Hung out with a friend today.
I was just watching Criminal Minds again, and have been reading Deathly Hallows on and off today. I've watched a few movies lately, and started to think about the villains. Criminal Minds is creepy to think about, because all the story lines could happen in real life, or have happened. Those aren't the villains I was thinking about, though.
When I was younger I'd never admit this, but sometimes I wanted the villains to win. I didn't tell anyone because I knew that I wasn't supposed to want them to win. Good was always supposed to win, no matter what. Evil might prevail every once in awhile, but you always knew that the good guys would win in the long run.
Maybe it was because I knew that in real life, the good guys didn't always win. Maybe it was because through some stupendous twist of fate, the good guys were allowed to win. Maybe it was because you could predict that they'd always win, so they'd always be all right in the end. I'm not sure why, but I started to root for the villains.
I think I've written before about how villains have a more interesting back story. You need to know why they decided to become evil instead of good, and how they execute their plans. They generally don't have that many friends, and you can see the effect this has on people. Through villains you can see how failures and horrible situations can make someone go bad.
Not only that, but they could never win in the end, which contributed to their evilness. They just grow more and more bitter towards the world, making up even loftier plans, some with little chance of working. And they know it. I mean, if they've operated for so long without getting caught, then they've got to know this. It might be that in the end, all they want is some sort of attention, not caring if it's for success or failure.
That could be another reason why I was always drawn to them. At an early age it was established that I would get good grades and behave properly in school, so praise for my successes stopped soon after. Or maybe I just wanted to get to know them so that I would know my opponent when I met them.
I could have been preparing myself for my future, when I'd have to tell for myself who was a villain, and how to defeat them. But since everything I grew up on was fantasy, the solutions were never readily available. What I had learned from the good guys couldn't be applied in real life, so I fell victim to the villains. I got to know the real-life villains. They still intrigue me. That's why I keep some around.
There's a part of me that will probably always root for the villains. Just not for the long run.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Jenny Was a Friend of Mine (73/90)
I fell asleep at my friend's last night, so I figured I should just do a catch up post instead of trying to write last night.
I met up with a friend from middle school yesterday. I hadn't seen her in about six years, and we fell out of touch soon after I moved away. In that space of time I had: joined marching band, pep band, and jazz band; got my first two boyfriends; went to Disney World for band; failed a class; liked Neuqua Valley High School; never smoked; never did drugs; never drank; applied to 17 colleges; graduated from Neuqua. Not only that, but everything that happened at college.
In that space of time she had: moved; went to Hinsdale South High School; gotten her first boyfriend; smoked; drank; did drugs; graduated from Hinsdale South. We used to be best friends, all through middle school. She was one of the reasons I didn't want to move, and one of the reasons I was determined to hate Neuqua. She used to say she would be the first person in her family to go to college.
She is planning on going to college, once she saves up the money. She was going into the Marines, but that didn't work out. We didn't really have too much to talk about yesterday, besides for talking about our old friends and catching up on big things in our lives. And while we were talking, I started to think about what could have happened if I hadn't moved.
I'm not sure, because our other best friend probably wouldn't have gone down the same path. But she moved too, soon after I did. I'm not sure who would have had an influence on my life. I just have this feeling that I wouldn't be where I am if we hadn't moved, and I think my parents were keen to make sure we could be where we are today.
I feel like I'm passing harsh judgment against her, and it sickens me. I know everyone has to go do their own thing, but I think that if I had stayed there, I'd probably not be going to school. I'd probably be working somewhere to pay rent to my parents, or trying to live with my boyfriend. A lot of my middle school friends that I've reconnected with are doing that. And I quite like the place where I'm at.
I'm extremely grateful now for everything that I got at Neuqua: excellent schooling, an extraordinary music program, great friends, and the chance to go to any college I wanted. I'm grateful that my parents knew what they were doing when they moved us out here. And I wouldn't want it any other way.
There's probably a good reason we fell out of touch.
I met up with a friend from middle school yesterday. I hadn't seen her in about six years, and we fell out of touch soon after I moved away. In that space of time I had: joined marching band, pep band, and jazz band; got my first two boyfriends; went to Disney World for band; failed a class; liked Neuqua Valley High School; never smoked; never did drugs; never drank; applied to 17 colleges; graduated from Neuqua. Not only that, but everything that happened at college.
