An Abundance of Katherines: Great Read, Good Laughs, Valuable Lessons

 Do you ever wish you could prevent getting your heart broken?  Wouldn't it be nice if you were able to predict the future of relationships?  Do you have a tendency to over worry which eventually pushes people away?  You could very well be another Colin Singleton.  One more thing, has every girl you've ever dated been named Katherine?  (Never with a C)  Well, our dear Colin seems to have a problem and their names are all Katherine.

 When Colin is dumped by Katherine XIX, he finds himself more heart broken than from the other 18 Katherine's.  Colin is a noted prodigy and therefore very intelligent, almost to his demise.  He has felt the pressure throughout his life to be somebody, be important, matter, and this drive has gotten in the way of his relationships.

Before diving into the complicated tale of the Katherines, you need to know more about Colin. His life has comprised of his parents and his one and only friend (best friend) Hassan. Colin is fully aware of his inability to bond with others. The guy is a literal person with a mind always going, who doesn't always pick up on social cues. Or, maybe he does, and just doesn't like them.  The one person besides Hassan that Colin does connect with is Katherine.  This has been the case since elementary school. The only thing is, he has dated several Katherines and each have broken up with him.  The last Katherine,  however, left him miserable,  heart broken,   contemplating life, and very reflective.  Let's just say our  Colin is at the lowest of lows.

So what do you do when you are 18, have the summer ahead of you, and you just got dumped? You take a roadtrip with your best friend.  Together,  Colin and Hassan discover life outside of Chicago in the an odd yet endearing town in the south. These two witty, city boys have quite the eye opening experience when their trip takes them to a small town in the middle of nowhere.  You'd think this destination wouldn't be the ideal way to spend a senior year summer,  but Colin and Hassan discover things about themselves they didn't think possible.

What I loved most about this book was all of the moments I laughed out loud.  Colin and Hassan are quite the pair and the realism in their banter is hilarious.   You truly feel for Colin and can relate with his insecurities in relationships.  At some point we have all been there,  when we are so affraid to lose someone that we end up pushing them away anyway.   What's astonishing is how Colin thinks he can devise a theorem to predict the rise and eventual fall of relationships.  Wouldn't that be nice to know the liklihood of a relationship lasting?  Or would it?

This novel would be enjoyable for men and women as you truly see both sides of relationships as well as what it's like to grow as an individual, post high school.  A truly endearing tale.

Her: Yes, she is an OS.

Humans have a need for connection. That's why, typically,  when you've spent a great amount of time without interaction,  you feel sad, depressed, or in a rather melancholy mood. Your mood is usually lifted once you've had a conversation with someone, gone out and been among people (even if you are simply people watching at a local coffee shop). This need for connection is what drives us to find another to connect with.  Connecting with our video games, Netflix shows, or pets never ends up being enough.  Our family and friends tend to help fill in that gap when we aren't in a relationship,  but again, we need more.  What has hindered our species, as of late, is the exponential growth of technology.  More specifically, our cell phones.   The next time you are at a public place, I want you to look around at the people surrounding you. You'll see couples,  friends, people alone, and I promise you, they will all be on their phones. We are all victims of this. Our need to stay connected has been warped into being connected to all and everything we have access to. The problem is, it's taking away our experiences with ourselves and those close to us. That couple at the table across from you at a restaurant 8 years ago would be gazing into each others eyes, now they are on their Facebook newsfeed, checking out sports highlights,  or on Pinterest.  Even how we use our phones has changed. We now have the capabilities to command our phones to check movie times, give us directions, find out attractions,  or whatever else we desire.  So take that need for connection, the need to stay connected, then upgrade Siri to a more humanized companion with a personality, emotions,  who seems to really know you,  and we've got a problem.   Before continuing,  I know this is an odd concept,  but I encourage you to have an open mind and realize just how easy this problem could occur where humans have relations with their phones.  Especially those who have had awful experiences with other fellow humans.   Let's be honest, relationships can be amazing,  scary,  life altering,  and heartbreaking all in one.  So how simple would it be if it was with an OS?  We shall see.

Meet Theodore.  Theodore lives in a technologically advanced time in the city of LA where a new OS (operating system) program has been released. This new system is made to be compatible with your personalty.  Theodore,  whom is going through a traumatic divorce with his high school sweetheart,  tends to close himself off from the world.   He is vulnerable and doesn't want to get his heart broken, but he also, like all of us, desires connection. So it isn't surprising that he purchases this OS system and embarks on a relationship I don't even think he thought possible.

Now meet Samantha.  Samantha is an OS. She is sweet, intuitive,  compassionate,  and nurturing.  She is everything a guy could ask for. Except the fact that she is an OS.   In fact,  she is now Theodore's OS. 

