Media and the Pioneers

I have to write a paper for my Pioneers and the Persecution class. For this paper I must talk about what it was like to live as a saint from 1847-1891. I am choosing a story about a girl named Susanna Stone. She traveled from England on her own, and joined the church. She crossed the plains with the willie handcart company and endured more than I can imagine. So much so her friends did not recognize her when she finally arrived in Salt Lake City.
Now, to relate this to Media. This story, little that I know, is starting to change my life. Thank heavens for media and so I can be able to learn about this miraculous woman.

I Finally Like Joni Mitchell

My mom once told me about her most perfect date in college.
He had deep AND dark blue eyes (both deep and dark is a good sign) and was the epitome of tall, dark and handsome. His name was classy, and my mom was perfectly hippy-ish and hot. The perfect mix. She said they went from activity after activity and it just kept getting better.
It ended with the two of them sitting in his car, listening to Joni Mitchell and eating apples. She said they stayed up talking until 2 or 3am. They "may" have even kissed.

I have always hated Joni Mitchell. I used to take my moms albums of hers and hide them. I still remember fearing that grey cover of the CD with her freckled face and straight hair staring at me.
It wasn't until I heard this "Perfect Date" story and I decided I loved Joni. My mother was laughing, and giggling and smiling, and blinking, and sighing during her whole rendition of a past memory that it turned me onto Joni Mitchell like I couldn't believe. This precious moment of my mom's past life was beautiful to hear and now.. I am a sworn Joni FAN! Now, here is my Social media plug in: Listening to JM, I have felt compelled to write on my moms facebook wall for everyone to see and make her smile with my coy comment about Joni Mitchell and Apples.

ps... this dark stranger is not my dad.

Any Roswell Lovers Out There?

Can I get three "Woot Woots" for R O S W E L L???

If not. Get off my blog.

Jk. You can stay.

But I just wanted everyone to know that Michael (from Roswell) is in a movie.. wait for it... a LIFETIME CHRISTMAS movie.. on netflix. My Christmas just got exponentially better and it was as cheesy and amazing as I hoped it would be. Look it up.

A Christmas Kiss.

It has it all. The horrific script.. an actress that looks almost identical to a famous actress.. (in this movie's case, Kate Hudson) a painful "falling in love" collage and almost no real life consequences for the terrible choices they make. Oh wait... BONUS... amazing rip off holiday music. Its a must see. Media am I riiiiiight?

#theend.

Can we step away from media for a second?

Can we step away from media for a second? Can we really?... (*long contemplative pause*) This weekend I plan on leaving and going camping with my hot hubby and I want a media break. But.... I want to take pictures.. So I will need a camera..

I also want to be safe.. and things can happen while camping.. so we will need a phone..

I also want to read my scriptures at night before we go to sleep.. which now includes bringing a book. Three forms of media are now on my non-media trip. 

So can I ever really go off media? Realistically? Probably not. So I am going to start calling this media break I constantly want.. LIFE EXTRAVAGANZA!!! It sounds more fun and to me it means that I will go out in nature, be with people, live life and still have a little bit of media. Since its inevitable. 

Theres my rant today. 

Lets talk video games.

Lets talk video games because I am playing the Mr. Craig Anderson tomorrow and I want to tell everyone a little about my (his) studies!

I, Craig, did a sweet meta-analysis on video games and aggression. What a fascinating find I found. (I hope you stumble upon this matty(husband))
Lets start out with the fact that Video Game exposure was positively associated with
1. aggressive behavior
2. aggressive cognition (aggressive thoughts)
3. aggressive affect (aggressive mood)

All three of these results were reliably found in experimental studies.... cross sectional.. and dun dun dun.... longitudinal. BAM watch out little boys playing M games..

Video game exposure was ..(here come 3 even worse effects of VG's)... positively correlated with:
1. Desensitization
2. Lack of Empathy
3. Lack of Prosocial Behavior

BAM!!!.... what now. I'll get back to this later...