In that space of time she had: moved; went to Hinsdale South High School; gotten her first boyfriend; smoked; drank; did drugs; graduated from Hinsdale South. We used to be best friends, all through middle school. She was one of the reasons I didn't want to move, and one of the reasons I was determined to hate Neuqua. She used to say she would be the first person in her family to go to college.
She is planning on going to college, once she saves up the money. She was going into the Marines, but that didn't work out. We didn't really have too much to talk about yesterday, besides for talking about our old friends and catching up on big things in our lives. And while we were talking, I started to think about what could have happened if I hadn't moved.
I'm not sure, because our other best friend probably wouldn't have gone down the same path. But she moved too, soon after I did. I'm not sure who would have had an influence on my life. I just have this feeling that I wouldn't be where I am if we hadn't moved, and I think my parents were keen to make sure we could be where we are today.
I feel like I'm passing harsh judgment against her, and it sickens me. I know everyone has to go do their own thing, but I think that if I had stayed there, I'd probably not be going to school. I'd probably be working somewhere to pay rent to my parents, or trying to live with my boyfriend. A lot of my middle school friends that I've reconnected with are doing that. And I quite like the place where I'm at.
I'm extremely grateful now for everything that I got at Neuqua: excellent schooling, an extraordinary music program, great friends, and the chance to go to any college I wanted. I'm grateful that my parents knew what they were doing when they moved us out here. And I wouldn't want it any other way.
There's probably a good reason we fell out of touch.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Find Your Love (72/90)
Pie is delicious.
Today I was watching a Morgan Spurlock TV show called 30 Days. After the success of Super Size Me, he decided to do a series where he'd explore some aspect of life that was usually opposite of what he or the participants were used to, and for 30 days they'd live like this. I've seen some of this show before, and it's intrigued me. Today I watched the minimum wage episode, and the straight/gay episode.
I honestly think more people need to watch this TV show. It's enlightening. The minimum wage one exposed how hard it is to live on minimum wage in this country, for two people only. They hardly made enough to get by, and because both of them had to go to the emergency room without insurance, they actually didn't. They did the math at the end of the show, and found out that they wouldn't be able to pay off their hospital bills for three months, on top of everything else they had to pay for.
Granted, certain states have a higher minimum wage than the federal, and this episode was filmed in 2005, and the federal minimum wage was $5.15. Now, in 2010, it's $7.25. I know that Illinois' minimum wage is higher than the federal, $8.25. But the message is still the same. It is incredibly hard to do more than get by on minimum wage, and it makes you think.
Spurlock visited a church that had free necessities, from dishes to furniture. I'm not a very religious person, but I started thinking that I'd like to find one of these churches and donate a lot of things I don't use to them, so that they can be put to use. I do have a lot of unnecessary things that could be put to use by others.
The second one that came on today was when they took a straight man from Michigan, Ryan, and sent him to live in the Castro district of San Fransisco for 30 days. He was very conservative, very Christian, in the Army reserve, and thought that homosexuality was a sin. Throughout most of his stay, he was firm in his convictions. Some of his stereotypes about how homosexuals lived were shattered; he did realize they weren't very different from him. But he still held on to his belief that it was a sin, and a choice.
Ryan went to a gay church, and still doubted that they were Christian. He talked to the pastor, who brought up what I think is a very good point: he was foregoing certain things in the Bible, but holding strong to others. For example, she asked him if he had, in the course of serving in the Army, ever shot and killed someone, or if he would if it were necessary. He said yes. She then reminded him that killing is a sin. He argued that he was protecting his country. This proved her point.
He also compared homosexuality to murder. He said, "Murder's a sin, and homosexuality's a sin." Excuse me, but I do believe that ending a life is a bit worse than loving someone. And didn't Jesus teach love? Didn't Jesus love those who society deemed unworthy? Weren't prostitutes condemned too, and wasn't Mary Magdalene a prostitute? Please correct me if I'm wrong. I wasn't raised by the Bible, so I could be getting my facts wrong.
Personally, I say live and let live. I don't think it's a sin, and even if you think it is, are you worthy to be judging them? I thought that was God's job. I thought you were supposed to love your neighbor, not deny them rights because they're different. I thought that you were supposed to spread the word of God. All of the word, to all people.
