On Friday, my AP Lang class had a discussion on advertisements and there either brilliance or stupidity. I find the stupid ones to be the funniest. We discussed the AT&T advertisement with Luke Wilson defending themselves against the recent Verizon advertisements.
The following advertisement was presented by Verizon and was not taken well by the people at AT&T. However, as you will see later, their response is comical.
The above Verizon advertisement presented AT&T's 3G coverage map. And just see for yourself the rebuttal of AT&T.
AT&T uses their coverage map to hide the fact that their 3G service sucks. They lead their audience to believe that that is actually what Verizon was talking about but in fact they completely switched the accusation around.
Another advertisement I consider to be "stupid" would be the Snuggie commercials. Granted, Snuggies ARE amazing, the commercials don't do them justice. As you watch them, you wonder who was stupid enough to come up with the idea of the "one size fits all" thing for the Snuggie. I've been in one, they are actually more of a one size fits one giant kind of thing. No normal sized human being is going to fit into that Snuggie with easy access of the arms.
I may be overreacting. But I just think that the advertisement is extremely corny.
Though some of these advertisements may capture their audiences, when you actually look at them, you understand that the thought process behind them was slim to none. Congratulations all you unintelligent companies out there, you managed to make yourselves look like idiots.
Will you give in to the advertisements?
Sunday, December 20, 2009
You Got Me Lookin So Crazy Right Now
Currently, I am listening to Pandora radio while I attempt to blog. Some people have that ability to listen to music as they do their work, but I am finding out I am not one of those people. I tend to get lost in the music and just stop functioning all together. I can no longer come up with interesting ideas. I took me literally ten minutes of listening to music before I discovered that the root of the problem was the music. So I'm thinking, "I'll blog about that!"
Ever since I was a kid, I've been in to music. I don't really care what music it is, just something to listen to. As I stated above though, the more I am listening to it, the less I am able to focus on blogging and more on just listening. Oh man, this is seriously one of the hardest things I've had to do.
"I Gotta Feeling" by The Black-Eyed Peas just came on and I feel like I may need to take a break here pretty quick.
Will you be distracted by the music?
Ever since I was a kid, I've been in to music. I don't really care what music it is, just something to listen to. As I stated above though, the more I am listening to it, the less I am able to focus on blogging and more on just listening. Oh man, this is seriously one of the hardest things I've had to do.
"I Gotta Feeling" by The Black-Eyed Peas just came on and I feel like I may need to take a break here pretty quick.
Will you be distracted by the music?
Do you believe in Santa?
There is a huge debate out in the world about how old a kid should be before they know if Santa is real or not. For me, I found out pretty early. I was never flat out TOLD that there wasn't a Santa, though. I just kind of figured out. In my house however, we still have Santa bring presents.Every Christmas Eve we go to church, and while we're out, Santa comes and lays our presents out on the couch. This has happened for as long as I can remember. My parents always told me, "Santa makes a special trip just for you to deliver your presents early." Well, though I thought "That's so nice of him, to take time out of his busy schedule just for ME."
Once I figured out he wasn't real though, my heart became set on finding out who the Santa at our house is. Every time I would ask my mother who Santa is she would just say that it's Santa, who else would it be. At our house, we believe the idea of Santa Clause is ever present in our lives. We believe that there is that person out there that solely believes in giving without any intention of receiving. His purpose in life is to please others.
I present this to my parents that I understand the idea of Santa but I just really want to know who Santa is in our house. I make sure I am the last out the door when we leave, and the first in the house on the way back, but the presents are always out, so that rules out my parents.
To this day, I still have no clue who our Santa is and though I am extremely curious, I think I might just stop trying to find out. After all, what if when I find out, we stop having Santa because the last remaining child who doesn't know found out? So yep, I'm going to stop. Merry Christmas!
Will Santa be real in your life?
"Oh. My. God. Chandla Bing!"
-Janice 
Yep that's right, post number FOUR about Friends. This never really gets old for me because I am truly a Friends addict. What is amazing, is that yet again, I have found another addict just like me. She is a friend of mine's friend from college, from Chicago. She felt pretty awkward in our little group of friends so I decided to talk to her.
Yep that's right, post number FOUR about Friends. This never really gets old for me because I am truly a Friends addict. What is amazing, is that yet again, I have found another addict just like me. She is a friend of mine's friend from college, from Chicago. She felt pretty awkward in our little group of friends so I decided to talk to her.Low and behold, she is a Friends addict. Hardcore too, she has all ten seasons and little extra books on each one. We determined that this is over $500 dedicated to Friends. We had a pretty lengthy conversation about who our favorite characters are. We both agreed that Monica is our least favorite.
Our reasoning. Monica is just simply and unlike-able character. It's not that Courteney Cox's acting is bad in any way. Monica is just ANNOYING. Her little things that she does that make her annoying would be her awkward laughing, her obnoxious voice, her obsessive compulsive-ness, her overuse of the phrase "I Know," (to name a few).
It only makes sense that our next least favorite would be Ross, the loving brother of Monica. We couldn't really decide why we didn't like him, it could be just the nature of Ross. Not David Schwimmer (by the way I think it is sad that I am not using any outside sources for the actors OR any of the quotes I use, a tad pathetic, I know).
From then on the list was jumbled, her favorite was Rachel and mine is obviously Phoebe.
We then discussed having an actually Friends marathon over the summer. We would have to devote about a week of time to this because altogether there's about 72 hours of straight footage in all ten seasons. And we have planned that if they make a movie of this show, as seen here, she would drive in from Chicago and we would go to the midnight showing.
I am sooooo happy to have found another person (besides Smooth like Shea Butter) that is completely in love with Friends.
Will you be a Friends addict?
Sunday, December 13, 2009
It's Christmas Time
Christmas carols have been playing nonstop for the past month or so. I like Christmas carols, don't get me wrong, but when they star playing before Thanksgiving. I think that's a little much. It always seems that they begin hype of the next holiday before the previous one has even happened. I am just waiting for the Valentine's Day commercials to start up on Christmas Eve.
To go along with the Christmas carols, I'm dreaming of a white Christmas. This year, it looks as if that is going to happen. We recently had a major snow storm and it hasn't really warmed up since. My hopes are that it stays for the next couple of weeks, and hopefully we get more snow to add on to that.
"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" has been stuck in my head since we had to sing it for Cocoa and Carols, except in my head it doesnt have the normal version, it has the version where you leave out certain words and replace them with actions or "WOOOO!" You can just imagine what is going on in my head right about this time.
Well folks, it's Christmas time in the city.
Will you be ready for Christmas?
To go along with the Christmas carols, I'm dreaming of a white Christmas. This year, it looks as if that is going to happen. We recently had a major snow storm and it hasn't really warmed up since. My hopes are that it stays for the next couple of weeks, and hopefully we get more snow to add on to that.
"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" has been stuck in my head since we had to sing it for Cocoa and Carols, except in my head it doesnt have the normal version, it has the version where you leave out certain words and replace them with actions or "WOOOO!" You can just imagine what is going on in my head right about this time.
Well folks, it's Christmas time in the city.
Will you be ready for Christmas?
Hate is Not and Iowan Value
At Thespian Festival last year, I auditioned to be in the Iowa All-Chapter show, The Laramie Project. I got cast as 1 of 16 actors and received my script about a month later. We had then had a second audition for parts sometime in December-ish and then found out maybe in February who we were?Anyway, we spent about a week rehearsing in July and then put on the actual show for Thespian Festival this year in November. At that particular show we were being adjudicated to go to International Thespian Conference. It was quite a sad day when we found out Friday that we were not accepted to go. Kind of a bummer that neither of the shows I was in got accepted (I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change and The Laramie Project).
The Laramie Project was quite possibly one of the best shows I have ever been in. I got to work with some of the top actors/actresses in the state and we got to spend a week just purely bonding and building upon our acting skills. Our "summer camp" was spent with 16 hour days running through the script, working with acting coaches scene by scene, doing runthroughs, and eating. You can imagine how tired we were by the end of the week.
This experience let me meet some of the coolest people I have ever met in my life. I am pretty sure the people of the Pleasant Valley region are the most fun people I have ever met in my life. One of them, who I injured many times unintentionally, and I spent just about the entire camp laughing, and this continued to the actual Thespian Festival practices. A person from Des Moines could potentially be the kookiest, goofy kid I have ever met in my life. He spent the summer camp making inappropriate jokes and provided the comic relief for the week.
I just wanna say that I miss everyone greatly and I am bummed that we aren't going on to Internationals. But oh well, I know we will all remain friends even after the fact. This little bump in the road (not being accepted) will not pull us apart.
Will you stay together?
Glee
I am going to break down and state...I LOVE Glee. This past week was the season finale and I must say I am pretty upset that it won't return until the Spring.This show is supposed to be about show choir, but really, it comes no where close to being show choir/reality. As seen in the final episode, they miraculously learn a new song and throw some old ones together and can dance all the numbers, when they literally learned them a half hour before performing.
I can't put my finger on it, but there is just something I (and everybody else who watches it) like and just cannot get enough of Glee. It isn't necessarily good acting either, but it is just quality entertainment and fun to watch.
Two of my friends and I have "Glee Night" every Wednesday. It is kind of a bummer that I have only been able to attend two of these nights, but it was a fun time because we just got together to watch Glee. During this so-called "Glee Night," we just sit and chat about show choir and it is basically our time to catch up with each other on our lives. Of course, this catching up takes place beforehand or during the commercials because we CANNOT talk during the show. When Springtime rolls around, you can bet that these nights will start up once again.
A particular thing I love about Glee are the harmonies that are brought to each song. They are almost "Barber Shop-y" sounding. They seem to stick to those major triads and create a feel-good tone.
Whether it be the drama, the acting, the music, or the overall feel. You are sure to love Glee.
Will you be entranced by Glee?
Image from http://annehelenpetersen.wordpress.com/2009/10/23/glee/
The Olympic Divers
This weekend we had Cocoa and Carols out our school. Cocoa and Carols is when a bunch of feeder schools come to our school and perform Christmas carols and such, and afterward eat cookies and drink hot cocoa.
After this long day of little kids and singing, we had our show choir Christmas party, where we had a big gift exchange/secret Santa. After the exchange a few people went into a guest bedroom and started up an Olympic Diving game. It was basically like something you would do when you were a little kid (possibly one of the most fun experiences of my entire life).
There were two judges, two audience members, an announcer, and numerous divers (all from different countries). Each round of diving had a different style, and the judges scored on precision and technique (bonus points for focus). I believe that when I left, China was winning? But I'm not sure. We were just having a fun time when suddenly I checked my phone and there were some Tweets (twitter updates) that said some things about us being a cult/clique. Well, we decided if that was what they thought we were, that's what we were going to be.
