Footloose (2011)

So. Let me tell you a little story... About an 18 year old girl freshly graduated from high school, looking for whatever an 18 year old girl is looking for: a purpose? Love? Her only interest? Performing. Dancing, singing, acting. Only weeks after her big debut in her high school musical: The Apple Tree. She was on top of the world! Her only feeling of personal inadequacy lay with the fact that she only applied to one University (for drama) and did not get accepted. In hopes of eventually getting to New York she auditions for the local regional theatre's summer show, Footloose. It is intense; dance callback, followed by a cold read and another dance callback. Girls running passed her in tears as they head out the door. "This is exactly how it is in New York", she thought.
Weeks passed before she heard back, but it was a "Yes." Her dreams were starting to come true.

This was the summer of 2002. The summer after I graduated from 71st high school, and the summer I performed in my first show at Cape Fear Regional Theatre. (Not including the Best Christmas Pageant Ever in 1999).

CFRT Footloose 2002

This was one of the best experiences of my life and the very start of a wonderful 10 year career with CFRT. Footloose has been one of my favorite musicals, 80's movies, and soundtracks. I've seen many stage productions of the show, and even choreographed and co-directed one of them. It's just wholesome, mindless fun.

So, of course, when I hear they are re-making the movie in 2011, I'm ecstatic. Against my better judgment I wait until yesterday to actually see the movie. It was GREAT! Flawed in many ways, but just what I needed to make me dance in my seat and get excited to throw some boots on and whip my (now shoulder length) hair around. Aside from dancers trying to act and the lack of Rusty/Willard love story, it was a lot of fun.

I've spent my break catching up with some great friends from Fayetteville:

Brandon & Tyler 

Me and Chris

Me & Tyler!

Carolina Ale House Fun!!

I woke up one morning to some serious "my SD card is not working, I think I lost a lot of really fun photos" drama. I spent the better part of this gorgeous day trying to find a way to get them back. Until I finally called it a lost cause. Speaking of 'cause'....

I'm a pretty curious person. So you better believe when my Facebook is drowning in Kony 2012 posts all morning, I'm going to look it up. I'm glad I did because I feel great about bringing awareness to something I had no idea was going on. And I want to do what I can to help. Starting by posting as much as I can about Kony. To be honest, I thought it was a Presidential candidate I heard nothing about until now. 

Take 30 minutes to watch a very informative movie. You won't regret it.

Now, an issue that gains popularity this fast and viral doesn't come with skepticism. Whether it's from those individuals annoyed by the abundance of KONY posts and the lack of daily gossip posts; or those who question everything. (Like myself). Money. Where does all the money go?

 "public financial records indicate that only 32 percent of the money raised last year went to direct services to help the children affected by the LRA. The other 68 percent went to things like staff salaries, film production, and travel costs. Plus, even though Invisible Children is advocating for a peaceful resolution in bringing Kony to justice, it is not opposed to direct military intervention." 
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/trending-now/interviewing-invisible-children-ceo-kony-2012-film-goes-224212065.html

"So, where does the money that people donate go?"

"That's another point of contention across the Internet. The bulk of Invisible Children's donations go towards awareness campaigns in America rather than to resources in Africa. Another non-profit that measures the transparency of charities isn't too high on Invisible Children."

http://news.yahoo.com/everything-know-kony-2012-155342249.html

I'm torn. Because like anyone, I don't want to send money to an organization I know very little about. And this organization is doing their job/ a good job of reaching their goal to make people aware of what is going on. I know there are plenty of countries that need American aid, but the only way to get support is by spreading the word. So instead of finding the flaws in this organization, tell me about the other ones. Wanting to bring down someone like KONY is not a terrible thing. Embezzling money, is terrible and if this organization is guilty of it, then lets take down Kony AND Invisible Children. But until then, if you have an issue with the budget, save your money but spread the word. There is nothing wrong with that. And if you just don't care about the kids in Uganda, but care about something else, share it! Or keep it to yourself. That's the beauty of being an American.