Justifying my Current Obsession

I just thought of this entry while I was mentally adding up how much my adoration of the Twilight nation has cost from the beginning. Afterall, you know me; can't just like something. Oh no....I have to completely engulf myself in the whole fan world.

Imitating a classic commercial series that I am sure everyone recognizes.....

My initial purchase of all four books: Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn : $55.oo

A Second Copy of the original Twilight because they published a smaller version and it would be easier to travel with: $8.00

My Edward Cullen Bookmark: $4.00

A Second Copy of New Moon because I left the first one on an airplane: $10.50

My "Team Edward" Tee-Shirt: $24.00

The Cullen Crest Henley I got Bridget for her Birthday: $29.00

The 3 Twilight Books I bought people as Christmas gifts in an attempt to get them as hooked as I am: $30.00

Seeing the movie 4 times in the theater (O.K. fine...I will finally admit that I saw it 6 times. Twice on programs by myself...I was bored and it was raining both times... what else could I do?) : $48.00

My Edward Cullen "I Like Boys who Sparkle" Key chain: $4.00

The Twilight Movie Soundtrack: $13.00

Pre-Order of the Twilight Special Edition DVD due out March 21st (When I'm in China, so I will probably end up buying it again there): $35.00

Every pop culture magazine purchase I made (US Weekly, People, Vanity Fair, GQ, Life and Style, In Touch Weekly, Teen Vogue, Seventeen) because Rob Pattinson or one of the other actors from the movie were on the cover: $30.00

Having something to obsess over and keep me from being bored......

* During the Christmas Season (that I hate)
* Since I no longer have cable or DVR
* When college football ended
* While its cold outside, and nothing fun happens in St. Louis
* On programs when so many travel directors are as into the series as me, and we have fun discussing and debating the story:

PRICELESS

Notice that it was me, and not my 16 year old alter ego, who usually writes the blog entries when I gush about the books, and the hoopla surrounding the books. She will still make guest writing appearances when I have more Bella and Edward gossip, but this particular entry is the real 34 year old Vivian. No shame.

I thought about if I should be embarrassed about all these purchases surrounding such a childish obsession, but then I decided....who cares? So, I spent money on my current hobby. People have hobbies a lot more crazy, a lot more expensive and in my opinion, a lot more pathetic than this!

Now if they decide to make bedsheets with America's favorite high school aged, self-loathing vampire, or if I, at anytime, say I want to go to one of the many Twilight conventions that are planned around the world....anyone reading this has my permission to hold an intervention. I will admit to my problem. And work to overcome it.

Well...maybe not if I buy the sheets. They might be cool in my spare bedroom!!!

Warm Fuzzy

I first received this story in 2001. It warmed the cockles of my heart. Then, yesterday while I was working here in Scottsdale, someone passed it on to me again. Enjoy...I'll comment at the end.


KURTIS THE STOCK BOY AND BRENDA THE CHECKOUT GIRL

In a supermarket, Kurtis the stock boy, was busily working when a new voice came over the loud speaker asking for a carry out at register 4. Kurtis was almost finished, and wanted to get some fresh air, and decided to answer the call. As he approached the check-out stand a distant smile caught his eye, the new check-out girl was beautiful. She was an older woman (maybe 26, and he was only 22) and he fell in love.

Later that day, after his shift was over, he waited by the punch clock to find out her name. She came into the break room, smiled softly at him, took her card and punched out, then left. He looked at her card, BRENDA. He walked out only to see her start walking up the road. Next day, he waited outside as she left the supermarket, and offered her a ride home. He looked harmless enough, and she accepted. When he dropped her off, he asked if maybe he could see her again, outside of work. She simply said it wasn't possible. He pressed and she explained she had two children and she couldn't afford a baby-sitter, so he offered to pay for the baby-sitter. Reluctantly she accepted his offer for a date for the following Saturday.

That Saturday night he arrived at her door only to have her tell him that she was unable to go with him. The baby-sitter had called and canceled. To which Kurtis simply said, "Well, let's take the kids with us." She tried to explain that taking the children was not an option, but again not taking no for an answer, he pressed. Finally Brenda, brought him inside to meet her children. She had an older daughter who was just as cute as a bug, Kurtis thought, then Brenda brought out her son, in a wheelchair. He was born a paraplegic with Down Syndrome. Kurtis asked Brenda, "I still don't understand why the kids can't come with us?" Brenda was amazed. Most men would run away from a woman with two kids, especially if one had disabilities - just like her first husband and father of her children had done. Kurtis was not ordinary - - - he had a different mindset.