We got it so that we had a special knock so that we knew you were involved and you could enter. If the knock was incorrect, half of us would hide in the closet while the other half acted as if they were just bored and hanging out. Also, we established a special way to walk around if we were not in the room, and we had practically everyone confused.
You could have called us a cult. But if you look here, that is obviously not what we were. We were just having fun, it made for an extremely enjoyable night. So what if it didn't include everybody, had we been out in the big room, it would have still been clique-y. We just wanted to have fun and apparently that is with diving.
Will you be and Olympic Diver?
After this long day of little kids and singing, we had our show choir Christmas party, where we had a big gift exchange/secret Santa. After the exchange a few people went into a guest bedroom and started up an Olympic Diving game. It was basically like something you would do when you were a little kid (possibly one of the most fun experiences of my entire life).
There were two judges, two audience members, an announcer, and numerous divers (all from different countries). Each round of diving had a different style, and the judges scored on precision and technique (bonus points for focus). I believe that when I left, China was winning? But I'm not sure. We were just having a fun time when suddenly I checked my phone and there were some Tweets (twitter updates) that said some things about us being a cult/clique. Well, we decided if that was what they thought we were, that's what we were going to be.
We got it so that we had a special knock so that we knew you were involved and you could enter. If the knock was incorrect, half of us would hide in the closet while the other half acted as if they were just bored and hanging out. Also, we established a special way to walk around if we were not in the room, and we had practically everyone confused.
You could have called us a cult. But if you look here, that is obviously not what we were. We were just having fun, it made for an extremely enjoyable night. So what if it didn't include everybody, had we been out in the big room, it would have still been clique-y. We just wanted to have fun and apparently that is with diving.
Will you be and Olympic Diver?
Sunday, December 6, 2009
It Annoys Me When... (As Inspired by Cheer4Life)
...Weathermen say it's going to snow and it doesn't. Do you ever get the feeling that weathermen are just out to make you unhappy? They say, "Oh, we're going to get a huge ice storm and then the ice will be covered by a light dusting of snow." That is so bologna, countless times have they said that and the next morning I look outside and see the sun shining and maybe, just maybe the grass will be frosted over.
...People say "Don't worry about it!" More often than not, I am already worrying about it. Whatever they said to prompt me to ask the question what? and them respond with that horrible phrase had to have some sort of something to spark my interest. Those of you that know me know I am somewhat of a nosy person. I need to know what is going on at all times, I don't know why, but It's just the way I am. So you can see that that phrase would bug me.
...T.V. Show seasons end with cliffhangers. I know that they ALL do that so you come back for the next season. But it just annoys me, so I added it to this list.
...People don't practice what they preach. I know me even typing that makes me a hypocrite too, because I know that at times I have been a hypocrite, but that doesn't mean I don't get annoyed by it.
...People quote things incorrectly. For example, when people try to tell stories but tell them completely wrong. Or they try to quote a movie and completely butcher it.
...People use the word 'at' incorrectly. I.e. "Where are you at?" You really don't need the 'at.' It never really bugged me until I used it incorrectly in front of my sister and then she hounded on my every time I used it and I just started getting annoyed with it.
...People hint that you are doing something wrong without being upfront about it. For example, in show choir when people say, "Isn't the move like this? Not this?" And you see them staring at you while they do it. They put on the impression that they think they are better than you.
...People call but don't leave messages and just assume you will call them back. Just for that, I tend not to call them back because they didn't tell me if I should or even why they called. It is also just kind of awkward when you have to call them and they ask, "What do you want?" And you reply with, "I don't know, you called me." So people, just leave messages.
...People are afraid to try new food and use the phrase, "I don't like it" when they've never even had it.
In conclusion, these are just some things that annoy me. These are not in any way complaining or being whiny (*cough cough* MOM!). These are just simple things that annoy me. I found a funny website that I think you should look at, you can find it here.
Will you get annoyed?
P.S. I think it is okay to get annoyed now and then, it doesn't make you an angry person, it makes you normal. Not everyone can stay perfectly happy all the time.
...People say "Don't worry about it!" More often than not, I am already worrying about it. Whatever they said to prompt me to ask the question what? and them respond with that horrible phrase had to have some sort of something to spark my interest. Those of you that know me know I am somewhat of a nosy person. I need to know what is going on at all times, I don't know why, but It's just the way I am. So you can see that that phrase would bug me.
...T.V. Show seasons end with cliffhangers. I know that they ALL do that so you come back for the next season. But it just annoys me, so I added it to this list.
...People don't practice what they preach. I know me even typing that makes me a hypocrite too, because I know that at times I have been a hypocrite, but that doesn't mean I don't get annoyed by it.
...People quote things incorrectly. For example, when people try to tell stories but tell them completely wrong. Or they try to quote a movie and completely butcher it.
...People use the word 'at' incorrectly. I.e. "Where are you at?" You really don't need the 'at.' It never really bugged me until I used it incorrectly in front of my sister and then she hounded on my every time I used it and I just started getting annoyed with it.
...People hint that you are doing something wrong without being upfront about it. For example, in show choir when people say, "Isn't the move like this? Not this?" And you see them staring at you while they do it. They put on the impression that they think they are better than you.
...People call but don't leave messages and just assume you will call them back. Just for that, I tend not to call them back because they didn't tell me if I should or even why they called. It is also just kind of awkward when you have to call them and they ask, "What do you want?" And you reply with, "I don't know, you called me." So people, just leave messages.
...People are afraid to try new food and use the phrase, "I don't like it" when they've never even had it.
In conclusion, these are just some things that annoy me. These are not in any way complaining or being whiny (*cough cough* MOM!). These are just simple things that annoy me. I found a funny website that I think you should look at, you can find it here.
Will you get annoyed?
P.S. I think it is okay to get annoyed now and then, it doesn't make you an angry person, it makes you normal. Not everyone can stay perfectly happy all the time.
"I'm Not Comin Out of My Shell!"
When I was a little kid, it was kind of a bummer because (as far as I can remember) I never got to go see Playtime Poppy. I do remember once, however, being an Oompa-Loompa in Kennedy's Playtime Poppy production when I was in 3rd grade, but other than that I never got to.This year, we decided to do "A Year With Frog and Toad." I thought it was a great selection for little kids, because I remember reading those books when I was growing up and I'm sure they're still aroung now. I didn't have any high expectations for this show, simply because it is a Playtime Poppy show and they are never that great, but they do entertain the young children. Let's face it, I thought this show was going to be Playtime Poopy, rather than Playtime Poppy. I was proven wrong, though. The singing may have not been superb, and the acting may not have been mind blowing, but it was a lot of fun. I think all the actors will agree that when they stepped on stage they could feel the excitement of the kids and you knew they wanted to watch the show.
One of the coolest feelings in the world is when you are done with the show and signing autographs and talking to the kids. It is the coolest feeling when you ask who their favorite character was and they reply, "YOU!" I found it really funny though when they switched characters everytime they got asked. I took that to mean they liked them all!
Overall, the Playtime Poppy experience was fun and turned out to be well worth the time. The little kids were funny and though the costumes were less that appealing to me, it was still fun.
Will you have a Gaytime with Playtime Poppy?
"I think I can safely say that we all have family issues, work stuff, and/or are sick." -Chandler
If you didn't notice, Black Friday has a ton of sales. Well DUH!! It's Black Friday. However, the best sale I took notice to was that Friends seasons were less than $10 as opposed to their usual $40. I was in South Dakota at the time so I thought, what a more perfect way to spend my trip home than watch a new Friends season? I begged my parents to stop at Best Buy before we left Rapid City so I could buy a new season. I decided to purchase Season 9, which leaves me with only Seasons 5 and 10 to obtain.We got in our mini van and went on our way. My mom put disc 1 in, hit play, and I was ready to go. The season starts of with "The One Where No One Proposes" and concludes with "The One in Barbados". I can safely say that "The One in Barbados" could be on my Top 5 list of favorite episodes. This episode begins with Charlie and Joey in a relationship and Phoebe and David together, with David's intentions to propose in Barbados, and Ross and Rachel are single. This episode ends with Mike surprising Phoebe in Barbados just as David is about to propose, Charlie ends up with Ross, and Joey ends up with Rachel (David is left alone and leaves).
I think the reason I like this episode so much is because it just takes so many turns and you never truly expect any of it to happen. Joey and Rachel?? Really?? There is kind of a build up in the previous episodes that foreshadows they may get together, but you never would predict it. In "The One with Rachel's Dream", Rachel has a dream where she is attracted to Joey, but then believes she is really just attracted to his Days of Our Lives character Dr. Drake Ramoray.
Barbados really mixed things up in Friends and, although I have seen the following episodes, I hope to get Season 10 soon so I can find out what happens next.
Will you get mixed up in Friends?
Sunday, November 1, 2009
How old is too old?
So yesterday was Halloween. Yes, I know that just about everybody under the sun has blogged about Halloween already, but now it's my turn.
So every year when Halloween rolls around, It's time to pick out your costume for trick-or-treating. But nope, not for me! I'm "too old" for this...says my mother. Whether I think I'm too old or not, I don't know. I mean, all my friends do it. Why shouldn't I be able to? I did some hard core thinking and I realized that the last time I went trick-or-treating with friends was in sixth grade. SIXTH GRADE! I will admit that I have gone trick-or-treating with little kids I babysat for, but that's different.
So every year when Halloween rolls around, It's time to pick out your costume for trick-or-treating. But nope, not for me! I'm "too old" for this...says my mother. Whether I think I'm too old or not, I don't know. I mean, all my friends do it. Why shouldn't I be able to? I did some hard core thinking and I realized that the last time I went trick-or-treating with friends was in sixth grade. SIXTH GRADE! I will admit that I have gone trick-or-treating with little kids I babysat for, but that's different.So back to the friends trick-or-treating thing, they all got decked out in their costumes and got ready to go, but I just got to show up, costume-less, and give hugs and say have fun (and eat chili). But that's it. No candy for me, well, besides leftovers from my house. Again, I did some hard core thinking and I had an epiphany. Yep...I'm too old. I feel silly walking to houses asking for candy, just as I did when I was FOUR years old. That was 12 years ago, and for me to do the same thing 12 years later? Yeah...I am definitely too old.
When passing out candy, I really do feel bad giving it to the "big kids" when I could be giving more to the little kids that are having the time of their life walking from door to door getting the sugary sweets that will keep them up all night. It's just not right. Now I'm not at all directing this at any of my friends that I had the opportunity to go trick-or-treating with, quite frankly, I'm a little jealous that you probably had a lot of fun without me, but I am merely stating what I believe.
Although I miss getting to be whatever I wanted on Halloween, I will still always enjoy seeing those smiles on kids faces when you hand them their favorite piece of candy that they will most likely get to see twice that evening (once going in, once coming out). But they will never forget that time they were a clown, or a pumpkin, or Harry Potter. No matter how old you get, you can still have fun on Halloween...just maybe not in a way that little children do.
