Fourth Blog-Disney Addict

Today was my absolute favorite discussion that we have had all year.  I am obsessed with Disney and everything about it, probably because I have been to Disney World 13 times in my life.  I had my 6 year old birthday in Cinderella's castle and was picked to be in the Disney parade.  I grew up all around Disney.  I had every costume of every princess in Disney.  Let's just say, I was a Disney addict.  Needless to say, I wanted to be a princess.  When I see these little girls on these shows dressing up for pageants and wearing make up, it just gives me a feeling of why would their parents do this to them? They don't know any better, they just do what their parents tell them.  The more I process this thought though, I think of the child.  She is probably feeling like the most beautiful girl all dolled up.  She probably thinks she is a princess and enjoys playing the part, which is fine every once in a while, but parents need boundaries! Today, they have taken it too far to where it has gone to their heads! They have lost the child, the child has now become the boss in the house, as what I saw in the clip today.  They have spoiled these girls rotten.  My mom would not let me wear any make up at that age because she did not want me to get obsessed with it, which I can see these little girls are.

There comes a time when it's ok to take a break from reality to fantasize about being a princess, but the parents need to learn to bring them back to the real world and obey them.  The way these princess dress, their prince charming, their riding off into the sunset scenes, and everything that takes place in a Disney princess film has to be taken in control of these kids.  When Frozen came out, I was so ecstatic that they finally came out with a film that wasn't all about finding prince charming and living happily every after, ending the scene with a kiss.  It was about two brave girls that save one another to maybe teach some of these kids a lesson with their siblings.  I am so glad it was taken at a different angel than the rest of the Disney princess films.  I love everything Disney, but they have finally come to realize that it can be a more diverse angle in the films rather than be the same as all the rest.

Blog 3

Miss Representation is a way of showing that women are more than what people think.  In this film, they describe women as either bitchy, ditzy, or dumb even! It's what the media has described them to be.  In most movies or TV shows, women play the part as more of a sexual icon for men.  Not really in power over anything.  Today, women have become better about playing roles where they are in power. For example, CSI have more women in the investigations that in real life.  Sometimes though, it really depends on the woman and how she wants to be treated and known for.  Some may like the attention of being bitchy or ditzy but when they like that, that's when women become what media thinks they are! Appearance seems to be the only thing media looks at now days.  They have less interest in their personality, it's always about whether she is too skinny or too fat.  Women need to show the power they can have.  They have all equal rights that men do.  All men and women are created equal.  Women have more of a emotional side to them, of course, but that still doesn't mean we can be treated any differently than men.  If we want to run for office, we can.  We can take a stand and prove to society that we are just as knowledgeable and sophisticated as men are! Women are nurturers, not only to their children but to everyone in society.  They are comforters yet strong about their opinions.

Blog Post 2

One thing that we talked about in class was how we describe a story and what it means to us.  I heard a student say we learn more about what’s going on in the world when we read or watch a story. I agree with this statement because if we don’t read or watch a news story, for example, we will not know what is coming for us and we need to know how to prepare for it.  During the class time that we were talking about this, I sat there thinking what I thought reading for watching a story meant to me.  I finally realized that it really means taking a break from reality.  We all get sucked into these TV shows and movies that we actually imagine our lives inside the story situation.  Binge watching, for example, has a big impact on a lot of people because they get so sucked up into the show that they forget how much time has passed and what reality is really like.  The very first article that we read said that one of the women got so sucked into a reality story TV show that it began affecting her life and marriage.  This can be dangerous if we cannot control our story watching.  It is a good way to take a break from reality but not a long one.  If I am going to watch or read a good story, I want the 3 major elements in my story to be unique and exquisite: character, the plot, and the actions.  I love action shows or movies with good characters involved, but without a good “twisting” plot, it makes the story less interesting to me.  We talked about the show “Lost” which has a twisted plot in the end.  This is a good example of a show that had some good characters, plot, and a lot of action.  Some may have not liked the end because it was so unexpected but that’s what makes a good story and something for everyone to remember!

Elizabeth's pop culture addiction- Once Upon A Time

Once Upon A Time

Back in high school, I NEVER watched season shows at all. My friends were all obsessed with One Tree Hill and Greys Anatomy. I was the one that wanted to be outside playing sports and doing anything outdoors. I never had time to sit down and watch a show. Now that I am married, I had a little more time on my hands in the summer to watch a little TV. My husband introduced me to Breaking Bad and let me tell you, I could NOT stop watching it. I was so addicted that I would finish a whole season in one day. So when that show ended, I wanted to find another because it was so entertaining for me. I felt like I was in that world with the actors! This is when I began watching Once Upon A Time. I wasn't sure how I felt about the fantasy vs. reality world but now it's pretty much all I think about! In my opinion I think of it as this couldn't actually happen but it's fun to use your imagination. I imagine myself with the actors in the show, I also did plays and musicals so it really intrigued me, and it makes it feel so real. Every episode leaves you on edge and makes you want to watch the next one and the next and the next. Of course that's what I did all last spring on Netflix. Now I am waiting for the next season to come out in 28 days! The term Heregenemy that we used in class relates to this show because it's in a fantasy world but ideology is used for the different beliefs people have about the show. Some may think of it as magical or some a kiddish show, but my belief would definitely be magical and action packed!

Elizabeth Sain