Monday, December 30, 2013

Orange Is the New Black: The Memoir

A while back I mentioned that I may or may not have wasted an entire day watching the Orange is the New Black Netflix series. Well, I ended up buying the book that inspired the show. Piper Kerman's Memoir reflects on her year in a women's prison. After watching the show I was obviously intrigued. I've always been terrified of prison, yet completely interested in the dynamics, crime, and the law. Kerman was convicted of a 10-year-old drug charge and sentenced to just over a year in federal prison.
The book can get monotonous at times just because there are so many characters and elements to her story. I loved the way that she spoke about her experiences because she made them relatable while talking about something most of us have never had to experience. Its hard not to admire Piper's ability to cope with her situation and take the good out of the bad. Although she did have time to get ready for her stay in federal prison, I don't think anyone can truly prepare to put on the orange jumpsuit and live in a concrete cube for any extended period of time. I suppose learning to deal was Piper's strong point.

I've always imagined fights and violence among inmates, but Piper's experience shows that bonds among strangers can be made in the most unlikely of places. She created incredible bonds with some of the women she lived with. Between sharing books, to stories, and living space, they formed friendships to cope with their situations.

I was already aware about people becoming "institutionalized" before reading this book. Its when inmates are incarcerated for so long that they get comfortable with their routine and don't know how to deal with it once they are set free. Piper gave me a more personal view on this scenario. One of her fellow inmates had been incarcerated so long that she had no idea what a computer even was. You have to sympathize with someone doing 30 years for a drug charge that they did when they were in their 20s and now are hit with a harsh dose of reality. They have done their time and come out behind the 8 ball, with nothing to help them get on their feet. And because of that, a lot of these people go out and commit a crime just to get back into prison. You ask why they would do that? Sometimes prison is the only way to ensure a bed to sleep and food to eat. Very sad, if you ask me.

All in all, Orange Is the New Black was a solid read. I love the law, crime, and everything that goes with it. Once I finished this one, I went and got Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn (author of Gone Girl) and its turning into quite the tale. You all will hear my views on it once I'm finished!

Monday, December 23, 2013

Zona

Its been awhile since I've posted in the blogging world, but I've been busy with traveling, Christmas shopping, and preparing everything that needed to get done before my month of traveling. I'm so happy to finally be home in Chicago for an entire week, despite the cold. It was 77 degrees in Raleigh yesterday… *sigh* I thought I would recap our trip to Phoenix, Arizona for you. 
The reason for the trip was for my brother, Blake's graduation from the Golf Academy of America. If you need advice on golf merchandise or want a lesson, contact Blake! 
Proud of him!

One thing that I recommend people do if they are in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area around Christmas time,  go to GLENDALE GLITTERS. They may not have snow in Arizona, but they have their own winter wonderland in the desert. Check it out!
 They had food venders, carolers, screenings of ELF, a Christmas dance recital, activities for kids, etc. This event was amazing and we were blown away. I've need seen a city do anything like what Glendale, AZ did. 

On Sunday, we did one of my favorite things in the world. BRUNCH. I love breakfast food, bloody marys, and the sun hitting my face. Not to mention the Chicago Bears were on! We had a blast in Old Town Scottsdale. I wish that I could have gotten the chance to shop at Scottsdale's Fashion Square though. Maybe next time.
El Hefe.
We went to Hi-Fi which happened to support the Iowa Hawkeyes… We also dabbled in their bottomless bloody marys and mimosas. It was great! I had the best day with family and friends.
"CUTTY'S BACK!"… What are the odds that hundreds of miles away, we would see Frank? Mike looked at me and asked, "Is that Frank?" I looked, did a double take, and confirmed that it was him. lol.
 Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row was pretty cool. Taps at every table.

On Monday the guys went golfing. Blake said that this course isn't even very nice. Pretty good view to me. 

For our last night we went to Marriott's Top of the Rock. I'm so glad that we did because the view and food was amazing. 
Full Moon!

That wraps up our trip. I love Arizona and would love to go back. I could see living there one day too. Very cool place.