Hasta La Vista Lindsay!

"Beauty is grace and confidence. I`ve learned to accept and appreciate what nature gave me." -- Lindsay Lohan

Awe, now isn't that just sweet? After reading those pretty lines, Lindsay sounds like an empowered woman, a young lady who values and embraces all that she has been blessed with. It's truly unfortunate that Lindsay's reckless actions have yet to match her charming words. If I could hypothetically "vote someone off the island," Lindsay Lohan would be amongst the first of the media superstars out there to get the boot. Her actions make her a terrible role model for today's teenage population, especially young girls. Left and right, Lindsay continues to make bad decisions. Flaunting her immoral ways of living, the example she persists to set for her followers is one of carelessness and irresponsibility.

Lindsay Lohan sets a bad example to young girls everywhere. Whether it's alcohol abuse, eating disorders, illegal drugs, over-excessive partying and sexuality or smoking, her self-destructive tendencies are a poor influence for the naive, impressionable girls of today's society. Reckless and out of control, she is the cause of her own problems, a loose cannon; a potential danger to herself and those around her. Lindsay has danced around the law a multiple amount of times, landing herself in jail one more than on occasion, including illegal drug use and a number of DUI's. Just recently, the media has been all over Lindsay's new devotion of time to her 16 year old sister Ali Lohan. She's taken her to multiple adult clubs and parties, even pulling her out of school to go on these wild escapades. How she gets away with these negligent acts is beyond me. It's sad that as Lohan seems to only dive deeper into this dangerous pool of self-ruin, she's begun to drag her sister into the depths as well.

I'm aware that Lindsay's life growing up was far from perfect, but I'm a huge advocate of bettering one's self. Growing up in a dysfunctional home isn't an excuse to give up and become a bad person, and it certainly doesn't give someone the right to harmfully affect others. It's too bad Lindsay didn't have the drive to push through her problems and come out stronger. Instead, she is the epitome of someone void of self-control and self-respect. Her choices make her a bad idol to adolescent girls everywhere. I truly hope Lindsay comes to realize the error of her ways before it's too late, before she finds herself making a foolish decision that costs her more than all the money she has to burn...a decision that costs her her life.

Wake Up With The King...I THINK NOT!

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You've just woken from a glorious slumber. The soothing sound of chirping birds greets your ears. You're of course a tiny bit aggitated, because more sleep is a much more appealing option than the usual school or work, but this is the same predicament you face everyday. You know what must be done. So you get up, brush your teeth, eat breakfast, etc. Nothing out of the ordinary…

Now imagine this...once again you awake from a sanctuary of dreams and rest. The birds are still singing. Only something is wrong. You feel something, a presence...beside you in your cozy bed. Only you slept alone last night. There was no partying the night before, no regretful evenings...no reason for there to be anything or anyone there. So you turn over and...

A man in burgandy robes and an oversized mask of a smiling, bearded, male face wearing a crown is staring at you.

I don't know about anyone else, I can only describe how I believe my own reaction to such a situation would play out. Now this is how I'd HOPE to react...assuming that I wouldn't pass out at first glance at creature before me. First I'd scream, loud and screetchy as always. Then in a mad rush I'd hurl myself from my bed, with my luck hittting my head against the nightstand and giving myself a concussion. If by some miracle I missed the bedside table, or any object that may be a potential hazard that is, I'd run. Perhaps I'd grab something heavy for defensive purposes. Though, at that point I think my main goal would be to simply get away.

I hope I never have to find out how I actually would respond to such a greeting, but I know for a fact I sure wouldn't accept a sandwich offered by the intruder. We wouldn't hang out with each other there on my bed. I wouldn't laugh with him and allow him to touch my knee.

I find Burger King's “Wake Up With The King” adds highly disturbing. If I recall correctly my reaction towards first viewing this commercial was, “Ewwwww…” He is in no way an endearing mascot. He isn’t adorable and sassy like the “Yo Quiero Taco Bell” dog. He doesn’t charm me as the Geico Gecco does. He is just plain creepy. The imprint The King’s advertisments leaves does not make me crave BK’s newest breakfast sandwich, but rather leaves me unnerved at the awkward and bizarre scene he creates. On many occasions he breaks into homes, intrudes onto the property of everyday folks and has the nerve, or maybe even decency, to offer them a sandwich. Whether he does what he does with pure intentions or not, the situations he creates are beyond sketchy.

