Is ‘The Notebook’ Based off of a True Story? It’s Inspired by One!

If you’re looking for a love story that is guaranteed to make you exceedingly happy and turn you into a blubbering, soggy mess of tears, then there’s really only one movie you need to start watching: The Notebook. Yes, it’s a few years old now, but the story is still just as timeless. It will hit you right in the feels every time, no matter how many times you’ve seen it by now.

When a story is as good (or as popular) as the one in The Notebook, people naturally start wondering whether there is a hint of truth to it — or, perhaps, even more than a hint of truth. The Notebook definitely feels like it could have happened in real life, but did it? Is The Notebook based on a true story? Here’s what we know.

Is ‘The Notebook’ based on a true story?

If you — somehow — missed out on watching The Notebook, here’s a quick refresher on the plot. It opens with an elderly man reading a romantic story from his notebook (the notebook) to a fellow nursing home resident. The story is about Noah and Allie — two young people from profoundly different walks of life (he’s a lumber mill worker, she’s an heiress) who fall in love. Allie’s parents disapprove of the match and drive the two of them apart. 

Noah writes 365 letters to Allie, trying to win her back — unbeknownst to him, Allie’s mother intercepts every single one of them. Noah goes to war. Allie gets engaged to another guy. Eventually, after many years, Noah and Allie finally end up back together. It’s then revealed that the old man reading the story is Noah, and he’s reading his and Allie’s love story to Allie, who now has dementia (hence why it’s impossible to watch this movie without crying). 

At the very end of the film, Noah and Allie die together in their sleep, really calling into question the whole concept of a “happily ever after” — sure, you’re happy that they ended up together, but then why are you also crying your eyes out?!

the-notebook-true-story-1598381982375.jpg
Source: New Line Cinema

Anyway, as for whether The Notebook is based on a true story, the answer is yes… kind of. As you are probably already aware, the 2004 film was based on the 1996 novel of the same name — Nicholas Sparks’ first published novel. On his website, Nicholas revealed that the book had been inspired by a real-life couple: his wife’s grandparents.

Nicholas’ wife was very close to her grandparents and she was devastated when the two of them were unable to attend her wedding due to poor health. The day after the wedding, she had an idea to make them feel included: She put on her wedding dress, Nicholas put on his tux, and the two of them went to visit her grandparents. They also brought a piece of wedding cake, a corsage and boutonniere, and a video of the wedding.

“They had no idea we’d be coming and were excited to see us,” Nicholas writes. “My grandfather-in-law slipped into his jacket and put on the boutonniere and we took photographs with them; we went inside and watched the video as we ate a slice of cake, and it was then they told us the story of how they met and fell in love, parts of which eventually made their way into The Notebook.”

the-notebook-based-on-a-true-story-1598382019036.jpg
Source: New Line Cinema

“But though their story was wonderful, what I most remember from that day is the way they were treating each other. The way his eyes shined when he looked at her, the way he held her hand, the way he got her tea and took care of her.”

“I remember watching them together and thinking to myself that after 60 years of marriage, these two people were treating each other exactly the same as my wife and I were treating each other after 12 hours. What a wonderful gift they’d given us, I thought, to show us on our first day of marriage that true love can last forever.”

Nicholas doesn’t mention any heart-breaking twist ending to the story, and yet, you may still find yourself crying after hearing the true story behind The Notebook. We hope they’re happy tears this time, though! Now, if you’ll excuse us, we need to go find a box of tissues.

Source : https://www.distractify.com/p/is-the-notebook-based-off-of-a-true-story

The Six Bottles Of Bourbons Everyone Should Have At Home (And Why You Should Have Them)

UPROXX

A great all-around bottle of bourbon is illusive. Some bourbons are crafted to be used in cocktails while others are specifically made for sipping. That means you generally need to have more than one bottle on hand. We’d argue that you really need six bottles of bourbon on your shelf.

