Coming to Terms with the Fact That I Watch Reality TV

Sorry it has been such a long time since I have written anything. A lot has happened, but I'm sorry I do not have time to fill you in on everything.

I am slowly admitting that I like reality television. It's a big deal because I find much of TV to be mindless entertainment, but when Tila Tequila or America's Next Top Model appear on my monitor I am taken in and held there, in focus, until the episode is complete. And I think I know why, which adds a little bit to my justification of being able to consider myself an intellectual while still being interest in a pseudo-bisexual's far-fetched love lives (yes, she has love lives).

My justification, I am a psychology major. Now hear me out, I think I am fascinated by the psychological phenomenon of "falling into roles." Clearly, it is not common for one female to "fall in love" with ten to twenty people at one time, for them to "fall in love" with her, and for her to date them all simultaneously. However, I do think that it is legitimate because of that psychological theory. I'm not really going to go into the details as I'm sure you'd click the "X" on the browser at the top of the window at the definition, but I'm just throwing it out there.

So that's my reasoning. Does it explain entirely why I watch the shows? Maybe. But we'll just leave it at that.

One of my favorite TV shows (the only one that I actually follow; I usually just catch others when I see them) is So You Think You Can Dance. Last week, my favorite couple was voted off! Really, America? Really?! Kourtni and Matt were awesome, and I tried to vote, but the three or four times I called the lines were busy. Sadness!

I will leave you with one of my favorite performances by them. And hopefully I'll write on here more regularly, like tomorrow.

The video has introduction and stuff, so fast forward if you don't want to watch that part.

Just a Quick Comment on Protons

I just want to ask, how many times are we going to learn about the existence of protons that make up atoms? I remember first learning about them somewhere in middle school, like 6th or 7th grade maybe. Perhaps even earlier.

But then they were reintroduced to me my freshman year of high school in biology. Oh yeah, and chemistry sophomore year. Ah, and we learned the same things about then again in Chem II. And in Biology II, just in case we forgot.

And I was just reading in my geology text book; there is a section devoted to protons in there too. Protons, neutrons, electrons, seriously. After freshman year of high school, they should be fair game.

Bill Nye the Science Guy, I miss you. Where did he go? That guy is great.

And I'm becoming addicted to the song "Blackout" by Lovedrug. So, go listen to it.

I'm Not Going to Lie; Using BYU Internet Makes Me Paranoid

Seriously, it does. I always feel like there is someone in OIT monitoring everything that I am doing on the internet, as if he is paid to make sure I "hold to the rod." And every time I attempt to access a page that is blocked by BYU servers, whether I am aware it was or not, I feel like an additional flag goes by my name to tell that worker, "Heads up! This student maybe be deviating!"

I was getting on my computer tonight, of course to access the internet, and for some reason I was signed off of the internet. To use BYU internet, you have to sign in first so they know you're a student (and so they know who you are and what you're looking at). It was weird because normally I do not have to sign back in if my computer was just in sleep mode. Anyway, I went to sign in, and Firefox (that I have just recently converted to) warned me something about how I was trying to access one server, but another one was in the way (BYU). And then it said that "this server may be trying to intercept the information that you are transferring" or something. Basically, it was warning me that BYU could intercept anything that was going through my computer. And that creeps me out.

And ugh, AOL is extremely slow now. I used it to get passed the filter for MySpace and YouTube, but I guess they figured that the only way to stop AOL considering the way it works was by making it impossible to use. Ridiculous. Sorry for wanting to network with my friends back home or watch a YouTube video of stand-up or maybe dance.

Anyway, BYU has a few different filters. There is one for violence, sexual content, and then "Custom Block List." The last one is absolutely ridiculous. Those are the websites that BYU deems immoral for its students, but the rest of the world uses. Such websites are MySpace and YouTube. But wait, those sites might have PORN on them. Maybe, just maybe you'll stumble upon them and become addicted! Because no other website in the entire world will have an ad on it with something scandalous that BYU hasn't missed.

BYU is all-powerful in cyberspace, didn't you know? I feel excessively spiritual when I use the internet, as if President Samuelson himself was looking over my shoulder and approving each website I visited.

I think this censoring of the internet and everything we view does not make the world our campus, as BYU's slogan implies. Rather, it blocks out the real world. The bubble that is BYU campus does not help the students learn to cope in the real world; it numbs them to it, so they won't know what to do when they leave.

I am convinced, and I would totally invest in this TV show if it were considered, that I have a good idea for TV. I think there should be a reality show that follows Molly Mormons or Peter Priesthoods after they leave BYU to move into a larger city. New York, Los Angeles, New Orleans, or any sizeable city with enough stuff that doesn't meet the Honor Code to make their hair stand on ends. There could even be a portion to bet whether they can assimilate into the real world or if they move back to the Happy Valley! That show would make bank. MTV, where are you?

Cynical, yes. But realistic, too.

I Know I Had a Typo in My Previous Title, But Whatever

Yeah, I forgot the 's' in 'reason.' But, whatever. You probably didn't notice it anyway.

