Deep Disney

Given the hullabaloo about Frozen that has been liberally cast about the Internet, I thought I'd add my two cents to the conversations...

I think that Disney animated movies were designed to be watched and enjoyed by children of all ages.  Let me stress that again - CHILDREN of all ages.  I don't think that there is any nefarious right-wing or left-wing plots to corrupt our children with messages that - to be completely honest - are found by looking so deep, they  might as well be subliminal.  Messages found by parents and talking heads that are so concerned with creating contention and fear mongering that they fail to see the beauty that is in the simplicity of a child's view point and enjoyment of these movies. 

That said, I think there are always important take-aways in from any Disney animated movie.  Here are some of my thoughts on some of my favorite movies:

Tangled - Sometimes you have to go again what everyone is telling you is right for you to really find what is right for you.  OR  Never except abuse - no matter how insidious - as your due.  Everyone has the right to follow their own light in the sky.

Snow White - Being kind to everyone big or small is never a waste of time.

Beauty and the Beast -  Get to know someone regardless of their appearance.  You never know what how much someone will bring into your life until you try.

The Little Mermaid - You can't get what you want without sacrifice.  Nothing is free.

Frozen -  Family is everything.  OR  Fear is one of the most debilitating and harmful emotions we have.

Robin Hood - Help those less fortunate that yourself (though I don't recommend theft as a way to do so!)

Mulan -  Don't let societal norms stop you from achieving greatness

Cinderella - Hard work pays off in the end

The Rescuers - Never give up hope or be afraid to ask for help

Aladdin -  Everyone has a dream

The Lion King -  You can't run away from the truth or your responsibilities.

Hercules -  Hard work pays off.  Even if all you get is what you've earned through that hard work.


Everything aside, I do believe that it is important to know and understand what your children are watching, and while I do not have children in my home, I have some in my life that I would protect from harm with my life.  How could I do any less when the harm may be more insidious and sneaky?  I have been watching Disney movies for most of my life.  Maybe all those talking heads are right, and I've been indoctrinated via my many viewings of Sleeping Beauty or Beauty and the Beast or Robin Hood.  I do know that my life is enriched by the creative story telling and animation that are so much a part of Disney movies (and yes, I know that many of those stories were not originated by Disney). 

The date that wasn't

On Monday, I  had a 'date'.  So to speak.  I asked a guy out and suggested hiking.  We ended up going to Camelback mountain and taking Echo Canyon Trail.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with this trail, here is part of the online discription: "Hiking to the top is not for beginning hikers -- the two summit trails are strenuous climbs over sometimes-tricky trails."  This is code for by all that is holy you will be dying unless you are a stair-climbing master and even then you may want to die. 

I am not a beginning hiker nor am I a stranger to sometimes strenuous trails, however this trail was insane.  It wasn't hiking; it was stair-climbing from hell.  It's all stairs with completely uneven treads (sometimes my knee was practically under my chin, while other steps were just a tripping hazard) until you get about halfway up then it turns into mountain so steep they had to put stair rails up so that you wouldn't die from a fall.  That last part is only heresay, as we didn't even make it halfway up the mountain.  Or maybe I should say, I didn't make it halfway up the mountain.  By the time we hit the 1/4 mile mark, I was sucking wind like there was no tomorrow and thought I was going to throw up what little breakfast I had eaten.  Meanwhile, he's standing there looking all suave and cool and I'm bent over at the waist trying to ascertain if my lungs are still functioning.

I ended up threatening to cough up a lung and may have possibly mentioned something about remembering to aim off the trail if I got sick.  I was totally bummed because I thought this guy seemed pretty cool and was looking forward to getting to know him better, but then I go and am so completely lame.

In all honesty though, he was pretty cool about it.  When I apologized, he mentioned something about his knee hurting him anyway.  It was nice of him to try to make me feel better. 

On the upside, we did have a good talk on the way there and the way back.  Too bad the whole thing lasted only about an hour. 

To sum up, I am totally lame.  I have also decided that I will not allow some dumb pile of rocks to kick my butt.  I will conquer that mountain...even if it kills me! 

Thankful in 10

1.  I'm grateful for my family: the good, the bad, the ugly, the adorable and the completely insane!

2. I'm grateful for my friends. They make my life better, happier, and just simply more that it is.

3. I'm grateful for my job.  It may drive me nuts sometimes, but it allows me to pay my bills.  I have made some good friends during my tenure there.

4. I'm grateful for my ability to support myself, pay all of my bills, and not worry about money (mostly).  I know not everyone is quite so lucky.

5.  I'm grateful for my ability to learn quickly and easily on a daily basis.

6. I'm grateful to be able to live in a country where I have so many personal freedoms.

7. I'm grateful for my religion.  It brings be closer to God and teaches me to live my life in such a way that I know I will be able to face God and Christ in the next life without shame.

8.  I'm grateful for my testimony.  That I know that my God is loving father in Heaven who only wants the best for me.  I know that through the Atonement of Christ I can be completely forgiven and all my sins can be washed away.

9.  I'm grateful for my life.  I have a good, happy, and content life.  I am able to do so many things that I want, and all the things that I need.

10.  I am grateful to live in in this time and place with all its inherent trials and blessings.

In a nutshell

My life recently:

1. Dropped my less-than-a-month-old phone in a toilet...twice.  Fortunately, the water was clean, as was the toilet.  Have since replaced it and expect the 3rd new one to arrive by FedEx Tuesday or Wednesday.

2. Got a speeding ticket for going 73mph in a 55mph zone.  Bright side: it was on the Reservation so the ticket is less than half what it would be if on the interstate, and it doesn't report to the DMV or my insurance.

3.  Swore off dairy...again.  This mainly consists of me buying soy milk and using it in my macaroni and cheese.

5.  Joined a gym.  Worked out once so far this week and thought I was going to die.

6.  Cut my leg while shaving.  It bled so much I feel I had a valid reason for considering going to the ER.  I was highly concerned I might have nicked something important and was going to bleed out on my apartment floor.

7.  Managed to stub my toe so badly that when I took my toenail polish off, I almost put it back on.  My toe under the nail is black.  But not broken, so yay!

8. Moved to Mesa and have my 18 y/o brother living with me.  It has not been nearly the adjustement I thought it would be.  It definitely helps that we have our own bathrooms.

9.  I have the most adorable nephew on the planet.  My niece is pretty darn cute too.  She is definitely the bees' knees in my eyes.

10.  Looking for a new job.  Ready to be out of the hotel business.  After this past (NASCAR) weekend, SO READY!

There's others...but that'll do.

Possibilities

There is a strong possibility that my week, my job and my employees could possibly drive me to one or more of the following behaviors:
1. murder
2. assault (and/or battery)
3. drink
4. drugs
5. cursing
6. violent outbursts of temper
7. random acts of mayhem and mischief. 

Or I could just go insane.  Then at least I'd have a viable excuse for why I did what I did. 
That is all.

Good intentions

"The road to hell is paved with good intentions."

How true it is.  I started this new year with all sorts of good intentions to do any number of things.  Very few of them have come to pass simply through my own inaction and lack of follow through.  So you see, it's not actually the thought that counts.  Actions speak much louder.