There’s some debate as to how many bottles of bourbon you need on your shelf. Minimalists will say you only need one bottle for sipping and mixing. There seems to be some consensus around five bottles. That usually centers around a “daily bottle,” a “cheap mixer,” a “weekend bottle, ” a “bottle to wow your friends,” and a “celebration bottle.” We’d argue that that list is missing a crucial component: A good mixer. It’s pretty easy, folks, a shitty base bourbon is going to make for shitty cocktails.

So, to help you figure out which six bottles to stock on your shelf for all of these occasions, we’re calling out six bottles we think work in these six categories. Generally speaking, most of these bottles are readily available and buyable at your neighborhood shop. Let’s get into it.

Related: Independent Bourbons That You Should Absolutely Race To Track Down

The Daily Bottle — Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Reservebar.com

ABV: 45%
Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, KY (Sazerac)
Average Price: $30

The Whiskey:

This is a solid workhorse bourbon. The low rye in the mash bill helps this feel more like a classic with a real softness to the juice. It’s also very affordable for the quality of the whiskey in the bottle, making this a good bottle to keep stocked.

Tasting Notes:

Vanilla and molasses mingle on the nose with a hint of fresh mint sprigs lurking in the background. A toffee sweetness with mild notes of spice counterpoint charred oak and dark berries. The softness of the juice really takes hold as it slowly fades out with a focus on the sweetness.

Bottom Line:

A dram of this on the rocks after a long day at work is the play. You can also use this is a solid cocktail base.

The Cheap Mixer — Four Roses Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Reservebar.com

ABV: 40%
Distillery: Four Roses Distillery, Lawrenceburg, KY (Kirin Brewery Company)
Average Price: $20

The Whiskey:

This whiskey is a blend of a high-rye mash bill and a lower rye one. The juice is aged for a minimum of five years before it’s cut down to 80 proof and bottled.

Tasting Notes:

Apples and wildflowers mix with mild spices and fresh honey up top. The sip relishes in the tart apples and sandy pears while sweetness ebbs into caramel territory with a hint of vanilla and oak. The end is a subtle reminder of how easy-drinking bourbon can be as it quickly fades out.

Bottom Line:

This whiskey is crafted to be a cocktail mixer. Four Roses advertise it as “Perfect for Cocktails.” Use it that way — especially in an old fashioned — and you won’t be disappointed.

The Real Mixer — Legent Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Reservebar.com

ABV: 47%
Distillery: Jim Beam, Clermont, KY (Beam Suntory)
Average Price: $40

The Whiskey:

This whiskey is the marrying of Jim Beam’s Kentucky bourbon country with California’s wine country and Japan’s style of blending whisky. The juice is aged in Kentucky in new American oak and California red wine and sherry barrels. Then legendary master blender Shinji Fukuyo gets his hands on it to blend all those whiskeys. The end result is a bit of a masterpiece.

Tasting Notes:

Dark dried fruits dance with a sense of fermented grapes and a buttery edge. Crème brûlée spiked with plenty of vanilla comes to mind as a plummy depth arrives. The sip wallows in all that creaminess, vanilla, and plumminess as it slowly warms you up from the inside.

Bottom Line:

This is going to take your cocktail game from just alright to solid. It’s especially good for Manhattans and Sazeracs.

The Weekend Bottle — Wild Turkey Longbranch

Reservebar.com

ABV: 43%
Distillery: Wild Turkey Distillery, Lawrenceburg, KY (Campari Group)
Average Price: $40

The Whiskey:

Master distiller Eddie Russell teamed up with Matthew McConaughey to create this tantalizing bourbon. The juice marries Kentucky’s bourbon with Texas. The Kentucky juice is filtered through Texas mesquite and oak charcoals before bottling. This extra step adds serious flavor and depth that’ll give you something to think about while you sip.

Tasting Notes:

There’s a sense of corn syrup laden pecan pie next to an old leather chair that’s heavy with pipe tobacco. Tart apples dipped in toffee caramel with plenty of vanilla leads toward another billow of smoke with a hint of cedar bark. The sip fades out slowly as you’re reminded of all its complexities, leaving you with a fleeting sense of that tobacco smoke and tart apples.

