Dear Adam Levine....

I had a vision readers. It came as most visions due, with no warning or even forethought. Adam Levine will be my Valentine's Day date this year.

I'm going to rewind a bit so that you can see what I saw.

Earlier this week, as I sat at my desk during lunch, I was looking at ticket prices for the 2012 Maroon 5 concert that my cousin Brittany and I were hoping to attend. The seats I wanted were not available on Ticketmaster any more so I decided to venture over to StubHub to compare. Low and behold I found the tickets I so desired: floor seats and about as close to the stage as I could imagine or at least afford. I instantly bought the tickets. Filled with excitement, I texted Brittany and told her we could actually look forward to Valentine's Day this year. We could hardly contain our excitement.

In my excitement I took to Twitter. With no thoughts of grandeur, I tweeted the following: Going to see Maroon 5 for Valentine's Day. Hey @adamlevine, would you be my Valentine. I laughed to myself, clearly Mr. Levine would never see my tweet or even more unlikely respond in any way, positive or negative. I carried on with my day.

But something was nagging me... why couldn't I get the lead singer of Maroon 5 to be my Valentine? Crazier things have happened. Look at the girl who serenaded Jason Segel for a date only to become an Internet sensation and actually have said date happen?? I realized that my approach would have to be unique enough to get recognized on a national or at least social media version of national level. So I started to plot....

My plan is quite simple. I just have to get Adam Levine's attention. There is no real sob story here, nor would I want there to be one. I have to be earnest and honest and blunt about my intentions. I also need the help of social media to get my idea launched. I plan to use my blog, my Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube accounts to get my message out and if  you can share/like/comment/retweet any and all of these posts, it will only increase the chance that he might see my request.

So let me take this opportunity to address Mr. Levine personally:

My name is Katelin Bonk. I am 24 years old and love your band. I would not dare to say that I am your biggest fan, I would not want to take that honor away from someone else. I always enjoyed your band's music but didn't own any CDs until I discovered Hands All Over. That album changed my taste in music. It is in my top favorite albums of all time, that I am not lying about. So you can imagine how excited I was when I picked up your newest album, Overexposed. It took a while but I fell in love with that album as well. My favorite song is "Love Somebody". But I digress. I am a fan and a very loyal one once I become one. I was wondering what you would say to being my Valentine at the Detroit concert of your upcoming tour. I'm sure you get ridiculous requests all the time but I would love it if you would hear me out. My cousin and I are beyond excited to go to the show, regardless of this particular outcome. The reason I ask is because I've never had a REAL Valentine. I've had a couple male friends do me a solid and be my fake Valentine and I love them dearly for it. But I've never looked forward to the day to be honest. Being a romantic person and having no one willing to share it with you can be lonely. I've written a blog that tries to give you other ideas to get through the day, take a look! What am I looking for in asking this? Well, there are a couple ways this could go. 1. Getting a tweet on the day of the concert would probably blow my mind and make my day. 2. Dreaming a bit bigger, but a shout out at the concert during a romantic song would probably give me a heart attack, one I would be willing to have. 3. This is the biggest option and most unlikely but it comes with the biggest reward. Call me up on stage and sing to me.

I know, I know. These are all quite ridiculous requests. But in an age where social media is the driving force, what hard does it take to at least ask?

Adam, I am going to just ask this once or on the flip side bombard you with requests. I have a plan. I came up with a Twitter hashtag: #KateBonkWouldLikeAdamLevineToBeHerValentine. ( I admit that it's not clever and very long but I needed both of our names in it!!) I will be tweeting this hashtag everyday (105 and counting...) until the concert as well as an update here in my blog monthly. I also have a couple of other tricks on getting your attention but I am going to keep those to myself for the moment.

Mr. Levine, I realize the improbability of this question and request. If you never see or hear my posts or even if you do and you choose not to respond, my heart will not be broken. I will still scream at the top of my lungs at the concert (Dressed in red and black, probably some leather. Hey, can't blame a girl for trying!) and my cousin and I will still have the best time because we won't be alone on Valentine's Day. But if you do... just know that you're making one very loyal fan extremely happy.

So thanks Adam Levine.

