My New Moon Song

I am a little embarrassed to admit this is yet another in what I imagine are thousands of blog posts dedicated to the Twilight book and/or movie series. What can I say? They are popular for a reason and I am a follower in many ways.

I'll tell you from the start, I am squarely on the side of Team Jacob. I read all of the books and I was very satisfied with the way the romantic triangle ended because everyone was happy, but pretty much the entire series I thought, "Seriously? Who would choose the grumpy vampire over the fun-loving werewolf?" Jacob is playful, funny, active, works with his hands, loyal, happy, and good-looking. I liked the book New Moon mostly because Edward wasn't in it most of the time. I was actually annoyed when he showed up again.

Now, I hope that my Team Edward friends are still my friends. I understand the appeal of Edward. I promise I do. He's handsome, protective, sensitive, thoughtful, intellectual, well-dressed, loves music, and lives only to serve his lady-love. That's very attractive.

Can't we all just agree that everyone isn't looking for the exact same things -- or combination of things -- in their ideal guy?

I finally got to see the movie New Moon last night and I liked it, mostly for the reasons stated above. Goooooooooooo Jacob (shouted in a cheerleader-type way)! Taylor Lautner is so charismatic. So sweet. So fun. So beautiful. Robert Pattinson is a terrific Edward -- he is very true to the character from the book and I really, really wanted to root for him and Bella -- but just like when I read the book I was kind of annoyed when he showed up again (mostly because of his scrawny, pale, glittering chest). Hold him up next to Taylor and in my head it's no contest.

This is why Bella is the one caught in the love triangle. If it were me, there would be no question. But there's no question for her and it's all Edward. So, good for her.

I do take exception with Bella selfishly begging Jacob to be her friend even though she knows he loves her and she doesn't love him. Personally, I think that's just mean. I know what it's like to have to tell a friend repeatedly that I don't love him and it's never going to happen. It is probably the worst thing I've ever had to do. He was really mad when I told him we couldn't be friends anymore because I couldn't live my life being afraid he'd never get over me. But I had to do it. As long as I allowed him to hope neither of us could move on. He deserved to find someone who wants to love him, and I deserved not to feel like a terrible person anymore. I just regret it took me as long as it did to finally break off the friendship. But apparently Bella has no problem stringing a guy along.

But I digress. The movie felt very, very long, but I liked it anyway! I saw it again tonight (don't judge me, I missed the first few minutes of the movie the first time) and may need to see it again in a couple of weeks. I haven't read the books in a year so I'd forgotten many of the details. It's nice to see a movie and be surprised by wonderful tidbits. I'd forgotten how funny Jessica is, and how sweet Bella's dad (who is perfectly cast in the move, by the way) is.

Perfect movie? No. Am I happy? Yes.

Meanwhile, just for fun I decided to write a song based on the movie, mostly because whenever I see the posters for New Moon, the music for the song "Blue Moon" runs through my head.

My New Moon Song:
Sung to the tune of "Blue Moon" by Lorenz Hart and Richard Rodgers

New moooon!
We saw her standing alone
Without a dream in her heart;
Without a love of her own.

New moooon!
She didn't know what she was there for.
Audience saying a prayer for
The one she really did care for.

And then suddenly
There appeared
Before her
A muscled werewolf
whose arms she wouldn't hold.
He said "Come, buddy"
Please adore me!
Her love for Edward
Kept her from being bold.

Oh! Oh! Oh!

New mooooon!
Now she's no longer alone
Staves off the dream in her heart
But she won't call Jake her own.

*Scatting*

And then suddenly
Italy was there
Before her.
Saw Edward glitter
And her blood ran cold.
The other vampires
Wanted to destroy her,
But goodness won
And the heros flew back home!

New mooooon!
Now she's no longer alone
With future dreams in her heart
With a sweet love of her own.

*scatting*

Ding-a-dong-dang!
New mooooon!

Pretty bad, eh? Oh well. I'll try harder next time!

I Need a Little Christmas

I saw A Christmas Carol at HCT last night, and it was excellent. Every year I think I'd probably be okay skipping the play, and every year I go and am delighted by the humor and the uplifting music and most importantly the message.

And last night I was shamed by that message. Because I had to face what has been lurking in the periphery of my mind the last couple of weeks:

This year, I'm a Scrooge.

I'm just not feeling Christmas Spirit this year. Whenever I think about Christmas I realize how little time I have left to finish my work. And then I start thinking about some of the rumors going around about the company and stressing that I won't even have a job next year. And what would I do if I lost my job? And then I want to lie down on the floor and eat a whole pan of homemade peanut butter cups. Mmmm...peanut butter cups... Except I don't feel well enough to enjoy chocolaty treats which really makes me want to feel sorry for myself.

Help!

