Example of Parody

When we discussed parodies in class the other day, immediately Weird Al came to mind. If you don't already know who he is, he's a guy who bases all his music off of other songs that have been written, and just changes the lyrics in a very humorous way. One of my favorite parodies that he does is off of the song "American Pie," but he changes the title to "The Saga Begins" following after the theme of Star Wars. You kind of have to know the Star Wars background to get all the clever and comical references, but even if not he still puts on a good show. :)

What are some of your favorite parodies (i.e. music, books, articles, movies, SNL skits...)?

The Power of Music

What is it about music? Inspiration, power, motivation, tears, empathy, happiness, joy, anger, comfort, and a countless list of other emotions all come from the sweet sounds of instruments, voices, lyrics or a combination of all three. It has been said that, “Through music, man’s ability to express himself extends beyond the limits of the spoken language in both subtlety and power. Music can be used to both exalt and inspire or to carry messages of degradation and destruction” (Priesthood Bulletin, August 1973, page 3).

Part of me is having a lot of trouble writing this post, because it's difficult to express the power of music and my feelings of its influence. There are so many songs that have put my thoughts into words, and have been a refuge in times of need.

I don't think movies or television would be the same without music either. The movie Jaws would cease to be so scary without the "duuu... du. duuu... du. du du du du dududududu." (I hope you all know what I was referring to). Furthermore, romantic scenes in the rain would lack its passion without the sweet sound of strings playing in the background, and Indiana Jones would not be Indiana Jones without his theme song music...

Nevertheless, despite we may not have such a perfectly scripted movie score to our lives, I've often found that certain songs will impeccably describe our feelings of a moment, and the soundtrack of our lives will be continually changing, supporting, uplifting, and empathizing with every instant.

I have waaaaay too many favorite songs, but one of my go-to songs when I like to just sit and think is "Shine" by William Joseph. The simple, but powerful chords and melody of the piano uplift me with peace and conviction.

What are some of your favorite songs?

Ethos: Fear and Faith

Recently, I've been having difficulty deciding what to major in. My original plan was to just get some generals done my first year, and hope something would spark interest along the way. However, in the back of my mind I think I always knew what I wanted to do. I love composing music and with that, I thought of the possibility of majoring in the Media Music program (i.e. composing music for the radio, television, albums, movies). I kept pushing it aside though thinking that it probably wasn't a realistic option, I wasn't talented enough, I wouldn't be able to find a job, it was too competitive, I didn't want my passion to become a chore... etc... etc... the list of excuses went on and on. To my pleasant surprise, however, a few weeks ago in Relief Society a lesson was given on developing talents. When the teacher asked the question to the class about how we can develop our talents, I was so impressed with one of the girl's answers. She said,

"Sometimes we're blessed talents, and we're presented with opportunities to develop them, but we turn away thinking we're not adequate enough. I think the biggest way to help develop talents is to stop taking counsel from our fears. Once we overcome the fear of failing, a world of capabilities will open to us that we never knew we could possess."

Talk about an answer to prayers. I went home, rearranged my schedule, and signed up for some music classes as a prerequisite to the Media Music major. It's definitely going to be a leap of faith experiencing if this is the path I'm suppose to go, but for now it feels right. As a final thought from the April 2009 General Conference, Kevin W. Pearson gave the counsel that "Faith and fear cannot coexist. One gives way to the other. The simple fact is we all need to constantly build faith and overcome sources of destructive disbelief." If you ask me, I'd rather be fearless than faithless. 

The Power of Laughter

For me, one of the most persuasive aspects of a person is their ability to make me laugh. As an authority figure, my mother's ability to make me laugh increased the success of her efforts in getting me to get me to do things, inclined me to spend time with her, as well as seek her lighthearted motherly advice. Although many times her humor may have been unintentional, or maybe even perceived as eccentric, I look back with fond memories on all the times my mother brought laughter into my life. Here are a couple of the innumerable humorous stories. I hope they bring a smile to your face as much as they do to mine. :)

As a teenager and throughout her adult life, my mother dealt with health issues that caused her to eat what most may have perceived as a strange diet. My grandparents learned to accept her odd eating habits, and would not question her actions that seemed out of the ordinary. When my mom was in high school, she took advantage of her parents trust and would turn on the blender at night. Thinking she was just making a usual late night concoction, my grandparents didn't think twice about the reoccurring, random blender noises coming from the kitchen multiple times a week. If only they knew she was actually turning on the blender to cover up the sound of the garage door opening so she could sneak out with the car! :)

In 9th grade I wanted to get my schedule changed to a biology class that was difficult to get into. While I was in school, my mom went into the counselor's office to talk about the schedule change. That week she had been experiencing a cold that made her eyes water, and began to profusely tear up as she spoke. The counselor immediately changed my schedule to aid a woman who seemed to be on the verge of hysterics. My mom felt quite embarrassed after the episode, but we both learned the secret to a desired schedule change. :)

You know those ladies who sing the hymns as loud as they can in church and you can pick out their voices in the congregation? Ya, my mom was one of those choice individuals. My siblings and I would take turns sacrificing our eardrums each Sunday when we sat next to her. :)