Will you have a happy Halloween?
Cell phone? Who needs 'em?
The answer to that question would be ME!! And just about every teenager in the United States of America. Cell phones have become the way of communication that has swept this nation. Whether it be texting or calling, it truly has spread across the USA. I have even seen kids in elementary school, walking around with their little hands just texting away.
My point is, unless you live in a bubble and have no access to the outside world, you either have, or have seen someone send a text message. If you have never sent a text message yourself, you are probably not allowed to, as said by your parents. Texting really is the way of communication among teens. We (teens) simply don't want to take the time to answer the phone and talk for a minute about what we could text in 2. I understand that doesn't make sense that we would take the longer route, but it really is just easier. If you are in a quiet location, you send a text. If you are in class (I would never...), you send a text. It essentially saves time just because you can do it anywhere.
Well...just about anywhere. Texting and driving = bad combination. I have heard of many horror stories where someone is texting while driving and they end up dead in a ditch. The only time I EVER text and drive is when sitting at a stop sign with no one around. That way I can sit there as long as needed to finish the text. When in the car with passengers, I usually just pass the phone to them and let them text for me.
So when my friend got her phone taken away, I started thinking about what it would be like without my phone for a day. I weighed the pros and cons and I determined my day would fall apart pretty easily. I use my phone to call someone in my family when I need something, to text friends for homework assignments, to text friends just for fun, to check Twitter and Facebook, to look at my schedule, basically to do everything. The only thing that I could think of that would be beneficial to not having my phone would be the relief of not checking it constantly when it's on silent, but that's about it.
My cell phone is my life. Cell phones are this nations life. They are a source for communication. Nowadays, they are even computers. You use them to text and talk.
Will you need your cell phone?
Image provided by Briancromer.files.wordpress.com
My point is, unless you live in a bubble and have no access to the outside world, you either have, or have seen someone send a text message. If you have never sent a text message yourself, you are probably not allowed to, as said by your parents. Texting really is the way of communication among teens. We (teens) simply don't want to take the time to answer the phone and talk for a minute about what we could text in 2. I understand that doesn't make sense that we would take the longer route, but it really is just easier. If you are in a quiet location, you send a text. If you are in class (I would never...), you send a text. It essentially saves time just because you can do it anywhere.Well...just about anywhere. Texting and driving = bad combination. I have heard of many horror stories where someone is texting while driving and they end up dead in a ditch. The only time I EVER text and drive is when sitting at a stop sign with no one around. That way I can sit there as long as needed to finish the text. When in the car with passengers, I usually just pass the phone to them and let them text for me.
So when my friend got her phone taken away, I started thinking about what it would be like without my phone for a day. I weighed the pros and cons and I determined my day would fall apart pretty easily. I use my phone to call someone in my family when I need something, to text friends for homework assignments, to text friends just for fun, to check Twitter and Facebook, to look at my schedule, basically to do everything. The only thing that I could think of that would be beneficial to not having my phone would be the relief of not checking it constantly when it's on silent, but that's about it.
My cell phone is my life. Cell phones are this nations life. They are a source for communication. Nowadays, they are even computers. You use them to text and talk.
Will you need your cell phone?
Image provided by Briancromer.files.wordpress.com
Okojablome...
College. It's the place every highschooler wants to be. It's the place every adult wishes they still were. And it's the place little kids dream of. I mentioned in a previous blog about how I went and visited a friend up at her college, well this is part two.
When visiting my friend Rihanna, I met some pretty interesting characters. The one that is "good at treating the psychotic" (from previous post), is from Okoboji, hence, "Okojablome." She is perhaps one of the coolest people in the world. She has no inhibitions and is completely comfortable talking to ANYONE about ANYTHING. She is one extremely fun person I would love to go to college with.
Another person I met while visiting is her was her friend, "G" (Rihanna told me to name you that, she'll explain it to you). In her opinion, Mike and I are close to identical (in behavior, not looks). I personally didn't think it, but i will admit that he was a pretty cool guy, and definitely a person I would want to go to college with.
Her friend BRRRRRRR is next on my list. She is one of the most fun girls I've ever hung out with. We recently also got to take a trip to Wendy's and catch up a little (which made Okojablome pretty jealous). Once again, I would love to go to college with her.
One final friend is Megasauraus. She took to me as soon as I met her. I would have to say that she was probably the most outgoing at first meeting. I miss her a lot and I know we will get together again. And again, she would be so much fun to go to college with.
The point of this blog is, should I let my friends determine where I go to school? I have made such good friends and should I really use them to make my decision? I say, no. Even though they are so much fun to hang out with. I need to think about what school is best for me. My friend Rihanna just about picked a different school because her best friend goes there, she is not extremely happy with her choice and would never go a different way.
Will you go to a college for the right reasons?
When visiting my friend Rihanna, I met some pretty interesting characters. The one that is "good at treating the psychotic" (from previous post), is from Okoboji, hence, "Okojablome." She is perhaps one of the coolest people in the world. She has no inhibitions and is completely comfortable talking to ANYONE about ANYTHING. She is one extremely fun person I would love to go to college with.
Another person I met while visiting is her was her friend, "G" (Rihanna told me to name you that, she'll explain it to you). In her opinion, Mike and I are close to identical (in behavior, not looks). I personally didn't think it, but i will admit that he was a pretty cool guy, and definitely a person I would want to go to college with.
Her friend BRRRRRRR is next on my list. She is one of the most fun girls I've ever hung out with. We recently also got to take a trip to Wendy's and catch up a little (which made Okojablome pretty jealous). Once again, I would love to go to college with her.
One final friend is Megasauraus. She took to me as soon as I met her. I would have to say that she was probably the most outgoing at first meeting. I miss her a lot and I know we will get together again. And again, she would be so much fun to go to college with.
The point of this blog is, should I let my friends determine where I go to school? I have made such good friends and should I really use them to make my decision? I say, no. Even though they are so much fun to hang out with. I need to think about what school is best for me. My friend Rihanna just about picked a different school because her best friend goes there, she is not extremely happy with her choice and would never go a different way.
Will you go to a college for the right reasons?
Sunday, October 25, 2009
As Inspired by KillerQueen
"And no, my friends aren't crazy..."
I disagree. My friends are crazy. But that is exactly the reason why I love them. There is NEVER a dull moment in what we do. My friend LaQueefa and I once went with her sister and a friend to Iowa City, on the way back, LaQueefa showed some passersby truly what a full moon looks like. On this same trip, when we arrived back in town, we decided to sit outside the car while driving down some back roads. I have never had so much fun with a group of people in 6 hours.
As KillerQueen mentioned, there is never a time where we don't find ourselves quoting/acting out Harry Potter scenes. As seen in KillerQueen's picture, we find ourselves looking for sticks to act as wands and we then cast spells on each other. We even went online to find the true pronunciations/meanings of certain spells on this website.
I disagree. My friends are crazy. But that is exactly the reason why I love them. There is NEVER a dull moment in what we do. My friend LaQueefa and I once went with her sister and a friend to Iowa City, on the way back, LaQueefa showed some passersby truly what a full moon looks like. On this same trip, when we arrived back in town, we decided to sit outside the car while driving down some back roads. I have never had so much fun with a group of people in 6 hours.As KillerQueen mentioned, there is never a time where we don't find ourselves quoting/acting out Harry Potter scenes. As seen in KillerQueen's picture, we find ourselves looking for sticks to act as wands and we then cast spells on each other. We even went online to find the true pronunciations/meanings of certain spells on this website.
When we are with this group of friends, I'm pretty sure we get a ton of crazy looks. We tend to go take pictures in the most random places and just have fun. On homecoming night, we went to Noelridge Park and a place called Hamburger Mary's and ate and took tons of crazy pictures (go to facebook for the rest of pictures). I'm pretty sure we spent about an hour at the park just taking fun pictures like the one to the left. This was the most fun I had ever had on homecoming, just because we goofed off the entire night.
At my birthday party, we had fun by dancing with a bubbl
e maker blowing bubbles all over my living room. We have good clean fun by doing things that don't get us in trouble. We just enjoy ourselves just being ourselves.
e maker blowing bubbles all over my living room. We have good clean fun by doing things that don't get us in trouble. We just enjoy ourselves just being ourselves.Will you have fun with your friends?
Friends Part 2 "How you doin??"
Well I figured I will keep blogging about my favorite television show. Don't worry! I won't do it every week, just once in a while.
Friends is, hands down, the BEST television show ever put on this planet. I have thought more and more about it and I just can't find a better show. The way that these characters are developed and the chemistry between all of them captivates me in EVERY episode!
My friend that I dubbed the name Pheebs in my last post still has all my seasons of Friends and if she reads this post, I WANT THEM BACK! The reason I named her Pheebs is because we have had this ongoing Friends "marathon" where we named who we thought would be what character, well we decided she would be Phoebe and I would be Chandler. I don't think you can really call what we had a marathon between the two of us because alltogether I think her and I think we've watched 10 episodes? It seems that because they are at her house, she watches them with a bunch of her other friends. I'm not mad, just jealous that she gets to have the pleasure of watching our favorite TV show without me.
Once again, I will bring up Phoebe Buffay. Phoebe's cookiness on Friends makes me laugh every episode. A hilarious moment in the series in when she is "possessed" by an old lady that died when she was giving her a massage. She claims that the lady wanted to see everything before passing on, so when Phoebe went to a gay marraige wedding, she loudly professes that she has now seen everything, and then leaves Phoebe's body. I just about died laughing, mainly because Lisa Kudrow does such an astounding job of creating different characters in on body, but also just because of the hilarity of the entire situation.
One final thing that capitivates me with the TV show is that no matter what, ever episode makes me laugh. Even during the break-up of Ross and Rachel in season three, I was laughing because the rest of the friends are staked out in the bedroom listening to the entire event. And I laughed in the final episode because Joey kept sitting in the paint and leaving butt prints everywhere. No matter where or when, Friends puts a smile on my face.
Will you laugh at Friends?
Photo Provided by Flickr.com
Friends is, hands down, the BEST television show ever put on this planet. I have thought more and more about it and I just can't find a better show. The way that these characters are developed and the chemistry between all of them captivates me in EVERY episode!
My friend that I dubbed the name Pheebs in my last post still has all my seasons of Friends and if she reads this post, I WANT THEM BACK! The reason I named her Pheebs is because we have had this ongoing Friends "marathon" where we named who we thought would be what character, well we decided she would be Phoebe and I would be Chandler. I don't think you can really call what we had a marathon between the two of us because alltogether I think her and I think we've watched 10 episodes? It seems that because they are at her house, she watches them with a bunch of her other friends. I'm not mad, just jealous that she gets to have the pleasure of watching our favorite TV show without me.
