Karen@KarenCommins.com

Karen Commins

Award Winning

Atlanta Audiobook Share-rator™

Observations

Harry Potter – 1, Censorship – 0

I heard on the news that the Gwinnett County Board of Education unanimously ruled to keep the Harry Potter books on the school library shelves. A local mother who reportedly had not even read the books had started a movement to have the books banned because she claimed they encouraged witchcraft.

As a citizen who lives in this county, a suburb of Atlanta with the largest school system in the state of Georgia, I am pleased to see the Board’s ruling on this matter. The Harry Potter books are an unparalleled phenomenon in encouraging kids to actually READ. I could understand if the mother thought that the extraordinary narrator Jim Dale had cast a spell on her kids when they heard his captivating voice create over 100 memorable characters in the audio versions of those books. I think every book was nominated for a Grammy, and I know Dale’s enchanting performance won at least one of those coveted awards. If you haven’t heard him, you can download all the books on iTunes.

I wonder if this same mother is as vigilant in monitoring the video games that her children play. As a voice actor who has had roles in 2 games and hopes to work in many more, I certainly am not opposed to the video game industry. However, I do think that many games glorify violence and are not suitable for children. I don’t have children, but I believe that parents should select games and other materials that improve their children’s minds.

The Harry Potter books do improve childrens’ minds. As the kids read, they are using their imaginations. Once you start to use your imagination, you learn how to solve problems, and you realize that anything is possible.

 

I couldn’t care less about American Idol

I had an appointment at the hair salon today. As I drove to the salon, people on the radio were endlessly chatting about American Idol. Once I arrived, all of the stylists and fellow customers were all abuzz about their favorite performer. Everywhere I go, people constantly talk about this show and the people on it.

I don’t watch it….except, of course, when Barry Manilow is a guest. Even then, I don’t watch the live show; I’ll let my trusty TiVo record it for me.

I understand the popularity of the show. What I don’t understand is why people get so caught up in the dreams of other people and yet are so unwilling to do anything about their own dreams. Most people I know get up in the morning, go to work, go home, have dinner, veg out in front of the TV (perhaps watching the aforementioned show) and go to bed so they can get up the next day and do it all over again.

They live for the weekends, which are taken up with all the errands and chores that they didn’t have the time or energy to do during the week. When I ask people about their dreams, they often give me blank stares. They either don’t have dreams and goals or do little toward accomplishing them.

I’d like to remind everyone:

The way you spend your days is the way you spend your life.
Tonight, while the rest of America lives vicariously through other people and sits in front of their televisions eagerly awaiting the outcome of a popularity contest, I will be preparing an audition and making changes to my web site.

I wish the contestants on American Idol every success and joy in life. However, I am much more interested in the pursuit and attainment of my own goals and dreams to be too concerned with theirs.