On Sunday night, I playing a board game called "Things..." I don't know if any of you have heard of it because I hadn't until we played it, but it was hilarious! There are different subjects, such as, "Things you wouldn't leave open..." Then everyone writes down an answer on a piece of paper. There is a guesser who tries to match up what people said with them. The goal is to get everyone out and not have your answer guessed!
I have never thought of a board game as media, but I think it counts. It brought a group of us together and we has a lot of fun!
My family was out to dinner the other night and my little brother randomly quoted in his deep deep voice, "May your hammer be mighty.." from his favorite movie Hot Rod. My siblings and I all burst out laughing and my parents were just confused!
This made me so grateful for the media in my life. My family loves to quote movies and I feel like it gives us something that we can relate to one another--despite the age difference. It allows us to have something we all can laugh together about and have a good time!
I decided to write a letter to the headquarters of Abercrombie & Fitch concerning their advertisements displayed in their store:
Dear Headquarters of Abercrombie & Fitch,
My name is Nicole Lindsley and I am a junior at Brigham Young University majoring in Marriage, Family, and Human Development.I am currently studying media in a class for my major called Media, Family, and Human Development.I am writing this letter because I am concerned about the types of advertising your company chooses to use.I do not think it is appropriate for your advertisements to be so suggestive.I feel that your stores are repulsive to walk through because the pictures displayed on the wall are very suggestive and send very strong sex messages to those who view them.I understand that in our society, sex sells but it concerns me because of the customers that regularly shop at your stores.Studies show that sex sells to men because of the sexual arousal that is attention getting, but the regular shoppers in your store are usually adolescent age.
As I look back to Junior High and High school, I would look forward to the times when my friends and I would have the opportunity to go shopping at Gateway because it had Abercrombie and Fitch, whereas, no other close malls did.We would spend large amounts of time in there and I vividly remember many of the large pictures that were on display. After studying the media in class, I have learned the influence that these types of advertisements can have on adolescents.They often can diminish the self-esteem and bring those down who don’t feel that they are as sufficient as the models displayed.
I feel like there are alternate ways that you can advertise and bring in customers to your store that I would encourage you to look into.I think it would be very beneficial to your store to take these suggestive advertisements off of your wall and instead, display pictures of adolescents wearing the cute clothes your store offers.Scholars argue that materialism advertising is very successful, so using the tactic of displaying pictures that show off your clothes, rather then send a suggestive message will be beneficial to you.
So, last weekend I spontaneously decided to go to St. George with my parents to my little brother's high school baseball tournament. My parents live in Salt Lake so they just picked me up on the way down. As we were in the car, my Dad handed back his iphone and told me to pick some music. I was so confused why he would want me to choose from his phone when he didn't even have an adapter. Doesn't he get how ipod's work?!
I tried to explain to him, but he didn't get it. So I just picked some music to gave it a try. It then started playing through the speakers without being connected to anything. I was so impressed with my Dad that he knew how to play music through blue tooth from his phone. I have never even thought about doing that before!
So, my little brother is such a stud! He is the starting pitcher for Olympus High School and played such an amazing game today. We won 6 to 2. Being at those games makes me so grateful for the media because there is a scoreboard that tells the score, outs, strikes, balls, and what inning we are in. It makes it so much more convenient to watch sports when there is a scoreboard.
So, I have to admit that being in this media class, had made me notice the media everywhere! Haha I was sitting at Stake Conference yesterday and it occurred to me how much our church uses the media. There would be no way that we could have stake conference or even normal conference without it. The only people that would be able to hear the speaker would be those who gather close. Without the media, there would be no microphones, music, speeches...think about how different it would be?! The media is so beneficial to spreading the gospel and the words of our church leaders.
Today as I was walking across campus, I noticed that so many people walk around listening to music. It isn't a bad thing, but I would encourage everyone to take a day without it. I feel like people are more friendly and charismatic when they aren't listening to music because they notice those around on campus. This warm weather is a perfect chance to try it! Limit the music and say hello!! :)
24 is usually a show that doesn't include much sex for intimacy, instead it shows it in ways like rape--when one partner participates for pleasure.
Gilmore Girls didn't have any sex in it, but instead sex was talked about casually and how it is more of an activity than something sacred. Some sexual innuendos were made.
Jazz Game luckily had NO sex!
Honestly, I was surprised at how little sex I see on TV compared to movies I watch.. chick flicks almost always have sex in them.
