A Brief, Biased, and Long Over Due Review

Alright, this past week has been far too busy to actually write a meaningful post. So, here I give you a random, rather pointless post. This is all information we already know, but I will just leave this here...

For as many good movie that have been made in this world, there are those just as equally and oppositely bad. There may even be more than that; after all, this is a world of imperfect humans who seem to keep making imperfect and astonishingly bad entertainment. (This is not to criticise the entertainment industry, because without them we would have to spend countless hours actually talking to one another.) Still, there is a level of excellence that lies at the bottom of the charts that few have had the honor of falling to. And still fewer can claim their muddy pit amongst the cream of the corp, and demand the title of - The Worst Movie Ever. If you have not already come to this realization, this said champion is none other than The Last Airbender movie. 

WOW! We can see it in 3D!!

You notice I must specify with the word movie, because at the other end of the spectrom reigns the prodigy of Avatar: The Last Airbender, the brilliant predecessing TV series of which the movie spond from.

Look at them, so beautiful....I might cry...

A lot can be said about what makes a movie “bad” -  bad acting, artificial fighting scenes, and horrid special effects - to name a few. But, this list marks just a portion of the transgressions of The Last Airbender movie. For a moment, let us set aside its association with the TV Series, and examine it with new eyes. No, I am afraid it is no better a view. The special effects were realistic at best, but the animals created by such were nothing but nightmare inducing. With or without the floating elements, the action scenes were simply painful to watch - and not for the reason you would think. And let me tell you, the acting in this movie was a mind boggling spectrum of monotonous over-dramatization.

It is easy to make a movie to watch and laugh at, but it takes true talent to create a movie that is physically impossible to sit through even one minute of. My sister and I tried this once, and after about 30 seconds of just screaming at the TV, we turned it off and started watching Book 3 instead. I must say, the worst crime to be made amidst this entertainment-driven age - of which, there are many perpetrators - is to completely butcher and maim the movie rendition of an already popular and thriving franchize.

His name is AANG, not AUNG - you had it so easy!

In final review of M. Night Shyamalama-ding-dong’s masterpiece, I must urge you all - if you have never seen this movie, it is highly recommended that you find the nearest copy - perhaps belonging to a friend or loved one - borrow it from them, and burn it. Trust me, they will thank you.

Fair-faring friends - and please, go watch the real Avatar right now.

The Empire has Fallen.

Sorry guys, but the Byzantine Empire was never the same.

W

Who thought they where being the cleverest shizz when they came up with the name DOUBLE U?
Just like, WHY!?

These are the questions, guys...

A Dream About . . . A New Beginning (Part 3)

Just as Lucas and I turned back to the group, we found ourselves at the entrance to our destination. We must have been in the back of the building, because we walked into a warehouse-sized room that was not visible from the front. Inside, there were more scientists running around and fiddling with different controls, but in the middle of the room was a big, black box. That was all it really looked like, a box. "Here it is! The Re-Genisis Capsule!" The man walked ahead of us and presented the box like it was an Apocalypse palace build for a king.  

the inside revealed a small space with nothing

As we all encircled the entrance, the front wall began to slide upward. "This capsule is made from a very dense, rare metal that will be able to survive and protect you through The End." As the wall slid all the way open, the inside revealed a small space with nothing but three crates stacked against one wall, and a toilet set up in the corner.

"What is this?" demanded one of the other girls. "This does not look like some high-tech survival plan!" Looking at the inside, we could all tell something was wrong. But while everyone stood shocked, they didn't notice the guards coming up behind them. I held still as one of them stopped between me and Lucas.

The man's face twitched at her response, "We, uh, guarantee this capsule is -" He was cut short as the warehouse seemed to jump a foot to the left. The earth quake had started again, and this time it was not letting up anytime soon.

The rest of the group recovered faster than he did, and started demanding an explanation. Their voices echoed the rumbling of the earth - loud, angry, and chaotic.
"Are we all support to fit in that!?"
"Is this really what we've been waiting for this whole time?"
"How long are you going to leave us in there?"
"There's no windows! We're going to run out of air!"

