My Twi-Journey!

As I’m sure all of you know (if you know me at all), that I LOVE, LIVE, BREATHE Twilight.  Now, this post is to make it clear about my allegiance to the subject.  I had never even heard of the books until the first movie came out.  When I saw the previews and started hearing all the hoop-la about it my natural instincts were to resist at all costs.  I thought vampires were weird and dorky.  I mean, this wasn’t the Francis Ford Coppola version of tasteful vamps, these were TEENAGE VAPMIRES.  I had no desire and could not appreciate or understand the obsession over these teen vamps.  I mean, give me a break … the kid who played the main roll, according to my beloved Perez Hilton, looked like he hadn’t bathed in his entire lifespan. 

Needless to say, I did NOT see the movie in the theaters and was NOT interested in the books. 

Then as I was talking to a seemingly normal co-worker, and we were talking about how we needed a good book series to get into.  That’s when she told me I HAD to read Twilight.  My thoughts about her changed immediately (sorry Linds).  She wanted me to join her cult.  Clearly she was not as “normal” as I had originally thought her to be.  I didn’t want to hurt her feelings so I hid my internal judgment of her.  She offered to bring me the book the following day and I said “Oh, don’t worry about it … I don’t know if I have much time to read right now” but true to her word the following day she brought the first book.  I took it home that night (mainly just to spare her feelings), and then it sat in my house for 3 weeks.  I finally looked at the book and thought … I need to take that back to her, but if I don’t read it then I’ll feel bad, and I didn’t want to feel bad.  But if I read it then I can tell her I’m not interested and that I think she’s nuts … or something nicer I’m sure.   So that evening I started reading it.  And so it began.

The following day I came into work telling my other co-worker that I started it.  She giggle a little at me but I told her that so far it’s at least intriguing … I found that I was more than interested, I was enjoying it.  Over the next few days I upped the ante and became officially “involved” in the book.  So much so that on Thursday when I was to head over to Seattle for the weekend I needed to get the audio book so that I could listen to it on the long drive.  I couldn’t go that long without reading it!  I hadn’t seen the movie or read any spoilers, nor had I seen the movie, so I truly had NO CLUE what would happen in the book.  And it was true, I was legit, I was a fanpire.

The next 2 weeks were filled with reading (which included ANOTHER trip to Seattle), I poured over these 4 books.  It was unbelievable.  Some of the craziness included … fake trips to the bathroom when visitors were here (sorry mom and dad), obsessing and nearly collapsing at work when not reading (here is where I refuse to incriminate myself, use your imagination) … reading at a Major League baseball game … many work nights not going to bed until 2 am … and finally ignoring my family because I HAD to find out what happened next.  At one point when I got home from work my oldest son said “mom, are you going to read again?  I’m hungry!”  Pizza was promptly ordered. 

Here I am at Safeco reading Eclipse.  Relax, it happened.  Fact.

I’m trying to put my finger on what exactly was so magical about this story.  I’m not one who gets carried away too easily … no wait, I am … but not over something cheesy!  The way it was written was like nothing I’ve ever read before.  The love story along with all the other relationships (including friendships, families etc), were like a dream.  Every night for a month I dreamt of being a Cullen, however it’s clear, to some, that my Indian blood runs quite thick.  The twists and turns she threw in I never saw coming!  And nearly EVERY part of the story came to a close, you weren’t left hanging.  (however, I personally think she has room to expand if she’s ever wanting to, hint hint Stephenie).  The way she wrote about the characters made it hard to believe that this wasn’t factual.  And all of this because of a dream Stephenie Meyer had one night in June 2003.  Now for those of you who’ve not read the series and have made it this far into my shout-out I can guarantee you that I was not gung-ho about this and felt ridiculous many times (and I’m sure I will many more times).

Luckily I was NOT alone.  My other co-worker started reading too so I at least felt accompanied in my new infatuation.  She saw how into the books I was and she started reading along with me (which she was actually able to beat me, showoff).   Even my mother who didn’t even watch cartoons as a child because they weren’t real, started reading and I’d receive angry test saying “I CAN’T PUT THIS DAMN BOOK DOWN”.  A daughter is always at her highest high when she’s driven her mother to curse (I win).  Biggest bonus yet is that I found that some of my friends too were Twerds!  There were a few that were just as “passionate” (they prefer that over the word obsessed) as I was regarding Stephenie Meyer’s remarkable gift to us readers.  For some reason we all felt the same way about Twilight … it has brought us closer as we all have a common bond between us!  And we all became HUGE fans of Lauren’s Bite Blog (BRILLIANT individual she is ... she also has another blog as well that's filled with quirky joy around every corner), and found the journey’s of Pocket Edward!  If you’re not aware of her brilliant invention here’s what it is.  Edward Cullen action figure in pictures all over the place that end up being HILARIOUS!  In my friend’s and I’s adventures with PE have given more laughs than should be allowed by grown ass women playing with an action figure ever should be permitted.  Pocket Edward has even made his way back home to Forks and broke the treaty (not by his own means), by going to La Push as well!  PE is our little rebel!  Recently we’ve expanded our pocket family to include Pocket Alice and Pocket Jacob!  (pause, the men in the white coats are currently coming my direction)

Oops, no wait, that’s just me in my Dr. Carslile Cullen coat!  Phew!