Once again, I will bring up Phoebe Buffay. Phoebe's cookiness on Friends makes me laugh every episode. A hilarious moment in the series in when she is "possessed" by an old lady that died when she was giving her a massage. She claims that the lady wanted to see everything before passing on, so when Phoebe went to a gay marraige wedding, she loudly professes that she has now seen everything, and then leaves Phoebe's body. I just about died laughing, mainly because Lisa Kudrow does such an astounding job of creating different characters in on body, but also just because of the hilarity of the entire situation.
One final thing that capitivates me with the TV show is that no matter what, ever episode makes me laugh. Even during the break-up of Ross and Rachel in season three, I was laughing because the rest of the friends are staked out in the bedroom listening to the entire event. And I laughed in the final episode because Joey kept sitting in the paint and leaving butt prints everywhere. No matter where or when, Friends puts a smile on my face.
Will you laugh at Friends?
Photo Provided by Flickr.com
All-State Schmall-State...
So yesterday started at 5:15 sharp at Happy Chef. Holy cow that was such an early morning, especially for a Saturday! Anyway, this was the beginning of the day of All-State Music Festival auditions. Our choir director always tells us that any good famous vocal performer will tell you that to do your best performance, your voice must be awake four hours prior to your performance. Well, the all state auditions begin at 9, so we are awake and talking by 5 a.m.
The All-State audition process is pretty messed up/ineffective. You can audition in a quartet, trio, or duet (mine was a trio), and any school can bring up to 28 students, 7 on a part (SATB). Well, when you arrive at your location in the state (based on school's location), you receive your cuts of the selected All-State pieces. You see, when you audition, you audition in front of ONE judge, not two, not three, not four, but ONE! Basically what I'm saying is, if that one judge does not like your voice, you are SCREWED. Two of my good friends, Lion and Pheebs, got screwed over for their third year of auditioning. They have just had the unfortunate circumstance of getting a judge that wasn't fond of their voice.
As well as auditioning in front of one judge instead of multiple, all of the high schools in our school system attend the same location for All-State auditions. Our school system has a lot of the state's most talented singers, and the fact that they ALL go to the same location makes it horribly competitive to get in. Each location picks about thirty on a voice part and with five Cedar Rapids schools with talented singers plus the other little schools in the area, many are left in the dust. I propose that we divide up Cedar Rapids schools into two different locations.
Once the first round of All-State auditions are completed, recalls are posted. Recalls are for those that they need to hear again. While the recalls are taking place, the list of those that made it first round are posted. It is a time of tears and joy. Those that made it console those that didn't, some, like my friend Lion :), get mad at those that don't shut up about making it. And others believe that there is always next year.
I have determined that this whole All-State thing is a bunch of, for lack of a better term, bullcrap. Some of THE most talented people don't make it simply because the entire process is subjective. Lion and Pheebs definitely deserve it more than anybody know, and definitely deserve it over a certain someone that made it. Only they shall know who I am talking about. All-State is a bunch of hooplah that doesn't do a whole lot for your future. Sure you can put it on resumes, but what else?
Will you let the All-State process effect you?
The All-State audition process is pretty messed up/ineffective. You can audition in a quartet, trio, or duet (mine was a trio), and any school can bring up to 28 students, 7 on a part (SATB). Well, when you arrive at your location in the state (based on school's location), you receive your cuts of the selected All-State pieces. You see, when you audition, you audition in front of ONE judge, not two, not three, not four, but ONE! Basically what I'm saying is, if that one judge does not like your voice, you are SCREWED. Two of my good friends, Lion and Pheebs, got screwed over for their third year of auditioning. They have just had the unfortunate circumstance of getting a judge that wasn't fond of their voice.
As well as auditioning in front of one judge instead of multiple, all of the high schools in our school system attend the same location for All-State auditions. Our school system has a lot of the state's most talented singers, and the fact that they ALL go to the same location makes it horribly competitive to get in. Each location picks about thirty on a voice part and with five Cedar Rapids schools with talented singers plus the other little schools in the area, many are left in the dust. I propose that we divide up Cedar Rapids schools into two different locations.
Once the first round of All-State auditions are completed, recalls are posted. Recalls are for those that they need to hear again. While the recalls are taking place, the list of those that made it first round are posted. It is a time of tears and joy. Those that made it console those that didn't, some, like my friend Lion :), get mad at those that don't shut up about making it. And others believe that there is always next year.
I have determined that this whole All-State thing is a bunch of, for lack of a better term, bullcrap. Some of THE most talented people don't make it simply because the entire process is subjective. Lion and Pheebs definitely deserve it more than anybody know, and definitely deserve it over a certain someone that made it. Only they shall know who I am talking about. All-State is a bunch of hooplah that doesn't do a whole lot for your future. Sure you can put it on resumes, but what else?
Will you let the All-State process effect you?
Sunday, October 18, 2009
"I think you'd be good at treating the psychotic..."
I would have to say that this weekend was one of the most fun weekends of my entire life (minus Saturday morning). I began with the PSATs in the morning... that was a bit of a downer, but afterwards a couple of my friends and I headed over to the Spring House. Oh man was that goooood! Following that was a nice nap and the "Art of Imagination" show that took place at my high school.
That wasn't the best part of the weekend, what happened to follow was the most fun. You see, it all started when my friend, who we'll nickname Rihanna for only reasons she would understand, got extremely mad at me because I wasn't coming up to visit her at college. I felt bad enough as it was, but when she got mad it made it all the worse. This is when I decided to call up her sister (Rihanna II) and ask her if she would accompany me to go surprise Rihanna. She was in on the idea immediately. We did some planning and I decided we should get flowers and make signs for her. When we arrived on campus we went straight to her dorm and slid the signs under the door. Of course she wasn't, so that had no point whatsoever. You see, Rihanna II told Rihanna that their mom was taking her up and that she had to leave right away. I was hiding in the kitchenette next to her room when she arrived. As she read the notes, she assumed I sent them with Rihanna II, but then I walked out and she freaked out. She was ecstatic that I was able to make it up there.
At this point in time, I was planning to leave at 10. We were going to go swimming at Rihanna's friends hotel room and then leave. However, when I got to the hotel, I decided to text my mom to see if there was any remote possibility I would be able to stay. To my dismay, she replied with, "Just get a toothbrush and SLEEP!" If that was all I had to do, I was in! Swimming for about an hour, and then just hung out the entire night. It was nice to find out that the group of people Rihanna made friends with don't do anything of the illegal nature (i.e. drinking, drugs, etc.). It was just good, wholesome, pure FUN!
This was one of the most fun times I had had in a long time. I just would like to thank Rihanna for getting pissed off and making me realize I had to see you! And thank you Rihanna for introducing me to your friends!
Will you truly have fun?
That wasn't the best part of the weekend, what happened to follow was the most fun. You see, it all started when my friend, who we'll nickname Rihanna for only reasons she would understand, got extremely mad at me because I wasn't coming up to visit her at college. I felt bad enough as it was, but when she got mad it made it all the worse. This is when I decided to call up her sister (Rihanna II) and ask her if she would accompany me to go surprise Rihanna. She was in on the idea immediately. We did some planning and I decided we should get flowers and make signs for her. When we arrived on campus we went straight to her dorm and slid the signs under the door. Of course she wasn't, so that had no point whatsoever. You see, Rihanna II told Rihanna that their mom was taking her up and that she had to leave right away. I was hiding in the kitchenette next to her room when she arrived. As she read the notes, she assumed I sent them with Rihanna II, but then I walked out and she freaked out. She was ecstatic that I was able to make it up there.
At this point in time, I was planning to leave at 10. We were going to go swimming at Rihanna's friends hotel room and then leave. However, when I got to the hotel, I decided to text my mom to see if there was any remote possibility I would be able to stay. To my dismay, she replied with, "Just get a toothbrush and SLEEP!" If that was all I had to do, I was in! Swimming for about an hour, and then just hung out the entire night. It was nice to find out that the group of people Rihanna made friends with don't do anything of the illegal nature (i.e. drinking, drugs, etc.). It was just good, wholesome, pure FUN!
This was one of the most fun times I had had in a long time. I just would like to thank Rihanna for getting pissed off and making me realize I had to see you! And thank you Rihanna for introducing me to your friends!
Will you truly have fun?
"Just wait for the little white guy..."
Well, I would like to start off by saying that the person featured in this blog/my best friend EVER will remain anonymous and be named Gertrude (Gertie for short). So the summer before freshman year, Gertie, her mom (Lila), her sister (Pat), and I decided to go to New York City, New York for a random vacation. Yep, the Big Apple to see Wicked with my best friend. Couldn't be better right?
Right (You all expected me to say wrong)! This vacation was one of THE most fun adventures of my life. Now, there were a few tiffs here and there, but mostly dealing with lack of sleep...(Gertie... you know what I'm talking about). You see, the night before we left for NYC, we stayed at Gertie's cousin (Flo)'s house. This was the first time Flo and I were introduced and I'm pretty sure I had never laughed so much in my life before that moment. We stayed up until about 4 in the morning, when we had to leave at 6. Not a smart idea by any means. This was just starting this 4 day vaca off the wrong way.
Going tired into a vacation with your best friend can lead to trouble. We both can agree that we get on eachothers' nerves quite a bit. This is through no fault of our own, it just simply happens. It was all set off, however, when Gertie was walking across the street when the little white guy that signals walk had gone to the solid red hand telling you to stop. Well Gertie was in the middle of the street and we were all still on the sidewalk. She got scared (understandably, New York drivers are scary) and just stood there. Well, when the cars started moving, that was even scarier. She ran to the other side and when we got back to the hotel she was set off. Well, once she cooled down, she went to bed. THANK GOD! Pat and I then hung out and roamed around the gigantic hotel. When Gertie woke up, she was in as pleasant a mood as ever and everything was all good.
The moral of the story here is, when you go on vacation with your best friend, make sure you are both well rested. Especially when travelling to the "City that Never Sleeps."
Will you stay well rested?
Right (You all expected me to say wrong)! This vacation was one of THE most fun adventures of my life. Now, there were a few tiffs here and there, but mostly dealing with lack of sleep...(Gertie... you know what I'm talking about). You see, the night before we left for NYC, we stayed at Gertie's cousin (Flo)'s house. This was the first time Flo and I were introduced and I'm pretty sure I had never laughed so much in my life before that moment. We stayed up until about 4 in the morning, when we had to leave at 6. Not a smart idea by any means. This was just starting this 4 day vaca off the wrong way.
Going tired into a vacation with your best friend can lead to trouble. We both can agree that we get on eachothers' nerves quite a bit. This is through no fault of our own, it just simply happens. It was all set off, however, when Gertie was walking across the street when the little white guy that signals walk had gone to the solid red hand telling you to stop. Well Gertie was in the middle of the street and we were all still on the sidewalk. She got scared (understandably, New York drivers are scary) and just stood there. Well, when the cars started moving, that was even scarier. She ran to the other side and when we got back to the hotel she was set off. Well, once she cooled down, she went to bed. THANK GOD! Pat and I then hung out and roamed around the gigantic hotel. When Gertie woke up, she was in as pleasant a mood as ever and everything was all good.
