The Post Hunger Games World

If you’re like me, you devoured The Hunger Games trilogy. And now, have to get your fill of that world in the movies (which are just as fantastic). But fret no more. I’ve been tipped of a series that’s similar in nature minus the arena. It’s called Divergent, by Veronica Roth (who’s 24, cue my jealousy). I was hesitant when Maggie first told me about this, because let’s be honest, nothing could ever compare to The Hunger Games.

Borrowed the first book from a co-werker (Divergent) and read it in three days. Got the second one (Insurgent) and missed my bus stop this morning from reading for too long. 

I’m hooked. And if you have a gaping hole the size of Panem, this just might be something to tide you over until Catching Fire comes out. I should note, the third and final book of the Divergent series is not out. Which means you’ll have to sit around twiddling your thumbs, just like you did when you finished a Harry Potter book. The Divergent trilogy is slated for Hollywood, though I refuse to see a casting list until I finish the second book.

Also to note, this book takes place in Chicago in the very distant future. But Roth still makes current landmark Chicago references (every time I look at Millennium Park, I think of a scene from the book). And I love every minute of it.

Another Year

It’s that time of year again, when the seasons change and moving trucks start hunting for places to park: Moving Day. Thankfully, Maggie and I have signed on for another year and we’ll embark on our…fourth year of living together. It’s crazy to think it’s already been three years and yet, it seems even harder to believe it hasn’t been longer.

We love our current condo (and not really into apartment hunting), so staying was a no brainer. The amenities are fantastic, the location cannot be beat and we get a ton for what we pay. Plus, Maggie’s just spruced up that place to no end and I can’t imagine packing it all up and having to recreate her masterpiece of decorating somewhere else.

As I think of the amenities we have (doorman, pool, gym, BBQ grills, laundry), I cannot help but wish we could add a library to the mix. In NYC, libraries are quickly becoming a perk in many residential buildings, just for the sense of peace, tranquility and calmness it exudes.

The building with a library will have to wait another year, at least, though it’s something I’m for sure adding to my list when I have to do the hunt. Maggie and I decided we would marry off before we stopped being roommates, which means the day that we go out to find our own spaces, this will be us. End of an era indeed.

Pinning Inspiration

About six months ago, Maggie told me about this website I just had to get on and start using: Pinterest. At first, I was confused how I could use the site and what it all really meant. But today, I’m a huge believer and find myself continually checking in to see what’s going on. There’s really no boundaries to what the site can be, seeing as you determine how you want to use it every time you create a board for your pins. I find the site is definitely more of an inspiration source, which is why when I saw this latest campaign from Kotex, I just wanted to get up and cheer. Finally, a brand doing something truly original with this still-in-beta site.

To celebrate National Women’s Inspiration Day, Kotex took to people’s Pinterest boards and created gift boxes for them based on the things they pinned. Then they sent these boxes out and as you’re probably guessing, all the recipients took to social media to share their boxes with others.

I’m pining for more campaigns like this.

via AdFreak

 

 

So Long Winter Blues, Hello Blue Man

It’s no secret that life in Chicago during the winter months is well, bleak. And even though this winter hasn’t been all that terrible, the fact that it’s winter and dark when you walk out of the office is depressing as hell. And that Lake Effect wind I just love in the spring, summer and fall is just brutal during this time of year. It’s why I always escape with a trip for a while. And why I’m ever so thankful Mom makes the voyage up here for a little trip. It feels like I’m getting away, without really going anywhere.

This time, Grandpa Norm made the trip up with Mom. We had ourselves a fantastic time and shared many laughs during their 3-day visit. Grandpa got to see where I work (Mom: “It’s like the kids are running the zoo”), see where I live, hang out with Maggie (Maggie: “I asked if I could hug him”) and enjoy all this city has to offer under bleak skies. We celebrated the city’s 175th birthday, caught a Blue Man Group show and saw The Artist in the only way you should, in a theatre.

At the end of the trip, Grandpa Norm turns to me and says, “I can see why you love it so much here.” Seal of approval that I’m doing a-okay in life.

Hanging with a Blue Man

Sharing Is Caring

Maggie and I spend a lot of our time detailing humorous things our Moms say. And most of this advice, aside from funny, is shockingly true, like our Moms are Buddha-esque genies ensuring we don’t make too many mistakes along the way of growing up.