Love is love is love.
Today I was watching a Morgan Spurlock TV show called 30 Days. After the success of Super Size Me, he decided to do a series where he'd explore some aspect of life that was usually opposite of what he or the participants were used to, and for 30 days they'd live like this. I've seen some of this show before, and it's intrigued me. Today I watched the minimum wage episode, and the straight/gay episode.
I honestly think more people need to watch this TV show. It's enlightening. The minimum wage one exposed how hard it is to live on minimum wage in this country, for two people only. They hardly made enough to get by, and because both of them had to go to the emergency room without insurance, they actually didn't. They did the math at the end of the show, and found out that they wouldn't be able to pay off their hospital bills for three months, on top of everything else they had to pay for.
Granted, certain states have a higher minimum wage than the federal, and this episode was filmed in 2005, and the federal minimum wage was $5.15. Now, in 2010, it's $7.25. I know that Illinois' minimum wage is higher than the federal, $8.25. But the message is still the same. It is incredibly hard to do more than get by on minimum wage, and it makes you think.
Spurlock visited a church that had free necessities, from dishes to furniture. I'm not a very religious person, but I started thinking that I'd like to find one of these churches and donate a lot of things I don't use to them, so that they can be put to use. I do have a lot of unnecessary things that could be put to use by others.
The second one that came on today was when they took a straight man from Michigan, Ryan, and sent him to live in the Castro district of San Fransisco for 30 days. He was very conservative, very Christian, in the Army reserve, and thought that homosexuality was a sin. Throughout most of his stay, he was firm in his convictions. Some of his stereotypes about how homosexuals lived were shattered; he did realize they weren't very different from him. But he still held on to his belief that it was a sin, and a choice.
Ryan went to a gay church, and still doubted that they were Christian. He talked to the pastor, who brought up what I think is a very good point: he was foregoing certain things in the Bible, but holding strong to others. For example, she asked him if he had, in the course of serving in the Army, ever shot and killed someone, or if he would if it were necessary. He said yes. She then reminded him that killing is a sin. He argued that he was protecting his country. This proved her point.
He also compared homosexuality to murder. He said, "Murder's a sin, and homosexuality's a sin." Excuse me, but I do believe that ending a life is a bit worse than loving someone. And didn't Jesus teach love? Didn't Jesus love those who society deemed unworthy? Weren't prostitutes condemned too, and wasn't Mary Magdalene a prostitute? Please correct me if I'm wrong. I wasn't raised by the Bible, so I could be getting my facts wrong.
Personally, I say live and let live. I don't think it's a sin, and even if you think it is, are you worthy to be judging them? I thought that was God's job. I thought you were supposed to love your neighbor, not deny them rights because they're different. I thought that you were supposed to spread the word of God. All of the word, to all people.
Love is love is love.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Put Your Arms Around Me (71/90)
Harry Potter marathon again today. No new footage, though. This will probably have no direction, so I apologize.
Earlier this week I was talking to Margaret in the wee hours of the morning about my life: Where it's been and where it's going. And I realized that this is the longest I've gone without any physical contact from anyone that lasts longer than a hug. Well, since my senior year of high school, that is. It's been three months now, and not an end in sight (unless you count salsa dancing, which I'm not). Not that I'm particularly complaining about it, it's just something that I've not had to deal with for a few years.
Well, I am complaining about it a bit. For a long time I got used to having someone next to me every day. To feel their body heat and know that they wanted to be there, with me. It made me feel safe. And that's what I miss. I miss being able to sit with someone, or lay with someone, and just feel their physical presence. I think that's what a lot of people miss when they say they miss being in a relationship.
It got me thinking about the choices that I've made, and the choices I'm thinking of making in a month. There have been times when I gave into that desire to be close to someone, to have someone make me feel safe in their arms, if only for a little while. And even at the time I felt somewhere, maybe in my gut, maybe just instinct, that it wasn't something I wanted in the long run.
I'm someone who thinks things through at certain times, and then goes with her heart on others. It just depends where my heart and head are at the time. For the past few months there have been few times when they've been on the same page, maybe twice a week. The rest of the time it's up to me to choose which path to follow. If I follow my head, then I look at the past and see how I will impact my future. If I follow my heart, then I don't spare a second thought to my actions or desires.
