If I were a Superhero…

It is very fortunate for Marvel that superheroes are now (apparently) cool.  Now, I would not consider myself to be a particularly big fan of this genre, but I’ve actually seen the most superhero movies out of all my family members.

First, there was Spiderman.

Or at least the first fifteen minutes. Brie and I got coupons for the IMAX at the Minnesota Zoo and decided we might as well go. Unfortunately, we went in July. Even though it wasn’t particularly hot, we were left in the dark after a loud pop. Apparently, the the movie projector had overheated. Fortunately, we got a refund.

I ended up finishing the movie in November at a friend’s surprise birthday party. I liked it, but had a hard time taking it seriously. Spiderman does spend most of the movie in patriotic spandex. It didn’t help either, that one of the other girls was in love with Andrew Garfield, who (at least in this movie) has the exact same hair as my brother.

Next, came Thor.

We got this movie from Redbox. It was good, but I was more excited to show my family Inception, which I had purchased a few days before. After we had seen both movies, I asked my dad what he thought. A quick fact about my dad: he is of the opinion that amusement is aptly named. When broken down into the Greek, you get a and muse, which literally means “to not think.” The word amusement, however, does not come from ancient Greek. Rather, it originates from the Old French word amuser, which means “entertain” or “deceive.” But my dad prefers to look to the Greeks, and because of this I thought he would be a big fan of Inception. Nope. When I asked him what he thought, his immediate reaction was “I liked Thor better.” I guess we’re all full of surprised. I, myself, would choose Inception any day, but that has a lot to do with the fact that I love pretty much everything but Christopher Nolan, which bring me to my next superhero movie.

Batman Begins.

I’ve seen this movie twice and loved it both times. I like the music. I like the plot. I like the acting. I liked that Christian Bale can pull off wearing tights and a helmet with ears. I think it helps that it’s all in black.

If there were a contest on the superhero movie I’ve seen the most, though, the grand prize would have to go to Captain America.

This was one of the movies the hospital had on queue, so I had the most access to it. I watched it by myself. I watched it with Chris. I watched it with Chris, my mom, and my dad. Later that summer, I watched it again with my sister. Fortunately, I at least like it, primarily because it takes place during WWII, a time period that I have been rather obsessed with since junior high.

Captain America also starred in The Avengers, which I have to say is probably my least favorite.

Yes, Tom Hiddleston is awesome. Yes, Robert Downey Jr. is funny. But, my reaction to watching this still goes something along the lines of “meh.”

That saves the best for last.

The Dark Knight                                                               

             And The Dark Knight Rises.

                                                                  

The Joker is probably one of the best villains I have ever seen, mostly because he is terribly unpredictable, but he’s only in one of the movies. I think the reason why I like this superhero is because I can relate to him. It helps that we have the same Meyers-Briggs personality type:

I think it mostly has to do with the whole theme of people’s pasts. Granted, my parents weren’t shot in front of me, but I understand the internal struggle that comes from facing a traumatic situation. It’s really, really hard to not define yourself by what has happened to you. I’m not saying that the past has no influence over the present; it just doesn’t have to become the domineering power. When something bad happens, I don’t have to follow Harvey Dent and turn evil from bitterness. Bad memories are like fire. If you keep them inside you, you’ll get burned. But they can also be the fuel for change.

The Art of Dance

Dance. Particularly swing - definitely ballroom. There's something exhilarating and contagiously joyful about twirling around a dance floor, bumping into all of the other pairs, laughing when you slip, and trying to hold a conversation even though it's nearly impossible over the din of the music, clicking shoes, and other voices all around.

I decided recently that I wish I had been born to live in the nineteen-forties. At first I thought it was simply because I love the music and dance of that era (which is certainly still true), but as I've been considering it, there are so many reasons besides that.

1) The fashion. 

Because, honestly, modest is hottest. And somehow the forties ladies manage to look flirty, gorgeous, modest, and put together in something as simple as a skirt and blouse. Plus, there's those high waisted shorts which (though they might not be super popular) are darling and super slimming if you know how to wear them. That, combined with the hairstyles and shoes, is just perfectly classy. If I could wear something like that every day and not get odd looks from people, I would do it.

2) The films.

