Video Games

Lately I have been thinking a lot about TV and Video Games. The reason why is because it has been so prevalent in our world today. Playing video games and watching TV is how most Americans spend their leisure time. I am against these activities if they are chosen too often, unless done in moderation and here are my reasons why I disagree with them.

First of all my father did not allow my brother and I to watch too much television. We never even had cable, and video games in my house were pretty limited. We had to do our chores and make sure things were done before we could play. I honestly recall it wasn't very much that we played any video games or watched TV. Besides my brother and I would usually choose to be in our rooms doing things, playing with friends, or playing outside with each other. Of course when my brother got older he was into video games, but that slowly changed when he found his sweet heart and started his own family. I on the other hand continued my habit of not playing video games as much, and only watching television on occasion. During my college years I did not have time for those things, so seldom did them as well. Because I was not used to watching a lot of TV or playing video games I continue to be that way even in married life.

Secondly I am pretty familiar with the statistics of how excessive amounts of TV and video games can negatively affect children in the long run. There are many articles that state that aggressive behavior is linked to violent video games. Just do the research if you aren't familiar with it and you'll find out the same thing. Sure there are arguments from both sides on the matter, however I find that in most of the cases like the Columbine story, they have been found to be addicts of violent video games. Now some may say video games are not the cause and that might be true. Maybe violent video games are not the direct cause of violent acts in real life, but they could easily influence such behavior and are most likely contributing factors. To be fair I have also learned there are now more video games and television shows where children can learn their ABC's and can be considered beneficial or productive entertainment where you can learn while you play. But isn't there a line, that if crossed, becomes obsessive or just plain too much or too often? Television and video games aren't babysitters and can't replace parents or family time. I understand that a balanced life is important and playing video games or watching TV is a normal part of leisure time or a way to relax, but shouldn't there be a limit?

Finally I come to my point of why I am bringing this up and it's because not only do I see children watching and playing more video games, I see adults as well. This site I found interesting http://wellness.blogs.time.com/2009/08/18/playing-too-many-video-games-is-bad-for-you-too-grown-ups/. I have a few people that come to mind who are adults and I wonder might be addicted to video games. I have friends that play video games everyday or every week and if I want to get together with them I have to join them in their video game playing. Sure they have the right to do as they please, but why do we always have to get together for that reason, isn't there anything else we can do?? I also have a brother in law who every time we get together with him we have to play video games. Even as a guest at our house over Christmas he gets the video games started. I don't see him very often and when I do see him, we play video games, so it would be nice for a change, to get to know him better other than through video games. I don't mean to speak unkindly of them at all, I am just wondering why does the world find television and video games so exciting. Why does it take up most of their leisure time??

I hope you don't consider me a hypocrite, because don't get me wrong, I have my days set aside where I have my TV watching and occasionally play non violent video games with my husband. I just get on my soap box over people who only do those two activities in their spare time. Life is so rewarding and there is so much to do other than to waste it on media. I understand winter can be tough for some but honestly, there are plenty of other healthy and entertaining alternatives.

Am I alone in this way of thinking? Does anyone feel like I'm too old fashioned? I know there is research out there that says to keep life healthy and limit these things but why doesn't that seem to phase some people? Can someone please help me understand this? My purpose in writing this post is to promote a worth while discussion on a topic that has been on my mind for awhile. Please let me know if any of you have anything to say, no matter if you disagree or agree with me.

Photo Holder

When I told my co-worker what I had made my sister-in-law for Christmas she gave me the retarded look ( the look that says: why in the crap would you decorate a shoe to hold your photos) but of course she didn't mean to react that way. Instead she simply said, "you should show me a photo of it." I haven't got the chance to show her a photo of my shoe but instead to give myself justice I am showing you guys my creative attempt at making a shoe photo holder.



If your interested I can tell you how I made it, other than that just know I am a fan of modge podge! Maybe some other day I will post my other attempts of being crafty and how I do them. I have a few successes to show off :)

What I got for Christmas...

a new zOOm lens-nikon 55-200 mm.

Funny thing is, I have been waiting for a new zoom lens for ages now, and I 'm not exactly sure how excited I am about it. For those of you who don't know one of my hobbies is photography. I don't know if it's just me but after waiting for so long the excitement kind of dies down, or maybe it was because I haven't been taking photos for a while. My interest in photography has also faded this past year partially because my camera had a red streak across all my photos and we had to send it back to Nikon to fix it so that took a couple of months just to get that going. Another reason could be because I was starting to get bored with my technique/style. I need to learn more about photography and I usually stink with taking photos of people. However, I think I didn't do too shabby this time. Keep in mind I usually don't make any adjustments in photo shop. These are "as is" natural amateur photographs.....most times :)

Well my friend Marcus had a great idea of posting some of his best photos of this past year, so I am going to copy his idea. Here are some more photos I have taken the year of 2009, taken with my Nikon D4ox and with it's normal 18-55 mm lens.

