The VMA's (seems to always be on a school night, notice that?) Whitney Houston (pay your dues, youngsters!) and Idol Gets The Best Person For The Job

Tonight, we will all join in front of our TV screens to forget for X amount of hours, about a war, a rescission, and over-mounding homework to watch one of the most exciting nights of the year.

Preshow at 8:00pm, actually show starts off immediately afterward at 9:00pm, TODAY, Sunday 13th

Performances by Beyonce, Jay Z (owww! the power couple are going to kill it, but I wish Jay Z could bring Rihanna out to perform Run This Town with him... maybe if we prey... and go to church... and stop sinning) Lady GaGa, Pink (two years in a row, Pinky! WOOO! hopefully she does NOT perform Sober -_- that's enough of seeing her in a unappealing corset) Muse (AHHH!) Wale (who?) Green Day (*faints*) and much more. Like Taylor Swift, who is softening me up (my friend is going to be very excited to hear that). Fun people are going to present like Pete Wentz and Ne-Yo. Oh, and Shakira at midnight is going to transform to... well I don't really know anymore.

Just for fun, and to give sound to this blog entry, one of my favorite VMA performances.


I wonder if they are going to continue the West Side Story theme beyond the dazzling promos. Anyone else pumped to see Janet bomb this Micheal Jackson Tribute? She better blow shit up if they could make such a nice promo to it... and because its Micheal Jackson, and he died, and its still really sad... and not appropriate to joke about just yet. When it is I want to be the first to get that memo. Not to make fun of him, but to make fun of everyone else.
i

Tell me the winners list leak is a joke?! it must be a joke, come on people! IT JUST HAS TO BE! "Voting is closed for all categories except Best New Artist, which you can keep voting for even after the ceremony starts." That's what it says on MTV.com.

Whitney Houtson... she looks so purdy. Well then, don't we feel bad about the crack jokes?

Yea, swing the wings of that dress, girl! She's husky, handsome, and at 3 mins she does the pee-pee dance. Made you look back! haha, perfection.

The person replacing Paula Abdul on the American Idol judges’ panel will be none other than talk show host Ellen DeGeneres. yay
I'm not the biggest Idol fan, its one of those if its on, alright, if its not, I don't care to look shows for me. Now that Ellen is in the seat next to New Girl, Randy, and Tell-It-How-It-Be Simon I will deliberately watch the new season premiere in winter. She's going to bring humor, I predict... and maybe some of that same pep Paula brought. The one looming question in my head is whats ganna happen to Paula? probably go under the radar in just live life.
Ellen announcing the news on her Talk Show, Ellen.

Question for the commenters: what is your favorite VMA performance? Feel bad about the Whitney jokes you've made yet? Whats Ellen ganna bring to the Idol chair? You can Tweet me the answers

With popcorn ready, and a sculple to get the shells out my teeth, from the smallish wave
lilwave //(^.\\\

The Twitter Monster, Mitchel Musso Sings!?!? NeverShoutNever, Potential Future Interviews and Back To School

I didn't see it coming. Like the most agile of popular internet infections, it took over slow. Now I'm watching Its On With Alexa Chung on MTV and twittering... just like they want me to, and loving every minute of it. If you have dismissed twitter, chopping it up as a waste of your time, good chances are your right (where in life am I going to need to know what Pete Wentz is doing 24/7? never, but its entertaining when he tweets about the hilarious video for Headfirst Slide Into Cooperstown On A Bad Bet) But what on the internet is not a waste of your time? twitter is just lazy blogging. Support my sloth ways and follow me, I promise to keep it interesting with bold claims, and topic...

anyone else enjoying "Poo Girl" as much as me? Gotta love it when people's embarrassment, and humiliation becomes news worthy. I know what I'm getting for Christmas!