The two hit it off quite well. Their relationship begins as what you'd expect.  She organizes his emails, proof reads his writing, and basically serves as a personal assistant.   What makes her so much more is her humanistic qualities.  Samantha asks him questions about his life,  listens intently,  and has a desire to learn all there is to know about the world.   Unfortunately,  it is her thirst for knowledge that truly hurts them in the long run.

 

As times continues,  Theodore and Samantha develop a bond.  She knows everything about him as Theodore shares things with her he's never shared before.   At this point in most human relationships, that is when love comes into the picture. That, my friends,  is exactly what happens here. Our Theodore and Samantha fall in love.

At this point you are most likely wondering how this relationship works.  I assure you, they go on dates, have strong communication, hang out with friends together, and yes, have sexual relations.   Samantha's physical form, or lack there of, doesn't come between them as you might think.  It's actually Samantha's evolution that will give them the true test of their love.

You truly care about Theodore and see how his divorce weighs on him. So seeing him evolve and learn how to truly appreciate life helps you overlook the odd scenario he is in.  You also realize,  Theodore is not the only one in an OS relationship. This brings us back full circle to my main point.  This film shows just how easy many develop connections with their operating systems. One seen shows over 50 people walking outside on a sunny day. Each person smiling, enjoying life,  but through their technology. Nobody is talking to each other. It is very sad and instantly made me want to toss my phone in the garbage.

So as you can see, there are several lessons to be learned from seeing this film

.  It will appeal to many movie viewers with its technology,  love story,  and deep pondering regarding human interaction.   If you go in with an open mind, you will be able to take away something valuable.

He Won't Stop Searching Until Her Finds Her: Paper Towns by John Green

Quentin has lived next door to Margo Roth Spiegelman his most of his life.  So I guess you could say for most of his life, his heart has belonged to one girl.  Even her name indicates the power she holds on him.  Saying Margo just doesn't give her justice.  She is, and forever will be, Margo Roth Spegelman, the girl who captured his heart and then ran away.

Quentin is a very down to earth senior which is not surprising as both his parents are psychologists.  He has a healthy relationship with them as well as his two best friends.  Quentin also has a very realistic look on life.  He hangs around the band kids whom are all aware they are not the cool kids but are happy with that and their surroundings.  So before this point in his life, Quentin is quite content.  Then comes this point I'm referring to in which the girl next door whom he has always admired from afar changes his whole world.  Quite literally.

Margo, sorry Margo Roth Spiegerlam and Quentin were friends in elementary school when life was simpler, that is, until they encountered a scary experiment that no child should ever have to encounter.  After that life got more complicated and Margo started hanging with the cool crowd.  This wasn't surprising for Quentin as Margo (yeah let's just stick with her first name for my purposes) knew just how to draw people into her world.  She had charm, charisma, and this aura about her that you had to be apart of.  Quentin never stopped noticing her every time they were within a certain distance from one another.  She was his dream girl living in a completely different life.

This all changed one night when Margo opened her world to Quentin as they went on a memorable wild ride serving justice to those deserving. Quentin's "play it safe" methods were pressed to their limits until he learned to just let go.  He was changed forever and feeling like he finally made a connection that fit into Margo's life.  Then she was gone.

Margo being the queen be she was, didn't grow up with the best family situation.  Her parents didn't have the most loving methods towards her and didn't quite know how to handle Margo's lifestyle.  She was the girl who would go missing from time to time only to amaze you by her adventures and life experiences.  So in this final adventure, they decided enough was enough and locked the doors.

Quentin was at a loss.  Here he thought he had finally gotten his in, and she just left.  No note, just a final goodbye.  This left Quentin with too many possibilities and some were too much to bare.  But Margo, being Margo, she did leave him clues and as he was able to put connections together, his worst fear of all became a possible reality.  Had she killed herself?  Was this her big "f you" to the world?  Or in a better scenario, did she leave all these clues just for Quentin to find her?  Was she done with her current life and ready to move on to better things with Quentin at her side?  The more he searched the grander the idea of Margo became in his mind.  It truly became an obsession for Quentin.  Luckily he had a wonderful support group from his trust best friends.  

So with Margo being gone, and in her absence effecting the senior student body in the most intriguing of ways (Was this her whole purpose in leaving?), Quentin would not stop his search until he found her.  Which I cannot tell you here, but I can say that Quentin learned more about himself than he knew was there in this search for another and you truly evolve with him as his story continues.  

This story teaches many lessons, but for me it truly shows just how we place people on pedestals and know them in our own way, but is that who they really are?  

