Do Public Restrooms Bother You Too?

Finally, someone points out all of the things that bother me about public restrooms. Why do they call it a restroom? Why is everything wet? Why is the door always hanging by one hinge?! Dane Cook performs his entertaining interpretation of what happens in the "restroom."

"Bones"

This print ad was produced by TBWA/Paris for Amnesty International. The tag line in the lower left corner reads: '300,000 Child Soldiers Dream of Simply Being Children.' I get chills everytime I read that. The children in the photo are playing a game with the remains, or bones, left behind by other child soldiers. Children should never have to put their lives on the line and assume the role of a soldier. They are children! Let them be children! This ad does a beautiful job of capturing concept with minimal text. The message is clear without the text, actually, but it definately adds that extra chill-factor. This is a perfect example of how to manifest such a horrible, angering fact of reality into a socially accepting yet alarming way. It calls attention to the matter and impacts reader's before they have a chance to turn the page. Once again, TBWA is noted for their impressive work!

Venezuela Says "NO" to Chavez!

Hugo Chavez experienced his first ever electoral defeat today. Chavez proposed a change to the Venezuelan Constitution that would allow him, if elected, to remain in power indefinately. Voters rejected the constitutional reform by 51% to 49%. Chavez admits, "I understand and accept that the proposal I made was quite profound and intense." That's an understatement if you ask me. Hugo Chavez, who is a close alli and friend to Fidel Castro, would be unstoppable if he had been elected. A total dictatorship would reside over Venezuela and while he claims to be a "man of the people," I hardly believe that to be true. Chavez was definately humbled by his defeat and advised the citizens of Venezuela to be calm and stop the violence in the streets. I was suprised to see how close the vote was; a 2% difference is a very close race. I can't imagine having enough faith in one person to run my country until his, or her, life was over. Things change over time. People change for that matter. A country needs someone who is in touch with the changes taking place in society and someone who has a fresh outlook and approach for handling them. Hugo Chavez and Venezuela have gone hand-in-hand for year. I think it's about time Venezuela caught a break. Luckily, this defeat will prevent Chavez from running for re-election in 2012!

Our Little Family!

There is an old saying that says, "You didn't pick your family, but you love them anyway." Well this year, I am adding something to that littIe saying. I have the family that I "didn't pick", so to speak, and I love them more than words can say. But I have recently discovered a new meaning for family; Friends! My two roommates and I have become so close just over the past semester. We were all friends last year, but living together has obviously strengthened our friendship. I feel like we are the modern, all-girl version of Three's Company; we laugh together, cook together, cry together, get mad at each other over stupid stuff, and get on each other's nerves from time to time. But at the end of the day, we are family. We share a home and have already made so many wonderful memories together...just the three of us! I feel like its a part of growing up. You have your family that you have known your entire life who will always be your base; they taught you the morals, values, and beliefs that have helped shape the person you have become. Then you have your "new family," the one's you choose to surround yourself with because you see some glimmer of yourself in them. You share common interests, you trust each other, and you can count on them to keep you grounded. And as time passes and you grow older, you will form a family of your own that you create. You will marry your life partner and start a family together, one in which you will always be the "base." I find it really neat and fascinating that we are able to find and form multiple families in one lifetime. Thus far, I only have 2 families, but I am so grateful for both of them! And I look foward to creating another family somewhere down the road. But for right now, I am focusing on appreciating and cherishing the family I have, especially this new family that is getting stronger everyday!

"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year..."

There is something magical that comes along with Christmas. It starts when you are a little kid and suprisingly, doesn't go away as you get older. Sure you figure out that Santa Clause isn't real, and that Rudolph and the 7 reindeer don't land on your roof- top on Christmas Eve. Yet even so, Christmas still feels magical. Maybe it's the lights that make houses shine like the North Star. Or the Christmas Tree covered in ornaments from years past. Or the wonderful carols that follow you everywhere you go, brightening your spirit and giving you hope. Maybe it is the church service on Christmas Eve when everyone sings "Silent Night" while holding candles, celebrating the birth of Jesus. And you certainly can't have Christmas without the bitter cold wind that "nips at your nose" while you keep warm with hot apple cider and hot chocolate! All of these traditions make Christmas the most-anticipated time of year. The Christmas Spirit is something no one can ignore, with the exception of the Grinch, and spreads cheer with each heart it infects. The undeniable innocence that the spirit carries may just be the most infectous symptom. Any way you look at it, Christmas is the "Most wonderful time of the year!"

Risky Flip!

This guy who attempts to flip over the street on skiis happens to be someone I know very well. He's my friend! He tried this last year, obviously surrounded by a bunch of his guy friends, whose laughs you hear immediately following his crash! I still laugh everytime I watch it, only because he didn't get hurt, (he didn't land on his head if that's what you were wondering). But he is really lucky. I just thought I would share one of the dare-devilish tricks that has yet to scare him!