#KateBonkWouldLikeAdamLevineToBeHerValentine #KateNeedsAVDayDate

Will The Real Slim Shady Please Stand Up?

The title of today's blog might lead you to think that I am about to drop some raps but the title is just a rouse to pull in more readers. Gotcha!!!

The real theme of today's post is inspired by a lovely and dear friend (I am not being sarcastic.*) We were discussing characters on TV shows and how I love the ones that are a word that rhymes with witchy. I postulated that I love those witchy characters so much is because in reality I am too nice and wish I could say the things they do or act how they act. My amazing friend** said that she can be witchy. NOTE: I never called her witchy. That just needs to be clear. I said the reason for her comparison might be that we, as viewers, are drawn to our opposites and dislike characters that resemble ourselves. Well, that's would I have said had I not been accused of calling my very pretty friend a witch. But I digress.

So the topic at hand is why we or I rather love characters that are seeming polar opposites. My though process on this is pretty rudimentary: I am what one would call a nice to a fault person. This is a positive as I have lots of friends and have the reputation of being a good person. However, being nice all the time has its downfall. People think they can walk all over you, take advantage, and treat you in a way and expect to get away with it because you are too nice to really come at them. Most of the time I would agree with this description of me. But like the Hulk, I have a secret.... I can get mad.

It comes as shock to people when the wrath of Kate comes down on them, and for good reason since it takes quite a bit to make me truly, completely angry. Yes, I am emotional so my immediate reaction might make it seem like I am mad. But the real, deep anger lies doormat and it takes a great deal for me to unleash it on my unsuspecting victims.

So when I see these characters on TV just unleash vicious comments, snarky comebacks, and evil revenge I get all happy inside. Finally!! Someone is unleashing their inner Hulk and it feels so good to watch! If I can't do it some else can. Do I get an unhealthy amount of satisfaction watching completely lovely and nice characters ripped to shreds with words? Absolutely. Do I care? Not one bit.

If I were to pick one character on TV right now that most embodies me I would honestly have to say Rachel from Glee. I don't say this because I think I can sing anywhere close to her level (I try. Really hard.) but because multiple people have told me that I remind them of her. I love her character and have since the pilot purely because of her no holds barred quest for the spotlight and her ruthless at times ambition. However, Rachel is usually a doormat and lonely and doesn't have the verbal viciousness of some of the characters that I gleefully await seeing each week for their ability to take down their "prey" with a sentence. On occasion both Rachel and I have these witty/snarky comments and we render our enemies speechless. But more often then not we end up singing a sad song in a montage, or in my case my car ride home.


*I'm being a teensy bit sarcastic.
** But she really is  quite lovely. And not a all a witch. Despite what she says.

I'm Backkkkk and Crazier Than Ever

READERS!!!!!!! I'm back!!

I went on a self-imposed writing exile for the last two months. Not really. I just got really lazy. And lost my sense of wit. But I found it!!! I know, you were all deeply concerned. "Is Kate still funny?" "Are there movies out right now? Kate hasn't written about anything in a while." "Should we rescue her from the Bunker?" (That's what those in the inner circle call my viewing room/bedroom. Pretty cool, huh?!) Fear not. I am safe and sound.

During the past months, it's not like I didn't think about writing. Heck, I made some headway on a new script. But I just couldn't think of anything topical to cover weekly. Oh sure, I could have bored you with my opinions on some of Summer TV's finales. I could have detailed my amazing concert with Kelly Clarkson and The Fray and how we met and they signed my first TV script that they inspired. But that just seemed like filler.

What brought me out of solitary, you ask, and why today? Well folks, today is perhaps one of my favorite days of the year, just behind Christmas and my birthday. It's TV premiere week. And yes, I know FOX and NBC premiered some of their shows last week but this is the real deal. All summer long I have been waiting for this day.

Now you better sit down and relax because I'm about to get real deep with you. Lately, my quirks and antics have been under scrutiny. You see, they are not the norm. I recently considered dropping a large sum of money on the Complete Blu-Ray Collection of Harry Potter and was immediately deemed insane and irrational. I was so taken aback by this reaction it caused me to go even deeper into my exile and really think about how I come across to friends and acquaintances.

