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