AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

13 DAYS. In less than 2 weeks I check in. I really can't believe it's already here!!! I've still got to pack and everything too. AHHHHHH!!!

Day 23

Day 23: A movie that makes you laugh

The Emperor's New Groove never fails to absolutely crack me up.

Day 24: A movie that makes you cry

Up makes me cry EVERY TIME I see it. I absolutely love it. There are so many others I can't list them all though. I cry very easily at Disney movies.

Day 25: Your favorite scene from your favorite movie

Day 22

Day 22: An underrated movie

The Great Mouse Detective is an excellent movie and has basically been forgotten. I have no idea why. It was always one of my favorites.

Major update on the 30 day challenge!

Day 8: Your favorite villain

My favorite villain would have to be Maleficent. She has a great sense of humor and I love her dark elegance. Also, she turns into a dragon.

Day 9: Your favorite original character

"My only hope is that we never lose sight of one thing, that it was all started by a mouse."

Day 10: Your favorite song

This is REALLY tough, but my favorite song is actually "Farewell" composed by Alen Menken, which is a piece of score from the last scene of Pocahontas. It moves me to tears every time I hear it, and I think that is the mark of a real masterpiece.

Day 11: Your favorite love song

I can never decide between If I Never Knew You and Beauty and the Beast. The addition of If I Never Knew You to Pocahontas when it was released on DVD made the movie so much more impactful, and the ballroom scene in Beauty and the Beast is so iconic. Both songs' lyrics are beautiful and perfectly said.

 

Day 12: Your favorite villain song

I LOVE Dr. Facilier. Other than Maleficent, he is probably my favorite villain. I think how his shadow is its own character is so innovative. The colors and music of The Princess and the Frog are so vibrant and expressive. I also love all the puns in his song:

Day 13: Your least favorite song

I really can't stand The Morning Report on the DVD version of The Lion King. I loved Zazu's schpeal to Mufasa!! It was so funny!

Well! the buzz from the bees is that the leopards are in a bit of a spot. The baboons are going ape! I told the elephants to forget it, but they cant... But, as I always say, cheetahs never prosper.

Day 14: Your favorite Kiss

I love Troy and Gabriella's kiss in High School Musical 3. After college started and Zach and I were separated, I am not ashamed to admit that I watched this movie and cried. a lot. Troy drove all night and missed prom to go see Gabriella... it's just so romantic. I love it. Also since they're dating in real life their chemistry is obvious and the kiss is real.

Day 15: The first movie you saw

My first Disney movie was The Jungle Book. It must have come out of the vault around when I was born. I watched it about a year ago for the first time in forever and it is so funny! I love Bagheera and Baloo and also King Loui.

Day 16: Your favorite classic

My favorite classic is DEFINITELY Sleeping Beauty. It's by far the most beautiful detail oriented animated film ever made. So much went into it.

Day 17: Least favorite classic

I haven't seen it in a long time, so I might like it now, but I remember not really liking Pinocchio. I just remember him having an annoying voice and yelling "father!" looking for Gepetto. Although Jiminy Cricket and the most iconic Disney song of all time did come from this so it obviously has good qualities, it's just not my favorite.

Day 18: Your favorite Pixar film

Toy Story 3 blew my mind this summer. It was excellent. It somehow managed to press all of my buttons to make me weep like a baby about growing up and friendship etc. The level of amazingness this movie reached is immeasurable.
HOWEVER.
Up has to be my number one. When a movie can grab you and make the whole theater cry within the first 5 minutes, that's really saying something.

Day 19: Your least favorite Pixar film

I haven't seen Cars yet but I have a feeling I might not like it. However I can't really say so from the others, the Incredibles is my least favorite. I can't put my finger on it but there's something about it I just don't like. It could have to do with the fact that I don't get into superheroes and I strongly dislike the palette. I would take cool over warm colors any day.

Day 20: Your favorite sequel

As already mentioned, Toy Story 3 OWNS.

