Greece Pictures

Finally....right? Here are some of my favorite pictures of the Greece Trip. I hope you enjoy. I plan on writing more about the rest of the journey...as time presents itself! You can read about the beginning of my journey on my Rhodes blog entry I posted earlier this month.

Toot

Can I toot my own horn? Toot, Toot.

Doing PR well

Bow.

My ego and I have been celebrating since this was posted...and now I can't seem to fit my head through the door. Now it is time to get serious.

Next PR campaign?? I think so!!

Thanks Image Gal!

I did it

After much deliberation and research for like 3 years, I did it! I bought a swanky nice camera. That's right. My trip to Greece was my inspiration...that and Jeff Allred, good friend and photographer extraordinaire.

So, I went camera shopping after much deliberation and prayer ;) Buying a new camera was super hard for me. I've noticed that when I am going to pay a lot of moola for something that it takes me MORE than a while to actually decide on something. This might be normal....but I think for some reason that I am a 'special case.'

You see, I normally get the sweats and the shakes when a sales person is telling me about all the perks. For some reason, I feel like I can't buy it. I generally view the whole 'purchase of an expensive item' very exhausting. Even if I am only at a place for less than 30 minutes, I get anxious and end up hating the process. I am not generally one that succombs to pressure, which is why I generally get nervous. It is almost like I have the thought process, "YOU are not the reason I am buying this item. I have actually done my research and I know what I like. Just because you are trying to sell me, doesn't mean I am going to buy it because you said so."

Case and point-buying my car: I knew what I wanted a high-up, not necessarily high-end vehicle. I like vehicles that ride off the ground, like my sweet 1994 Grand Jeep Cherokee, Shera. I also wanted a non-gas guzzler, reliable vehicle...unlike Shera. So, I was in the line for a Toyota or a Honda. I went to buy the car, having done months of research on pricing, what make and model, etc. So, I knew what I wanted. Well, when all was said and done, I went to 3-4 dealerships, talked about what I wanted and what I could afford. The last dealer made me a killer offer, one that I would have done right away. I wanted it and knew I wanted it right then. For some reason, I didn't want the dealer to know that I was an 'easy-buy' so I left knowing that I would probably go back at the end of the day and buy the car and maybe see if he could lower the price a little more :) Why? I don't know. I didn't have to do any checking. I had been looking for months and found exactly what I wanted. But I didn't buy it on the spot. What...like other checking would help me decide? Uh, no. I just happened to get the shakes and started to sweat. So, I left to calm down a bit. I think I had some ice cream or something...and went back and bought my beautiful 2002 Toyota Highlander, Xena.

I was also this way when I bought my entertainment center, couch, tickets to Greece...whatever.

So, day of the camera buy - Before I went shopping, I read all these articles and reviews about the difference between the Nikon D80 and the Canon Rebel XTI and XSI, I still weighed very heavily on the Canon side, even though the 'boxing review aka CNET prizefight' gave the Nikon a stellar review as it knocked Canon out of the charts...well at least by 2-4 points ;) I had the idea in my head that because Canon is developed by a 'larger organization' that somehow that made the Canon a more reliable camera. I also think that the lens options are better because the company develops new lenses almost everyday and let's not forget the fact that I have a Canon and am familiar with how it functions. I also have two Nikons (one film and my point and shoot) and am also very familiar with the technology.

Canon Rebel XTI Article: Photo.net
Camera Labs Article comparing different cameras by showing different photo shots. Here is the article with the verdict from CameraLabs.com.
Digital Photography Notes Article.

All in all, the Nikon outranked the Canon, but both are very superior cameras. The reviews also said that anyone in the market will be satisfied with either, as stated on DCviews.com. So, why not choose the least expensive option...right? I went into the shop thinking I would leave with one brand...

After experimenting with both, the fit of the Canon Rebel XTI and XSI was just not for me. I always considered myself a Canon girl, but I could not bend back once I had gone to the Nikon side of the deal. I was standing at Inkley's with some friends who were totally sold on the Nikon D40. I also fell in love with the user-ability of the camera, but felt like I could find a better price elsewhere, so I didn't purchase right away. That and I just had to go and do more research on the camera before I made the commitment. Again, I had gone into the shop thinking I would come out with a Canon. So, I got the shakes....I just couldn't fold...not yet.