Pepper-Spray Pageant Scandal

Miss Puerto Rico Universe, Ingrid Marie Riviera, claims she was sabotaged by a pepper-spray attacker during the November 23 competition. Riviera supposedly broke out in hives and suffered swelling during the competition and had to ice down her face and body in between appearances. However, it seems Riviera may have been calling "wolf." Police have tested the beauty queen's clothing and were unable to find traces of capsicum, the active ingredient in pepper-spray. Wait I'm sorry....is this a joke? Or a movie? Because I am pretty sure I saw the in Ms. Congeniality! Either way, it seems pageant sabotager's have taken it to a new level. The police are now focusing on whether or not someone lied to detectives at any point in the investigation, which is a felony. Can you imagine if Miss Puerto Rico Universe was ordered behind bars for lying about being a pepper-spray victim? I'm sorry if I sound insensitive I just find the whole situation pretty amusing.

All I Ever Needed to Know, I Learned Under a Snapple Cap!

- Beavers used to be as big as bears.
- Oysters can change genders back and forth.
- Hummingbirds are the only birds that can fly backwards.
- Squids can have eyeballs the size of volleyballs.
- Goldfish can only concentrate for 3 seconds.
- The starfish is the only animal that can turn its stomach inside out.
- When giraffes are born they fall 6 feet.
- Penguins have an organ above their eyes that converts sea water to fresh water.
- Camels have 3 eye lids.
- The blue whale's heart is the size of a small car.
- Animals that lay eggs don't have belly buttons.
- The pupil's in goat's eyes are rectangular.
- All porcupines float in water.
- Flamingos are pink because they eat shrimp.
- The world's termites outweigh the world's humans 10 to 1.
- Children grow faster in the Spring.
- Chewing gum while peeling onions will prevent you from crying.
- Termites eat through wood 2 times faster when listening to Rock Music!
- Frogs can't swallow with their eyes open.
- Mosquitoes have 47 teeth.
- American's, on average, eat 18 acres of pizza a day.
- You share your birthday with 9 million others in the world.

Spice Up Your Life!

They're Back!! The world-famous, girl-power group has comeback together after a 10-year hiatus. The Spice Girls were an absolute hit in the 90's, breaking records all over the world. They had girls everywhere singing along to their songs and dressing up in 5-inch platform shoes, something no 9 year old would ever dream of on their own. I know because I was one of them. I was obsessed! My friends and I knew every word to every song and would frequently pretend we were the Spice Girls any chance we got. The first concert I ever went to was to see the Spice Girls! And I was even more enamored after that. They are one of the most successful girl groups to date and I suspect their comback tour may break records again. By being picky on the cities they visit, they have a better chance of selling out venues and attracting a much larger audience than if they went on a 50-city tour. Their movie, Spice World, which might be one of the dumbest movies of all time, was played and re-wound many times in my house! I would love to see the girl's back in action just to see if they still have it! But judging by their phenomenal figures, they definately look like they're back in shape. Roberto Cavalli designed all of their costumes for the tour so I can only imagine how wonderful those are, a big step up from the giant platforms and pig-tails they paraded around in. I wonder if they will develop the same teeny-bopper following they had in the 90's or if the grown up teeny-boppers will be the ones screaming like school-girls at their concerts. I guess we will have to wait to see!

Time....What?

This ad frustrates me and confuses me every single time I see it. Dolce & Gabbana is advertising their new line of watches, which is clear given all of the jewelry close-ups. And I understand that sex sells...especially in jewelry advertisements. What I don't undertand is why the last shot of the commercial focuses in on 2 guys and 2 girls making out. I have no problem with homosexuality and I believe in gay rights, but for some reason I don't think that is the message Dolce & Gabbana is attempting to convey to the viewers. Essentially, the person is kissing a mirror image of himself. But why? I have tried to come up with an explanation for myself, and maybe I just don't see it. But I don't see how that last shot makes any sense for a watch campaign. I like the fact that it's fast paced and and of course is full of beautiful people and is a somewhat different approach for a line of watches, but I am still lost when it comes to the last scene. Someone please explain to me the underlying meaning of this advertisement, but I am completely oblivious to it!

Feral Child

Crazy huh? I had to watch the video a few times before I could completely wrap my mind around it. While feral children are much more common in India and not the United States, it is still a fascinating video about something most people are unaware of. A perfect example, like the video says, of nature vs nurture. Who knew that people could literally act like dogs! I find it pretty disturbing, but I just had to share it.