Day 21: An overrated movie

Ok don't get me wrong here, I love Lilo and Stitch. In ways it's underrated because you never hear anyone talking about it anymore or watching it. It's a beautiful film and pulls some heart strings. HOWEVER. I do NOT appreciate the fact that Stitch, apart from the movie itself, is taking over Mickey, especially in Disney World. IT'S JUST WRONG. I can't describe how hurt I feel when I see a little boy running around with Stitch ears instead of Mickey ears. IT ALL STARTED WITH A MOUSE, PEOPLE. LET'S KEEP IT THAT WAY.

NOT RIGHT.

That's all I have to say about that.

Ok on Miley's bong incident:

I will be the first to admit that I don't think that it was a very good idea for Miley to do what she did, and that it does set a bad example for her younger fanbase. (*Although I have no idea why her younger fanbase should hear about this or other celebrity gossip to begin with as it is only covered on gossip shows like TMZ and Showbiz Tonight, show that kids shouldn't watch anyway as there are far worse things than Miley smoking a bong and kids should be watching the Disney Channel and Nick and Cartoon Network.)

That being said, she did nothing technically wrong. Salvia is completely legal and she was 18 at the time the video was recorded. It's also a very safe drug whose effects last only about 20 minutes, and she was obviously at a party not going anywhere or endangering anyone else. From the video you can also tell she had never done it before, as the person filming it had to instruct her on what to do and she was asking questions. It's not like she's holed up in her room doing the stuff 24/7. She has never been caught smoking cigarettes, which personally would be far worse as it is potentially very harmful, especially in comparison to salvia. There are 2 or 3 pictures of her with a beer in hand in Spain where it was entirely legal, and from the pictures you could tell she was not going crazy with it. Also, she has been legal to drink and do other things in other countries for several years now, and the Spain pictures from a couple months ago are the only documentation of any use. You KNOW if she had done anything, there would be pictures and there would be big news.

All in all, though I don't agree with her actions, I stand behind her because I am a true fan and can see beyond the hype that the media is giving this that in the big scheme of things, Miley is just fine.

*Note: most of the people I have seen personally and on their blogs who are saying stuff about this are people who I know for a fact have experimented with things themselves and probably did younger than Miley did herself. She is 18 and a senior in high school, and we all know these things start way earlier than that.... so please stop being hypocrites :D

Update again!

Ok I am going to update my list of things I want to do really quickly... there will probably be a lot of these posts:

• Create a charm bracelet and actually buy it. I think every time in my conscious memory I have been to WDW I have gone through the buffet line of awesome charms and never gotten one. 
• EAT AT CINDERELLA'S CASTLE.

Day 7

Day 7: Your favorite sidekick.

Pumbaa and Timon!!

Day 6

Day 6: Your favorite animal.


RAFIKI.

Enough said.

So soon.

Day 5

Day 5: Your favorite hero.

My favorite hero would have to be Quasimodo. He loves Esmeralda and would do anything for her. He is completely selfless. Even when he finds out she is in love with Phoebus and not himself, he risks everything to find her and warn her about Frollo. His selflessness and unconditional love are so admirable, especially to turn out so well after facing such adversity in his horrible upbringing.

Day 4

Day 4: Your favorite prince

My favorite prince is Prince Philip from Sleeping Beauty. He seems to be one of the only princes that thinks for himself or has much character development. 

Prince Philip who was knowingly betrothed, went out to the woods, met Aurora, fell in love, went back to the castle and told his dad whats up, and when his dad said no he just turned right around like HOLLA and went back to meet her anyway and marry her because he actually loved her and he wasn't just being told to. He then proceeds to escape and defeat (with a great amount of help from the Fairy Godmothers, but oh well) Maleficent as a DRAGON.

Day 3

Day 3: Your favorite heroine.

Hmmm this is difficult as I've already chosen 3 of my favorite women lol. I'm going to have to go with Esmeralda though. She is strong willed and is not afraid to stand up for what she believes in. A lot of Disney heroines are like that, but I feel like Esmeralda faces the most adversity.

Day 2

Day 2: Your favorite princess.

My favorite princess is either Tiana or Belle. I identify with Belle because she is so "odd" and has bigger dreams than what people expect of her, but I love Tiana's dedication, and kindof identify with that too. The song "Almost There" really reminds me of my dream to be a Disney artist, but then the reprise of "Belle" when she is on the hill by her house is one of my favorite snippets of Disney lyrics ever. Belle and Tiana really have a lot in common, so it's hard to decide.

