My deep ponderings this week included aging. Well, I guess I think about it a lot, but not always very deeply. Obviously, you think about it at birthdays and graduations, but it is not extremely often that one thinks about the day to day changes that add up to the big change.
There are huge advantages and huge disadvantages of growing older. It seems that these can be smaller at different points in time. For example, going from 15 to 16 is much bigger than 34 to 35. I will admit, as I have not reached either of these ages yet, this statement is from observation of others. Why do we want to get older? Why do we want to stay younger?
Getting older can be great. There are more opportunities, but with these opportunities come responsibility. Once you get a later curfew, you also have to work harder to maintain the respect and trust that it desires. Getting older also gives you more authority. You climb higher on the social ladder, especially when you move up a grade. Why does it not matter when we survive another term, but once you make it through a whole year, there are 400 more kids below you? Generally, people don't acknowledge day to day differences. I think that this is because sometimes they are hard to notice. Look back at yesterday, and things are pretty much the same. Look back at a month ago, and there can be some significant changes. Take it back a year, and you hardly recognize yourself or another from then. Driving is a great example. Every day, my mom lets me drive a little farther. Yesterday was pretty much the same, but I could not drive on the freeway a week ago. A month ago, I was lucky to drive out of the ward. A year ago, a permit was still in my dreams. A year from now, I'll be driving on my own. Those little steps add up to big things. Dating is another example. In elementary school, the only reason a girl liked a boy is because that's what older people did. Junior high is when things get confusing, and before you know it, you're a dating teen. For me right now, I am so darn sick of the baby steps, and I am ready to be 16, to be able to have so much more freedom. But then I remember that it's not complete freedom, there are still restrictions.
Becoming an older teenager means you have a car to be taken away for punishment, and your parents know everything you do. You have to work harder to balance time, and there are more things to be tipped over. When you pass your teenage years and become parents, then you have to worry about the differences for your kids as they grow older. Also, your body starts to fall apart. This is generally when people want to stay younger, aging doesn't look so appealing. One day your knee starts to hurt when you're running, then your back isn't as strong as it used to be. And day by day, you get old. It isn't noticed that yesterday was slightly different from today, but last year was way different from this one.
Pay attention to the little things. Enjoy getting older, there is good that comes with the bad. As my dad has told me, "Don't live in tomorrow when today's still here." Don't worry about or dwell too much on aging. It is a fact of life, but enjoy who you are right now and how you're different from who you were yesterday.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
The Olympics and Valentine's Day
I don't think that I'm going to stick to one subject today. I'm thinking the Olympics and Valentine's Day should cover my thoughts.
Let's start off with Valentine's Day. My feelings toward this holiday are not exactly warm and fuzzy. In fact, I find it scheming and pointless. The concept of a day to show your love to someone is not too bad. However, don't you think you should pick a day that actually has some importance to you? Anniversaries and birthdays are great suggestions. Yes, I realize that you already celebrate your love on these occasions, which is exactly my point. Is one day a year devoted to you not enough? Truly, if you love someone they will already be aware of this fact. It's not like if someone dotes on you on Valentine's Day then ignores you every other day you actually want them. But why us Valentine's Day so big? Because manufacturers want to con you out of every last penny you have. If you walk into Wal Mart the week before Valentine's Day, you wouldn't have to be there very long to watch 100 dollars be spent on Valentine's Day. This is Wal Mart alone. Many people spend more than that alone for this one day. It puts people into more debt and makes those who could not afford something feel guilty. Not to mention it makes single people feel like losers. To wake up on a day devoted to love and not have someone who romantically loves you can't feel so great. This is why Valentine's Day is also known as Singles' Awareness Day. If you didn't care about being single before, now you do. Obviously, I think that Valentine's Day has been blown into a huge, pointless, commercial holiday.