Last night I had to watch the movie "I am Sam" for one of my classes and it really made me think about my own life. Watching Sam, as a parent with a mental illness, take care of Lucy was a challenge that he could only pursue because of his strong love for her. Sam was such a good parent and did everything he could to make his daughter happy. The most touching part of the movie was when he agreed to give her up because it will be better for her to have both a Mom and a Dad. Although it was hard for him, he cared enough about her to do what was best for her, instead of what would be the easiest for him. This movie really touched me and made me wonder how I would be in this situation. It definitely would be hard to give up a child like that, but I hope that I would have been like Sam and thought more about the other person than myself.
When I was in the temple yesterday, I noticed what an impact the music has on the spirit there. I just sat and pondered for a while, and I really enjoyed the soft Hymns played on the organ. The music was perfect--not distracting, but it added to the special feeling there.
Right now I have a love/hate relationship with this show..
For our content analysis project, my group decided to code for media violence in the TV series 24. I had to watch the first 4 episodes of Season 1. After watching 4 episodes... i was hooked..
This weekend I watched 3 episodes in a row and it had such an effect on me. One of my greatest fears growing up was being kidnapped. Ever since watching the Elizabeth Smart story on the news, it has created this fear. In this season, Jack's daughter and her friend were kidnapped and Jack spends the remainder of the season trying to get her back. It's crazy how years later, watching this situation on TV brings out those memories and makes my fear seem more "real."
So, a confession I have is that I LOVE to read "People" magazines. I know they are filled with so much trash and filth, but they make time pass when sitting on an airplane or getting my hair done.
The last article I read was about the Duggar family. It amazes me how they seem to be a pretty "normal" family but have 18 children. I can't imagine having that many kids or even being a part of such a large family. People like the Duggar family are very interesting to me to read about and see their opinions and how they view life.
So yeah, there is a lot of trash in these magazines, but also you can find interesting material to read!
When I was in Phoenix, it was so great just hanging out and having fun! I loved having my digital camera because we took some fun pictures and videos. It's so amazing that with just a simple digital camera, you are able to capture funny moments to remember. This is in the Phoenix Children's Museum in a play house, and is a motion vent that blows air. It was fun watching my 16 month old niece explore everything there!
So, I know everyone blogs on the Olympics, but I too just have to give my little input..
Shawn White is AMAZING and I love watching figure skating--partners and singles. I absolutely love the two weeks that the Olympics are on. I feel like it brings people close and creates such fun memories of simply being together.
CELINE DION
So, I'd just like to announce to everyone that Celine Dion is COMING TO VEGAS 2011!!! Celine let me down, so I'm on to round two with her. I bought tickets over a year in advance for her concert here in Salt Lake last year, but she unfortunately got sick and had to cancel last minute. She rescheduled for a Sunday, but I sold my tickets... I'm counting on Vegas this time. Can't wait already!
I am currently at my sister's house in Scottsdale, Arizona just visiting. I have noticed that the media has played a HUGE part of my vacation already... First off, it was so convenient to have wireless Internet for my laptop as I sat waiting for my flight. I could check my e-mails, my blog, Facebook...just make time pass by. During the flight, media was constantly being used---including the radio the pilot and stewardess used to make announcements to us and to communicate to other pilots.
As we've been driving around, it is cute how the media catches the attention of my 1 1/2 year-old niece. She makes all sorts of "ooooos" and "wows" as she sees lights on restaurants and different advertisements.
My favorite book right now is The Boy In The Striped Pajamas.It is a story told through the point of view of an 8-year old boy about the Germans and the Holocaust.His Dad is a Nazi official and runs a concentration camp in Germany. His family lives just on the other side of the fence from it.The young boy goes out to play in the yard everyday and becomes curious of what is on the other side of the fence. He makes friends with Bruno, who is also a young boy, but a Jew that is held captive in the concentration camp.The two boys are separated physically by a barbed wire fence, but their lives become intertwined.They spend time everyday together and build a strong friendship.Together, they experience a tragic death, which helps readers recall the millions of innocent victims of the Holocaust.
The Boy In The Striped Pajamas is a book that has made me realize the tragedies that took place during the Holocaust.It has caused me to view life in a different light because of how blessed I am.I can’t imagine going through all that those victims did.It is such a sweet story of how innocent and nonjudgmental young children are of everyone.The friendship between these two young boys was true and sincere.
