Pro.....crastination

Procrastination: the action of delaying or postponing something.  (Google)

I feel it’s a right of passage as a teenager to procrastinate.  There are just so many better things to do with your day other than homework.  There’s spending time with your friends, watching TV, and napping.  Those seem a lot more important than finishing your essay for History. 

Netflix happens to be the biggest way to procrastinate for most people, including me.  I would so much rather watch “One Tree Hill” then work on the Algebra II homework.  “The Walking Dead” is also coming back on October 12^th.   Honestly, I don’t understand how teachers expect so much when there’s so much to do and watch.  I realize homework is important (sometimes) to learn and better my education. Sometimes, though, when it’s just busywork, I don’t care to spend hours on it, even 10 minutes.  I want to maintain somewhat of a life without it revolving around school, so I put schoolwork off until I’ve fulfilled most of my day. It’s a pretty bad habit. Getting work done as soon as possible is the smarter way to approach life, but sometimes the distractions are too strong to follow that rule.

I usually do homework on my bed (also not smart because I think of napping) and I get out all my homework due for the next day. I’ll spend a few minutes writing down my name and writing out the number of problems to do. I then pick up my phone for like 10 minutes and then remind myself of my homework. I’ll work on it a bit longer and get hungry. I snack and then come back. I move around and get comfortable and fall asleep. That’s when you know you’ve screwed up.

I face these problems daily. It’s good to get into the habit of coming home and sitting at the kitchen table and avoid all electronics. It’s a better working environment and the sooner you get done, then the sooner you get to do what YOU want and not worry about it later at 10.  Getting into good habits can really benefit for your future.  If you’re planning on attending college, it would be really helpful to get your work done and succeed.  When you get a job, you don’t want to delay a task you were given or you may end up unemployed.  Procrastination is a big problem, so try teaching yourself to get out of those habits.

Not so Social Media

For most teens in this generation, Social Media is life.  I can honestly say I can completely relate.  I spend my days refreshing Twitter and Instagram during school and at home.  Facebook has died down in the past few years, probably because all our parents have joined.  Twitter and Instagram are nice because you can really post what you want and see what your friends and the people you know are doing.  With Social Media sites, there’s a lot to learn.  On places like Instagram where you just post pictures and videos, captions have to be kind of clever with a few emoji’s or hashtags.  You don’t want to just caption your picture with something like “Hi” on a picture of yourself of whatever.  On twitter, not many people want to know what kind of oatmeal you’re eating right now.  You may be a fan of “subtweeting” or tweeting about someone without tagging them, but really, everyone knows.  You may really like to retweet a lot of sporty stuff.  You also may just have one to see what everyone else tweets or you were pressured into getting one. 

Social Media isn’t so social though.  Sure, you’re keeping up with your friends online, but when you’re all at a party and everyone’s just sitting on their phones, it’s not being social.  I definitely do that.  Some people can get really offended because of social media.  People tend to post picture when they’re hanging out with their friends or at a party and if you’re not invited, it can really hurt to see a bunch of pictures without you.  It can really negatively impact people and then people get really dramatic.

Social Media also happens to be a HUGE distraction. It’s hard when you’re supposed to be studying or doing homework and your phone is right next to you just waiting to be unlocked and refresh your newsfeed.  It makes procrastination SO much easier. Why does it take up so much of our lives?  Who knows really?  It’s just a big part of our everyday lives.

YouTube

The internet has taken a huge toll on the lives of teens everywhere.  It’s a huge part of our everyday lives.  Stars have emerged through the internet, especially YouTube, and are seen at all the major events.  YouTube has had many stars originate from there.  On YouTube, people can post videos over whatever they want.  There are beauty channels, daily life channels, health channels, and so much more.  On each channel, you can subscribe if you really like channel or the YouTuber.  Subscribing will let you know when the YouTuber posts a new video.  You can like, dislike, comment, and (if you haven’t) subscribe on the video. 