I'm a sucker for the lookers
Does anyone else find Mitchel Musso incredibly adorable? did anyone else have no idea he sings!?!? Downloading as I type. I've been listening to this pop act called NeverShoutNever. Its pretty much a vegan dude named Chris who can appreciate a squishy song. I got into his music while awake at 7:00am watching MTVU's Sunblock Performances. He performed so charmingly that I ran downstairs immediately and downloaded his EP, Me & My Uke. This is him performing "Happy" his latest single on the MTVU Sunblock tour.


http://www.myspace.com/nevershoutnever

I think I'm going to attempt to get an interview with him, before he gets so huge it becomes impossible. Speaking of interviews I've been trying to set up an interview with Fall Out Boy. Why? because I think a quality interview conducted by the fans is well over do. Anyone agree? if you do, you should tell me what to ask. I'm attending their supporting show in West Palm Beach, emailed their sit-in publicist, and no reply. [Insert tired groan hear]

School started... alright school! wooo!... no. Its cutting into my reading time to do all this God flippin' home work. My History teacher said he wants to get us to present times.... how cute. My Science teacher reminds me a George Lopez (talk about a distraction) and my Acting teacher came up on stage with me while play Freeze and Justify and we acted out a scene where I am giving him a prostate exam. Lucky!

Everyone enjoy the week to come. Labor day, Monday, all I'm going to be doing is labor. Trying to get ahead in school, keep honing the musical craft, and keep up internet life. *sigh* life's good.

question for commenters: What do you think of Twitter? fun, annoying, the scum of the Earth? What about NeverShoutNever? Do you want his hair, even though your a chick? Ever knew Mitchel sang? do you think he's worth a listen?

P.S Mitchel Musso not that great. Definitely not pumped for a second listen. Why? Why the pretty one? why not the obnoxious star of the show that wore a dress my movie would consider to the MTV Movie Awards and screamed "I'm on a boat!"? *sigh*

with stalker qualities from the smallish wave
lilwave //(^.\\\

"A Change In Science" An Essay On Dissection By The Smallish Wave (print and send to your teacher / principal!)

Dissection in Our Classrooms

A San Francisco Science fair recently awarded a junior high student whose science project consisted of cutting the head off a live frog with a pair of scissors to see whether or not a frog swims better with or without their head. What did this young science explorer learn? Other than “Frogs will not swim with brains missing unless harassed. Frogs swim better with their heads in tact”. I think he learned that it is O.K to treat another living creature as if it didn’t have feelings, he learned to disrespect life. I think he learned to desensitize himself from that frogs spilt skin, the blood on his hands, and the site of a mangles spinal cord. I wouldn’t call that better than a classic photosynthesis project. Obviously, the judges disagree with me, for they awarded the boy for his contribution to the onward march of science, and predicted great things for his future.

This isn’t the first time a student would be encouraged to do such a thing “for science”. Millions of animals are dissected every year in today’s classrooms.

What’s sad about this story and not spoken about enough is the long term effect. If allowed to harm animals, children are more likely to be violent later in life. It seems harmless, but take a deeper look. Educational curricula should foster environmental stewardship and compassion for life; dissection encourages neither; animal life is devalued and treated as expendable. Like an object. This is the door to cruelty; we see it with racism, homophobia, and sexism. People justify violence in their heads against a certain group by first viewing the person as lesser than. And it doesn’t stop here. Today it’s just their biology class, tomorrow it’s their wife. Not to say that dissection makes wife beaters, but there is no doubt that there are mixed messages regarding how people treat any living thing in school, and in the media. Animal cruelty, like any other violence or brutality, should never be attributed to a stage of development.

This seems like backtracking to me, taking two steps forward and one step back. When we were in elementary school the goal was to help children develop the empathy for other creatures that prevents animal cruelty and promotes responsible care of pets, which in turn will get them to take care of themselves and others better. Good chances are you have heard of the humane reading volunteers from the organization United Animal Nations who teach students to view animals as a part of the family and teaches basic pet communication. This is only one of the many programs, and campaigns designed by caring organizations and non-profits who try to develop compassion in the next generation. My goal is to not let their efforts be made in vain, or even tampered with deliberately.