I want adventure in the great wide somewhere
I want it more than I can tell
and for once it might be grand
to have someone understand
I want so much more then they've got planned.

Mama! I don't have time for dancing!
That's just gonna have to wait a while
Ain't got time for messing around
And it's not my style
This old town can slow you down
People taking the easy way
But I know exactly where I'm going
Getting closer and closer every day

30 Day Disney Challenge Day 1

Day 1: Your favorite character.

My favorite character is Pocahontas. She is beyond any other Disney heroine. She is a real woman. I love her proud Native American stance and stare, and her love of nature and innate understanding of humanity and love. When she throws herself over John Smith as her father is swinging to save his life, I cry every time. She has a deeper and stronger purpose and sense of self than most other not only Disney heroines, but heroines in general even in normal movies. The lyrics of all of her songs are so meaningful, they blow my mind.

AHHHHHHH!

It's really creeping up on me! In 5 weeks and 2 days I check in, that's basically the same time from Halloween until now, and that feels like yesterday. There's a little get together tonight for all the IU CPers going down this spring that I intend to go to to make some friends, ask some questions, and get free pizza x.O

So since I can hardly think about anything else right now, here are some goals and worries and expectations etc. that I have right now about this spring.

Goals:

• I want to eat at all the nice restaurants at all the country show cases in the world pavilion. 
• I'm going to buy a full kitchen set to use someday in my future home so that every time I do something in the kitchen (obviously every day) I will be reminded of the most magical semester of my life.
• I'm going to get super into pin trading. I've never had the time or money in the past on my vacations to try it, but since I'm going to be there and have everything at my disposal from January through May, I am going to become obsessed. I can't wait to get a good collection going on a super cool lanyard and trade with guests :D
• I'm going to get a beautiful huge snow globe to go with the Peter Pan one I got last time. Starting an opulent snow globe collection too to go on my mantle someday.
• I am going to ride EVERY ride and go to EVERY show in EVERY park. Even though I've been 5 or 6 times, I am still no where close lol.
• Find as many hidden Mickey's as possible!
• Meet and befriend the Pocahontas in Fantasmic. That is the most epic moment of any live night snow in Disney.

Worries:

• I'm worried I will be slow to catch on and get in the swing of things at work or have a huge line and mess up ringing something up and have to redo it and all the other various things that randomly happen as a cashier that I am familiar with that weren't a big deal at all at the Zoo or Convention Center, but this is Disney... I feel like I can't mess up at all. 
• The tunnels. I have a good sense of direction, but I've heard they're a real labyrinth. What if I'm running late to work and I loose my way in the tunnels or one is blocked off for maintenance or something! This worry is really about being late as much is it is about getting lost. I will have my car so I don't have to rely on the buses, so that is good. I can at least get to the park on time I guess.
• All I want is to make Magic happen for people. I'm so worried about letting someone down. Everybody makes mistakes, but I don't want to disappoint a guest if I'm having an exceptionally bad day and accidentally let it show through my Disney Smile or if there's something they want and we don't have it.
• I'm also worried about ruining the Magic for myself. I obviously know the characters are in costumes and there are tunnels under the park and big lots in between things hidden by trees yada yada yada, I'm talking about my saint-like perception of Disney as a company. I just hope it lives up to what I've always dreamed of it being. I'm not saying I doubt Disney, otherwise I wouldn't love it so much, I'm just acknowledging that possibility because my expectations are so high.

Misc.:

• Make some lifelong Disney friends who share my passion for Disney and understand 8:D
• Make at least one connection that will help me in the long run.
• No coulda woulda shoulda.

Happy Birthday Walt!

My inspiration.

I love Taylor Swift.

It's so refreshing for a pop artist to come out with not only a Christmas album, but a song about how Christmas is really about Jesus, not presents.

How ironic

I'm blogging in a coffee house.... haha. And I just had to say somewhere that I am SO ready to get out of here and go to Disney. I'm surrounded by idiots *Scar quote*. I had to be here because since I am an alternate barista I have to put on a program once a semester, and mine was scheduled for tonight. It was supposed to be a Disney/art thing but only two people have showed up so far :'( 

Why? My dorm where the coffee house is is like 99.999999999999999% hipster. Disney is the man. Stick it to the man. 