The man started to talk with a shacking voice, "Please, please, everyone - we have pulled all our resources to create this project. The Re-Gensis certainly is-"

Do you think this capsule it completely safe?

"Tell me one thing," Lucas's voice stood out above the earth quake, and everyone turned to listen, "Do you think this capsule it completely safe?"

The man stared strait ahead, but gave no reply. Lucas finally lost it, and lunged forward ready to take down the man, but before he could get there, the guard between us grabbed Lucas around the sholders and stabbed a syringe into his neck. Lucas's eyes rolled back into his head and the guard threw his limp body onto the hard floor of the capsule. Suddenly, everyone noticed the other guards and began to panic. But, before they could get away, they were caught and injected as well. Another guard came up behind me and I felt the needle enter my neck. Instantly, my limbs went numb and the noise in the room cut in and out as I felt myself slipping from conciseness.

I was being dragged into the capsule with the rest of the group, but I used my last burst of energy to break free and throw myself at the man. I had no power to stand, and held myself up by his lab coat collar. I looked into his eyes and saw shame and embarrassment turn his face red, "I'm so sorry." Machinery was falling apart all around us, and I could barely hear his voice through the fog.

"Wh...why are you doing this? We could all die in there..." I started to slip to the ground, but the man grabbed my wrists and stared at me with a new fear.

"At least you have a chance to live! We are all dead out here no matter what!" He let go of my wrists and a guard moved me into the capsule. I was dropped right next to Lucas, he had blood dripping down from a cut where his head had met the floor. Even as the guards began to close the doors, I couldn't think to give up. I pushed myself onto my elbows and started crawling towards the entrance. The earth quake was unbearable now, and it was all I could do to pull myself up against the doors. I could hear things crashing outside the box, but I started banging on the wall anyway.

"Please!" I screamed, "Please! You can't do this! You can't leave us here!" I lost the strength in my arm and fell onto the floor. "Please....God, it can't end like this..."

Please....God, it can't end like this...

I was finally slipping away, falling into a bright light before my world dissolved.

TO BE CONTINUED

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I made more post cards for St. Patty's day, but because of homework and studying and other meaningless school stuff, I still haven't mailed them off. But, It will get done by the end of the day!

Here are a few of my favorite ones, you can see the rest on my Instagram page!

Fair-faring, friends! I am off to catch a leprechaun!! 

(All images used in this post are my own, original art work. If you really  feel the need to post them somewhere - please notify me, and give me the proper credit. These images are not up for commercial use by anyone other than myself. Thank you!)

I got a Pen Pal!!!

So, because I have been making all these post cards recently and posting them on my Instagram page, I started following a couples of accounts that were all about Pen Paling  and "Snail Mailing". I have always thought the idea of having a pen pal would be super cool, but like, I never knew anyone who lived far away enough to become a pen pal with . . . but this is the 21st century! We have the internet! You don't actually need to know someone to send them messages and treat them like a friend! (* cough cough sarcasm cough cough*)

Anyway, one of the girls I started following posted that she was looking for a new pen pal, and I was like "OH! PICK ME!" And just like that, I got a pen pal! But really, I am super excited to start exchanging letters, and I hope that she enjoys recieving them as much as I enjoy sending them.

My friend Joe and I also wrote a letter to my friend Emily who just recently left on her LDS Mission, and I hope she really likes it. With all my roommates and friends leaving on their missions, I am going to get REALLY busy with letter writing . . .

The letters to my new pen pal, and my friend Emily.

Post card for my pen pal to use

Fair-faring, friends, you should go write a letter to a friend. Nothing is more appreciated then something hand-made. 

(All images used in this post are my own, original art work. If you really  feel the need to post them somewhere - please notify me, and give me the proper credit. These images are not up for commercial use by anyone other than myself. Thank you!)

Passion or Popularity

There comes a time when everyone must pick between their passion or their popularity, 

 Are you going to sell your soul for a ride in the mainstream, or fight against the current to mark your own path?

Food for thought.

