Ann Romney's Clothes: Don't Judge Her, Defend Her!

I have been meaning to write on my blog again for a LONG time. There have been so many things that I have had opinions about and not shared them because I was simply too busy. Well, today I read something that frustrated me and not that it struck a chord any harder than past subjects, but I simply finally forced myself to write about it this time. So here it is: 

Oh my gosh!! I can’t believe the crap people are giving AnnRomney for what she wore to her interview with Jay Leno! She looks exactly like all the women you see at church. Some garments naturally hike up a little as you wear them. She could easily be wearing garments underneath that skirt, without deliberately hiking them up. And if she isn’t, WOOPTY DING DONG!! Who are we to judge her? Or really any other woman out there? Yes she is one of, if not the most prominent Mormon woman in the public eye today, but that does not give all the other Mormon women out there license to judge her. If anything we should be defending her left and right. The LAST thing Mormons need to be doing is attacking one another. I think she looked just fine in the interview if I do say so myself. And even if she isn’t wearing garments, again, it is not our place to judge. She still is dressed modestly. She may not have worn them on the off chance that someone in audience might see them as she sat down or something. Let us not forget the analogy of laying pearls before swine. Garments are sacred and should be treated so. So perhaps to preserve their sacredness she chose not to wear them to a place they might be scrutinized upon someone seeing a slight glimpse of them under what I think is perfectly fine clothing. So stop judging her. And stand up for her! Go Ann Romney!!

What To Do, and How To Do It…Maybe I am Over Thinking This…Like Always

So, I had a very interesting and exciting experience yesterday, … I got to be an extra on a film set. It was actually for a TV show, but saying I got to be an extra on a TV set sounds like I am meaning an actual TV, so… yeah. Anyway, you might be thinking, "Well, that is not very interesting and exciting at all. Being an extra is actually really boring and also kind of annoying because you are basically treated like a prop and not the wonderful person/aspiring actor that you are.":)  And I would agree with you. But yesterday was a little bit different for me. After getting past the fact that I had to be down in Lindon at 7:30 in the morning, and because I live in Bountiful, getting up at 5:00 in the morning to make sure I was on time, and finally getting there 10 minutes late (because my car was annoyingly out of gas…why does that always happen when I need to get somewhere far away in a hurry?), and then realizing that I never really had to rush anyway because, you know, extras aren't really important, and then only to realize that I could very well be there 12 hours instead of the 4-6 hours that I was told (which changes my pay rate of $100 from pretty good to below minimum wage), and I wouldn't get to see my baby all day, and I would have to inconvenience my husband and mother-in-law as they so kindly watched Lucy for me, … after getting over all of that… and once I actually got to be an extra and not just the extra in the waiting room waiting to be an extra… I had an enjoyable time! I never realized before just how many times a scene needs to be shot to get every possible angle, and make sure that everyone is doing everything just right, and the extras are just mouthing the words without whispering the tiniest little bit because the freakishly sensitive microphone guy can hear every little noise that is made on set... it was quite fascinating. It made me realize that an extra's part actually is important even though you don't feel that way because you aren't one of the lead actors. If the extras weren't important then I could whisper without it affecting anything, but no. I have an important job. It is to do what I am told, exactly as they want it, no questions asked, and then everything is peachy. :)

But this was not the only thing that made it exciting. Aside from getting to be the only extra used as a waitress, and getting to bring in the cheesecake, (I felt like Penny from the Big Bang Theory for a minute), and then of course forgetting to bring the cheesecake at the right moment because of course I had to space out and loose myself in the scene watching the actors, (such an Abby thing to do…**forehead slap**), during lunch I got to talk with one of the actors whose been in the entertainment business for over 9 years and get great career advice about how to launch my acting career in a more proactive way, instead of the why-won't-someone-just-discover-me-and-my-awesomeness-and-make-me-billions-of-dollars-already kind of way. But before I just take his advice and run with it, I thought I would post it online and ask you, my friends, what you think about it, just for kicks and giggles.

