In a Heartbeat

Tonight, my husband and I went to the movies.  This is definitely not unusual for us; we see a lot of movies, particularly this time of year.  We've seen perhaps fifteen or sixteen so far this year.  Tonight we went to see Limitless, one which we've been looking forward to for a while.  I love movies about writers, and this one had an interesting twist to it.  If you could unlock the limits of your brain, how fast could you write a book?  In Limitless, a struggling writer is given a new drug, which gives users the ability to unlock 100% of their brain's capability, instead of the 20% the average person uses.  He's able to finish his book in four days - take that NaNoWriMo winners!

The writing aspect of the movie turned out to only be a small part, with plenty of mystery and drama as the main character moves on to more money-oriented pursuits, such as playing the stock market and engaging in corporate intrigue, while being stalked by unsavoury characters both from his past and present.  Unfortunately for one man in the theatre, the adrenaline rush of chase scenes on the big screen proved a little too much.  We watched as a woman ran out of the theatre, and returned with the manager and a couple of other people in cineplex uniforms.  A few minutes later, police were on the scene.  There weren't any unruly patrons in this particular theatre, so I tore my eyes away from the screen (during one of the more exciting moments involving central park and using a little girl wearing ice skates as a defensive weapon) to check out what was going on.  They were surrounding a man as the agitated woman circled, getting more and more anxious.  

Their voices were hushed and I have to give kudos to the theatre staff for being so very un-disruptive during a serious event.  They seemed to think the man had died at first, but found a pulse just before paramedics arrived and immediately removed the man from the theatre.  While I was curious, it was none of my business and so that was the end of it for me.  I do hope that he is doing well, and is well cared for wherever he wound up.  Luckily, there is a hospital only a matter of blocks from the Sunridge theatre, so I am sure he made it to medical care quickly.

It's amazing how an ordinary day at the movies can be an incredibly tragic event in someone's life.  My heart breaks for the woman who was the companion to the man who was carried away.  It only takes a moment for your whole life to change, so lets be grateful for every lovely one we have with one another.

Now: More books!  A few days overdue this time because I was waiting until I had more to say, rather than just posting a list of titles.  

36. Scared to death Staub, Wendy Corsi

37. Skipping a beat : a novel Pekkanen, Sarah

38. Three weeks to say goodbye Box, C. J

39. Oogy : the dog only a family could love  Levin, Larry (Laurence M.)

40. The Fall: The Strain Trilogy Book Two del Toro, Guillermo

Sarah Pekkanen is one of those authors I never would have discovered outside of this challenge.  I picked up her first book on a lark sometime in January I believe - it was one of the first in the challenge - and loved it so much I sought out her second.  I really recommend her for interesting reading.  For those who liked Left Neglected along with me, I think you'd enjoy this book - Skipping a Beat - too, which is all about how changes in our lives take place due to circumstances sometimes beyond our control, and sometimes by choices that at least seem like the right one to make, and whether or not all "good" changes turn out positively in the end.  It also touches on redemption and forgiveness without being preachy or over-handed.

But the book I just can't stop thinking about is Oogy.  It's the true story of a dog who, as a puppy, was used as a bait dog by people who fought dogs, and was left for dead after being horribly injured.  He was rescued by a police officer, and through a few turns of serendipitous fate, wound up with just the right family to love him.  If you have ever adopted a rescued dog and considered researching his history, you'll relate to this book. (I've often wondered about our little Ivy maniac's history).  Heck, if you've ever loved a dog, you'll relate to this book.  It's also a short-ish, quick read and is extremely uplifting and makes you just feel all gooey and happy inside, so ya'll don't have an excuse.  You can finish this in a couple of quick evening sessions.  Have a dog on your lap while you read, if you can.  You will want lots of doggie hugs and kisses while reading, trust me.

Happy reading, writing, and moments of happy heartbeats.