A Dream About . . . A New Beginning (Part 2)

I sat alone and waited

It did not take me long to find the meeting place. It was a plain, unnoticeable building in the middle of town, but I had ridden past it a million times ever since I had gotten the letter, looking for any sign of the Plan. But today, as soon as I opened the door, it had been a bustle of people around me faster than the storm outside. I was rushed from here to there, given clothing to change into and pushed into a waiting room. It was white with a table stretched down the middle, and I was the only one there. As I moved to the far corner, I counted 13 chairs, 6 on each side and one at the head. Then I sat alone and waited for what felt like eternity.

Every so often, the room would begin to shake again, and it seemed to get stronger each time. Eventually, two girls walked in and sat down, with a boy and a girl close behind, than another guy, and after him another girl. They all began to talk to each other quietly about the Project. I didn't really join in, because I had not idea what to say. After two more guys came in, one of the girls blurted out, "Oh! I want him to be my partner!" Everyone laughed at the realization that we might actually have to pair off, if this plan was going to work out how it was meant to. I glanced around at the other boys, but it was clear that most of them were picked for brains and not looks. Another boy and girl walked in and sat down - that made 6 girls and 5 boys - but these two clearly seemed to be a couple. Over the past month, the idea had never really dawned on me that I would have to spend the rest of my life with these people - with one of these boys...

He had a look of pride on his face

The door opened again, but this time it was an older man in a lab coat who stopped at the head of the table. He carried in his hand a folder and had a look of pride on his face, like we were a long run science experiment that was finally coming together. "Good, um, afternoon. It seems we are still missing one, but he -" Just than, someone else walked through the door - the last boy. Honestly, looking at him, I had to do a double take. Not only was he cute compared to the other boys in the room, but he would have stood a good chance outside in the really world. He seemed out of breath and embarrassed to have walked in late. As he searched for a chair, I realized the only empty one was right next to me. He pushed his way past the others and regarded me with a warm smile before sitting down. Oh yeah, I wanted him as my partner.

We all sat there as the man in the lab coat explained to us a bit more about what was happening. I could tell he was trying to act calm and professional, but something seemed to be bothering him. Maybe the storm was freaking him out, or maybe something wasn't quick right with the Plan? I realized that one months notice was not very much time for a plan like this to be prepared for, how long had they been working on it? Maybe they thought they would have more time than this, maybe the storms came too early.

"Alright, I think it is about time we got you all to the capsule." The man opened the door, and two guards began to escort us all to another part of the building. I ended up in the back of the line, and glanced at the halls around us. More people in lab coats were running around franticly with clip boards and folders, talking to each other with hushed intensity, but as we walked pasted, they seemed to quiet down and stare at us with somber eyes.

"Why do they look like we're marching down death row?" I turned my head back around to find the newest boy looking at me. "Um," was all I could think to say, "I'm not sure."

He smiled at me again and stuck out his hand, "Well, I'm Lucas. We might as well get to know each other now." I reached up and shuck his hand. I told him my name and smiled in return, it was nice to know I had a friend no matter how long this lasted.

TO BE CONTINUED

The One About Famous People.

We need to realize something 

The power of the internet has given us the opportunity to tap into the world’s limitless knowledge and wonder - but, as silly humans, we have chosen to squander this ability by obsessing over the rich and glamorous. With this eternal wealth of information, we decide to fill our heads with every last detail of our idol’s lives. (how does that really make sense?)

Sokka would probably use the internet to make plans to defeat the Fire Lord.
We should all learn from his example.

Stalking is no longer an issue, but more of a household fixation. We see no problem in creating a false, one-sided relationship with some foreign figure because we admire their talent, personality, sense of humor, or - here’s the big one - their unbelievably good looks. Simply put, man was not created to idolize man. 

That is what famous people are - human. Yes, they are funny, but so are the people you have right in front of you. (I heard once, long before social media, that when you thought someone had a great personality you asked them to be your friend in real life. What! Crazy right!?) This is what we should be focusing on: real life. We are gaining nothing by listening to a youtuber talk to us through a screen. We seem to forget that those youtubers are also alone, staring at a screen. (The same goes for bloggers, I'm actually in the middle of class right now, shhh...) 