So here goes…

This actor basically told me, in a nutshell, that instead of waiting for someone to give me the nod and start my career, I should start my career myself. Instead of taking classes at an agency from some other actress who doesn't have the power to cast me in anything (which by the way I haven't taken any of those classes because they are too expensive), go take classes from the top directors and producers in Utah, like Jeff Johnson or Rob Diamond. He also said a great way to start is by marketing myself in every way possible through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Blogging, YouTube and starting up my own website. This would essentially make it so that any director or producer looking for talent would easily be able to see everything and anything that I have to offer as a performer (and just being a cool person) through the grapevine and the wonderful sharing network that is THE INTERNET.

Now, I admit that I have actually always wanted to do this myself, but I have always been too scared to do it, for whatever reason. Too scared of what people might say or think, too scared that I would do it the wrong way or I would mess something up, or that I wouldn't be able to keep it up enough to get enough followers, and likers, and people who will just read whatever I have to put out there because, you know, they actually want to know what I have to say. *sigh* Anyway, I am a little nervous. And I am also unsure of how to do it. What should I post where? Can I just post anything? What about religious stuff? That is kind of a big part of my life and I want to share it, but in the right way, you know? This actor also said you want to have everything named the same thing so that you are consistent and easy to find. That makes sense, of course, but I asked him, "Is it ok to use my full name "Abbylynn Payne" for everything… isn't that a little risky. 'Cuz I have already checked and 'Abby Payne' is already taken." Then he said that I could change my last name or I could do just a nickname type thing. He said, "Well, looking at you right now, something you could call yourself is 'Fair Abby', or 'Abby Fair' since one of your defining features is that you have fair skin."  ooohhhh…. So I have thought about it, and thought about it, and thought about it, and I think I like the sound of that: Fair Abby. Kind of like the guy in Italian Job is called Handsome Rob. Anyway, I have already checked and fairabby.com isn't taken (so don't anyone take it) and I think I might go with it. But once again, I wanted to just put this out there to see what you have to say. Did this guy give me good advice? Do you like the name "Fair Abby" or should I do "Abby Fair"? Or do you have another cool nickname I could use? Or should I just go ahead and use Abbylynn Payne for everything just to eliminate all confusion? Or could you not care less about any of this in which case that is totally fine, just to don't post anything mean about me below. :) Anyway, what are your thoughts. I actually do want to know, so just comment below.

Thanks much friends!
Fair Abby (or some other name that I haven't come up with yet.)

Top 3 Reasons Why I LOVE the RAIN!

1. It SMELLS WONDERFUL!

  Seriously. The smell during and after a fresh rain fall is one of the most appealing smells in the history of smells. It is like natures perfume! When God wants the earth to smell a little nicer, rain acts like the perfume that freshens the earth! And the best part is that it is completely NATURAL! It is one of those smells that smells so pure, perfect and unaltered it makes you want to take a deep breath of it, over and over again. That is what makes it the BEST SMELL EVER. Period. End of Story. 

2. There is a FREAKING RAINBOW at the end of it. 

What other naturally occurring thing on this planet just happens to have a nice, cherry-on-top kind of phenomenon that just randomly occurs after it is over? NOTHING. The rainbow, in and of itself, in all of its glory, perfection, and subtle elegant beauty is reason enough to love the rain. If you are someone who hates the rain (you must be a very pessimistic person by the way) you at LEAST have to admit that rain is cool, simply because of the rainbow. I mean, come on. It is a FREAKING RAINBOW! There are few things in this world more beautiful. 

3. It just FEELS and SOUNDS so COOL! :) 

If you have never just stood out in the rain and let it wash all over you, I invite you to do so NOW! Or at least, the next time it rains where you are, of course. It is a wonderful feeling. Not only is it cathartic and probably a great way to destress, but it gives you a little mini shower in the process! Getting rid of all the nasty sweat and dirt, and washing away all of your worries! "What a glorious feeling! I am happy again!" ;) Plus even if you are not standing directly under the rain, you can feel this wonderful fresh mist fall upon you from the confines of an umbrella or underneath any other kind of outdoor weather protector. And don't forget; it just sounds awesome. It is like the earth saying, "SSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHH! Everyone needs to stop talking, yelling, or doing whatever you are doing because I, the Earth have something to say, so slow down and pay attention!"

