Fifty Shades of Never

With "Fifty Shades of Grey" being released this weekend, I have been racking my brain on what else I can do to boycott this trash.  I recently read a blog post written by @whoasusannah entitled "50 Shades of Nope," and was kind of inspired on what I could do.  Here is the link to the blog post if you want Susannah's insights: http://hahasforhoohas.com/stories/50-things-id-rather-do-see-50-shades-grey.

I am not a popular blogger by any means, but I do find enjoyment in blogging - especially when it comes to media.  And though I have not read "Fifty Shades of Grey," I do know that it is the definition of garbage.

Garbage [gahr-bij], n.

--Anything that is contemptibly worthless, inferior, or vile

--Something that is worthless, unimportant, or of poor quality.

(dictionary.com; Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

What I don't understand is why so many people are fawning over this pornographic trash.  As Susannah put it...

"My social media news feeds are crowded with comments from gushing housewives who can't wait to shove malt balls into their mouths while observing some douche bag nugget named Christian Grey tie up a young idiot and do things to her that probably deem an ER visit, Clorox bath, and emotional counseling."

Why are we supporting a such media?  Media that supports misogyny, abuse, BDSM, and erotic "romance."  Just so you all know, this book is the very definition of PORNOGRAPHY.

Anyway, I will stop my rants about this horrid sack of trash, and get to the point.  Here are 50 things I would rather do than ever watch - or read - this distasteful excuse of a love story.

1. Shave my head.
2. Re-read "The Hunger Games" (and anyone who knows me knows I loathe this series).
3. Lick the bathroom tiles at work.
4. Watch a Teletubbies marathon.
5. Camp in a small hole, only to have it cave in, and then have to eat dirt for the rest of my life.
6. Listen to the Jaws theme song on repeat for a month.
7. Replace my Kleenex with tin foil.
8. Bathe in my own urine.
9. Learn how to fold my queen-sized fitted sheet (or any fitted sheet for that matter).
10. Join Instagram (believe it or not, I have not jumped on this bandwagon - YET).
11. Wax my eyebrows off.
12. Ask Justin Beiber for dating advice.
13. Cut holes in my shirts to look like Regina George.
14. Wash my face with foot creme.
15. Eat nothing but onions for a week.
16. Watch Fashion Police with Kathy Lee Gifford.
17. Wipe my butt with my bare hands.
18. Get the flu vaccination.
19. Let my four (soon to be five) nieces do my makeup for an entire year.
20. Brush my teeth with pickle juice and then drink a gallon of orange juice.
21. Carry a boombox around blasting Meghan Trainor's "All About That Bass."
22. Pull out my eyelashes slowly, and only using a Hot Tweezer Kit.
23. Never eat another homemade chocolate chip cookie.
24. Dress up like Wonder Woman and go trick-or-treating.
25. Sit and watch a video about Gold Mine of Black Heads on Nose.
26. Eat 50 packets of Taco Bell hot sauce in one sitting.
27. Sing Christmas songs year-round.
28. Never be allowed to take another Benadryl or Zyrtec.
29. Walk barefoot on lava rocks.
30. Have Kanye West shoot me down at a public event like the Grammy's.
31. Be stuck using a computer from the 1800's.
32. Down an entire bottle of Fiber pills in one day.
33. Stick my finger down my throat, dry heave, and have my face in the toilet for an entire week.
34. Listen to someone rehearse every single Chuck Norris joke.
35. Have someone follow me around clinking coconuts together (like in "Monty Python and the Holy Grail").
36. Retake statistics and research methods at the same time.
37. Take a class using only common core math.
38. Vote democrat.
39. Take the GRE, twice!
40. Speak only using #hashtags.
41. Listen to Gary Busey give a motivational speech.
42. Wear a winter coat in the dead of summer.  In Arizona. No, in Africa.
43. Find a python in my toilet, suck it out with a plunger, and keep it as a pet (Snake in CA Seeks Water).
44. Ride the worst wooden roller coaster in the world.
45. Run for President of the United States of America.
46. Wear an inflatable sumo costume to a job interview.  Even a funeral.
47. Adopt a stray cat.
48. Give birth to twins without any medication.
49. Re-watch the Seattle Seahawks devastating loss in Superbowl XLIX.
50. Come up with 50 MORE things I would rather do than support this type of media.

