fainting goats

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CC_9aFuEkA

I just saw the saddest video on YouTube about kittens who have the fainting goat syndrome.  Out of nowhere the kittens just stiffen up and fall over ending up in a paralysis.  It is most common in goats but these kittens also have this problem.  They cannot run or jump but other than that appear to be normal cats.  One of the cats featured in the video passed away from respiratory failure.  This is not a happy post but I saw the video and almost teared up and thought it was an interesting story that I have never heard of before.

Halloween!

I am so happy that Halloween is such a great holiday and so big in this country or at least between me and my friends and everyone I know.  I love the excuse to dress up crazy and funny, I never go the "slutty" route so no worries.  I do no think this celebration is about dressing like a gross or sexual disney character or a woman on the job.  I always try to get very creative and go where noone will go or that will get me a laugh or two.  Last year I was gum under a shoe, a biker chick, and a eskimo girl.  I think accesories are really great and can make any costume.  This year I decided to be a monkey when I found a really creepy mask for $3.99 at the party store.  My accesories make the costume which are gold plates to replicate cymbals and a red hat like the playing toy cymbal monkey.  I hope everyone has a safe holiday and has so much fun!

Stop the power!

Today in my Comm 222 theory class we had a guest speaker who spoke about the power plant that was passed to be put up in Brockton that was 1600 feet from an elementary school.  The talk really made me more aware of the environmental and issues that would affect the citizens and especially those who live extremely close.  The people of Brockton protested and eventually the plant was denied to be put up but now it people are being sued who allowed that to be passed to be put up in the first place.  I think it is horrible how toxic waste and fossil fuel type industries are being put up in low income and high minority areas because of the unnoticed and uncared for problems that happen in such places.  I just think it was very interesting to learn about this issue because we as students are the future and we are the ones who determine what we want our families and children being exposed to.  Visit the website to learn more info. http://www.stopthepower.net/

la bella vita!

This Spring I am studying abroad in Florence, Italy and I can not be more excited!  I have been holding my excitement until I have been accepted and my paperwork has gone through and it finally has!  One of my friends who also attends BSU and lives ten minutes from my hometown is coming on this journey with me so I am even more ecstatic to be sharing these memories and this journey with a good friend.  I am nervous about the culture and the fact that I am an American in Europe.  I love becoming one with a culture and blending in so I do not appear to be a tourist but I am worried that I will have to accept the fact that I am.  This Spring will be a time to experience new things and I expect it to be a semester that I will never forget and keep parts of the Italian culture and European traveling in my heart forever. 

Miners

Those poor Chilean miners I cannot believe they are still stuck in that mine.  When I saw their first video of them laughing, playing cards and ultimately high in spirit I thought a lot about life.  These poor men are stuck in this hole but still find the courage and time to laugh and have fun even if their predicament is terrible and they did not know if they would be rescued soon.  Now I am told they need to wear special goggles for when they finally see the sun because of their lack of it for so many months.  Two months under the hole and thirty three men getting out so soon if not already from this horrible incident and they seem happy.  I am glad these men looked on the bright side it really makes me look at my own life and things that upset me and realize they are small and not as important, things could be worse.

Raising Hope

If you want a funny new comedy family television show then I suggest you tune into "Raising Hope".  I have not actually seen it on tv but rather the incredible hulu.  From what I remember the show is on Tuesday nights on Fox at 9pm and is really hilarious.  I am a tough judge with comedic television shows but this one makes me smile the whole way through which is a great success!  It is about a twenty year old boy who finds himself in charge of a baby when the girl he got pregnant is executed in jail...a little heavy from the description but how it all turns out in the story line is much funnier and light then my own description.  Shows like this and even Modern Family  bring us back to the family comedies and how not every family is exactly like Leave it to Beaver.  A sigh of relief and a couple deep belly laughs is what this show brings me so I encourage you to check it out!

movie prices

Movie prices are ridiculous and compared to waiting a month or more for reduced costs it seems ludicrous to pay $10 for it in the theatres.  Yes I agree seeing a movie in theatres is a great experience with the large screen and the stadium seating but I do not want it to cost an arm and a leg in order to see a movie where I can get it for $1.99 at red box in a couple of months.  What is the thrill of seeing these movies earlier?  The chatter about them or just the idea that you saw it first and in the theatre.  Near my house there is a Tuesday night movie deal for $4.75 and that is the day I choose to go.  I think that is so much more worth it and even allows me to splurge on that $5 small popcorn that seemed crazy on any other day but Tuesday.  Maybe I am frugal but I would rather not see a movie at all in the theatres then spend money that I do not have for a movie that I am not even sure I will love.

polygamy in America

Since I did not post on Monday I figured I need to post today twice, I hope that counts as posting Mon/Tues since this can replace my missed post.  Enough of that, and more about polygamy and America.  We had a very long discussion on this in my women's studies class and it was very interesting.  I guess there is a new show called "Sister wives" about a man who has three wives and is in the process of finding his fourth.  I know this practice is looked down upon in our country but I never knew it was illegal and that people can be prosecuted for having more than one wife.  I am curious if they are legal because if so then he will be prosecuted.  I wonder why other cultures accept this and wonder what the reasoning behind having more than one wife is.  It is all so interesting and I am trying to keep an open mind about this practice even if it is one that I would never participate in.

another facebook the movie post

Just came back from paying $6 to see The Social Network and although the price was a great deal compared to the usual rip offed price movie theatres are showing films at this time I am still upset.  I found the film to be slow and painful.  It was one of those films I would never want to see again in a million years.  I felt unintelligent listening to the actor portraying Mark Zuckerberg and also with the little knowledge I have with law I was confused on how some of the people could actually sue him, by what means. Facebook is great and I am one who checks it more than a dozen times a day but I hate myself for that.  I am also very sick of it and wish it was back to the days when only college kids could use it. Filtering my personal information to hide it from my parents and their friends is getting old! I have been seeing awful movies lately and am becoming more and more interested in finding great books to read instead.  I would love your suggestions and also your own personal opinions on this film.