You know what I discovered? That I don't care. I don't care at all. You may think I am crazy and that I need help but I don't care. I am passionate about something that I love. Do I sit in line for seemingly endless hours to see a movie at midnight that I could easily watch the next day with no line? Absolutely. And I'm not even close to being done with that. Do I own over 500 DVD's, including over 25 seasons of TV? You betcha. And still counting.

Some of you may point out that this isn't that bad but rather its my age that causes concern. I am in mid-20's and am more mature than some adults I know. I will gleefully admit that I am a child at heart and I hope to never lose that sense of wonder and joy about something that means so much to me. I am also professional when the occasion calls for it while bringing that sense of fun to any environment. Some may call me crazy, and I have too, but the word that truly describes me is quirky.

Do normal people get excited about new TV and the return of their favorites shows? Of course. Do they get a box of wine and snacks to celebrate? Probably not. Regardless that is what I will be doing tonight and I will be having more crazy adventures sooner than you think. So if you enjoy my "crazy", please keep coming back for more frivolity. If not, well, I feel sorry for you. You clearly have forgotten about what it is like to truly embrace yourself and just enjoy the ride.

E.E. Cummings once wrote; To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle, which any human being can fight, and never stop fighting.

A Moment of Insanity, Silence

Dear Readers,

It's been a while since I last dazzled you with my wit and humor. I had plans to write about The Amazing Spiderman and how it really was amazing. I had every intention of detailing my day long wait for the final chapter of Christopher Nolan's epic Batman trilogy with a review of The Dark Knight Rises (which was epic and made me cry and hate the movie and then love the movie). But none of that seemed relevant in light of the tragedy of the Aurora shootings.

How does one make sense or make light or even try to move on from something that horrific when they were never even involved? People told me the following days that they immediately thought of me because they know where I sit is where the gunman first fired. They asked me if I was afraid to go to the movies or even to dress up. Can I really tell them that I am not afraid when in reality I have such a vivid imagination that when I used to do my paper route at night I was sure people were following me and that vampires roamed the streets of Livonia?

While those are two opposite ends of the spectrum in regards to an active imagination, I can not tell you that I will be ever fully comfortable in a theater. I am always aware of who's behind me or in front of me. But will I let that stop me from going? Absolutely not. You can not take away my love of cinema by causing panic and fear or intimidation. Nor will I let any of you be intimidated.

To those who worry about me, I can't really do anything to assuage your fears. I will not stop going to movies, especially not midnight premieres. If someone should get the idea to terrorize my theater, I will do my best to get out in one piece but I also don't know if I would sit by either. If I had any opportunity to stop this sick person, I promise you I will.

We never know when its our time, that's kind of the point of the saying 'Live each day to the fullest'. If the people who survived the horrific events of that night learned anything it is that is so true. They made it out because of fate, God, or whatever reason, but they survived. I would hope that going to the movies is not completely ruined for them. The simple joy of immersing oneself in another world, place, time, or life is something that we need in an age of uncertainty, chaos, and destruction.

It seems disrespectful to mention the shooter in this blog but I do have something to say about his choice to embody the Joker in his moment of insanity. People do crazy things for many reasons. When I say 'moment of insanity' I say this fully believing that he was a sane individual with a sickness. He chose his outfit and his appearance on purpose. On purpose. To blame an actor's incredibly realistic portrayal of a madman as his inspiration is just as mad as to blame violence in movies and video games. People make specific decisions and use these excuses. It is in the person's personal makeup to do these acts of violence and not in the scapegoats that they blame it on.

The reality of this shooting is that people died for no reason. No reason other than a sick man's desire to be famous for an unspeakable act of terror. Heroes are rising and some will never be recognized the way others will. Christian Bale visited the victims last week and I believe this really shows his appreciation to his fans and just his generosity and truly loving spirit. We all lock in on this image and focus on it instead of other heroes from that night but since Bale portrays these people's hero, Batman, I believe that he really can do something special for these people. By acting like a regular Joe, he really has transformed himself into a hero.

As Commissioner Gordon told his son in The Dark Knight, "A hero. Not the hero we deserved but the hero we needed. Nothing less than a knight. Shining." Bale can be that hero the he himself spoke of as well, "Gotham needs a hero with a face."