On the other hand, we have the Olympics. This event is fantastic, amazing, and often inspiring. This is an example of an occurrence that deserves all the attention. These people have given up their lives for the love of this sport. There are athletes ranging from their teens to their mid-30s, each giving so much so they can live their dreams. There are stories are families entering into debt because of the devotion needed to train for the Olympics. If you are training for your life-long dream, there is not much time for a job. Unless, you get endorsements, there are going to be rough spots in order to claim a spot in the Olympics. I find these people amazing to have even made it this far. I hold an amazing amount of respect for those who get there then don't qualify for the next round. Obviously, it is disappointing that they did not get farther, but think of how far they have come already. Plus, sometimes champions become conceited and arrogant. This is the dark side of these wonderful games. However, you have to admit that it could become very difficult to remain humble when you're being beaten over the head with endorsement deals. I often wish I could grab these athletes by the shoulders and shake some sense into them. They have so much potential to be throwing away on the fact that everyone despises you. There are many lovable competitors. These are the ones I root for, and wish everyone luck in achieving their dreams. Go Team USA!
Let's start off with Valentine's Day. My feelings toward this holiday are not exactly warm and fuzzy. In fact, I find it scheming and pointless. The concept of a day to show your love to someone is not too bad. However, don't you think you should pick a day that actually has some importance to you? Anniversaries and birthdays are great suggestions. Yes, I realize that you already celebrate your love on these occasions, which is exactly my point. Is one day a year devoted to you not enough? Truly, if you love someone they will already be aware of this fact. It's not like if someone dotes on you on Valentine's Day then ignores you every other day you actually want them. But why us Valentine's Day so big? Because manufacturers want to con you out of every last penny you have. If you walk into Wal Mart the week before Valentine's Day, you wouldn't have to be there very long to watch 100 dollars be spent on Valentine's Day. This is Wal Mart alone. Many people spend more than that alone for this one day. It puts people into more debt and makes those who could not afford something feel guilty. Not to mention it makes single people feel like losers. To wake up on a day devoted to love and not have someone who romantically loves you can't feel so great. This is why Valentine's Day is also known as Singles' Awareness Day. If you didn't care about being single before, now you do. Obviously, I think that Valentine's Day has been blown into a huge, pointless, commercial holiday.
On the other hand, we have the Olympics. This event is fantastic, amazing, and often inspiring. This is an example of an occurrence that deserves all the attention. These people have given up their lives for the love of this sport. There are athletes ranging from their teens to their mid-30s, each giving so much so they can live their dreams. There are stories are families entering into debt because of the devotion needed to train for the Olympics. If you are training for your life-long dream, there is not much time for a job. Unless, you get endorsements, there are going to be rough spots in order to claim a spot in the Olympics. I find these people amazing to have even made it this far. I hold an amazing amount of respect for those who get there then don't qualify for the next round. Obviously, it is disappointing that they did not get farther, but think of how far they have come already. Plus, sometimes champions become conceited and arrogant. This is the dark side of these wonderful games. However, you have to admit that it could become very difficult to remain humble when you're being beaten over the head with endorsement deals. I often wish I could grab these athletes by the shoulders and shake some sense into them. They have so much potential to be throwing away on the fact that everyone despises you. There are many lovable competitors. These are the ones I root for, and wish everyone luck in achieving their dreams. Go Team USA!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
The Super Bowl
First of all, WHO DAT? Okay, not that we've got that cleared up, let's go for the Super Bowl ads. We all know that the only real reason anyone watched the Super Bowl is because of the commercials. And heck, when over $200 million were spent on them, why not enjoy them? Now we venture into the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Let's start with the good. The following are in no particular order.
Doritos:
Frankly, they were all genius. There were 4 of them, and I have officially decided that their marketing people don't get paid enough. However much it is, it's not enough.
Casket: So typical American man. I'd estimate that 50 percent of American males would fake their death for a bath in Doritos while watching the Super Bowl. Frankly, who wouldn't like to take a bath in Doritos? I do not know.
House Rules: Loved it. Little kids taking control always works, especially when they smack the person of larger stature. His mother wasn't really all that great looking, but I'll get past it.
