Potentially Dangerous WFE Post Ahead - Proceed With Caution!

So, I've been kicking these thoughts around in my head for a couple of days, and I have decided to throw them out into the world and let the chips fall where they may. Before you read any further, there are potential SPOILERS if you have not read Water for Elephants. If you have read it, proceed! These are my thoughts about the book, which I just finished a week ago yesterday, and the translation of said story to the big screen.

For those of you who do not want to be spoiled, I am inserting a FUCKHAWT picture from the movie for your enjoyment and to protect your virtue from the SPOILER material below the picture. You have been warned. Go. No. Further. Or read on and don't blame me.

This alone would make me read anything. I repeat - anything.

Okay, so for those of you who have read the book - welcome! As intrigued as I have been watching the filming pics pop up in blogs and on twitter, it took me seeing the movie tie-in version of the book to buy it. It gives me an excuse to have ANOTHER picture of the precious in my house. My hubs is not quite as supportive as some, so I have to be as discreet as possible to avoid any potential defacing of said property. It's not that I haven't been interested in the story, but I have been sucked into fanfiction quite a lot in the past year or so. When the promo copy came out, I realized my time to read the original work was running down.

This is an actual picture of the cover of my book, which is now the wallpaper on my phone. *Swoon*

I want to start out by saying that this is the first book I have actually read in quite a while. I have listened to audio books on my way to and from work, and I have read TONS of fanfic lately. I loved it and finished it in two days, so please don't take anything that follows as actual criticism about the book. It is wonderfully written and made me connect with the older and younger Jacob equally. With that said, there are some very specific things that I hope they do in the movie that were not in the book.

It's not a "life sucks and then you die" kind of story, but it is kind of a "no matter what happens in life, we all get old, which sucks" kind of story. During the actual narration of the book, we have a lot of depressing views of Jacob's life. In his younger days, his parents died and pretty much left him homeless without any means of supporting himself because he cannot focus on his exams. He has no other family and sets out to escape from the only life he knows because it is too painful to stay.

Of course, we then have his struggles to fit in with the show and not get red-lighted while he moons over a married woman. He adjusts to his new home, and I find great pleasure in him finding happiness again with the animals. Rosie's experience is painful to read, but I have no doubt these animals are not always treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. It also makes me hate August with a great passion, which means his impending doom is a great relief. Yay for the bad guy dying in the end, right?

The older Jacob is described in such perfect detail that it could easily be my grandfather or yours. We generally see older men as "grumpy old men" in real life, but we have no idea what they have been through and seen in their lives. We dismiss them as being from another time and out of touch with today's society, but isn't that really because that is all we allow them to be? Take time to really get to know your elders before they are gone. They have felt every bit as much passion, love, happiness, loss, and triumph as you have or will, and they are a wealth of wisdom. If anyone shows more love and compassion for an aging relative as a result of this book - or movie - the story has done a great and noble thing.

What drives the story? There is the attraction between Jacob and Marlena that grows and strengthens. There is the mystery of whether the wife who passed away from cancer was Marlena. If he did marry her, how did this come about with the circumstances they were in when they met? There is the desire to have him experience the circus with his loved ones and revisit his younger years with his family. There are so many things that pull you in and make you commit to seeing it through. You want to fill in the blanks between the years and understand the content of his life.

This is where I may lose some of you, and this is where I have a question to pose. Has fanfiction spoiled me? In a world of HEA (Happily Ever After) fanfic stories, I want the chapter when everything comes together to show that they are perfect for each other. I want the follow up chapter (or future take) that shows how great their future together is (or is going to be) so that I can feel fulfilled as a reader. Once the stampede happens, we have one chapter where they try to sort out what the hell they're going to do to keep the animals from being sold off to the highest bidder. We literally have three pages of them being together through his flashback before he decides to stay with the circus instead of going back to the home. I am happy he gets the chance to go on the road with them, but I missed experiencing their family grow.

That brings me to what I hope they add to the movie. I want to see them in the Ringling big top. I want to see the kids standing inside/outside of the tent flap watching mommy ride Rosie or watching daddy help an animal in need. I want to see them happy on the rural property near Chicago with the kids running around playing. Give me the HEA in all it's sappy, sugary, beautiful glory. It makes the lonely days at the end of life a little bit easier to take when you really feel like he got what he needed and wanted in life.

Any book that makes you think about life and the people you encounter along the way is a success, and this one certainly does that. It is a fascinating look into a very difficult time in our history when everyone was doing whatever they could to survive. With our current unemployment rate and gas prices, we think things are really bad. Overall, our situation is not nearly as bad as it was then. I hope this is well conveyed in the movie as well. Sometimes, we need a reality check to appreciate what we still have.

We are all entitled to our own opinions, and those are mine. What did you think? What were your favorite aspects of the book? What are you looking forward to the most in the movie? See you in the comments!