That evening Kurtis and Brenda loaded up the kids, went to dinner and the movies. When her son needed anything, Kurtis would take care of him. When he needed to use the restroom, he picked him up out of his wheelchair, took him and brought him back. The kids loved Kurtis. At the end of the evening, Brenda knew this was the man she was going to marry and spend the rest of her life with. A year later, they were married and Kurtis adopted both of her children. Since then they have added four more kids.

So what happened to Kurtis, the stock boy at a grocery store in Cedar Falls, IA and Brenda, the check-out girl?

Well, Mr. & Mrs. Kurt Warner now live in Arizona , where he is currently employed as the quarterback of the National Football League Arizona Cardinals, who he will be leading against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl on Feb 1st.

Is this a surprise ending or could you have guessed that he was not an ordinary person?

It should be noted that he also quarterbacked the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI. He has also been the NLF's Most Valuable Player twice, and the Super Bowl's Most Valuable Player.


I love this sugary sweet, cheesy story. Even though, it is a commonly held opinion in the 'Lou that Brenda Warner is certifiable insane. Its true. There were all kinds of crazy stories about her yelling at people at her kid's school, and calling into radio shows and complaining about the Rams coach.

But I digress..... Kurt Warner is an amazing person and athlete. Even though the Rams very stupidly let him go a few years ago, he still returns to St. Louis for various charity events he sponsors. And from what I understand, he is extremely popular in Arizona, and active in many charities there also.

This just occurred to me, but Kurt certainly knows how to resurrect a football team! He led the Rams to their only Superbowl victory ever, and he has the chance to do it again with the Cardinals this year.

So, for the first time since I was a child, and Bill "Asshole" Bidwell ripped the Cardinals from St. Louis and moved them to Phoenix, I will be rooting for the BIG RED. We have Kurt Warner to thank for that.

I hope he has an inspiring game on Sunday!

Bravo

I totally saw the movie The Reader this weekend. One word.....

AWESOME!

So very worthy of the Academy Award nod. The story is gripping. The performances are amazing. We spent more than an hour discussing and dissecting each scene after it was over. And there are still more insights, and things to debate.

I want to go out and buy the book it was based on right now. Just to try to get an expansive take on the conversations and characters.

Run, don't walk to your local theater to catch this one!

I am predicting that my choice for best picture is going to be a tight race this year. I have seen MILK, The Reader, and Slumdog Millionare. If I were to rank now, before seeing the other two, It would look like this.....


1. Slumdog Millionaire
2. The Reader
3. MILK

But stay tuned. I will see Frost/Nixon and The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons. I am excited at the prospect that this will be the first year, in almost a decade, that I will have seen every best picture nominee.

Here's the long movie theater trailor if you are curious.....

Traitor of the Day

I will start this blog by wishing a very Happy Birthday to Roe vs Wade. It turned 36 on January 22nd. Congratulations!

Now for the traitor......


So, I was wasting some time watching some TV this morning, and who do I see? But Norma McCorvey. (A.K.A. Jane Roe of the famed case). I was shocked to find out that she is now a dedicated prolife activist. Apparently, she is doing lame, religious-toned, anti-abortion commercials where she spews on about life, and the 3 kids she had after the case, and blah blah blah.

O.K. Here's my issue with this....

(Warning: Blog is about to get a little political and opinionated)

I respect the fact that Ms. McCorvey is now prolife and now personally believes that abortion is wrong. Where I have the issue, is that she is now actively trying to make abortion illegal for everyone else. Especially since there was a time that she was so in support of abortion rights that she was willing to take the issue all the way to the Supreme Court.

The complexity here for me is that she changed her mind. Clearly, as a younger woman she believed one way, and as she got older she decided to believe another way.

Isn't that the entire basis of the prochoice argument? We are not forcing the decision or even encouraging the decision. We are just allowing people the right to decide. Being prochoice covers all the situations.


It's murder, it's not murder....It's a child, its not a child....that is all coffeehouse debating bullshit. The nuts and bolts of the argument for me is that we are giving women choices. To do what they want about their pregnancies.

And I find it extremely hypocritical that someone who invoked that right, and changed her mind on the abortion issue feels entitled to actively campaign to try to take that right to choose from anyone else.

Hate to use a cliche towards Ms. McCorvey but, you decided you don't like abortion now? Then don't have one....you born again, small minded fascist.

You said yourself that people would probably condemn you for your new beliefs. Well, guess what? You're right. I am condemning you, but not for the reasons you assume. But, for being so self righteous and obtuse that you believe that you "saw the light" on the abortion issue. You didn't see the light. All you did was try to bring everyone else into your new found, pathetic, one sided darkness.