We have been counseled to avoid entertainment "that uses immodest or indecent images to stimulate sexual feelings," (New Era, October 2002).  This would include music, movies, books, etc.  President Gordon B. Hinckley said this about pornography:

"You must no indulge in sleazy talk at school.  You must not tell sultry jokes.  You must not fool around with the Internet to find pornographic material...  You must not rent videos with pornography of any kind.  This salacious stuff simply is not for you.  Stay away from pornography as you would avoid a serious disease.  It is as destructive.  It can become habitual, and those who indulge in it get so that cannot leave it alone.  It is addictive.

"They (producers of pornography) make it as...attractive as they know how.  It seduces and destroys its victims.  It is everywhere.  It is all about us.  I plead with you...not to get involved in its use. You simply cannot afford to."

(Ensign, May 1998, 49)

I just want to close with one more quite; this one comes from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland.  In his talk entitled "Place No More for the Enemy of My Soul" (April, 2010), Elder Holland compared pornography to lust.  He explained that lust is the opposite of love and that lust "is anything but godly and celebrates self-indulgence.  Love comes with open hands and open heart; lust comes only with only an open appetite, (Holland, 2010).  Lust and pornography are "characterized by shame and stealth" and both are "pathologically clandestine," (Holland, 2010).

With these descriptions in mind, I want to challenge all to stand up against pornography, like that presented in the book, movie, and music of "Fifty Shades of Grey."  If we can boycott and remove movies from theaters like "American Sniper" and "The Dictator," why not "Fifty Shades of Grey?"  Below is a petition you can sign, helping to fight against this evil.  Please put your name on it if you believe, like I do, that this garbage should not be presented in theaters.  Also, what would your "Fifty Shades of 'NO' or NEVER'" include?

Boycott Fifty Shades of Grey

Super Bowl Lip Sync Battle

This video pretty much speaks for itself.  I love +Jimmy Fallon so much, and this is one of the best #LipSyncBattles yet.  It also helps that #WillFerrell is wearing a Seattle Seahawks sweatshirt; that, my friends, is not a fair-weather fan!  If nothing else, this video will make you forget about the unfortunate ending to Super Bowl 49..  Will Ferrell makes me so proud - #GoHawks!  Enjoy!

Mountains to Climb

So...  It has been some time since I have posted, but with the holidays and traveling, school and work, I feel like I haven't had any time.  I'll do better, I promise.

Yesterday I was in one of my SFL classes, and Dr. Coyne shared a video at the end of class.  We were discussing emotional regulation (how we handle our emotions and react in situations).  Before you watch the video (posted below), I want you to think of a time in which you were struggling; when life was hard; when you thought you couldn't go on.  How did you handle it?  What resources did you use to help you get through?  What was the outcome?  Ponder that for a minute.

Now, watch this Mormon Message.  I'll explain more after.  PS: you may want to have tissues handy.

You don't have to share your experience here or to anyone, but how did this video make you feel?  Could you relate to any of these situations?  Do you ever feel like you are climbing a mountain?  OR that that mountain never ends?!  Let me share one of my experiences (I'll make it short, I promise).

In 2012, I married the boy I had been dating since high school.  We were married for four months before we separated.  Three months later, our annulment was finalized.  I was 22, alone at school, and didn't have much hope fore the future.

This isn't a story I talk about or share often, but when I watched this video yesterday, I felt the emotion of the stories and people represented.  I reflected on that struggle I had almost three years ago; not only that, I reflected on what I learned from it, how I reacted, and how I moved forward.

We each have our own trails and challenges in life, and each one of those experiences teaches us something new.  What I learned in 2012 was that I am not alone.  I was sad, heartbroken, and hopeless for quite some time.  But as I attended the temple, fulfilled my callings, went to counseling, and moved on with my life, I drew closer to my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  I came to know that blessings would come, as long as I kept on the straight and narrow path.

