TV sexual content

Ever since taking this class, I have become soooo much more aware of all the sexual content and innuendos I see when watching television. It's amazing how easy it is to become desensitized to these things when you watch them enough.

Conference

Conference was once again amazing. I am so thankful that we can use media for good, and broadcast such wonderful messages to people all across the world. Though media can at times portray terrible things to those viewing it, there is hope when we see things like Conferencer, which protrays how we should love others, serve, and do our best in our everyday lives.

Letter to Cecil

Dear President Samuelson,


My name is Christine O’Loughlin, and I am a senior here at BYU, graduating this April with a BS in Human Development. I am currently taking a class that focuses on media and how it affects our society and specifically, the family. In class we were asked to write a letter to someone in authority, either to encourage him of her to change some aspect of media that he or she was in charge of, or to thank him or her for positive media endorsements. I felt inclined to write to you, thanking you for making the decision to allow YouTube to be viewed on campus and in University Housing. This may be an odd thing to thank you for, but I truly believe that YouTube has some content that can benefit many. For example, each day my brother-in-law emails “daily inspirations” to members of my family as well as to his friends. There are often YouTube videos attached to the emails, with video messages from President Monson and other apostles or speakers. I have been able to watch these videos now because of the University’s decision to allow access to YouTube. I have been touched and inspired by many messages presented on YouTube that are given by the prophet and other apostles. These messages have served as a strength to me many times since I can now access them on campus. I have also noticed that after listening to these messages there are reviews about the messages from others. In these reviews, there are many individuals, both of our faith and not, that express a great appreciation for what was taught, and also express how it was just what they needed to hear at that time. It is wonderful to know that those inspirational, “just what I needed” types of messages are again available for all students on campus to view with the availability of YouTube. I can understand the reasons for why it may have been taken away in the first place, but want to thank you for giving students the opportunity again to use their better judgment, and take from this site the best of the videos that are available. Media can be a source that helps spread both good and bad messages, but I personally have experienced the good it has done in many ways, and am thankful for your willingness to allow others on campus to experience that good as well. Thank you for serving the students and others at the University – I truly appreciate your efforts.



Sincerely,



Christine O’Loughlin

You drive me crazy

Dear Media,

I appreciate everything you do, but you take up way too much of my time. I can't seem to get away from you when I want to. So when I'm tired and want to take a nap, please don't bother me in the form of a text, a good tv show I'm missing, a stereo blasting music outside, etc. I love you, but sometimes, you just need to cool it. Thanks.

Love,

Me

Basketball

It's that time of year again. March Madness is on in uor house without fail these days. I filled out a bracket. I don't even know the records of 3/4ths of the teams. I'm doing pretty well though. For the most part, I dislike having the game blaring throughout the house. Oh well. It'll be gone in a few weeks.

Texting

I love texting.It's always nice to get a sweet text when you're tired and have a long day ahead of you. Media is awesome

Texting

I love texting. Though it can take up a lot of time, I appreciate getting sweet or funny texts from my hubby throughout the day. It's the best. That's all I have to say today.

Diving for Media

So last week I went dumpter diving. Why, you ask. For fun of course. No for real though, my husband and I had borrowed two DVD's from a friend, and we were heading out to walk down to her house to give them back. As we were walking out, we decided we might as well take out the trash. I had a milk carton and cereal box in one hand, and the movies in the other. After dumping out the trash, Hubby and I started our walk to our friend's house. I realized shortly after that we had forgotten the movies. We ran in the house and looked everywhere, but we couldn't find them. I then realized that it was a possibility that I threw them away. So I grabbed some running pants to put over the ones I was wearing, just in case I had to dive, and we walked out to the dumpter. Hubby spotted the first movie after leaning over the side of the dumpter and moving a box out of the way. He was ready to jump in, but I told him it wouldn't be fair since I was the one that threw them in in the first place. So, he helped me into the dumpster where I spent about 5 min or more fishing through all of our free flowing gross trash, other's gross trash, and diapers. Yes, yes, there were diapers EVERYWHERE! Where we live, almost all of our neighbors have babies, so there were plenty of free hanging diapers for me to step on a push to the side. Eventually, I found the other movie and then proceeded to scrub myself down mercilessly in the shower. I still want to barf thinking about it. Did I mention those movies were the ones I used to code for our project? Yes, they were. Moral of the story is, media is not always worth the dirt. 

Sexual content assignment

It was an interesting experience to have to watch specifically for sexual content on the T.V. shows I watched on a normal basis. I thought it was a good experience because it made me be more aware of the messages I was taking in, and not just being a passive consumer of information. At least every show made some comment that referred to something sexual. The episode of Bones that I watched had a lot more actual sexual content than usual, but now that I think back on the episodes, there are many times that sexual things/situations are discussed in Bones. This experience was good because it made me more aware of what messages I was taking in, and will hopefully help influence my future viewing choices in the future.