It's sad because before I had my epiphany I used to really love Collins. Then my eyes were opened and I can see that I really don't have much in common with most of the people here, and quite frankly if it weren't so close to the art building I would opt to get an apartment or house somewhere off campus. Hogwarts week is still cool though. But still, that's not enough to entice me to enjoy full school years here. That's why I've been a hermit lately. Most people here get on my nerves so badly I just prefer not to deal with it, so I stay in my room, and I am reminded of that right now because I have to be in the Chesh for my failed program. 

Because of this, I am SUPER EXCITED MORE THAN EVER BEFORE for the CP to start!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why? 

1. Anyone who willingly goes through the application process and accepts must love Disney or at least not blindly hate it.
2. This semester is HORRID and if I am gone, that means it is over. 
3. I don't have to take any classes for a whole semester.
4. I WILL BE LIVING AND WORKING IN DISNEY WORLD FOR FOUR MONTHS.

I'm not a political person but...

People need to get over themselves and should be made to watch the footage from 9/11 whenever they start complaining about a simple pat down/body scan at the airport. The planes hitting the towers, the flames and smoke and utter destruction. Have them count up to the total death count "one Mississippi" style. No one is making you fly, and I'm pretty sure they just might do a background check on airport security personnel, so I doubt there are any known predators performing the security measures.

That is all.

Lords of the Rhymes: Music Video

Update!

Tonight my friend Sarah and I did the roommate selection thing, so hopefully that works out and we can room together 44 days from now!!!!!!!!!!

Also, it has been determined that my parents and Sarah's mom will be driving down in one vehicle, while Sarah and I go down in my car, Mushu!! It will be like our last trip to Disney when I drove, except this time we are going AS CAST MEMBERS!!!!!!! I still can't believe its real and coming up so soon. The only thing is I'm really sad that Zach can't come down with us. It's going to be hard saying goodbye to him for 4 months, but it will be ok and I know he supports me and understands how important this is.

And finally, everything got worked out with my school and Disney so that I got the 12 credit hour placeholder and everything is finally in line for next semester and next fall when I come back to IU :D 

Everything is going well, as long as I can live through these next 3 weeks of the semester o.0

More on topic

Lol I just realized that other than the fact that I'm doing the Disney College Program, I have failed to say anything else about it. So:

• My dates are 1/12-5/13
• I'm in merchandise, my second pick. I REALLY wanted attractions, the Haunted Mansion specifically, but you know oh well... I'M GONG TO BE WORKING IN DISNEY WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• I found out about the program on a family vacation in Disney World when I was only 12... in other words I've been waiting 8 years to do this!!!!
• One of my best friends, Sarah, is doing it too and we have the same arrival date and can hopefully room together :D
• Sarah is one of like 2 or 3 people in the world I've ever talked to who share my love of all things Disney as deep as it goes in my soul, and I am SO excited because I'm finally going to meet more of you!!!

Art Therapy

Ok so tonight at my dorm there was a program about character design with this artist who basically does what I want to do, just not with Disney. Obviously, it was super exciting to actually meet someone in the industry and hear what he had to say :D
It was kindof a workshop too, and he had us all describe ourselves, then describe our opposite or arch nemesis... go figure, mine was basically the typical resident of Collins. Haha. It just so happened that there was the most obnoxious person I have ever met at this thing. I have seen him before around, and have always just had this natural aversion to him. Tonight he crossed the line.
When I got there, the first thing he said to me was "sorry, this is only for the cool Jewish people"... wow. He then proceeded to go on about his vegan ways and bash this girl he bragged about calling out on in some class for eating meat, and basically called her a barbaric pig. But THEN. He was talking to this girl, instigating arguments because that is what he does to gain self validation, and it somehow came up that she was anti-abortion... uh oh. Throughout the rest of the night, he found ways to make stabs at her about it. Part of the workshop was going through various newspapers and magazines and cutting things out to make a collage of our anti-me. (*btw his description of himself, NOT his opposite, included narcissism, being an ass, and other traits of the like. AKA he is aware of and pretty proud of the fact that he is that way.) His involved dead babies. I also overheard him say to her that he hoped she would have to go through an unwanted or unhealthy pregnancy and would have to make the choice about an abortion herself... OMGWTF.
He was by far the worst, but as I said in my first post, the majority of my dorm shares several of his views and characteristics, and that proved to be true for the rest of the turnout for this event. So I was pretty annoyed by this, despite my excitement for the event itself. So what did I do? I did some art therapy for myself and created this:

