Friday, February 25, 2011

Lessons From Disney


At THON this past weekend many families, survivors and benefactors of The Four Diamonds Fund told their stories. Some were sad.  Some were happy.

Families who had lost children, told the story of how their love for their lost one so deeply connects them with The Four Diamonds Fund and how the selflessness of Penn State students keeps them coming to THON year after year.  We saw PowerPoint slides of numerous survivors, some of whom are giving back to THON.  But of all the emotional stories that tugged at our heartstrings; I didn’t expect the most empowering message to come from the voice of a Pixar robot, as told by a seventeen year old cancer victim.

“I don’t want to survive. I want to live.” – Wall-E

A seventeen-year-old kid, who has a reason to give up, and is himself on the fringes of life, taught over 15,000 college kids the importance of living.

Nick does not let his life threatening cancer hinder his ability to live.  Live for the moment. Live for the future.  Nick is living his life as a high school senior to the fullest by being valedictorian of his graduating class, student body president, and president of his school’s technology association.  Nick told PSU students, “it’s pretty clear cancer changes people worldwide. Have I let it change me? No.”

Do we live to our fullest everyday?  Do we let things change us? Are we so focused on surviving that we forget to live?

That simple saying spoken by a computer-generated image of a robot is exemplified in the life of Nick.  Something so simple, yet so misunderstood is a defining factor that separates human kind from robots and other lifeless creations. 

So how can we make sure we live for every day, as opposed to just surviving?  How can we achieve our lives’ full potential?  Is this something we have to figure out for ourselves? Or is it up to Pixar to explain it to us?


Friday, February 18, 2011

2011 THON PROMO

Only 4 and a half hours till doors open!

"All I can do is be me, whoever that is." -- Bob Dylan

When we think of popular music artists we tend to focus on their singing voice, and place their true voice on the backburner.

Throughout the music industry’s history numerous musicians and artists have been using their voice for more than just record production. People tend to judge a musician solely on their music, and overlook the message behind their music.

This seems to be a common conversation about music among young music enthusiasts.
“Why do you like that song?”
“ I like the music! It has a sweet beat and nice rhythm.”

I’m not making a hasty generalization about young listeners, and I know there are numerous music enthusiasts who understand the messages and voices of their favorite artist or band.

One voice that has permeated the musical industry is the political one.

In the sexual revolution of the 1960’s and 1970’s one of the strongest political voices that spoke out against The War in Vietnam, violence, and racial injustice came from a skinny five foot seven kid from Minnesota. His weapon of choice: guitar. Bob Dylan is considered one of the greatest poets of the 20th century, and is known for his lyrical genius all over the world. His peaceful lyrics asking questions such as “How many years can some people exist, before they're allowed to be free?” and “And how many deaths will it take till we know, that too many people have died?” These questions challenged some of the major current issues in society and promoted the idea of political activism through music.


In the 21st century a strong voice made it’s way onto the main stage of political activism through outrageous wardrobes, elaborate showmanship, and her never ending desire to be proud that she was different. Lady Gaga is one of the strongest human rights activists in modern society. Born and raised in New York City, Stephani Germanotta was considered an outcast and a disenfranchised member of society. This would normally hinder some people’s plans of success, but Stephani Germanotta used this hatred to fuel the fire that propelled her into stardom. She adopted the stage name Lady Gaga, and made a lifelong commitment to embracing who she is, whomever that may be, and empowering others to do the same. In her new single “Born This Way,” Gaga tells her listeners “Don't hide yourself in regret, just love yourself and you're set.” This empowering message of hope and self-confidence inspires numerous youth who feel outcast to embrace their differences and know that they are loved. Her main audience would be her “little monsters” (the millions of youth who identify with the LGBTQA community) and she constantly is giving speeches, tweeting about Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, and pressing for social change in the area of gay rights. “Born This Way” states that “No matter gay, straight, or bi, lesbian, transgendered life…I was born to survive.”



Just like the victimized and oppressed people of society the music industry has also fought to survive. Through the many ups and down throughout the years the political voice of those in the limelight also continues to survive, and provide powerful messages for its audiences.

Monday, February 14, 2011

"Rad Bromance"


I decided to post my "This I Believe" on my 'Passion blog' as well as my RCL blog, because the topic is something I'm very passionate about.  Sadly, I don't think writing a weekly blog on friendship would be an adequate topic for a 'Passion Blog," and it would also be a challenge to come up with 15 weeks of material. 

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Ars Gratia Artis


I walk past the Palmer Museum of Art almost everyday and how many times have I been inside? One. And the only reason I’ve been inside that one time was because my Dad made me when I came for my college visit senior year in high school.

This week’s overlooked beauty is art.

I ask myself what is art and do I overlook it? I don’t know if anyone can explain art, and I think that is what makes art so captivating. Each “work” of art is up to individual interpretation. A breath taking, stop me in my tracks piece of art for me, might be ho-hum for another viewer.

I equate art to learning poetry in middle school. I used to love studying poetry for one reason: no matter what I said my teacher always told me I was right. You interpret it figuratively. I see it literally. We are at odds, but we just chalk it up to our individual outlooks on life.

The goal of any form of art is to access and affect many individuals; this is what makes art so powerful. Even though art may have a goal, its purpose is highly debated. Some say that art is here for the purpose of art. This is expressed perfectly in the Metro Goldwyn Mayer media company’s motto Ars Gratia Artis, a Latin phrase that translates into “art for art’s sake.”

The beauty of art stems from the universal understanding that art can be embraced by all. But that’s the thing! Art CAN be embraced by all, but sadly it isn’t. I’m not saying we all need to go to the Palmer Museum of Art, or even that we need to enjoy frescos, mosaics, or any other type of visual art. There are endless types of art and artistic expression and we are lucky to have the ability to embrace every type. We are especially fortunate to have all these types so easily at our disposal at PSU in the crosshairs of our campus with easy access for all. We have the ability to immerse ourselves in all these art forms daily, but we don’t always take advantage of this opportunity.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Snow, Hey Oh!


You know when you’re walking down the street, whether it be to class, the gym, or downtown and you see that fool who is either sticking his tongue out eating snowflakes or running through knee deep snow even though the sidewalk is right there? Well yeah, that fool is me!

Being from Louisiana snow for me either consisted of a half inch of ice on two occasions in my entire life, or skiing in the Rocky Mountains. So this whole snow on the ground everyday, having to wear boots and a north face to go to the gym is something I’m passionate about.

Around Penn State this time of year, snow is a part of every day life. But I look at the people who yell at the ice, and complain about the layers we must wear and realize that a good population of the student body takes the snow for granted. With the current stresses of college, including homework and exams, I look to the simplicity of snow and know that it is one of the most calming things about life in Happy Valley. The blizzard like conditions we have recently encountered have taken their toll on the sidewalks. This past Tuesday, the freezing rain covered the sidewalks in a layer of black ice. As most students blamed Penn State for not canceling classes, I looked to this unfamiliar “black ice” as a new and challenging experience. Compared to the average temperature of eighty degrees back in Louisiana, these icy sidewalks posed a new step, or fall I could take as I become accustomed to life in the north.