Weddings

My third cousin, Sam*, got married yesterday in Smallville*, where my grandparents live. It was a pretty short ceremony (thank God) and really cute. I’ve only been to a handful of weddings, about ten maybe.
My first one was a month after I was born (I don’t really remember it that well…), where my Uncle Chris* and Aunt Andrea* got married. Chris had been married once before and had my cousins Leanne* and May*. Leanne is now twenty-five (May is twenty-two), and got married last October to Ethan*. It was a very small wedding (fifty people total) on my grandparent’s farm. It was a beautiful day, like yesterday for Sam’s, and it was maybe fifteen minutes. I was the designated DJ. I hit the play button and stood on the porch. “Woo” right? It wasn’t too bad though. I felt like actually contributed to the wedding, so I felt better.
Anyway, I basically have my whole life planned out. I don’t know…I’m one of those people that has everything planned out and makes those lists of everything…NO I am not OCD! Anyways, I want a BIG wedding, lots of friends and family. I want to have it in one of three places: my church, my grandpa’s church in Omaha (which is basically the most beautiful church ever), or an Episcopal church in Des Monies (easiest place for both sides of my family to meet: half lives Eastern Iowa and the other half in Omaha). I want my dress to look like Princess Belle’s, except white with lots of lace and detailed, fancy stuff. I would have my reception in a nice hotel ballroom. The end! I know it may sound shallow, but I’ve wanted the Princess wedding. I seriously thought I was a princess from the time I was two to about the age of five. If you ask my parents they will back me up one hundred percent. Here’s a picture of the dress:

Just For Kicks and Giggles

Like my cousins, my dance teacher Renee*, showed me a couple of really funny videos on YouTube. I’m sure at least one of you people out there has seen “David After Dentist”. It seriously makes me laugh for days after watching it. I just got done watching it and it all ready brightened my day. Here’s the link if you want a good laugh: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txqiwrbYGrs. He’s a seven-year-old who went to the dentist and is a little…goofy from the laughing gas. I think it’s pretty hilarious; it gives me a good chuckle every time I think about it.
There’s another video, that Renee showed me, it’s called “Kitten’s Inspired by Kittens”. It’s a book of about kittens, which a little girl gives the pictures something funny to talk about. This one makes me laugh harder than “David After Dentist”. Here’s the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtX8nswnUKU. Don’t worry, no kittens were harmed in the making of this video.

*Names have been changed

Music Talk No. 1

Over the last few years, my taste in music has changed quite a bit. I’ve been introduced and influenced a lot by my parents. My dad loves rock. Good rock. We’re talking The Who, AC/DC, The Beach Boys, The Eagles, ZZ Top, Guns N’ Roses, Van Halen, Sweet, REO Speedwagon, Aerosmith, Journey, ABBA (yes he likes ABBA) etc. etc. My mom has a huge variety in what she likes. She’s likes The Beatles, Queen, Level 42, Chilliwack, The Brian Setzer Orchestra, Elvis Presley (dad likes Elvis too, but who doesn’t?), Styx, James Taylor (dad likes him too), Seal, The Eurythmics, etc. etc. Of course, I love all of these bands and music too. My sister is a totally different story. She loves that crap that’s on the radio nowadays. I hate almost all of it. There’s only a handful of good music on those stations. I used to love it too when I was her age though, so hopefully she’ll grow out of it. I listen to the “80’s 90’s and today”’s music, the rock stations, and the OLD SCHOOL stations. You know the ones that play the Beatles, Elton John, and The Partridge Family? Those ones. LOVE IT!



