Ed, Farrah, Michael, and Billy: You will be missed.
I will remember Michael Jackson as the innovator of the moon-walk, the pop king that bridged the racial divide, the man who lit up the sidewalk in the video of my favorite MJ song, “Billy Jean”. I will remember someone who spent his whole life in the music business, and despite his personal failures still topped the charts and gave us music that people ages 8-80 still know and love. RIP, king of pop.
Honestly, if I were Bella, I would have gone for the werewolf.
Rob Pattinson (AKA Edward Cullen of Twilight fame) was hit by a cab on Thursday while trying to escape a mob of fans. I immediately wondered if Rob channelled Edward, moving the with vampire-like strength as he read the minds of the teenage girls who were so attracted to his milky white skin.
I just don't see it. OK, he's got that mysterious, bedroom eyes thing going for him, but the pale skin thing isn't just for the movies. Maybe it's just that he's 23 years old, and my tastes have become more sophisticated.
This coming from the girl who puts Adam Sandler at the top of her list. You know the list, made ever-popular by Friends. You put five famous people that you could enjoy the company of without it being considered cheating. This is all in good fun, of course, because the chance of me ever meeting let alone having a chance with Sandler, Dave Matthews, Ed Norton, Ewan McGregor, or Barack Obama (I had to add him. He is the most powerful man in the free world) is slim to none. Not to mention that I think all of these men are married, and I am 100% certain I am not on their lists.
Adam Sandler, however, is my number one. He is absolutely hilarious and has that cute boy next door thing going on. Of course, Billy Madison is my all-time favorite mindless movie. I must have watched it 900 times in college. I still keep it in my Netflix Queue. I believe that Billy really saw the penguins and that the battle between shampoo and conditioner will rage on.
But, back to Ed (Cullen, not Norton). Reading about Rob (not Ed) cheating death by cab, reminded me of the moment I became an Ed (not Rob) fan in the Twilight series. I have to admit, I was not always certain of Edward's motives. Even through Breaking Dawn, I was skeptical of what he was doing with a girl like Bella. Then, I read the draft of Midnight Sun, Twilight from Edward's point of view. I now can see what makes at least Edward's character so attractive. Being able to read Edward's mind is a power that Meyer so graciously gives us in her fifth novel of the series. Stephenie Meyer, (if you are reading this), finish that book! Please! Just because some jerk leaked the novel doesn't mean you should deprive yourself and your fans from publishing your best book yet. I, as a fan who has paid good money for all of the books, appreciated her allowing me to legally read the book on her website after all was said and done, but I would loved to have a finished bound copy on my shelf!
In other Stephenie Meyer related news, I am working on a novel. How does this relate to the famous author of Twilight? She was 29 when she published her first novel, Twilight. I am 29, and although my novel has nothing to do with vampires, she has given me hope that life does not, in fact, end at 30. My thirties are on the horizon as a beginning of something fascinating and wonderful. No longer working two jobs to make ends meet, I can rediscover my passion for words beyond my classroom walls. Even if I don't make a living from it, my goal is to have a rough draft (at least) completed by the time I hit the big 3-0. It's getting closer and closer, but my first book for young adults will at least be on my own personal book shelf by 2010.
The first step is admitting you have a problem.
My name is Jen, and I am addicted to teenage girl- targeted literature. No, I am not buying Bop (Is that still around?) or Seventeen magazine to swoon over the Jonas Brothers, but I am not just talking Twilight either. Twilight is more than a 12-15 year-old phenomenon, thank you very much. And, if I were in that age group, I would have wanted Bella to end up with Edward in the first three books instead of Jacob. Yes, I was totally on Team Jacob as my facebook flair proclaims. Also, I never read Twilight by choice. Really, what kind of choice did I have when girls in my English class who wouldn't even read a three page reading assignment race through a 500+ page novel in less than a week? I was intrigued, and I admit, they were good.
My problem is the books that I never in a million years thought a professional, articulate, almost thirty year old woman could enjoy, and fortunately, they all come in a series, so I can keep reading and reading and reading. . .
Step two is believing that a power greater than myself can restore me to sanity. As with any addiction, however, I have to be honest. I am not sure I want to recover. Bring on the chick lit for the teen set. Is it really such a bad thing to feel thirteen again?
It is hard to believe that a man I was friends with for so long would turn out to be my husband as well as the father of my amazing stepson and our two girls. (Dogs are kids too!)
One year ago today, I married my best friend on Seven Mile Beach in Negril, Jamaica. I wore a white with pink flowers sundress, he wore a button down linen shirt and khaki pants. He was dripping with sweat; I was dripping with tears, but it was the best moment of my life. I think he would agree. (Except maybe the birth of his son, C. I'll give him that.)
We celebrated by eating at a local Jamaican restaurant last night. C. tagged along as we enjoyed our jerked chicken and daiquiris. (No rum for C.) Today, we paid tribute to our marriage by doing laundry and playing soccer in the park. (Well, my athletic boys played, I watched, and the girls destroyed the soccer ball thinking it was a rolling game of fetch.)
Something like 50% of marriages end in divorce in the first few years. But, as Barney on How I Met Your Mother tells us, 88% of all statistics are made up. (Or it could be 75% or 60%. Who knows? They are made up!) Whatever the true numbers are, it seems like the spouses that survive are best friends. J. makes me laugh until I cry, can cook better than any gourmet chef, will call me out when I am being a bit of a beyotch, and seems to read my mind whether it's what I want for dinner or knowing I need to be alone and read a book.
As we celebrate our first year of wedded bliss, the phrase "for better or worse" comes to mind. I know there have been some rough times, but this really has been the best year of my life. I cannot wait to continue the journey with my partner in life.
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My motto in life has always been "test drive it". I figure why not, right? Easier said than done. With age comes caution, and more often than not lately I have been perhaps a little too weary of taking risks.
Thirty has become this huge looming number for me.
30: Living in an apartment
30: Childless
30: Virtually unpublished
30: Pounds overweight
You get the picture. Honestly, I am not scared to turn 30. I am scared that if I keep proceeding with too much trepidation, that I could become one of those "Smug Married" half-whits Bridget Jones writes about in her diary.
I could be my mother, (but, really, is that such a bad thing)?
Life is risky though. Posting your thoughts on the internet for anyone to read (potential agents, publishers, hint-hint, nudge-nudge), thinking about bringing kids into this crazy, screwed-up world, teaching other people's children, traveling across the country or the world. Is it worth it? Hell, yes. I am ready to embrace 30 with all its ups and downs. I am ready to shut the hell up and hit the gas.