My faith was strengthened in ways I never thought possible.  Faith in the future.  Faith in myself.  Faith in my Heavenly Father.  Faith that love would come again.  Faith that all would be well.  Acting on the "twig of faith" I had allowed me to grow it into something strong and beautiful.

No, curing does not come right away (even though we want it to, and may try to force it at times).  The Lord will not forsake us - that is a PROMISE!  I have a testimony that as we serve God and others "with full heart and soul" that we can gain "unbreakable spiritual strength" to helps us through the winds and storms of life.  There is a "balm in Gilead."

The whole point in Dr. Coyne sharing this video with us was this: we go through so many emotions in life - how do we handle them, and how do we use them to become better?  Dr. Coyne focused on the last words that were shared in that video, and I want to as well.

"We never need to FEEL that we are alone or unloved in the Lord's service because we never are.  We can FEEL the love of God.  The Savior has promised angels on our left and our right to bear us up.  And He always keeps His word.  His love is unfailing."

I testify that life goes on, and that it does get better.  In May 2014, I was sealed for time and all eternity to my best friend.  He is a blessing I cannot thank m Heavenly Father for enough.  He was an answer to many prayers.

Heavenly Father knows us.  He knows what we need and when we need it.  If we say our prayers, fulfill our calling, and move forward with faith - no matter how large or small it may be - HE WILL BLESS US!  I know that to be true.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Sources:

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/mountains-to-climb?lang=eng

Because who is perfect?

I ran across a video today, with a simple headline of "Everyone around her stopped to stare."  Obviously my curiosity was perked, so I took a look at it.
You'll be surprised at what I saw...

I was speechless, and tears filled my eyes..

Here is a short explanation about this project:
Pro Infirmis came us with a brilliant idea to provoke reflection on the acceptance of people with disabilities.  Between the perfect mannequins, they added figures with scoliosis, brittle bone disease, shortened limbs, one even has a malformed spine.  They're all modeling the latest fashions.  The model' reactions the the project and the responses from passers-by are very touching.

What are your thoughts?  How did this video make you feel?  Were you surprised by some of the reactions?  Have you ever thought about this?

This video was super touching.  I hope this helps you reflect on how we look at and view people.  We cannot judge one another, as we do not know circumstances of those around us.  We each have been given our own trials in life, and we need to learn to love and support one another.  Let's #ShareGoodness, especially at this time of year.

Because who is perfect?

Dubsteppin' Dads (a must see!)

To help us all get in the Christmas spirit, I wanted to share this super sweet video that I cam across the other day.  Who would've thought that these dads would be such crazy awesome dancers?  Plus, they have the best looking ugly sweaters that I have ever seen.  Enjoy this gem!  oh, and Merry Christmas of course.

If you would like to read the article that goes with this video, here is the link for you: http://www.ijreview.com/2014/12/210742-dads-put-cool-christmas-dubstep-dance-performance/?

TIME: Top 10 Worst Songs of 2014

My husband sent me a link to an article in TIME magazine (I love that he shares media related things in an effort to help my blogging).  Anyway, I just wanted to share with you their top 10 worst songs of the year.

10. "L.A. Love (La La)," Fergie
9. "Brooklyn Girls," Catey Shaw
8. "Black Widow," Iggy Azalea feat. Rita Ora
7. "Summer," Calvin Harris
6. "Wiggle," Jason Derulo feat. Snoop Dogg
5. "All About That Bass," Meghan Trainor
4. "Sun Daze," Florida Georgia Line
3. "Masterpiece," Jessie J
2. "Literally, I Can't," Redfoo, Lil Jon, Enertia McFly
1. "Rude," Magic!

So... what are your thoughts on these songs?  As an advocate for positive music, I also ask this: have you checked out the lyrics?  I understand that the beats can be kind of catchy and get stuck in your head, but what are these songs actually promoting?

I would love to do a research project based in music and lyrics.  I think that was one of the most interesting things I experienced doing our Glee research - the power and influence of music, and not just the beat.  Lyrics.  Emotions.  Dancing.  Actions.  Beat.  Tempo.  Behavior.  As you can see (and probably know already) music is a multi-faceted medium that needs a serious intervention.  But let's be honest, as an active consumer of the media, music is not fooling me!  I hope it isn't fooling you...