Star Trek

My husband and I rented Star Trek this weekend. He's wanted to see it for a long time. I personally am not a fan of anything in that realm of fantasy- no Star Trek, Stars Wars, or Lord of the Rings ( I know it's not the same, but still fantasy). It turned out to be an interesting, well done movie, but I still didn't thouroughly enjoy it. As I was watching it, I figured out why. I don't like all the fighting that goes on. I do watch movies with war/fighting, but they are stories that are based around real historic events, like WWI, WWII, Civil War, etc. And even in these movies, I still can't handle watching every fight seen; it's just too violent sometimes. I don't like that in Star Trek, and other movies like it, there is fighting just to fight. It's not based on any true event that happened. They are just movies that involve wars between groups, ususally for some dumb reason ( at least in my opinion). So that's why I don't like these types of fantasy movies. They are just movies that include lots of fighting, none of which is based off anything real. It's all fake. Not my taste.

Baby making food

I was watching T.V. the other day, and a Reeses commercial popped up that had a chocolate bunny and a jar of peanut butter coming towards each other to the tune of " Let's Get it On." After they touch, a chocolate/peanut butter egg shows up, advertising the easter Reeses candies.  I usually find this commercial very funny. However, this time I  thought back to the class discussions we have had on the different strategies advertisers use to sell certain products, and suddenly the commercial was less funny, and more disappointing. The commercial was using sex to sell candy! I mean, it is still funny the way they put it all together, and out pops a chocolate Reeses egg, but still, it's sex selling candy! It just amazed me to think that I had never really thought about the method the advertisers were using to sell the candy, though I got the whole story set up and thought it was hilarious. Yes, it was about chocolate and peanut butter coming together to make a peanut butter egg, which is funny, but it's using sex to sell it. I knew it was talking about sex, but never thought that it was actually using sex to sell the candy. Sorry if this makes no sense. It's hard to explain my exact thought process. But hopefully you get the idea.

The internet

So the internet is awesome. I don't know how people ever lived without it! Going to the library to find books to do a paper- absurd! Ha. But really, I am so grateful for this type of media. My hubby just got into the U for grad school, and the internet has been fabulous at helping me find places in the Salt Lake area to live! It would be a miserable search without the help of the internet!

The Game

So you probably already know but we lost the basketball game for the Mountain West conference. So disappointing, right. I think so. However, I was also disappointed/embarassed at how so many students started throwing their "gifted" shirts at the other team and refs ( I'm not sure who they were aiming at) at the end of the game. Hello people, but do you realize you are on national television- this game was not just on the Mountain FYI. So, I was embarassed that some people's childish behavior was broadcast through the media to the whole nation. Oh well, maybe they will think before they start catapulting back their previously won t-shirts next time. Cosmo must be disappointed.

Olympics

It seems like the Olympics is on in our house almost 24/7 now. Not literally, but it's on  quite a bit. I guess it's good background noise so it doesn't sound so annoyingly quiet as my hubby and I try to study. Here's a thought: does anyone think that the looshing ( however that is spelled) is really a sport. I mean I know you have to be strong to propel yourself onto the track at a good speed, and it takes definite skill to steer, but I don't see any real sign of athelticism besides that. Maybe I'm just biased towards other events because with the loosh, I don't even know how to properly spell it. Consequently, I failed to find a picture of someone "looshing" to attach because google search apparently doesn't recognize anything with this ( looshing) spelling. Oh well.

" Hope ya know, I had a hard time"

My brother in law sends my family and a list of others, emails everyday with some spiritual/ uplifting message. They are usually from prophets, apostles, or other poets or writers. I was going through ones I hadn't opened yet and found this one from Quentin L. Cook. It's called, " Hope ya know, I had a hard time." Everyone should take the 3 minutues to check it out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz41YxNiHEg   . It's nice to know that though the media is often being used to display negative or innappropriate messages, that there are also good ones being sent out that can influence us for good. Just click on the link and it will take you right to it!

Olympic tragedy

Was anyone startled by the fact that NBC showed live footage of the young luge ( don't know how to spell it) rider's tragic death? I couldn't believe it! I guess it is the news, and we have a right to a certain extent to know what's going on but it was pretty terrible to see it on live T.V. Yes, there was a warning, but I think it would have been a lot easier for people who really wanted to see the footage to go online and look it up yourself. At least you may be more prepared for what you're about to see. So sad.

The persuasion of commercials

So I've seen this one commercial over and over again over the last few months. I am not the type of person that goes out and buys something because of a commercial. This time however, I did, and I was disappointed. But obviously the advertisement did a good enough job to sell me on buying the product. Congrats to the maker!

Favorite book of my childhood

When I was young, one of the books that I liked to read the most was Good Night Moon. This book has very few words and is so simple, but I loved how my mom read it to me; she always read it in a soft, calm voice that easily calmed me down and got me ready to fall asleep. It was so comforting to have her hold me and read that book before I went to bed. It is definitley a book I will read my children someday.

Internet

While looking around on random blogs a few months ago, I saw this little sign on someone's most recent post. They were talking about how they had just bought it and loved it in their house. This sign was used in England as war propaganda. I have been thinking about making one for months, and finally got around to doing it last week with two friends. We love how they turned out. We spray painted painting easels and then painted on the lettering. I am so glad to have found that blog that unknowingly got me to want and then make my own little creation. Here's to the blog world and media!

