Question: What is going on in the situations below?

1) Boy watches movie where “good girls” are always really “bad girls.”

2) Girl is told by boy on Monday, “I love you.” On Tuesday girl watches talk show about boys who cheat.

3) Boy begins dating girl on Monday who is four years older.  On Tuesday boy reads article saying older girls always control relationships.

4) Girl watches movie where boy falls for girl who is mean and plays hard to get.

Messages and information we receive today may be true and helpful, but some may actually hinder us.  The above are pretty easy to make logical conclusions regarding the negative affects on young boys and girls.  But if you stop and think about the information you are inundated with, how do you think it is affecting your view of the opposite sex?

A professor and researcher friend made a statement in an email this week that got me thinking: [Something] “may not be true at all, but it is hard to disprove once the idea gets floated.”

I couldn’t stop thinking about that line.

The imagery is spot on. Any information that we have received either by choice or force is in our brain “floating.” (Cue sci-fi music.) Whether we like it or not, events in our life will trigger and bring to the forefront of our mind these “floaters.”

Due to the effects that this technological information age presents our generation with, we can’t help but have more access to media imposed ideas than ever before.  You may try to say “no” to movies or shut down your Facebook account, but I don’t know anyone in my generation who isn’t affected by advertising and doesn’t use the Internet.  Those floaters are implanted even if we don’t want them.

(I just re-read that last line and am wondering how affected I was by the movie Inception…and if I should be concerned. Cue more sci-fi music.)

The way I believe movies, blogs, music, advertising, the “latest” research, talk shows, etc. impacts relationships is that we see, hear and are presented with so much media that we barely have time to sit and process if something is true or not.  If we don’t process information, ideas will no doubt have a larger chance of growing into something we believe to be truth.

When we aren’t conscious about the beliefs that are forming, we will project onto people who may or may not be deserving of that belief system.  It’s difficult to clearly think and filter our ideas so that we don’t make pre-judgments or blanket statements about potential partners.

Is all this information bad?

Absolutely not. Our access to information is fantastic.  I would never want us to try and go against a tool that can be so instrumental in helping people and spreading truth. There is nothing I want more than for people to come prepared into relationships. If relationally most of our ideas are shaped by what we have seen, heard and read about, the actual relationship will be affected.  Guaranteed.

My concern is how do we discern truth in the midst of all the floating ideas we encounter?

1) Girl reads article on 10 sure steps to get the boy of her dreams.

2) Boy reads article on 10 sure steps to get the girl of his dreams.

3) Boy sees in commercial that beer is more valuable than annoying girl.

4) Girl gets email forward on 10 reasons why she doesn’t need a stupid boy.

Question: What’s your experience?  

Awareness of lower-back pain can be heightened when you have to wait through a couple bands at a concert before the real band goes on stage. Surprisingly I enjoyed and haven’t been able to stop listening to the newest album from the band SeaBird that opened this week for Needtobreathe. (Kind of a lame band name, but I love them, and I am a loyalist. Needtobreathe for life.)

It’s coming back full circle, because the first time I heard Needtobreathe, they were just a little opening band and I knew none of their songs. In my mind, a concert is lame if you can’t sing your heart out. (yup…I am that girl.) However, when I first heard Needtobreathe’s lead singer Bear belt out his voice (yup…that’s his God given name) I knew the band would be good.

It was the same experience last Thursday when I went to their concert at the Wonder Ballroom.  I was sitting in the back balcony with my friends Lisa and Anna because we figured it wasn’t worth standing near the front until the “real” band came on. Then I heard the lead singer of Seabird’s voice and I was like…”heeey-oooh.” I went to the stairs to get a better view and saw Aaron of Seabird bouncing on his piano bench. (Just like Chris Martin.)

Then security told me I was a fire hazard and needed to move.

So anyways…check them out. Kind of pop rock-ish, but just like Neetobreathe I hate putting them in that category. They are good musicians, who all play multiple instruments on stage and who sound almost better live than on CD. I don’t know a lot about music, but I think that’s pretty rare.

I talked to the lead singer after the show (no, not in a creepy fan way…trust me) and he told me how the cover of their album was shot. His original idea was to drive his old Saturn into a lake, but apparently the band’s label wouldn’t have it. Cool cover, nonetheless. Oh look…”nonetheless” was three words made into one…maybe “Needtobreathe” isn’t such a lame name after all!

Band: Seabird Album: Rocks into Rivers

My humble note-form review:

Like every song. Have listened to the CD while biking and it’s good work out music.

This Ain’t Home – I love songs that pick up. That’s a technical term right?