(I don't know why it won't rotate, sorry.)
We ended up having to present these, and if I had known that I probably wouldn't have been so bold. But oh well.
Notice I blatantly named her "Henrietta the Hipster". Oh the scoffs. I just use the term so people know the group I'm referring to. I understand that within the "hipster" subculture there are dozens of different types and not all of them are bad at all. But I found it funny that as a group that in general doesn't want to identify itself as a group, since they're all so individual, they all scoffed at the use of the word in a negative light.
So let me break the picture down. She's got a pillow for her head, which is decorated with sheep, as she is smoking a hookah (s0 k3wL!!!!1) *insert symbolism. She is wearing a peacock rug cut to be a super hero cape *insert symbolism. She is being choked by her belt. Her jacket is huge and puffed out and her hands are on her hips with her legs crossed in a "I'm cool" stance. One hand is carrying barbed wire, poking at and annoying everyone around her wherever she goes. All the while while she tries to be so outward about how cool she is and show off, she is chained down to her image, and is basically a slave to it. The wordage at the bottom says "promote the look".

Then he had us draw a version of the nemesis. (see above.) Poor Henrietta, her trendy vintage scarf is hanging her :'( which goes back to the belt in the collage. It's going back to a hangman game type contraption with four letters to be filled (look). Her features are harsh and sharp, like her personality.
Needless to say, they did not appreciate this. Suck it.

It felt VERY good to make these, especially with them sitting right there. Just a few more rants/therapeutic sessions and I will be rid of my angst :D
ALSO, the artist said he liked mine!!!!!!!!!!!!
All in all, a very introspective and positive experience. He will be back two more times this month. I'm looking forward to it :}

Harry Potter kitteh says goodnight.

TITANIC!!!

This is an essay I wrote last year about my favorite movie of all time, Titanic :D