So, I went home and looked at a couple more websites, including steals through Amazon, etc. just to make sure I was getting a stellar deal. I was given this awesome website: KenRockwell.com. Sure enough, the first thing he says on his site is: "If you don't have the time to read the rest of this page, you want a Nikon D40." I just had to laugh...and so I did... and then I laughed at myself for laughing at myself.

I ended up going back to Inckley's and buying the camera like 1 hour later. The fact that Inkley's offers free classes probably had something to do with my purchase too. I ended up getting the camera on sale...and it came with some pretty sweet freebies. I charged the battery and experimented with it as soon as it was charged!

Here is my beauty...I haven't named her yet. Any suggestions?

I stand corrected!!

K...so, I must clear up a couple of grammatical/spelling errors. In a world of googling words to check spelling, I looked up a word recently that I decided was thus accurate....and found out that the word indeed was incorrect. The correct word for the entry below is whittle....not widdle. Now that I think about it, a word like widdle could be used to describe what a dog does when they are overexcited to see you.

Other words of note that I sometimes confuse with other words:

• Balling: I have used this word to describe when I absolutely can't control the tears. Unbeknowst to me...for some time, the word 'ball' actually means something else. Careful if you decide to google this word. I would actually recommend using a real dictionary to figure it out. Happy or sad tears, the correct term is 'bawling'.
• Tote: I use this word (copyright Miaken) as a shortened term for 'totally'.
• Whatevs: Shortened word for 'whatever'.
• BFF: Yes, the word I used in the 80's meaning 'best friends forever.' I know I still have some necklaces from my BFF's in kindergarten through 8th grade. That's right Heather, Julie, Nikki, Meta, Angela, Jeannie, April, Amy...I'm sure I have missed out on several. I have a lot of BFF necklaces/bracelets. Keri love, I don't know if we went the necklace route or not....we knew each other more in HS....regardless I have kept them all. AND if I didn't get a necklace with you....sorry, I just ran out of room in my cutesy little jewelry box that has a ballerina dancing to tune when you open it!
  
• BC: because. I am sure you knew that.
• Awesomist, bestest...etc. You can add 'est' or 'ist' to just about any descriptive word and it is ok.
• Idizz: Ideas. Probably sprung from the 'Snoop-dog' translation.
• Eminated: an accidental combination of Emmy-nominated (which my boss is).
• Rents: The parents.

If you happen to come across any more of my little errors....please point them out to me. It is most likely that I just don't know! Thanks Brent for being the inspiration of this post! You saved me from humiliation....I is a college student....gradeeated from Engrish.

That is all.

Hotel Cafe

I went to a concert last night that featured musicians: Rachael Yamagata, Meiko, Thao Nguyen, Emily Wells, Kate Havnevik and Lenka. The show is called The Hotel Cafe that travels around in a group and does a show where all the ladies perform at one time, with no hassle of taking instruments on and off the stage.

During the past couple weeks, I had been psyching myself up for this event. I was excited to finally see Rachael...my personal favorite. Although, I hadn't really followed any of the other ladies...I was excited to see what they had to offer too. To tell you the truth, I was a little disappointed in the performance last night. It was still good, but it wasn't, "I wish you would play for us all night long" great.

I am not sure what it was...but I have widdled it (sure that is a word...like widdling wood) down to a couple things.

What didn't work

1. I think the Hotel Cafe idea of having all these ladies tour around together is great. HOWEVER, I did not like the idea of having one lady perform 2 songs and then exit the stage to make room for the next one. All in all, every one of them played 4 or 5 songs, but not all at once. One lady would play 2 or 3 songs, and the next would come on. This format hardly allows these ladies to establish a rapport with the audience. Sure, I went there to see one specific musician...but I felt like all musicians were in a sense 'removed' throughout the show because they couldn't get too comfortable before having to exit the stage. They really didn't have time to really get into their music as much as they could have if their songs were consistent and all at once. I felt like things were finally starting to 'get good' but then they would leave the stage...as the format permitted. I didn't like it! Maybe other people were not bothered by it, but one thing I love about concerts is how I can really understand and get to know a musician through their songs. A taste of their songs one bit at a time, didn't give me the opportunity to relish their work as a whole. If their goal is to 'spread their name,' I think if the format changed, it would be more effective. I was not sold completely.

