The Hunger Games Sountrack!

Thehob.org just posted the official soundtrack for The Hunger Games! It looks like they're using mostly pretty unknown artists which I am SO excited about. I've been listening to the artists (most of the songs aren't released yet) and I am a big fan so far. There seems to be a really interesting mix of pop, folk, maybe even some rap/hip hop.

AND the movie is officially 142 minutes long. Gah! I'm so excited! :D

The Civil Wars have a song on the soundtrack and this isn't it. But I really love this song! I'm WAY excited for them to be doing a song on the HG soundtrack.

I Love Kung Fuuuuuuuuu!

I cried watching Kung Fu Panda 2 last night with my family.

And I also came away with a really awesome message about inner peace and letting go of the things in your past that hurt you or hold you back. I thought that was pretty deep stuff for a kids' movie, but I think that might be what I like so much about those movies. They present deep, difficult concepts in the form of a cuddly little  big panda (of awesome). So thanks, Po!

Yes, that's right. I'm blogging about blogs. Blogs have become one of my favorite ways to use the internet because there are so many interesting things out there that people choose to write about! There are also a lot of completely idiotic things people choose to write about. But I thought I would share some of my favorite blogs for your enjoyment.

Cake Wrecks - Seriously, check this out. It is absolutely hilarious.

Hyperbole and a Half - This girl is insanely funny, but not always PG so be warned (the link goes to one of my favorite clean ones :) ).

Juliana Turner Photography - I could look at photography blogs all day, but Juliana's is one of my favorites. That COULD be because I know her and how awesome she is.

Be the One That Got Away - This is the blog of my sweet friend Bridget. It's about escaping abusive relationships, and she focuses so much on joy and living life like it was meant to be lived that it never fails to enlighten me.

Epbot - from the creator of Cake Wrecks, this blog is the one for you if you're geeky, crafty, love steampunk, etc.

So what are some of your favorites?

When I was a kid I used to read books. Big, huge, meant-for-adults fantasy novels that I would dig into and consume in a few days. I remember getting obsessed with those worlds and those people and loving every second. It has been a long time since I've found a series that captured me in the same way as those epics used to, but I just finished Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn.

This book took me right back to my younger days of drowning in a new world. I found myself fully invested in the characters, the story, and everything about it. Sadly, my other responsibilities suffered a bit while I was reading this because I didn't want to do anything else! Even worse, there are two more books in the series!

Anyway, what I'm getting at is I'm so glad this book reminded me of why I love reading so much. There is just something about curling up in the corner of the couch with a large tome and losing yourself.

Online Connections

Okay, I'm one of those people who prefers to interact online as opposed to real life. It sounds pathetic, but part of the reason is that I communicate more effectively through the written word (or typed, in this case) than I do through speaking. Another reason is that I'm inherently lazy and like doing my socializing from my own couch!

What this is leading up to is that one of the ways media has impacted my life is by helping me discover new people and ideas. I have several friends that I have never met. One is from South Carolina. One just moved to Colorado. One I don't get to chat much with because she lives in England and when she's awake, I'm asleep. And one actually lives in Lindon Utah, and yes, I still haven't met her.
What's so awesome about this is that without media, I would be way more limited in my interactions with other people. What's even more awesome is the opportunity it provides to share my beliefs. The problem is, I have yet to take advantage of that opportunity. I'm hesitant to share what I know and love with these people because of all the usual reasons: I'm worried they'll be offended, worried they won't want to be my friend anymore, etc. etc.

BUT after reading this talk by President Monson about how we, as members of The Church, need to stand up against the evils of the world and be guided by the spirit to do good for all our fellow humans, I'm resolved to change. My goal is to talk to at least one of my online friends about the Gospel in the next two weeks!

Oh, and while we're on the subject of sharing the Gospel through media, take a sec to do a profile on Mormon.org!