Remember Who the Enemy Is

We cross the room, but in the doorway, Haymitch's voice stops us. "Katniss, when you're in the arena," he begins. Then he pauses. He's scowling in a way that makes me sure I've already disappointed him.

"What?" I ask defensively. 

"You just remember who the enemy is," Haymitch tells me. "That's all. Now go on. Get out of here."

- Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins 

Chapter 18

I've been recalling this scene a lot lately. It's a moment through the rest of the book Katniss has to keep reminding herself of and she doesn't completely understand it while she's in the arena for the second time. I think it's advice we all need to remember from time to time.

Our society has been in an uproar over so many things lately. Racism, sex scandals, terrorism, religion... need I go on? We've been trying to process all of these events happening, figuring out why, getting defensive, and we point fingers at why and who's fault it is. The witch from Into the Woods voice rings in my head "Of course what matters is to blame. Somebody to blame. If that's what you enjoy placing the blame if that's the aim give me the blame."

I know I've done it. In the heat of the moment you get angry and type things or say things because you're trying to sort through it all and then end up saying things you might not mean. Attacking somsone out of our pain and our anger thinking "if only they get justice!" or "we need to get rid of this person or this thing" and it will make it all okay again.

We forget who the enemy is.

Not long ago on Tumblr I saw a post comparing riots to The Hunger Games and how we should support those causing the riots. Which, maybe we should, or maybe we shouldn't. I don't know. But, a lot of people forget how in the Hunger Games books, Katniss still had compassion for the citizens of the Capitol. Because they weren't the enemy. 

Those who shoot others, who riot, who destroy, who uprise, who hurt, who abuse, are just people. Not that there shouldn't be justice or anything like that - of course there should be. But it's easy to dehumanize them isn't it? They're still people.

Hank Green made a video a few weeks ago about his favorite feelings. He mentioned how one of them wasn't seeing other people fail, even if they deserve it or you don't like them. You think it'll make you feel good, but it doesn't. It's just sad. (You really should watch the video, he says it way better than I do. Click here.) Because they're people.

They aren't the enemy. 

Who is the enemy? Who do we blame then? 

Racicm. Ignorence. Hate. Being narrow minded. Corruption. 

And dare I say it? Satan.

I'm not one to talk about Satan and such a whole lot. Bob Goff explains it best in his book Love Does. "When I think about satan, my thoughts go to how Jesus interacted with him in the desert. Jesus spoke with him for just a few seconds and then sent him away. Satan was a manipulator who wanted to control God, but Jesus had a relationship with God that satan didn't understand, and Jesus had no problem telling him off and getting rid of him. I think we should do the same. That's all I have to say about satan. He gets too much airtime already." 

But ultimately, he's the enemy. 

I'm not saying we can't get angry and justice shouldn't be served when people do terrible things. We people can do awful things.

But we're all still people. 

Why I Love the Oscars

Ah, the Oscars. It's glitzy, filled with rich celebrities with outfits they'll never wear again, editors and other behind the camera type people we've never heard of, memorial tributes that make us all cry, and bad jokes. But I absolutely love it.

Each year I'm always on the fence about the Oscars. Most of the movies are ones I haven't seen or don't really care about. This year, I watched because of Neil Patrick Harris, two of my favorite British men (Eddie Redmayne and Benedict Cumberbatch), and, of course - a lot of pretty dresses.

Yes, I enjoy watching the red carpet and making commentary on their clothes while I sit in my recliner eating nachos in my sweatpants. SUE ME.

But let's be honest - it's more of me going "Oooooo! Pretty! Can I play dress up too?"

And I wonder why I work at a pre-school sometimes.

Then, as the award show goes on, I remember I watch the Oscars for so many more reasons. I tend to enjoy award shows in general, but none of them (except maybe the Tony Awards) grab me the way the Oscars do.

Each year it has its own highlights such as fabulous opening numbers.

I loved the Into the Woods tie in and how this year it made me think of Broadway. It makes me so happy.

And random moments from celebrities which will forever live in GIF infamy.

But seriously, I'll be using this GIF for years to come I'm sure.

