Tuesday, April 8, 2008

true life


True Life: I’m Under Peer Pressure

“Since its initial episode in 1998, MTV's award-winning True Life documentary series has told remarkable real-life stories of young people and the unusual subcultures they inhabit. Whether documenting the lives of gay marriage activists, individuals dealing with obesity, or teens in high school--the True Life series tells its stories solely from the varied voices and points-of-view of its characters--putting the series in the unique position of reflecting the state of youth culture at any given moment”- MTV.com


MTV‘s “True Life” series has always been intriguing. With stories regarding anything from drugs, obesity and even competitive eating, it’s pretty cool to watch stories about “real people”. But today, OH MAN, I saw an episode that really pissed me off and confirmed stereotypes that our generation is materialistic, impulsive and super-superficial.

True Life: I’m Under Pressure…should’ve been called True Life: I Am Superficial and my priorities are all mixed up

[keep in mind, I didn’t finish watching the episode, but the parts that I did watch were foreally upsetting]


The episode featured three people:


a) a former band member who fell into alcoholism and drugs while he was in a band with his “friends”. After leaving his band, he cleaned up, started going to a music institute and had a serious girlfriend. But of course, he decided to return to the band, which also meant being exposed to the same drugs and alcohol that led to his previous downfall. So of course, the downward spiral led to a breakup and a relapse into the crazy rock and roll lifestyle. OKAY. If you knew how twisted you were while you were in the band, then return to that band, OF COURSE the drugs and alcohol will be accessible, OF COURSE you’ll be tempted again, OF COURSE you’ll lose everything that’s good in your life just because of your lack of willpower. DOY!

b) a Hooters girl who feels the pressure to get breast implants because apparently it’s completely necessary for her line of work. Also, living in Miami, she feels like she doesn’t fit in because her wardrobe consists of t-shirts and jeans. Her Hooters girlfriends continually try pushing her to get the work done, saying it’ll make her feel more like a woman, more confident, and more successful at work. This particular girl is cute, nice body, she has a serious boyfriend who loves her and has been house-shopping so they can move in together. He finally gives her the ultimatum that it’s either gonna be the house or her implants because obviously the boob job will be expensive. When she tells him she’s gonna go thru with it, he even says, “tell me this...are your boobs big enough to live in?”. OKAY. First of all, she admitted that her boyfriend loved her EXACTLY how she was, which should be a huge indicator that she doesn’t need plastic surgery. The surgery would be a selfish act that would waste money that could be put towards a future. Then she claims that the surgery is NECESSARY FOR HER JOB…as a Hooters girl…which displays her true career ambitions? She's a Hooters girl, how long does she think she'll be working there? She COULD also maybe consider a different job. I understand how a girl wants her man’s support, but this guy genuinely loved her and wanted to start a future together…but she claimed that getting a boob job would enhance every aspect of her life. Poor guy, stupid girl.

c) [this may have been the most frustrating] The last subject was a not-so-skinny guy with low self-esteem because he hangs out with “more attractive” guys who always get the girls. His “friends” even force him to ask girls out, but every time he gets rejected. One of his friends even tells him that he’s practically a cock-block when he tries to pick up girls. His “friends” try to hint that MAYBE it’s because he’s… “fat”. This guy later vents that he feels the pressure to lose weight in order to GAIN HIS FRIENDS’ ACCEPTANCE….!!!! OKAY. This guy is emotionally-damaged because his very own “friends” aren’t approaching the situation in a supportive way. They straight up tell him that his social life will improve immensely if he loses the weight, but really I feel like they’re pushing him to prevent their own social embarrassment. LAME. Dude, obviously those guys aren’t good friends, they are not looking out for his interest, they are not supportive and so superficial to the point where they’re kicking this poor guy down because of his looks. Again, LAME.



Okay, yeah. So maybe these people on the show have personal issues from the past, low self-esteem, etc etc. But this can go beyond this episode. This happens far too often to many people. When the social networks that they consider important to them direct attention to flaws rather than good qualities…well, something’s wrong there. When someone rejects a serious, loving relationship for excessive partying, wasteful spending, or an impulsive decision that selfishly puts a healthy future on the backburner, well, something’s wrong there too. When someone feels that they need to change in some way to gain acceptance from his friends, oh man, that’s beyond wrong. Unless it’s a change for health reasons or to somehow improve the general situation for a lot of people, people shouldn't need to change.

It's a little tricky...i understand that the opinions of friends and family are truly valuable and sometimes those conflict with your own personal interest. Everyone needs to be aware of that balance between knowing what's right for you [your morals, beliefs, values, future] and what can be ignored because it has no actual value.

THINGS I AM PRETTY FREAKING EXCITED FOR:

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK REUNION!
Okay, so I was like 2 when they were at their peak, but with older sisters who were crazy fans, I was right there with the diehard fans with big shirts with these guys’ faces on them. OMG! It’s time to bust out my giant buttons and neon shirts because NKOTB are back together and going on tour!! Freaking Jordan, Joey, Donnie, Jonathan and Danny are definitely no longer kids (in fact they’re like late 30s and have various real world careers) but ready to perform for all their screeching-girls-turned-MILFS fans! I guess their CD comes out this summer and touring starts in the fall, which gives me some time to bury thru boxes of tapes and our VHS collection to get back in the groove.





As most reunions, I doubt they’ll be as incredibly awesome as they were in the early 90s, but still, I’m excited, which means YOU should be too.








