A real opinion

I am not one to express a strong opinion about anything that serious when it comes to my blog, Facebook or any other social public media.  I will express my VERY STRONG opinions about how wrong it is to mix tuna with miracle whip and then eat that gross mixture on white bread...don't even get me started about adding pickles...GROSS.  Anywho...I listened to this report today and found it to be absolutely ridiculous and could not refrain from sharing my thoughts. Listen to the audio or read the article by clicking on the "Summary" link in the media player.




Mr. Monson would like Utah to end it's support of the Sundance Film Festival because some of the films at the festival do not reflect Utah values because some of the films shown at the festival portray sexual promiscuity.  Has Mr. Monson been to a movie theatre in Salt Lake...almost anywhere in Utah...recently?  There are plenty of movies at the Broadway and Tower that would fall in that category, but beyond that, there are plenty of movies at Cinemark Theatres and Megaplex Theatres that would fall into that category as well.  Would Mr. Monson like us to shut down all movie theatres?  If you don't want to watch that kind of movie, don't watch it.  Mr. Redford is not forcing anyone to see these movies.

After reading the article on NPR I read Mr. Monson's blog post on the Sutherland Institute's website.  He asks what message the state's support of Sundance sends to society and specifically to the children of Utah. Frankly, I don't think it sends any sort of message to children of Utah since I would imagine children, if they have ever heard the word Sundance, associate it with the ski resort, or if they have been well versed in movies, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.  Most likely however, I imagine the majority of children in the sate of Utah don't even know what the Sundance Film Festival is, or know which movies are playing at the film festival or how to search to find out which movies are playing at the festival.  There are not trailers on tv or the internet (for the majority of the movies).  Most people, unless the care to know, have no idea which movies are playing at the Sundance Film Festival.  I just took a poll in my office.  Out of six people ZERO knew the title or even a description of any movie at the festival.  One coworker didn't even know what the festival was...not kidding.  Those with children (3 of the 6) mentioned that their children did not know what the festival was or did not care and definitely none of them knew what movies are playing.

As for a message to society...well I hate to be Debbie Downer but that message of "sexual promiscuity" is being shared all over the world and very vocally by people/organizations/companies who have zero to do with the Sundance Film Festival.  As stated in Mr. Monson's post...the revenue from Sundance is only 0.064 of the state's total annual economic activity.  SIGNIFICANTLY more is being spent by those people/organizations/companies whose main agenda is sexual promiscuity.  If he is trying to curb the message of sexual promiscuity I think his efforts would be better focused on those groups.

I am all for promoting my values...for anyone promoting their own values.  But I try to do so in a way that makes sense i.e. I try to live my life in a way that is the best example of what I believe (not saying I am always successful, but that is my M.O.).  The argument that having the Sundance Film Festival in Utah is sending a wrong message to our children is just not a strong one, in fact, it is just plain laughable.

There are many movies at  the Sundance Film Festival, as well as other theatres, that do not reflect my values.  If they are offensive to me, I do not watch them.* If you find the subject matter offensive, don't take your kid to the movie.  But the filmmakers have a right to make those movies.  In fact I believe there is some sort of amendment saying something about their right...something about free speech...  I am also pretty certain there is an amendment, which the Sutherland Institute is in favor of, providing a right to bare arms.  So how about if we not overstate.  We live in a world where we can't hide from things we don't agree with.  But we do indeed have the power to choose what we give our time and attention to.

And while I would not tell Mr. Monson that he doesn't have the right to share his opinion, because he absolutely does...in fact he has the right to campaign to get rid of Sundance...but if he is going to do that...I think he needs to have some stronger reasoning.

And yes, I know, the Sutherland Institute is a VERY conservative think tank on par with the Eagle Forum...but I just could not keep my self from commenting.

That is all.  Thank you for your time...and don't worry...it will be another year before I express an opinion on anything serious again.

Oh and I am seeing THREE Sundance movies this week. :)

*While there are some movies at Sundance I have no interest in seeing, there are plenty that I am dying to see.  And they do not reflect my personal values, but that doesn't mean I won't appreciate the film.

It is November after all.

Lately I've been thinking a great deal about the seemingly endless number of blessings I have in my life...it is November after all.  And while mentioning things I am thankful for might seem cliche this month, it is not without merit.  I have been working especially hard these last two and half months to get to a happy place in my life.  A place that I haven't been in a long while.  There are a myriad of things that I have been focusing on in order to get to this place.  One focal point, as of late...as of always actually, but especially lately...has been my close friends and family.  Whether it is spending time with them or just acknowledging to myself their influence in my life.  I am often overwhelmed with pure joy after spending an evening with a great friend or family members.

I was driving in the car the other day listening to my iPod (of which I am EXTREMELY grateful for) and Knock Knock by Lenka came on. It has always been a favorite of mine.  The catchy tune and the lyrics.  For whatever reason, on this particular day, the lyrics really stood out to me.  As I listened to them, I thought back over the last couple months and images of my family and some of my dearest friends came to mind.  In these last couple months, as I've worked to be truly happy and joyful, these people have played such an integral part in my efforts.  Whether I have been in their physical proximity, shared a phone call, a chat via text or IM (technology is amazing), or reread thoughts they have shared in the past...they have all contributed to me being at this ridiculously happy place I have found myself in lately.  I wish I had pictures of everyone who has brought me to this happy place, but unfortunately I do not.  But I hope that even if you don't find a picture of yourself in this compilation, you will not doubt the contribution that you have made to the awesomeness that is me!