Anyway, my best friend, Jeremy* has introduced me to a lot of really good music too, Nirvana, Pink Floyd (my dad and grandpa love them), UFO, Led Zeppelin, Bob Marley, The Rolling Stones, etc. He goes through phases in music. A year ago he was jamming out to rap, you know, like, Lil’ Wayne and Tupac. Now he’s started playing guitar and loves all that grunge stuff. But I’ve also introduced him to Aerosmith, The Who, and Van Halen. Kudos to me right? Music really influences his life and it really influence’s mine also. I take nine dance classes, tap, ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, lyrical, contemporary, a technique class, and I’m learning a duet with my best friend Jennifer*, and I help teach a combo class (four and five year olds). So music is a big part in my life too. I love listening to happy and fast music, but I also love the slow songs that make you relax, like Enya. I really think I have good taste in music, and lots of people will vow that I do too, so pardon me if I sound big-headed over here.
I will warn you now, that I am about to go off on a tangent (this will happen A LOT): I hate people who wear band shirts who know like, one song by them. I will NOT wear a band shirt unless I know AT LEAST one or two songs by them that are not on the radio. Like Nirvana, I own a shirt by them and I know almost every song by them from just hearing it. I’m sure only the big Nirvana fans have heard and liked their first album, “Bleach” which, is nothing like their later stuff. I used to own a Beatles shirt, but out grew it. Band shirts I need to get (not want, NEED) are: Aerosmith (probably my favorite band), Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones (BUT! I need to listen to more of their music to know if I like them and are allowed to own a shirt. Yes, I follow my own rules). Maybe an AC/DC one and Led Zeppelin one if I find I like more of their stuff. I also have a Bob Marley shirt, and I had a friend ask me if I actually liked him and listened to him (because I do not seem like the kind of person who would listen to his songs about getting high). I said yes, in fact my ring tone is “Keep On Moving” by him. But I will admit that I need to listen to more of his music. It just goes to show that everyone who wears a band shirt doesn’t necessarily like or listen to that band. They just wear it because it’s a fad. I am NOT one of those people. Thank you.

*Names have been changed

School Dances

So, school dances right? You either love them, or hate them. In movies, there’s a picture painted that everyone looks so nice, you dance with your hands up in the air and do the hand-jive or have a dance-off and laugh and have a great time. You slow dance with McDreamy, listen to great music, and live happily ever after. No so much. School dances are all right, not great. Yes, everyone looks straight out of a magazine and pictures are perfect. But, then there’s the drama, and the people PDA-ing everywhere and sneaking away to do heaven only knows what or get “high” or something else illegal. Seriously people, I know we’re in high school, but can’t it wait until at least AFTER?! Anyways, I seriously think our middle school dances were better than Homecoming this year. The music, sorry, was quite lame. The cafeteria—which is where I eat my (hopefully) clean, sanitary food—was perspiring from the vents. Yes, you heard right, I got DRIPPED on by something or someone at least twice! Drinks are served by parents and middle-schoolers in a small little area right nearby, and you couldn’t stand anywhere without being touched be someone or something. Half the dance, I think, I spent outside because it was just waaaaaaaaay too hot. Half, these problems—and I’m seriously thinking about starting a petition for this—would be solved if we did dances either one of three places: the gym, the little gym, or outside! It would make it so much more fun, and not so much questionable.
This may just be me, because two years ago I went to prom, at a country club-type place. It was clean, food was served, there were sooooo many less people in a bigger area, and it was cool. The music was great; there wasn’t any inappropriate PDA (some things were questionable, but not down-right dirty). You could sit down and have a lemonade or something, and the directions where awesome. And there was no mosh pit. Sorry if this sounds like ranting, it might’ve just seemed extra-lame to me because I was extremely tired that night, but it’s just how I feel! I’m thinking about getting on the dance committee (probably not, I’m a lot of talk) but I seriously think something needs to be done about these school dances! Until next time, over and out.