Lori

Because I can't possible leave it on that note, here is a beautiful trailer for a beautiful film based on a beautiful book. Enjoy!

So what if I didn't win the What Drives Edward contest - my bloggy friend really LIKES ME!!!

So, I just started my blog in the last couple of months, and it has been sadly neglected for quite a while now. RL kinda takes a bite outta my fun time sometimes... N-E-Way... Imagine my surprise when my lovely blog friend / author extraordinaire / twitter pal / FOOOOORRRRKKKKKSSSS companion / Inspired by Lemons blogess, Cougar Chloe, chose me for one of her top 15 blogs for the One Lovely Blog Award!

The tea cup and roses seem so appropriate!

Award Rules

To accept this award, one must follow the rules:

1. Thank the person that gave it to you and link it back to their blog.
2. Post 7 random facts about yourself.
3. Pass the award on to 15 other blogs.

 

So, I have thanked Cougar Chloe above and linked back to her blog. Check!

Now to attempt to post 7 random facts that are at least marginally interesting... hmmm... here goes!

1. I play with mah hair to the point where I accidentally pull it out. Sometimes I pull it out on purpose if it feels too wiry for my head... if ya know what I mean...

2. I have been to a fetish club a couple of times. Is it terribly odd that my brother took me there??? Yeah, I guess we're weird like that. NOT LIKE THAT, THO! ;o)

3. I won $100 from Cap'n Crunch when I was in 6th grade because I found the captain in the Milky Way (or something like that). I got to be in our local newspaper for that one. It was kinda cool!

4. I was never a drinker until the past year. A bartender friend introduced me to the Blueberry Lemon Drop. I was instantly hooked. I can make 'em just as good. I'll show you in FOOOOORRRRKKKKSSSS!!! Your shaker or mine?

5. I think my hubs is getting close to understanding how obsessed I am with fanfiction and the naughty things it makes me wanna say and do. He may be getting a little jealous. You know it's bad when HE thinks I have a potty mouth... or you would if you knew him...

6. I went to school with Mark Wills (country singer) for about six years or so. He is a really cool guy.

7. My kids are frequently pictured in my blog (as few posts as there are) because they're so freakin awesome - and photogenic, IMHO.

My top 15 Lovely Blog picks are as follows:

1. Inspired by Lemons

2. Twitarded

3. RobMusement

4. Twired

5. Cheaper than Therapy

6. Random Acts of Rob

7. Robert Pattinson Life

8. Robstenation and all things Twilight

9. TwiKiwi

10. The Inappropriate Crush

11. 17 forever

12. Dirty, Hot and Nerdy

13. h00rs anonymous

14. It's Whine Thirty

15. Spooning In Forks

There ya go! And since my lady posted a video, I'm gonna copy her and post one of my fave Rob vids of all time! Settle in, girls...

My Breaking Musings...

I am watching the buzz on Twitter, blogs, and websites, and I find myself getting increasingly giddy as we are FINALLY at least within sight of the first Breaking Dawn movie. Okay, so it's still like NINE FREAKIN MONTHS AWAY! At least we're in the right year, right? Right?

It's kinda like waiting at the church doors waiting for the new couple to come out so you can pelt them with bird seed shower them with your love as you share their happy day. Give us a freakin wedding already!

Just to recap the high points so far...we have FEATHERS! I know we all thought there was no way they could leave out the feathers, but this is still a major win! Think of some of the things they skipped - blood typing (who wouldn't want to see Bella practically passing out in Biology?), Bella cooking for Charlie, Carlisle in rotting potatoes (he would still be totally hot), a Cullen house that was a hundred years old with a wrap around porch, and that's just the first book! But, look at what we got in return: the porn 'stache, the Cullen Crest, a spider monkey, a graduation cap collage, and dancing in the gazebo during that last conversation of the book/movie.

Yeah, the bench under the madrone trees sounded nice in the book, but isn't a twinkle-lit gazebo SO much better???

For me, New Moon had some MAJOR fails. The score was too overpowering and loud. The Volvo switch-up was quite disappointing. Rasta-Laurent. Alice's. Wardrobe. What the hell were those people THINKING? But, they got some things incredibly right. The. Sex. Walk. The birthday party, Volterra, time passes, phantom Edwards, and ballsy Bella telling Edward to shut up. Thank. God! Eclipse had some good and bad. I was ecstatic that they managed to get the "punched a werewolf in the face" line in there, and they did not completely fuck up the tent scene. I can ignore the fake snow and no coat after she nearly froze to death because the tent scene is decent. Even if the Jake kiss wasn't very convincing, the scenery made up for it.

Like this, which helps me avoid copyright bitching from Scummit because it's not actually from the movies.