The 1997 film by James Cameron, Titanic, is one of epic proportions on all levels. Often written off as a glorified blockbuster chick flick, its deeper symbolism, themes, and emotional impact are overlooked. The classic ideas of young versus old, love or money, and the overbearing restrictions of class systems are prevalent throughout the film and relate a profound message to the viewer.
Rose and her mother, Ruth, display all the timeless characteristics of the never-ending battle between the young and the old. As an older, “wiser”, more experienced woman, Ruth believes it is entirely appropriate for Rose to marry Cal, Rose’s well to do fiancé, if only for financial and status gains. In Rose’s eyes, this idea is heinous and all together intrusive on her rights as an individual. She knows in her heart that Cal is an angry, closed minded, pompous fool- the polar opposite of her free spirit. Ruth asserts her age dominance over Rose by forcing her into not only the engagement, but also obeying the behavioral constraints of the time and their society. She even goes so far as to say that Rose is selfish for not wanting to be forced into this marriage. As all youth do, Rose constantly attempts to rebel by grasping for anything to pull her out of this seemingly helpless predicament, even attempting suicide to escape her mother’s and soon-to-be husband’s control. Her young life should be open ended and left to her own choice, but as a result of this age old age battle, her life is seemingly written for her before it has had the chance to begin. After Jack prevents her from taking her life and their chemistry begins to come out, Ruth bears her teeth even further, and without giving him a chance, abhorrently detests this new, impoverished specimen. With her old age comes preconceived notions of his “type”; with Rose’s youth comes the innocence and honesty of true attraction and love. Fundamental differences such as these between Rose and her mother make it impossible for them to ever see eye to eye and come to terms with each other.
Once Rose and Jack set course on their inevitable path to love, Rose faces another classic dilemma in the matters of romance: love or money? With Cal, she has financial security, a fixed social status, nice things, and the approval of all who know her. With Jack, she will inevitably be poor, and struggle the rest of her life. But, she would have love. The question is what she values more, safety or happiness. She puts on a façade to hide this inner turmoil, acting like there is no decision to be made. Even when Jack steals her away for a few moments to give her his piece on the matter, telling her that she is “trapped”, she acts as if she is truly in love with Cal and dismisses Jack entirely. The layers of her façade are thick but transparent, as she quickly flees his presence, visibly flustered. Her actions are opposite to her words. It is not until she witnesses a young girl in the upper class dining hall regally setting a napkin on her lap that it sinks in to her that she does not fit in with this mindless snobby crowd, that molds even their children to their pointless etiquette and rules. Only then makes the most significant decision of her life- to choose love over money.
Throughout the film, the differences between the classes of passengers on the ship and the restrictions that come along with them are more than apparent. Historically accurate, signs are posted everywhere designating where the third and second class people may go onboard, the differences in decoration and quality between the rooms are vast, the first class passengers walk their dogs on the third class deck, and there are metal cage like enclosures at the openings to the third class living quarters. In Rose and Jack’s story, the restrictions come into play mentally, socially, and physically. The entire reason they come to meet is because of Rose’s ultimate hatred for the conformist nature of her high society. It is a stunning moment as she runs past Jack lying on the bench as she goes to jump off the ship, her in her elaborate evening gown, and he in his corduroys and suspenders. Despite these obvious physical differences, they are the same in character. However, to the rest of her high society, she remains above him; but, when these physical barriers are equaled at dinner, Cal, who was yelling inches from his face the night before, did not even initially recognize him. Later on, when he attempts to come see her on Sunday during the chapel service, he is not allowed into the place of God, simply because of his apparent class standing. After the tragic collision with the iceberg and the captain gives the famous order of “women and children first”, it becomes apparent that it is not really all women and children, but first class women and children. Because of the money these people possessed, many of whom were on their way to America in hopes of finding wealth, they were left to drown or freeze in the middle of the North Atlantic.
Titanic is a beautiful film with far deeper meaning than most people give it credit for. Its content is rich and thought provoking. One must get past its major gross at the box office and expenditures during production, and see the film in a more simplistic light. It is a classic and tragic tale of love, rank, and loss.

The shining, typewriter

Everything

This is going to be long winded. There are a great many things I want to say here, until I actually start the Program this is going to be purely therapeutic. Also, let me say that I am typically not a hateful or judgmental person but I am going to rant. a lot.

I love Disney. GET OVER IT. I live with a bunch of hipsters and hippies who think of Disney as "the Man". Not only do I live with them all concentrated in my dorm, but I am an art major. I have come to realize that I HATE OTHER ART MAJORS (with exceptions. Everything I say that is so extreme, just assume it is generalized and there are obviously exceptions). I was in a kind of denial freshman year, thinking I would make friends at the art school. NOPE. I hate to say it but I really can't stand them. They're a bunch of idealistic kids who need to grow up and realize that that's not the way the world works. There is NOTHING wrong with earning or having money. You need it to live. It's like they think that being successful is wrong. Tell me what you think 10 years from now when you're either destitute, in a commune, or part of the system that you hate so much. Also, what ground do you really have to stand on to say all this bull when you are a student at Indiana University. A state funded institution of education, where you will get a degree in order to get a job somewhere and make money. WTF. 

Now, ever since I was accepted into the Program, I've obviously been super excited and have been talking about it a lot... I cannot tell you how many times one of these punks has come up to me and just given me hell about Disney. Telling me all these things about how Walt was a Nazi and a racist, blah blah blah blah blah. As if I've never heard it all before, out of all the research I've done and biographies I've read. OF COURSE I've heard your theories, but I think I've made it pretty clear via my actions and words what my stance is on the matter. 

Here it is in case you haven't gotten it yet: Unless you can bring Walter Elias Disney back from the grave and have him seek me out personally, throttle me by the neck, pin me against the wall and say, "Erin, I hate everyone other than white men. My movies are nothing more than racist propaganda, and have nothing to do with dreaming or love," then I AM NOT GOING TO BELIEVE IT. PERIOD. END OF STORY. You have your opinion, and I have mine. Live with it. And that goes for everything. I don't tell you how to live your life, so don't tell me how to live mine. (I kindof am right now but this is a rant on a blog so it doesn't count.)