2. The sound system was a little off. I hate when I can't hear a musicians voice. Two things that separate these ladies from the mold are their various styles and unique voices. That is how I came to love Rachael's music... her sound was so different...but the kind of different that made me pine for her next release. I couldn't hear the musicians at all!! In fact, I couldn't even hear the instruments that they played. Don't get me wrong, the band was great...even the guitar player with only four working fingers...but I HATED that I couldn't hear their voices and couldn't understand the words to their songs because I couldn't hear them. The bass was WAY too loud and the drums should act as background only...not an overpowering machine. It was not the drummer's show. He repeatedly asked for more sound, but I'm sorry....'twas not your show dude.

Also, get the ladies some decent mics. Come on now...all musicians deserve the best mics ever!

3. Maybe too casual?? I don't know if that is accurate. I guess I was expecting something a little different. This is just my point of view, but I felt that bringing everyone back on and off the stage to help with vocals and such was a little too much. Sure, I'm sure that each musician loves the help of vocals, but I don't think it was necessary to have all the ladies come back on. Maybe assign them to specific songs. Obviously, they were eating grub back stage because they would come onto the stage chomping their food and drinking their drinks. I felt like it was a little too casual and threw everyone in the band off the 'groove' of the show to have so many interruptions. It was probably organized, but watching it...seemed a little unorganized. Then again, if this is just a casual show anyway, I guess it really doesn't matter.

Also...I am not saying these women have to be beauty queens by any means and that they probably have their own style...but if you are going to be casual...be casual and wear a bra if you are wearing a white shirt. You are still a performer. I did not pay to see your...well, you know what I mean.

What worked

1. When I could hear the musicians (when the band wasn't overwhelming), I fell in love with the songs all over again. Some were new to me and I loved them enough to check them out online. I am even purchasing some today! I would have loved consistency so the musician and I could really get into the music instead of worrying about going on and off the stage.

I was completely taken off guard by Emily Wells...and was wowed in a way I have never been. She mixed her own music right there in front of our eyes. I was stunned at how impressive she was as a musician and artist. Using her own violin, voice and beat-boxing ability...I watched as she produced her own sounds. She even used bites from the audience as part of her song. That's right, ya'll...I can snap!

I also had not heard very much from Lenka or Meiko and fell in love with their tunes.

Lenka was just so optimistic about everything. Her tunes were very upbeat and I loved when she brought out her lap piano. That was my favorite to really see her raw talent. She was also the girl who would skip onto the stage. She has an incredible stage presence.

I especially loved when Meiko told us a little bit about her new song that she can't wait to record. She said the song was in response to a girl who thought that her boyfriend was cheating on her with Meiko. It was pretty darn funny and very fluid. I can't wait until she records it. A little comedic relief was refreshing, too. It seemed way too serious on stage....

Thao rocked it like only a rocker chick could. It was very impressive to see someone passionately head-banging like she did!

I loved how very individual most of their sounds were. Not one tune sounded similar.

Kate Havnevik has a little Euro thing (since she is from Norway) going on mixed with a little indie rock...it was pretty cool. She had this instrument...I have no idea what it is called, but it was like a piano harmonica. Shoot, I can't even describe it, but it was off the hook. I couldn't hear her too well except on her solo...which apparently was on Grey's...had no idea. I'm sure I would have come to find that out sooner or later, since I love all the music on Grey's soundtracks.

Rachael was as impressive as I thought. Her new song is kickin. I would have loved to hear more from her. She did a jazzy type song that, of course, I fell in love with...there was a 'moment' she shared with the guitar player that kind of jazzed up the stage presence.

2. The band was talented. If I had a back up band...I would have chosen this one too. I was pretty impressed by how many instruments were used on the stage during the variety show. The four fingered guitarist, Jason wowed me with his solo that he played with a broken finger. But, he did it for me...so there.

All in all by the end of the evening, I was little worn out by the coming on and going off of each musician. I just didn't feel connected to the musicians in the way I do when I go to a concert with just one musician or band. I guess that is the artistic flare of this show...but in a way, I wish the format was different. I would give this concert and average rating. Also, if you are going to drink or get stoned during the show....don't make it so obvious...at least bands like Def Leppard can control it on stage and put all that stoned/drunken energy into their music.