I am learning HTML and loving it! It's a section of the world of media I have always wanted to learn. Here is an awesome site with a beginning explanation to coding in html:

http://www.dontfeartheinternet.com/


Go for it.. if you dare....

Bridal Showers

Using media for bridal showers... Life saver.
Pinterest is saving me and also gonna get me major friend points with the amazing ideas on there. Throwing two parties for my friends in the next two weeks, I seriously could not be more grateful.
Music is the easy part.. decorations.. just copy a picture.
One aspect that media is failing me on is that game where you ask the fiance a butt load of questions. I want fun interesting questions and the lists posted online are LAME. If anyone has any ideas.. let me know.
I have so far...

Questions for the Mr. 

• What is your signature dance move
• What is your favorite moment you have had with (blank)

See... I need help!

Visiting Teaching

I decided to post about Visiting Teaching.. like the good little mormon I am.
I feel way too spoiled to have the media in my life in regards to visiting teaching. For example, I just got 2 new sisters to visit and today I find out from ...facebook... it is one of my sisters birthdays. That is just embarrassing. Because of facebook I wrapped up a bunch of english taffy with an old fashioned bow for my friend. I should have known this information from meeting and getting to know her, rather than social media. I am grateful for the knowledge.. or else I would have been a real failure. But in a sense I still am a failure for letting that be where I get my information.

Peace and blessins

Gilmore Girls again

In one of my classes today, we discussed parenting. We spent a majority of the time talking general terms, but at some points examples given and definitions gave me a greater insight into a side of parenting I've not thought much about. For example, the level of autonomy you grant your child and how to grant it. In the media I feel as though parents are not portrayed very well in their levels of autonomy given to their "TV kids." But as we discussed autonomy I began thinking about Lorelei Gilmore from the show Gilmore Girls. She gives her daughter a fine amount of autonomy, I hadn't really thought about it until her daughter becomes interested in a boy that is up to no good and it reminds Lorelei of her past relationship. If you have never watched Gilmore Girls, She dated and fell in love in high school and ends up pregnant at 16. The show is highly based around this for most of the first few seasons and more. An aspect of parents hesitation in granting autonomy stems from not wanting your child to fail. This aspect shows through as Lorelei begins fighting with her daughter about this new crush and putting up new restrictions because Lorelei can see where her daughter might fail. Though, I would also be afraid of letting my daughter date this more edgy guy, it comes to a point where the daughter does more behind her mothers back. The mother then accepts her daughters wishes more while still keeping boundaries. I felt as though these episodes portray a healthy relationship of granting autonomy in the media and enjoyed making that connection today..
Lorelei is awesome.

CAN I GET AN AMEN SISTAAHHHHH from my millions of readers......

Fear in Media

What a coincidence that the night before my classes lecture on "Fear in the Media," my husband made me watch a slightly scary, more disturbing film that gave me quite a negative reaction. After watching this movie, that ends where evil wins I might add, I was disgusted and spent the night thinking about what kind of spirit was brought into my home from that film.
After our discussion on fear and its effects on children and even lasting into adulthood, I feel even stronger about really monitoring what plays in my home. If I truly want my home to be like a temple, these scary things do not need to be in it.
Now this does not mean I am cutting ALL scary movies or stories or anything out of my house... but I am simply making a goal to try to be more aware and prayerful about it.

Romantics anonymous

Speaking of media.... Here is my latest media class's assignment. I watched 2 season of Gilmore Girls and got 0 hours of sleep for 4 days because of this project.

The prompt was: I had a dream..... Here is my psycho dream of two emotif adults.

Video Games

An interview with a friend on her plans for video game use in her home.

Did you grow up with with video games?

No.

Why not?
Parents felt them a waste of time.

do you plan on having any type of video game in your home.
Wii console, but only for the dancing games for my kids.

What are your thoughts on violent video games and why?
I hate them (haha) because they are an unintelligent way of spending your time, and it degrades the violent feeling that should only be felt in a violent situation.

