Slacker

Long time, no talk. However- the fact that I managed 4 posts in a month is 3 more than I thought I could do sooo self five. While I'm on the topic of gloating, it needs to be known that I kept the BIG HORRIBLE DOWNTON ABBY TWIST A SECRET FOR 3 MONTHS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Although it meant crying by myself- I'm super proud that I held out. That was a gut-wrench that needed to be felt by all, organically.

Back to business. Since I've last posted, Jennifer Lawrence won a SAG and a Golden Globe! (She also hosted snl but I'm just pretending that never happened.) Awards season is HUGE for me. The Sag, Emmys, Critics choice---those are all just the play offs for the Oscars!! I am that annoying friend who yells out every single thought I have during the show...but luckily, most (some) of my friends are as well. Here is an example of our Emmy's live-text: 

I also saw Louis CK on Friday! He's really funny but warning: do not drink wine before the show--you will fall asleep. 

On to FEBRUARY! Things to look forward to:

• Feb. 1st- HAWLEY REUNION. (This probably doesn't mean much to you, but basically all the awesome people I lived with for 2 years will be in the same place and that makes me very happy)
• 2nd: FUN. concert!
• I first got into fun. early last year, but this is the first concert I am able to catch. What I did not know was fun is the new tween "it" band, so this concert will be nothing that I expected. (aka i'm making my signs to throw in the air while jumping around-but only so I fit in)
• 3rd: BEYONCE!!! (also known as the superbowl to some)
• 6th: Mumford and Sons concert! (this will not be with tweens, i think?)
• 7th:  Community returns!!!!!
• 13th: Seeing Really, Really...I am really, really excited. (had to)
• 16th: BEYONCE HBO SPECIAL
• 24th: My superbowl: OSCARSSSSSSS

Also in the mix are two special friends birthdays and a day just for love. There is so much to be excited for, it's like I don't even have to say "rabbit rabbit" thursday night. 

My favorite links as of late:

I have a friend who is so much wittier and cooler than I can ever hope to be. Lucky for us, she has a twitter! (<-click on the link to check it. She also has the inside scoop to new and awesome books. She's a keeper)

PBS is making a documentary on J.D Salinger

I was never that teen who worshiped Catcher in the Rye, I was/am more of a To Kill A Mockingbird person. But the fact that this man was such a recluse and it's by PBS-it kind of seems like a must watch.

Why you should watch happy endings, told by the writers themselves.

AMY POHLER IS WRITING A BOOK. It will be awesome

Mattise exhibit at the Met looks incredible. It ends March 17th so fingers crossed the lines won't be as bad as Alexander McQueens. (Though that was so worth it as well)

When Jim Crow Drank Coke . An interesting Times piece on some history I never knew existed. 

I love Sundance and getting ready for next years oscars, almost as much as I love this years oscars.

edit: last minute addition: THIS IS EVERYTHING I'VE DREAMED ABOUT SINCE I WAS 10

Sorry for all the CAPS and !!!!!!!.  I'm just really excited for a fabulous February. Don't forget your Rabbit Rabbit!

xoxo
Cherie

(my friend Joanna thinks this blog should be called "Insides Cherie's Head". It's probably the most accurate description of what this is, hope you like it!)

Wouldn't it be funny if that was true?

The theater is a magical place. On broadway, off broadway, school plays, local shows...I just love sitting in a room and being captivated by people in front of me emoting and taking me into their world. Sometimes its hard to get my head away from all of the "noise" of the real world; but live anything is able to mute life's' worries and leave me entranced, if only for a little while.

This week I saw "Cat on A Hot Tin Roof", an American classic by Tennessee Williams. Going into the play all I really knew was Scarlet Johansson stared. I for the most part, stayed clear of reviews of the play thus far, allowing little expectations to be had before the show. Because (or despite) of this, I  truly enjoyed this play. The production was just spectacular. Broken up into 3 acts, the setting of the play took place in the bedroom of Maggie (Scarlett Johansson) and Brick (the amazing Benjamin Walker) on the day of Brick's father, Big Daddy (Ciaran Hinds) birthday.  I suck at summaries because I often give too many spoilers, so I'll just say the story itself is very captivating and thought provoking. I was invested from scene one, act one; and while I have already decided I love the play itself, the stunning cast brought it to life beautifully.

What stuck with me most from the play were the themes and one quote in particular:  "Mendacity is a system that we live in. Liquor is one way out an death's the other" Tennessee William's. As depressing as that statement is, I view it as the power of perception. Brick is in a situation in which he feels all of the lies he told himself and what he believed over the years has led him to the situation he is in now; constant unhappiness and with no chance to correct some wrongs or even be very truthful to himself.  Contrast that to his wife, Maggie, who spends the entire first act being completely honest to this broken man. Unlike Brick, she has acknowledged truths that others tried to overlook, and instead of submitting to the two given options: liquor and death; she chose to fight. She fights her husband and his self-loathing, she fights her mother-in-law and her blame, and she fights her sister and brother in law and their snobbery and judgement. While there were other important themes of the play, this one stuck with me the most. Certain situations are just awful, but its how one perceives the truth of the matter and deals with it that makes all of the difference.

I wish I could say I was more of "Maggie" in life, but I uncomfortably identify too much with Brick. To tell yourself one thing for such a long time, only to open your eyes one day and see where all those lies have led you to is a bleak and somber pill to swallow. I personally am blessed with having many many Maggies in my life however, who are also endless encouraging fighters. When Maggie tries to tell Brick she loves him and things will be okay, he twice answered "Wouldn't it be funny if that was true?".  Brick...we need a good laugh.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is officially on my "you must see" list, so get tickets soon!

Why should you watch Happy Endings?