My thoughts on the best closing ceremonies ever

Russell Brand as Willy Wonka and the walrus...believable.

Annie Lennox has still got it. Although I am not sure that half of team USA is even old enough to know who she is...

But in defense of the young team USA…I don’t really know Jesse J.  But I think she could be added to my “can’t help but smile and dance” play list.

I am a fan of this Jesse J, Taio Cruz, Tinie Tempah trio of You Should Be Dancin’.  (I would have loved to have seen it by it’s originators in their prime.)

Even if it goes horribly array, I am RIDICULOUSLY STOKED for the SPICE GIRLS! 

And they delivered.  That was a WONDERFUL reunion.

Was Missy Franklin even born when the Spice Girls took over the world?  I am fairly certain the “Fierce Five” were not. 

I want to watch Spice World now.

Great music comes out of Great Britain.  (Although the Scandinavians are currently dominating the music world…my music world anyway…with the exception of Mumford and Sons.)

And LoLo Jones once again proves why she is so awesome.  Singing along to Wonder Wall.  Love her.

I love the Brits.  Best sense of humor.  Roller blading nuns…with Union Jack undies.  Awesome. Sauce.

Always look on the bright side of life!!  Eric Idle.  Is there anything more British?

The Royal family loved the human cannon ball!  I did too.

FREDDIE!

Jesse J can’t really replace Freddie. No one should try.  I’m not saying she can’t sing…clearly, she can.  It’s just that no one should do Freddie, except Freddie of course.

I want a hat that has a light bulb on it.

London has the best Olympic cauldron ever.  How will anyone ever top that?!

TAKE THAT!  BEST CLOSING CEREMONIES EVER.  Done and done.

and they keep on coming...

I love the Olympics.  I always have.  So enjoy another post J

I LOVE that Katie Bell counts “5,6,7,8” before she dives.

It makes me laugh when the platform divers jump on the platform and it doesn’t bounce.  I know it isn’t going to, but I expect it to every time.

Ok so I initially thought it might be the pole vaulters that are the strongest athletes.  But it might actually be women’s platform divers…or maybe it is just Brittany Viola.  Holy handstand Batman!

Misty May high-fiving almost the entire arena after May and Walsh beat China.  I am going to miss watching those two play volleyball.  Misty May-Treanor is magical.  Some of those digs she gets could only be got with magic…Misty Magic!

I love how the pole vaulters start to celebrate (or bum out) as they are falling to the mats. 

It was adorable when Ashton Eaton’s mom reminded him that “the blue goes on the left” when she handed him a US flag after he won the gold in the decathlon and became the world’s greatest athlete. 

I loved how the decathlon athletes were congratulating each other PRIOR to the 1500 meter run.

Track stars seem to smile more than gymnasts.  In fact, I think track stars seem to smile more than any other athletes.

I will not miss Usain Bolt…sorry guys…I am just really not the biggest fan.  He is incredible, no doubt.

Georganne Moline.  She finished fifth in the 400 meter hurdles.  It was her personal best time.  I can’t wait to see her in Brazil.  I loved watching her run. She ran her heart out in the finals.  (This can be said about many of the athletes.)  I wish we saw more about the non medalists. Thank goodness for the Internet.

Speaking of non medalists…LoLo Jones was also a favorite.  She got put down, publicly by some of her teammates but never slammed them back.  She just stood up for who she is and did her best.  Maybe her best on the final race day wasn’t Olympic medal best, but I still think she is amazing.  PS to Dawn Harper and Kellie Wells…taking digs at your teammate on national television is really bad form and exceptionally disappointing from an Olympic athlete. 

Misty and Kerri winning gold was a beautiful thing.  I kind of felt like I was invading their friendship by watching them after they won.  Clearly they are best friends.  I don’t think another women’s beach volleyball team is ever going to be as amazing as they are unless they have that same friendship.  The ties that bind are what bring the greatest success in life.

yes, I do love the Olympics

Please do not stop reading after you read this, but I am not crazy about Usain Bolt.

It appears that my favorite olympic athletes are the "kids" (i.e. the "women's gymnasts, the swimmers who are still in or barely out of high school), the moms and Georgeanne Moline.

Chinese vs. U.S.A. in beach volleyball…awesome sauce.  I especially loved that it was a serious competition the entire way.

100 meter hurdlers are INSANE!  I don’t know how they don’t fall every single time.

I love seeing good sportsmanship…during the Olympics.

Alex Morgan’s head is awesome.

I am not really crazy about the gymnastics commentators.  They are kind of jerks. 

I have developed a deep love for some of the Russian and Romanian gymnasts during these Olympics.

Aly Raisman is a good sport.  And I love to see the gymnasts smile!

And of all the competitors that could have knocked Catalina Ponor off the podium at least Aly Raisman knows how she feels.

Carmelita Jeter.  See previous post about watching runners.

Love that Kseniia Afanaseva had a little Kill Bill music moment in her floor routine.

Aly Raisman saying wow after her own floor routine was all kinds of awesome sauce.

I would love to see Georgeanne Moline medal in the hurdles on Wednesday.