I hate to lose

I've always been a very competitive person.  I hate losing.  I've come to fear failure in my life - not just in school and work, but in pretty much everything I do.  I've been an athlete since I can remember.  Skiing, snowboarding, cheerleading, swimming, diving, soccer, track, dance, and basketball - you name it and chances are pretty good that I've tried it.  Have I succeeded at all this?  I regret to say that no, I haven't.  It hurts to say this, but I'm not programmed to win everything, and just like the other members on the past teams I was on, I HATED to lose.

I think it's human nature for us to want to be the best at everything, and it's absurd to see the risks people go to in order to achieve the highest status in something.  Athletes train 24/7, starve themselves and inject foreign substances in their bodies to make themselves stronger, faster, more flexible - whatever talent their field requires to make them the best. People in the work force plagiarise work, live on caffeine, spy, and participate in other illegal activities to get that raise. 

Maybe there are more people out there like me, who are afraid to fail.  We aren't expected to be perfect, but why then do so many of us shudder at the fear of being anything less than?  We are constantly reminded to be the best, but what if our best isn't comparable to that of another person producing their best work?  Are we to strive or lower ourselves to their standard of what the best is? Maybe it's time we settled for our own level of perfection - of being happy with who we are, the abilities we put forward, and the talents we are capable of performing.  If that breaks expectations and makes us perfect, great!  If not, we can at leas be proud of ourselves and know we put forth the most perfect and best form of ability we are capable of as a human being.

Growing up too fast

I love Nelly Furtado and her music - especially her song "Promiscuous," but while watching the music video I couldn't help but cringe at the influence this video will have on today's youth.

Girls as young as 13 years old are tuning into media like this on a daily basis, and then going out and mimicking these artists. Now I'll admit to trying to dance like these women in the video, but little girls DO NOT need to be clones of celebrities considerably older than them.

By showing this video in venues all over the country it's almost as if our culture is encouraging young girls and boys to behave this.  I thought our country was trying to establish an independent and free spirit for women. The line "but if I get lonely, I'ma need your help" harshly contradicts this.  We do not need to emphasize that a woman can only be happy in a man's company.

Second, the thought of my little neighbor grinding all up on some stranger, in a midriff-baring cleavage-popping top is not acceptable.  If we keep showing club scenes like this to our younger generation, they are going to grow up assuming this is the way everyone behaves, and they must dress like tramps, dance like strippers, and mercifully tease and flirt with old, strange men. 

The best example I can think of is in the movie "Mean Girls" when Regina's sister is seen copying Shakira's dance moves while an out-of-control spring break trip rolls in the background. As the movie flashes to another scene, you can see the child proudly lift up her shirt and expose her chest to the college fans on the TV screen. The mom simply stands by without even being phased by her daughter's obscene actions. 

When my neighbor became a freshman in high school, I had just finished my first year at college. I returned home loaded down with clothes that no longer fit me, or were out of style. Rather than donating them, I decided to give the more age-appropriate pieces to Kristin. As she browsed through my old clothing, she came across a somewhat sleazy blue sequin dress that I had no intention of getting rid off. She immediately fell in love with it and went to try it on. When she emerged from my closet the length was fine, but the neckline scooped down nearly to her bellybutton.  She loved it. Begged to keep it.  She was a freshman in high school.  Wearing that dress would either cause her father to have a heart attack, her brother to commit his first murder, of her indefinite suspension from school.  I never found out which one came first. It took her nearly a week to get over the fact that dress was just too old for her.

If we expect those younger than us to aspire to successful and well respected people then we need to reevaluate how we are portraying the American culture.

Like I said I love this song and artist, but I also have the maturity to know when I have crossed the line in how I behave.  Young women want to be noticed and appreciated - now we just need to make sure it's for the right reasons.

Raise your standards!

Congratulations SMU! it seems as if our campus as hit a new all-time low. In response to last week’s aggravated assault on a female student as the SAE house, numerous students have taken it upon themselves to not only defend this house, but also accuse the victim of bringing the attack on herself.

While most students continue to access Juicy Campus as a joke, the gossip strewn website has morphed into a dumping ground for any topic. Just click on the link addressing the date rape topic and you will be subjected to nearly three-dozen posts ranging from how this is to expected at the SAE house, down to how the school refuses to punish sexual offenders.

So what makes SMU students think they can openly discuss such a horrific event in a playful manner? Is it a sick way for people to feel better about themselves? Is it the members of the house trying to play it off as being the girl’s fault, or is it a combination of both; people trying to turn this girl’s scarring experience into a laughing matter.

While the student accused of the assault has been referred to the Dean of Student Life, the woman has declined to file criminal charges. It is stretching the facts to guess that this woman withdrew charges because she was in fact, guilty of bringing the trouble on herself. Victims often hide behind a veil, thinking that ignoring the issue will help it disappear. Wrong. Did our campus ever seem to think that accusing the girl of insinuating the attack would cause her to withdraw her accusation as a last attempt to salvage her own self-respect.