But dissection is a big business. Millions of animals are killed every year for educational purposes, many of which are collected from their natural habitat, effecting the delicate balance of ecology, and biodiversity. It’s an ugly truth, and not a pretty picture. Rats made squirming movements while being embalmed. Cats prodded roughly into crowded gas chambers, having their throats slit, or being drowned in Mexico. Live frogs piled into cloth bags for days or weeks. The few who are raised in captivity aren’t any luckier; they spend their short lives in a plastic container, no other purpose but to die for a student who won’t ever appreciate them for the free lives they led.

With alternatives ranging from 3-D computer models, plasticized specimens, and clay models, dissection seems archaic, and outdated. Since science teachers have found success with computerized three-dimensional virtual dissections why end a life? like having a dog cry in discomfort as he has cosmetics tested on him to end up euthanized, I have to ask, is it really worth it? and is this really appropriate for High School Students?

An example of the objectification of animals was displayed in the form of a dead frog, thrown from the second floor, to the front doors of Sunset last year. When the teacher delivered to the class this news, I frowned and said “See?” He explained to me that dissection is something the students look forward too; it’s something exciting for them. My stomach turned. For those who think this way, I offer my life philosophy. Live your life to the fullest, but never at the expense of others. Lead as harmless an existence as possible.

What was surprising about my biology class last year was that I was not given an alternative to dissection. My teacher allowed me to sit in another class, and wait it out.

The purpose of me spending a night or three of my summer writing this letter was to solemnly ask that dissection change in Sunset. Ideally, I’d like that section of our lesson completely abolished. Maybe replaced with a comprehensive, modern sex ed section, extending the otherwise week we spend watching a bunch of crappy videos for elementary kids. Since the need to raise Neanderthals is pretty much over; I think it would be cool to raise kids who use condoms this decade. With budget cuts, it’s essential that we get our priorities straight. If not, than at least granted to the advanced science students only. The kids who actually have more of a chance, and an interest in pursuing a career in science. Also, enforce that alternatives be offered to those who are uncomfortable with dissection.

I think I care enough about our school, tomorrow’s adults, and the future of animal welfare to write this. Let’s see if you care enough to listen. I assume that we share a common goal to foster a respect and love for animals in Sunset, I’m confident that you will seriously consider my request. Thank you for your time.

P.S. "I hold that the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man."
-Mahatma Gandhi

With hopes for a compassionate future from the smallish wave,
Paola M Paniagua
lilwave123@aol.com

http://www.all-creatures.org/articles/ar-should.html

http://www.hsus.org/animals_in_research/animals_in_education/dissection_campaign_packet.html

http://www.uan.org/

The Same Old School-Year Resolution

Been listening to MTV's Back To School Playlist while avoiding the thought that school is coming up. Oxymoron? I think not! I start my 11th year in high school, and my second year at Sunset in 2 1/2 weeks. Its exciting. Not for any typical reasons, I just like staying productive, and I'm not good at staying in charge of that. It’s good to see people I like, and converse. It’s nice to be around people smarter than me, i.e teachers. It’s exciting because it is something new. But somehow, this time of year always brings a weird feeling in my stomach. A guttural rumble of unsure thoughts.
If you've read some of this blog, you might have picked up on the fact that I don't mix well with... well I call them normies. Those people, who's interests aren't very interesting, who's minds are fueled on a different goo that makes me yawn and yarn. I have friends, a hand full. But I always find time to feel lonely in the back of a classroom, or on the odd Saturday night. I guess there’s a part of me that has always and will always want to be like them. A lot of people understand what I'm saying, and diagnose the problem as a self-esteem issue. I concur!... what now?
They say talk to people, join clubs, strike up random conversations, and I always do. I make jokes about the uniform and how long I can get away with not wearing it, strike up conversations with people sitting at my lunch table, and I even tried to get my school to do a Battle of The Bands. But here is the year problem, I think: I make excuses; I get annoyed easily, and give up.
I want to make a promise to myself this year. I'm going to try harder to make friendships form, and make current bonds grow. I promise to not get discouraged so easy, and not get hurt when they seem to not be interested. I'm going to try to be more fearless.
Now I have made similar promises before, kind of how a druggie makes a promise to quite. Its more for the comfort of knowing I tried. This time I'm making this pact with more of a soft hold. I'm going to let it flow, and see if it works, and not be angry at myself if it doesn't. A more loving approach to the same old bullshit. In an over-stuffed school of thousands, there’s gotta be one expectable person. I'll keep you guys posted.