It's sad to me that Ebenezer Scrooge is remembered as a miser and a grump, because the main message in A Christmas Carol is one of redemption. Scrooge chooses to change before it's too late. He realizes how sad and lonely a selfish life is. He learns that treating the people around him well and sharing his talents and resources would make him far happier than he could have ever imagined. He ends his days as a philanthropist who spreads joy to all he meets.

I know he's a literary character, but if Scrooge can find the Christmas spirit, it's not too late for me either.

Christmas is coming! Be of good cheer!

Hmm...feeling a little forced. All right. Let's break the process of getting into the Christmas spirit into steps. Goals to keep me from becoming a hopeless, joyless "old" Scrooge:
1. I will pray every morning for opportunities to serve.
2. I will pray for the spirit and count my blessings whenever I start to feel overwhelmed and unhappy.
3. I will to listen to Christmas music as I drive to work every day.
4. I will always have a dollar in my pocket to give to every charity bell-ringer I pass. (I did this a few years ago and loved it - felt so good to share my hard-earned money with those who need it!)
5. I will put Christmas lights on my balcony by Saturday.
6. I will buy a Christmas tree next week. (I have not yet decided if it will be live or plastic...)
7. I will buy a gingerbread house starter kit to put together on Sunday.
8. I will watch the Muppet Christmas Carol within the next two weeks. It's my favorite Christmas movie!

Still twenty-three days left to Christmas Eve; it's worth a shot! My Christmas can be saved!

If I Weren't So Blonde

I could totally be in West Side Story and dance like this:

It looks so fun!

Starting Over Again

I was so nervous at my rehearsal tonight! The first rehearsal for a show I don't know well at a theatre where I haven't performed in 5 years. Ack! Fortunately, I know a few people in the cast and others are friendly. I have not met my double yet, but hopefully she comes to the next rehearsal and is easy to work with :) We started to learn a few of the songs and I get to sing second Alto. Oh, and I was measured for my costumes. I always love the music and costumes!

Always exciting to start with a new show. I can never guess what will happen during the next 10 weeks of rehearsal and 4 of performances. It may be just another show... it may change my whole life....

Whatever happens, it's going to be a lot of hard work and a lot of fun!

Thanksgiving Weekend Highlights

1. Baking pies with my mom.

2. Watching the Dancing with the Stars finale with my parents, Aaron, and Jordyn. Of the final three stars, I am glad Donny won!

3. Having Aaron and Peter in town.

4. Pie Night, of course! Getting to see the Wadsworths, Michelle, Laren and her friends. Varieties of pie included pecan, cherry, apple, razzleberry, strawberry-rhubarb, banana cream, coconut cream, peanut butter, key lime, and chocolate ice cream.

5. Everyone helping my mom get Thanksgiving dinner ready.

6. Thanksgiving dinner with the Cravens.

7. Playing Boondah/Scum.

8. A short nap.

9. The Fantastic Mr. Fox. "Are you cussing with me?"

10. Homemade turkey soup.

11. Professional family photo taken by a handsome british guy more than willing to act silly if it will make the babies laugh.

12. Lunch at Wingers.

13. Six or more helpings of leftover pie.

14. Playing Guitar Hero for the first time.

15. Bowling with the siblings and getting a spare and a strike!

16. Getting some work done over the holiday weekend (not exactly a highlight, but it's nice to have less to do on Monday morning...)

17. Friends at all of the final three performances of Sleeping Beauty.

18. Lunch at Five Star Restaurant and the boys dressed as nerds.

19. Kudos from the director, artistic director, and producer.

20. Cast party watching the Disney version of our play.

I really enjoyed my holiday weekend. I feel blessed that the busy holiday was punctuated by quiet moments and a lot of laughter. My family and friends really are the best. I hope everyone else enjoyed Thanksgiving as much as I did!

Sick Again

When I was sick as a little girl, my mom would bring me my favorite Campbell's soup with buttered toast and milk on a tray so I could eat it in bed. She'd then drag the little t.v. into my room and set it on a chair so I could watch in between naps. She rinsed out the garbage can, washed my sheets, and brought ice wrapped in a wet wash cloth. My mom too such good care of me!

I miss that. Now that I'm an adult I have to do it all myself. I know I really don't feel well the idea of making a much-wanted cup of tea in the microwave still isn't worth getting out of bed. Today was one of those days.

To be fair, I am sure if I asked my mom or my friends to take care of me they probably would. But then, they all have problems of their own.

I don't remember the last time I didn't feel sick somehow. I am so tired of going to the doctor.

In about 30 minutes I'm going back to bed, so that I can get up at 6am, be at work by 8, and finish up a project by 9:30. Then I'll work the rest of the day and go to the first Kiss Me Kate rehearsal at 7. I am excited about my rehearsal! It will be my reward for surviving the rest of the day.

Being an adult is hard.

I just wish I felt better.