The moral of the story here is, when you go on vacation with your best friend, make sure you are both well rested. Especially when travelling to the "City that Never Sleeps."
Will you stay well rested?
Can you hear me now?
Now, I tend not to have a lot of terribly important to say, but I'm still here aren't I? This whole thought process began when I read Jeepers Creeper's blog about being the last to know everything. Well today, I participated in a talent show at my church and while we were there, my mom was talking to one of our pastors about something or other, I still don't know what. And as she finished and walked right by me, I'm pretty sure I yelled her name at least 10 times, calling out "mom, mother, mom, mother, (her name), mother, madre, mom, (her name)!!" But nope, she just walked right on by. I'm not sure if you could call it selective hearing, but when your son has a question to ask, you'd answer it right?
Well this goes back to when I was a kid, you could technically call it poor planning on my part, but for the sake of this post, let's not, I used to want to have sleepovers and what not, but of course, when I would ask the night before/of my parents would say, "Oh, not tomorrow/tonight, we going out of town." And I'm thinking, well why couldn't you have told me we were going out of town, that way wouldn't have even gotten my hopes up. I simply am the last to know.
As well as this whole "poor planning" issue goes, I am not sure if my parents even realize that the entire issue would just be avoided with taking less than a minute out of there day to say, "Hey we're blah blah blah... next week." It's as simple as that, just letting me know. My mother says she just "forgets" who she already told and just assumes she told me. I recently learned never assume because you make and "ASS out of U and ME."
If you couldn't tell, it just bugs me when I'm just looked at and not paid attention to. Would it kill you to just hear what I have to say? I am a person, I like to be heard, and I like to be told!
Will you be the last to know?
Well this goes back to when I was a kid, you could technically call it poor planning on my part, but for the sake of this post, let's not, I used to want to have sleepovers and what not, but of course, when I would ask the night before/of my parents would say, "Oh, not tomorrow/tonight, we going out of town." And I'm thinking, well why couldn't you have told me we were going out of town, that way wouldn't have even gotten my hopes up. I simply am the last to know.
As well as this whole "poor planning" issue goes, I am not sure if my parents even realize that the entire issue would just be avoided with taking less than a minute out of there day to say, "Hey we're blah blah blah... next week." It's as simple as that, just letting me know. My mother says she just "forgets" who she already told and just assumes she told me. I recently learned never assume because you make and "ASS out of U and ME."
If you couldn't tell, it just bugs me when I'm just looked at and not paid attention to. Would it kill you to just hear what I have to say? I am a person, I like to be heard, and I like to be told!
Will you be the last to know?
Sunday, October 11, 2009
The Advancement of Technology
Nowadays, teenagers spend more and more time texting each other. Laws are being created against those that text and drive, and teachers are more harsh about those that text in class. As texting becomes the "in" thing, what is happening to email? Back when I was in middle school, email and instant messaging on AIM were the way to go. As time proceeded, these fads became obsolete.
I once heard that technology doubles in its efficiency every 1.5 years. Not for one second do I doubt that. We have found ways to make things faster, communicate over social networks, and talk face-to-face over the computer. I am not stating that instant messaging is obsolete, but the use of AIM among teenagers certainly is. Teens are now using Facebook and Skype to communicate amongst one another. When one thinks of emailing, they think of the ways to give people information or invite them to do something, but as I recently found out. Email isn't that reliable. Now, for those that check their email regularly, it's not a problem, but for those that do not wholeheartedly use their email, you can find it hard to give them information. Don't get me wrong, email was an amazing invention, but when one needs to get information to another quickly, it is just simply inconvenient.
I must adm
it that on social networking I am a bit of an addict. I tweet and text just about 24/7 and I am constantly on Facebook for my phone. I just find it an easier method of communication. Texting takes up a huge portion of the teenage society. You can ask just about any teen if they text and 9 times out of 10 the response will be, "Of course!" Lately, school districts have been coming down on the whole texting during class thing. Teachers resort to taking the phone over night. I know that I would not be able to function without my phone for a day. To follow on that last statement, I think it is sad how the teens of today have been basically brainwashed into NEEDING their phones. We technically don't NEED them, but we rely on them so much that it is a necessity in life.
Finally, the use of social networking within schools. Teachers will argue that it distracts from class time, but I would like to pose an argument against that. Websites such as Facebook and Twitter actually have a learning curve. If you are doing research on a celebrity, nowadays just about every celebrity has a twitter and you can really dig into their personal lives. On Facebook, there are many different ways in which (in psychology) the user can do research on the way people represent themselves online and in person and their differences.
The idea that technology doubles is not just put in the back of my mind. I think about it quite a bit. Teenagers have to deal with the constant changes and just adjust to the latest thing, whatever it may be.
Will you be enthralled by technology?
I once heard that technology doubles in its efficiency every 1.5 years. Not for one second do I doubt that. We have found ways to make things faster, communicate over social networks, and talk face-to-face over the computer. I am not stating that instant messaging is obsolete, but the use of AIM among teenagers certainly is. Teens are now using Facebook and Skype to communicate amongst one another. When one thinks of emailing, they think of the ways to give people information or invite them to do something, but as I recently found out. Email isn't that reliable. Now, for those that check their email regularly, it's not a problem, but for those that do not wholeheartedly use their email, you can find it hard to give them information. Don't get me wrong, email was an amazing invention, but when one needs to get information to another quickly, it is just simply inconvenient.
I must adm
it that on social networking I am a bit of an addict. I tweet and text just about 24/7 and I am constantly on Facebook for my phone. I just find it an easier method of communication. Texting takes up a huge portion of the teenage society. You can ask just about any teen if they text and 9 times out of 10 the response will be, "Of course!" Lately, school districts have been coming down on the whole texting during class thing. Teachers resort to taking the phone over night. I know that I would not be able to function without my phone for a day. To follow on that last statement, I think it is sad how the teens of today have been basically brainwashed into NEEDING their phones. We technically don't NEED them, but we rely on them so much that it is a necessity in life.Finally, the use of social networking within schools. Teachers will argue that it distracts from class time, but I would like to pose an argument against that. Websites such as Facebook and Twitter actually have a learning curve. If you are doing research on a celebrity, nowadays just about every celebrity has a twitter and you can really dig into their personal lives. On Facebook, there are many different ways in which (in psychology) the user can do research on the way people represent themselves online and in person and their differences.
The idea that technology doubles is not just put in the back of my mind. I think about it quite a bit. Teenagers have to deal with the constant changes and just adjust to the latest thing, whatever it may be.
Will you be enthralled by technology?
"Don't Mind My Hairsss, I Know Iss Liek Umid Ouside..."
Baby Smiley, oh what do I say about you? I must start off saying that this post is inspired by my friend Rose. Rose first introduced me to the wonderful world of this improvisational comedian named Gloria Shuri. She is a hit on YouTube, with over 250,000 views on her "back to school" video and over 35,000 hits on her "Confessions to La Quandra II" (featured below).
Improv comedy has always been a skill that I lack/envy. One of my good friends, MCGriddle, has this skill in the bag and I am extremely jealous of that. Improv, I feel, is a type of comedy where you literally just let everything in your mind go and just say what comes naturally. This is the part where everything goes wrong for me. I have tried and tried, but failed miserably. I have learned that I am constantly worrying about one person might say and how I should respond to that. This is NOT the way to approach this type of comedy.
For those of you that do not know (though many could guess simply from the word), improvisational comedy is basically just coming up with comedy right on the spot, minimal preparation is involved. Generally, in competitions, you are given a scenario and allotted somewhere between 2 and 4 minutes to come up with a story line (i.e. intro, plot, conclusion). You then are given roughly 5 minutes to perform what you came up with. This performance is strictly one person acting off the other and feeding into what the crowd is enjoying.
One of the most famous improv shows out there is the show Who's Line is it Anyway? In this television show they have the main leader guy (Drew Carey), and the 4 panelists. The leader calls out the title of the game and the scenario and the panel has NO time to come up with anything, it is the true definition of improvisation.
I would love it if someday I could develop the art of improvisational comedy. But as for now, it is nonexistent.
Will you be an improv-er?
PG-13: May contain adult content not suitable for those under the age 13
I recommend watching her other videos on YouTube as well. Just search 'glowpinkstah'.
Improv comedy has always been a skill that I lack/envy. One of my good friends, MCGriddle, has this skill in the bag and I am extremely jealous of that. Improv, I feel, is a type of comedy where you literally just let everything in your mind go and just say what comes naturally. This is the part where everything goes wrong for me. I have tried and tried, but failed miserably. I have learned that I am constantly worrying about one person might say and how I should respond to that. This is NOT the way to approach this type of comedy.
For those of you that do not know (though many could guess simply from the word), improvisational comedy is basically just coming up with comedy right on the spot, minimal preparation is involved. Generally, in competitions, you are given a scenario and allotted somewhere between 2 and 4 minutes to come up with a story line (i.e. intro, plot, conclusion). You then are given roughly 5 minutes to perform what you came up with. This performance is strictly one person acting off the other and feeding into what the crowd is enjoying.
One of the most famous improv shows out there is the show Who's Line is it Anyway? In this television show they have the main leader guy (Drew Carey), and the 4 panelists. The leader calls out the title of the game and the scenario and the panel has NO time to come up with anything, it is the true definition of improvisation.
I would love it if someday I could develop the art of improvisational comedy. But as for now, it is nonexistent.
Will you be an improv-er?
PG-13: May contain adult content not suitable for those under the age 13
I recommend watching her other videos on YouTube as well. Just search 'glowpinkstah'.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
The Warmth to Beat Cold
Living in the Midwest has one thing ensured when you live here, you will be cold! This morning we experienced our first snow of the season...in October...yeah that's right, OCTOBER!
The ways people find warmth vary immensely, however. Me, I find warmth sitting under three layers of blankets in my bed. I believe that many people would support me in this, whether it be curled up in a comfy chair or your bed, you beat the cold with blankets. One of the latest editions to the blanket world is the Snuggie. Now if you ask me, this was an amazing invention. You are able to stay warm whilst doing all your daily activities (i.e. homework, computer work, etc.). I have yet to purchase this item, but it will definitely be added to my collection of blankets.
Others beat the cold and find their warmth in other people (no, I did not mean that in the way you dirty minded people at there took that statement). Living in the Midwest, you will also find some of the most hospitable people you will ever meet in your life. I have been walking through stores and someone you have never met before will just say, "Hello!" I find this to be a fascinating thing. Travelling to New York City gave me insight on this topic. In New York, you can't just ask someone on the street how they are doing and expect a nice response. The Midwest truly has some of the nicest people. The warmth and hospitality of others definitely help beat the cold.