Bottom Line:

This is crafted to be a sipping whiskey that’ll help you forget about the previous work week. I like it with a single rock (or a splash of water) to help open up the flavor profiles.

The Impressive Bottle — Belle Meade Cask Strength Reserve Bourbon

Nelsons Green Brier

ABV: Varies
Distillery: Nelson’s Breen Brier Distillery, Nashville, TN (Sourced)
Average Price: $65

The Whiskey:

Belle Meade’s Cask Strength continues to wow whiskey lovers. The juice is a blend of seven to eleven-year-old whiskeys that have a high rye mash bill. Each bottling only uses seven barrels for the final product, so you know you’re getting something special here.

Tasting Notes:

Each batch is going to vary slightly. Expect a classic sipping bourbon with clear notes of vanilla, dark spices, sweet caramel, and plenty of tart and sweet berries.

Bottom Line:

This one is a little harder to find nationwide. That means there’s a bit more of a “wow” factor when you break it out. It’s also an excellent sipper with a splash of water.

The Celebration Bottle — Michter’s Single Barrel Straight Rye Whiskey 10 Yrs. Old

Michters

ABV: 46%
Distillery: Michter’s Distillery, Louisville, KY
Average Price: $200

The Whiskey:

Michter’s Singel Barrel Rye is aged for ten long years. This a limited production of whiskey so there’s not a lot of it on the market. It’s also one of the most beloved whiskeys at the moment, so don’t expect the price to stay accessible for much longer.

Tasting Notes (from UPROXX Life’s Expression Session):

“Toffee, almond, and vanilla dance with chili pepper. The sip takes on a candied cinnamon edge (not unlike an all-natural Red Hot) that helps usher in a flourish of orange oils. The roasted almonds and chili linger as the hefty vanilla creates a svelte mouthfeel with an embracing warmth.”

Bottom Line:

If you’re celebrating a milestone in your life, it’s time to drink something of this caliber. I drink it with a single rock.

Source: https://uproxx.com/life/the-only-bourbon-you-need-at-home/

Creative teens with disabilities are finding ways of giving back during the pandemic

Sophie Stern, an Arizona teen with Down syndrome, is working toward a career as a dance teacher. In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic—knowing she had to do 10 hours of community service to satisfy her high school’s health class requirement—she put on her black t-shirt and leggings and began teaching a free Zoom class in ballet and contemporary dance at home three days a week. “My grandmother is a dance teacher, and she inspired me,” Sophie explains.

Across the country, young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have been volunteering during the pandemic. With schools and Special Olympics practice cancelled and places of employment shuttered, they’re working in community gardens and helping to care for elderly relatives. Clients at The ARC of Madison Cortland, which provides support and services to people with disabilities, have sewed thousands of medical face masks on Singer industrial machines to donate to government agencies and healthcare providers.


assets.rebelmouse.io

The Dance Teacher

A similar desire to be of service gripped Sophie in the midst of social distancing orders. She’d been used to dancing daily at her high school, assisting at her grandmother’s studio and performing with a local theater company. She was supposed to travel to Chicago in March with her school’s dance program, but COVID-19 risks cancelled the trip. For a while, she choreographed and performed a dance each day, which her mother posted on Facebook for an enthusiastic audience.

“The daily dance was so important for us both because it brought some structure to the day and because Sophie really got her exercise in,” says her mother, Amy. “She spent about half an hour trying out songs before she landed on the one she wanted me to videotape. She did it because she knew people were looking forward to it. They would make song requests. It was a great way for her to communicate.”

In April, Sophie decided to teach classes on Zoom. “It gives her some control at a time where none of us have much,” says Amy. “For that half hour, three times a week, Sophie is in charge!”

Twenty two students signed up to take her free classes, including actor Sean McElwee from the hit TV series Born this Way. “They’re people from around the country, of all ages and levels of dance experience,” Amy explains. “It’s been a great mix of people with disabilities and people who do not have disabilities.”