At the end of the day, though, I always end up in the same place. Confused and sleeping alone. Because at this point in time, there is little I can do to act upon what my head or heart have decided. For now, all I can do is dwell, and I know if I dwell then things will never get settled. But I would like for something to be settled in my mind, something that's been there since the end of May. It seems like every day I change my mind. I guess it's because every day I want something different.
But behind every wish, there is always that one that prevails over all others: I want to be safe in someone's arms.
Earlier this week I was talking to Margaret in the wee hours of the morning about my life: Where it's been and where it's going. And I realized that this is the longest I've gone without any physical contact from anyone that lasts longer than a hug. Well, since my senior year of high school, that is. It's been three months now, and not an end in sight (unless you count salsa dancing, which I'm not). Not that I'm particularly complaining about it, it's just something that I've not had to deal with for a few years.
Well, I am complaining about it a bit. For a long time I got used to having someone next to me every day. To feel their body heat and know that they wanted to be there, with me. It made me feel safe. And that's what I miss. I miss being able to sit with someone, or lay with someone, and just feel their physical presence. I think that's what a lot of people miss when they say they miss being in a relationship.
It got me thinking about the choices that I've made, and the choices I'm thinking of making in a month. There have been times when I gave into that desire to be close to someone, to have someone make me feel safe in their arms, if only for a little while. And even at the time I felt somewhere, maybe in my gut, maybe just instinct, that it wasn't something I wanted in the long run.
I'm someone who thinks things through at certain times, and then goes with her heart on others. It just depends where my heart and head are at the time. For the past few months there have been few times when they've been on the same page, maybe twice a week. The rest of the time it's up to me to choose which path to follow. If I follow my head, then I look at the past and see how I will impact my future. If I follow my heart, then I don't spare a second thought to my actions or desires.
At the end of the day, though, I always end up in the same place. Confused and sleeping alone. Because at this point in time, there is little I can do to act upon what my head or heart have decided. For now, all I can do is dwell, and I know if I dwell then things will never get settled. But I would like for something to be settled in my mind, something that's been there since the end of May. It seems like every day I change my mind. I guess it's because every day I want something different.
But behind every wish, there is always that one that prevails over all others: I want to be safe in someone's arms.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Survivor Skills (70/90)
So I spent the rest of my day watching the Harry Potter marathon with my family. And yes, they yelled at me to stop reciting the lines.
Nothing from the movies really jumps out as something to expand upon, since most of the things I hit earlier when I was reading those books. Well, I guess one thing did. When we first get an inside look into The Burrow, there's a pair of what I think are knitting needles doing the knitting, and Harry is fascinated by it. There's also a pan washing itself in the sink.
But what got me thinking just now, as I was searching for things to write about tonight, is the knitting. I don't know how to knit, or crochet. I don't even know how to sew. I ask my mom to fix the holes in my clothes, and when I was at school this past year I asked Dave to do it, since he knows how to sew. But I've never learned how to sew, which gets a bit frustrating when there's a hole in my shirts and no one to fix it.
That's not the only "domestic" thing I've never learned how to do. I don't know how to cook without a recipe. Well, I can cook eggs without a recipe, but that's about it. I can cook following a recipe; I don't have an issue with that. But I probably can't cook meat. I'd probably over- or under-cook it, since I've never been taught to. I mean, I'm sure it wouldn't be too bad either way, but I'd rather not risk it.
When I was younger I was quite the tomboy, which is probably why I never learned how to do either of these. And my mom didn't have to work late, so she did the cooking while I played outside with my friends. But now, if I had to suddenly go and live completely on my own (not in a dorm), I'd be stuck. I'd probably have to get fast food frequently, because I'd quickly get sick of eggs, cereal, and pre-packaged meals.
I don't think I know how to change a tire, so god forbid I get a flat. I can't change the oil in a car. I'm not sure how to repair anything on my own. I'm sure if I looked it up online, then I'd be fine. But if I had a loose pipe, I'd have a very nasty house until I figured out how to tighten it. I don't think I've ever actually used a hammer for the purpose it was designed for. I've never had to chop firewood, which I'd like to know how to do since I'd like a fireplace when I get older.
The more I think about it, the more it seems like I don't know any basic life skills for when I leave the house. I think I should learn them soon.