Finally, people find beat the cold with the heat of a nice cup of hot chocolate. Some people prefer their hot cocoa with the nice little marshmallows on top or some whipped cream, and some like theirs plain. Some like it made with milk, some with water. But no matter how you like your nice steaming cup of smooth hot chocolate, it is sure to keep you warm in the midst of bitter cold winter.
The ways people find warmth vary immensely, however. Me, I find warmth sitting under three layers of blankets in my bed. I believe that many people would support me in this, whether it be curled up in a comfy chair or your bed, you beat the cold with blankets. One of the latest editions to the blanket world is the Snuggie. Now if you ask me, this was an amazing invention. You are able to stay warm whilst doing all your daily activities (i.e. homework, computer work, etc.). I have yet to purchase this item, but it will definitely be added to my collection of blankets.
Others beat the cold and find their warmth in other people (no, I did not mean that in the way you dirty minded people at there took that statement). Living in the Midwest, you will also find some of the most hospitable people you will ever meet in your life. I have been walking through stores and someone you have never met before will just say, "Hello!" I find this to be a fascinating thing. Travelling to New York City gave me insight on this topic. In New York, you can't just ask someone on the street how they are doing and expect a nice response. The Midwest truly has some of the nicest people. The warmth and hospitality of others definitely help beat the cold.
Finally, people find beat the cold with the heat of a nice cup of hot chocolate. Some people prefer their hot cocoa with the nice little marshmallows on top or some whipped cream, and some like theirs plain. Some like it made with milk, some with water. But no matter how you like your nice steaming cup of smooth hot chocolate, it is sure to keep you warm in the midst of bitter cold winter.Whatever your method of staying warm this upcoming winter, make sure you start preparing now. Winter is coming faster than expected. The cold is on its way!
Will you stay warm and beat the cold?
Sunday, October 4, 2009
The Complete Works of those that are Sleepy
I do not by any means consider blogging a dreadful task. But when one is extremely tired it makes such a task a very hard thing to do. With the musical now done, I have a feeling I will be more on top of this blogging thing. Rather than waiting until the day before they are due.
When a person is tired, their body tends to just shut down. They no longer have the capacity to complete anything that needs intellectual thoughts. Sleep is the necessity to refuel your body with the energy needed to make it through the day. Sleep also "detoxes" the body.
As students try to function in the mornings without much sleep, most, if not all, of the information they are given is not retained. It is basically going in one ear and out the other. Sleep is the way to have energy without all those high sugar, high caffeine drinks many teens drink.
Naps are also extremely beneficial to those that are sleepy. But one must only take a nap of about 20 minutes. The naps that last 2 hours only make you more tired.
People must get sleep. I am about to go to sleep right now so I can function tomorrow at school.
Will you get enough sleep?
When a person is tired, their body tends to just shut down. They no longer have the capacity to complete anything that needs intellectual thoughts. Sleep is the necessity to refuel your body with the energy needed to make it through the day. Sleep also "detoxes" the body.
As students try to function in the mornings without much sleep, most, if not all, of the information they are given is not retained. It is basically going in one ear and out the other. Sleep is the way to have energy without all those high sugar, high caffeine drinks many teens drink.
Naps are also extremely beneficial to those that are sleepy. But one must only take a nap of about 20 minutes. The naps that last 2 hours only make you more tired.
People must get sleep. I am about to go to sleep right now so I can function tomorrow at school.
Will you get enough sleep?
"He's her lobster!"
"P as in Phoebe, H as in Hoebe, O as in Oebe, E as in Ebe, B as in Bebe, E as in Ello there mate" -Phoebe Buffay
The television show "Friends" premiered on September 22, 1994. This TV show was an outstanding representation of life in New York City. The quirkiness of Phoebe and the romance between Ross and Rachel, and Chandler and Monica, have captivated audiences around the nation. This fun-loving show is my absolute favorite show of all time.
"Awww Pheebs" -Phoebe Buffay "Honey, that's your name." -Rachel Green " "Oh, I thought that's just what we call eachother!" -Phoebe Buffay
The show consists of 6 main characters, Phoebe, Chandler, Joey, Rachel, Ross, and Monica. These people live in New York City and are best friends no matter what. They show the true problems of relationships and the fun times that go on behind closed doors. Each person is related somehow or another as well. Chandler has been best friends with Ross since high school. Monica is Ross's sister. Rachel is Monica's long lost best friend that comes back into her life in the Pilot episode. Joey becomes Chandlers roommate (Joey doesn't really have a back story with the rest). And Phoebe once mugged Ross when he left a comic book store.
The television show "Friends" premiered on September 22, 1994. This TV show was an outstanding representation of life in New York City. The quirkiness of Phoebe and the romance between Ross and Rachel, and Chandler and Monica, have captivated audiences around the nation. This fun-loving show is my absolute favorite show of all time."Awww Pheebs" -Phoebe Buffay "Honey, that's your name." -Rachel Green " "Oh, I thought that's just what we call eachother!" -Phoebe Buffay
The show consists of 6 main characters, Phoebe, Chandler, Joey, Rachel, Ross, and Monica. These people live in New York City and are best friends no matter what. They show the true problems of relationships and the fun times that go on behind closed doors. Each person is related somehow or another as well. Chandler has been best friends with Ross since high school. Monica is Ross's sister. Rachel is Monica's long lost best friend that comes back into her life in the Pilot episode. Joey becomes Chandlers roommate (Joey doesn't really have a back story with the rest). And Phoebe once mugged Ross when he left a comic book store.
"(Blinks) I'm doing it! (Blinks) I am totally doing it! (Blinks multiple times) I lost it." -Phoebe Buffay
My favorite character of this show has to be Phoebe. She is just such a fun and unique human being. Lisa Kudrow does such a phenomenal job of creating this kooky character. Phoebe is just such an outspoken, almost ditsy, person that makes her just so much fun to watch. Lisa Kudrow was/is the perfect actress to play Phoebe Buffay. She was an amazing addition to Friends If you noticed, every quote I have added to this post has, in one way or another, included Phoebe.
My favorite character of this show has to be Phoebe. She is just such a fun and unique human being. Lisa Kudrow does such a phenomenal job of creating this kooky character. Phoebe is just such an outspoken, almost ditsy, person that makes her just so much fun to watch. Lisa Kudrow was/is the perfect actress to play Phoebe Buffay. She was an amazing addition to Friends If you noticed, every quote I have added to this post has, in one way or another, included Phoebe."Alright, now when she comes out, you plug her nose, I'll blow in her mouth and the baby'll pop right out of her!" -Phoebe Buffay
Friends is an addicting show and if you have not yet seen it, I highly recommend you try it. It's high ratings and goofy cast captivated audiences of all ages.
Will you be captivated by Friends?
"I don't just jump into bed like an acrobat..." TAKE 2
I have made it through the first musical of the year. It was a huge success! We sold out 3 of our 4 shows (the one we didn't sell out was a matinee with many elderly people ;) ). Each performance went inexplicably well, every actor brought something better and new to each show.
The week prior to showtime we had dress rehearsals EVERY day. We were all sick of running the show by the end of the week. One student even suggested to the director we don't use our costumes until the preview day. I thought this was a splendid idea, for I was sick of the costumes as well. Of course, our director said that that wasn't happening, but it was worth a shot right? When showtime came, I realized why we did all those dress rehearsals. They definitely helped me plan my time for costume and make-up changes so I wasn't late.
Thursday night came, our first show. I walk in to see a sign posted on the ticket booth saying "SOLD OUT for tonight, tickets still available for Friday and Saturday." A rush of nerves flew over me. Sold out? I had also been informed that there would be standing room in the back and any "no-show" seats would be filled. This audience was going to be packed. The show this night was next to flawless, a few minor mic errors took place, but that is about it.
Friday night is next. I walk in at 530, only to see a sign that says, "SOLD OUT for tonight, tickets still available for Saturday matinee and night." The same set of nerves rushed through my body, once again, we were going to have a packed crowd. This show was next to perfect as well. We fixed problems from Thursday and developed other slight problems. Nothing major at all.
The Saturday matinee took place at 2 o'clock. That "SOLD OUT" sign was nonexistent. In fact, we had quite a few seats to be filled. This show is often the least popular show of all for teenagers. Most are still asleep and just don't want to do anything until the night time. Low and behold, this audience was filled with grandmas, grandpas, aunts, and uncles. Our director asked us to treat this show as any other show and just take it as a practice for the Saturday night performance.
What I didn't tell you is that this musical is being adjudicated to go on to the International Thespian Conference in Lincoln, Nebraska. This would be a huge honor if a show from my school could make it. This is basically a once in a lifetime chance. The fee for the adjudication is extremely high. You have to pay for the two adjudicators to fly in, and you pay for their hotel and food while they are in town.
Every actor/actress is nervous. We all know what is at stake. Our director got a call that the two adjudicators were on their way. We do our warm-ups as we have every night. We have a circle talk as we do every night. We get ready to put this final show on. We must make it our best.
Saturday night has arrived. I find that sign that says, "SOLD OUT, standby for empty seats and standing room." This night has the most people out of all three night. The show was as close to flawless as any show could get. It went outstandingly well. From what I heard, the adjudicators laughed throughout the entire thing. It is now a waiting game.
In one month we will get our response from the adjudicators. We will receive our yes or no. We will find out if our hard work paid off even more than we expected. It is all in the adjudicators' hands now. They have all the control. Will we get to perform this show once again?
Will you let those 4 shows be your last?
The week prior to showtime we had dress rehearsals EVERY day. We were all sick of running the show by the end of the week. One student even suggested to the director we don't use our costumes until the preview day. I thought this was a splendid idea, for I was sick of the costumes as well. Of course, our director said that that wasn't happening, but it was worth a shot right? When showtime came, I realized why we did all those dress rehearsals. They definitely helped me plan my time for costume and make-up changes so I wasn't late.
Thursday night came, our first show. I walk in to see a sign posted on the ticket booth saying "SOLD OUT for tonight, tickets still available for Friday and Saturday." A rush of nerves flew over me. Sold out? I had also been informed that there would be standing room in the back and any "no-show" seats would be filled. This audience was going to be packed. The show this night was next to flawless, a few minor mic errors took place, but that is about it.
Friday night is next. I walk in at 530, only to see a sign that says, "SOLD OUT for tonight, tickets still available for Saturday matinee and night." The same set of nerves rushed through my body, once again, we were going to have a packed crowd. This show was next to perfect as well. We fixed problems from Thursday and developed other slight problems. Nothing major at all.