That being said, when they say this crap to me they have this condescending way as if they're sorry to break it to a child that Santa isn't real. Like they're making me see the light and because of them, I'm going to rethink my entire life. UM. NO.

Here is a link to an article that pretty much sums up exactly how I feel about the matter: http://www.cracked.com/funny-4573-hipster/ 

Some select quotes:

The hipster rebels against social norms by paying way more attention to them than anyone else.

Every aspect of hipster culture amounts to little more than an elaborate pissing contest.

In actuality, most of the culture boils down to judging... items, activities, bands, companies, clothes, oneself, and most importantly other people.

By basing their actions on avoiding the mainstream, they are in fact guided by the mainstream.

They don't realize that they're a big joke.

*A smaller annoyance of people not understanding my love of all things Disney: not hipsters, but just people who can't comprehend loving Disney so much. All they have to say is how tired of it I'm going to get and that I will hate it by the time I'm done. I had one girl say that if she worked at Disney the best part would be getting drunk everywhere that sold alcohol and then causing mayhem... wow.

So as a result of this, I've really been a hermit lately. I hate going to my art classes too. I just feel surrounded by these people I cant stand and it drives me crazy. Like the other night I worked at this coffee shop we have at my dorm, and I was playing the new Taylor Swift CD. I got SO many scoffs. WTF is not to like about Taylor Swift? I don't get it. I don't get what's not to like about a bunch of things I like that seem to be looked down upon by everyone around me. Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, High School Musical, Nicholas Sparks books. Of course those aren't my only interests or something at all, but I do like all those things and I see nothing wrong with that. I refuse to call them "guilty pleasures". Why should I feel guilty for liking something just because mostly the people I described above think of them as basically "low art". Who makes that distinction? If I like something, I like it. And that is my business. These people seem to think its their duty to educate the masses or something. What's so wrong about being wholesome or just happy in nature? I personally just love the innocence of these things, and they make me happy.

Which leads me to my next tangent: Miley. Everyone seems to really hate her. I simply do not get it. The only thing I can come up with is that most people don't do their research before they set their opinion of her, because if they did, they would realize there is really not much not to like. Let me address some common misconceptions:

• Miley is a "slut". First of all, as a music artist, there are several parts of the entity that is Miley Cyrus, one being her image. I will give you that, her outfits have been a bit risque as of late. Personally, I think it has to do with her parents' divorce that was just made public. I think she might have been "acting out" in the way that adolescents sometimes do when confronted with confusing and adult situations. Keep in mind that she grew up with her parents and family as her rock, it's not like a lot of kids that grow up used to their parents being separated. This is completely rocking her world. I would be traumatized too. That being said, as a big fan, I know a lot about Miley, including what of her personal life she has opened up about to the press and in her book. She is ALL ABOUT her family. She grew up in a small town in Tennessee, and Christ has always played a big part in her life. She even wears a purity ring, STILL. After dating a Jonas Brother, an older underwear model, and now an Australian actor, she is still wearing the ring. Some people might say this is for publicity... except for the fact that she has shed her "good girl" image now, but STILL FREAKING WEARS IT. If she doesn't really mean it, there would be literally no point in keeping it at this point. Also, Since she is still only 17, she obviously has always lived with her parents, who have always guided her and served as her rock. She also has a little sister and little brother who are still in school. The last thing she wants is for her younger siblings to go to school and have their classmates shoving tabloids in their faces. Another point on this matter is that I have ALL of her music. Let me tell you this: there are literally ZERO sexually explicit or suggestive songs. The closest is "Who Owns My Heart" where she talks about dancing with a boy (scandal!). However, the message of the song is to think about whether you really are into him or if you're just caught up in the moment and the music. Another example of people misinterpreting her songs is "Fly On the Wall". For some reason, people think it is about her cheating on her boyfriend, when she literally says in the song, "You should know by now if you were my boyfriend, I'd be true to you. If I make a promise, I'm coming through. Don't you wish that you could see me every second of the day, that way you would have no doubt that Baby I would never stray"... yep. She's a cheater... Another song that people take the wrong way, purely by only reading the title and not listening to the words, is "Can't Be Tamed". Contrary to popular belief, this is not a song about how she is now some sort of wild child, it is about not letting a boyfriend tie you down and change who you are. Actually, that's the basic message of her entire new album. All of her songs though the various Hannah soundtracks, Breakout, Time of Our lives, and Can't Be Tamed have a good wholesome message to them. In my opinion, the lyrics that a music artist puts out are the best way to tell about them. Especially when they write their music, which brings me to...
• Miley has no talent. Though Miley is a pop artist and like most pop artists, she has a team of people helping her with her songs, especially Hannah songs, the vast majority of her actual Miley songs she has had some part in the writing process. Especially on her new album. Other than the one cover song, she has writing credit throughout the entire album. She also plays guitar, and learned piano in three days for The Last Song. Oh, and she sings live without auto tune. As far as her acting talent goes, omg people. Lighten up. First of all, 99% of what you have seen her in is HANNAH MONTANA. a Disney channel sitcom for tweens and younger. She is SUPPOSED to be exaggerated and corny. The Last Song is her first role ever not as Hannah, and it was a staring role. At the ripe old age of 16, when literally all the acting you've done is Hannah, of course you're going to run into some trouble transitioning into such a position and vastly different character, unless you're some savant. I never said she was the best actress in the world, and neither did anyone else. Give her a break. She has several more movies coming up, so I reserve judgment until later notice.
• Billy Ray is what got her Hannah. This could not be farther from the truth. Do you even know anything about how long and drawn out casting processes are, especially for Disney? Miley auditioned for over a year to get the part. She flew out to L.A. many separate times specifically to audition, and they kept telling her she was too young. Eventually (since it took so long) she didn't look too young anymore, and she made it into the final round of girls and got the part. That last time she flew out to L.A. when she got it, she got kicked off of her competitive cheer leading team, which was the only thing she truly enjoyed at the time because all of her friends had turned on her at school. So knowing that she might not even get the role, she wanted it bad enough to give up cheer leading for the chance that she would make it. After she ALREADY HAD THE ROLE, they were auditioning her with the actors for Hannah's dad when her mom said that Miley's dad would be perfect for the role. They asked her more about him and ONLY THEN did they realize he was Billy Ray Cyrus... and about that. Even if they had known, does one hit wonder country singer from the 90s who was known for his mullet really scream "the family has talent"?!?! That argument has nothing to go off of.
• Miley is an empty shell. A lot of people seem to think that Miley is this ditsy celebutante. It's simply not true. She supports many causes including To Write Love on Her Arms and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, because her friend died of cystic fibrosis a few years ago. Oops! There's another controversy. She has a tattoo on her left ribs under her breast that says "Just Breathe", which is the campaign slogan for the cystic fibrosis foundation. She even formed her own charity called Get Ur Good On where she auctions off her clothes on Ebay and encourages other young people to participate in charities and volunteer, etc. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sad2_p1EOic

All of that said, even if you still "hate her" for whatever reason, get over it. She has done nothing to you and doesn't deserve the crap that she gets, simply for being successful. It's not like she put a gun to everyone's head that has ever bought her product. Even if you don't like her music, so what that's great you don't have to. All I'm saying is it's stupid to blindly say you "hate" her or call her names.

*The "pole dancing" incident lasted about a tenth of a second, while she was holding the mic in one hand, and balancing on the rolling cart with the other, which the media took a still image of and plastered everywhere. Watch the whole performance and tell me she was "pole dancing'.

*Probably at least 50% of teen girls take "bad" pictures of themselves. She just happens to have millions of people dying to hack into her personal things.

* If she were your average teenage girl and had dozens of adult men she didn't know constantly following her around the streets of L.A. and around her home, she would probably file charges.

Enough about Miley. I've just had that on my chest for a long time. It's not even entirely about Miley just because I'm a fan. It really bothers me that its such a common thing for people to get off on good things going down in flames.

The last thing I want to say is just how frustrating it is when people whose job it is to have the answers and help people out can't do it or act like it's a real chore. I'm having several issues with IU, my scholarships, and their compatibility with the Disney College Program. I'm in this never ending circle of people i need to contact to make sure of things because NO ONE can give me a solid answer. 

If you are still reading this, I commend you. Good day.