The Fundraiser

Esteban Barriga of West Roxbury, MA is a young man with autism. When his city enacted social distancing rules, he saw that low-income community members with physical disabilities weren’t able to wait in line at food banks. “He told me, ‘Mom, we have to help people with disabilities who don’t have jobs. They are poor and need lots of help,'” says his mother, Maribel Rueda.

Barriga began collecting grocery gift cards from local markets to mail to families with at least one disabled member at home. His original goal was to raise $5,000, but he ended up raising over $6,500 with donations from the Puerto Rican Festival of Massachusetts and Paisa Photography in South Carolina. “We have fed eighty families in total, from all towns in Massachusetts,” he says. “We’ve also been feeding Boston Public School families [who have] children with disabilities.”

The Facebook fundraising page he manages with his mother includes comments from donors, as well as photos and videos from families who have received the grocery story gift cards. In one video, a mother with two small children looks into the camera and thanks Esteban in Spanish. In another, several family members stand around a child in a hospital bed and chant in a chorus of voices, “Thank you, Esteban!”

“Esteban has autism but he is so caring and kind to others,” says Maribel. “He feels no one should suffer and we all need to protect one another. She advises parents of young people with similar interests to “create a great campaign that touches people’s hearts and allow their creativity to shine.”

The Non-Profit Intern

Laura Estrich, a recent high school graduate from Corvallis, Oregon, puts her creativity to use as an intern for the city’s new Disability Equity Center—a local nonprofit resource center created by and for people with disabilities and their allies. Without Special Olympics basketball and swimming to train for this year, she’s been helping with outreach and advertising, creating educational PowerPoints and essays and collecting resources around disability justice.

“Laura has been a key champion and stakeholder since the very beginning,” says the center’s co-founder, Allison Hobgood. “She’s an unpaid intern right now working on outreach, resource gathering, newsletters and just generally moving projects along. She’s amazing.”

“I was born with Down Syndrome,” says Laura. “I do research projects on the internet about people with disabilities. It’s my job and my future.”

Her father, George, says that the internship has given his daughter purpose and meaningful work. “And social contact,” he adds. “She has regular Zoom meetings with Allison Hobgood to talk about the Disability Equity Center.”

He suggests that the parents of disabled teens interesting in volunteering during the pandemic set their kids up for success by keeping tasks doable and work sessions short. “Let teens do as much as they can on their own,” he says. “It’s good if the work is really meaningful, not just an activity to kill time.”

For instance, young adults who are stuck at home can take on service projects like making greeting cards and videos to send to family members, or decorating sidewalks with chalk as reminders to wear masks, notes Amy. “If you can take your kid’s jam, like dance, and figure out a way for them to do something positive with it that gives them a leadership role” she says. “That’s great.”

Esteban also advises young people to pay particular attention to news stories about people who are struggling, then consider how best to be of help. He’s found the Facebook COVID-19 Response Center particularly helpful when connecting grocery store gift cards with families in need. “Fifty percent of the families I am feeding were found in the Facebook COVID- 19 response center page,” he says. His efforts have been so successful that he’s extended them for another month.

Sophie, too, has decided to continue teaching online. While she looks forward to the day when she can return to high school and her grandmother’s studio, she’s planning another series of classes in ballet and modern dance. Three days a week she’ll continue to put on her t-shirt and leggings and log onto Zoom to demonstrate her kicks and pirouettes for students. “It’s easy,” she says, “and it’s fun.”

Melissa Hart is the author of Better with Books: 500 Diverse Books to Ignite Empathy and Encourage Self-Acceptance in Tweens and Teens (Sasquatch, 2019).

Source: https://www.upworthy.com/creative-teens-with-intellectual-disabilities-are-giving-back-during-pandemic

Ching Cheng Hanji | Know Your Meme

About

Ching Cheng Hanji is a colloquial name given to the song “If You Feel My Love (Chaow MIX)” by Blaxy Girls and Chaow. The opening portion of the song in which a person raps in Chinese gained popularity in memes, similar to Xue Hua Piao Piao.