At recent award shows such as the Teen Choice Awards, there have been categories like “Best YouTube collaboration” or “Best Female and Male YouTubers”.  YouTube and YouTubers have obviously impacted the lives of many for those categories to have been created.

YouTube has changed the lives of many.  Some people just started off on YouTube making videos in their bedrooms and just talking to the camera with a couple hundred subscribers and now win awards, release books, movies, and have about six million subscribers of fans all over the world.  There’s no secret to the fame of YouTubers.  They’re ordinary people who happen to make videos that people really enjoy watching.  People like Tyler Oakley, Zoella, Jenna Marbles, Bethany Mota, Joey Graceffa, and many more just started off making videos and now have so many great opportunities.  Zoella just launched her own beauty products and has a book coming out soon.  Tyler Oakley has won many awards, interviewed for award show carpets, and taken part of the Trevor Project- an organization for the prevention of suicide in youth.  Jenna Marbles has had her videos featured in The New York Times, and on ABC.  She has also has 14 million subscribers because of her hilarious and unique videos.  Bethany Mota is currently on “Dancing With the Stars” and has recently launched a clothing line through Aéropostale and previously partnered with Forever 21 and JCPenney.  Joey Graceffa is an actor and host of Teen.com.  These YouTubers received their big breaks through the world of YouTube. 

YouTube has also created a big impact on the lives of the fans.  The fans can receive the opportunity to see and meet their favorite YouTubers at meet-and-greets such as VidCon.  Fans can write to their favorite YouTubers if they have a P.O. Box and send packages, letters, drawings, etc.  They have also left comments on videos about how much this person/people have made them smile due to their videos and how it changes their attitudes, and how much they have helped them in their lives.  Without meaning to, YouTubers have provided people with so much happiness and entertainment, all through a computer or phone screen.

iHeartRadio Music Festival

                The iHeartRadio Music Festival is a two-day festival held each September since 2011 by iHeartRadio at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.  This music festival is a focus on radio hits.  Performers differ from all types of music style like pop, rock, dance, hip hop, and country.

This year, the performers were Taylor Swift, Coldplay, Usher, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, Mötley Crüe, Zach Brown band, One Direction, Weezer, Ed Sheeran, Paramore, Iggy Azalea, Train, Eric Church, Lorde, 50 Cent, Calvin Harris, Bastille, Steve Aoki, and Before You Exit. 

The successful iHeartRadio Music Festival ended today, September 21, 2014.

Recent Child and Domestic Abusive Athletes

In recent sport news, Raymell (Ray) Rice, the running back for the Baltimore Ravens and Adrian Peterson, running back for the Minnesota Vikings, have been involved in domestic violence and abusive incidents.

Ray Rice was seen on footage at the Revel Hotel and Casino elevator hitting his fiancée (now wife), Janay Palmer, knocking her out cold.  He then dragged her out from the elevator.  This incident took place on February 15^th, 2014 and he faced a two-game suspension.  John Harbaugh, the coach of the Ravens, wanted to cut Rice in February after TMZ released the first video.  Coach Harbaugh was reacting to a different video showing Rice dragging his unconscious fiancée out of the elevator.  The owner of the Ravens, Steve Biscotti, president Dick Cass, and general manager Ozzie Newsome overruled cutting Rice.  On September 8^th, TMZ released the second video of Rice actually knocking out Janya.  Ray Rice was let go by the Baltimore Ravens and suspended indefinitely by the NFL after the new discovery. 

The security director of the Baltimore Ravens, Darren Sanders, allegedly knew everything that happened (even the footage released later in September) hours after the incident in February.  The case was almost resolved on February 19^th, four days after the incident, but TMZ released the first video that showed Rice dragging his wife out of the elevator.  Public news of the video made the prosecutor show the video evidence to a grand jury.

Rice, as previously noted, was fired from the Ravens for the charges of domestic abuse.

Another prominent NFL athlete, Adrian Peterson, has recently been charged with child abuse.  The incident took place on May 18^th when he whipped his child with a tree branch.  The child of four went to authorities telling them that “daddy” whipped him with a belt and “a lot of belts in daddy’s closet”.  The child also said Peterson put leaves in his mouth while being hit and while the child’s pants were down.