Originally I wanted to provide examples of some of the lyrics pf the aforementioned songs, but there are too many!  Plus, I am challenging you to a music intervention of your own.

What would be on your top 10 worst songs of 2014 list?  Would you add anything to TIME's list?  What about your best songs?  Take some time and think about it, I think you will be surprised with the effects music has on you.

Here is think link for the article if you are interested in checking it out for yourself.  Or maybe you want to look at one of the other "top 10" lists they published.  Top 10 Worst Songs

ABC's of Thanksgiving

This has kind of become a tradition of mine.  Every Thanksgiving, I like to sit down and use the American Alphabet to assist me in finding things I am grateful for.  This is just another way for me to take some time to really be thankful for what I have.  Enjoy!

A - Apryl, Austin, Amric, Anona, Anona, apples, air, Apple, arms, ankles, art
B - Bob, Brett, balloons, bathrooms, babies, Book of Mormon, Bishops, BLOGS
C - Cici, Charlotte, cars, cleanliness, Constitution, clocks, choir, Church, chocolate, Cafe Rio
D - dad (daddy), Doug Baldwin, dogs, Diet Coke, Dr. Pepper, dairy, dog shows, dictionary
E - Evelyn, everything, Easter, eggs, earth, ears, eyebrows, elders, EFY, Ensign Peak, eternity
F - fire, firearms, food, faces, fish, feathers, FAMILY, food, fall (autumn), fingers, fro yo, friends
G - Gage, Grandma, Grandpa, glue, grass, glitter, guns, gazing, girls, guys, games, gratitude
H - Hailey, hair, home, hangers, hearing, hips, hearts, hugs, hands, heat, Hawaii, holidays, Hogle Zoo
I - in-laws, iPhone, iPad, ice (for my beverages), internet, ice cream
J - Jesus Christ, Jeannine, Jesse, Jell-o, jumping jacks, jugglers, junk food, juice, job
K - Kyle, kites, Krispy Kreme, Klondike Bars, Kit-Kat, kangaroos
L - Lucas, lunch, lungs, Lynch (Marshawn), laparoscopic surgery, leather, love
M - mother (mom/momma), Melanie, Mac, music, money, missionaries, mountains, military, minions
N - Nicole, napping, nickels, Nike, nursery, nick nacks, ninjas, Northwest
O - Ord, oxygen, openness, Omni, ovens, oranges, orange (the color), Orcas Island, ocean, others
P - parents, Pax, prayer, phones, planes, parades, popsicles, Pepsi, primary, Portland, pie, polar bears
Q - quilting, quests, quiet, quilts, Questar, quotes, questions, quirks
R - Robbie, Russell Wilson, Richard Sherman, rings, rights
S - Shawn, Sean, Samantha, Scott, Seattle Seahawks, scriptures, seminary, socks, sweats, slinky
T - Thanksgiving, television, tasty bevs, thesaurus, toes, temples (and temple marriage), tokens, TRADITION
U - United States of America, umbrellas, Utah, unity, umpires
V - Vaughn, vaults, vacations, volume, visits (not visitors)
W - Winston, water, work, Washington, washer (and dryer), walking (and walkers), wings, wishes
X - Xerox, x-ray, x-chromosomes, x-ray fish
Y - y-chromosomes, youth, yams (ick), yourself (and myself..?)
Z - zebra, zoos, zero

Gratitude Challenge

My husband sent me an email this morning with a link to the December 2011 Ensign.  There was an article written by two of my dear co-workers and friends, John Hilton III and Anthony Sweat.  Their article was entitled "Take a Gratitude Challenge."  I thought it was the perfect blog/message for this week, as Thanksgiving is quickly approaching.  I am challenging all who read this to take the challenge.  Write a blog, a journal entry, or a Facebook post about 100 of the things you are grateful for, and then share it!  Here is the link for the article:  Take a Gratitude Challenge!!!  Now go check it out, and take the challenge!!!  This is a great way to prepare (or spend) your Thanksgiving holiday.