Still buying the music, but may think twice about attending the next one with such fervor unless some things change.

Rhodes

Ok...so the journey of Greece started in Rhodes. We landed in Athens at night, so didn't really get to see the city much and our plane left for Rhodes about 5:30 in the a.m. We arrived early at our hotel, but our sweet receptionists, of whom we both became best friends with, told us we could leave our luggage with the hotel and go explore. We walked directly to the beach, where the wind was blowing wildly, but it wasn't super cold. I thought it was funny that most people in Rhodes were wearing heavy jackets, beanies and sometimes gloves. Stephanie and I were in heaven walking around in short sleeves and swimsuits. Sure, early in the morning, we sported long-sleeves, but all in all the weather was 70 degrees. That is like summertime for us!

The first place we went was Old Town, Rhodes. Old Town is a Medieval City and Castle of the Knights. Back in the day, the knights used to house aristocrats, nobility, etc. in this portion of the city which is only about one block away from the ocean. It was so cool to see how the Greeks have preserved and changed the city to still maintain the integrity of the space, but have cute little restaurants and stores along the small little alley's. This picture is of my favorite little space. I call it my Sleeping Beauty Castle. This was only the outer wall and wasn't even a room. It was a look-out tower.

I think my one of favorite things about this little city was the roads that were paved in rocks. It didn't even look like these people used cement, but there were roads and spaces near the insides of building that were decorated with smooth rocks that made crazy designs. In fact, when we visited Lindos, a little city that surrounds the Acroplis, most of the insides of their shops were paved with these rocks. These designs were everywhere. It has become such a trademark that they even sell tiles that have pictures of these designs. The picture to the left was in front of their historical library, where you can see texts inside of glass from almost 100 AD. It was pretty amazing.

So, jumping ahead, we had fantastic food and our hotel room was so cute! I loved the location of our hotel too. We weren't where all the other swanky hotels were, we were literallly 1 minute away from the beach, 5 minutes from New Town and 10 minutes from Old Town. It was perfect and not too crowded. Apparently during peak season, the town more than triples in size.

We were able to be in Rhodes for Oxi day, which is 'No Day,' the day of the National Anniversary of Greek Independence. Most know it as “Ohi Day” in honour of General Metaxa’s famous “Oxi!” (no!) as a refusal to Mussolini’s demand to occupy the country during World War II. I found this other website that has another description for Oxi Day, which is essentially a message from Archbishop Demetrios, which I found pretty interesting.

So, Stephanie and I were able to see a parade celebrating this day. While we watched, we talked with a woman who told us that during the year, there are about 60-80,000 residents of the whole island of Rhodes, but during the peak season (summertime) the town population increases by at least 200,000 people! She also explained to us the different groups that were participating in the parade. There were many dressed in traditional uniform, but then the rest of the parade consisted of school-age children in their classes. They were mostly 6th grade classes, but some had younger children. It was such a cool day!

That day we explored the New Town and then went back in to Old Town. I have pics saved on my other computer and will try to find out how to post them in a slideshow or something. So, anyway, in New Town we went to the lighthouse and the pier that used to have a statue of a 32 meter high bronze statue of Apollo, the Colloulus of Rhodes, standing at the harbour and boats could travel underneath the legs to enter the port. You can read all about the history of these places on this fantastic website: Explore Rhodes.

That night, we visited the Acropolis of Rhodes that had ruins of the Temple of Athena Polieus and Zeus Polieus, the Nymphaia, Ordeion, Temple of Pythian Apollo, Stoa building, Artemision and the Stadium. We stopped at a local ice cream shoppe, where apparently, I looked very Greek. Everyone spoke Greek to me and I pretended for a brief second that I understood them, followed by a "I'm sorry, I don't understand." I wish I knew how to say it in Greek...maybe I could have fooled them even more. Most every day, Stephanie and I went back to our hotel and rested. It was hard to wake up after an hour's nap...especially when we were out once we hit the pillow, but we got up that night and decided to go to this very swanky floating restaurant. Our meals came out and the portion was of such a size that we were able to order a delicious dessert at the end. See, in America, the portions are just too darn big...so I never have enough room for dessert. It was perfect. I felt ultra swanky too. Despite the 'tourist' outfit I was wearing, I tried to play it off by looking really cool!