New texts were released between Adrian and the mother of the child: "… toughest of the bunch," Peterson wrote.  "He got about five more pops than normal.  He didn't drop one tear! So that was another indicator I'll have to try another system with him.  [Shake my head] he's tough as nails …" and the mother replied, “Well you can't hit him till he cries! That's just mean. He's trying to be strong for you. He's afraid of you. He's four, he's not playing mind games with you …"

On September 18^th, a new article was released stating Peterson abused two of his 4-year-old children.  These are children he fathered with a different woman.

Article: http://www.freep.com/story/sports/columnists/mitch-albom/2014/09/18/mitch-albom-adrian-peterson-vikings/15808613/

After the releases of all the information, some people question whether or not if it was just parenting and if it’s the same situation as spanking.

Peterson was suspended Week 2 but reinstated for Week 3.  While he still plays for the Vikings, he remains on the Commissioner Exemption list.  It is expected that Peterson will not hold a spot on the Minnesota team for much longer.

Start of the Stars

The hit TV series, Dancing with the Stars (DWTS), has returned for the 19th season on September 15, 2014.  For those of you who may not know of the ongoing reality show, recognized stars everywhere compete against each other each week with a unique dance and dance partner provided by the show.  They are judged by Julianne Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, and Bruno Tonioli.  The viewers have some influence over who to keep, and the remaining are voted off.

                This year, the stars competing: Jonathan Bennett, whose first break was in the movie Mean Girls; Tommy Chong--a comedian; Randy Couture--6 time world champion and hall of famer of Mixed Martial Arts and Ultimate Fighting Champion; Betsy Johnson--celebrated fashion designer since 1960; Lolo Jones--one of the most amazing track athletes of her generation; Bethany Mota—YouTuber; Janel Parrish--singer and actor; Alfonso Ribeiro- best known for role as Carlton Banks on “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”; Sadie Robertson--star of “Duck Dynasty”; Antonio Sabato Jr.--model; Tavis Smiley--host of “Tavis Smiley” talk show; Lea Thompson--best known for her part as Lorraine McFly in Back to the Future; and Michael Waltrip--professional racecar driver.

                Lolo Jones was voted off Tuesday (September 16th).  During Monday’s live premiere, she lost her timing while performing the cha-cha with dance partner Keo Motsepe.  She didn't seem surprised to be voted off, being at the bottom with Betsy Johnson.  Tommy Chong and Lea Thompson seemed probable to be the first people voted off, yet they remained above the bottom two and survived the first week.

Who do you want voted off? Who do you want to win? Who will be the next to go?

Pageantry and Miss America Overview

Miss America Pageants have been going on since 1921 when East Coast newspapers were looking for ways to increase their number of readers. Margaret Gorman won the Atlantic City “pageant”, which was originally a contest based off of looks and eventually added categories on talent and issues of the world. By September of 1922, she was known as “Miss America”.

Over the years feminists have projected their opinions and others have defended the competition. Many men and women protest this glorified event. What does it say for women and their self-esteem? Do they need to win a pageant like this to appreciate themselves as a human being? Pageantry can give children the wrong idea of beauty. It shows them that beauty is more importantly known to everyone on the outside, rather than the inside. Contests such as Miss America can give people eating disorders, increased dieting, and the feeling of being ugly and unworthy. Why are we giving money and attention to something that downgrades women?  

Others disagree and state these competitions can help participants get the money they need for school and a higher education, can RAISE self-esteem and confidence, and participating in a pageant is their choice. It is arguably a great way to practice skills such as interviewing, public speaking, learning class and elegance. You get to show off YOU and your personality to those who seek it. People with positive views on pageantry say looking up to beauty queens can be beneficial.  People like Alexandra Costa, for example, also known as “Miss Purdue” who has been dedicating her time to remove words such as “retard” from our vocabulary. People like Alexandra aren't the stereotypical bubble-headed girls who participate in pageants. Other winners or participants can encourage the youth and other people to do what they love.