Origin

On June 23rd, 2008, Romanian band Blaxy Girls released their debut album “If You Feel My Love.” The album included a bonus track “If You Feel My Love (Chaow MIX), a remixed version of the lead single which featured several segments of a person rapping in Chinese (original song and remix shown below, left and right).



On October 13th, 2008, YouTube user Bogdan Banikievici uploaded the song to YouTube, where it received over 100,400 views in twelve years. In 2011, YouTube users soldner93 and MackieBojj made two more uploads of the song, with the videos gaining over 980,000 and 159,300 views in nine years.

The song did not see viral popularity until on October 25th, 2019, Facebook user Omar Shaikh posted a STFU I’m Listening to meme based on the song that received over 740 reactions and 1,800 shares in one year (shown below).

this song legit lit though

Posted by Omar Shaikh on Thursday, October 24, 2019

Spread

On October 27th, 2019, Facebook user Them Benzo posted an ironic Doge meme based on the song, interpreting the rap lyrics as if they were sung in English and not Chinese. The post received over 3000 reactions and 7000 shares prior to being removed. On October 29th, YouTube user Enlangga Saputra reuploaded the meme, gaining over 295,900 views in one year (reupload shown below).

The format saw moderate spread on Facebook in the following months, not getting widespread recognition until on February 3rd, 2020, YouTube user Brian Cancino posted a clip from Tom & Jerry set to the song. In the clip, a caricature of a Chinese person, Tom spins on a record player while another vinyl record rests on his head. The video received over 787,400 views in seven months (shown below).

The song maintained a moderate presence in memes in the following months, with viral examples being posted on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.

Various Examples


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9wyqvSaIO8

Search Interest

Know Your Meme Store

External References

Source: https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/ching-cheng-hanji

Chin Cheng Hanji | Know Your Meme

About

Chin Cheng Hanji is a colloquial name given to the song “If You Feel My Love (Chaow MIX)” by Blaxy Girls and Chaow. The opening portion of the song in which a person raps in Chinese gained popularity in memes, similar to Xue Hua Piao Piao.

Origin

On June 23rd, 2008, Romanian band Blaxy Girls released their debut album “If You Feel My Love.” The album included a bonus track “If You Feel My Love (Chaow MIX), a remixed version of the lead single which featured several segments of a person rapping in Chinese (original song and remix shown below, left and right).



On October 13th, 2008, YouTube user Bogdan Banikievici uploaded the song to YouTube, where it received over 100,400 views in twelve years. In 2011, YouTube users soldner93 and MackieBojj made two more uploads of the song, with the videos gaining over 980,000 and 159,300 views in nine years.

The song did not see viral popularity until on October 25th, 2019, Facebook user Omar Shaikh posted a STFU I’m Listening to meme based on the song that received over 740 reactions and 1,800 shares in one year (shown below).

this song legit lit though

Posted by Omar Shaikh on Thursday, October 24, 2019

Spread

On October 27th, 2019, Facebook user Them Benzo posted an ironic Doge meme based on the song, interpreting the rap lyrics as if they were sung in English and not Chinese. The post received over 3000 reactions and 7000 shares prior to being removed. On October 29th, YouTube user Enlangga Saputra reuploaded the meme, gaining over 295,900 views in one year (reupload shown below).

The format saw moderate spread on Facebook in the following months, not getting widespread recognition until on February 3rd, 2020, YouTube user Brian Cancino posted a clip from Tom & Jerry set to the song. In the clip, a caricature of a Chinese person, Tom spins on a record player while another vinyl record rests on his head. The video received over 787,400 views in seven months (shown below).

The song maintained a moderate presence in memes in the following months, with viral examples being posted on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.

Various Examples


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9wyqvSaIO8

Search Interest

Know Your Meme Store

External References

Source: https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/chin-cheng-hanji

New breakthrough detects cancer up to four years before the standard blood test

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Source: https://www.upworthy.com/new-breakthrough-detects-cancer-up-to-four-years-before-the-standard-blood-test