The Burger King in no way makes me want to try a breakfast sandwich, no matter how abundant or delicious the egg, bacon and cheese may be. If anything, the Burger King further encourages me to be certain I lock my doors and windows each night...and maybe even sleep with a knife under my mattress.

Pot or Not?

As of late, it seems that the movements to legalize Marijuana have gained some steam. Now this, in my opinion, is a horrifying idea. Maybe I'm not cool. Maybe I'm not hip. But if doing a drug that is a potential threat to the well being of myself or others is what it takes to be “cool,” than I want no part of the adjective. Now I understand that there are “pros” that go along with the legalization of the drug. Some argue that in moderation, weed is not worse than tobacco or alcohol. I don’t understand how this statement can even be considered a pro. In legalizing weed, the drug becomes nothing more than another substance for people to blame their bad decisions on. And while this may in fact be true, in many cases, weed is not used in restraint. Just like tobacco and alcohol, people often breach their limits; whether it is in a time of stress or in the midst of a good time, self control often goes astray.

I am disappointed to pronounce that my family background is checkered with substance abuse. So perhaps I am a bit biased to the proposal…or maybe I just have firsthand experience as to why legalizing any drug, even the one considered to be the most “harmless” would do more bad than good. My father’s brother, my very own uncle, is a person I am far from proud of. As a young adult, he smoked pot. But as he got older, as he got bolder, he became more and more interested in further extreme highs…which meant the use of heavier, more dangerous drugs. To this day, almost thirty years since he began to stroll along the road of substance abuse and heart ache, his infatuation with drugs is stronger than ever. Only now, in the place of Mary Jane, sits heroin and crack on the pedestal that is his addiction. I haven’t seen him in over a decade. The pain he has caused my family is a hurt that I can never forgive. And it all started with a single joint.

Marijuana is a gateway drug. Nothing or no one can convince me otherwise.

Whatever happened to getting high off of life? Times are far from easy these days…but sometimes we need to do, or not do, things for the greater good. A temporary high isn’t going to erase anybody’s problems. Cloud Nine may be a pleasant escape for the brief moment you sit upon it, but the moment you fall though, the moment a reality of substance abuse sets in, you realize that Cloud Nine isn’t your home. It’s not where you can live…and I believe most people will feel its true and lethal effects long after the high is gone.

So…what do you think?

When the Smoke Clears...

To some it is believed that when a person passes, one of the most wonderful legacies anyone can leave behind is their offspring. Now, imagine you as a parent. Of course, you want the best for your child. You want them to surpass you in every way, to grow up with more opportunities and more chances to thrive than you were ever given. A new and improved version of yourself. You want them to have dreams; and with these dreams, the attitude and persistence to make their ambitions a reality. Everyone really wants this...right?

When a person lights up, takes that long, wondrous drag, not only are they ultimately decreasing their own life expectancy, they're gradually dwindling the hope of a long, healthy life for those around them. As this photo plainly states, secondhand smoke kills. THIS IS A FACT. It's not an opinion, speculation, theory or belief. It's a fact. It has been proven that due to the dangerous toxins that make up a cigarette, secondhand smoke exposure can cause premature death in children and adults who do not smoke, not to mention cause countless diseases and heart conditions.

I can't help but ask myself, as I attempt comprehend my very own sentence, what gives a smoker the right to endanger others with their own reckless addiction? Selfish doesn't even begin to cut it.

Not even close.

As their bodies are not yet finished developing, secondhand smoke is especially harmful to young children. Approximately 50-75 percent of children in the United States have detectable levels of cotinine, the breakdown product of nicotine in their blood. Cancer, lung and heart disease, and asthma are also common imprints that are left on children who frequently are exposed to secondhand smoke.