How do you feel about the fact that laparosopic surgeons were tested and those who grew up playing video games were 30% more accurate in their procedures and had 30% fewer mistakes?

Very interesting... Never heard that before...



Hahah a silly interview with a friend.

My Favorite Book

"The Sorrows of a Young Werther"

This is my favorite book.

I have never read the end of this book..

Until last week.
I was ready to quit school from overload of homework so I decided to finally read the last pages of this tragedy.

it was a good idea.. sometimes it was.. then sometimes its not. I knew it would be sad but I didn't want the ending to ruin the beauty and magic that is in the words throughout the beginning of the book. I haven't read any passages from this section since I read the end, and I am not ready to. So, until I do I will let you know if the ending ruined the my favorite book. Meanwhile, I WILL break the rules and quote one of my favorite lines: "I go my way in the world wearing the smile of a dreamer."

More lyrics.....

My folks they left the TV on
I was falling in love years before I ever met someone
Like a prayer you don't expect an answer
Though you ask for one

And sure my love would come along
Like some little bird and only I would recognize its' home
Like the actors I see on the television
With the stage lights on

What I found was a gamble
You threw yourself in with me
Made a cross and you lit a candle

But we were only strangers calling in a dark room
Rejecting stars or cozy lives on the wall
In the dark I thought I saw you
Or was it nothing at all

Every one I ever knew
I'm giving it all to you
I'm asking everything in return
And I have nothing left to lose
I'll get it back through you
And take your offer



Thoughts?

The Smiths

On Sunday we drove through the mountains in a borrowed red convertible and on the way home right as the sun was dying, we kept the roof down and bundled in blankets and blasted music all the way home. These lyrics came to mind.. 

Take me out tonight
Where there's music and there's people
Who are young and alive
Driving in your car
I never never want to go home
Because I haven't got one anymore

Take me out tonight
Because I want to see people
And I want to see life
Driving in your car
Oh please don't drop me home
Because it's not my home, it's their home
And I'm welcome no more

And if a double-decker bus
Crashes in to us
To die by your side
Is such a heavenly way to die
And if a ten ton truck
Kills the both of us
To die by your side
Well the pleasure, the privilege is mine

Rambles

School this semester includes two classes about media. One, the class which forces me to write on a blog which I truly struggle with, is all about the effects of media. The other, forces me to be a master at it. Both have media on their scholastic title but are so so so entirely different. It's blowing my mind what I am learning in both classes and I am the thouroughly happier because of them. Does this mean I am happier with media? Who knows. Meanwhile, I will continue to play the theme from Sabrina, by John Williams. Any one play the violin and can accompany me??

Have I Done Any Good?

My brother is the KING of good music. He finds it, shares it and dominates it. He is on a mission now and the lack of good music is really taking its toll. Though he is the master of good alternative music, my favorite song he showed me was the song above. It is my favorite song he showed me because of how he acted after he listened to it. It was such a beautiful change.



If lyrics really do effect us more than beat, then we should be listening to this song everyday.

Jilly Bean

Just recently my childhood best friend passed away. She was twenty years old and I hadn't spoken to her for 9 years. I thought about her often. While growing up I would imagine reconnecting with her and most the of the day dreams were finding her on facebook.. or at one time.. myspace. (How embarrassing.) Well, for some weird reason, I was always too scared. I was always scared?? Why? I have a horribly hard time talking about how I feel about this. Many nights of crying with my husband in confusion can attest. So I just wanted to just say that social media can be useful. We can keep in touch with friends from our past and I encourage us all to do it. Yes, phone calls and visits are better but sometimes this is not attainable. So don't hesitate to get back in touch with friends. Use media to do it. Why not?

Silly interview with my niece and how she feels about Media.

Interview with my Niece: 

What is your favorite show?
Sabrina the Teenage Witch. 

Why?
Because they are witches! I like the love story between Sabrina and Harvey. 

Do you like action shows?
No. 

Why not?
Because the power rangers have weird voices.

I like watching Sabrina the Teenage witch with my brother more because after he watches power rangers he acts crazy. 