I would like to strongly recommend a movie - The Great Debaters. It is a fantastic film about an African American debate team in the 1930's in Texas working its way to greatness. They have to fight against prejudice, of course, and their own internal struggles.

I know what you're thinking, "not another Remember the Titans." This one is different. The Great Debaters discusses even broader ideas than Civil Rights, and that is not necessarily the main focus. It is historical, intellectual, and enjoyable.

So, if you live up here in Provo, get your four quarters and head over to the Dollar Movie. That's where I just saw it.

I do not recommend movies that often, especially on a blog. So, this must be a big deal. Do it.

For Some Reaon, Brand New Makes Me Artsy. Oh, and I Don't Like American Idol

Well, they put me in an artistic mood. I started a new painting a few days ago, and I'm pretty excited about it. I'm not sure if any of you have seen pictures of some of my art, but it's kinda like the one with the little pebbles and stuff. Yeah, you have no idea what I'm talking about.

Later I'll put some pictures on here maybe. I just get paranoid that sometimes someone will find them, put them on another page, and claims that they are his work. Stupid jerk.

Anyway, I am here to tell you I do not really like American Idol. I don't like how they are so mean to the contestants in the beginning, especially Temptress! If you saw the openning episode for this season, she was the really big black girl that played football for her high school with the ill mother and stuff. I hated watching that because she was such a sweet girl giving her all, and they shot her down. And everyone around me laughed. UGH! I want to see you get up there and sing for Simon, and then later cry yourself to sleep.

Not bitter at all ;P

Anyway, here is a clip of Wanda Sykes talking about why she loves American Idol. Love her.




They makes the losers sing!

Are You Serious?! Barret Went Hiking?! Like, On Rocks and Stuff!

I sure did. You have probably guessed that I am not an out-doors kind of guy, and if you didn't then you must think I'm an Eagle Scout. Which I am, lol, but I still don't like rugged life very much.

Yet, I used my many skills I got from my badge to do this:

That is me, risking my life on a 70 degree slope. Intense stuff. And no ropes, either!

Moe and I decided we wanted to go somewhere to watch the sun set over Provo since we had such beautiful weather. We tried driving up to Squaw Peak, but alas, the road we tried to use was closed. So, we drove over to Rock Canyon Park, walked up a trail, and then climbed up to a rock ledge that over looked the valley.

It was beautiful. We watched the sun go down and then observed the lights of the valley. Way fun, I must say.

Courtesy of Moe, we have these pictures. Many photography opportunities available from this ledge to those intersted.

Climbing up, however, was a bit easier than climbing down. Especially since we spent about an hour and a half or two hours up there.

It was dark when we tried to climb down. So that made it pretty hilarious. And kinda scary, not gonna lie.

This picture is me trying to get down. As you can see, the only light provided in this picture is Moe's flash. It was not too dark that we could not see anything, but dark enough.

However, it was quite an enjoyable "hike." I do believe I have found a favorite place to go now.

All photograpy here was done by Moana Parker. Loves her!

I Love to Edit Papers, But Not If You Can't Handle a Criticism That One Sentence Can't be 7 Lines Long.

Seriously. I really do like to edit papers, so if you want another reader for anything you have to turn in just let me know. In the most non-conceited way, my teacher for my Honors 150 Writing class just told me I make very good critiques and such. So yeah, send them on!

Unless you are like this kid that I just edited a paper for.

We do group critiques for Honors 150 before we turn papers in, and we just wrote research papers on whatever topic that is interesting to us. Mine is on the Causes of Narcissism (dum dum dum, oh yeah, I'm a psychology major), but this person ,who will remain unnamed so that it doesn't haunt my possible political career later in life, wrote on the advantages of private companies and space travel.

And that's fine. I'm all for Trekies writing on what they love. However, if I am to look over your paper and tell you what I think, I am not going to argue with you about stupid things you can't handle others telling you. Such as, when we say, "You use the word propulsion about four times in the same sentence, but in different ways. You should try to think of other synonyms that could be used instead so it is not distracting," do not shoot back "Well it's the only way I can say it!"

Seriously. All I heard from this guy was, "Most people just won't understand my research because it just goes over their heads anyway," or "Well I can't cite it because if I do, I'll have to quote the entire three-page long proof." What are you talking about?

No, last time I checked, you are writing this paper so others will understand. Stop trying to sound like you have a doctorate in physics, you're just a Trekie in a Freshman writing class. And that second quote just doesn't even make sense. No wonder his paper was jsut generally awful.

I should have known in the beginning. With his these statement that was one long, seven-lined sentence, it was going to be tough. Also, it came at the end of a paragraph that was over a page long. Really? Are you serious with this?

People need to be able to take criticisms without thinking others are just attacking their very soul. Quit being defensive, we're trying to help you get a better grade.

Normally, I'm not this annoyed or critical of another person, but he was just ridiculous!

Anyway, I really do like editing papers. So, if you want help with one, just send it to me and I'll tell you what I think.