THE INFAMOUS PREGNANT MAN
- Thomas Beatie, transgendered and married, made an appearance on Oprah and was featured in People magazine. Beatie grew up as a woman (and was even a pageant queen) and has now chosen to live his life as a man. After artificial insemination (because his wife is unable to get pregnant), Beatie became pregnant. While some people are a bit confused by this situation, I think it’s pretty intriguing. As a supporter of free choice, although I think this is definitely an unusual story, I think Beatie and his wife have every right to have this baby peacefully, granted the baby is raised appropriately. When I was reading about this, I saw that “Beatie said many doctors had refused to treat him and one warned him: "People would try to kill my baby because it is an abomination.” Even his own family called his future baby a “monster”. LAME. I understand that this is shocking and beyond any social schema we may have, but if this couple is loving and caring, then what’s the problem? I bet these same people who don’t want this person to continue the pregnancy are also anti-abortion, which is completely contradictory. They’re a husband and wife about to have a child. Apparently this whole man-having-a-baby thing isn’t even uncommon. Later in the interview Beatie and his wife explained how they would tell their future baby about how she came to be:
"When she's old enough, we'll sit her down and tell her everything," Beatie said.
"We will tell her how her parents love each other and love her very much.
"Our daughter is beating these incredible odds to get here - physical obstacles, social obstacles, everything.
"And in my dreams I dream the world will see her the way we do,as this amazing gift to us. As a miracle."


SPEED RACER, the movie?!
So I wasn’t exactly a super-fanatic of Speed Racer as a kid, but WOW. This movie looks pretty tight and with the hardcore team who created The Matrix trilogy and V for Vendetta, it must be pretty crazy….AND on top of that, Emile Hirsch [from Girl Next Door and Alpha Dog], is playing Speed, which ain’t too shabby. Other cast members include Susan Sarandon, John Goodman, Christina Ricci and um…that MATTHEW FOX GUY (aka jack from LOST aka greatest show ever)!!!!!…oh yeah, and that JI HOON JUNG dude, a Korean pop-star, who brento and cacho have a boy-crush on AND who is apparently one of freaking Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People Who Shape Our World” (?!). I told cacho that I hope it’s not corny, then he reminded me that the actual cartoon was corny, so I’m counting on the graphics to steal the show. I hope it doesn’t disappoint (too much).







USHER’S new cd [which cacho just informed me is released in June]
I admit I was a little thrown off when I first “Love in This Club”. I thought it was a little too different from the usual Usher songs, BUT it reeeeeeally grew on me and now sounds like his usual amazing jams. I can’t wait to see his new choreo in videos and hear him and his sultry voice. He’s way talented. It’s about time U-S-H-E-R R-A-Y-M-O-N-D came back, maybe he can save hip-hop up from its gradual downfall.








SPOP staff!! We have small groups that meet once a week and I finally met my new family and THEY’RE FREAKING awesome. Really down to be spontaneous and crazy. Dude, its gonna be one insane ride thru the quarter and a rollercoaster of events in the summer. I can’t wait.


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THINGS I AM UH…NOT SO MUCH…


Prom Night. As most “horror films” nowadays, I’m expecting this movie to be corny, exaggerated and overly-predictable.


Beyonce and Jay-Z getting married?! There goes two of the most top tier-est entertainers into wedlock. All right, maybe just one. That Jay-Z man. The top-est of tiers. Now I’ll never have a chance with him. Sad, sad. I guess Beyonce isn't bad to look at either. ;)

Living Lohan. Yup, another new “reality tv show” of rich celebrity families and annoyingly spoiled kids about to air. It’s going to feature Lindsay’s mom, little brothers, and her 14-year old sister (a mini-Lindsay who seems like she’s just as annoying). Our beloved Miss Lindsay Lohan is not even going to be IN the show, so once again, a celebrity’s family is banking off of their success. So now this show [which might unwillingly become another reason to be frustrated with television.

um. that is all. im getting distracted from blogging because cacho is now admitting how much he hates all of us and listing off the reasons EXACTLY why. and its quite entertaining. im waiting for derek to kick his butt with his japanese ninja skills. brento is passed out but giggling randomly. cacho is using big words and mentioned how filipinos grow hair out of their moles. and now he is continuing with detailed descriptions of other races. interestingly good way to end my good day.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

open

"If you don't explore your mind and the views of others,
you will miss out on the opportunity of growth"- Prof. Johnston

Besides having to re-take a previously-failed stats class and waiting to replace a grad school level upper division psych class...ive managed to find myself overly-intrigued with my Ethics & Education class, even if ive only attended one class so far. My professor, who presented the quote above, is awesome. My education teachers always claim that they're encouraging us future teachers to emphasize deeper meaning, mastery of concepts and personal connections with students...but then these same teachers do the complete opposite. But Im pretty freaking excited about this ethics class that will focus on morality, questioning the meaning of life, how our choices affect the people around us...and how that should be implicated in the classroom to enhance the thinking of developing kids.

On the first day, we were given a scenario and then a choice.
I invite you lovely people to share your opinions.
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SCENARIO: You and a group of people are on a boat. A storm hits and the boat starts sinking! However, in order to save yourself and the other passengers, you MUST choose ONE PERSON to kick off.

a) a 60-year-old doctor; successful in his practice and is working towards curing diseases

b) a 50-year old captain of the boat; excellent sailing & navigational skills

c) a 40-year old pastor; involved in gang prevention, community service

d) a 30-year old mother; husband and three children

e) your close childhood friend; who recently went to jail for burglary, but swears they are changing their life around for the better

f) a 2-year old little girl

g) YOU, a 20-year old college student; amibitious and lively

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Sounds like a kind of challenging situation, huh? This definitely took a little bit of thinking and pretty intense conversation arose from this activity. But it was really interesting to get a sense of other people's values and opinions.

If you're too nice and can't decide, you can choose NOT to kick someone off...but then all of the passengers [including you] will go down. And yes, you may choose to sacrifice yourself.

Considering that a miracle won't save you, you don't have super powers, and YOU have the ultimate decision in this situation....who would you toss overboard?