Nothing from the movies really jumps out as something to expand upon, since most of the things I hit earlier when I was reading those books. Well, I guess one thing did. When we first get an inside look into The Burrow, there's a pair of what I think are knitting needles doing the knitting, and Harry is fascinated by it. There's also a pan washing itself in the sink.
But what got me thinking just now, as I was searching for things to write about tonight, is the knitting. I don't know how to knit, or crochet. I don't even know how to sew. I ask my mom to fix the holes in my clothes, and when I was at school this past year I asked Dave to do it, since he knows how to sew. But I've never learned how to sew, which gets a bit frustrating when there's a hole in my shirts and no one to fix it.
That's not the only "domestic" thing I've never learned how to do. I don't know how to cook without a recipe. Well, I can cook eggs without a recipe, but that's about it. I can cook following a recipe; I don't have an issue with that. But I probably can't cook meat. I'd probably over- or under-cook it, since I've never been taught to. I mean, I'm sure it wouldn't be too bad either way, but I'd rather not risk it.
When I was younger I was quite the tomboy, which is probably why I never learned how to do either of these. And my mom didn't have to work late, so she did the cooking while I played outside with my friends. But now, if I had to suddenly go and live completely on my own (not in a dorm), I'd be stuck. I'd probably have to get fast food frequently, because I'd quickly get sick of eggs, cereal, and pre-packaged meals.
I don't think I know how to change a tire, so god forbid I get a flat. I can't change the oil in a car. I'm not sure how to repair anything on my own. I'm sure if I looked it up online, then I'd be fine. But if I had a loose pipe, I'd have a very nasty house until I figured out how to tighten it. I don't think I've ever actually used a hammer for the purpose it was designed for. I've never had to chop firewood, which I'd like to know how to do since I'd like a fireplace when I get older.
The more I think about it, the more it seems like I don't know any basic life skills for when I leave the house. I think I should learn them soon.
Harry's Wonderous World (69/90)
I went out Salsa dancing last night, that's why I didn't update. There's a lot on my mind, so the catch-up post is just random thoughts.
I cleaned out my clothes yesterday. It had gotten to the point where I couldn't fit everything in my closet and drawers, so I've been meaning to do it for awhile. I keep old clothes for various reasons: Either I think I'll be able to fit into them again when I lose weight, or they've got a special place in my heart. And I watch shows like "What Not to Wear" and wonder why some people can't part with certain clothes. But I couldn't do that with a whole drawer full of shirts that I either don't want to wear again, or can't fit into.
But I don't really think that's what today's make-up blog is going to be about, because if I hadn't gone out last night then I would've been watching the Harry Potter Weekend marathon on ABC Family. And I love these weekends, because they put the extended scenes in as well. This weekend is even more exciting because they're showing footage of Deathly Hallows. But they're playing them again right now.
I've got Sorceror's Stone on right now. It's mainly on as background as I write this, but every so often I look up. Richard Harris Dumbledore just gave a speech. I miss this Dumbledore. He had the grandfatherly bit to Dumbledore that's missing from Michael Gambon. Probably because Gambon hasn't read the books. And when I do look up, I start to say the lines. I can do that in peace because no one else is home. I've also got the facial expressions memorized when they speak their lines.
There's a possibility that I'm too attached to this series. I know I'm obsessed. I've been re-reading the series and talking to the books. I waited in my room with five different web sites on when the Deathly Hallows trailer was released. I've cried whenever anyone has died in the books this reading. I want my first tattoo to be something Potter-related. Either "accio," which is the summoning spell, or the Deathly Hallows symbol. I think I know more about Harry Potter than I do about history, which is my second major. And I want more.
Harry Potter is what made me want to write a book. I fell in love with the idea of creating someone out of thin air, and communicating my thoughts to others so we could all see the same thing through words. I've written about this before. But that's not the only thing Harry Potter's done for me.
Harry's helped me through a lot when I was younger. If I pop in one of the movies, or start reading one of the books, it instantly cheers me up. I continue to find new things in the books on every reading, and I just noticed something in the movie that I hadn't before. Harry may actually be the only male I can fully rely on in my life.
I mean, so long as I have the books and the movies, he'll always be there. I understand his actions, and if not then I can always re-visit them until I do. I know what he's thinking, and what he wants. Whenever I need him, I can easily see him. The only thing that stinks is that he's completely fictional. I wonder if that's a bit sad, that the only male I can depend on is a fictional character between the ages of 11 to 17 for most of the time I need him?