Shows such as “Dance Moms” and “Toddlers and Tiaras” really try to emphasize that sometimes, the parents are the worst part of pageants. Some parents really push their children into being beauty queens and stars, rather than accepting who they really are. Maybe all the child wants to do is roll around in the mud and play all day if they’re young rather than introducing them to fake hair and makeup. Some parents may express disappointment if their child doesn't succeed and can lower the child’s confidence and lead them into a troublesome life. It can cause them to put themselves down for not being good enough in their parent’s eyes and eventually in their own.

Is Pageantry wrong? Is it harmless? Are parents what really makes or breaks the idea of the competition? What’s your opinion?

U2 have it Apple

If the title of this post doesn't ring a bell, then all Apple iPhone users better check their music albums. The reason for this is that Apple has recently downloaded U2's new album, Songs of Innocence, to every apple iPhone user for free. The free album includes the band U2's newest 11 songs. The deal between Apple and U2 is rumored to have cost 100 million dollars, along with the band playing their first single “The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone)” in front of the room full of people waiting for the new release of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.  This deal has arguably set U2 to have achieved the biggest launch in music history.

            The new album, Songs of Innocence, has been in the making for five years. Five years is the longest amount of time the band hasn't released any new material.

In regard to the Apple users' receiving the free downloaded album: is it causing more problems than it’s worth? There are reportedly many people who are angry about the new download. While some are thrilled at the no-cost debut, others are saying, "it is an album without ideas. Its textures are flat, its melodies are graceless, and its guitar parts are criminally short on that sparkle-vroom thing that only Edge can do” and “it’s a waste of space and I think of it as a bad move.”

Many believe the reasoning behind the new deal isn't at all because of the relationship between Apple and U2. Apple gets you to create an iTunes account (if you don’t have one already), and it gets more subscribers and publicity.

Have you experienced the newest Apple download? If so, how do you feel? Is it a waste of space or a bonus for you?

VMA's or BeyMA's?

The Video Music Awards were recently held on August 24th, 2014. Performers from Taylor Swift to Nicki Minaj were there along with other actors and actresses. I personally was waiting for Taylor Swift to give Harry Styles another "shout out" like last year, but sadly, she didn't.

Miley Cyrus’s announcement really shocked us all I believe. We all know her as the queen of twerk, but this was a total surprise. I think we all choked up a little when she did.

Jesse’s (Miley’s date) speech and more on Miley’s awareness and fund raising opportunities:  http://www.cbsnews.com/news/mtv-vma-miley-cyrus-lets-a-former-homeless-man-accept-her-award/

I’m sure everyone heard Taylor when she said; “people get bitten by snakes” during her performance of “Shake it Off” when she was going to “jump”. What was she talking about? Nicki Minaj’s performance of “Anaconda” speaks for itself, but what does it say for the dancers? One of the dancers performing “Anaconda” was bitten by a snake during practice, and still performed. The show must go on I suppose.

 Recently, there has been a lot of talk of a possible split between Beyoncé and Jay-Z. Queen Bey seems to be putting those rumors to rest through social media without addressing the problem directly, but watching Jay-Z and Blue Ivy award Beyoncé the annual Video Vanguard Award was absolutely adorable. This cute family sure knows how to wrench out the hearts of many, because everyone’s heart was in the moment along with Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and little Blue.

Speaking of Beyoncé, I think it’s safe to say the VMA’s were more of a Beyoncé concert than an award show. Beyoncé performed for about 17 minutes straight at the “VMA’s” unlike any other performer. She performed an excerpt of each song on her new album and the audience whether watching it at home or being there live, loved it. Beyoncé says it best, “Bow down”. During the show, we saw many performers sporting the leotard look but as always, Bey wore it best. The rainbow jewel encrusted leotard put everyone else to shame in my opinion.

What was your favorite part of the Video Music Awards 2014? Favorite artist? Favorite song? Favorite outfit?  Let me know!