10 physical abilities I am grateful for:

1. Walking/running

2. Talking

3. Vision

4. Hearing/listening

5. Agility/flexibility

6. Waving

7. The bend and snap

8. Writing/typing

9. Jumping

10. Hugging/kissing

10 material possessions I am grateful for:

1. Bed

2. Car

3. Kitchen

4. Washer and dryer

5. Clothes (and lots of them)

6. Shoes (especially BOOTS)

7. Smartphone

8. Pictures

9. Laptop

10. My wedding ring

10 living people I am grateful for:

1. Shawn Fielding

2. Richard and Kelly Sobczak

3. Apryl and Sean Larkin (and kids)

4. Austin and Anona Sobczak (and kids)

5. Amric Sobczak

6. My in-laws

7. Machew and Olaf and their families!

8. President Thomas S. Monson

9. Can I say FAMILY in general?? (you know who you are!)

10. John Reim

10 deceased people I am grateful for:

1. Jesus Christ (although, He is resurrected...)

2. Iris McCoy

3. Judy Ann

4. Bill Goeres

5. Joseph Smith

6. President Gordon B. Hinckley

7. Paul Walker

8. George Washington (and all of our forefathers)

9. Tim and Tom McCoy

10. My grandfathers (Poppa and Grandpa Sobczak)

10 things about nature I am grateful for:

1. Fresh air

2. Mountains

3. Trees

4. Rain

5. Flowers

6. Grass

7. Animals

8. Rocks and Seashells

9. Water

10. Fog and Clouds

10 things about TODAY I am grateful for:

1. To be alive

2. My job

3. My eternal marriage

4. School/education

5. To (almost) be a graduate of BYU

6. Seminary

7. The Gospel and my testimony

8. Prayer and scriptures

9. Modern medicine and doctors

10. The Constitution

10 places on earth I am grateful for:

1. The Temple(s)

2. Hogle Zoo

3. Orcas Island

4. Hawaii

5. BYU (go cougs!)

6. Zion National Park

7. My home

8. Bathrooms

9. The Bell Tower (at BYU)

10. Ensign Peak

10 modern inventions I am grateful for:

1. Cell phones

2. Computers

3. Internet

4. FaceTime

5. Bluetooth

6. Television/Movies

7. Streaming (NetFlix, Hulu+, Amazon Prime, Spotify)

8. Online shopping

9. Email

10. Social Media!!!

10 foods I am grateful for:

1. Ice Cream

2. Macaroni and Cheese

3. Mexican (all of it!)

4. Turkey (in honor of Thanksgiving!)

5. Pie (again, in honor of Thanksgiving)

6. French fries

7. Cheeseburgers

8. Toast (especially with cinnamon sugar!)

9. Cheese

10. BACON!!!

10 things about the gospel that I am grateful for:

1. The Book of Mormon

2. My Patriarchal Blessing

3. Eternal families

4. Church (and all the leaders)

5. My calling

6. The sacrament

7. The Plan of Salvation

8. Priesthood

9. The General Authorities and the Prophet

10. The Family: A Proclamation to the World

"When we make a list like this, we discover that a list of 100 doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of all the things God has given us."

How true that is!  I hope you enjoyed learning about me a little bit, and that you take the Gratitude Challenge.  Take some time to show, reflect, and express your gratitude today.  I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving!

do YOU like YOU?

We are all too aware of the role media has in one's body image and confidence.  Often times, the media can overwhelm us and make us believe we need to be someone we are not.  I have struggled with this myself, and I think we may all have to some degree.  There are so many things I wish were different:

• More of us, women especially, had more confidence in ourselves
• That we didn't compare ourselves to others
• Be comfortable in our own skin - no makeup, sweats, you know!
• Not trying so hard
• That the media wasn't so influential on how we view ourselves

How do we combat this?  I have been trying to figure that out myself recently.  The best example I have to help combat this evil comes from a song.  Currently, my favorite song is "Try" by Colbie Caillat.  Unlike "All About That Bass" by Meghan Trainor, "Try" has a positive take on being who you are.  Just because you are skinny doesn't mean you are a "skinny b***h" and you don't need to have a lot of "boom boom" to have all the boys chase you and to keep men happy all night long.

Colbie's song is so inspirational!  Her lyrics (and video) motive us to be comfortable with who we are.

