Re: Nudity in Films (This is a Rant)

Well ladies and gents…I feel a rant coming on. Just a warning. It feels like the past week or so my mind has been bombarded with unrelenting images of fake breasts and “willing” females…whether during regular television watching (yes, Girls Gone Wild commercials at EVERY break do get old), regular comedy movies, or in reviews of current releases that I’m considering seeing. Now you can call me a prude if you wish, say that my mind has been brainwashed by uptight American standards of morality, or claim that I have a “problem” with nudity, though it is a natural and beautiful thing.

Let me clarify what my problem is, because it’s not with artistic or natural nudity. I’ve seen plenty of films where nudity was used in a responsible way to enhance the story and to make a film more realistic. These include Titanic, Shakespeare in Love, and Schindler’s List. All of these films use REAL female AND male bodies to create a realistic portrayal of the events that are taking place. These films use nudity in an artistic way, and I have absolutely no issue with this. So what DO I have a problem with? Nudity in films such as American Pie, Eurotrip, and the new release Hostel. Why do I pick on these? Because the nudity is forced and it is fake. The situations are unrealistic, and the women used in these films are paper thin, surgically enhanced, airbrushed versions of real women. Frankly, comparing these films to art is offensive to me. It's like comparing Hugh Hefner with Picasso. I don't think so.

Case in point: In Eurotrip (a film which I own and think is hilarious, by the way, so don’t think that this is based on a dislike of the film), a dorky guy jumps into a hot tub with a girl in a bikini. He then tells her that she has “something” on her breast and convinces her to remove her top and rub it in front of him. Maybe I went to the wrong parties in highschool, but I doubt this was a common situation. And even less often, I doubt that the girls looked like this! Yeah, implants seem to be a requirement for women to get parts in movies like these. And why’s that? Because men like it. Let’s not beat around the bush. And why shouldn’t they? These women are physically “perfect.” Their breasts are huge, their waists are small. They’re ditzy and have no qualms about removing their clothes and sleeping with any guy who stumbles into the hot tub/hotel room/shower…

And what effect does this have on the average teenage/twenty something female? Well I can’t speak for everyone, but as a nineteen year old girl I can speak for myself. I’m 5’7” and I weigh right around 120 pounds. Most days I look at my body and hate it. My hips are too wide, my breasts are too small. My butt is huge. Sad but true. And why do I feel this way? It probably comes from all the times I’ve settled and watched these films with previous boyfriends…watched as their eyes bugged out. Seen the posters that guys post on their walls. Seen banners on websites with scantily clad models asking men to click. And I think the biggest issue is that men don’t even know the damage these images cause to women. Men are the targets, women are the victims. I was disgusted recently to watch a show where a seventeen year old girl, who was thin and had a great body, bought breast implants because she felt she wasn’t pretty enough to keep up with celebritites. How sad is that?

So what do I propose? Nothing I guess. I don’t think that American cinema is going to change as long as hordes of males can be lured to spend millions of dollars to watch a film loaded with silicone breasts and Barbie doll figures. But maybe men will eventually see the damage that is being done to the beautiful women they care about by such films and will avert their eyes or God forbid opt for a film with a plot. Maybe. We’ll see.

Now stepping off of my soapbox. Have a nice day.

December Already?

Wow, I can't believe how quickly this year has flown by. So many changes have taken place I can scarcely believe it. When I think back to where I was a year ago...crazy. It's been great though, I've got to say. The first few months of this year were pretty trying, with family problems, a major breakup and the death of a close friend. But school has been amazing, I've made some new friends and caught up with one special friend from home in particular ;)

I also got some good news today: turns out that one of my short stories is going to be published in Liberty's literary magazine this semester, so I'm excited. I've been selected to read my work before at different events, but I've never actually been published, so it's really an honor. I may post the story here when I receive a copy of it from home.

Other than that, life marches on. I've been struggling with strep throat for several weeks now...just can't seem to shake it. The semester ends in just two weeks and then I'm home to California for a month. I really can't wait! I'll check in again soon...I hope everyone is enjoying the Christmas season thusfar.

Kourtney Update...

A lot of people have been stumbling upon my site due to the remarks I made about the death of my friend, Kourtney Ketchersid, in April. If anyone is interested in an update on the murder trial of her killer, here is an October article from the Sacramento Bee. Please keep Kourtney's family and friends in your prayers through the holidays and as the trial commences after Christmas.

Fall In Virginia...