Baby I’m In Love – Probably my favorite song, sans being in love. Something happens at minute 1:47 in this song. I don’t know what it’s called but I love it. Anyone?

Rocks into Rivers – Great lyrics and drum pick up. Can get you up a hill should you happen to be biking.

Finally Done Right – I think this is about Michael Jackson. (Unless there is some huge symbolism for something else that I am missing.)

This Road – Try to listen to this song and not sway back and forth. I dare you. If you don’t, I suggest a class on rhythm.

Trust – Should you pull up next to me at a stop light and I am doing a full air band alone…It’s probably to this song. Ignore me.

The Good King – Written for his daughter. My dad wrote me a song when I was little too. It rhymed and had the word “stinky” in it. Cool.

Don’t Change A Thing – Another great song with that pick up thing. Maybe even classified as a “ballad?” I may or may not marry any man who sings it to me.

Believe Me – I think this was the song he was bouncing too whilst playing his piano. Yes, you just read “whilst.”

Sing To Save My Life – Minute 2:47. Just find the base of a hill and start running up it fast. It might help to pretend a clown is chasing you.

Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful – Their “Pop-iest” song, but still great…

P.S. The other opening band was also awesome, but I limited myself to the purchase of one CD.  The Band was: Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers

P.S.S. If anyone has seen Needtobreathe can I get an “amen” to the bass player looking like he could be related to Hilary Swank? Everytime I scream “Play it Hilary” at a show, he acts like he doesn’t hear me.

I feel like I am being hit with all things Michigan lately.

1) On Sunday night my friend’s parents were in town from Michigan. Awesome accents. I claim I never had one, but some beg to differ.

2) Today I travel home to Michigan.

3) Unfortunately many of us saw the sad Michigan State loss to Butler in the NCAA tourney. I don’t want to talk about it.

4) Last night I saw Mayer Hawthorne perform.  He is a Michigan native which is fantastic, but he was also raised in Ann Arbor…so I kind of felt like a traitor attending the show.

I don’t understand Joy. Traitor? I thought you loved all things Michigan.

FALSE.

I love all things Michigan State.  East Lansing is the home of MSU.

Ann Arbor, where Mayer Hawthorne was born and raised, is where University of Michigan is located.

Let me explain: Growing up in East Lansing, one is indoctrinated (rightly so) to strongly dis-like U of M, Ann Arbor, Wolverines and anything blue or yellow.

TRUTHS about Joy. (I am shifting into 3^rd person.)

a)   She was born in East Lansing and lived there until age 18.

b)  She woke up many Saturday mornings hearing the MSU band practice or perform.

c)   She has more Michigan State clothing than she does from her own college.

d)  She claims to bleed green.

e)   She likes to pretend she started the ‘99 NCAA riots herself, although this is up for debate.

f)    She is “allegedly” in the background of a poster from a Michigan vs. Michigan State basketball game.

g)   She says hi to anyone wearing MSU clothing…anywhere.

h)  She has an instant gag reflex when she sees U of M clothing….or yellow and blue together. Period.

i)   She doesn’t know the names of any current athletes.  However she will cheer if they are on T.V, say they are the best no matter what, and will always choose them to go all the way should she fill out an NCAA bracket.

j)    She is currently wearing a white t-shirt, green sweater and white tennis shoes as she types this.  Coincidence?

k)   She is naming her first child Sparty. Boy or girl.

So there you have it. I like Michigan State. Win or lose, it will always be my team.

“Go right through for MSU!”

My friend Lindsay got married this summer. I had the privilege of walking down the aisle with Mr. Sam Martin. (can you tell he is high energy?) Sam is a musician who also loves film.  Sam is the friend of Lindsay’s husband Matt.  Matt does film and also loves music.  See Spot run.

When Matt and Sam join forces–stuff happens.  Oddly enough they thought I would be able to pull off the role of “heart breaker” in Sam’s newest video. Well, I gave it my best shot boys. And here is the video. (no, I am not the one in the water.)

Music Video: Samm – “This one has flown”

I almost forgot. Camera man #2 was Sam’s brother Connor Martin, who I can only describe with the word “special.” I thought Sam had energy, and yet, after dancing with Connor at Lindsay and Matt’s wedding I think I can safely say I have permanent whip lash and a re-fractured ankle.  Thanks Connor.

Special family those Martin’s are….Check out Connor’s alter ego as: Conbrochill.

p.s. Sam is dating a lovely woman named Joy…but it’s not me…in case there was any confusion. I know, I know…someone else named their child Joy?? Madness.

Samm on iTunes