The Saturday matinee took place at 2 o'clock. That "SOLD OUT" sign was nonexistent. In fact, we had quite a few seats to be filled. This show is often the least popular show of all for teenagers. Most are still asleep and just don't want to do anything until the night time. Low and behold, this audience was filled with grandmas, grandpas, aunts, and uncles. Our director asked us to treat this show as any other show and just take it as a practice for the Saturday night performance.
What I didn't tell you is that this musical is being adjudicated to go on to the International Thespian Conference in Lincoln, Nebraska. This would be a huge honor if a show from my school could make it. This is basically a once in a lifetime chance. The fee for the adjudication is extremely high. You have to pay for the two adjudicators to fly in, and you pay for their hotel and food while they are in town.
Every actor/actress is nervous. We all know what is at stake. Our director got a call that the two adjudicators were on their way. We do our warm-ups as we have every night. We have a circle talk as we do every night. We get ready to put this final show on. We must make it our best.
Saturday night has arrived. I find that sign that says, "SOLD OUT, standby for empty seats and standing room." This night has the most people out of all three night. The show was as close to flawless as any show could get. It went outstandingly well. From what I heard, the adjudicators laughed throughout the entire thing. It is now a waiting game.
In one month we will get our response from the adjudicators. We will receive our yes or no. We will find out if our hard work paid off even more than we expected. It is all in the adjudicators' hands now. They have all the control. Will we get to perform this show once again?
Will you let those 4 shows be your last?
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Addictions Conviction
Ever since a little kid I have been ADDICTED to pop. I loved any type of pop. I didn't care what it tasted like, I just wanted carbonation and caffeine. I'm pretty sure that as a young boy I could not have stopped drinking pop if had tried. I was just that in love with it.
I was in this little town of Grinnell, Iowa putting together the state chapter show which I auditioned for last November. We took one week out of July to put this show together. One of the nights when I was there I was talking to another cast member. She let me know (while holding a coke in her hand) that she is basically addicted to pop, too. She proceeded to let me know that she did research and found out that 1 pop a day equals 15 pounds in a year. FIFTEEN POUNDS!
This was the fact that changed my life. As she was telling me all this I thought to myself. I need to change something in my life. I did not want that extra 15 pounds. I already knew that I was a pop addict (meaning I had and average of 2 pops in one day) and I needed to change that. I decided I would drink less pop. I switched to about 1 pop every other day. That was good enough for me. Until I thought to myself that 7.5 pounds in a year is still a lot of weight.
A life altering moment was about to take place. I decided that I would not let this addiction last any longer. I gave up pop. Well, not just pop, I gave up everything carbonated. I could not believe I was about to attempt to give up something that has been so evident in my life for so long.
I called my friend "Jeepers Creepers" and told her I was going to give up pop. She couldn't believe it. She then said that she had to give it up for the sport she's in and we decided to make it a mutual thing. She will help me rid my addiction and I will make sure she doesn't drink pop do she can improve her performance. We are going to give up pop until the end of the year. At the end of the year we are going to decide what we will do from then on.
I haven't drank pop in 54 days and the results are tremendous. Within that time I feel so much better. I no longer crave pop. And I am fortunate to have lost 10 pounds already in this task. Those of you that know who I am, if you ever catch me trying to drink pop, please stop me. It is extremely hard to give up something you love. Something you are addicted to.
Will you break the addiction?
I was in this little town of Grinnell, Iowa putting together the state chapter show which I auditioned for last November. We took one week out of July to put this show together. One of the nights when I was there I was talking to another cast member. She let me know (while holding a coke in her hand) that she is basically addicted to pop, too. She proceeded to let me know that she did research and found out that 1 pop a day equals 15 pounds in a year. FIFTEEN POUNDS!
This was the fact that changed my life. As she was telling me all this I thought to myself. I need to change something in my life. I did not want that extra 15 pounds. I already knew that I was a pop addict (meaning I had and average of 2 pops in one day) and I needed to change that. I decided I would drink less pop. I switched to about 1 pop every other day. That was good enough for me. Until I thought to myself that 7.5 pounds in a year is still a lot of weight.
A life altering moment was about to take place. I decided that I would not let this addiction last any longer. I gave up pop. Well, not just pop, I gave up everything carbonated. I could not believe I was about to attempt to give up something that has been so evident in my life for so long.
I called my friend "Jeepers Creepers" and told her I was going to give up pop. She couldn't believe it. She then said that she had to give it up for the sport she's in and we decided to make it a mutual thing. She will help me rid my addiction and I will make sure she doesn't drink pop do she can improve her performance. We are going to give up pop until the end of the year. At the end of the year we are going to decide what we will do from then on.
I haven't drank pop in 54 days and the results are tremendous. Within that time I feel so much better. I no longer crave pop. And I am fortunate to have lost 10 pounds already in this task. Those of you that know who I am, if you ever catch me trying to drink pop, please stop me. It is extremely hard to give up something you love. Something you are addicted to.
Will you break the addiction?
A Procrastinator's Life
Procrastination is not merely a characteristic of a person. Procrastination is an art of mankind. I am sitting here doing 2 of my blogs for this week. We are assigned at least 3 a week with at least 1200 words. These blogs are due Monday. Today is Sunday. Get the picture? These are EVERY week so you'd think I would have spread these out over the week. Nope! I feel like stressing about them the night before they are due.
When you classify a person that has this so-called art of procrastination, you put them in the class of the ones that don't tend to do well in school or are the slackers. When in turn, this is the complete opposite! Often times when I talk to people they are all in the same boat I am in. I was having a little Twitter conversation with another person in this class and he/she still has 2 posts to go as well.
When you get into the mind of a procrastinator, often times they do not even know they are doing it. They blame it on that they were busy the entire weekend and they just could not get their homework done (that is the excuse I often use), however, they most likely had free time where they chose to watch TV instead.
A huge problem with the procrastinator is that many of them have not developed the skill of "multi-tasking." I have definitely NOT developed this skill. I am attempting to watch NCIS while blogging, but I am failing miserably. I think I just took a 15 minute break from this post just to catch up on what was going on in this episode. I suppose you could call that Attention Deficit Disorder but I call it procrastination.
I have just made the decision to turn OFF the TV. I think that is a nice jump start to finishing this post. I think it has now been about 45 minutes since the time I began writing this post and I have gotten basically nowhere. I will say this, however, I am teaching myself a lesson by writing this post. I am surpassing the stage of denial and I am now moving on to the way to fix this problem of mine.
Here are the steps I am going to take and the steps I think all you procrastinators out there need to take in order to solve this problem.
Step 1: Recognize your problem.
Step 2: Use better time management. This entails deciding when it is appropriate to watch TV and when it is appropriate to do your homework. The proper use of time management would be to do your homework first and do anything else after all is done.
Step 3: Well, I think that step 2 basically wraps everything up. So step 3 would have to be execute step 2 24/7 and you should be okay.
I hope that by writing this post I temporarily prevent my ways of procrastination and I hope that you too can eliminate this burden that is procrastination.
Will you keep procrastinating?
When you classify a person that has this so-called art of procrastination, you put them in the class of the ones that don't tend to do well in school or are the slackers. When in turn, this is the complete opposite! Often times when I talk to people they are all in the same boat I am in. I was having a little Twitter conversation with another person in this class and he/she still has 2 posts to go as well.
When you get into the mind of a procrastinator, often times they do not even know they are doing it. They blame it on that they were busy the entire weekend and they just could not get their homework done (that is the excuse I often use), however, they most likely had free time where they chose to watch TV instead.
A huge problem with the procrastinator is that many of them have not developed the skill of "multi-tasking." I have definitely NOT developed this skill. I am attempting to watch NCIS while blogging, but I am failing miserably. I think I just took a 15 minute break from this post just to catch up on what was going on in this episode. I suppose you could call that Attention Deficit Disorder but I call it procrastination.
I have just made the decision to turn OFF the TV. I think that is a nice jump start to finishing this post. I think it has now been about 45 minutes since the time I began writing this post and I have gotten basically nowhere. I will say this, however, I am teaching myself a lesson by writing this post. I am surpassing the stage of denial and I am now moving on to the way to fix this problem of mine.
Here are the steps I am going to take and the steps I think all you procrastinators out there need to take in order to solve this problem.
Step 1: Recognize your problem.
Step 2: Use better time management. This entails deciding when it is appropriate to watch TV and when it is appropriate to do your homework. The proper use of time management would be to do your homework first and do anything else after all is done.
Step 3: Well, I think that step 2 basically wraps everything up. So step 3 would have to be execute step 2 24/7 and you should be okay.
I hope that by writing this post I temporarily prevent my ways of procrastination and I hope that you too can eliminate this burden that is procrastination.
Will you keep procrastinating?
Saturday, September 26, 2009
"I don't just jump into bed like an acrobat..."
The life of a theatre junkie is incredibly underestimated. People don't go around comparing the lives of jocks to those of the theatre department. Those people that don't DO theatre don't know what putting a show together entails.
For our upcoming show, we have been rehearsing since August 10th (before school started). At the beginning, the practices weren't incredibly long and weren't strenuous. As time goes on, practices get longer, and longer, and longer. Until this past week we had practices from 330 until 9. That is 5 and a half hours of straight practice right there.
Before that practice begins, you go through hours of memorizing and learning all the music. Not to mention getting all your costumes prepared. When it comes to the week before the show, practices are brutal. You spend most of your time running around backstage and figuring out what costume comes next. You are forced to remain quiet through all of this because you could be heard out in the audience. As you are scrambling around backstage you have to be fully conscious of what is going on onstage because god forbid you miss a cue.
Next comes showtime. You have your nerves all built up and your eagerness to get on stage and show everyone what you have put together. You hope and pray that it will be enjoyed. You hear those famous words said by the director, "Enjoy the show!" and you take your place.
What I am trying to say is, the amount of time you put in just for one show is tremendous and can easily be compared to the life of a jock. The only difference is we (thespians) don't practice on a field. The theatre is our dwelling place, our field if you will. We put in just about the same time for one show as the football players do for 4. Next time you think that theatre isn't that hard. You just remember that 2 months of time went in to that show just for your enjoyment.
Will you enjoy the show?
For our upcoming show, we have been rehearsing since August 10th (before school started). At the beginning, the practices weren't incredibly long and weren't strenuous. As time goes on, practices get longer, and longer, and longer. Until this past week we had practices from 330 until 9. That is 5 and a half hours of straight practice right there.
Before that practice begins, you go through hours of memorizing and learning all the music. Not to mention getting all your costumes prepared. When it comes to the week before the show, practices are brutal. You spend most of your time running around backstage and figuring out what costume comes next. You are forced to remain quiet through all of this because you could be heard out in the audience. As you are scrambling around backstage you have to be fully conscious of what is going on onstage because god forbid you miss a cue.