If a rape victim is willing to come forward with information regarding an attack the student body should embrace this mark of confidence. Rather than supporting the victim, our campus is making this girl’s nightmare an even harsher reality.

How are we to expect sexual and aggravated assault victims to come forward to identify their victims and press charges if they will be subjected to rude and degrading criticism from their peers?

It is also a shame to hear students express their lack of faith in the school’s disciplinary actions regarding the assault. A specific post says the SAE house will not even be punished because too many members of the board are alumni from the frat.

Our campus needs to take a step back and rally behind these instances to make our campus a stronger and more united front. We can’t tolerate petty gossip, allow these victims to be farther targeted, and turn our backs on our school’s judicial system.

Finding a spark

It's official. I am 100% sure I want to be a journalist after going to the NCAA Women's Basketbal Tournament.  I know Griffin will cringe as he reads this, but hey, at least I've found my passion :)

Not only did I get experience first hand how the game is set up, but I also got a behind the scenes look at the entire production stages that makes everything possible.

If you didn't know, the SMU women's basketball team made it to the first round of the tournament after defeating UTEP (if you want to see how they did - check the article out at www.smudailycampus.com) Back to my point though - 

Being surrounded by a group of professionals from ESPN, CBS Sports, and every other print and broadcast organization imaginable was surreal. My press desk for the game was stationed right above the ESPN cameras so I even got to see the anchors write their notes, while the print people were on my left and right. Seeing all the talent come together made me realize what an exciting and influential field I want to work in. People were constantly asking writers and reporters for updates from other games around the country, and it was even more impressive that men were asking a woman about her opinion about No.1 Tennessee.

It was such an adrenaline rush to get the experience of covering a national event for the school, and an experience I will remember and reflect on for the rest of my career.

Urban Bowling

So maybe this is one step over the line, but the idea is too funny to be left alone.  Maybe it'sthe fact  that we could never get away with this in the U.S. that makes it so funny. But we find it unfair that in Europe it's considered humor.  If someone in the U.S. did this they would be arrested and charged with some outrageous crime, while in Europe it would become a weekly spot on a late-night comedy channel, as Neg's sports have become. (There are more sports available on YouTube.)

Is dating dated?

"All I want is for some guy to prove to me that they aren't all the same." This line runs through the minds of young women on this campus on a daily basis. Rather than sweeping a girl off her feet with a romantic dinner, maybe flowers, and an innocent kiss at the end of the night, dating has transpired into this:

Go to a bar, get a drink, dance with a cute boy, drink some more, leave the bar together, go home and hook up, repeat for 3 or so weekends... and VOILA! you have yourself a relationship.

At what point though was there the thrill of the chase involved? What about the anticipation of getting ready for a romantic date out with a boy, and spending more time brushing your hair than you would if you were going to meet Matthew McConaughey?

Guys all were asking for is a little more from you then the routine go to bar, find pretty girl, kiss said girl, and BAM label it on Facebook as a relationship. (We all know it's not 'real' until it's on the newsfeed).

Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I wouldn't mind a nice dinner and a movie with there being no expectations of a sexy hookup following.

It's sad to say, but it does seems as if dating has in fact become dated.  

How can they do this!??!

So while vacationing in Cozumel, Mexico, I came across the Coke machine pictured here.  What I want to know is how Mexico can charge $7.00 for a can of Coke.  And we're not talking Mexican money - we're talking $7 in U.S.  

Now I understand Mexico isn't as well off as us, but this gives them NO right to cheat us out of a can of coke.  I can understand charging that amount for a margarita... but not for a soft drink we can purchase for $.99 on the corner here.

The truth hurts

My friend showed me this website last night.  I haven't taken the time to open each link, but the "Spoof Ads" section is definitely worth your time.  It takes widely known ads and creates take-off ads making fun of the original content.  I was unable to copy the exact pictures in there, but click on the link below to see some of the site's creations.

http://adbusters.org/spoofads/index.php

Maybe between the "Absolut Hangover" and "Reality" ad, people will start to take advertising either less or more seriously depending on which ad they are viewing.  Let's face it - when you're pouring vodka shots down your throat, after the third one you're no longer focused on tomorrow morning's hangover... it's more about the fun.  "Absolut Hangover" might flash through your mind next time though.  As for the "Reality" ad, maybe this will put in perspective that the people wearing the clothes are not all models.

While we don't find these ads appealing, they definitely uncover the truth for us.

Creepy Clown Baby

I've really come to respect Leo Burnett and his work in the advertising industry, but this piece just creeps me out.  Maybe it's because I hate clowns... but this whited-out Ronald McDonald clown child should be labeled an advertising "don't."

I'm not even sure what the ad is trying to say.  I understand it's announcing the opening of a new location in India, but the copy "Just opened" really throws me off.  Did this scary baby hatch from an egg?  Not only is the make up on this baby frightening, the expression seems way too fake for me.   This child is still too young to be able to eat at McDonalds... I think the company would be wise to stick to pictures of delicious fries and focus on the Golden Arches - not a circus freak baby.