"You don't have to try so hard/You don't have to give it all away/You don't have to do a single thing."

"Why should you care, what they think of you/When you're all alone, by yourself/Do you like you?"

Like I said.  I am totally moved when I hear this song!!

So, what do we do about it?  Is there anything we can do?  The next assignment I have for SFL 358 is to write a letter to someone (a company, a person, etc.) and either 1. thank them for their positive influence in the media or 2. ask for something to change.  I think I want to take both sides of this, writing one letter to Colbie and her label thanking them for writing "Try."  I also want to write to a magazine, and explain to them that some of the stories they publish have a negative effect on society.  I will most likely go with the former, because I am so uplifted and motivated by "Try."

Anyway, I hope this is what someone needed.  I think I needed it for myself in some ways, to remember that

I AM A DAUGHTER OF GOD!  

He loves me, and if He loves me, I need to love myself.  I don't need the "popular's" dictating how I view myself.  I need to work hard at loving myself for who I am.  I have been blessed with talents, a family, a loving husband, good education, and much more!  I don't want to show ingratitude to Him who created me.  I am enough.

I just want to finish with these inspiring lyrics from "Try":

"Take your makeup off
Let your hair down
Take a breath
Look into the mirror, at yourself
Don't you like you?
Cause I like you."

Amen!  We shouldn't need more than to be who God created us to be.  That's enough for me.  Let's help that be enough for all of us.


Now, for the cherry on top.  Watch this video.  It will change your life, almost more than the lyrics!  You will be inspired to be better and do better.  Oh, you also might tear up, so have a tissue (or two) handy.  And remember, I like you, but more importantly...

HEAVENLY FATHER AND JESUS CHRIST LOVE YOU AND KNOW YOU!

#ILoveToSeeTheTemple

Very simple Blog post today. There has been a lot of negative media the last week via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  

My intention is to fill up Facebook with temples and break the saturation of negative images and videos. If you like this post (or comment below), I will choose a temple for you to post. #ilovetoseethetemple.  

After receiving a temple to post, copy and past the above text in your next "status update" - use all of your social media sites to spread the word!

I was challenged with the Hong Kong Temple, so here is picture for you! I hope you all take the challenge, and heck - challenge people yourself!!

"Mean Girls": 10 Years Later

I don't know about you, but I loved the movie "Mean Girls."  Okay, "love" is a strong word..  I related a little TOO well to this movie.  That is probable why it was even more funny to watch.  There are so many good one liners, and a few "shocker" moments as well.  Mostly, I cannot believe how far (or not so far) the actors in the show have come, where they are now, and how they have changed.  Take a quick look:

Meet the plastics!  (I relate all too well to this...)  Always remember that, "On Wednesday's we wear pink."  Thank you, Amanda Seyfried.

Let's just say that if you are looking for a movie to do a research project about "Mean Girls," this is the movie to watch!  So many backstabbing, gossip, I'm an outcast, pick on me situations.  In a way that makes this movie kind of horrid, BUT SO TRUE TO LIFE!

Now, I can't relate as well to this scene.  But what are your thoughts on it?  Does anyone have a mother like this?  And what kind of parents give up their master bedroom to their kid?  This proves my point though about studying "Mean Girls" - do you see how they act, pick at themselves, gossip about others?  Geez...  Is high school still like this?  I hope not, for the sake of my future children, but I am led to believe that girls and high school are still like this...

Regardless of the negative attributes, I enjoy this movie.  If you haven't seen it yet, go watch it.  I feel a little aged, though - I cannot believe it has been TEN YEARS since this movies was released.  Let's just say this - "That's so fetch!!"

Read this article for all the juicy reunion information.  You'll enjoy it!
http://insidemovies.ew.com/2014/11/05/mean-girls-reunion/

Napoleon Dynamite: 10 Years Later

In August of 2004, the movie "Napoleon Dynamite" was released.  Isn't it amazing how time flies?  It seems like yesterday that I was 14, living in New Mexico, and chilling at my house with my friends watching this movie for the first time.  Oh, the memories!  To help you feel even older, here are some images from the cast members - then and now; take a look...