When I asked my mom why she just named me 'Eliza' instead of 'Elizabeth' she said, "Elizabettthhhhh Smittthhhhh... now that would have been too 'thuthy.'" :)

(Background: I only have one married sibling, and three other older siblings that are at an eligible age, and are all highly encouraged to also be married). When we were driving to a family Christmas party, my mom had been feeling sick earlier that day and squirmed in the passenger seat experiencing pain in her stomach. Nevertheless, turning the discomfort into jest she said, "Ah! This is how my stomach felt when I was pregnant! Maybe I have to bring all the grandchildren into this world too, because none of my children are getting married!" :)

My mom was such a great example in teaching me how the power of laughter is such a positive tool. The chuckles of influence provide understanding, growth, joy, and leave sunshine of happy memories in the melancholy bouts of life. Whether by laughing, or making someone else laugh, a difference has been made.

Right Person. Right Place. Right Time.

Many years ago I got the following poem in an email. This has always stuck with me in explaining that certain people are sent into our life at certain moments, and we are sent in theirs. As an example of kairos, I believe that the timing of when these select individuals enter our lives is essential to our growth. Though some may leave our lives sooner than hoped, I also believe the timing of their exit is just as critical as the time spent together. Whether for a Reason, Season, or Lifetime I hope all who read this poem will gain a sense of appreciation for all the lessons learned from others in life, the relationships that have brought about progression, and the impeccable timing that ensured these lessons were learned most effectively.

Reason, Season, Lifetime

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you figure out which one it is,
you will know what to do for each person.
When someone is in your life for a REASON,
it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty;
to provide you with guidance and support;
to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.
They may seem like a godsend, and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time,
this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON,
because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it. It is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons;
things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person,
and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.

Rhetorical Analysis

Writing a rhetorical analysis from King Benjamin's speech was definitely an interesting experience for me. First off, I've never really applied literary devices to the scriptures before, so it was a new adventure to critique and analyze the use of King Benjamin's syntax, imagery, and word choice. As I read the speech with the mindset of looking for devices that emphasized ethos, pathos, and logos, my annotations filled up the page and I had to restrain myself from highliting just about everything. There was so much good material to use. Nevertheless, with so much good material, there was a lot of information to cut down and organize. That was probably the most difficult thing of the whole process to organize my thoughts.

I also found that sometimes the points you find most engaging don't always have the most material to write about, so it's a matter of picking and choosing which points carry the best of both worlds--a point and a good argument. After finalizing the details of the organizational process, the rest of the paper was much easier to write. Don't get me wrong, there was definitely quite a few prayers for inspiration, but it all worked out in the end.

I also went into this paper with the mindset that I was just going to sit down for hours to think and write for the whole day, but realistically I should've known that my attention span can't last that long for hours at a time. When I went to take a break, however, it proved to be quite helpful as I'd go and play the piano, then come back to write and suddenly words and ideas would come to mind. It was very interesting to me that I had been suffering from severe writer's block, and then a half hour of piano playing could formulate paragraphs and bursts of enlightenment.

Altogether, the experience proved to me a lesson of learning "to not run faster than I have strength," as well as a beneficial writing and analytical experience. It only reinforced to me of how influential the scriptures really are. Every word was divinely chosen and inspired to evoke ethos, logos, and pathos within in the reader to come unto Jesus Christ. No wonder it is the most correct of any book on earth.

Mirroring the Media

My research topic is on how the media affects body image and self perception. With more sources than ever before, the media has countless ways to present the ideal body type and character it influences society to follow. However, this effect on society can often have negative consequences. Multiple studies have shown that the more women are exposed to thin models and celebrities in the media, the more likely they are liable to have body dissatisfaction. In conjunction, the same goes for men who are often exposed to the ideal male stereotype with a V-shaped muscle structure, narrow waist, well-developed chest, shoulders, arms, and six pack. Products and programs are sold to seem make attaining this ideal body type an easy task; however, this body portrayed by the media often takes years of exercise, dieting, and maybe even supplemental use. For fast results, men and women also may develop eating disorders, or exercise addictions causing physical consequences to quickly obtain this ideal body shape.

In the media music industry, studies have also shown that people pick up personality traits according to the music genre they listen to. For example, those who listen to violent songs, have found to be more aggressive in thoughts and behavior. The same goes for music that portrays songs about sex and immorality, inspiring thoughts that could lead the listener to promiscuous activity. Prolonged exposure to these types of music and media, may soon develop into normal acceptance of this type of behavior.

Furthermore, with the modern use of internet, users have greater control to search for what they are interested in, or could be influenced by. For example, a study on adolescent girls and social networking showed that those who spend more time on social networking sites, had a higher drive for thinness and were not satisfied with their weight. Such sites potentially put pressure on its users to to portray attractive pictures of them, and allow for appearance comparison. Usually users of these social networking sites will generally only post pictures that show them looking good, doing something cool, and even these can be photo-shopped or digitally modified. Overall, the media has a profound effect in shaping society's perception of the individual.

Are you mirroring the media?