Here's the ad if you are curious.




Keep Abortion Safe and Legal in the US. Just like in every other 1st world country on the planet. Well, except for Ireland. But, whatever. That country didn't even make divorce legal until like 1997.

The Stupidest Stupid Idea Ever!

DISCLAIMER: This blog entry was not written by Vivian, but by her 16 year old alter ego.

OMG........for reals?


I am so supersized p'ed off to hear that both Dakota Fanning and America Ferrera have talked to the peeps behind the 2nd Twilight movie, New Moon.

I mean WTF?

Apparently, the powers that be want Dakota to be Jane....the mega gifted vampire in the Voturi Clan. And they want America to be Emily.....Sam the Werewolf's disfigured girlfriend slash fiancee.

My opinion on this......STUPID JACKASS IDEA!

Summit Productions made the first movie with relative unknowns. And I think that was awesome. I mean seriously....the biggest star in Twilight was Peter Facinelli. Yeah, Peter Facinelli, whose claims to fame are being Mike Dexter in Can't Hardly Wait and a very short lived WB series about hottie street racers called Fastlane. So, I would hardly call him a big star.

The story can carry itself with unknown actors. It did in the first movie. Adding already famous people just undermines it. Its not like more people are going to see it because of Dakota "I have white trash teeth" Fanning or America "Whiney McWhinerson" Ferrera.

And I think its stupid to waste an already too small budget on paying these chickadees what they will want to be part of New Moon. Its crapola, I tell you!

Not to mention the fact that these are very small parts. Emily is barely in the story at all...maybe a scene or two. And Jane is only in the last 20 minutes...if even that. So why even bother???

Come on.....it seems to be that both of them just want to ride the Twilight bandwagon for the publicity, and that is so annoying to me.

Whatever....New Moon starts filming March 23rd. I'm thinking of trying to stalk the set. Anyone up for a road trip to Oregon?


I love me some Edward Cullen. And Emmett too. In fact, the thought of an Edward Emmett Sandwich sounds so good right now. Yum.

My Personal Shout Out to President Obama

Congratulations to you on this historic event.

And I want to point out that I am not using the word "historic" like the masses of people seem to be throwing it around lately. And I am not using it to describe the fact that you are the first African American president of the United States. I honestly couldn't care less that you are black. And I wish we all could stop talking about your color. That to me would be proof that race relations in this country are getting better. When the fact that you are not white would not even enter the playing field.

My definition of "historic" is more close to home. You made me care about politics this year. You made me watch CNN on a regular basis. You made me want to knock on doors, and wear the buttons, and put a sign in my yard. You made me watch all the debates. I was always a democrat, but you kept me from blindly supporting Hilary Clinton just because my parents did. And because I loved Bill, and came into adulthood during the Clinton years.

You made me feel less sappy for being easily inspired by a speech or quote. Probably because your speeches were so much more than just political rhetoric. You truly believe that we, as a nation, are fully capable of the lofty goals you set. And throughout the campaign, you were not embarrassed to express your optimism or your excitement at the prospect of a better world. It may be childlike, and wide eyed, but you saw through the critics, and you continued to share your sometimes overly euphoric view of what could be at every opportunity. I admire you for that. Especially since I also want to believe that everything I want for myself in my own life is possible.

You made possessing vast intelligence an important factor in a candidate and a president. You made news commentators use the word "erudite" on many, many occasions. Some called you elitist, and shrugged off your Harvard Law Degree, your well written books, and your overall extensive knowledge on what seemed like every subject of which you were questioned. I saw it as a return to intellectualism after the unfortunate era of people wanting the president to just be a nice regular guy, and someone who thinks and acts just like they do. Call me crazy, but I want the president to be smarter than me. I want the president to have the insights and education to come up with the solutions that I could never think of.

You ran an organized, well oiled machine of a campaign. You fought the power to start a dirty, nasty race as much as humanly possible, only going negative when it was a reaction to your opponents words towards you. And even then, your statements still always had an air of respect for your fellow candidates. You embraced all the opportunities at your feet to win this election: especailly the internet, and the new media outlets. And you knew that you could win this without huge corporate donations. That citizens would be willing to give a little too. The proof was in your ability to raise $200 million just in donations of $100 or less on your website. People may say what they will about your limited political experience, but if you lead this country with the same level headed, dedicated presicion, and overwhelming success that you led your campaign, you'll prove them wrong.

You brought together groups of people who didn't care about politics. You made 50,60 year olds vote for the first time. You made women in their 20s and 30s want to know more about you than who Jennifer Aniston was sleeping with. You made urban youth take off their tee shirts of Nelly and Kanye, and wear ones with your picture instead.

