Tonight is probably one of the most anticipated evenings I have had in some time. As some of you know who have followed my blog, and are also friends of mine... I love midnight premiers of movies. And I love the Hunger Games book series. Together, it makes the ultimate combination and the recipe for one amazing evening.
Toward the end of my time at Ohio State, one of my students had mentioned that I should really look into the Hunger Games - she was obsessed with the book series and thought I would love it just as much. Flash forward a couple of months and another friend told me it was the most enthralled he's been in a book since the Harry Potter series. After these few positive reviews, I had to check them out. So, last Fall, I read all three books in the matter of weeks. I was instantly hooked.
Now, for those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, I strongly suggest you borrow the first book from a friend and get to reading! Picture this: an America like we've never known - it fell at some point and now is an absolute dystopia. The Capitol continues to demonstrate it's absolute power by hosting the annual Hunger Games - choosing 1 male and 1 female aged 12-18 from the 12 districts, making an even 24. They are treated like kings and queens while they prepare to fight to the death in an arena where the entire nation watches the competition unfold on television. I won't give more away because, well, you should just read it.
On top of all of this action, there is a love triangle in the midst of it all. Katniss - Peeta - Gale. I personally am Team Peeta. Now, some argue that this is not Twilight and there shouldn't be a team, but you have to choose one guy over the other, and I just choose Peeta. So, when you go to the movie tonight at midnight (hint hint...) you too should choose Peeta. Don't let that dreamy Liam what's his face that dates Miley Cyrus fool you.
So, this weekend, if you're looking for something to do, I suggest you grab a friend, a large bag of popcorn, and attend the Hunger Games. See what all the buzz is about - join in! And may the odds be ever in your favor!
Every year around this time, I get super excited for the holiday in which I can proudly support my favorite color in the most obnoxious sense and everyone is OK with it! That's right folks, I love the color GREEN and I love the Irish. It's a win win situation when it comes to St. Patrick's Day.
Last evening, I recieved a phone call from a friend to head to the local botanical gardens, creatively named The Domes (not at all in the sense of creativity - the darn building is literally made of 3 dome shaped greenhouse environments, and it was built in the 70s, so you can imagine the lack of beauty of the architecture). Apparently, the Domes periodically host concert series in the infamous "Show Dome" that houses a garden that made me feel as though I stepped into Shakespear's A Midsummer Night's Dream. At the far end of the Dome (can there really be a far end since it's a round room?), there was a stage and upon that stage, an Irish Band belting out some tunes. What increased the cool factor even more: they have a man performing Irish dance to the beat of their tunes. Very Michael Flatley.
Honestly, listening to that music made me reminice over the few times I've been able to travel over to the beautiful country of Ireland and made me want to very strongly watch the movie, Once. Side Note: If you have not watched this movie, I suggest you do - in a sense it's a modern musical, but not in the jazz hand, jazz square sort of way.
The Domes have kicked off my weekend of everything Irish and now I'm going to top it off by making a little trip back to the Eastern side of Pure Michigan to ring in the holiday with my best friend from college. So, here's to the Irish!