Before I answer that question, it's important to acknowledge my addiction to television.  Ever since I was a wee cherry (heh heh), I scheduled all of my activities based on the tv guide schedule. (My parents, bless their heart, got me a vcr to record shows in the pre-dvr days. They are to thank for my social life). I still did/do love curling up with a great book, chatting with friends--all the "normal" behaviors of a functioning person; I just know how to manage my time. Here is where I'll remind my friends to look at our google calendar and and schedule your weekends accordingly: 

Back to Happy Endings. I've read elsewhere it called "the best show that you are not watching", but the jury is still out on that. However I can vouch for why it is a "great show that should not be overlooked" and even "a show to add to the dvr list".

Premiering in early 2011, this 3 season show has been on the up and up. Having watched all available episodes in a week- I can definitely note when and where they've decided to change direction--a sign that they are aware of the shows potential. The series centers on a group of friends living in Ohio. Among them is a married couple, a gay friend, a single boy-crazy friend, and a couple whose wedding is the first scene of the show...where the bride leaves the groom at the alter. (Did I mention it's a comedy?) Admittedly after the first episode, I wasn't too sold on how the show could progress from a failed wedding. Is this going to be a show about awkward friends? Or a rom-com about will they/won't they get back together? In attempts to remain spoiler free--I'll just say that I am happy I continued on.

What I enjoy about this show is how they've developed these 6 characters individually and cohesively. None of them are without major/borderline iwannaslapyourface annoying flaws; and yet I don't feel badly for rooting for every single one of them. The comedy is who they are, and how they embrace and work with their flaws; making their group dynamic so strong because of what each brings to the group. The quirks of the characters usually lead to them being involved in crazy story lines, which are hysterical and have a purpose in having their character and the story line grow. (Something How I Met Your Mother use to be the KING of. Now....meh). Also, similar to what I found so great about Friends, is that you get a sense that each character genuinely likes and cares for the others. Even though you note the bond between Brad and Max (my favorites) from the beginning, the story line has explained and expanded on the relationship between Brad and Penny, Brad and Alex, Brad and Dave, and so on with all of the others. It feels real and relatable, like I'm actually a fly on the wall into this awesome groups crazy life and adventures.

I am definitely committed to this show. So far season 3 is the best (Season 1 was really good while season 2 was aiight). The show comes back to ABC on January 6th at 10pm and January 8th at 9pm. (Hey Abc, why 2 new episodes of a show in one week? Give us a chance to miss it!) Anyway, you should watch Happy Endings. It's aymuhzing.

Links of the day:
You Won't Stay The Same, Study Finds (This article is so pertinent to many of our recent conversations, I really found it fascinating. Especially the part about how much you now vs future you would be willing to spend to see your favorite bands in concert. At 11 I waited in the cold for hours to see a backstreet boys concert to no avail...at 22 I saw them with New Kids on the Block for $15. SELF FIVE.  Though 11 year old Cherie and 25 year old Cherie would spend her life savings to see Nsync in concert. Suck it science.)

Why I need to go to Philly: http://travel.nytimes.com/2013/01/06/travel/36-hours-in-philadelphia.html?src=me&ref=general

An article in which the headline contains "Downton Abby" and "Homeland': http://www.vulture.com/2013/01/hugh-bonneville-on-downton-abbey-season-three-interview.html

I dare you not to cry/J.J Abrams is amazing example 45,669: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-trek-fan-dies-jj-408899

We old/10 points to anyone who knew the artists behind "whoomp! there it is": http://www.buzzfeed.com/perpetua/29-albums-that-are-now-20-years-old (For the record, Counting Crows "August and Everything After" will never not be a great album)

xoxo

Hello, World.

Howdy! My name is Cherie and this is my blog.

<---that's me in the Leopard Scarf

I'm a dental student by day and a pop culture enthusiast come every other free minute of my time. I usually spend my days sending two of my best friends my thoughts on the world; so this blog is mostly an attempt to un-clutter their inbox. 

January 2nd, 2013

2012 sucked. For various reasons. I learned a lot of lessons, grew as a person, blah blah blah- but sayonara 2012. 2013 is where it's at! Various websites have their lists of the top of 2012 (books, movies, makeup,trends,etc), but I like to be excited and have things to look forward to. Sooooooooo,

THINGS I'M EXCITED FOR JANUARY 2013 (we're gonna pretend this is going to be updated every month)...

• January 6th- Downton Abby premieres! (full disclosure: I watched the whole season online already. BIG MISTAKE! There are so many things to discuss but no one I knew saw it. January will correct that)
• January 8th- Pretty Little Liars new season begins. (Did I mention this is a judgement free zone? Now that I did, I would also like to add Cougar town premieres on tbs on the 8th too)
• Also Jan 8th- I'm seeing Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Review will follow (saving email room for my dear Smi as well)
• January 11th- Gangster Squad comes out. I probably won't see it (too violent), but I am all for seeing Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone commercials every 5 minutes for the next couple of weeks.
• January 19- Jennifer Lawrence on SNL with FUN. (I shall go into my obsession with Jennifer Lawrence on another date)
• January 25th- Seeing Louis CK at NJPAC 

It's gonna be a good month!
For Jess and Sara, (and the world?), here are my favorite articles of the day:

http://www.vulture.com/2012/12/toughest-scene-perks-of-being-a-wallflower.html  (you guys really need to see this movie so we can discuss how awesome Logan Lerman is)

http://www.vulture.com/2013/01/jennifer-lawrence-on-staring-at-meryl-streep.html (the prequel to my  "why i love jennifer lawrence" piece)

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/todd-mccarthy-picks-15-films-407396 ( I agree with 4 of his choices)

xoxo
Cherie