We have fabricated the idea that these people matter to us, that they understand us and that they are our friends, but that is the furthest thing from the truth. Our generation is starving itself of real, human interaction. We've become dependent on the famous; they provide us with a sense of comfort requiring minimal effort on our part. They make us feel welcome with their winning personalities, and shout outs to “all my fans!” We convince ourselves of their love, and we lose sight of our value beyond their eyes. Our self-esteem becomes a puppet on a spring controlled by their every move.

Every human wants to feel important, we want to know we left a mark on this world. We see celebrities as the short cut to immortality - if I can only get them to notice me, maybe others will notice me, then I will be important. For some reason, we think it is important to prove ourselves as their biggest fan! 

But we fail to examine what kind of mark that celebrity is actually forming. Will it really last? Is it really helpful? Many don’t care what kind of mark they have left, as long as other people know their mark is their. Much of the famous live under the philosophy of quantity over quality and (just like politicians) they make it all about what the followers want. They stand for nothing until the topic become popular. We as fans have crafted them and build them up to be our Greek gods; without our prayers, they would cease to exist. 

Their mark on the world is written in pencil; their claim to fame has no substance. Think of all the great engineers and thinkers in this world whose names we may not remember, but whose legacy and ideas have lived with us and influenced our world in ways we do not even realize! Do they not deserve our praise? The TV personalities' lazy example of influence has proven detrimental to our ideals. 

We mimic their personalities, repost theirs jokes, and resort to stealing their content just to feel popular. I found myself as a victim of these tactics when I decided to look up a music video my friend and I made for fun. As I looked on youtube, I found a video with the same title which turned out to be our exact video downloaded and re-uploaded by another user. While inspecting this youtuber, I found out their entire page was nothing more than the plagiarized videos of others. This girl clearly enjoyed this videos, but her main concern was how viewers would associate that entertainment with herself. 

This is what obsession has done to us. We forget our own potential and creativity. Instead of crafting our own ideas to share, we seize the path that was already proven successful. We can’t believe in ourselves enough to try something new.

Now, I know this isn't really something you want to hear from a freaking blogger, but we need to stop putting out faith into people we don't know. The chances if you even meeting One Direction are slim to none - I can't even think of one famous person I have met before!

Being "famous" is not a bad thing, honestly - I applaud you for working to make it to the big times! But, you don't need fans to be successful. What really matters is the people we already have in our lives everyday - friends, family, neighbors, co-workers. People that will not just influence us - but people we can equally influence. We have power, we have opinions.

"Friendship is one of the strongest bonds ever made"
                       - a quote someone has probably said before

We need to realize we have the capacity to act, and not just be acted upon. (2 NEPHI 2:14,26)We are stifling our own potential by hiding in the shadow of the famous. We don't need them. We need those who love us as much as we love them. Your ideas do not need to be world wide in order to be important. What matters is that you make the most of the soil you are grown in, we have to live our lives to be our best, and not sit around and wish for the day when we will be discovered.

This could go into much deeper levels, but I think I am going to leave it there. Hopeful, we can all think about what we are letting influence us and how it is really effecting us. I, for one, know I have some priorities to sort out . . . now, I should pay attention in class . . .

Fair-faring, friends!

A Dream About . . . A New Beginning (Part 1)

Sometimes, I stay up way too late at night
and play  Pokemon until, like, 2:00 in the morning...I have no idea if that is the reason behind a lot of my crazy dreams, or if I just have crazy dreams no matter what.

So, here is the dream I had last night;

*----------------------------------------------------------*

The End was coming.

It just seemed like a big joke and some
publicity crap

Everyone knew it. Catastrophe, apocalypse, total annihilation, the end of the world. For a while, it just seemed like a big joke and some publicity crap, but the last few months had proven it to be all too real. The world was falling apart, consuming itself in fire, destroying everything it held before being reborn from the ashes. The only problem was all the people left on it. 