Back in November, my best friend's Dad's life was taken unexpectedly from the Swine Flu, leaving wife and young family behind. He was diagnosed with the Swine on Tuesday and then passed away the following Wednesday--after spending several days in a medical induced coma and under intensive care. It has been a difficult challenge that still presents consequences in many people's life.
Last night as I was reading my friend's blog, I started sobbing. Hearing her express her emotions and feelings about this difficult time in her life really had an effect on me. It's amazing how through media I was able to feel the sadness and sorrow that she is experiencing. Just from reading a computer screen, it caused my heart to hurt and ache for their family.
The media is often viewed in a negative light, but experiences like this remind me of what a blessing the media is in all of our lives.
Last night while I was at the Jazz Game, I realized how big of an impact the media has. At the Delta Center, I couldn't look anywhere without realizing the media (this class has made me so aware). There were advertisements everywhere and on everything, the loud speaker of the announcer, the big TV screen to watch the game and replays, commercials, coupons, cell phones... it was everywhere!
Awesome job Jazz for the win over the Mavericks!! Kirilenko, Matthews, Miles, Millsap, D-Will, Price, and Okur all had a great game, but Korver had the great looks :)
Doing this blog has made me realize how much I really do rely on the media. Especially that my family lives in various locations. Yesterday I spend hours and hours on my cell phone talking to several different people. It has a really good battery but it went from completely fully charged and then eventually died on me... impressive? I'd say :)
Reading Judy Seegmiller's book Life With Big Al was a life changing experience for me.. As I finished the book yesterday morning, I was laying in bed just sobbing. It was definitely a heart-wrenching book, but it left such an effect on me. Judy's patience with Craig amazed me and has encouraged me to be more like her in my life. My heart ached for her as she was going through those experiences daily with him.
It has made me think a lot about my own family. My Dad is older than Craig was when he was diagnosed and I can't imagine having that trial in my own life. It is so reassuring to know that if this happened in my family, I know everyone would be willing to help my Mom. I am so grateful for my family and the influence they are on my life :)
Whenever I walk into the apartment and my voice is gone, my roommates know that I have had a wonderful car ride! This is what I look like... yup I'm singing at the top of my lungs, with my ipod as my microphone :)
Do you ever wonder what it would be like to be someone else for a day? Well, every time I see Sandra Bullock...that thought comes to my head. She is BEAUTIFUL and I love her attitude that often comes out in her movies.
The other day I went to the movie, The Blind Side. Honestly, at first I wasn't quite sure what to think about Sandra Bullock's blonde hair, but the more the movie went on, it grew on me and I began to LOVE it.. I do think that it makes her look older, but dang...she can pull it off!
This movie is so inspirational, and I feel like it's changed my outlook on life. I want to be more like Sandra Bullock in this movie.. This movie has made me take a step back and realize how blessed I am. I have been given so much. I definitely don't have near as much as Tuohy's (the family in the movie), but when I think of "Big Mike" and when he was wondering the streets late at night in the rain, it makes me that much more grateful for my apartment. I live in such a small space, but in reality, I am so grateful for a warm place to stay, somewhere I can keep all my belongings, and mostly for a place that I can call my "home."
How neat it was for Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy to take Michael into their house and treat him like their own. This has encouraged me to look our for those who I can help. I can't take someone into my home like they did, but I know that I can help someone out that is in need of a friend. I am going to try, and I encourage everyone to be more like Leigh Ann Tuohy and to a friend and help someone who is in need.
Have you ever had one of those nights where you feel like you want to take a break from everything... boys, school, dating, work, studying...?! I couldn't think of anything better than going to Sonic with the girls to get a cherry-limeade route 44 and then to watch one of the best chick flicks ever--You've Got Mail. That movie makes everything feel better and brightens up my day every time I watch it. :) Also, I'd have to say that Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks together are my very favorite couple to watch fall in love during chick flicks. Sometimes I just love living my life through cute couples like them :)
Yesterday was a good friend's birthday...thinking what I should to do celebrate and show him that I care, I decided to throw a little shin dig at my apartment. I sent out a mass text... the next thing I know, there are over 20 people showing up at the time I had said. It's amazing how the simple things of media that take literally seconds can turn out to be wonderful things. We had such a great time last night... It was fun to be together with friends. Happy Birthday John! I hope you had a great birthday and good luck with all you have ahead of you this year!! :)