Because the 1940s were the years of the classics. The two movies that are still considered the most classic today came out in the 40s - Casablanca and Citizen Kane - both of which are excellent. On top of that, there's It's a Wonderful Life, Meet Me in St. Louis, Yankee Doodle Dandy, Dumbo, and Oliver Twist. I hope at least some of these movies are familiar, but if they're not, make an effort to see at least one or two of them sometime in the next few months.

3) The war.

Because (although it might seem like a strange reason), I really adore the idea of being the girl waiting for her soldier to come home. Military history is so inspiring and intriguing - and none more to me than World War II.

4) The romance.

Because dating is overrated. This probably comes (in many ways) from the part of me that is a hopeless romantic at heart, but I want something like that. I want to be so in love that months and years apart can't come between us. And (I repeat) dating is overrated. It's been so trivialized, that it seems like it's not even a step toward marriage. I'd much rather be courted.

5) The dance.

Because this is where my heart and soul lies when it comes to the nineteen forties. Enough of this modern "moshing" and "grinding". I could go swing dancing every night and not get sick of it. And I like it for a few reasons. Firstly, swing dance is fun. Just, purely, innocently fun. Secondly, it's social. You go dancing with friends. You talk (mostly when you're catching your breath), you laugh (often for no real reason), and you dance with a bunch of different partners (even some you've never met before). And thirdly, swing dance is good for anyone. The basic step is so easy, literally anyone can do it. But then, once you've been dancing for a while, you can be more advanced. In no time, you can do spins and lifts that you wouldn't have been able to dream of the day you started. I've been dancing - I mean, really dancing - for about a year, and I can already do some crazy stuff if my partner knows what he's doing, too.

So, yes, I wish I was a forties girl. But I also know that God gave me a twenty-first century life for a very good reason. I might never know what that reason is, but I'm excited to keep dancing through life to figure it out. And who knows? Maybe the nineteen forties are making a comeback.

A Little Advice from Dove Chocolate

During intermission at Peter Pan performances, Nick passes around a container of Dove chocolates. “What they say is what I think of you,” he tells us. “So you have to read it out loud.”

According to Dove, I should

•  Live well, laugh often, and love much
•  Daydream
• Express myself
• Be a little naughty with my nice
• Feel good about today
•  Create a happy place
• Take a moment to enjoy what I have

Dove also told me that ”Happiness is contagious” and “It’s definitely a bubble bath day.” I agree with the comment on happiness, but I hate bubble baths.

I’m somewhat of an interloper in the pit orchestra. To start off with, this is the first year of done it. I know there are a few other rookies in the mix, but one of the flautists has been doing shows with Eagan Community Theater longer than I’ve been alive. Second, I don’t even live in Eagan.

I’ve gotten to know some of the other members pretty well though, like Nick, the candy handler. During tech week, he brought a toaster oven and made pizza rolls, taquitos, and steak while we rehearsed. He’s on piano, which means his part consists of boring bass patterns and Tinkerbell’s sound effects.

Irony in this play: Peter Pan is played by a girl, and Tink is “played” by a guy.

My stand partner’s name is Trevor. He makes violins and performs Celtic music dressed like a Tucson Raider. Also, Trevor played in an orchestra with my cello teacher, which I think is a rather odd coincidence. It’s a small world, the string community.

Abby sits on my other side. She played in the pit last year for Cinderella and invited me to join her. Before the shows, there’s a Pirate and Pixie Parade for the little members of the audience to participate in, and it was Abby’s idea for her, me, and Trevor to play piratey fiddle music while they kids were lined up. This was brilliant not only because it adds background music, but it lets me concentrate on something other than the pirates bad puns.

Pirates only get one grade in school: high C’s. That’s because we keep all our books in Davy Jones’ Locker. Actually, we don’t even go to school. We play Hook-y.

Pirates only listen to one band: Maroon-ed 5. But it’s hard because we don’t have iPods only eye patches.

Trevor’s boss in the orchestra, too. His name is Will, and he plays the cello.  He wears glasses that remind me of Benjamin Franklin, is incredibly sarcastic, and frequently talks in a British accent. Once before the show, he explained all the the different dialects he could do.

A very strange place, the pit.

There are five performances left. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:30 and a Saturday matinee at 2:00. It’s taken a lot of time, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Plus, I get a free T-shirt. 

Clarity

Toward Clarity - the journey of two friends separated by hundreds of miles but held together through faith and perseverance. As everything changes, we seek the calm in the storm provided by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. - 1 Corinthians 13:12