American Sniper is one big propaganda film. They have turned a real life man who was Islamaphobic and made him into some type nuanced man (which, according to his autobiography, he was a very black and white thinker) meant to be empathized with. I can't believe people are falling for it.

Anxiety

Trust the Process

I celebrated a minor step forward yesterday and was met with encouragement from a total stranger. “It’s all about progress!” she said, and that really is true. The beginning and end are important, but there is no story at all without the middle.

Viewing with Caution

Nowdays, when people say, "Let me show you something [on their phone or whatever]." My answer is, "Tell me about what you going to show me first." If I want to watch it afterward, it's up to me. People have no chill. I've learned my lesson, so you're not going to disturb my spirit without my permission. Once, my cousin showed me a picture without preparation. I was so upset at him for showing it to me just like that.

Today, this girl after class is like "Let me show you this video from WorldStarHupHop." I'm like, "Nope. Tell me what's on the video first." Then, she asks, "Why?" I reply, "I want to be prepared for whatever is that you want me to watch." She proceeds to ask several irrelevant questions. When she realizes that I was serious, she starts, "It's about this girl who cheated on her partner." She stops. I'm like, "And. What did he do?" Pause. He shot her. Me, "I'm not watching that." Her, "It doesn't show everything. You only see the gun." I'm still not watching that video. What is up with some people? Why are you so eager to sprung something like that on people? I've seen and read about some gruesome human behaviors, but I'm usually somewhat prepared before I proceed.

Taking 17 units while working 24 hours a week is probably the worst thing I've ever done to myself.

The worst part is that each class is writing intensive which is way too time consuming.

If I would've known I have to write a 10-12 page paper for behavioral sciences statistics, I would've opted for a regular statistics class where all I have to do is the math.

Argh.

Media Influence

I've been following this Ferguson situation closely on social media and it has been quite interesting analyzing how mainstream media is reporting compared to the updates that are coming from the protesters and journalists who are actually there. For instance, most of the looting going on in Ferguson is centralized and actually quite sparse. However, the media is leading the masses to believe that there is mass looting and crime going on when it's really not. On the contrary, most of the protesters are stopping the looting before it even starts. I think in total there have been only a few separate incidents but they have not burned down the city. The protests from what I have seen from the updates on sites such as twitter and tumblr have been quite peaceful despite the media's depictions. It's the police that are causing the most chaos. These biased news outlets are not about to broadcast anything that will inspire change purposely. That's why people should always look beyond media and the press for real change and informative movements. The mainstream media has no one's best interest at heart that isn't worth money. Someone on twitter pointed out that there was footage that was not even from Ferguson or Missouri being used as "footage" from looters. They seem to be doing anything to make this murder excusable.

Beyoncé & Jay Z: On the Run review

With everything that's going on with Beyoncé and Jay in the media right now, this tour is such a hilariously accurate depiction of how media and fans have turned them into larger than life GODS that live every second of their lives looking and acting like their music videos, blog stories, photo shoots, etc  The "THIS IS NOT REAL LIFE" being plastered on the screen probably went over most of the audience's head.  Even the "THIS IS NOT A REAL GUN!"while Bee's shooting to say, "Hey!  You know Bee doesn't really live like this right?" LOL.  It's so easy to get lost in what we're seeing of the "baddest" and "hottest" couple.  But when the"THIS IS REAL LIFE" segment comes in, you see them spending time with family, teaching their child how to crawl/walk, getting married, and just being together in serene and quiet places.  Almost being boring compared to the skits and vignettes, because, at the end of the day, they are a real family.  And after all of the hype and excitement over "Resentment" (people in the audience were crying & saying things like "She REALLY is hurt!  He had to have cheated!"), it wasn't real!  And that, unfortunately, is the message people aren't getting from this show.  And how plainly they are putting into perspective celebrity vs. real life.  I still heard some people, when the show was over, debating about "Resentment".  But I guess them kissing, holding hands, and the entire ending didn't matter?  But I'm assuming in an ugly twist of irony, that's probably Bee and Jay's whole point!  Which is why proving yourself and proving rumors wrong to the public doesn't matter.  Because they will see what they want to.  I could go on and on... Such an incredible show, and I loved everything about it.

Favorite parts?  "Clique/Diva", "NIP" (Wow!), "Ex-Factor", "Song Cry", "Resentment" and "Pretty Hurts".  The way  Beyoncé comes out with the Texas jacket seamlessly executed after we just saw "young Bee" with the Texas jacket in the video.  And she's just bopping with her back turned toward us before she really starts going in.  It was my first time seeing it live.  I stayed away from the full performance.  Great crowd reaction too.