Let's recap what we have so far, shall we? We have the happy couple frolicking through the crowded streets of an apparently happening city in South America. We have a beautiful house on the beach that fits Isle Esme perfectly, in my humble opinion. We have feathers! Oh, wait, did I already say that? Yep, I guess I did. We have our lovely newlyweds frolicking in/near/at a waterfall in very little. We have the chessboard on the beach with the right colored pieces. We even have the Swan house decorated for Christmas. As happy as I am about all of these things, my heart soared this past couple of weeks when I heard that Carter Burwell is going to score the movies. I was absolutely giddy (GIDDY, I tell you!) when I heard the rumor that Carter had written Renesmee's Lullaby, which Rob was supposed to be playing and singing this week during filming. Mother. Fucking. SQUEE!

Like this, but better!

I think we all have certain little scenes from books or movies that stand out in our minds, so I have thought a bit about what parts I would like to see in the movies - like the "punched" line. My guilty pleasure scene would have to be the "Fido" bowl. Let's face it, we really haven't gotten to see Rosalie have much fun in these movies - with the exception of busting through Royce's door in that wedding dress with *that* look on her face. Of course, we got to have fun watching her prance around on those stilts Cathrine put her in to make her taller than Alice, but we won't count that as her having fun since she looked like she was in pain. Maybe that's why Jasper looked like he was in pain. He was feeling hers...

Speaking of foot pain, this is what happens when my fair-skinned offspring is left to his own devices when it comes to sun protection...ouch!

What are your thoughts on the Breaking Dawn news (and recent lack thereof) so far? What guilty pleasure scene are hoping they squeeze into the movies?

Laters!
LoriAnn
(which is exactly what my mom would call me if she saw this post and the language it contains)
:o)

For Moms of Boys

So, it is not my intent to make this blog a serious one, but I had a fantastic mom moment this week that I just had to share with my friends here. I have an 18 year-old son that is in his first year of college approximately 7 hours away in a neighboring state. He is doing very well, and I have to say that I have done better than I really expected since this IS my first born we're talking about.

Age 3 on Easter Sunday and Age 18 on Senior Prom Day! All together now...awww!

 He called me while I was at work on Friday, and I am SUPER slammed at work and really only spoke to him for about ten minutes. He asked if I had seen his post on facebook, and I asked which one. He knew that I hadn't seen it yet at that point, so he told me that he didn't want to spoil it. He had tagged me so that it would send a notification. I told him I would check it out as soon as I could. Here is said post:

"Eldest Son's Name Here" heard Shinedown's version of "Simple Man" on the way to class today and it brought a tear to my eye. Reminded me of the first time I heard it on the radio in the car with my mom and she turned to me and said "This is what I want for you." I love you "LoriAnnTwiFan's Name Here" and I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you. I'm glad I have the chance to make you damn proud of me.

Cue the waterworks...yeah, I cried. I'm a sap like that. If you have never heard the song (previously recorded by Lynyrd Skynyrd), here is the acoustic version done by Shinedown at someone's house - not mine, I don't have a TV that nice!

 

I really do feel like the lyrics to this song are incredibly profound and, well, simple! Here they are:

"Simple Man"

Songwriters: Ron Van Zant, Gary Rossington

Well mama told me, when I was young
Said sit beside me, my only son
And listen closely to what I say
And if you do this, it'll help you some sunny day

Ahhh
Yeah it will

Or take your time don't live to fast
Troubles will come and they will pass
You'll find a woman and you'll find love
And don't forget that there's is a someone up above

[Chorus]
Be a simple kind of man
Be a something you love and understand
Baby be a simple kind of man
Oh won't you do this for me son if you can
(if you can)

Forget your lust for the rich man's gold
All that you need now is in your soul
And you can do this(oh baby)if you try
All that I want from you my son is to be satisfied

[Chorus]
And be a simple kind of man
Be a something that you love and understand
Baby be a simple kind of man
Oh won't you do this for me son if you can
(if you can)

Oh don't you worry
You'll find yourself
Follow your heart
And nothing else
And you can do this(oh baby)if you try
All that I want from you my son is to be satisfied

[Chorus]
And be a simple kind of man
Oh won't you do this for me son if you can
So baby be a simple be a simple man
Oh won't you do this for me son if you can

I am glad to have a chance to share something positive with you guys since I have not been on top of the world in the past couple of weeks. By the way, the "New" New Year's was a tremendous success! Things really seem to be turning around, and I am SO glad they are!

Laters!

LoriAnnTwiFan

New Year's Eve - The Do-Over

Have you ever had one of those days when you know very early on that nothing good can possibly come out of this day? It doesn't have to be a huge, major problem; it can simply be comprised of several small, annoying things that add up to a crappy start. For example, you get the kid ready for school and get yourself ready for work. Your part of the way to the school when you realize you forgot something that you cannot leave at home. Then, you pass the entrance to your own neighborhood - where you have lived for 9 freakin' years - because of the early morning fog.