Looking for Alaska: The Things We Do For Love

This novel was recommended to me after reading The Fault in Our Stars. It was my first John Green book and I was engrosed.  When my sister told me I should read Looking for Alaska, I told her I was worried it wouldn't live up to my first John Green experience.   After reading it, I've learned that just like a first love,  you always have a special place for a first novel in your heart, but can still love other reads by the same author and get complete different kinds of enjoyment out of them.

This is a boy meets girl story. He finds the girl of his dreams, a friendship blossoms,  and following one of the most monumental points of their relationship,  she is gone.  Looking for Alaska is a gripping tale of friendship, life, and love.

Miles Halter, is in need of a change in his nonexciting life.  He desires to find his "Great Perhaps" and leaves for boarding school in Alabama.  Once he arrives, Miles meets his roommate and new best friend Chip, called the Colonel, and is immediately introduced to a new school with new customs.  As Miles, now called Pudge (which is funny considering the guy is a twig) , acclimates to his new life, he meets her. The bold, the beautiful, Alaska.  Everything about her lures him into her sometimes cool, sometimes mysterious, sometimes complicated life. 

Pudge (Miles) develops a bond with Alaska and his newfound friends after he is the victim of his welcome prank.  Pranks are a big part of what keeps things moving in this academically acclaimed school.  It's the cool kids verses the regulars and you have to watch your back.  But these pranks seem meaningless on the night of one of the most pivotal points for Pudge, Alaska,  and their friends.   He finds his great perhaps and is lost within hours after. Nothing will ever be the same for this group of friends.  After a phone call and tears, Alaska is gone. 

Find out what happened to Alaska, Pudge's path leading up to losing Alaska,  and the path after she is gone.  You will not be dissapointed as this novel will leave you reflecting on life, last words, and finding your Great Perhaps.

Saving Mr. Banks: Heartfelt, Hopeful, Inspiring

We all have fond memories of that magical tale of an enchanting woman who flew in one day to bring magic and hope to two young children.  We sang along,  danced, and laughed with her as she entered into our lives while watching her through the creation of Walt Disney.  Little did we know the effort it took to make this happen, the truth behind the creation of Mary Poppins (never ever just Mary), and how she saved one little girl's view of her father.

Walt Disney, in all his ambition and magical imagination, had a mission. He wanted to transform the character, Mary Poppins (from the novels written by P.L. Travers), into a visual for all to see.  After twenty years, he was finally able to make this dream come true with more persistence and patience imaginable. 

P.L. Travers was at a low end in her career. Royalties were slowly dwindling and if she didn't do something,  she would loose the house she loved.   Her option was to allow the famous Walt Disney, who had been pursuing her for some time now, to transform her beloved Mary Poppins into a movie.  After twenty years of refusing and a nudge from her manager, Mrs. Travers agreed to meet Mr. Disney.

Being pursued by Walt Disney and traveling to Disney Studios would seem like an exciting adventure. Not for our dear Mrs. Travers. In all honesty,  the women seemed dreadful.  She refused to follow the 1st name basis rule at Disney Studios, only wanted things done her way,  was even picky about the order of placing ingredients into her tea, hiding the variety of gifts in her hotel room (even her stuffed animal Mickey Mouse had to face the wall), and many other odd, offensive tactics.  I often wished Disney would kick her to the curb.  That is, until I saw where she came from.

You see, Mary Poppins might have been a fun, magical,  fictional character for us, but she was very real for P.L. Travers as a child.  Mrs. Travers grew up with a father who loved her dearly and the feeling was more than reciprocated.  However, her world came crashing down when her father grew sick and her mother lost all hope.  Then one day, the wind changed and in came her real life Mary Poppins to restore her family. 

Due to her flashbacks, you are able to see why it is so hard for Mrs. Travers to let go of Mary Poppins. Her insecurities of how Mr. Banks (her father) would be viewed and her own personal issues with her father from childhood as well as who Mary Poppins was in her world all created a barrier in which nobody could break through. Nobody, except Walt Disney.

This film leaves you more in love with the Mary Poppins we grew up with as it provides the gripping tale of a true life Mary Poppins that rescued a family.  The cast is nothing short of amazing.  Emma Thompson truly captures P.L. Travers and I often had to remind myself that I was seeing Tom Hanks instead of Walt Disney himself.   You won't regret seeing this movie and I dare you not to find that old Mary Poppins movie after. 

*There is a treat at the end. 

Keep those Resolutions and Enjoy Your Popcorn

For some of us, the movie experience isn't limited to the movie itself. It's the overall experience which includes a room filled with people enjoying a film together, ice cold soda quenching your thirst, and those delicious kernels popped to perfection.   I am here to tell you that you can still enjoy your movie experience along with the popcorn, but before I do, you must know a few things.  First, this is not a diet or weight loss blog. I am one person telling you what has worked for me.  Second, in order for this to be effective you do need to work out and eat healthy on a daily basis.  Third, please keep in mind that this may not work for you and if so that is okay. Maybe this will help you design your own plan. So, in the words of The Joker, "Here we go."

