The Trouble with Twilight

     So it's official by now- Twilight fever is in full swing. It seems like you can't even go to a store without seeing Rob Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, or Kristen Stewart all over the tabloids and talk shows. It reminds me a lot of the Harry Potter obsession that cropped up a few years ago (which I happily admit I am a part of I might add)... So naturally, as with most popular stories/sagas, I gave it a try.

     I was initially against the series because unlike the Harry Potter series, which is often action packed and centered on friendship, Twilight is all about two young high school age (well, sorta) kids who have a unique love bond that defies explanation. I watched the first Twilight movie while I was on vacation and happened to walk into a room where it was playing. I sat down and watched the entire movie and I will confess it grabbed my attention and held it for almost the entire film. I won't go into the issue of the budget being so low because it was a miracle that the film was even given the green light. I have read that the writers had a hard time convincing the major studios that it would be a hit (look who's laughing now). Overall, I liked the movie and decided I would see the second film, New Moon, when it came out.

     Last Friday, one week after one of the largest opening nights in moviemaking history, I walked into a theater in Merritt Island, Florida to watch the second installment of the series. Halfway through the movie I realized something didn't sit right with me. I traced it back to a feeling I got during the first film. Granted, Bella and Edward have an interesting bond. I mean c'mon, one of them can read minds and has super strength and immortality! But it was more than that.

     The Twilight series has a broad appeal for viewers and readers of all ages, but it is clearly focused on young girls. That being said, what do young, impressionable girls see when they watch Bella with her beloved Edward? To me, it's a wierd relationship. In New Moon, Edward decides that his presence in Washington puts Bella in danger and leaves town for good and right before he leaves he breaks up with her. The next scene she chases after him, gets lost in the woods and passes out and when she is rescued spends three or four months in a fog (this is conveyed by a really creative circular shot in front of a window). When she realizes that adrenaline rushes cause her to hallucinate and see Edward she goes and seeks out opportunities to put herself at risk: talking to strange boys, riding dirtbikes, and cliffdiving. While I understand what the writer is trying to convey, it bothers me that millions of girls have seen this and could possibly interpret this "perfect" love story as something that they want for themselves. I've seen girls so dependent on their boyfriends that they would literally implode if the relationship were to end.

     My issue with all this is that I hope girls see the story and enjoy it, but understand that Bella and Edward's relationship is not quite the model that they need to follow. Sometimes life throws you curveballs. You can't base your whole life on how one person feels about you because everyone is human (my argument kind of loses ground here because Edward technically isn't human, but nevermind that) and sooner or later that person will let you down...but life goes on!

Thanksgiving

It's that time of year again- the time when everyone gets together and eats way too much food and we all remember the things we're thankful for in our lives. With that being said, I'm thankful for the amazing family that God has placed me in.

My family has given me so much- a place to eat, sleep, and hang out for 18 years, but more importantly, they give me a place to come relax and find acceptance, even now that I am out of the house and on my own. Going home to Texas is a rare treat these days but it's become almost a good thing because I treasure that time more. I don't ever want to take family time for granted. I know as the years go by and all my brothers and I start our own families, it'll be even harder to get everyone together for holidays.

I'm currently away from my family since they live halfway across this gigantic country of ours, and because of the distance and how expensive air travel is I am spending Thanksgiving in Florida with some "extended" family. A old friend of mine who always seems to have a wonderful way of putting deep thoughts into simple words told me that "anyone can be family." I think that is profound.

Simplicity

If you watched So You Think You Can Dance earlier tonight, you may have seen the Alvin Ailey dancers perform about halfway through the episode. I was AMAZED at the finesse and technical ability of each of the dancers. 


Two years ago, before I was heavily exposed to the world of dance, I would have seen something like that and not been able to appreciate it fully. As I sat there tonight, however, I got chills because of the way they created something out of nothing. There was almost no music at all- just a minimalist drum beat and the two dancers. I feel like a lot of artists try to add on in order to finish their art, but this was just the opposite. Truly inspiring.

Thank You, Servicemen!

Today is Veteran's day and I would like to thank those who have risked their lives in order to protect that which this country believes in. I can't imagine some of the things that go on overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I also don't want to forget those who serve but are not in life threatening situations. Without your support, the other guys wouldn't have a fighting chance. I've known some great men who have served before and I know the ones currently serving are the best of the best.

Thank you!

The Importance of Cell Phones

I recently saw a short online commercial for HTC (the makers of the T Mobile G1, Hero, and MyTouch) in which a narrator explains just how important our cell phones are to modern Americans. He mentions things like:

It is the first thing you see in the morning

It is the last thing you see at night

It stresses you out

It calms you down

It helps you remember

It helps you forget

It connects you to your friends

It's the only thing you own that is always within an arm's reach.

After I saw the commercial, I thought how true it is! If someone wanted to rob me of my phone I'd be devastated! It is my connection to my family, my friends, the internet, my music, and just about everything important that I could fit into my pocket.

What is so amazing to me is how new the cell phone craze is. Cell phones have been around for years and years, but everyone owning one has happened since 2003 or so. I have had one since I was 15 and I can't imagine how people worked out plans without them! For instance, say you plan dinner with six friends and en route someone changes their minds. Obviously you could get by, but it just makes everything so much easier!

Anyway, I have enjoyed watching cell phones evolve from a clunky thing that just makes calls to a mobile computer and I can't wait to see what is in store for the future!