Beyond all of that though, I think there're other reasons I love the Oscars. I love movies and music and great storytelling. I love we can honor those things in our society. Yes, there's a lot of other things Hollywood could be spending their money on. Yes, Hollywood is ridiculous and messed up. Yes, there a lot of bad movies out there. But, there's a lot of good ones out there too.

Even the Oscar hype leading up to it I kind of love. Earlier in the week ABC did a special on 15 movies which changed the way movies are made. I loved it! Even if I didn't agree with each movie, it was fascinating to see people talk about which movies touched them the most and which ones people feel "changed the game." Movies are one of my favorite ways of seeing culture and where the world is and how we've changed in the world. Which ones stand the test of time and which ones we look back and think "wow... that would never fly in Hollywood today!" 

We all have our favorite movie. Everyone loves movies! (Unless your Anna Kendrick in Pitch Perfect... )

Movies are part of our culture and I think it's okay to recognize what a large role they play in it. I feel like people in the entertainment business aren't always respected. They're well liked - yes. But respected? Not always.

I go to church in a movie theater where the walls are covered with classic movie posters and there's a museum filled with props and costumes. The last couple of weeks they've been promoting praying for Hollywood. They said how so many times Christians complain about Hollywood and what they're putting out there in the world, and instead we should pray for them. Which is awesome. 

But when I sit there in the theater and look around me, I can't help but think of how great Hollywood can be. How most "Christian" movies I really don't enjoy because they have bad theology and even worse acting and story lines. Honestly - I think that brings more dishonor to God. More often than not, I see God in the movies Hollywood brings out (even if they don't intend it that way) than in the ones "Christians" produce. I love that we can honor and respect people who create wonderful things.

Even when I haven't seen 90% of the movies honored at the Oscars, I still find myself appreciating their art and the hard work put into them. How the writers and producers and directors and editors and actors sometimes put everything into their work and push the limits of what they can do and what is allowed and keep on getting new ideas. I firmly believe creating is a holy act. The entire Bible begins with God being creative and we are made in his image. Doesn't that mean we're created to be able to be creative too?

I love how when you look at the Oscars you can see where we are as a culture and what is happening in the world. History plays out before your eyes during the Oscars. I mean, I still tear up when I hear clips of Halle Berry's oscar speech because it was such a huge moment in the history of Hollywood.

I love seeing people who we didn't really know or care about get their moment in the spotlight bringing us all to tears and appreciating what they are saying and what they stand for. 

"Stay weird."

I love it when my favorite actors who have worked so hard and have done so many fabulous performances get the recognition they deserve and bumble like an adorable idiot because they're so overwhelmed. 

I love seeing performers I love shocking everyone by KILLING IT and being hugged and recognized by a legend. 

I love when everyone in the audience and at home are tearing up over moving performances and speeches because just for a moment we think about things that matter.

And of course... Lego Oscars.

Do you love this award show as much as I do? What were your favorite moments?

Linking up with Mingle Monday today!

#AllLivesMatter

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has noticed certain hashtags floating around the Internet. At least here in America.

#blacklivesmatter

#policelivesmatter

#translivesmatter

It probably doesn't take a genius to figure out what these are all about. Two of them relate to each other, the last one stands alone... but both issues have been all over the news. Racism, the injustice in our police system, bullying, parents not supporting their children, suicide... I can barely watch TV anymore because it's everywhere and it's heartbreaking.

What truly blows my mind though is that we have to point out that certain people's lives matter.

What?

Really?

We have to point out that lives matter?

Call me naive, but this seriously boggles my mind. We have to remind people that other people's lives matter.

Do you want to know what I wish we would see trending?

#AllLivesMatter

Black. White. Police. Transgender. Gay. Straight. Asian. Polynesian. Hispanic.

The list goes on and on and I can't list them all. But I don't want to list them all. Do you know why?

BECAUSE THEY ALL MATTER.

Whether you agree with their lifestyle, religion, life choices, whatever - THEY ALL MATTER.