Changing This Blog

So, I am in the process of changing this blog to be an advice and opinion blog where people can email me any question they have and I will respond by posting my answer on this blog, or from time to time I can post about the various issues and things in this world that muster an opinion out of me. :) This is still very much in the making. So for now, if you have a question, email me, Abby, at abbylynnr@gmail.com. And I will respond as soon as I can. In the meantime you are free to read through my past various posts. Stay tuned!

I must say this...

Okay. I am going to say this here, because it is slightly more private than Facebook, and if you read it here, that means you wanted to read it, because you actually had to click on the link. :)

Anyway...this is what I have to say.

I obviously do not know this for certain, but I would wager that if you were to look at all the people who voted for President Barack Obama vs. all the people who voted for Gov. Mitt Romney I would ALMOST GUARANTEE you that the vast majority of Romney's supported would be educated (meaning college degree and/or successful career) where as the vast majority of Obama supporters would be one or more of the following, uneducated/unemployed/illegal immigrant.


If you really think about it, you will know that this is true. And if it really is, that is saying something people. Our nations President was chosen mostly by the uneducated. There is something seriously wrong with this. Either, one we need to educate these people about how the world works, which of course we need to do regardless. Or two, we need to create some kind of IQ criteria to vote for our President.
Well, requiring an IQ test is not ethical and does not support my beliefs about agency. (Although secretly I wish we could require one). So we must educate these people. And I hope my little spat helps in some way.


Now, before you freak out (Obama supporters). Notice that I said majority. I did not say everyone.
It is obviously possible to be educated and/or successful and vote for Obama. I really don't understand you or your logic. At all. But nevertheless you exist.

Second, you may think from this that I am against immigrants and immigration. Well, I am not. I am more than happy to welcome people into this country. People should be allowed to come here and make a better life for their families. But it must be apparent to every thinking mind that it is wrong to let it be done illegally. We must have a law and we must uphold it. It will not work if we just let everyone and their dog through our borders.

Now, this does not mean that I support the current procedures and processes that immigrants have to go through to get here. I have learned about it and it is ridiculous. It should not be that difficult to come here. It should require some work, but the process needs to change. I am not sure how, but it does need to change. But this does not mean that all of a sudden we should just ignore law and let everyone who broke it slide by.
That is why I support self deportation (and one of the many reasons why I voted for Romney); nobody should be forcibly rounding up people and shipping them away against their will. They should let them know nicely that they need to leave because they are in the country illegally, and let them arrange a way to leave on their own terms, and/or they should help them find a way to become legal quickly so that they can be with their family. If they have broken a law there needs to be some kind of consequence for it. It is only logical and fair.

Okay. I think I am done for now. But this is how I feel. I am incredibly disappointed in our country for voting for a man that is not NEAR as qualified as Mitt Romney, and I needed to express it in some way.
I (gulp) welcome any comments below. :)

Cultural Diorama

4 "Artifacts" That Represent My Culture

First Artifact: My Violin

This artifact represents many characteristics about mine and my family's culture. First of all, I have been involved in learning to play music since I was about 8 years old. I started with the piano and then began learning to play the violin when I was about 11 years old. Being the oldest, while pursuing my talents in music, I somewhat set the musical trend for my siblings. My youngest sister, Alyssa, also learned to play the piano, the violin, and now the guitar. Sarah, my other little sister, just older than Alyssa, learned to play piano, too, in addition to the flute. Parker, my brother only eighteen months younger than me, started piano, but did not pursue it much after the first two years. However, he still took to music just as strongly by being the record-setter song collector in our family collecting hundreds and hundreds of songs in many varieties to his I-Pod. To this day he says that music is the one thing in this world that he loves the most, besides his family of course. :)

Because of our musical talents, my sisters and I have always been, and continue to be, regulars in our family and ward's musical numbers as well as faithful ward choir members ever since we could carry a tune.

And if this is not enough music to swallow, ever since I can remember my dad and his brother Jonathan  have always assumed the unofficial roles in every family gathering as the family DJs. They were always mixing a new CD, discussing a new artist, song, soundtrack, etc. I owe my contemporary musical knowledge and appreciation to them. Among my friends I have always had a slight edge against them in being familiar with the good old classics. All because of my dad.