The last day on Rhodes, we rented a car and went all over the island. Steph was a maniac (in a good way) behind the wheel. Move over Greekans! We first made a pit stop to lay out on the beach at Faliraki. The area was beautiful and totally beat the beaches in New Town. We laid out for two hours and even jumped in the semi-cold ocean. We had the place to ourselves. I can't even imagine how it would be to have more people there. It would almost be like visiting Mission Beach in San Diego...no room to sit, trying to surf and getting bumped in the head by people and boards and things. I kind of liked that it was just us and a couple others braving the cold ;)

Anyway, that is when we visited Lindos, where we had to wind our way through houses and shops in order to get to the Acroplis, which was built in the 3rd century by the Knights of St. John. We were able to see a renovation project that has taken years to get funding of at least 3 million dollars to renovate the medieval theatre constructed below the Temple of Athena. It was pretty amazing to see the reconstruction and renovation projects underway. Imagine digging up remains and constructing a similar pattern while making everything earthquake safe and vistor safe....what a project! I can't even imagine how many different organizations there are involved in it, but I am excited for the reunion tour of Greece (Stephanie and I decided we were going back in 2015). Maybe more will be done by then!

Then we took our journey around the island to see a couple different castles, the first being in Monolithos, where the castle overlooks the waterfront on the opposite side of where we beached. It was gorgeous. We then quickly hurried to the next castle, of which I can't remember the name. We made it there just in time for sunset. It was beautiful! The ruins left me wondering who in the world lived there and what room we stood in to watch the sunset...I always wonder. If only we had something like Dumbledore does in Harry Potter where we could see into different memories! That would be pretty awesome to know what went on... Anyway, after we made it back to the city of Rhodes on Rhodes...we explored new town at night. The night life was booming. The day before, because it was a holiday, everything was closed. So, we did the best we could before almost passing out from hunger and tiredness. We hit bed pretty early that night. Even the sounds of kereoke from the bar downstairs didn't keep us up. We were out!

Matt Nathanson

Need I say more?? I mean really! He is amazing. I couldn't stop thinking about him after the concert on Saturday. Call it the fact that he is a brilliant musician, or call it the fact that he is so darn sexy...I think that his banter with the audience totally made the show for me. Perhaps the sneaking smiles from his drummer, or the coolness of guitar player (Aaron), who knows. I was completely blown away by this artist and his band.

Why he isn't featured yet on more soundtracks, I don't know. I am going to put a Youtube video below that doesn't even touch what the concert was all about. Warning, he cusses a little in the video...so, if you don't like that, watch the second one, that is his music video, no-banter. If only you could be there to hear his banter.

He dedicated a song to Gossip Girls and admitted that he loved watching the show. He probably went on talking for a good 5 minutes about how he loves being caught up in the show just for a night and doesn't really hang onto it, but then knows every Monday, he needs to watch.

Seriously, I don't know what it is about Salt Lake City, but every artist comes and says what an awesome and rowdy audience we are. During the show, Matt said, "I am not just trying to kiss your butt, like all those other artists that say that you all are the best, you really are. Of all the times I have been here...seriously...Salt Lake City here I come." Then he played for a second and then stopped his band and said,"Except, what is up with your roads? I mean, it's like you all think this whole grid systems works out and stuff...it freaking sucks. You expect me to find 206 South and 100 West? I mean it's like, dude, why do you live by the railroad tracks? And all your little villages have the same thing. I hate that....but love you guys anyway."

He was just so stinking funny! He made us sing...and after we sang 'Sunshine,' he stopped the band and said, "Are you serious. No wonder you all have the Tabernacle here." At the end of the show, he said, "OK, so this is the last song before we leave the stage and then you cheer really loud, and then we will come back on and do two more." Then after the song, he said, "All right, that's it, that is really it, we are leaving." It was hilarious.

I am not even going to get started on how much I liked watching him move. That's right...he has moves. If this video below doesn't capture it, then you will just have to go find out for yourself. At times, the chemistry he has with his guitar made me a little uncomfortable ;) Seriously, I loved that he was so into his music. I have a whole new place for Matt in my heart...aww!