The reason we shouldn't hurt, bully, or kill other people is simple. It's because they're people too and it breaks my heart that we need to point out specific groups of people saying whose lives matter and then other groups put out their own and then it almost becomes a competition of whose death is more tragic and makes a bigger difference.

Guys... all death is tragic. It's the biggest tragedy of our world. Because even if someone "deserves" it (whatever that means), it's tragic because they didn't get to live longer so they could make a change in their lives and choices.

Also because they're people too.

We need to make changes in our society and political and economic and police system. I understand this. People are outraged and exhausted of how it's been and are taking a stand. I understand this and support it.

But while all of this is happening, we need to remember the other side are people too. On both sides there are guilty and innocent people and situations. I think about stories like Game of Thrones and one of the reasons why I love the series so much. It's because George RR Martin shows that people aren't one dimensional and everyone has their own side to the story. Characters you LOVE and you think are the "good guys" make big mistakes. Characters you HATE suddenly have a plot line or a moment where you actually like them and feel bad for them. The villain always thinks they are the hero of their own story, right?

It reminds me of the musical Into the Woods. (So appropriate since the movie is out and everyone is seeing!) There's this song "No One Is Alone" and it's so perfect. It's in the part of the story where everything has gone wrong and it looks like there's no hope and the characters have to make some choices where they aren't sure if there is a right or wrong way to go.

People make mistakes. Fathers, Mothers,

People make mistakes, holding to their own,

Thinking they're alone.

Honor their mistakes, fight for their mistakes, everybody makes

one another's terrible mistakes.

Witches can be right, giants can be good.

you decide what's right you decide what's good

Just remember: someone is on your side

Someone else is not, while we're seeing our side, maybe we forgot: they are not alone.

No one is alone.

Can we just remember this during this time of unrest and anger and tragedy?

#AllLivesMatter

*additinal note: I want to be sure you all know that I understand why pointing out specific lives matter, particularly on some of these issues. I support that! What bothers me is that now people are adding these other ones and almost making it a competition and people not seeing here are two sides to every situation. Each side has mistakes and each side has innocence too. I hope that came across.

Awesome Female Role Models - The Bakers Wife

As I look back at my childhood, I realize I was a weird kid.

I remember when I was in fourth grade I first listened to the Phantom of the Opera soundtrack and made my best friend listen to it at her house. She was all...

"That one song is cool I guess..."

So, it shouldn't be much of a surprise to you all that I used to spend afternoons with my sister watching an old VHS tape of the musical Into the Woods. 

When I would see Bernadette Peters on TV I would be all "That's the witch!" It is one of my all time favorite musicals ever. Between this show and Disney movies, it most likely explains why I love fairy tales so much. 

Lately, this musical has been popping up in conversations with my director and friend Kasey recently and how we both desperately want to do this show someday. She was in it (as Sleeping Beauty who has one whole line!) in college, but didn't get a larger role because she screwed up the audition. I did the same thing in college - but I didn't get any role at all. Basically we're the same person.

I want to play Red Riding Hood in case any of you want to know. However, the other roles would be amazing as well. Cause... they're just all so great.

Today, I want to introduce you to the Bakers Wife. Who is basically all around amazing.

For those of you unfamiliar with Into the Woods - here's the basic premise.

The first act is a bunch of fairy tales thrown together. Cinderella, Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel. However, for the show the story of The Baker and His Wife is added, and they tie everything together. One day, a witch (Bernadette Peters!) comes to their door revealing that years ago she had placed a curse on their family making them unable to have children. In order to break the curse, they need the cow as white as milk (Jack's cow), the cape as red as blood (Red Riding Hood's cloak), the hair as yellow as corn (Rapunzel's hair), and the slipper as pure as gold (Cinderella's shoe. And no, her shoe was not originally glass go read a book). They have three midnight's to do this task. So, they set off into the woods to find the items and run into all of the other fairy tale characters. 

The second act is what happens after "happily ever after."

The whole musical is on Instant Play on Netflix. If you haven't seen it - go change that right now. It ran against Phantom of the Opera in 1986 for best musical. While it didn't win overall, Johanna Gleason (The Bakers Wife) did win best actress in a musical. Which is pretty amazing. 

