Operation Beautiful

Well this is surely a cause I can get behind. Operation Beautiful is a campaign to help end negative self-talk. The founder of the website says “I began Operation Beautiful by leaving positive messages on the mirrors of public restrooms — at work, at the gym, at the grocery store.  I scribble down whatever comes to mind — “You are beautiful!” or “You are amazing just the way you are!”  My personal goal is to leave as many Operation Beautiful notes as I can. Maybe some people read them and just smile, but I bet some people are truly touched by the effort of a random stranger.”

How did I find out about this amazing campaign? At work today, I walked into the bathroom and there was a note on the mirror!

And then another one in the stall!

I think it is a fantastic idea, as low self esteem, dieting, unrealistic models and messages of perfection flood our media and our minds. Women (and men!) need to have these positive reminders that they truly are worthy and beautiful and perfect-just the way they are.

One of my goals as a videographer is to help change mass media for the better. Someday I hope to be able to influence the media and use REAL men and women as models, hopefully putting an end to negative self images everywhere.

Go on, take a look for yourself: www.operationbeautiful.com

Ohhh American Politics

OMG American Politics are annoying. In a time previous to that of today, I tried to take an interest in the great governing world. I subscribed to Newsweek and did my fair share of research into political parties and related issues. However, with much frustration and the passing of yesterday’s elections, I have finally come to the conclusion that all modern politics is about is doing whatever it takes to prove the other person wrong. Like, politicians find it glamorous to go toe to toe with the politician next to him/her and duke it out to the death. They’re kinda like gladiators in the great Coliseum of politics. Except that in this fight to the death, nobody has died yet.

Now, not only do we have these barbaric politicians, we have the fans on the sidelines cheering and egging them on. Yep, you got it: the American People. Seriously people, are you so cynical that you must complain about EVERYONE? I feel so bad for the politicians, especially the presidents because it doesn’t matter who they are, what ideas they have and what they have accomplished, they are always going to lose. Someone is always going to complain, and nothing will ever get done.

Do you remember when Bush was in office just a few short years ago? Remember how EVERYONE gave him crap for his presidency. By the end, even his own party, the Republicans, were rooting for the democrats. Now that Obama the Democrat is in office, we have both parties turning their backs on him as well.

I just don’t understand it. It just doesn’t make sense. How can the people in our country turn our backs on our leaders, yet still completely disagree on every single topic that comes up to the podium for discussion? I think what it comes down to is, we all just want something to complain about.

Miss Those Halloween Days

Halloween 2010 is fast approaching and it makes me nostalgic for Halloweens past. Halloween is by far my favorite holiday. What other holiday can you decide who you want to be for a day and dress up like that person or thing? Halloween is the perfect excuse to dress up completely ridiculously and nobody can say anything to you. Plus, if you’re a kid (or could pass for a kid!) then you get to walk around your neighborhood and get candy. Sounds like a sweet deal to me! 

Halloween is a bit disappointing for me this year, possibly because I decided to have a year full of grown-up things. Not that I have anything against being a “grown-up” (as you’ll see soon, there are many, many reasons I enjoy being an adult) and not that adults can’t have any fun on Halloween (because in many cases they can have the MOST fun) but since I’m getting married and just bought a house, I have to sacrifice some of the fun and expensive stuff that goes along with doing adult things on Halloween.

For instance, before we decided to buy a house, I had this totally awesome Halloween party planned in the back of my mind. (Ever since I moved out here on my own, I decided I want to throw parties or dinners on a regular basis, and I wanted to “claim” Halloween as my holiday to have a party for my friends here.) But parties are expensive (if you want to throw them right!) as well as time consuming and stressful and we lack both the funds and the free time or peace of mind to throw that awesome party I dreamed of.

The funding issue is also the reason I can’t go all out on the costume I wanted to do. hence I will just end up wearing something I already own. Which is fine, but I totally had an awesome idea that I will now just have to save for next year.

I have to say though, costumes aren’t all that expensive. One of my favorite costumes by far was one my friend Andrea and I came up with after visiting a thrift store. We were sick of the slutty costumes girls feel entitled to wear on Halloween (and they get younger and younger every year! Have you seen some of those “Kids” costumes?”) and we ended up picking out old, oversized, knit GRANDMA sweaters and the tapered pants, glasses and canes to go with it. We bought some cheap silver hair spray and spent the night “aging” very quickly. Lets just say our costume was a total hit and we definitely got more guys to talk to us than those girls in the slutty costumes! Every guy wanted to “help” us walk across the street. It was pretty hilarious and one of my favorite Halloween memories.

Andrea and I dressed as Bertha and Ethel!!

Bertha and Ethel....found 2 crazy old men walking down the road!

There’s other memories from childhood that  I’m sure were pretty awesome but don’t really remember. There’s one memory in particular which isn’t even really my memory, I just hear what my parents say about it. Does anyone remember Halloweens a long time ago when it used to snow and be really cold? That’s about all I remember distinctly, and for some reason Halloween doesn’t seem to be cold or snowy anymore. But anyways, so apparently one year I was a cowgirl for Halloween (who, me? a cowgirl??) I had this REALLY awesome costume and I apparently was very proud of it. Well that Halloween happened to be one of the more cold Halloweens and my parents made me wear a winter coat over top of my costume. A WINTER COAT! I was so pissed. How was anybody supposed to know what I was dressed like! How was anybody supposed to know how AWESOME my costume looked! PISSED I tell ya!

So what am I going to be doing this Halloween? Maybe sitting around my house eating candy with Fred, watching a scary movie. Maybe hanging out with some of my friends that have kids and watch them have some good ol’ Halloween fun.

By The Way, I’m Taylor Swift Obsessed

So I should set the record straight. I’m a hardcore Taylor Swift fan. And I’m SUPER excited about her new album coming out on October 25th! I pre-ordered the CD online. I think I won’t get it in the mail til Oct 27th, but that’s okay, I can just listen to the songs online to hold me over!

So far I have loved all her songs that have come out! First was “Mine” and I totally fell in love with it. It explains my current life. Then came “Speak Now” which I think is upbeat and daring. Then “Back To December” reminds me of a situation long ago and this song is so dramatic and emotional. I love it. Then “Mean” came out and I was thrilled because it sounds so country! I love when she goes back to her country roots, I think she sounds soo good that way.

Split Personality

For any of you that were reading my other blog, KMS Productions, you may have noticed some changes over there in regards to the content I decided to publish. I originally intended that blog and site to be directed at developing a videography business. I meant to write posts about the projects I was working on and provide resources for other videographers and editors. Well, I did that, but I also got a little off track at times. I started the blog as my life started to become (and still is) very full. I just graduated college and got a job. I got engaged and started planning a wedding. I bought a house and started planning that. I found a stray cat and took it in (even though I would rather have a dog!) So, a lot has been happening in my life which leads to a lot of thoughts which leads to brain overflow. I just never feel satisfied with my thoughts until they are spilled out on paper….or pixels. I needed an outlet.

Once I realized that I was using my “business blog” to write about personal stuff and it was becoming all about my personal life, I decided I needed a split. I think it’s okay to include some personal stuff in a business blog, as this is what gives your blog a personality. But I don’t think its okay for clients to know every detail about my life while I’m trying to build a business. They might see my posts about wedding planning and wonder if I’m taking their project seriously or if I’m busy thinking about colors and favors and lace. They may think I’m too worried about myself and not enough about my business.

So here it is, my personal blog. To write about everything and anything pertaining to…my life.