An Incentive to Quit

This is an advertisement I drew for a group project. We had to write a creative brief for Nicorette Gum and illustrate an advertisement that answered our brief. We decided to incorporate a snow man because after all, it is the holiday season. Also because studies show that one's desire to smoke severely increases over the holidays because of the stress, food, drinking, and mourning for some that comes along with it. We were encouraging the consumer to "Bud Out before you Burn Out!" Kick it now before the holidays get here so you don't have to worry about succumbing to your desires. I had a great time doing the project and now I know exactly how much stress comes with trying to produce a visually pleasing advertisement for the masses!

Christmas Audition

Priceless!!

It's Alive Inside

I love this commercial! It suprised me to find it was for Guinness Draft Beer because it is such an innovative approach compared to the majority of beer commercials we see. The idea behind it is clearly expressed even without the text at the end. To think about beer in that way, like a complicated combination of instruments that when played together, make beautiful music is really cool. My only complaint is that they ended the commercial with the stereotypical "bar scene" which I think takes away from the creative slot. But overall, I am really impressed with this ad.

6-Year Old Rapping Sensation

If you have been to a Dallas Maverick's game this season, you already know who little Bentley Green is. He is a 6-year old from Dallas who writes and performs his own rap songs. This is one that he wrote for the Maverick's and performs during various public appearances. Bentley has appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres show on which he performed a song written especially for Ellen. Even if you don't believe Bentley writes his own lyrics, his performance will fully entertain you!!

Wedgie-Proof Underwear; A Cry for Help?

What an idea? I have to give props to Justin and Jared, the two brother's who invented the wedgie-proof underwear. While their invention is really impressive and well-made, I worry that there may be a bigger problem in school's across our country. Are bullies still such an issue that kids are being forced to protect themselves by inventing tear-away underwear? Can we not regulate our school grounds more efficiently to protect the students? Being a girl, I never dealt with such issues, or bullies for that matter, but I hate to think children are being antagonized so much that they need more protection that teachers are unable to offer. It has already been established that "tag" is no longer an appropriate recess game because of the potential emotional damage that can be caused from being "it." If tag, a game that has been around since who knows when, is of such concern, why can't someone do something about the bullies plaging our schools? I worry that there is a much bigger issue disguised by the invention of these creative brother's.

My Best Friend

I have been so fortunate in my life to be blessed with such a wonderful family and amazing friends. Family and friends mean everything to me and I can't imagine my life without each and every one of them. But there is one extra-special person who I could not live without...my brother Newton. He is my rock, my shield, my shoulder to cry on, the hand that pulls me up when I'm down, the one to tell me when I'm wrong, and the one who always tells me how proud he is of me. We have been through everything together. Things most siblings aren't faced with until they have families of their own. Since the age of 12, when we lost our mom, he has been my guiding post. I have asked him questions about everything from boys and relationships to religion and politics. And somehow, he always has advice for me. He may not always have an answer, but he always has words of wisdom that lead me to the answer I set out to find. We are 8 years apart and most people find it funny that we are so close given our age gap. But I think that is part of the reason we are so close. We never faught growing up and we hardly ever argue today. Our relationship is completely built on love, trust, and the understanding that we will always be there for each other. No matter what time of day, where we are, how old we are, or how much trouble we are in, or I am in! I feel truly blessed to have someone so special and amazing in my life, and even more blessed that we have more in common than 2 friends possibly could. My brother is and always will be my best friend!

The Friend Nobody Likes- Dane Cook

Ok so maybe this is a little harsh, but you have to admit, it's hilarious!

A Stereotype or A Play on Reality?

Most people have seen this video, but I still find it hilarious! And the more I watch it, the more I realize that I know people who actually act like that. Obviously they don't rap about it, but they talk about "new money" and "old money" and things of that sort. SMU is known for being a classy, very preppy university that is attended by student's of fortunate backgrounds. Mainly because of how expensive tuition is, but also because of the way some students represent the school. I am not trying to point fingers or say that I am completely innocent, but I have to point out the obvious. If you walk down the boulevard during a tailgate at SMU, you will find yourself completely surrounded with Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Fendi labels. Anything that can possibly have a visible logo is tarnished with gaudy labels; everything from sunglasses to shoes; head to toe literally. People, or their parent's, pay up to $3,000 for a handbag that cost about $10 to make. The reason: the label. People are craving social acceptance and feel that showing off their material posessions will grant them a "VIP" pass into a group of snobby girls. Even guys at SMU are victims of the "social hammer." I love that they guys at SMU, for the most part, are well-dressed and present themselves in an appropriate manner. But I also find it funny that some of them are just as consumed with labels are the girls are. I am completely generalizing here so it's not at all fair to say this stereotype goes for everyone at SMU, but it sure seems to describe the majority. I love SMU and can't imagine spending the best 4 years of my life anywhere else. But whether I point it out or not, the craving for social acceptance surrounds our campus and steers the lives many student's choose to lead.