Second Artifact: A Classic Film

My family and I have always been major movie buffs. At least, to us, we feel like we know a lot about movies. To any other American family, we probably aren't that knowledgeable. Movie going and movie watching are very popular cultural activities in America so everybody probably thinks that they know everything about movies. Nevertheless, apart from traditional family vacations, movie watching and reminiscing are probably the top two regular family bonding activities that I have experienced throughout my life. Because of this I have really learned to love movies and respect the movie making process.

My brother and I always had this game that we would play in the car during long drives. We called it "Movies and Guessing." The name pretty much speaks for itself, but basically, one person would recite a line from a movie and the others would have to guess the movie it came from. This would go on forever. We loved to try to stump each other by picking the most random and insignificant lines that we could remember so that no body could guess our movie.


Third Artifact: Good Food (imagine your favorite meal :D )

For as long as I can remember family get togethers were always about the food. Maybe it was because my mom had an important role in helping out my grandmas and aunts with the meals, but our lives always evolved around the meals. At least, this is the way it was every time we would get together with the extended family. The "food" issue was always more pressing with my dad's side of the family because my Grammy was always very concerned that we had what we needed to feed everyone. It was never near as pressing on my mom's side. Nevertheless, the food was always amazing. Especially my Grammy's food. That woman new how to cook. And she always made sure that everything was cooked just right. It was a great strength of hers, but I know that it drove my mom nuts sometimes. Anyway, good food has always been a great cultural importance to me and my family. Without fail, nearly ever Sunday afternoon was spent gathered around the kitchen table enjoying a wonderful meal that my mother had prepared. Now that I am older I can see why this was so important. It brought us together. It gave us chances to talk to each other while enjoying ourselves. Without these special times I know that my family would not be near as close as we are now.

Fourth Artifact: The Standard Works

(If you cannot read that it reads: Holy Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

The gospel of Jesus Christ has always been an important cultural artifact in my family. Not only because our family line consists of a long line of covenant-born members until the pioneer times, but also because we have been fortunate enough to be related to some great spiritual examples. On my dad's side, the Richards side, we are descendants of great church leaders like Willard Richards, LeGrande Richards, and Lynn Richards. This heritage, I think, has always pushed us to try a little harder and follow their examples. Part of this effort has translated into many spiritual firesides, conducted by my Grandad, together at the end of a good meal. :) It is because of this that I have come to appreciate and internalize the gospel a little bit more in my life.

Black and White

There are some issues in life that are not so black and white. Sometimes there is a necessity to exercise the spirit of the law. Because if we never recognized a need for spirit of the law sometimes, we would drive those around us crazy. But, at the same time, there are some moral issues that are black and white, to me.

The definition of marriage is one of them.

I love my husband, very much. And I would do anything for him. And now, having the opportunity to be sealed to him for eternity, and having the chance to connect to him on the deepest level the two individuals can connect, I now know just a little bit more about why men were created the way they were and why women were created the way they were. I know that there is a reason why women and men have been connecting together for thousands of years and I know that it is a very sacred connection. ESPECIALLY, and ONLY when it is treated as such. Until now, throughout the history of the world this connection and vow of loyalty between a man and a woman has been defined as marriage. Now, a large portion of society would like to redefine marriage as the connection between any two people, whatever gender they may be. This hurts me. How can they define the connection between two men or two women the same as the connection between a man and a woman? It must be apparent to any thinking mind, that there is a difference between a heterosexual couple and a homosexual couple.

 This is a difference, a BIG difference. And it is not just about gender.

That difference calls for a definition. That definition is marriage. Marriage is a sacred union between a man and a woman. When it is sealed properly at the right time, in the right place and by the right authority, it is recognized by our Heavenly Father and can unite two people together forever, for all time and for all eternity. 

Now do not mistake me. I am not against homosexual people. I believe all people should be treated with love and kindness, no matter what their circumstance. I am only defending the definition of marriage. That is it. That is all that it is about; A simple, yet clear, and consistent definition of marriage.