Taken in May at a sixth grade tie-dying activity in Orem, Utah

All three photos taken somewhere in Salt Lake City, Utay in June

Festival of Colors in Spanish Fork, Utah, taken in April

Pow-wow taken at Liberty park on July 24th in Salt Lake City, Utah

Taken on July 24th (Pioneer Day) at Liberty park in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Crab catchers from Ilwaco Port, Washington, taken in August

Loomis Lake, Washington, taken in August

These two photos were taken at the Salt Lake Temple, and of course taken in the month of December, it was hard to get good photos with all the people and no tri-pod.

BuLL S@#$

No really guys, I really did ride a bull. I was going so fast, and at least lasted one minute, you can barely tell it's me.

Matt really did climb to the very top in a blink of an eye,

and I really did see SANTA and Mrs Claus at the DOLLAR STORE, I went to go get my picture with them but they were to busy telling a little girl how to be better to her mommy.

Nutcracker

I have finally seen the Nutcracker with my dear mother who made it possible for me to go! I can't believe that it's taken me this long to see such a classic Christmas tale, but I haven't really been the kind of person to enjoy the ballet. I'm still not that kind, but it was definitely worth seeing. We saw it at the Capitol Theater in downtown Salt Lake.

I'll have to admit the Plum Fairy put me to sleep with all her dancing. It is beautiful but really lengthily. I tend to like the guy dancers the most, the one in groups, they seem to have a bit more spunk into their dancing. I was a little disappointed with the land of sweets and not seeing any sweets. For some reason I imagined a candy land with soldiers drumming. I did not see any soldiers drumming. It could be different versions or something just made up in my head every time I thought of the "Nutcracker."

However, seeing all the foreign celebration dances were entertaining, especially the Chinese with their umbrellas and the Russians with that famous dancing in a squat position (no idea what it was called). And of course I can't help but thinking the winter land of snow was exquisite. Most of the costumes and props were amazing as well. Like I said, you have to see it at least once.


Has anyone else seen it, am I the last one to see it? What do you think of it?

Michaels Photo Entry - Snowman Hat

Michaels Photo Entry - Snowman Hat

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Birthday Clues

As I wake up I walk down the heart filled stairs to the table with a quick breakfast of hot cocoa and a pop-tart and a clue card that reads.

Clue 1: Happy 26th Birthday! My love for you is 26 times greater than it was when I first met you.

Expect nature's beloved creations to give you a head start today.
-the clue above prepared me for a surprise-pink and yellow flowers with a Happy Birthday balloon attached with another clue card was brought by my husband to my work with a Wendy's meal for lunch.


Clue 2:I will love you until the last flower fades. (Look closely at all the flower to find one that's different.)
- the different flower was a fake flower hidden among the others, meaning that he will love me always.

Before you can treat yourself my love, click your heels together three times and say "There's no place like home." Now obey yourself and go home.
- I go home and we then drive up to Salt Lake to dine while in the car I pull the visor down and out falls rose petals and a clue card.

Clue 3: Your fragrance is always so divine, so you have no need for a shower, but as long as I live I will shower you with love...and ocassionally with rose petals,

All you asked for was a new adventure and a change of scenery in our dining experience, so prepare to eat at the Fratelli Ristorante.
-The waiter collects our plates another clue is placed under the plate and I notice it right off for he wasn't very sly with this one. It reads:

Clue 4: For all the times I didn't listen to you, I apologize, but may I redeem myself with one instance where I do listen.
-he shows he is listening to me by asking how my day went and the fact that he took me to an Italian place showed he was also listening.

Now that our hunger is satisfied and our thirst quenched, let the after dinner entertainment begin at the Movies.
- We then watch "This is It" because he knows I'm a fan and always wanted to see a concert of M.J.

Clue 5: Let your birthday blues disappear and let the festivities begin, because I love you too much to let you down.

Your birthday is not complete with one traditional surprise ready and waiting at home.
- I was so glad it wasn't a surprise party waiting for me at home, I was telling him my fear of people throwing me one and either no one showing up or only a few to make it uncomfortable. But instead it was a yummy chocolate cake he bought with candles that he privately sang to me himself. He knew how much I was dreading my B-day this year!

Clue 6: Of course I couldn't let your birthday pass without giving you a gift to open. It's a small way to show you I care
- We already bought my gift two weeks ago on a shopping spree. It was a dress with jewelry so criminy, he always goes all out. I got stress relief arhoma therapy lotion and body wash.

Is there more in store form Brittnee on her birthday? Go upstairs when I call for you and see if there is.
- Awh what a great way to end the evening in a nice and stress-free bath





OF course that isn't all, he manages to get ahold of my girlfriends and sets up a surprise dinner after work the following day. He told me to meet him at Chili's but low and behold he wasn't there it was a few of my good friends. I could have killed him!