To a smoker, this photo is indeed controversial. It's everything they do not want to own up to or take responsibility for. Hopefully the guilt they feel is sufficient enough to make them question their ways before it's too late. In my opinion, smoking is a completely selfish indulgence. The fact of the matter is that partakers of tobacco are not only compromising their own well being when they light up. Their smoke harms their neighbors, friends, children...everyone. I think it's time smokers open their eyes to the reality of their life threatening habit. I understand nicotine is addicting, I do. But if the health of their children on the line isn't enough of a motivator to quit, if an image of their beloved youngster growing up with the limitation and pain of cancer or a heart condition isn't enough, I truly don't know what is....and my heart aches for their little ones who did nothing to deserve such a fate.

The Setting of the Son and the Rise of a Star

Ever since he was a toddler, my brother Bobby Miller has been a unique individual. He's always had an energy about him, a vibe for success, a strong sense of charisma and enthusiasm in every task he took on. He's always been an outgoing kid, with more than a little flair for the dramatic, a cute, little go-getter evolved into nothing less than a handsome, ambitious thespian. I can still remember him as a child, standing tall and proud on our fireplace, belting out the very popular (at the time,) "Amazed" by Lonestar. And as I reenter the now, I am both astonished and overjoyed to see my little brother take the stage at his high school, as the lead role in the fall play...and to think he's only a freshman.

As I sit out with my brother on the deck, the flowers in full bloom, a calm, serene breeze around us, I ask my brother a few inquisitive questions about his interest in the Drama field. Although I am his sister, and know him better than most others, I am very curious to understand this passion of his more vividly. I begin with the question, "How much acting experience do you have?" He reminds me of his three years of Theatre Arts at Urbana Middle School. He also tells me of the recent private classes he attends each week at an acting center called, "24/7" in Frederick. This is of course coupled with his Drama class and various rehearsals at Urbana High, so his formal training is as impressive as his natural talent.

I then ask if this is the career he wants to pursue. The answer is simple, and the bright smile that appears on his face is enough to let me know he could settle for nothing less. He believe acting, whether it be in the theater, or eventually in films, is his calling, the dream he's carried with him his entire young life.

Personally, I truly believe my brother is a good actor, but what it takes to be one, is something I can't exactly put my finger on. I think only a true actor or actress would really know what it takes. "Being a good actor takes persistence and patience." he replies. "Often times an actor must accept rejection after rejection before he or she can land a role. It doesn't mean they were necessarily a bad actor, it just means that role wasn't meant for them, that someone could do that role more justice. Likability is also an important factor. People have to like you, must enjoy seeing you, on the stage or on the big screen." But most importantly of all he said, "An actor is simply someone who takes action. Any action. A real actor can do anything."

The next question I ask him is, "What about acting do you take the most pleasure out of?" According to Bobby, he personally takes the most enjoyment out of submersing himself in a role, losing himself and being reborn into a new person, the character he is currently portraying. "It's fun to pretend. You really get to know your character, you begin to see the world through their eyes. It opens your mind to new perspectives. It's a very enriching experience."

I then bring up his recent success as lead role in the upcoming fall play, "Happy Daze." Once again a huge smile stretches across his face. I can tell how excited he is. "Were you nervous before your audition? If so, what did you do to cope with the stress of the situation?" He chuckles. "I'm not going to lie, I was pretty nervous. Urbana's drama department is very talented. Many of the other students I was up against were upperclassmen. It was very intimidating, but as for coping, there really wasn't much I could do. I simply took a couple deep breaths before the actual audition, held my head high, and did the best I could with the lines I was given to read. That's all anyone can really do. Try their best and hope for the best."

By the end of our interview, I've learned a lot about my little brother, not only as an actor, but as a person as well. I've been taught of his growth through the years, how his persistence and patience, his good personality and optimistic attitude have been major factors of his success on the stage. I admire his self-esteem which is something I had always wished to emulate as a person. The characteristics and qualities he has represent timeless personifications of the other great men of theater. His favorite actor is Charlie Chaplain, one of the most monumental performers of the last century, and he mirrors his style through his representation. These are the elements that make acting moving and heartfelt. He's on the path to accomplishing what Chaplain did years ago, the greatest achievement of any artist, the ability to turn fiction into reality, by creating something for people to believe in.