"Sometimes people deserve more. Sometimes people deserve to have their faith rewarded."

When I Met Nora

Friends, we've lost one of great writers/directors/voices of our time. Nora Ephron passed away yesterday. This is a huge loss, not just for women for whom Ephron was a trailblazer, but for writers and filmmakers in general. Her body of work is not epic in scale, rather she wrote 15 screenplays, produced 10 of those, and only directed 8 of the films. But the epicness of her work comes from the hits that to this day resonate with new and old generation alike.

I remember the first Nora Ephron movie I saw. It was winter break of '98 and a couple of my cousins went to go see You've Got Mail. I fell in love but I wouldn't know how much until I was in college and the movie was on EVERY WEEKEND. I am not exaggerating, along with The Wedding Planner and 10 Things I Hate About You. I rediscoverd my love of that movie. "Aren't daisies the friendliest flower?" Who knew that school supplies could be such an aphrodiasic?

After about two years, I finally saw that Sleepless in Seattle was going to be on so I TiVo'd it and saved it for a Saturday night. As I lay in my bed, quietly tearing up, I realized that despite its absurd premise, this movie was a classic and how could I have never seen it before. Yes, it's a tearjerker but its also comedic gold: "Didn't you see Fatal Attraction?" "You wouldn't let me!" "Well I saw it and it scared the shit out of me! It scared the shit out of every man in America!" I think that is when I fell in love with Tom Hanks, all because of Ephron's words and vision.

Now it took me another couple of years to see When Harry Met Sally but when a movie is hyped up so much you worry that if you don't like it, you will lose out on this amazing experience that everyone got to have. Luckily, I too fell for Sally with Harry and the classic scene is ahem... well we all know how hilarious that was and we all secretly wish we could reenact it at our local diners. No? Is... is that just me? Hmmm...

I've seen Bewitched, Michael, Hanging Up, and Julie and Julia and her stamp is still there. But I think what resonates the most with people is the wit, heart, simplicity of the aforementioned trio of films. Obviously they all have Meg Ryan in common as well and she was America's Sweetheart for a reason. My secret dream movie reunion would be a couple romcom with Meg Ryan/Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts/Richard Gere and I had always assume Ephron had that thought in the back of her mind too and was working on the script.

A dream, yes, but that is what Ephron gave us: the possibility of happy-ever-after and that it all works out in the end despite the obstacles in front. May they be the age-old men and women can't be friends, or the impossibility of love at first sight or listen, or rather that hate and animosity can lead to friendship and true love.

I happen to think that all of the above is true, if only because she showed me that it can happen. As she once said, "Most of us live our lives devoid of cinematic moments." Well, at least we have the ones you created to fill the void.

Unless I'm Wrong, And I'm Never Wrong...

You guys, its here. Summer.....

(breathing heavily because I just performed the opening musical number from HSM 2, What Time Is It?) Sorry, had to be done. In all seriousness, it is summer and I love this season more than any other. Sun, shorts, dresses, sandals, bonfires, swimming, and lots of other summer fun. But you know what I love most of all? Summer TV!!!!

A different breed than the specimens of Fall TV, STV belongs to the cable networks and most would argue that it is becoming a rival of beloved FTV shows. STV contains mostly "frothy, mindless" TV, and you would be right if you only watched the reality shows of summer like ABC's Wipeout. While that show is worthy of that description, there are so many better and more quality shows that the networks are putting forth for your viewing pleasure.

Here are my personal choices:

USA shows: I don't watch every show the cable network comes out with, but I do watch the majority. Quality scripts, excellent acting, pretty people, and plenty of cliffhangers fill the channels programming. Common Law, White Collar, Suits, Burn Notice,  and Psych make my life happier. At the heart of all of these shows are the relationships between the main characters and it draws you in further than most TV shows.

TNT- Not to be out done, the channel has gotten in the game slowly but surely. It started a couple of years of ago with the sleeper hit Leverage, followed by Rizzoli and Isles, and last years biggest winner Franklin and Bash. The drama is a bit more relatable but the fun and stakes are still high as ever.