Okay, so I did a google image search of fog, and I see this. Fanfic has made me a very naughty girl...couldn't resist!

Here's another one - if you get ready for work and stop at the gas station on the way to work and put $50 worth of gas in it only to find that none of the gauges on your dash work when you start the car again. Okay, I have another vehicle at home, so I'll just go back to the house and swap out. Oh, yeah...that one is out of gas too. Spending $80 on gas before 8:00 am is kind of a bummer. That is how pretty much ALL of 2011 has been for me so far. So, what's a girl to do?

It's like getting an almost perfect shot - and then not...

I decided that I started the year out entirely wrong. I've always heard that whatever you're doing at the stroke of midnight is what you'll be doing all year. How stupid is that? I mean, really? I don't throw salt over my shoulder if I spill it, and I didn't even know "splittin' the pole" is supposed to be bad luck until about six months ago. So, of course, I never put any stock in the stroke of midnight thing. Besides, if you hafta work, you hafta work...and I had to work. Until 4:00 am - well into the first of January. That put me home - thoroughly exhausted - around 4:45. My life has sucked ever since. So, I've decided that this just won't do. There is NO way that this craptastic month is going to represent the rest of my year.

Google search for work sucks - hmmm...need to go read some MoTU after this pic!

A very good friend of mine - and fellow Twilight fanatic - is feeling my pain and has graciously agreed to re-ring in the New Year with me this weekend. She made a trip to the adult beverage store tonight and spent a good chunk of change to prepare for our newly christened New Year's Eve tomorrow night - after a girly trip to the nail salon for a little pampering pedicure. I just might spring for the french manicure, which I am normally too cheap to add. If any of you wish to join us in this effort, Saturday, January 29th at midnight is the second coming of 2011. Make a day of it and do something just for YOU! And if anybody gives you any shit about it, just send them my way.

Oh, yeah, baby! Like this, only less one FANTASTIC bartender!

And a warning to 2011 - you better be better this time, or I shall have to kick your ass. Or, I may have to sic my ferocious dog on you...

I will bite you - okay maybe not, but I will intimidate you...fear me!

So, tell me about a really obnoxious, irritating day / week / month / whatever you have had! Ya know, Misery Loves Company...gotta love Paramore, right? Better yet, tell me how you cheer yourself up when you have said day / week / month / whatever!

Hello, Blogging World!

So, this is my very first blog posting. It may be crap. It may be gold. Feel free to comment and let me know what you think. Just don't be nasty - we all have to start somewhere, right?

For starters, this blog WILL discuss Twilight related topics. A LOT. If this is your thing, welcome! If not, bug off!!

Talk to the hand, non-twi beeches!

I started my journey into the Twilight rabbit hole by purchasing a copy of the DVD. Scratch that.

I bought Breaking Dawn in hard back for my step-daughter when it came out. I offered to take her to the midnight party at our local B&N, but she isn't a crowd person and didn't want to go. At this time, it was *her* thing. She had read them all and was anxiously awaiting the final book. I bought it, gave it to her, and didn't think much more about it. Until the movie previews came out. Being an Anne Rice nut through The Vampire Chronicles, I was all about going to see a vampire movie, even if it was a "teen" vampire movie. She wasn't. She didn't think the casting was just right. Whatevs. So, we didn't go.

So, maybe I wasn't quite this upset at the time. Now, I know what I misssed.

Flash forward several months...the DVD came out. I met my ex and my 17 year old at Best Buy to look at stereos for son's car. I had already decided that I wanted the DVD, but I hadn't summoned the appropriate amount of courage to just do it. We decided on a stereo model and the kit he needed to make it fit his dash right. I waited around for them to leave. The ex talks. A lot. I kept waiting and trying to seem disinterested in anything he had to say. It wasn't hard. I kept wandering the store waiting for them to leave. They finally left. I finally bought it. I watched it twice in a row when I finally watched it - alone.

Much, much better!

Flash forward several more months...I have pre-purchased the Double Feature tickets for a total of five people at my local theater, bought a gray peacoat and red scarf (for the festival!), various tees from Cafe Press, and I have arranged to leave work early for the evening's festivities. Wow. What a big difference a few months and four audio books make! From a closeted interest to a fully outed fan, from twitter and blog cluelessness to maintaining both and meeting a vast array of FANTASTIC people all over the world, and from a mostly productive member of society to a full on fanfic addict and beta reader. It's been quite a ride, and I am so glad to be a part of this fan community.

See! Don't we look like we're going to the St. Marcus Day Festival???

So, here's to Twilight and the common interest that has brought so many of us together who would never have had the opportunity to get to know each other without it! Speaking of those, I can't even begin to start this without a huge shout out to Twitarded and Inspired by Lemons. You chics rock my world!