First video with Banter:



Second Video: Car Crash, official music video



Hah, doesn't this just totally contradict my last post ;)

I think they are catching on

So, before I launch into the trip of my dreams that fully consumed me last week, I read this article before I left and now, it has made top headlines on the Today Show. I chuckle, but at the same time am grateful that the world is FINALLY catching on to what leaders of the church have been warning us about since I can remember.

Here is the article and news report done on this subject.

Study: Sex on TV linked to teen pregnancies
Watching lots of racy shows can affect adolescents over time

By Laura T. Coffey

TODAYShow.com contributor

updated 6:52 a.m. MT, Mon., Nov. 3, 2008

In the world of television programming, sex sells — perhaps a little too well with young viewers, a new study suggests.

The RAND Corp. study is the first of its kind to identify a link between teenagers’ exposure to sexual content on TV and teen pregnancies. The study, released Monday and published in the November edition of the journal Pediatrics, found that teens exposed to high levels of sexual content on television were twice as likely to be involved in a pregnancy in the following three years as teens with limited exposure.

The study’s authors are quick to point out that the factors leading to teen pregnancies are varied and complex — but they say it’s important for parents, teachers and pediatricians to understand that TV can be one of them.

“We were surprised to find this link,” said Anita Chandra, the study’s lead author and a behavioral scientist at RAND, a nonpartisan, nonprofit research organization. “But teens spend a good amount of their time watching television — an average of three hours a day — and we don’t know a lot about its impact on their health decisions …

“We don’t think that [TV] is necessarily more significant than some of the family and neighborhood factors that can lead to teen pregnancies. But even when we removed all the other factors, we still saw a compelling link between a high exposure to sexual content on television and teen pregnancies.”

How the study worked
Researchers interviewed 2,003 12- to 17-year-olds over the phone in 2001, and then followed up with those same youths in an effort to interview them again in 2002 and 2004.

The interviews focused in detail on teens’ TV viewing habits as well as their sexual attitudes, knowledge and behavior. Participants shared information about how frequently they watched 23 TV programs that were popular with teens at the time of the survey. The shows included a wide range of animated and live-action programs, reality shows, sitcoms and dramas that aired on broadcast networks and basic and premium cable channels. The programs included “Sex and the City,” “That ’70s Show” and “Friends.”

“This might surprise people, but sitcoms had the highest sexual content,” Chandra said, noting that such content can include sexual dialogue in addition to actual sexual behavior.

By the third telephone interview, 744 of the youths said they had engaged in sexual intercourse, and 718 of them shared information about their pregnancy histories. Of that group, a total of 91 youths — 58 girls and 33 boys — said they had experienced a pregnancy or had gotten a girl pregnant.

In the final analysis, teens who had watched the most sexual content on television during the three-year study period were twice as likely to have been involved in a pregnancy as teens with the lowest levels of exposure.

Chandra said TV-watching was strongly connected with teen pregnancy even when other factors were considered, including grades, family structure and parents’ education level.

But the study didn’t adequately address other issues, such as self-esteem, family values and income, contends Elizabeth Schroeder, executive director of Answer, a teen sex education program based at Rutgers University.

“The media does have an impact, but we don’t know the full extent of it because there are so many other factors,” Schroeder said.

Bill Albert, chief program officer at the nonprofit National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, praised the study and said it “catches up with common sense.”

“Media helps shape the social script for teenagers. Most parents know that. This is just good research to confirm that,” Albert said.

The study, paid for by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, followed a 2004 study by some of the same scientists that indicated watching sexual content on TV can make teens more likely to have sex at earlier ages.

Chandra said the new findings are significant given the intractable social and public health problems associated with teen pregnancies. While the teen pregnancy rate in the United States has dropped considerably since the early ’90s, the U.S. rate remains one of the highest among the world’s industrialized nations. Nearly 1 million young women between the ages of 15 and 19 become pregnant each year in the U.S., and they are more likely than other teens to drop out of high school and live in poverty.

The role of parents, others
So what’s a parent to do under these circumstances? Lock up the television set for good and throw away the key?

On the contrary, the study’s authors advise parents to become familiar with the shows their kids watch — and, whenever possible and practical, to watch TV with them.

“By taking the time to watch together, parents can turn these into teachable moments … and opportunities for frank discussions about sex,” Chandra said.

“Parents [also] might want to limit some exposure. But realistically, this kind of content is everywhere. Our study only looks at TV. There’s also the Internet, music, magazines.”

