Media & Sports

The media has greatly impacted the way sports are viewed and played. Media has followed sports since the very beginning. Newspapers gave highlights, pictures, and scores. Radio stations broadcasted the games live across the air. Television allowed people from all over the world to watch the games, to learn about the players, the coaches, and the politics behind games.

I mean think about how many sport broadcasting stations there are on cable. On my basic cable provided by my management we have 5 just sports channels (not including the major networks that show big games and Saturday games.)

What about the Olympics . . . 24 hour coverage. Not only has media affected the availablity of watching sports, it has also created even bigger celebrities out of the athletes.

What about all the sport related films, books, tv shows, etc...

Sports and Media are best friends.

Survivor: Season 28!

So in honor of my media class's discussion of reality TV...I am going to blog about my lifelong show: SURVIVOR.


                               
  I have watched Survivor diligently since grade school, starting from about its 3rd season. Why? because my best friend and her family watched it...so I watched it...and we talked about it. As I have grown up, I have continued to watch Survivor out of tradition and also as I have come to appreciate the deeper complexities of the show. The strategies, the endurance, and the social game. And although I know that many of the participates are far from normal, the characters and drama pull you in.

An interesting side note is that there have been a couple LDS people on the show...including Dawn (who teaches part time here at BYU)

Season 28 of Survivor begins tonight. Will I be watching? You bet!

Books, Books, Books

I adore books! There have been times that I have spent all day in a book. When I first read the book "The Hunger Games" it was in the middle of a winter semester. My roommates had to hide the book so that I would do my homework.


Books have a great power to expand horizons and imaginations. There is great power in the written word.

One of my favorite books is Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women". I love the character development and the sisterhood. Growing up in a family with 5 daughters, I understand the power of sisterhood. Josephine (Jo) March is a such a powerful and independent female character. She is a great example of not allowing your identity be defined by expectations. The historical perspective also draws me in.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Evolution of Dance

In middle school a group of my friends recreated this video for a talent show:



It was fantastic. Recently I saw this video posted:

Music and Dance videos. It is because of music videos that these dance moves have become part of popular culture. Of course the internet has helped popularize them as well. What videos do you know that have gone viral--becoming part of our media culture?

Soundtracks: Subtle advertisements?

Does anyone else have those moments when they hear the soundtrack of a movie and they suddenly really want to watch that movie.

Are soundtracks a method of advertisement? Have you noticed the power of music in movies? I noticed it multiple times this week. Maybe it's the stress of papers and midterms, but I have basically been craving the opportunity to watch movies (when I hear the soundtrack music).

Exhibit 1: My sister was doing homework and listening to a movie soundtrack station on Pandora...every single song I recognized made me want to watch the movie...even when they were not my favorite movie. It started with Jurassic Park. Then Batman Begins. Then Pride and Prejudice. Oh, man! Doing homework that night was torturous.

So what soundtracks make you want to jump to a TV and start the movie?

Olympic Media

I am super excited for the start of the Olympics. I absolutely love watching the sports, the stories, and the coming together of nations. The Olympics can be a great force for good in the world. Not only do citizens within each nation join together to support their athletes, but we also connect with other nations and cheer them on (as long as they don't defeat the USA).

I also love the opening ceremonies! The energy during that ceremony is awesome. Here is my favorite highlight from the last Olympic opening ceremony:

Impact of Music

In honor of the class discussion today here are some songs that hold meaning to my life right now:

1. Frozen Soundtrack: my siblings and I learned all the words and now quote/sing them to each other all the time. 
2. Nimrod by Edward Elgar: this classical piece moves me.
3. Life and Death performed by Paul Cardall: as my I just had a new nephew join the family but I see my grandparents starting to draw closer to death, this song has added meaning beyond its haunting melody.
4. Music by Frank Sinatra (and alike...including Michael Buble): Bring me cheer and energy.

Music: A song of the heart

I love music!!! It has the ability to make me relax, cry, laugh, ponder, jump into action, and sing along. Music is so prevalent in our lives. Think about it. You go to a store...music is playing. You go to a movie...which has a soundtrack. You go to the gym...music. Church...music. Dentist's office...music.
Our lives really have soundtracks. We have songs we listen to when we are excited or sad, when we are by ourselves in a car or with a group, and when we are doing dishes or cleaning the house. 
I have a love for music and I am grateful for it.