But it doesn't matter, because my love for him hasn't faded yet, and I can't see it fading anytime soon.
I cleaned out my clothes yesterday. It had gotten to the point where I couldn't fit everything in my closet and drawers, so I've been meaning to do it for awhile. I keep old clothes for various reasons: Either I think I'll be able to fit into them again when I lose weight, or they've got a special place in my heart. And I watch shows like "What Not to Wear" and wonder why some people can't part with certain clothes. But I couldn't do that with a whole drawer full of shirts that I either don't want to wear again, or can't fit into.
But I don't really think that's what today's make-up blog is going to be about, because if I hadn't gone out last night then I would've been watching the Harry Potter Weekend marathon on ABC Family. And I love these weekends, because they put the extended scenes in as well. This weekend is even more exciting because they're showing footage of Deathly Hallows. But they're playing them again right now.
I've got Sorceror's Stone on right now. It's mainly on as background as I write this, but every so often I look up. Richard Harris Dumbledore just gave a speech. I miss this Dumbledore. He had the grandfatherly bit to Dumbledore that's missing from Michael Gambon. Probably because Gambon hasn't read the books. And when I do look up, I start to say the lines. I can do that in peace because no one else is home. I've also got the facial expressions memorized when they speak their lines.
There's a possibility that I'm too attached to this series. I know I'm obsessed. I've been re-reading the series and talking to the books. I waited in my room with five different web sites on when the Deathly Hallows trailer was released. I've cried whenever anyone has died in the books this reading. I want my first tattoo to be something Potter-related. Either "accio," which is the summoning spell, or the Deathly Hallows symbol. I think I know more about Harry Potter than I do about history, which is my second major. And I want more.
Harry Potter is what made me want to write a book. I fell in love with the idea of creating someone out of thin air, and communicating my thoughts to others so we could all see the same thing through words. I've written about this before. But that's not the only thing Harry Potter's done for me.
Harry's helped me through a lot when I was younger. If I pop in one of the movies, or start reading one of the books, it instantly cheers me up. I continue to find new things in the books on every reading, and I just noticed something in the movie that I hadn't before. Harry may actually be the only male I can fully rely on in my life.
I mean, so long as I have the books and the movies, he'll always be there. I understand his actions, and if not then I can always re-visit them until I do. I know what he's thinking, and what he wants. Whenever I need him, I can easily see him. The only thing that stinks is that he's completely fictional. I wonder if that's a bit sad, that the only male I can depend on is a fictional character between the ages of 11 to 17 for most of the time I need him?
But it doesn't matter, because my love for him hasn't faded yet, and I can't see it fading anytime soon.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Sex on Fire (68/90)
I went rock climbing today, and am now sore.
Lately it seems like I've been surrounded by sex. My friends keep talking about it, the soap operas my mom watches use it as a major plot point, and there's usually something sexual in the movies. It's natural to be curious about it, because thinking about it in its most base sense may seem a bit odd. Honestly, it's sticking something repeatedly in and out for an indeterminable amount of time until exhausted.
There has been an increasing number of teens who have sex at a younger age, and many believe that abstinence-only sexual education will bring the number down. Here's my two cents: I was just a teen. Telling me not to do something makes me want to do it even more. And teaching me that I shouldn't have sex because it's bad or will lead to pregnancy and/or STD's may deter some, but on the off chance that I did give in, I'd like to be informed. Obviously there have been people who have had sex and haven't gotten any of these, so teaching about condoms at the very least seems like a good idea.
When I was in middle school, I wasn't thinking about sex. I was thinking about hanging out with my friends, reading, and writing. I can't imagine thinking about sex at that young of an age, but there are teens that are. It's an odd thought for me, to think that they want to lose their virginity at such a young age. So then I got to thinking about why it could be.
As I said before, there's some type of sexual situation in everyday programming. It seems like with more advances in technology we care less about what goes on the screen. Just looking at a PG-13 rated movie from a few years ago compared to today will give you a good idea of that. People have embraced that old advertising adage: Sex sells.