Chandra noted that many TV programs fail to give viewers realistic depictions of the potential consequences of sex, such as pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

“If teens are getting any of their information about sex from TV, they’re very rarely going to get a balanced portrayal,” she said. “When there is a portrayal, how often is it coupled with a discussion of contraception use or safer sex or the consequences of what could happen?”

An ongoing controversy
Of course, parents, religious leaders and politicians have lambasted the broadcasting industry for years and called for curbs on content they consider objectionable. In response to the news of this new study, the National Association of Broadcasting released the following statement:

“Though NAB has not had a chance to review the report, it’s worth noting that broadcasters encourage parents and caregivers to use the V-chip and other program blocking technologies that would screen out shows that are inappropriate for children. We would also point out that broadcast television is generally far less explicit than programming found on cable, satellite and on the Internet.”

The study’s authors insist they aren’t taking aim at any particular television show, channel or network. Instead, they’re calling for more realistic plotlines and discussions of consequences — not a wholesale change in programming from, say, “Sex and the City” to “Sex and the Condom.”

“Right now the message teens are getting is that everything is great, and there really are no consequences to sex,” Chandra said.

“Since the time that we did our data collection, the amount of sexual content on TV has doubled … It’s important for kids to have the tools to understand what they’re watching.”

This story includes information from the Associated Press.

***

Since I turned 12, I remember hearing and reading talks that really struck me in regards to the same subject. The above article is not news to me. It seems to me that for some reason people need to have research that proves certain outcomes in order to take action against these elements.

I have heard about how the media affects youth since I can remember. Here are some quotes from talks that have really influenced my opinion on this subject.

"The sanctity of sex is utterly destroyed in its salacious portrayal in the media. That which by its nature is inherently beautiful is corrupted in its popular presentation," said President Gordon B. Hinckley in the talk, An Ensign to the Nations, a Light to the World.

I also really enjoy reading the talk by M. Russel Ballard: The Effects of Television, where he states,

"Volumes of research data show the detrimental effects of television, but I just say that television and videocassette viewing by youngsters has a significant impact on their behavior. We must not take lightly the confession of a recently executed killer on the impact pornography and violence in media had on his life."

And, it is not just about sex in the media. Here are some talks about violence in the media also.

“Well over 1,000 studies … point overwhelmingly to a causal connection between media violence and aggressive behavior in some children. The conclusion of the public health community, based on over 30 years of research, is that viewing entertainment violence can lead to increases in aggressive attitudes, values and behavior” (“Joint Statement on the Impact of Entertainment Violence on Children” [July 26, 2000], http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/jstmtevc.htm). in a New Era Magazine Article entitled, Just a Little Violence.

I am glad that the world is catching on to a topic that is so important. Sure, I am no saint...I held FRIENDS parties at my house for almost 3 years. BUT it is good to know the importance of the issue as more and more programming comes out that could be potentially damaging for youth. It is so important for leaders, parents, peers and me to recognize how important it is to discuss natural consequences of sex that are rarely seen in television shows. I recognize that everyone has a choice in their lives, and that with every choice comes a consequence..good or bad.

I know for myself, I would rather err on the side that I need to be responsible for the kind of media I allow in my life and in the lives of those I reside with.

Xena not ready for snow!

So, I think Xena, my beloved 2002 Silver Toyota Highlander, got a little too comfortable chillin in the garage for a week. Apparently, she was a little upset that she wasn't able to frolic outside in the 73 degree weather while I was gone...and she certainly wasn't prepared for SNOW!! Seriously.

In fact she was really upset all day yesterday since it snowed almost the entire day. She gave a good fight, not running smoothly through the snow, sometimes letting her wheels spin...and then she got mad when other cars around her seemed like they needed to take lessons in driving. I will never forget her pleading..."Can't you just work from home today, Lindsey....please?" But alas, she did not get her wish. She was happy to find that this morning was a little nicer out. Though there is still snow, at least it is not full-on snowing. She doesn't like that. Especially when I make her climb really large hills like up the road toward Little Cottonwood Canyon and Top of the World Drive.

That's all right, I am sure she will forgive me eventually. She always does.

So, back to reality for me. I am going through my top pics and will post later. I just want to keep you all in suspense really....I'm so nice!