I got sham and it ain't glam, it's talent!

As some of you may know, I really love plays, especially musicals. Who doesn't like it when people break out into song and dance?! I actually do know someone. When I was in NYC on a field study last year, one of my art professors showed he was a snob to plays. He liked operas, but he said that plays were the kitsch of the theater world. Low shot. I've been to an opera. In Milan. I fell asleep*.

Well, last night I had a dream and many of my friends from my last ward were in it. We were talking and someone said something descriptive using the word "sham". Someone turned, seeming confused (I think it was someone from my new ward) so the person who said it broke out into song, "I got sham, and it ain't glam..." waving her finger with attitude, then the rest of my old ward-ies joined in, finishing by raising their arms theatrically as they held out the last word, "it's talent!"

Who knew that was a thing? I learn so much while i'm asleep. I should do it more often...

I like my new ward well enough. The Bishop is phenomenal! And the people are pretty nice. Pretty and nice. But it's kind of different than what i'm used to. All the people are, well... they come from rich families. That's not a bad thing, but they just seem like they are still in the mindset that daddy will get them whatever they want and fix all their problems, and pay all their bills. They dress really immodestly - glamorously, and many of the comments people make are really shallow. It's like they mostly abide by the 'rules' of the church, but don't understand the gospel or live it's principles because they love it and WANT to live it. It's weird, but It's giving me a different perspective, which is always a good thing.

I think my dream was addressing the different dynamic of people and caliber of character. The one thing I wrote down in my notes at church yesterday was this:

I realized today that I am more attracted to those of spiritual strength than to any other kind of strength or physical attribute. If someone is doing their best, and seeking for virtue, they are the kind of person worth having in my life.

In movies, tv shows, or plays, the main character will more than likely be physically attractive. As the plot thickens, however, we may learn that they don't believe in God, or are lacking some other virtue, like chastity or they may have a drinking problem, or chicken pox, but we still root for them to win the heart of the heroine because they are the main character, and they are SO attractive!

But in real life, if I meet someone like this, I stop rooting for them. I don't mean I stop rooting for them to make good decisions, I just don't bring them closer to my heart and I don't see them in a romantic light.

In short, I guess I feel my old ward is more worthy of musicals, not because of how glamorous they are, but because they have what it takes to be in my heart. And that's sham. Apparently. So says my dream. :)

I got sham and it ain't glam, it's talent!


please forgive me for this image... it's more of a journal entry for a sketchbook about a dream I had than art I should be showing to people. It's not even completely accurate, there were guys singing too. But it applies here.

*I probably wouldn't have fallen asleep if it had been a more beautiful opera. and if I had been able to see the stage more easily (our seats were the ones rich, famous, or royal people would have sat in a long time ago to BE SEEN, and not to SEE).

Danger

I was just thinking about some of the dangerous situations I've been in and thought I'd share a few.



One time, when I was in Rome, two of my friends and I heard about this gelato place that was supposed to be the best gelato in Rome or something. We were told, "it's located in a creepy little alley that  normally you would never want to go down..." Well, that sounded like a good enough description for us, so we embarked on going down every creepy alley we could find. We never found the gelato place, but boy, we saw some stuff... I wasn't really scared, but looking back, maybe I should have been.

One time, when I was swimming in the freezing waters of Lake Como, I almost drowned. The current combined with the low temperature, combined with my less-than-expert swimming abilities dragged me toward the small pier, and under the water. It was completely worth it though. One of the most fun things i can claim living through!

One time, I got my heart broken.

One time, when I was in New York, I was trying to meet up with some friends, but I kinda got lost and took the subway to a part of town that was sketch. It didn't take long for me to realize I wasn't in a place I wanted to be in -alone- so I got back on the subway. I don't know if I was in any kind of real danger, I HAD been coming from the temple, but anything could happen.

One time I was in this souvenir shop with my dad, but when I tried to leave, the witch locked the doors with her dark powers and cackled. She tried to to attack us, but I woke up screaming. I don't have many dreams that make me wake up in such a way, but since we were on vacation, I also woke the rest of my family. (sorry)

There are more serious dangers I have been in, but who wants to read about those? I can make art about those, and not have to talk about it with words... I think these are the things that inform the way I view life. They broaden my outlook. Sure, dangerous events make good stories, but they can also build character, and strengthen my abilities to conquer even more.

New Year's Goals

I'm not the best at making new years resolutions, but I am pretty good at setting goals for myself and reaching them. Over the break I was thinking about how I'm going to spend my time this semester now that I don't have classes. I am still working on a couple reports I wasn't able to finish because of an emergency that came up, but I need to be creative and feel fulfilled.



Goal #1. Make art everyday

I didn't get a degree in Studio Art for nothing so my first goal is to make art everyday. So far, I have done this. I have worked on a portrait nearly everyday, and now I have quite a few more self portraits. I need more faces, so let me know if I can do a portrait of you! I have also been working a lot on my younger sister's wedding announcements - which has been really fun and exciting. I've made a few different ones and they all look great. I'll post them after they have their official debut.




Goal #2. Exercise regularly

Well, this is awkward... I don't know what to say here... Haha. Okay, in my mind, I was thinking I would go running every morning. That hasn't happened yet. I think I do better with a running buddy. Anyone? I can say this, however, there are 2 flights of stairs in my new apartment (mom, that's TWO), and I have to go up and down them everyday. Multiple times. I have also walked to and from campus...



Goal #3. Apply Alma 38:12

Use boldness, but not overbearance; and also see that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love; see that ye refrain from idleness. I love that it says to use boldness, but not overbearance. I want to incorporate this into my everyday life, and into the parts of my life that are not as successful as others. Okay... Do you want to know a secret? The scripture wasn't exactly the goal I wrote down, but I think it is a more reasonable one. i'll leave the actual one up to Kimber this year... Oh yeah, I think i'm doing okay on this goal too.