You seem to have a very defined moral and ethical code. You are clearly a family man who truly loves his wife and daughters. You obviously have a strong belief in God and a true religious faith. However, I see that you also comprehend and celebrate those who think much differently than yourself. I respect the reverence with which you talk about all faiths, including non-believers. And the fact that you always recognize the gay community when you address the make up of this country. I admire your open mindedness, and your acceptance for all walks of life. So many politicians are afraid to alienate their base, but you have never had that fear.

Now in spite of all my congratulatory brouhaha, I do not envy you the road ahead. You have your work cut out for you. And after hearing your speech yesterday, you know it better than anyone.

I do, however, think you are on the right path. You have surrounded yourself with keen, experienced advisors. You are well aware of, and not sugarcoating, the number of hardships that you will need to address. And most importantly, I think you are serious about bringing this country together. Embracing the Republican leaders as well as Democrats to work collectively to find the best solutions. I am confidant that your charisma, earnestness, and obviously unwavering dedication to your goals will earn the support of your harshest critics. (Well, most of them....you'll never get Rush or Ann Colter!)

So, in conclusion, I have to say "Thank You". Thank you for making the success of the United States your personal agenda. Thank you for inspiring a people that had become cynical. Thank you for being willing to take on the leadership of this country under some of the worst conditions in our history, while the whole world is watching.

And a huge, warm, personal, and heartfelt congratulations on your inauguration as the 44th President of the United States of America.

Its Already Been Said

So, this morning, I sat here at my computer to blog my thoughts on yesterday, the inaugural day of President Barack Obama. I was hopeful that I could find a way to express all that was going through my mind yesterday, and properly put into words my observations.

Then, in my online research, I came across Jon Stewart's thoughts in a video clip from the Daily Show last night.....

....And I realized that most of what I was going to say, had already been said! And it was a lot more entertaining than what I could come up with.

So, instead of boring the very few peeps that read this with my attempt at wit.....enjoy Jon Stewart's proof of it.

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Changefest '09 - Obama's Inauguration

Barack Obama Interview
John McCain Interview

Sarah Palin Video
Funny Election Video

Jon Stewart....one of the arguably best political satirist of all time.

Overrated Old Hotels....

I have a new one to add to my list.


The Arizona Biltmore.

It should not have the great reputation it has. It has, in my book, earned its place among the other expensive, famous, classic hotels in this country that do not live up to their name.....

The List
The Drake in Chicago
Waldorf Astoria in New York
The Breakers in Palm Beach


I am going to add a small disclaimer here though. Remember that I look at hotels differently than the average person. Being as I not only stay in them, I also have to view these places from a logistical and operational standpoint. Not just as Joe Schmoe on vaca.

Disclaimer 2: Please don't think I necessarily hate these places....I don't. (Well, actually I truly loathe the Drake.) I just don't think they are worth the money they feel they can charge because of their historical reputations.


And for the curious, here are the ones that I think earn their stripes as outstanding classic hotels:

The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, CO
The Greenbriar in West Virginia
The Lodge at Pebble Beach, CA
The Willard in Washington DC

Quickie: Quote of the Day

"Luckily, Americans make much better movies than they do cars."

- Studio Executive Patrick Wachsberger (who I believe is French) on the number of Oscar worthy films and performances this year.


Wow. I know there were some fabulous movies out, but talk about hitting below the belt!

No Way!!!!!

DISCLAIMER: This blog entry was not written by Vivian, but by her 16 year old alter ego.

L......OMG!

Stop all the super crazy rumors already. I am SOOOOOOOOO tired of hearing that Vanessa Hudgens of High School Musical fame, will be cast in New Moon (the second movie in the super fab Twilight series).

Everyone is talking about it. She is supposedly going to play Leah Clearwater....one of the werewolves in Jacob's pack. It's been on Perez Hilton. Its been on all the fan sites. It's been on MTV. I even saw an article in the LA Times. It seems like all of the entertainment cyber world is talking about this!

Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, and also to point out the obvious (well, it SHOULD be obvious for worshippers of the series, like me) but....


The character of Leah Clearwater is not even in New Moon.


We do not meet her until the 3rd book, Eclipse. Duh.

(Sidenote: she IS mentioned in a story that Jacob tells Bella in the second book. And there is a brief reference to her eating spagetti. But that's it. No speaking part at all.)

So, I hope this rumor gets put to rest pretty quickly. It would be kinda hard to cast a character that doesn't exist yet! No Vanessa Hudgens. At least not until they talk casting for the 3rd movie. Thank God cuz.....I can't stand that annoying little wench.