We decided to share the wealth of our Moms and launched “Pearls for Our Girls,” a site detailing the random bits and pieces from our Moms. We’ll also pool friends for great advice their Moms pass on too, ensuring no pearl goes undiscovered (see what I did there?).

Hanna [Non]Tana will still post, and I promise with more frequency. Should you feel the Magic 8 ball doesn’t have the answer for your burning question/latest endeavor, I’m sure our Moms will.

A Week of Gal Pallin’

Apparently, last  week was Female Friendship Week. I’m not sure what that means, but I greatly appreciated spending loads of time with all of the great female friendships I have.

Mags and I continued our date night at the Film Fest on Monday with David Schwimmer’s Trust. It was hands down amazing. Some scenes were a bit hard to watch, but gosh, Clive Owen sure delivers as a distraught father who learns his daughter has been sexually attacked. The Q&A after with David was pretty stellar and Maggie and I talked about the film the whole way home. Then had nightmares. Which turned into dreams when Clive Owen rescued us.

Jessica just became the Windy’s latest resident, so we went to see the SURPRISE! film fest movie. You have no idea what’s going to play and then the film just starts. This year’s was super disappointing. I think everyone was kind of like ummm what? Don’t see The Next Three Days or Three Days Later, I don’t even remember what the stupid thing was called. But thankfully, Jessica and I just dead panned lines to each other all night. And we learned that Elizabeth Banks‘ jail hair in the movie is the exact same as my normal hair.

I recently just befriended some ladies at work, which was extremely exciting. Even joined a book club with Rochelle and all of her friends. So come Wednesday, Rochelle, Alex (my mentor from MW), Molly (from book club), Emily Meis and a few other gals joined us for the Cheeky Chicago bday celebration. It was stellar. Goodie bags galore, a photo booth, cupcakes…it was every man’s heaven: happy-go-lucky gals sipping cocktails and dancing. We met the owners of Cheeky Chicago, who were totally awesome and quite inspiring. It was just a fantastically fun filled evening that I ended with a chocolate milkshake.

In honor of Female Friendship Week, The Frisky came out with 25 Reasons Gal Pals Rule. And I must say, they are so spot on. So I thank all my great gal pals out there who have seen me at the worst and helped bring me to my best. Cheers. Coolage (a la George from My Best Friend’s Wedding).

Do and You Shall Reap

It’s no secret. I am an addict. Like the first time I hear it’s available, I just start twitching for it. It replaces my sleep, social life and eating habits. It’s volunteering.

I’m not sure at what point in my life volunteering became such a big deal, but alas, it did. And since I’ve moved to Chicago, I’ve done some pretty cool things, from tutoring, to reading programs, to newspaper reading with Seniors, to the Marathon, to Art on Track, to the Half-Marathon, Urbanathlon, to the Film Festival. I just can’t turn down a chance to get out of my comfort zone and do something I normally would never do.

Not to mention, I have met some fantastic people. Insanely fantastic people. They’ve become a new circle of friends in my life and frankly, I couldn’t imagine a life where they didn’t exist. And reaped some pretty stellar benefits.

Case in point: this past weekend, I used vouchers for a Chicago International Film Festival show, Nice Guy Johnny, directed by Edward Burns. Last year, I dragged Maggie to a terrible film (Mammoth), so I knew I really needed to make it up to her.

I noticed they also were having an after party with Edward Burns right after the film showing. So I finagled to get us on the VIP list. It only worked since the staff regards me as a SuperStar Volunteer, a title I’m happy to wear.

Needless to say, after the fantastic film (it’s available on iTunes, so hop to it!)  and Q&A, Mags and I headed to Sub51 for the all-inclusive party. We sipped some fantastic Grey Goose cocktails and caved and bought food (it was a smart move for sure). We sat across from Mr. Burns all night and finally, I had the courage to go up to him and talk, while bringing Maggie with me of course!

Hanna: Hello Edward Burns, my name’s Hanna and I simply loved you in Saving Private Ryan
Edward Burns: Thank God you did not say The Holiday or 27 Dresses.
Hanna: Hahahahaha. I seriously loved Private Ryan! Oh, since you’re leaving, real quick, a picture?
EB: Of course!