Barak Obama

With all this controversy on Barak Obama giving the speech to students last week I thought I'd put my two sense in as the perspective as a student. First of all, I am definitely pro-Obama. I like where he comes from and how he's beaten the odds against everything he's been up against. I think he's definitely a great role model for students all across America. When starting in the presidential election, he went up against all the critics saying that because of his race, and his family ancestry, that it would keep him from being elected as president. He proved them wrong. Like he said during his speech to the students of America, he said that he was home-schooled by his mother at 4:00 in the morning. He had chances, just like all of us, to slack off, and do nothing with his life; he could have been like the rest of the people in his family and not have gone to college. He did though. He worked his butt off, and did everything he could to get INTO college. He was the first in his family, and I find that very inspiring.
I have found myself, leaning towards the democratic side of politics, since I’ve been old enough to pay attention. I agree on all kinds of levels that change needs to happen. Exactly which way is the best, I’m not sure, but I know it needs too. And, President Obama is making something happen. For an obvious example, the troops in Iraq, he is finally evacuating. I know there is also a lot of controversy on this subject. Yes, I don’t think that Iraq is ready to defend themselves, but yes, they don’t need the thousands of troops that are there right now. Afghanistan is a whole other animal. Personally, I don’t know why we have troops there, but I don’t pay much attention to that in news. (I know, I know, shame on me, people my age should pay attention to the news, and watch it every day…yeah, yeah). But, again my personal feelings, half the stuff on the news is none of my business, and none of yours either. Especially when they start talking about Michael Jackson’s children’s custody and Jon and Kate Gosslin fighting it out over each other. We know things like this are going on, but it’s like opening your window or peeking over your fence to hear what your next-door neighbors are fighting about. It’s just not your business, and it’s for them to deal with on their own, and they don’t need our opinion on stuff.
Anyway back on topic now…On the day of the speech PARENTS took their kids out of school to MISS the speech. Why? WHY?! I think it was so stupid that a parent would not want their child to see the president and hear what he has to say, at least out of respect. When President George H. Bush gave a speech to the students of America, people went crazy, in a GOOD way. Now, President Obama is doing the same thing ENCOURAGING students to STAY in school, and you’re taking them out of school? I don’t know about you, but doesn’t this all seem a little weird and blow out of proportion? I am shaking my head right now trying to understand what goes through some people’s heads sometimes. (Okay I just sat here for two minutes trying to think what to say next).
Besides the fact that President Obama is a great public speaker, I think his speech was really good. It wasn’t one of those boring I’ll-just-use-a-bunch-of-big-words-ever-other-word that put us to sleep, or have us frantically looking through the dictionary looking up the words we don’t understand. It was a genuinely good speech, even for those of us who haven’t tackled those college course English classes. He showed he was a human too, vulnerable to taking the easy way out of things. He showed that despite what his parent’s had or hadn’t done, what his parent’s parents have or haven’t done, wasn’t going to define him. He beat the odds. He didn’t take the easy way out. He could’ve, but didn’t. He made mistakes, and look where he is right now, living in the White House and being a great president.

Over labor day weekend, I went to my grandparent's house and my cousins introduced me to these two lovely websites: peopleofwalmart.com and awkward familyphotos.com. These are chalk-ful of those people that make you wonder what the world has come to. These photos will have you saying one of a few things: "What the HECK where they thinking?", "Oh. My. God., or "......". Or you may just bust out laughing.

Here are some pictures off the websites that I thought I'd share with you for a small preview of the website. If you want to see more of these pictures just go to the websites, and it'll make your day a little brighter. Or a little more colorful. Or make you grateful that that's not you in the pictures. For kicks and giggles I'll also put up the quotes written by the creators.

People of Wal-Mart:


"If you were ever wondering what this site is about, then here is your answer. This is the Holy Grail"


"You know you don't have to dress as the logo to shop here, right?"


"Just a goat shopping at Walmart…….I don’t see what’s so funny."


"Even when mullets were in style this would have been considered a tad much."


"You know those people they find half eaten by their cats in an apartment 2 months after they die……."


Awkward Family Photos:


"And?"


"Just when you thought your sister would stay out of the frame"


"Who needs a pacifier when you’ve got toys like these?"


"Finally, something the whole family can agree on"


"We still can't believe he cheated on her"

Hope you got some good laughs. And if you liked this, I highly suggest you check them out!

For a homework assignment this weekend, I had to read a collection of essays (well four short ones) by Francis Bacon. In one of his titled "Narcissus; Or Self-Love", Bacon talked about how Narcissus lived by himself and one day saw his reflection and fell in love with himself. Narcissus then turned into a flower. Bacon went on to talk about how beautiful people tend to live a life of solitude and have only a few close friends. They stray away from the public eye so to avoid shame. Their few "close friends" are actually just admirers who talk them up and make them dumb. I think in reality, this is nothing close to what really happens. Why? For obvious reasons: people tend to gravitate toward gorgeous people. It's in their nature, and I don't deny doing it either. These beautiful people will get a bid ego and love the attention, but who's to blame them? I'm not saying there aren't good-looking people out there who aren't nice and don't have a big head, but the majority of them do. (Not to insult anyone out there!) But it's the truth! These people will soon gain an entourage. It's just what happens. Whether they want it to happen or not, it's just what happens in life.