Twilight Again

You honestly did not think that we were over the Twilight phenom, did you? Becky, Erin, and I had movie night this weekend and watched the DVD. I won't deny we laughed through quite a few scenes.Rehashed our opinions concerning certain scenes. All around it was a great night.

I am not really writing about the movie though. I was asked the other day, why those who enjoy the books are so engrossed in them? Why do we adults care so much for this young girl and her love for a vampire? Why we have a hard time putting the book down and once we do, we keep thinking about the characters? My only answer is Stephenie Meyer is a master at weaving a story.

Michelle picked on me for my Twilight obsession and could not understand the appeal. She had browsed the book and thought it was horrible. Then during the holidays, she read the first book in one sitting. Mind you, it was a car ride sitting, but she couldn't put it down. She bought the second book in the series, but has remained determined not to read it. My sister, who is not a reader in any sense of the word, started the book this past week. She finished Breaking Dawn on Sunday. She kept asking me all week, why she couldn't stop reading it. She watched the movie and is rereading the first book to catch items she may have missed.

Can anyone explain the obsession with these books in a better fashion? I am pleased that it brings out the reader in those who would normally not read books, but can't explain to others why I am compelled to follow the books.

Who would you choose?

Since several of my friends and I are reading the Sookie Stackhouse books, I thought I would bring the debate out to the public. Now, Becky and I are notorious for our good-natured but determined arguments on Goodreads. During the Twilight phenom, I was Team Edward and she was Team Jacob. I want to throw the discussion out for everyone to respond about Sookie.

The next Sookie book will be released in May and with it some hopeful progression in Sookie's love life. There have been many men...Bill, Sam, Eric, Alcide, Calvin, and Quinn. Who do you think she should be with in the end? I know this book is not the final in the series, but with each book, our opinions have altered or remained intact.

Initially I did not like Bill. I found him distant and lacking in his love for Sookie, but I was very intrigued by Eric and his responses to her. I know Eric is selfish and is lacking in his regard, but after reading the fourth book and seeing his reactions to remembering the missing time with her, I think he could possibly be a strong candidate as the man for her. After Bill's multiple betrayals, I believed there was no explanation to redeem the character. The point to remember is both of Bill's betrayals were caused by his inability to deny the demands placed on him as a vampire. I hate to say this, he had no control in those circumstances. Since then, he has continued to try to save Sookie and his professions of love have stirred my heart. The Weres and shapeshifters have held no appeal to me through the entire series.

I don't know how to explain it. I have always enjoyed the vampires in stories since watching Buffy. I was Team Edward during the Twilight phase. Now with Sookie, I am torn between Eric and Bill, both vampires. Both love her in their own ways, but both can hurt her terribly. Who do you think Sookie should choose in the end? Let the debate begin.

Role Reversal

I have always had an interest in sex roles. I knew that would catch your attention. Not those types of roles, but in the aspect of what is expected of us as males and females. Recently a friend found it humorous that my husband likes to shop and bribes me to go to the mall with him because I hate shopping. In the course of the conversation, it was also mentioned that I am an enthusiastic college football fan, whereas my husband has no interest in sports.

During game night this month, we played Battle of the Sexes. I thought it was hilarious that I was incapable of answering most of the female questions myself. One of the players mentioned that the men were decisive players who did not need to discuss which question should be asked. I laughed at this statement. My husband and I went canoeing once and the guide told us the person who makes decisions in our family must handle the rudder. My husband immediately volunteered me saying I was our decision-maker. We still bring this incident up periodically.

I find it intriguing that people expect specifics in their interests and knowledge based on whether you are male or female. Most people I know do not fall into these specific categories, yet we are reminded of what our roles should be based on other's perceptions of how we should behave. Do you have examples of your expected role?

St Patrick's Day

Last year I wrote about how I missed home during St. Patrick's Day. This year I started a new tradition. I went to the pub down the street from work with some friends. We had a blast hanging out on the patio talking. There were some characters hanging around us including the "entrance fee" guy. A band marched through the extremely crowded bar entertaining everyone. It was a wonderful way to celebrate St.Patrick's day. The bonus was we all got carded. Yea!!!