(Insert camera breaking, insert phone camera not working)

EB: Oh sorry ladies.
Hanna: What did you do to our technology pieces?!
Maggie: Get Mary to take it!
Hanna: Edward, third time’s the charm! And let’s get Mr. Mad Men in this photo!
EB: Yea, Don Draper, get over here!

A few things happened before we got this gem.

1) I put in some serious hours with the Film Fest, both this year and last year.
2) I asked and I received. And more importantly, I asked the right people.
3) The Staff was carting EB out of the party (he’s an old 42 after all!), but let Maggie and I be the last ones to receive pics with EB.
4) I struck up conversation with a random girl next to us, who in turn, became our photo angel and emailed me the photos immediately.

Moral: Get out, do things. Befriend someone you normally wouldn’t.

Note: Last night, Maggie and I went to see David Schwimmer‘s film Trust. And I befriended the most giddy girls in the theatre. I mean, thanks to them, I got red carpet photos without looking like a psychopath. And his film was fantastic. It gets distribution next Spring, so be on the look out. I can’t remember the last time I saw a film that just left me utterly speechless.

Up next: Dinner at the Four Seasons for Chicago Cares (the volunteer organization I work on behalf) award ceremony. I think it’s safe to say, Maggie and I would normally not spend a Monday night at this establishment.

Quickie: Thank You CNN

CNN legitimately had a post about what to do when a body part fell off. And while I’m sure they didn’t mean for this, it’s completely and utterly insane. Thankfully, someone at The Gloss saw this and wrote a pseudo-rebuttal. I cannot read this without breaking into fits of laughter. I tried to read aloud to Maggie and failed.

A few excerpts I greatly enjoy:

You should go from zero to sixty, rocketing immediately into complete and utter terror.

keep the body part with you. Don’t give it to a spouse.

I really hope I never have a body part fall off.

Pleading the Fifth

“You get one ‘Get out of Jail Free’ card from me during your 25th year. One. And you used it within two weeks. 50 more weeks mistake free.”  ~Maggie

We’re shippin’ out to….Sheridan

Mags and I finally made the move. We love the area we lived in before, so knew we wanted to stay in the Lakeview/Lincoln Park ‘hood. After searching all around town, we decided on the Commonwealth building–just one block east of where we currently were living.

Bright and early we made our way to the U-Haul, made the pact that Maggie would do the driving (never driven anything bigger than a Jetta) and began to load the truck. With the help of Gretchen, Brian and Patrick (all in different shifts), we made a size-able dent in the move. Truck loaded and we’re heading out the door…Maggie, Brian and me.

It is after locking the door, we realize we have the U-Haul keys, the new place keys and no old place keys. Panic sets in. During this time we attempt the landlord and in his true fashion, we cannot get a hold of him. Enter Emergency Locksmith Hotline. Enter new problem: Maggie awaiting for the locksmith. Which means I, Hanna E. Soltys, strap myself in to the U-Haul and drive maybe two blocks total. I have no recollection of manning the machine, just remember I literally could not see anything. And was extremely grateful we received a beat up truck so any type of damage would hopefully go unnoticed.

Brian and I do the whole unloading of the truck and Maggie finally gets into the old apartment. We load up the final load of the truck (that’s right, two loads and we were done. Medal us please: Gold for Brian, Silver for Maggie and I) and Maggie sweet talks U-Haul for an additional hour with the truck, seeing as we spent 40 minutes trying to figure out how to close the back door.

Alas, 3:04 rolls around and we are done. Everything is piled into the living room, like a scary, yet charming, episode of Hoarders. The thought of unpacking sounds extremely unappetizing. So Maggie and I do what we normally do in situations like this: eat pizza. After gathering mustering whatever strength we have left, we begin the dreaded unpacking.

An hour later, we’re burned out and decided to meet Maggie’s parents for a late dinner and drinks. It’s over wine that Maggie and I make our new pact:

NO MOVING UNTIL MARRIAGE

The next time we move we will a) be moving into homes with our husbands and b) sipping cocktails by the pool while professionals handle the matter. Glad to say I’ve moved myself in this fair city, but there’s no need for a repeat. That would just be showing off.