Snack Attack Samurai: My project for this weekend is making a suit out of Doritos and learning to use Doritos as ninja stars. Watch out.
Underdog: This kind of goes with House Rules, animals beating humans is generally funny. This has been a tad overdone, but it was still funny.
Google:
Search On: This was cute. Obviously, this was their aim, and they reached it. I liked the fact that it was so unlike any other Super Bowl commercials. Most guys were probably groaning, but I enjoyed it.
Home Away:
Hotel Hell: Absolutely genius. Whoever thought of bringing back the characters from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation has a very high IQ. Honestly, I don't remember much else about it except those 2 characters, and the fact that it was very funny.
Now we explore the bad and ugly. Brace yourselves ladies and gentlemen, you're in for a very wild ride. (Also in no particular order)
Taco Bell:
It Rocks, It Rocks: It sucks, it sucks. First of all, none of them could rap and the rap was very poorly written. Two wrongs do not make a right, as apparently everyone says. And they wasted a lot of money on that Lakers player. This is football, no one's going to know who that is. I sure didn't. Whatever was with the flying girls in purple, they're psycho.
US Census:
Let us think about who paid for this commercial. Answer: us. Who decided to spend the nation's money on a Super Bowl commercial? Our country is already in huge debt, and then we got off and spend even more money on a commercial that was totally unnecessary. Plus, it didn't even make sense. First of all, what was it being compared to? Who knows. Second of all, it had no call to action. Even though this isn't a persuasive essay, it still needs to meet the same requirements. If any of you know what this meant, please enlighten me.
Overall, the commercials this year were hilarious. These are just some of my favorites and least favorites. If you don't know what I'm talking about, check them out at hulu.com or cbssports.com/superbowlads
Let's start with the good. The following are in no particular order.
Doritos:
Frankly, they were all genius. There were 4 of them, and I have officially decided that their marketing people don't get paid enough. However much it is, it's not enough.
Casket: So typical American man. I'd estimate that 50 percent of American males would fake their death for a bath in Doritos while watching the Super Bowl. Frankly, who wouldn't like to take a bath in Doritos? I do not know.
House Rules: Loved it. Little kids taking control always works, especially when they smack the person of larger stature. His mother wasn't really all that great looking, but I'll get past it.
Snack Attack Samurai: My project for this weekend is making a suit out of Doritos and learning to use Doritos as ninja stars. Watch out.
Underdog: This kind of goes with House Rules, animals beating humans is generally funny. This has been a tad overdone, but it was still funny.
Google:
Search On: This was cute. Obviously, this was their aim, and they reached it. I liked the fact that it was so unlike any other Super Bowl commercials. Most guys were probably groaning, but I enjoyed it.
Home Away:
Hotel Hell: Absolutely genius. Whoever thought of bringing back the characters from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation has a very high IQ. Honestly, I don't remember much else about it except those 2 characters, and the fact that it was very funny.
Now we explore the bad and ugly. Brace yourselves ladies and gentlemen, you're in for a very wild ride. (Also in no particular order)
Taco Bell:
It Rocks, It Rocks: It sucks, it sucks. First of all, none of them could rap and the rap was very poorly written. Two wrongs do not make a right, as apparently everyone says. And they wasted a lot of money on that Lakers player. This is football, no one's going to know who that is. I sure didn't. Whatever was with the flying girls in purple, they're psycho.
US Census:
Let us think about who paid for this commercial. Answer: us. Who decided to spend the nation's money on a Super Bowl commercial? Our country is already in huge debt, and then we got off and spend even more money on a commercial that was totally unnecessary. Plus, it didn't even make sense. First of all, what was it being compared to? Who knows. Second of all, it had no call to action. Even though this isn't a persuasive essay, it still needs to meet the same requirements. If any of you know what this meant, please enlighten me.
Overall, the commercials this year were hilarious. These are just some of my favorites and least favorites. If you don't know what I'm talking about, check them out at hulu.com or cbssports.com/superbowlads
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
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