And it truly does. Not only on TV, but in our music. There are songs about wanting to have sex with "every girl in the world," about how boys like to "ride" someone, and about how someone may be crazy, but since she's good at sex the guy is glad to stick around. These songs are "Every Girl" by Young Money, "Ride" by Ciara, and "Crazy B*tch" by Buckcherry, if you were wondering. They're all about sex. There's no hidden meaning behind the words. They want to have good sex, and some just want women to have sex with.
These are chart-topping hits, and they are accompanied by music videos. The dancing in them is highly sexual and suggestive, with scantily-clad women in "Every Girl," a lot of booty shaking in "Ride," and strippers in "Crazy B*tch."I won't deny that I don't own each of these songs, but then again I'm 21. I won't say that they should be pulled from the radio, because I enjoy them. Granted, I enjoy "Every Girl" because I find the lyrics amusing.
But I think that since younger girls are emulating the women they see in these music videos that something needs to change. At age 14 I don't think you're ready for sex, personally. I don't know what needs to change exactly, except maybe better parenting. At the age of 14 you can't have a job, so these girls are (presumably) getting their clothes from their parents. At the very least, the parents are allowing them to walk around like that.
Personally, I wouldn't let my 14 year old daughter walk out of the house in a skirt where the pockets stick out on the bottom. Maybe I'm just a bit old-fashioned, but I know she wouldn't be emotionally ready for sex, and there are people out there who could take advantage of her naivety to try to persuade her into doing something she didn't want to.
I don't know exactly what, but I think that something needs to change.
Lately it seems like I've been surrounded by sex. My friends keep talking about it, the soap operas my mom watches use it as a major plot point, and there's usually something sexual in the movies. It's natural to be curious about it, because thinking about it in its most base sense may seem a bit odd. Honestly, it's sticking something repeatedly in and out for an indeterminable amount of time until exhausted.
There has been an increasing number of teens who have sex at a younger age, and many believe that abstinence-only sexual education will bring the number down. Here's my two cents: I was just a teen. Telling me not to do something makes me want to do it even more. And teaching me that I shouldn't have sex because it's bad or will lead to pregnancy and/or STD's may deter some, but on the off chance that I did give in, I'd like to be informed. Obviously there have been people who have had sex and haven't gotten any of these, so teaching about condoms at the very least seems like a good idea.
When I was in middle school, I wasn't thinking about sex. I was thinking about hanging out with my friends, reading, and writing. I can't imagine thinking about sex at that young of an age, but there are teens that are. It's an odd thought for me, to think that they want to lose their virginity at such a young age. So then I got to thinking about why it could be.
As I said before, there's some type of sexual situation in everyday programming. It seems like with more advances in technology we care less about what goes on the screen. Just looking at a PG-13 rated movie from a few years ago compared to today will give you a good idea of that. People have embraced that old advertising adage: Sex sells.
And it truly does. Not only on TV, but in our music. There are songs about wanting to have sex with "every girl in the world," about how boys like to "ride" someone, and about how someone may be crazy, but since she's good at sex the guy is glad to stick around. These songs are "Every Girl" by Young Money, "Ride" by Ciara, and "Crazy B*tch" by Buckcherry, if you were wondering. They're all about sex. There's no hidden meaning behind the words. They want to have good sex, and some just want women to have sex with.
These are chart-topping hits, and they are accompanied by music videos. The dancing in them is highly sexual and suggestive, with scantily-clad women in "Every Girl," a lot of booty shaking in "Ride," and strippers in "Crazy B*tch."I won't deny that I don't own each of these songs, but then again I'm 21. I won't say that they should be pulled from the radio, because I enjoy them. Granted, I enjoy "Every Girl" because I find the lyrics amusing.
But I think that since younger girls are emulating the women they see in these music videos that something needs to change. At age 14 I don't think you're ready for sex, personally. I don't know what needs to change exactly, except maybe better parenting. At the age of 14 you can't have a job, so these girls are (presumably) getting their clothes from their parents. At the very least, the parents are allowing them to walk around like that.
Personally, I wouldn't let my 14 year old daughter walk out of the house in a skirt where the pockets stick out on the bottom. Maybe I'm just a bit old-fashioned, but I know she wouldn't be emotionally ready for sex, and there are people out there who could take advantage of her naivety to try to persuade her into doing something she didn't want to.
I don't know exactly what, but I think that something needs to change.
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