Mock Trial- Members of the jury please comment!

I was a "freedom of speech" lawyer during the mock trial in class this week. It was not an easy side for me to be on, because I didn't always agree with the points I was trying to make. For that reason, I am extremely glad that I was on this side. I had lots of opportunities to look critically at the research regarding violent video games. In the end, after looking at the research, I do have to agree with the "freedom of speech" side. I strongly believe in protecting not only my rights, but as a (fake) representative of the citizens of America, it is my (fake) job to protect their rights as well.
I do not feel that the evidence concerning violent video games is conclusive enough to ban the selling of violent games to minors. Even if I wouldn't allow my children to play excessively violent video games (which I do not intend to allow them in my home), I do not think it is right to take away someone's ability to judge for them self what is appropriate and right. I really have to ask, where are all of these heinous crimes that adolescents are committing as a result of video games that warrant the sale of violent video games to be banned? I did not hear about a SINGLE violent crime being committed by an adolescent who plays lots of violent video games. I think without indisputable evidence showing that violent crimes are being committed as a result of video games, they cannot be banned if we believe in upholding the constitution of the United Sates.
I think the real selling point for me was, where do we draw the line? So, if the government can ban the sale of violent video games to minors, what else can they justify in banning? Books on the holocaust? Harry Potter movies and books (violence and witchcraft- many people think Happy Potter is inappropriate for these reasons)? Greek Mythology contains lots of stories that are explicitly violent. I just don't see an end to what the government can ban if they can ban the sale of violent video games WITHOUT EVIDENCE OF SERIOUS CRIMES BEING COMMITTED as a result.
I would love to hear from the jury giving some insight in to how they came to their conclusion. I know this was just a MOCK trial, but I am shocked by the UNANIMOUS vote against the sale of violent video games to minors. I really thought with this media class being a 300 level class and all, that we would have learned how to think more critically and hopefully set aside our biases. If this was a real court hearing, the jury's decision would have set precedent for future trials. There is no end to what that decision could do. Please give me some insight!

Children's Book Research- Good for the soul!

My media class group is doing research on the way parents are viewed in children's books. During this research process, I have read children's books. Of course I read some books that I would never want to read again (such as books teaching children to use the toilet...), but for the most part I read lots of great books! Not only were the books really fun, many of the books had great lessons in them. There were several books that were centered around selfless acts of love. I think it would be a great thing if more of us read children's books regularly :)

Be bigger than your mistakes

I was on campus and came across these words of wisdom in the Brimhall building.

-If you avoid difficult things, great things will avoid you.
-Fully repentant black sheep become white sheep.
-Leadership never strolls, it strides.
-God illuminates without consuming, Satan consumes without illuminating.
-Face what is, and thereby qualify to dream of what may be.
-Be Bigger than your mistakes.
-Climb high, that you may help others up.
-It is a sin to be ignorant when there is opportunity for knowledge.
-Make no excuses-make good.
-Humility is a safeguard against humiliation.

I love all of these! This has given quite a few things to think about this week. The one thing I would change would be the second saying. I would say, Fully repentant black sheep ARE white sheep. I would change that because when we repent Heavenly Father doesn't remember our sins. It is as if it never happened in his eyes. Plus, everyone makes mistakes, therefore you can't be a white sheep unless you repent. Right?

The Hunger Games and Twilight

So, I just bought The hunger Games at Wal-Mart today. I wasn't going to read the book, because the whole idea of children killing each other doesn't appeal to me. However, I was finally convinced to read the book and was promised that this book wasn't gory. I'm really really hoping it's not... I can't stomach too much blood and guts.
Normally, I would think this book must be good because so many people read it. However, last semester I read Twilight for a school project, and it was one of the worst things I have ever read. I almost stopped halfway through the book and chose another book for my project. Besides being horribly written, Twilight showcases Bella and Edward's relationship as the ideal. This is appalling to me because their relationship isn't healthy. I think Edward is very controlling. I felt like he forces Bella to do things his way, because he wants to "protect" her. I believe his intentions are good, but if she doesn't want his help, then he shouldn't force her to have his help. I worry that teenagers who read this book will think that this is how relationships are.
Anyway, I'm going to start The Hunger Games tonight. I'll have to write another post when I am done reading the book, and give my opinion on the book.

For the love of Media!

So, I find out more and more ways to utilize the media everyday. I have added more items to my bucket list and included other ways the media can help me accomplish them as well.

- Keep and stick to a budget (mint.com, need I say more.)
- Do a cartwheel (I can enlist help through Facebook to find a friend who can teach me this skill... and this is a skill just like nunchuck skills, bowhunting skills, computer hacking skills, ect.)
- Run for a cause (I can search for a cause worth running for on the internet, then train for it using fitness sites on the internet, and the my fitness pal app)
- Throw the most amazing LDS bachelorette party ever! Normally these are so lame, because the idea behind the bachelorette party is not all that appropriate, BUT... I have to throw my sister one, so I am determined to class it up, make it crazy fun, and appropriate for even my grandmother! (Party blogs will be my saving grace when planning this.)

Wow! some of those sentences are out of control. Maybe I should add, learn how to write a bucket list without run on sentences, to my list. I have two papers due today. I think I should go ahead and walk over to the BYU writing lab...

Motivation is like Bathing

“People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily.” Zig Ziglar

It's almost March and by now most of us can't even remember what our New Year's resolutions were. For all of us college students, it is the middle of the semester, and if you are anything like me, you might be finding it hard to stay motivated. Well, there are a few things that I remembered today.

First, it is never too late. I have not completed as much as I planned to accomplished by this time this year. But that doesn't mean that I can't start to change that now. Is it worse to start late or never start?

Second, you can do anything that you set your mind to. One reason I have not accomplished everything that I wanted to is because I have tried and failed. I am not embarrassed to admit to my failures. I would have rather tried and failed, than never tried at all.

Third (and most importantly), if you want to accomplish more, then you will need frequent motivation. One way to stay motivated is to make sure you do something that you enjoy DAILY. This is not as easy as it may sound, but it will keep you from getting burned out.

With these things in mind. It is time to start again, and I'm excited!! I have a new resolve to work hard in school. I have also made specific plans to eat healthier and exercise more frequently. On my previous post I listed a few things that were on my bucket list. I have started one of them, with the help of the media of course ;). I am making a wallet out of extra fabric I had using a wallet tutorial I found on another blog. I cut all of the pieces out for my wallet last weekend. I hope to finish the wallet by March 14th. I will post pictures when I am done!

Bucket list...

Here are a few items on my bucket list that the media can help me accomplish.
1. Learn 100 new words and use them in everyday conversation (you can sign up at dictionary.com to get sent their word of the day)
2. Have my apartment, car, and purse all clean at the same time (blogs about organization can teach me how to arrange my things in an orderly way to help reduce clutter)
3. Put $1,000 in an emergency fund for a rainy day (Ebay can help me get rid of things I don't use AND make extra money for this fund!)
4. Make something I can use out of things I don't use (youtube and pintrest have all kinds of ideas about how to create fun and cute things)
Those are just a few things I want to accomplish. Now, I am off to go cross something off my list!