Pretty Little Liars- I know what you are going to say because I have said the exact same thing to people when I tell them I watch this show. It's ridiculous. It's completely unrealistic. Oh, and its awesome. I watch to mostly complain and makes comments on the completely out there fashion sense these girls have, but also to be completely scared out of my mind. Honestly, the storylines are so absurd you can't help but be sucked in deeper and deeper each week. Don't judge until you watch an episode and are terrified of the dolls in your room might have human eyes staring back at you. You just don't know.

Big Brother- I used to dream that I could be on this show. And let's be honest, I would totally own it. But, my love for the show declined as the show relied on gimmicks and horrible casting. But.... I miss the ridiculousness that is this show and I think I just might have to give it another try.

There a couple of news shows that I have done to be considered for my summer viewing pleasure: Bunheads, Perception, Saving Hope, Dallas, and Political Animals. I will reserve judgement but come on, when have I been wrong before? Plus, at the end of summer we get the best STV experience: The Olympics. I seriously can't wait, especially since Quidditch will be played. Yep, you read that right. Quidditch.

Believe in magic, you Muggle!

Bella-Lite and the Thorsman

Mirror mirror, on the wall will I ever be to watch Kristen Stewart on the big screen and not see her whiny, twitching, face?

That is the real question that I find asking myself this afternoon. After last night's midnight screening of Snow White and the Huntsman, that thought lingers on my brain mere hours after her unsure smile closed the movie out.

First and foremost that movie was not worth waiting in line for 7 hours. It's OK Kate, everybody makes mistakes sometimes. You'll catch a better movie next time. ( My current calendar for midnights are Rock of Ages, Magic Mike, Spiderman, and The Dark Knight Rises. I'll be there at varying hours ahead of time so consult me before you meet me up there.) Besides my antics with the AMC staff, I was genuinely looking forward to this movie. The promotional trailer captured what felt like a human essence without the fairytale-ness of the previous installment.

I was drawn to Charlize Theron's Queen and the no-brainer that is Chris Hemsworth as the titular Huntsman. But my main concern was Kristen Stewart. I didn't think she could pull it off, especially when I learned she would be speaking in a British accent, and the only time I thought she looked worthy was during the quick glimpses of her in armor during the trailer. Could I forget her dreadful performance as Bella Swan?

The answer to that is no. Much to my dismay, there were reminiscent Bella traits that crept their way into our fighting Snow White. Gone was the eye blinking, stuttering, pained looking girl who is firmly implanted in my least favorite character of all time- only to be replaced with a heaving, and I do mean heaving, too innocent for her situation, not the 'fairest of them all' beauty. I might be judging her too harshly but I am not alone in my mocking or dislike. I can personally guarantee that my entire viewing party did not come see that movie for her and plenty of snorting in derision and snickering occurred. I would forget at times that I disliked her so much but then she would revert back to Bella-Lite and I would hang my head.

I feel I must defend other aspects of the movie. Visually stunning and with a very moving score, the film was solid. Theron nails the desperation of a woman forced into a life she never had the opportunity to change and her eyes alone should win her an Oscar for the psychotic emotion that poured out of them. I know that I will add her dialogue to my quote repertoire; it dripped with viciousness and haughtiness of great villains of old.

There is a minor love aspect to the film as well that is clearly an attempt to appease the Twilight fangirls. Hemsworth as the Huntsman plays Snow White's foil for the entire film and when he does attempt to change his attitude, Snow White coolly dismisses him. Sam Claflin plays William, her childhood friend and presumably future romantic interest until he believes her to be dead as a child. I won't ruin the (completely non-dramatic) decision between the two men, but we all know my heart has long been lost to Hemsworth. He adopts an Irish or Scottish brogue for the film (he is originally from Australia) and I really don't care what it is but it sounds awesome. He reminded me of Thor in the fighting scenes, and I do believe that was done purposefully.

All in all, the film rates a B+ minus in my book. I would and will probably see it again in theaters and I will own it. Why? Because repetition makes the heart grow fonder. And since Kristen Stewart seems to staying around for a while, I should try to get past my hatred of Bella Swan.

 Maybe the evil Queen can spell it to be so...