Entertaining Emotional Baggage

Don't you hate it when your personal baggage affects your entertainment. I have recently discovered this is becoming a more common occurrence for me. I remember going to see the movie, What Lies Beneath with Harrison Ford. To this day, I can never look at him the same. His character was so evil in the movie and reminded me of behavioral patterns of an ex that I was upset after the movie. Now I equate him with that character.

Last month for GNO, we went to see He's Just Not That Into You. There is a character who cheats and then proceeds to deny wanting a divorce. I know my friends were a little concerned at my reaction because I was fuming. It brought up a lot of emotional baggage. I know at one point, I did call one of the characters a whore because I was so angered. I know good entertainment is supposed to elicit reactions from the audience, but this really bothered me.

It came up again this past week. I have been reading the Sookie Stackhouse books. I was halfway through one of the books, when I asked a friend if I could just skip the book and go to the next in the series. I knew the questionable hero was going to cheat on the heroine, once again causing me emotional turmoil. Then reading through her confused emotions made me remember my own feelings in similar scenarios.

Go ahead, tell me I need help! These situations portrayed in my entertainment distress me and do not entertain. I have to admire that the people either writing or acting draw me in, so I am upset for the characters. At the same time, I hate facing my own personal problems when seeking an escape from the everyday.

What do you think? Is it good entertainment or poor taste? Please don't comment on my emotional health. If you know me at all, I have no love for cheaters. I'm just bothered by the fact cheaters has been in some of my recent entertainment choices. (And for those who would actually ask, no, my hubby is not that type.)

Weather Phenom

Growing up in Florida, I have survived mother-nature's wrath with lightning storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, and brush fires. I always felt safe in my environment. Living in the mid-West, I am now having to learn how to adapt to other forms of severe weather, such as blizzards, ice storms, and sub-zero temperatures.

On Sunday, I had another new experience. For the first time, I did not feel safe in my surroundings. My hubby and I were out walking the dog when the sirens began. We watched the storm clouds moving in, but it was still dry outside. As we stood there listening to the sirens, I knew what they were, but my hubby did not. Several neighbors came out and were looking at the sky. Someone else asked, "what is that?" Another person explained it was the tornado siren. We all continued standing outside.

I know this may not sound smart to others, but I explained it to my hubby why I remained outside until the rain and hail began. We live in a wood structure. The building violently shakes during a thunderstorm. You can hear wind rushing through the vents in our bathroom (the only interior room). With the idea of shoddy construction around me, I had no belief in my safety inside my dwelling.

It was the first time in my life that I truly felt unsafe. Obviously, I would go into my interior room and hope for the best. Apparently, a tornado was spotted a little south of us, so we managed to avoid this crisis. It really makes me debate the whole having a house with a basement theory.

Funny, I was safer during the three hurricane season when Hurricane Charley tore sections off the roof or when Hurricane Elena left water rushing through our front yard.

Friends

Moving away was a hard decision. I had a good group of friends in Florida and I knew I would miss them after I left. Now that it has been almost a year and a half, numerous of those friendships have fallen to the wayside and I have discovered new friends in Indiana. I had previously written over my confusion in this day and age of technology how people can neglect to keep in touch, so I won't discuss that frustration today.

Today, I am thinking of friends who have remained in touch. I have returned to Florida every 6 months since leaving. My next trip is in April and I have smaller more intimate outings planned with my friends.

My closest friend from back home, I still talk to minimally once a week, usually more. I was sent this photo by her roommate. When I visit, we usually go to the same bar and have something written on the wall. I won't deny, I usually have something involving the Gators posted in an effort to argue the best team. Apparently, my friends sent me a message via the wall. Of course, now we have to visit the bar when I'm in town.

It's nice to maintain these friendships! Miss you too, guys! Remember, you can always come and visit Indiana as well.
(Photo courtesy of Crystal B.)