What is your favorite song?
Roar-Katy Perry

Do you like watching TV or reading books more?

Watching TV!

Does reading books make you feel like you are doing homework?
Yes. Cause it is homework for me. 

Does that mean reading scriptures feels like homework?
Yes! its like my moms doing homework!!

Do you like the song Boom Clap?

YESSSSS!!!!!!! 

What is your favorite movie to watch with your family?
I came up with one! I hate it!!!! Never-Ending Story. Its so scary because of the dog monster thingy!

But my favorite movie to watch is "Ella Enchanted." 

Why is Ella Enchanted your favorite?
Because of the talking book! He's funny. 

Over all do you like media?
Yes and no. 

Pinterest

Today I learned to help with my stress, I need to go off dairy and wheat products. I have done this before but it will be 10x harder now that I am in school and no longer on my parents dollar....
Speaking with Cailey, my sister, she told me about a podcast of a world renowned neurologist who has been studying the effects of carbs, wheat and sugars on the brain. He has found that it causes swelling in the brain and increases stress. He also is taking a claim, unproven of course, that this is a strong correlation in an individual having Alzheimer's disease. Besides this we did some testing and found that is what I need to stay away from. This brings me to media.. I am SO beyond grateful for pinterest. Thousands of recipes at the touch of a button that I can start making and enjoying tonight! I have already started a new board and cannot wait to go grocery shopping for these items. Wish me luck!

Are Hymns media?

Are Hymns media? 

During stake conference today, we sang a hymn that is just filled with small phrases that are a plead to our Heavenly Father. Each line spoke to me on this particular day, and today I am choosing to spend time reading this hymn for my media use. 

1. More holiness give me,
   More strivings within,
   More patience in suff'ring,
   More sorrow for sin,
   More faith in my Savior,
   More sense of his care,
   More joy in his service,
   More purpose in prayer.
2. 2. More gratitude give me,
   More trust in the Lord,
   More pride in his glory,
   More hope in his word,
   More tears for his sorrows,
   More pain at his grief,
   More meekness in trial,
   More praise for relief.
3. 3. More purity give me,
   More strength to o'ercome,
   More freedom from earth-stains,
   More longing for home.
   More fit for the kingdom,
   More used would I be,
   More blessed and holy--
   More, Savior, like thee.

OTH

One Tree Hill. One of the greatest thought up shows ever. I first watched this show when I was in high school. Changed my life. Sure, there are some pretty corny lines, and a LOT of dentist music. I mean A LOT. But every season is built after another to portray wonderful values relating to this time. Take Payton for example. She is a verging on gothic teenager with a tragic life who hides herself by being a cheerleader. She has a webcam in her bedroom that she never turns off. When I was younger and watched this show I thought about how I liked her so much but I shouldn't because the whole first season is displaying how having a webcam is cool. How it is cool to show the world what you are doing at all times. Many sexual jokes are made about this webcam and I felt uncomfortable. Well... SPOILER ALERT: this may ruin the show for any who start from the beginning! Payton ends up having a half-brother, who turns into a stalker, who then kidnaps her and torments her for months. Its intense. One of the craziest episodes I've ever seen on television. It's amazing. It is season after season that builds to this one event to teach kids how dangerous a webcam really can be. And this is not the only moral they teach in this show. There are hundreds.
As I restarted the series this last week, I am watching it with a different mind. Being in the Family Life major, I find myself analyzing the parents and their relationships with their teenagers. Karen Roe, is a single mother of a main character, Lucas Scott. In a recent episode in season 1, Karen is explaining a game she plays with her son to the local basketball coach called, "What would you do?"
It is a game where she would ask him questions such as, "If the house caught on fire... what would you do?" etc. I love this game. I have heard of other parents playing a similar game with their children in preparation for the day that they are old enough to make decisions about drinking, drugs and sex. It has been part of my plans to incorporate that game into my daily conversations with my kids. All in all, One Tree Hill is an amazing show. And that is all I have to say.