MATT COSTA (sorry 'bout the long post. but this deserves it.)

The evening started out a bit rocky. We arrived after 6:30, even though we all thought the show would start at 6:30. Then, once we got there, we waited in line at Will-Call for an hour to receive our tickets.

BUT, then things started getting good. While we were in line, MATT COSTA WALKED RIGHT PAST ME! I had a mini-heart attack, but was too star-struck to do anything. I was very disappointed in myself. However once we got inside, we were very pleased. We went up to the front near the stage, the opening bands were delightful, and then Matt.

For me, this concert was magical. And that is barely doing it justice.

After a long wait of instrument setup and mic checks, the lights went off. Then, from the back of the room walks in Matt Costa followed by his bandmates playing Miss Magnolia. I got chills! (first time) I also touched him. J They proceeded through the setlist, playing all of my favorites. At one point, Matt was singing Astair alone. (btw, I really suggest you look up all these songs) Then, he moved away from the mic and lowered the volume on his guitar. Chills number two. The room was silent, it was incredible. You had to have been there.

Then Once he came up for his encore, I was really hoping he would play another one of my favorites, Vienna. And, alas, he did! (chills number 3) He played a 4-song encore. And all throughout the concert I was singing and dancing along.

After, we went out and I GOT TO TALK TO MATT COSTA. Yeah, I did. Oh, and I got his autograph on my shirt. Oh, and he called Ashley “babe”. Haha!

It was wonderful. And magical. And I am incredibly happy. I love matt costa. I love music. I love sweet teeshirts. And I am anticipating his next concert that I will definitely attend.

Product Placement

I love the TV series, Chuck. One of the things I really do love about this show is their hilarious use of product placement.

In the most recent episode (Season 4 Episode 4), there were two instances that stood out to me. The first product was the Toyota Sienna. My Ad File Set 3 was about the Toyota Sienna commercials and their target market of "cool dads," So naturally, I loved seeing Ellie's husband, "Awesome" talking about his new car, even before their baby is born. I think this placement just emphasizes the Toyota's aim to appeal to young, hip people. Awesome's character (aka Devon) is that of a sexy young doctor, and in his little spiel about the Sienna, he managed to throw in some of the special features the car has.

The second product was Subway. Subway is one of the main advertisers for Chuck. Their "subtle" advertisement in this episode was when talking about "Costa Gravas," (a communist nation frequently visited in the show) saying, "Costa Gravas is stable now, we even have a Subway franchise!"

Although product placement can often become irritating, I think Chuck does it in a way that adds additional humor to the show and portrays the product as something normal and hip.

"The Injury"

Although my injuries are always minor, I take pictures when I deem them "bad". Last week yielded the most recent addition- the slice to the foot. This happened when I was rushing to Ward Prayer. Our meeting spot is in the parking lot, and as I was running along the fence bordering the lot, it got caught on the fence and made a clean slice from the 3rd toe down.

This is "the injury" from last year. Result of a bad tumble whilst disco skating.

This year's "injury"

My friend Lonnie took this picture on his phone shortly after the incident.

After I came back and cleaned it up, this is what it looked like.

Ta-da! (please disregard the horrible pedicure.)

Another Bad Burger King Commercial

When I saw this commercial for the first time, I immediately thought of how it stereotypes both men and women.

The few females in this clip are:

A: a haggard housewife

B: a female EMT enjoying her BK breakfast

C: a seductive younger woman

Basically, women are either housewives, working women who eat breakfast like the men, or carefree and attractive.

Additionally, all of the men in this commercial are oblivious to their surroundings; so intent on getting breakfast and checking out the young lady.

I only saw this once on Hulu, but the next time I saw this commercial begin, it didn't continue the same way. It had both men AND women going to get breakfast. Unfortunately, I couldn't find this video anywhere online besides its alloted 32 seconds on Hulu.

I feel like Burger King continually misses the mark in their advertisements.

I'm not the only one who noticed this...

http://devolutionmedia.blogspot.com/2010/09/burger-king-commercial.html

http://www.marketlikeachick.com/burger-king-loses-marketing-machismo-focuses-on-women/

May I just say...

General conference was so good!

I mean, it always is. But I really enjoyed watching it this time. I was attentive, took good notes, and enjoyed all of the talks.

However, I was definitely expecting a huge announcement from President Monson. Nearly every speaker gave some sort of advice to follow the prophet, have faith, use our agency to choose the right, etc.

These are some of the (funny/ random) things we came up with that he might advise us:

1. no ear piercings at all

2. no internet (yikes!)

3. no facebook (another yikes..haha)

4. everyone get up and move to Missouri

5. tithing now 15%

Well, needless to say, he didn't say any of those things. But he did give great counsel to express gratitude.

My testimony was strengthened over these past few days. I know that our church leaders are inspired and give us talks that apply to our lives. I am so grateful for this true gospel. I am also grateful for the gift of the holy ghost, the gift of agency, and the blessings of love and faith.

I hope anyone else that watched felt some of the same things as I did.