Question for the commenters: Are you also making moves to see a change this year? What’s your School-Year resolution?

Daisy of Love: An Example of Objectification

All us reality TV junkies remember Daisy, yes? The tiny rocker who competed for Brett Micheals c*ck. Well she's back! Now with her own show.

Daisy let Fox, the smooth talkin' hair dresser, stay after he told her he had… or has…. or had a girlfriend before he left to be on her show. Daisy, and her silicon valley, forgave Fox, and did not eliminate him on the grounds that

A: She did the same thing to Brett Micheals. She admitted that she broke up with her boyfriend, but still lived with him… and still slept in the same bed… hmmm.
B: She has the hots for Foxy, and his sexy theme music.

Not only is this wrong because 1) it is implying that she is a slave for her attraction to Fox, and 2: because it gives the idea that going with a man who is willing to walk out on his girlfriend to feel up on this delicate flower is o.k. Tell you the truth, I couldn’t care less. Hey I think the chick is cute in all her “I’m sooooo punk ROCKER!” glory, I mean who am I to judge the 20-something? But I have a big problem with the message that is being sent to the young, and more impressionable women of tomorrow.

The show, like all “love” shows revolve around this concept of “competing to win” someone’s love. Where a girl like Daisy plays a sexy sex kitten ready to find love in a sea of horny men. The difference of a Love show with a male star, is that Daisy is obliged to give Tool Box, the exotic dancer, a second chance after belting out “All we need are some b*tches!” on the first night. While Brett Micheals, the star of 3 Love shows, is not.

Another point that urks me about this show. Women, as well as men have stereotypes that harm us. Me, being a natural blonde, does not appreciate how finely Daisy fits into the blonde bimbo stereotype. Other than her over the top breasts, I would hope that the show would take a second to show how intelligent and sophisticated Daisy is. Wait, what? The point is the show obsessed way too much on her sexuality.

In the “Daisy of Love” show, Daisy is portrayed as an innocent, sex object that these men are fighting to win like a trophy. This deeply saddens me, because we live in a world where violent crimes against women are an every day. Women are taken advantage of, and I don’t mean to say it is all little Daisy’s fault, but there is NO DOUBT that the way women are portrayed in media has an effect on how every day women are treated. VH1 is not taking into consideration, what a young girl would think watching that show, and what impression we are leaving on young boys. Violence starts with people seeing others as objects.

In refute to that, many people would say “well it’s the parents fault”. Instead of playing the blame game, lets take into consideration that the vast majority of parents don’t care. Why should they? If the general public don’t either. It’s partly caused by immaturity, as So many teenage and unplanned pregnancies happen today, more than ever. But it’s mostly because of ignorance. Too many people say that advertising is just selling products.

Why would a women support this though? Why would they put themselves out as Daisy and so many women do? Again, most of it is ignorance. Most of it is low self esteem. A lot of it is rooted at birth. Women are socially conditioned to think a certain way. To not take up to much room, to not make too much noise. To keep an image of perfect beauty, something that we are taught we can achieve by buying the right products or knowing all the tricks. Our bodies are constantly scrutinized and pieced apart by the media. A poll was taken that showed that most woman feel like beauty is an obligation not a right. How can this be? That we can so out rightly be put as “objects”. Well most women don’t really feel obliged to speak up. Wonder why.

I’ve pondered this for ages, and will probably continue. Look forward to more blogs on this subject.

To learn more about Woman's image in the media, watch Killing Us Softly by Jean Kilbourne, probably the most comprehensive source for citizens on the subject of medias appearance.