Here’s PE breaking the treaty on First Beach in La Push!  REBEL

Here’s our little vege vamp whispering in his exotic meal’s ear “don’t worry little one, all zebra’s go to heaven”

Here’s PE when he was making the treaty with the Quilutes … is that Billy before he needed a wheelchair? 

No explanation needed.

Here is a favorite of mine … my friend from work made this for me … I nearly DIED!  Gurl, I’ve been touched by a vampire!

Lastly (and clearly the most disturbing/interesting), here are PE and PJ in college, experimenting. I did NOT set this up.  I swear.

So now I was on to watch the movie.  I knew that rarely does a movie capture what happens in a book, but a few have.  For example: The Notebook or A Walk to Remember.  Those movies were moving.  However, I knew that was unlikely for me with my Twilight.  It had already gotten mixed reviews and even my fellow Twihard’s were not feelin’ it.  However, those who hadn’t read the book said they enjoyed it … and some even watch the movie and then decided to read the book, so it couldn’t be that bad right?  I was wrong.  I was NOT impressed.  Here are my problems with it:

1)    They changed so much about the book to the movie.  In a movie I might see more back story about characters, but they did back story about characters that were not  even close to how the story went.  They added stuff that didn’t have any purpose (“butt crack Santa”) and took out things that I felt were HUGELY important and/or missing.  Like Bella cooking for Charlie or the Blood typing scene.  These were instrumental in character development … this takes us to point #2
2)    Lack of character development.  The books could only “work” if Stephenie could develop the characters into ones that we can relate to or at least understand.  The movie rushed through every scene like their butts were on fire.  Never did I fully get the feeling why Edward or Bella had any sort of connection other than what I already knew from the book.
3)    Low budget.  Seriously, I know they had very little budget but it’s not too difficult to be sure make-up is blended correctly, or that they have the correct kind of car (ie, Oregon license plate on a Dodge is totally different than a Washington Volvo in the Port Angeles scene).  I am shocked that these sorts of errors would be allowed to exist. 
4)    Director.  Not at all trying to be rude, but the director seemed so WEIRD!  I’m glad for her that she got such a great opportunity, but this was just not her finest work.  It just seemed to be everywhere but no where all at the same time … how the hell is that possible?  I mean the meadow scene … doesn’t this seem more realistic??

5)    K-Stew.  WOW, I’ve never seen a more one dimensional performance EVER!  I’m firmly believing that this was responsible because of the director.  I’m BEGGING God that the director in New Moon will be able to pull more out of her other than stuttering and blinking.  I’ve seen her in other movies and I KNOW she’s capable of more.  In New Moon she’s got HUGE shoes to fill … she’s going to have to pull off a truly broken and shattered heart.

All that being said but I still watch movie over and over again in the sense that it’s just something more tangible of Twilight that I can have.   But one thing I love even more than the movie is making fun of the movie … here’s my VERY favorite spoof!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LdH7zVNXTU

The other positive thing that came out of the movie was a FABULOUS soundtrack.  TRULY, that soundtrack was unbelievable … had it not been for that I would find little redeemable.  New Moon’s soundtrack isn’t that great.  I’m really hoping that the movie is able to create that same emotional tie to the music as we got in Twilight … we’ll see.  Now, if you’re truly a twerd and want a copy of the soundtrack I made for New Moon (keeping in mind I don’t have the luxury musicians throwing their music at me to put it on a soundtrack), let me know and I’ll be happy to send it to you!

Now, as New Moon is coming out in 8 days (but who’s counting every single second before we’re sitting in those seats at midnight on that early morning), my hopes are set a teensy bit higher.  Some of the stills alone look better in every possible way than Twilight (2008) was.  We’ll see I suppose!  So I’ll cling to my tickets that have been in my wallet since the moment they were available and giggle with my girlfriends as my co-worker rolls her eyes one more time at my “vacation day” I’m taking on November  20th!  I’M READY!!!

So my next Twi-themed blog post will be regarding my pilgrimage to Forks … the birthplace of all things Twilight!  I had the best weekend of my adult life with 3 of the most amazing women.