Super Bowl Commercials

So yesterday was Super Bowl Sunday and as always, the commericals shown were more unique than usual. I have two favorites out of the whole lot: The first is the dove commercial that attempted to show men that after all they have accomplished in life, they can now be comfortable enough in their own skin to use Dove soap for men. I thought it was amazing and it made me want to buy Dove soap even though I'm not a man ( because there is women's Dove of course). I was laughing so hard and thought it clearly showed that men deserve to have soft skin as well, using Dove, after all they have done to be manly. It was great.

My second favorite was the Doritos commerical where the little boy is not very excited about a new man trying to date his mom. He ends up slapping the new man after he attempted to take his Dorito, all while telling him to keep his hands off his mama also. Though I don't think it was the best way to get people to want to buy Doritos, it definitley made me want to have a cute little boy like the one in the commerical. He could not have been cuter! Oh well, at least it was memorable in some way.

Billboards

I hate billboards. I think that for the most part, they are trashy looking and don't convey good messages. Maybe I just have a bad opinion of them because all the ones driving through Vegas are pretty bad, but I guess there are some good ones. I do like the one on the way to S.L that has a kid in work clothes holding a sign that says " dad- be careful out there." I think that board holds a good message. Besides the one with the temple and a few others, I'm really not a fan. I don't think we need to be bombarded on the highway with multiple messages, some of which could be very distracting. It just gives drivers one more reason to look away from the road and not pay attention to what they were doing in the first place-- driving 70mph next to tons of other cars.

Texting

Texting is so wonderful, yet also dangerous for two reasons: 1) I feel that people use texting so they don't have to have normal conversations with people anymore. We might get so use to texting, that in person conversations will be a thing of the past ( not really, but less desired). Face to face is better people... not only for bettering your social skills,but also because sarcasm does not play off right in texts. Ha. Reason 2) A few weeks ago I saw a man texting while driving on I-15. He was holding the wheel with one hand and texting with the right, all while looking down. Typical right? Not when the man doing it was a semi truck driver. That 's not safe people. Don't be stupid. Take this little piece of picture media as advice and caution.

T.V.

I decided that I fall asleep much more easily when watching T.V. Why you ask? My brain goes blank and I'm no longer thinking a mile a minute. It's lovely to sleep. Thanks to the T.V. for helping my learn how to not use my head.

Music

I have so many memories that are tied to certain songs. Some songs remind me of friends, while others remind me of old relationships, and more importantly my permanent one :) ( love you hubby) - some hold happy memories and others are sad. This weekend we flew to Missouri for a funeral. We sang a song there that now holds both happy and sad memories. Music is powerful. I'm grateful for it.

Biggest Loser

Have any of you seen "The Biggest Loser"? I came upon it for the first time last week. After two minutes, I was crying. Five minutes later, I cried again. This happened every 2-5 minutues. Small tears pooling. I mean I'm not balling or anything, but I definitely feel a hiccup of "cry" that is about to burst out of my throat, but I don't let it loose completley. Two reasons: I don't feel like balling when it really is so happy, and my eyes blow up like swollen grapes when I cry. Not pretty. But I find that show very touching and motivational none the less.

Music

I love the music in different i phone, phone commercials. The tunes are really catchy and make me want to dance. Very effective way of getting people's attention.

Facebook

Dear facebook,

I hate you at times. However, I love looking at friend's pictures and seeing what they're doing to entertain themselves. People have very interesting lives. Facebook is good because it keeps me in contact with people that I may otherwise have lost contact with. However, my eyes begin to burn every time I log on. Hint to self? Who knows.

Three Cups of Tea

Reading is such a wonderful way to relax and enjoy time to yourself. I recently just finished the book " Three Cups of Tea." Everyone should read it. It really opened my eyes to the reality of what life is like for the people in Pakistan and other surrounding areas, as well as instilling in me a greater desire to do something in the life that will truly help those who are less fortunate. I have been toying with the idea of going on a medical "mission" one day with my husband (after he becomes a doctor) for a few weeks to a South American country to help out with health and education. Now I really feel it is something we not only should do, but something that is possible.

NFL Playoffs

The NFL playoffs have just started. Yesterday I walked into the living room and found my husband watching one of the playoff games. Did I have any idea who was playing?No. Did I care at all about who would win? No. Yet after five minutes, I found myself right next to him on the couch, with my emotions completely immersed in this football game. When I say completely immersed, I mean I was rooting for the team who I thought had the best looking uniforms. Regardless, I spent the next 2 hours watching a game that really meant nothing to me. Now, I could have thought " I just wasted 2 hours of my Saturday watching a meaningless football game. But when it all comes down to it, I was able to spend 2 solid hours bonding with my husband, over a game that meant something to him. 

Bachelor

So the Bachelor has once again managed to occupy my Monday nights. I have such a love/hate relationship with this show. When it's over, I feel so relieved and can't wait to have my Monday nights open again. However, I can't keep myself from watching it in the first place. Pathetic, right? I know, I know. I just can't help it ( well I can but it' just so darn entertaining and it drives me nuts!)