A few weeks into my fall here in Virginia, and I've decided that fall is by far my FAVORITE season. It's just amazing here - the weather, the trees...perfect. Granted, I'd never give up California as home, but these past few days have definitely been tempting me. I've been so impressed by all that God is doing here, with me. I'm content. It's been a while since I've been able to say that. Yes, there are people I would love to be spending time with at home, but I know that whatever is meant to be will be. I'm not pushing it. I think life should not be so complicated as everyone makes it out to be. I'm just happy to be breathing and healthy (sort of ;) and happy. God is amazing, isn't He?

The College Life

Lynchburg, Virginia. I know what you must be thinking: "WTF? Why leave beautiful California to go to podunk Lynchburg?" WELL, so far there are some amazing things I've found out about this part of the country that differ from home. These include:

* People SMILE at you when you walk past them. Many even say "hello."
* Guys open doors. I'm not even kidding! And they take girls trays up in the cafeteria.
* Prices are low. Name one theater in Cali where you can see a movie for 75 cents.
* The roads are amazing...and there's no traffic!
* Everything here is GREEN. Even in August.
* I don't have to wonder whether or not the pretty girl I just saw walking down the street is really a man...
* I've learned a lot of really cool words from my New England friends including frequent use of the word "wicked."
* Hockey is AWESOME! I've got a friend on the team and the roadtrips to see his games are so much fun.

Things are not all great here though, and there are certainly some things I miss about California.

~ Waiting in line for hours while the cashier talks to the old lady in front of you is FRUSTRATING to say the least.
~ It says "YIELD" not stop!!!
~ Speed limit = 55. Virginia drivers drive 50.
~ Speed limit = 65. California drivers drive 80.
~ I miss my job :( And I miss the pizza!
~ A certain guy has come back into my life recently...but unfortunately he lives back home.
~ My family is also far away...and my CAT!

So that's all I have for now. More updates soon...I promise!

In church this morning I was reminded of today’s historic date. Four years ago on an unremarkable Tuesday morning in September, the world changed forever. I can remember just where I was when disaster struck. It was 5:45 in the morning. For some reason I was awake and eating breakfast before school. My mom came in and turned on the TV saying something about a plane hitting one of the Twin Towers. My family sat there for a few minutes, not really realizing the severity of this event, and discussed whether it must have been some sort of an accident. It was at this point, live on the news, that the second plane flew into the other tower. We watched in horror as the reporters reacted to the events. I watched for over an hour as the media picked up on the story. The first tower fell before I left for school.

It’s amazing to me how many people seem to have forgotten those days. Do you remember flags waving at every home and business? Do you remember smiling at strangers as you walked down the street, just because you were both American? Do you remember flying a flag on the antenna of your car? What about the candle light vigils? If nothing else, do you recall the looks on the faces of those who lost their loved ones that morning? How easily we get caught up in the “issues.” What should be done to retaliate? Have we gone too far? Well let me tell you this: Orphaned children are not an “issue.” Widowed men and women are not an “issue.” Families lost their children, parents, husbands, wives, brothers or sisters. Friends were lost.

So can we take a collective breath, as a country, and remember that this day is not about controversy or war. This day is about a nation coming together to lift up those who are in pain. Not just the September 11th families, though four years is certainly not enough time to close up the wounds from that day. There are those among us now who have nothing. There has been another horrible disaster, just as unforeseeable, and just as deadly. The people in the Deep South are hurting now. So as we, as the 9/11 generation stop to think on the events of four years ago today, let’s gather together once more and reach out to our American family in need. Let’s not look for someone to blame but instead look for ways to help. It’s the least we can do.

I'm leaving!

Saturday morning at six AM my flight to Virginia leaves. I won't be back to Cali till Thanksgiving! I'm very excited but also nervous. It will be strange not knowing anybody, but my roommate seems really nice, so it should be okay :) If not, I'll run home crying to my mommy! I got good news by email today, though. Liberty University has loosened up their dress codes. Class dress now includes jeans (yes!!), capris, and flip flops! I'm so excited. The dress code was really freaking me out, but this is so much better! Well, I'll keep you updated.

Beauty and the Beast...

So tonight I found myself immersed in the high culture of Sacramento. That's right, I saw Disney's Beauty and the Beast - The Broadway Musical - at the Music Circus. The reason I love musical theater, I think, is because it is something I will never be able to do. It is out of reach. Even though the producers of American Idol are constantly pounding on my door, begging me to audition, and throwing money at me to come and perform on their show, I would never be happy as a "commercial" success. The theater is the place for me, but I'm afraid I just don't have the vocal range. I mean, come on...there's no way I could handle the notes in "Be Our Guest." ;)

So for now, I shall be content to drive downtown a few times a year and watch others live out my dream :)

And by the way, Beauty and the Beast is GORGEOUS if you ever get the chance to see it. :)