Napoleon Dynamite (Jon Heder)
I am almost certain that my younger brother has (or at least had) that "Vote for Pedro" t-shirt.  Yes.  Yes he did.  In fact, he wore that  shirt for the"Napoleon Dynamite" dance that the Young Men did for the Multi-Stake Dance-Festival.  My, oh, my.

To quote some of the articles about this historic event, "Oh, my gosh!  Jon Heder got hot!"  But seriously.  Look at that guy.  No one wanted to date him before, but you can't keep the ladies away now!  So much for the quirky nobody...

Pedro Sanchez (Efren Ramirez)

You have my vote, Pedro!  Who could turn this guy down??  May ten years, ago, but definitely not today!  Don't we all miss Pedro and Napoleon's friendship?  I wish I had had a friendship like theirs.  Pedro was just the friend Napoleon needed; they helped one another pick up chicks and learn that "Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills!"

Oh, how I miss this guy...  I will re-state this for Pedro as well: he got hot!!

Deb (Tina Majorino)
Can you say "babe alert?"  Geez, Louise!  Talk about ten years changing someone.  I remember how I went as Deb during my Senior Homecoming week (it was "dress up as a movie character day.")  I wore my hair in a side pony, just like hers; Keds; skinny shorts; and my "Tina you fat lard" t-shirt.  Those were the good ol' days.  Thanks for the inspiration, Deb!  I knew I liked you.

Who knew this lady would become a well-known actress one day?

Uncle Rico (Jon Gries)

Oh, Uncle Rico.  No one could ever forget you.  As one article put it: "If only Coach had put him in fourth quarter.  They would've been state champions.  No doubt.  No doubt in my mind."  You were a bully of an uncle, but man could you throw a football!!  If only we had more quarterbacks that could throw over the mountains...  **sigh**

But let's be honest for a minute: you were the meanest uncle ever.  Napoleon deserved better.

Kip (Aaron Ruell)

Nuff said...

Napoleon: Stay home and eat all the freakin' chips, Kip.
Kip: Napoleon, don't be jealous that I've been chatting online with babes all day.  Besides, we both know that I'm training to be a cage fighter.

Napoleon: Since when, Kip? You have the worst reflexes of all time.

Kip: Try and hit me, Napoleon.

Napoleon: What?

Kip: I said come down here and see what happens if you try and hit me.

I'll finish here.  Wouldn't want to ruin all of the ten-year changes of the cast members.  Check out one of these links for yourself.  Reminisce in all of Napoleon Dynamite's excellence.  I may have to go watch this move now...  I would challenge you to do the same.

Links:

http://www.people.com/article/Napoleon-Dynamite-10th-anniversary

http://moviepilot.com/posts/2014/11/05/time-flies-napoleon-dynamite-cast-10-years-later-2408830?lt_source=external,manual

http://www.buzzfeed.com/candacelowry/the-cast-of-napoleon-dynamite-then-and-now

War On Women

A week or two ago, we watched this documentary entitled "Miss-representation."  I thought it was kind of biased and one-sided, but here is a link for it if you are interested in watching it: http://youtu.be/ED3ZjvZsh1E

This "War On Women" is no longer.  As you all know, November 4th was election day.  Not only that, history was made in various states - and they involve women!!  Here are some of the results for you:

Saira Blair:
This young lady become the youngest state lawmaker in West Virginia history.  Blair turned 18 in July, which barely qualified her for this position; but she was determined and had a purpose for running.  Saira ran for this position because so many of her friends had to leave West Virginia for employment opportunities.  She ran for them, and for all others in her state who are struggling to find employment.  Blair is pro-life, pro-gun rights, and pro-business.  Talk about ambition!  This young lady will go far.


Elise Stefanik:
At 30 years old, Stefanik become the youngest woman ever elected to the House of representatives.  She won 55% of the vote in New York, and is also the first Republican to win since 1990.  Elise has a killer resume, which includes the following: Harvard graduate; worked on President Bush's Domestic Policy team right after graduating in 2006; served as Chief of Staff; was the Director of Vice Presidential Debate Prep on the Romney-Ryan campaign; and she was the Policy Director of the 2012 Republican National Platform.  Having the support of Romney, Boehner, and McCarthy took her a long way!