For me, this Apocalypse only became real about a month ago. I got a letter in the mail that turned my whole world around. I had been chosen for the Re-Genisis Project (Star Trek, guys, you can guess why that came up in my dream) The letter told me that I would be called on when The End was here, to be saved from the pains of the Apocalypse, and go on to rebuild and repopulate our world. It all sounded like a big joke at first, but the truth of it hit me when I received another letter containing my medical information, school records, you name it. It also had plans for the location and instructions for when The Day came. I felt eery carrying that information around, because I was told I could not talk about it with anyone, or even tell my friends. I probably would have thought the whole thing was a dream after awhile, if it weren't for the texts I recieved everyday at noon: "The Plan is not needed today. Project Re-Genisis is dormant." They came as both a blessing and a curse to me every time. 

Most everyone still regarded The End as a joke, and I had to just keep smiling and play along. But, it was starting to get to people. The crazy weather and natural disasters were becoming too frequent to ride off as coincidental anymore. The "Apocalypse" was used as an excuse to be crazy and act out, 'I only brought the big screen Tv because the End it coming, and I wanted to spend it in luxury!' 'My husband and I are finally going to Hawaii, might as well go before the End is here!' They said it with a laugh, but you could see the fear stirring in their eyes. My friends and I used it as a reason to skip school.

"Hey Meya? Meya? Meya!" Jameson snapped his fingers in front of my face.

"Hm?" I looked up from my phone, "Sorry, what were you saying?" I stole a glance one more time. It was 12:02, and I still had not gotten my daily text.

"I was saying . . . have you heard about the king somewhere in Asia who made an apocalypse  shelter as big as a palace?" My friends Jameson, Olivia, and I were standing in line for the ferris wheel. It was the middle of a cloudy Tuesday, but we decided to skip school during lunch and ride our bikes to the local amusement park.

"That's ridiculous! They wouldn't go as far as to make a shelter that big!" Olivia was still really skeptical about the whole thing, she regarded the earthquakes and fires with little concern, but that was only because nothing devastated had happened in our area yet. "Besides, where is this shelter, hm? Did he just build it in the middle of some city and act like it was no big deal?" 

"It's probably underground or something, but that's not even the craziest story I heard today!" Jameson spent most of his time on Facebook reposting Buzzfeed conspiracies about the Apocalypse. "I heard about this plan the government has for afterwards. . ."

I had zoned out again to stare at my phone. 12:05 . . . come on, where was that text? I could feel panic swelling inside of me waiting for a release. ". . . it was called the Re-Genisis Project."

 My eyes shot up to Jameson, "What did you say?" he seemed confused by my sudden interested, "The Re-Genisis Project," he repeated, "It's about, like, starting the world over again, or something. Kind of like a Noah's arch for people, but it didn't say much more than that. Have you heard about it?"

I looked from Olivia to Jameson, hoping for some kind of sign that they were in on it too. But they weren't. I didn't know who was, and hopefully, I wouldn't have to find out. 

I knew this text would be different

But at that moment, the ground started to rumble. We had had a few mini earth quakes before, but this one only grew worse by the second. The sky quickly grew dark and murky, wind began to roar in our ears. People around us were screaming as the whole amusement park started to quake and tremble before our eyes. All three of us ran into the nearest clearing, and held each other close as we watched the ferris wheel begin to fall. I felt my phone finally buzz with the arrival of a text message, but even as a glanced down at my phone, I knew this text would be different.

"Please report to your assigned locations promptly. Project Re-Genisis is underway."

"We need to get home!" yelled Olivia, her voice could barely be heard over the chaos swirling around us. Together, we ran back for our bikes. Just as we got there, I jumped on mine and started riding off in a different direction, but Jameson grabbed my shoulder. "What are you doing!?"

"I have to go!"

"Where!? Our families are that way!" He was right, my family was at home, but I would probably never get to see them again. My mother had been very supportive when the truth of the letter had first hit me, but I knew she was scared. At that moment, I looked into Jameson's eyes and hoped there was some way he was coming too. But there wasn't.

I pulled myself free from his hand, "I'm sorry!" and road of without another word.

TO BE CONTINUED

(This post is getting to long, and I have to study for midterms, so...Fair-faring, friends!)

The Book of Alma

It interesting to think the the entire book of Alma takes place over forty years - ya know, cuz that's how long it takes me to read the whole thing.

Guys, I am really funny