Monday, November 23, 2009

Never say never.

So I just finished reading the Twilight Saga. I'm sure you've heard of it but, just in case any of you haven't . . . it's a love story about a vampire named Edward and a human named Bella, to sum it up succinctly. I had heard it described as a pure love story - a Pride and Prejudice for vampires. This made me angry, of course, because nothing should be compared so lightly to my precious Pride & Prejudice. Nothing. Anyway, the saga comprises four books: Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn - in that order. And I had no interest in reading them. I had SWORN that I wasn't going to read them and get caught up in the craze that appears to have swept the country.

But I just couldn't help myself.

And I really don't know why I resisted so much. I mean, it's not because I am averse to blindly following pop culture phenomena - I AM still in love with the New Kids on the Block, after all. And it's not like I don't love to read. Because I really do. I think it's because I'm not that into the whole fantasy genre thing and a vampire love story just smacks of "fantasy," does it not?

Ahhhhhh. How foolish and misguided I was . . .


6 months ago at lunch with my sister Erin:

Erin: Hey!
Me: Hey! Ummmm . . . are you ACTUALLY wearing a Twilight t-shirt?
Erin: Uh huh.
Me: In public?
Erin: Yep!
Me: Wow.
Erin: [smiling proudly]
Me: You're 32.
Erin: [smiling bigger]
Me: And married.
Erin: [still smiling]
Me: And a mother of two.
Erin: Don't judge me.
Me: You know, your reputation is your own business but when we meet in public, you can't bring me down with you like this. I've got a reputation to uphold. And I'm not married yet so looking cool is still kinda important to me. I can't afford to be seen with uncool people . . . like a grown woman in a Twilight t-shirt - it affects my odds.
Erin: Edward wouldn't care . . .


Fast forward two months. I'm meeting my sister at the mall . . .

Erin: What's up?!
Me: Nothing mu- . . . does your shirt say "Team Edward"?
Erin: Yep!
Me: That's embarrassing.
Erin: Shut up. Don't judge me.


Fast forward a month and half. I come home and my roomie Melissa and a friend are watching Twilight. I roll my eyes. I sit down in the living room with them and get my laptop out so that I can check my email real quick and get to bed. With absolutely no intention of watching the movie. 2 hours later, my email remains unanswered and I'm totally sucked in to the movie.

Crap.

The next day, I go to my niece's birthday party and confess to my sister:

Me: Sooooooooooooo . . . I need to tell you something.
Erin: What???
Me: I watched Twilight last night.
Erin: [gasps, opens eyes in horror, and then screams . . .] Without meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee???
[children look up frightened and run to their mothers]
Me: Yeah. Sorry. It was good, though. But now I have a bunch of questions.
Erin: Hold on. [gets phone out and dials her husband] Matt? Can you bring my copy of Twilight with you? It's on the Edward shrine in the bedroom. [Ok - she didn't really say that part. Her Edward shrine is in her living room . . .] Ok. Matt's bringing it. You have to hurry up and read it and New Moon because the movie for New Moon comes out in two weeks!!
Me: Two weeks?? Are you crazy?? Erin, there is no WAY I'll read them that fast. I mean, I just don't read books as quickly as you do. Plus, I have trial next week so I'll be working on that. So . . . it's probably not gonna happen . . .


Fast forward two weeks. I've read all four books, am totally in love with Edward, have now added "Must growl or hiss at anyone who tries to hurt me" to my list of must-haves in a husband, and am standing in line for the 9:40 showing of New Moon:

Erin: This is so exciting!
Me: I know! I can't wait!
Random man in front of us: Are y'all actually wearing Edward t-shirts??


Don't judge me.

5 comments:

Emma said...

Very funny....but you let me down, Catch!! You didn't stand strong, you caved!! :) I'll have to hold tough now......what's the first book called... :)

Unknown said...

I was actually thinking about this this past week and wondering how you never jumped aboard the Edward train. I read 3 1/2 of the 4 books; I quit on principle at that point!

Phyllis Eddings said...

I'm so glad you've finally seen the light.

Unknown said...

i LOVE IT I LOVE IT I LOVE IT!!!! It's so much fun sucking people into it. Ellen, I don't even want to talk about how you could have stopped half way through the last one. I may never want to talk to you about anything again. No, seriously.

Catherine- don't forget to add to your list about kissing the hollow of your throat!

Tracy said...

oh, no, catchy...you've crossed over to the crazy side!

btw...jacob is so much hotter!