Mia Love:
Black.  Republican.  LDS Woman.  Elected to Congress.  Utah was the first state to do this.  Goal: return power back to the people.  Many have said the Mia Love is the "poster child for diversity in the party (Republiucans)."  To this I add, she is an example for the nation.  The color of your skin is not a hindrance.  Your religion does not restrict you.  Love lost two years ago, but she came back this year stronger than ever.

Let this be a lesson to all of us.  This so-called "War On Women" is only making them (and all women) stronger.  Women can be in politics.  Women can have a voice.  Women are strong and can take on their male counterparts in this nation.  These women are powerful, have goals, and will represent the people in Washington.  Thanks to all those who voted, and thank you to all those women who ran.  Go for it!  This is proof that you can do it, no matter who you are or where you come from.  You can do it, just as these women have shown.

Sources:

• http://www.ijreview.com/2014/11/197751-meet-youngest-woman-ever-elected-senate-already-better-resume-obama/
• http://www.sltrib.com/home/1783406-155/love-owens-utah-republican-congress-2012
• http://www.ijreview.com/2014/11/197840-utahs-mia-love-becomes-first-black-republican-woman-elected-congress/
• http://www.msnbc.com/morning-joe/black-republicans-break-barriers-mia-love-and-tim-scott-win-big?adbid=768202019942719&adbpl=fb&adbpr=273864989376427&cid=sm_m_main_1_20141105_35073957

I Told My Kids I Ate All Their Halloween Candy

This is just a quick follow-up (or addition to) my Hell-oween post.  I watched a video yesterday from "Jimmy Kimmel Live."  Every Halloweeen, parents send in videos for Jimmy's tradition "Hey, Jimmy Kimmel.  I told my kids I ate all their Halloween candy."  In all honesty, this is the BEST ONE YET!!!  You may think this is total horrendous for parents to do this to their children, but the reaction of some of these kids is even worse!!  Then again, some of these kids are too precious!! Thank you +Jimmy Kimmel Live for this gem of a tradition!  This makes this day totally worth it!!! Watch and enjoy.

Happy Hell-oween!

Hell-oween

I loathe Halloween.  Maybe that's a little much, but it's really not my favorite "holiday."  I read a blog the other day referring to it as "Hell-oween," and I thought it captured my feelings perfectly.  So, here are some reasons why I think this is a pointless holiday:

1. I despise scary things (i.e., haunted houses).
2. Only fun if you have kids to dress up.
3. I don't trust people (i.e., drug-induced candy).
4. My dad always said it was "Satan's holiday," so that must have just been ingrained in me..
5. Trick-or-treaters (you need an income, this comes back to #2 - needing kids).
6. Parties (introvert much?).

Now, it is probably not "Satan's holiday," but here some Halloween History Facts for you:

• Dates back to the Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in).
• The new year was celebrated on November 1, and it was believed that on the night before (October 31) that the worlds of the dead and living became blurred.
• On October 31, the people would gather together, build bonfires, and burn crops and animals as sacrifices to Celtic deities.
• Costumes were worn during their "festivities" (mainly saints, angels, and devils).
• It was believed that ghosts of family members returned on October 31, and the living thought this return made it easier for making predictions of the future.
• Basically, this was/is a holiday for the dead.

I won't keep going; by now it is crystal clear how I feel.  In short, my  feelings can be summed up with three things.

First, this quote (and clip, see left - watch it!) from the movie "Mean Girls":

"In 'Girl World,' Halloween is the one night a year when a girl can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it."

Second, watching "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown," and "Hocus Pocus."  Lame?  Maybe so.  But I'm a simple person, and I don't need all the gimmicks of Halloween.  In all honesty, I just want Thanksgiving and Christmas to come.

Finally, my favorite Halloween tradition - "The Life and Death of a Pumpkin."  I know it is tad lengthy, but it is definitely worth your time!  Sorry to burst your bubble, Halloween, but you're just not my "cup of tea" as they say.  But for all of you Halloween-ers, dresser-upers, and trick-or-treaters out there, here is my treat for you...

Happy Hell-oween!!