Twilght DVD out on March 21st! Afterall, the 4 times I saw it in the theater wasn't enough. Can't Hardly Wait.

I heart Edward Cullen.

Enough Aready

I just watched a clip from a website called "HowObamaGotElected.com". Basically the site is the lovechild of sour loser Republicans and bitter Conservative conspiracy theorists that are still trying to blame the media biases for Obama's win.

The clip I saw was a Gov. Sarah Palin interview from 2 days ago where she is still stickin' to her guns (yes pun intended) about the evil Internet and the big bad bloggers.

Come On!!!!!

It's over. We got it. You think Obama was the media favorite and that is why he won. The argument is getting very stale.

However...here's a another theory for Conservatives to ponder......

Maybe, just maybe, if the Republican party and all of its candidates throughout the election had embraced the media, and the Internet and the bloggers, and tried to use them to their advantage (just like Obama and his peeps seemed to be very very good at) the media would have been a little more on the Republican side.

But, no...at every opportunity possible, Palin, McCain, and their teams decided to berate the media, call out the biases, and negatively label bloggers, popular political websites, and even respected journalist for their reporting of the campaign happenings. I mean hey... there's a good way to get people on your side...make fun of them, call them useless, and attack their motivations. I wonder why it didn't work?

I actually think the election results are a revenge for 6 or 7 years ago. I think the media back them had a very right wing leaning stance. How else would have all the Pre-Iraq war crap happen? it seemed like anyone who wasn't totally proWar and proBush was torn apart in the press and the court of public opinion.......

Or should I say....they were "Dixie Chicked"?

I don't remember any Conservatives or Republicans asking the mainstream media to back off, or accusing them of being biased them. Of course not, the press was the driving force behind the Iraq War buildup, and the Bush Administration was certainly enjoying the ride.

So, to end this...I just have to say that I'm tired of the argument. If the Repubs want to blame the media, that's their prerogative. I think the real problem is that this is the first election in awhile where the Republican PR machine wasn't able to scare the voters with their "attack the opponent" style of campaigning. That's how they beat Kerry. The press was an asset to them in the "Swiftboating" of that candidate. In this most recent campaign, no one was buying it. They tried: first with the inexperience angle...that failed. Then with the Rev. Wright thing...no on really cared. Then they tried the Elitist angle, the anti-American angle, and their last ditch effort - the fundraising discrepancies thing. None of it worked.

And I'm not surprised. Bush and GOP had gotten cocky about how they could use the press to their benefit for the last 7 years, and the American people finally saw through it. So with this election, it was a new breed of news and information. And since the Repubicans only had accusations, and nothing to back them up, the stagedy crashed and burned...and all they had left in their PR arsenal was to attack the press.

Combine that with the fact that Obama had been embracing all aspects of new media. He and his people knew how to get their message across in this age of 24 hour news, blackberries, and the Internet. He had lots and lots of very public rallies. He encouraged and supported Democratic bloggers and websites. Even his official website was so interactive and involving, that he was raising ridiculous amounts of money, and organizing thousands of volunteers without anyone even picking up a phone. He had a simple message. He got it out there. Through a lot of different forums. The media ate it up.

Say what you will about the campaign, but Obama knew how to use the press and play the game. And he won.

And that's all I got on this topic.

Personal Highlights (and lowlights) in 2008

Another List....

I am going to put 10 minutes, and only 10 minutes into this. Here is all the things I can remember from 2008 that happen to or around me....in no particular order.


1. I got really political this year. More than I ever have in the past. I think that the election season this year will be the one I remember for the rest of my life. I doubt I will ever be as involved again. I think I have both Hilary and Obama to thank for that.

2. I was out of town for work more this year than any other year in the last 10 years. Very strange. I felt like "work" was the only constant in my life in 2008.

3. I did a lot of drinking this year. I know that sounds bad, but its not. It just means I was part of a lot of drinking occasions. I feel like I really branched out on the places I went, and the people I partied with. This is a good thing.

4. I got rid of cable, and starting reading again. It funny that those two things would be related, but I really think that they are.

5. I became a blogger. If you would have asked me in 2007 if that would have happen....I would have laughed.

6. I stopped caring about missing episodes of TV. Probably related to the no cable- no dvr thing. Might even be a product of the writers strike earlier this year. Or the working all the time thing, but I really stopped caring. I'm totally cool with the fact that I can catch up this spring and summer when the shows release their DVDs.

7. I embraced text messaging. And it is awesome. I don't know how I ever survived before.

That's it. I'm done writing this. It is starting to sound repetitive to a blog I wrote at Thanksgiving.

Happy New Year y'all.