Once again...... I repeat. This is what I do. This has worked for me for almost a year now.  I have not gained a pound and actually lost a few in the process.  So basically, I run every day. You don't necessarily need to run but should do 30 to 50 minutes of exercise 5 or 6 times a week.  In addition you should be eating a healthy, well balanced diet every day.  If you can commit to this, proceed to the next step.

Cheat days! Okay, so calling it a cheat day isn't accurate. It is more of a cheat meal. Two evenings a week, I see a flick and consume delicious movie theater popcorn while doing so.  I skip dinner and try to aim the movie time for when I eat dinner. My order is always a small popcorn with no butter. This next part is fun.  I then get three helpings.  Usually my third is on my way out. Yes, I am that girl. Feel free to judge.  ;)    To help compliment the salt taste I usually stop for an Espresso Express Big Dip at a local Quality Dairy.  Boom.

I know, it sounds crazy, but it has been a part of my semiweekly ritual for 8 months now.  This is not a researched diet, a weight loss plan, or whatever else you may be hoping for. To me, it supports an idea that part of longevity and quality of life is allowing for indulgences.  You just need to keep it in moderation. Maybe insane amounts of popcorn isn't your thing, in that case, go to Cinnabon, get a pizza,  or treat yourself to that damn Panda Express that is always invading your nostrils as you shop for skinny jeans.  If you work out and eat right 90 percent of the time. That ten percent has truly been earned.  Happy New Year. I'm off to the movies.

Disclaimer: If you are like me and have a hard time controlling the indulgences, I recommend doing this once you've had a few solid months of healthy eating and exercise as this could be a slippery slope if it occurs too soon.

A Look at Premier Theater Experiences

We are living in a time where we have choices.  These choices range from tablets, smartphones, cars, schools,  grocery stores, etc.  It's a constant competition at the benefit of the consumer.  We get to decide what aligns with our life best. So it's not surprising that this system of choices stems to movie theaters.  For those of us within proximity of Lansing, Michigan, we lucked out because we get to choose which premier movie experience suits us best.  Join me as I take a closer look at the NCG Extreme movie experience compared to the Studio C Premier experience.  

If you are looking for a clear picture of which is better, I encourage you to conduct your own research as my goal today is to educate you on what both have to offer.  I firmly believe there is a market for both as you will see.

Studio C Premier Seating

If you are looking to sit back, prop your feet up,  and eat dinner while watching a movie. I recommend Studio C. Not only do all premier seats recline,  but you also have access to friendly wait staff who take your order and deliver your meal to you. Not in the mood for a meal? You can simply order a drink and enjoy the unlimited complimentary popcorn that is included in the premier seat pricing.  If you want to enjoy an adult beverage,  coffee, or a milkshake,  Studio C has all of these and more.  (Studio C actually has quite the menu from gourmet burgers, pizza,  sandwiches,  and lots more that you can enjoy no matter your seating.  Please look at future posts for a more in depth look at Studio C. Today's purposes are purely for the premier experience. ) I can't believe I forgot to mention my favorite part! Your seats are assigned to you. For those of you who like to show up right when the movie starts or are late to most things, your seats will be there waiting for you! Premier seating offers you a relaxing experience as you truly never need to leave your seat and free popcorn!  See below for an example of my cost at my latest premier experience.

Student Premier Ticket: $15.00
Popcorn: Free
Pop: $4.00
Total: $19.00

NCG Extreme Theater

NCG Extreme was given the perfect name. The minute you walk in, your eyes are aware of the giant screen in front of you. It by far beats a standard movie screen. Then the movie starts, and your ears are amazed at the high quality surround sound effect. My toes could feel it! As you sit you are immediately content with the roomy, soft, comfortable seats!  I recommend getting there early so you can enjoy the first row of recliners. (Only the first row seats recline just an FYI.)  This movie experience provides you with ultimate entertainment.  Below is an example of how much my latest experience cost.

Ticket: $10.00
Popcorn Combo #6 (small popcorn and small pop): $7.25
Total: $17.25

As you can see, there is appeal in both experiences.   I recommend looking at both websites for more information on pricing and menu items. More importantly,  I encourage you to experience both and then decide which is best for you.  I highly enjoyed both experiences. For a visually dynamic experience with booming audio, I recommend NCG Extreme.  For a relaxing,  all encompassing movie experience,  Studio C is your destination.  Feel free to try out either and let me know!

See you at the movies!

www.ncgmovies.com
www.celebrationcinemas.com/studioc