Malfoy and Neville Longbottom).

However, when I look back, it's not the festivals, the movies, the food, the shirts, or even the books that make Harry Potter so special to me. It's the reliability of it all. Harry Potter has been one of the most constant things throughout my childhood. While everything was changing around me, I always had Harry Potter to rely on, as my fall-back, as a constant. No matter what happened, when everything in my life was changing, I always had Harry Potter. Through friends moving away, high school graduation, falling in and out of love, going to college, falling away from old friends and making new ones, Harry Potter has always been there.

Even though nothing in my life seemed certain, even though everything seemed to be changing, Harry Potter kept me company, provided me with comfort, and allowed me to have some stability in my life. I always had something to look forward to - a new book, a new movie - and something to discuss with both loved ones and strangers.

Tonight, however, is my last taste of something new. There will never be another book. There will never be another movie. This is officially the end of the most important series of my generation...and, in a way, it symbolizes the end of my childhood. I've graduated from college. I, too, have moved onto the next chapter of my life. It's time to create a new story - my own story.

Although it's tough to say goodbye, I know it's finally time. This chapter of my life may be over, but it certainly isn't the end. I have much, much more to write.

It's comforting to know that whenever I need some comfort, whenever I need to feel at home, I can always crack open Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and start the adventure all over again.

So, to JK Rowling, thank you so much for the story, thank you for the comfort, and thank you most of all for the memories. From one Muggle to another, I will never forget it.

Pens: 1. Lightning: 1.

Yeah, I don't even want to talk about it. The game was atrocious for Pens' fans, even without horrible karaoke in the background. Infinite amount of Penguin penalties. Unfortunately, the Penguins are incapable of capitalizing on the power play. The Lightning man-handled my boys with a final score of 5-1.

Because I felt like embarking on a homicidal rampage, I decided to live vicariously through the ghostface killer and went to see Scream 4 after the game. The Scream trilogy was a huge part of my childhood and a key explanation as to why I'm a horror movie buff. Wes Craven re-defined slasher film for an entire generation and although I entered the movie with apprehension, I wasn't disappointed.

Ten years after the infamous Woodsboro murders, Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) returns home on the last stop of her book tour. However, her reunion with the now-married Sheriff Dewey Riley (David Arquette) and Gale Weathers (Courtney Cox) is anything but pleasant. Shortly after her arrival, the ghostface killer makes his timely return and high schoolers start dropping like the Dow Jones in 2008. Yet again, Sidney, Gale, and Dewey must join forces not only to discover the surprising identity of the killer, but also to survive - in a new decade where the horror movie rules have been re-written.

The movie had multiple references to the first film (which I loved). The opening was inventive and comical and there were plenty of jump-worthy moments.

If you are okay with gore, cheesy dialogue (in the Wes Craven-style), and David Arquette's ridiculous mustache, check out Scream 4. One suggestion? Do not go to the 11:50 PM showing unless you want pre-teens screaming all around you like Justin Bieber just shaved his head.

The *pause* K-K-King's *pause* Speech.

Go see The King's Speech. Had I seen it three days earlier, it would have undoubtedly made my top 10 list for 2010.

Colin Firth was absolutely incredible as King George VI (Albert). Plagued by a horrible stammer and a fear of public speaking, Albert is thrown suddenly into his position of power, following the death of his father and abdication by his older brother. With the help of speech therapist Lionel Logue (played by Geoffrey Rush), the king is able to find both an unlikely friendship and a powerful voice in a time of great national need.

It was an intriguing period piece, portraying a key point in English history in an interesting and entertaining fashion. Viewers are given insight on the royal family, the relationship between royalty, the prime minister, and the nation, and the attitude of Britain at the outset of WWII.

If you are even remotely interested in British history, World War II (I'm obsessed, by the way), the royal family, or Colin Firth, see this. Geoffrey Rush was very convincing and endearing as Lionel and I'm predicting a big old Oscar win for Mr. Firth. You won't be disappointed.

...plus, I couldn't help but fantasize about watching it with Prince Harry and hearing all the personal stories about his great-grandfather coming from his gorgeous mouth. But, let's be honest. I'd listen to him read the phonebook.