You also should watch it because this post will have spoilers. Don't say I didn't warn you. 

At first... the Baker goes off into the woods on his own to accomplish the task. However, the Bakers Wife, being the awesome person she is, decides to help out. 

This is one of the first times you see how amazing she is. She wants to partner with her husband, not just let him run off and doing everything for her. She realizes that marriage is a team effort and challenges her husband to see it the same way. She knows he just wants to protect her and take care of her, but eventually they learn, that "It Takes Two."  

The Bakers Wife is also clearly the brains of the whole operation. She is the one most successful in obtaining the four items and has a way with convincing the other characters to give them to her. 

She also takes care of everyone along the way. She and Cinderella become good friends and gives her a chance to process and "ooooo" and "aaahhhh" over the ball and Prince Charming. 

She has a fantastic sense of humor. It's dry and witty, and she delivers the best one-liners.

She isn't afraid to be girly and to dream big dreams. She loves to hear about the ball from Cinderella and plays with her dress. She can get lost in a good story - almost too lost. 

The Baker's Wife becomes mother to the younger characters in the second act. When Red Riding Hood and Jack loose everything, it's the Baker's Wife who is there for them. When tragedy strikes the kingdom, she keeps it together and helps lead the way. At least for the time being...

She is the glue who holds everyone together. As the show goes on, everyone learns to lean on her guidance and confidence. She helps everyone get through "the woods" and accomplish what they need and want. She's one of the only characters who has a decent head on her shoulders. 

The Baker's Wife will do anything for her family and to achieve their dreams of having a child. Sometimes she does things in a bit... unorthodox manner (like pretending to be a prince and pull a girls hair out of her head)... but it's all for the love of her husband and unborn child.

The Baker's Wife learns that you have to go through trials to grow. You need to experience new things, challenges, and hard times to get what you want and grow closer to the people you love.

However... the Baker's Wife is not short of faults. She always dreams of more. She loves her husband, but dreams of what could be. Which gets her in trouble with Cinderella's prince, and in a way leads to her demise. (I told you there would be spoilers... if you haven't seen the musical and just read that, well... I warned you.)

Cheating on your husband for a one night stand with a prince is not a good life choice.

However, she does learn from it. In the end, she appreciates everything she has even more. If she didn't die a minute later - I'm confident she never would have done it again and lived a long happy life with her husband. (Again... I told you there were spoilers.)

Then, even when she's gone, the other characters can still draw upon her strength to defeat the giant who has invaded their kingdom. They follow her example and become their own little unique family. Even the Baker learns how to take care of his child on his own by trying to think of what she would do. 

The Baker's Wife is far from perfect - but I think she's still an awesome role model.

Awesome quotes:

- "I've never lied to royalty before."

- "We can't do this! You have a princess and I have... a baker."

- "You may know what you need, but to get what you want, better see that you keep what you have."

- "I need that shoe to have a child!"

- "Oh these are no ordinary beans. These beans carry magic."

- "This is ridiculous. What am I doing here? I'm in the wrong story!"

- "Oh if life were made of moments, then you'd never know you had one."

- (To Cinderella) "Is that all? Did you dance? Is he charming? You know they say that he's charming."

- "Let the moment go, don't forget it for a moment though. Just remembering you've had an 'and' when you're back to 'or' make the 'or' mean more than it did before. Now I understand and it's time to leave the woods."

- "If the end is right it justifies the beans."

- "Oh my husband is in the woods somewhere. He's undoing a spell."

- (Singing with the Baker) "We've changed, we're strangers, I'm meeting you in the woods. Who minds, what dangers? I know we'll get past the woods. And once we're past, let's hope the changes last. Beyond woods, beyond witches, and slippers, and hoods. Just the two of us - beyond lies, safe at home with our beautiful prize. Just the few of us. It takes trust. It takes just a bit more and we're done. We want four, we had none, we've got three! We need one. It takes two."

Have you seen Into the Woods? Do you love the Baker's Wife as well? Who is your favorite character? I can't decide! They're all awesome!