Next comes showtime. You have your nerves all built up and your eagerness to get on stage and show everyone what you have put together. You hope and pray that it will be enjoyed. You hear those famous words said by the director, "Enjoy the show!" and you take your place.
What I am trying to say is, the amount of time you put in just for one show is tremendous and can easily be compared to the life of a jock. The only difference is we (thespians) don't practice on a field. The theatre is our dwelling place, our field if you will. We put in just about the same time for one show as the football players do for 4. Next time you think that theatre isn't that hard. You just remember that 2 months of time went in to that show just for your enjoyment.
Will you enjoy the show?
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Follow-Up
Soooo just letting all you readers know that that last post was NOT a suicide note!! I was just upset because I didn't get to say goodbye to my nephews. Just letting you all know :)
Sunday, September 20, 2009
It's So Hard to Say Goodbye
Saying good-bye could potentially be one of the hardest thing anyone has to do in there life. Whether it be a good-bye until tomorrow, three months from now, a year, many years, death? Good-bye is the hardest thing to say.
Uttering those words, thinking thinking those words, can be powerful enough to bring someone to tears. My sister and nephews from Colorado are in town and will be leaving Tuesday. I am already dreading the fact that I may not be able to say good-bye. I have play practice and show choir immediately after school until nine on Monday, and then they leave Tuesday night before I get home from play practice. What I am saying is that not being able to say good-bye can hurt way worse.
Luckily, I have not had to deal with the death of someone I know extremely well and I fear for when it happens because I am sure it will not be easy to overcome. What I fear more, however, is that I will not be able to say good-bye.
So I hope and pray that those I love will read this and know that if I am not able to see them and tell them good-bye, that I am there. I say good-bye to you in hopes that in the distant future I will get to say this again and that this is not the last.
Will you be able to say good-bye when the time comes?
Uttering those words, thinking thinking those words, can be powerful enough to bring someone to tears. My sister and nephews from Colorado are in town and will be leaving Tuesday. I am already dreading the fact that I may not be able to say good-bye. I have play practice and show choir immediately after school until nine on Monday, and then they leave Tuesday night before I get home from play practice. What I am saying is that not being able to say good-bye can hurt way worse.
Luckily, I have not had to deal with the death of someone I know extremely well and I fear for when it happens because I am sure it will not be easy to overcome. What I fear more, however, is that I will not be able to say good-bye.
So I hope and pray that those I love will read this and know that if I am not able to see them and tell them good-bye, that I am there. I say good-bye to you in hopes that in the distant future I will get to say this again and that this is not the last.
Will you be able to say good-bye when the time comes?
Everybody's Doing It...
So I have noticed to main topic of just about everybody's posts...the VMA's. I am going to tell you exactly what I think and I don't care what whoever is reading this thinks. Kanye was right. Yep, I just said that, Kanye was right. What I need to emphasize, however, is that Kanye was definitely not right in his timing.
To win "Best Female Video," your video has to be memorable and one that captures EVERYBODY's attention. If you ever watched Beyonce's video, whether it be online or on MTV or whatever, you did NOT forget it. The sheer simplicity of it caught everyone's eye. Just dancing, SO SIMPLE! But along with that, even if you didn't see the video, if you just did one of the moves, anyone could identify the song in a heartbeat, it was just that popular. What I mean by "captures everyone's attention" is that it doesn't just feed into type of person's liking. Beyonce's "Single Ladies" song did just that. If you are a lady, you loved the message she was conveying about either marry me or get lost type of feel. And if you are a guy, just look at the video, need I say more? Now don't get me wrong, Taylor Swift's "You Belong With Me" was a fantastic video. But when you compare as to what audience this video appeals to, this video is directed to girl teens who are looking for that fantasy guy. That is a small portion of our country.
Kanye West, however, was completely out of line to say (no matter if right or wrong) the things he did on stage at the VMA's. It is just complete B.S. that Kanye would take Taylor's moment to shine. Poor Taylor had to stand up there wondering what the hell as going on and left the stage crying. Kanye should have complemented Beyonce on her video... but at a complete different time (perhaps AFTER the awards?).
The next topic of discussion for the VMA's would be Lady GaGa's performance. For some people (me) Lady GaGa is this fantastic singer and amazing performer. Sure she has an extremely bizarre performing style, but it gets her known! If you watched the VMA's, or even heard about the VMA's, you would know exactly the moment I am talking about, the part where suddenly she is bloody??? At that moment I'm thinking, "What is going on here?!?" But now I realize that I will never forget who she is and I will never forget that performance.
But to others, Lady GaGa flat out SUCKS. I get where people are coming from, but they are just judging her on her appearance/bizarre techniques. You have to have a complete open mind to see the true artist in her. For all I know she actually sang that entire time at the VMA's and to me that creates an amazing artist. It irritates me when celebrities truly do not have a reason to lip sing but still choose to lip sing. I respected Beyonce when she was doing her performance live and just all together stopped singing and let the stereo take over. She didn't move her lips to make it look like she was singing, she just danced and showed us what she was made of.
All in all, despite the little "Kanye moment," I thought that these VMA's were outstanding. Thank you Beyonce for being the true celebrity you are. And thank you Taylor Swift for putting up with Kanye.
Will you let appearance blind true talent?
To win "Best Female Video," your video has to be memorable and one that captures EVERYBODY's attention. If you ever watched Beyonce's video, whether it be online or on MTV or whatever, you did NOT forget it. The sheer simplicity of it caught everyone's eye. Just dancing, SO SIMPLE! But along with that, even if you didn't see the video, if you just did one of the moves, anyone could identify the song in a heartbeat, it was just that popular. What I mean by "captures everyone's attention" is that it doesn't just feed into type of person's liking. Beyonce's "Single Ladies" song did just that. If you are a lady, you loved the message she was conveying about either marry me or get lost type of feel. And if you are a guy, just look at the video, need I say more? Now don't get me wrong, Taylor Swift's "You Belong With Me" was a fantastic video. But when you compare as to what audience this video appeals to, this video is directed to girl teens who are looking for that fantasy guy. That is a small portion of our country.
Kanye West, however, was completely out of line to say (no matter if right or wrong) the things he did on stage at the VMA's. It is just complete B.S. that Kanye would take Taylor's moment to shine. Poor Taylor had to stand up there wondering what the hell as going on and left the stage crying. Kanye should have complemented Beyonce on her video... but at a complete different time (perhaps AFTER the awards?).
The next topic of discussion for the VMA's would be Lady GaGa's performance. For some people (me) Lady GaGa is this fantastic singer and amazing performer. Sure she has an extremely bizarre performing style, but it gets her known! If you watched the VMA's, or even heard about the VMA's, you would know exactly the moment I am talking about, the part where suddenly she is bloody??? At that moment I'm thinking, "What is going on here?!?" But now I realize that I will never forget who she is and I will never forget that performance.
But to others, Lady GaGa flat out SUCKS. I get where people are coming from, but they are just judging her on her appearance/bizarre techniques. You have to have a complete open mind to see the true artist in her. For all I know she actually sang that entire time at the VMA's and to me that creates an amazing artist. It irritates me when celebrities truly do not have a reason to lip sing but still choose to lip sing. I respected Beyonce when she was doing her performance live and just all together stopped singing and let the stereo take over. She didn't move her lips to make it look like she was singing, she just danced and showed us what she was made of.
All in all, despite the little "Kanye moment," I thought that these VMA's were outstanding. Thank you Beyonce for being the true celebrity you are. And thank you Taylor Swift for putting up with Kanye.
Will you let appearance blind true talent?
Thursday, September 17, 2009
The Secret Lives of Teenagers
If you are a teenager, have you ever thought that parents may know more than you think? And if you are a parent, have you ever thought about what your teen might not be telling you? This is a serious question in today's world. Today's teenagers are becoming more and more sexually active and experimental with illegal substances (i.e. marijuana, alcohol, etc.). This poses a problem for the parents, because what they know about their teen may not be the truth.
Parents nowadays are setting looser reigns on their teens, allowing them to stay out later, nonexistent curfews. This "lack of boundaries" gives the teenager the ability so essentially do whatever they want. Teenagers tend to choose the more "pushing the limits" types of things. Which refers back to the illegal stuff and the sex. Parents put on the appearance that they are oblivious to these actions, when really I think they are afraid to admit what their teenager is doing.
That leads into a whole other subject for discussion. I have had talks with many parents that did crazy things when they were teens. For sake of making this easier to follow, we'll call the person in this certain incident Mrs. G. Mrs. G was a somewhat rebellious teenager. "I had fun in high school..." she told me. Some of her experiences include the whole experimental drinking and your "run of the mill" (that was a complete understatement) scavenger hunts. But when I asked her what she would do if her daughter called her and was completely wasted, she replied, "Well, I don't really know." My first thought was well, if our parents could do all this stuff when they were teens, what's wrong with it now?
However, I am not saying teenagers should do any of the stuff mentioned above, I am just wondering, whats wrong with it? I can honestly say that I have never done anything of the items listed above and I don't plan to. Simply because I know that my parents' reactions would not be good. I be out of show choir, out of everything I love. So I do not even try to push the limit.
For those teenagers that have all ready done those sorts of things. I do not judge you for such activities. Curiosity is built into our systems. Teenagers are expected to bend and brake rules. Trying new things is the "norm."
Will you give in to the norm?
P.S. Mrs. G, I am sorry for revealing a few of your stories. Luckily not in depth :)
Parents nowadays are setting looser reigns on their teens, allowing them to stay out later, nonexistent curfews. This "lack of boundaries" gives the teenager the ability so essentially do whatever they want. Teenagers tend to choose the more "pushing the limits" types of things. Which refers back to the illegal stuff and the sex. Parents put on the appearance that they are oblivious to these actions, when really I think they are afraid to admit what their teenager is doing.
That leads into a whole other subject for discussion. I have had talks with many parents that did crazy things when they were teens. For sake of making this easier to follow, we'll call the person in this certain incident Mrs. G. Mrs. G was a somewhat rebellious teenager. "I had fun in high school..." she told me. Some of her experiences include the whole experimental drinking and your "run of the mill" (that was a complete understatement) scavenger hunts. But when I asked her what she would do if her daughter called her and was completely wasted, she replied, "Well, I don't really know." My first thought was well, if our parents could do all this stuff when they were teens, what's wrong with it now?
However, I am not saying teenagers should do any of the stuff mentioned above, I am just wondering, whats wrong with it? I can honestly say that I have never done anything of the items listed above and I don't plan to. Simply because I know that my parents' reactions would not be good. I be out of show choir, out of everything I love. So I do not even try to push the limit.
For those teenagers that have all ready done those sorts of things. I do not judge you for such activities. Curiosity is built into our systems. Teenagers are expected to bend and brake rules. Trying new things is the "norm."
Will you give in to the norm?
P.S. Mrs. G, I am sorry for revealing a few of your stories. Luckily not in depth :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)