In defense of Edward Cullen

I posted something in my Facebook status this weekend about having just finished the Twilight books. This status update sparked a lot of controversy, mostly from guys I know blasting the series. I just have a few things I wanted to say regarding the books, without causing any further controversy on Facebook.

I am always skeptical of things that mass amounts of people like, so naturally I had a lot of trepidation about reading the Twilight books. My sister read them and loved them, and we generally have a lot of the same tastes, so I decided to go for it. I'm a sap for a love story anyway. Now, I have yet to see any of the movies, and I am definitely not a Robert Pattinson fan. I think he's one of the most unattractive "heartthrobs" I've ever seen. I like Taylor Lautner because he has abs that won't quit, but I've never seen him act. I do enjoy Kristen Stewart in the few things I've seen her in, but mostly because I like her angst. So, my judgments on Twilight at this point come strictly from the Stephenie Meyer novels.

Meyer is not a great writer. There are many things about her storytelling that I could find fault with. But her characters are likeable. The only ones who aren't are the Volturi, the coven of vampires that initiate the attacks on Bella, and a few of the nomads. Even Rosalie, who seems pretty hateful at times, comes to be likeable in Breaking Dawn. I mean, don't vampires have to be likeable? Either you love them or you hate them (or alternately both, like Lestat from Interview with a Vampire). Teenage girls wouldn't be obsessed with a series of books about a bunch of evil fucking vampires, now would they?

Someone also said that the books were basically just supernatural romance novels. Let's see. The main characters remain virgins until marriage, and nothing more than kisses are described with any sort of detail. There are no synonyms for "loins" in the books. The whole thing is incredibly chaste, which is the opposite of any romance novel I've ever read.

Here was the disagreement that bothered me the most. Edward Cullen was called "patronizing, obsessive, and violent." I found him to be none of these things. Okay, maybe obsessive. I'll give you that one. But violent? Edward is the least violent character. He sacrifices his very nature in order to be with Bella. He puts her at risk, and I would definitely say that he is selfish, but he is the opposite of violent. Even when he and Bella consummate their marriage, he restrains himself in order to avoid putting her in pain. When Bella is pregnant, every pain the baby causes in her body causes him great emotional anguish. How does that make him violent? I wouldn't call him patronizing either. Bella is clearly the one that makes the rules and demands in the relationship. He doesn't speak down to her, and the one thing he does that causes her the most pain is when he leaves in an attempt to keep her from further danger. I made the comment during this whole thing that every girl wanted an Edward Cullen. This too was shot down. Who doesn't want a man who can always physically protect you thanks to raw strength, who lavishes gifts on you at every opportunity, who constantly tells you how beautiful you are, and who promises to love you forever and can actually live long enough to say that? Sounds pretty perfect to me.

I don't know why this whole thing is bothering me so much. I mean, I really liked the books, but I don't plan on reading them over and over. I will watch the movies, but I don't see myself becoming obsessed with them. I guess what bothers me is just the fact that my opinion was deemed "wrong" by certain people, and they spent so much energy arguing with me over something that I am clearly not going to change my mind about. *sigh* My opinions rarely line up with what's popular, then when they do I still get blasted for it. Whatever.

inspiration

I recently read a comment in response to one of Carrie Fisher's blogs that said that you don't need inspiration to blog. Wrong! If I didn't need inspiration to write, I would sit in front of a computer for hours a day and just vomit words. I guess that could be how some people operate, which would explain a lot about Perez Hilton. (I used to love his website, but my disdain for him grows more and more with each passing week thanks to his ill spelling and hypocrisy.) For me, blogging is writing in it's most stripped down and vulnerable form. If I don't blog with inspiration, then my posts have no meaning, just sound like drivel, and do not portray my sharp wit and intelligence. Why on earth would I do something that did not serve to make me look like a better person than others? Egotistical much?

Okay, enough of my "humor". So, in the spirit of not having to be inspired to write, I am going to reach over, turn on my iPod, and let the first song that plays randomly lead me to some sort of topic.

"I Shall Be Released" - Bette Midler
Honestly, first was actually some Patsy Cline song, but I got distracted by something work-related and missed almost the entire song because I didn't press pause. Bob Dylan wrote this song, and strangely enough we have been talking about Dylan at work today, wondering how many awards he's won. I forgot that he won an Oscar for Best Original Song way back in 2000, but once we discussed it, I did vaguely remember the performance. I highly respect Bob Dylan as a songwriter and cannot deny the vast contributions he's made to the music industry. That being said, I wish I never had to hear him or look at him ever again. I hate his voice, and he is one ugly, crazy-looking mofo. I believe 'fros on men can be superhot. Case in point, Lindsey Buckingham, especially circa 1977. But Dylan has this thin, frizzed out 'fro that just reminds me way too much of Phil Spector. (Read any quotes from his wife recently? She's just as batshit crazy as he is.) Like I said though, the man writes great songs. I just find his voice to be very grating. As a general rule, I don't like male singers anyway. This could be in large part because I can't identify with them or, usually, sing along with their songs. When I say I can't identify with them, I don't mean because they sing about losing their woman. I mean, most males sing/rap about partyin' in "da club", or making love in "dis club", or other things that I find have nothing to do with the general human condition. I guess sex does, in its way, but having sex in the bathroom of a club? That's not something that everyone goes through. Everyone loves, loses love, wants love, or is betrayed by someone they love. Those are songs I can get behind, and those are songs that are sung most often by women. Of course, I just generally think women are better anyway. They're smarter, prettier, better at multi-tasking, more responsible, better drivers, and less likely to cheat.

Oh, that one came from nowhere. Anyway, back to Bob Dylan. In conclusion, ugly, but great with words.

Actually, I guess I'm done. Went off the cuff there for quite a bit though, huh?

Jesse James is the biggest douchebag on the planet.

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted. Things have been stressful lately. I've been trying to move and then ended up deciding not to. I've also been trying to plan a trip to Texas at the end of May with my grandparents, who apparently are worried that I cannot afford the trip. It's my money, my problem, I'll deal with it. I've also been working on getting my student loans put in forbearance for a second time. Hopefully that'll help me get caught up on some bills and things.

I rearranged all of the furniture in my apartment on Thursday, so hopefully that will provide a little glimmer of change to keep things steady for a while. Feng shui, and all that.

I never got a chance to make a post-Oscar blog, so I'll put a few things in about that now. I'm so glad Sandra Bullock won Best Actress and so sorry that the Best Actress curse has already caught up with her. No one deserves what has come to light about her husband's infidelities in the past week, especially someone so sweet, humble, hard-working, and kind who was otherwise on top of the world. It sucks hard, and my heart completely goes out to her.

Oscar fashion: Meryl Streep *gasp* YAY, Sandy Bullock YAY, Cameron Diaz GORGE, Gabourey Sidibe FIERCE, Zoe Saldana MEH, Charlize Theron HONEY NO, Miley Cyrus GO AWAY, Diane Kruger PUKE, Vera Farmiga EEEEKKK!!!!, George Clooney ALWAYS, Ryan Reynolds YUM, Jeff Bridges and Susan Geston ADORBS. As for the ceremony, mostly a snoozefest, but I was thrilled with Kathryn Bigelow's win as well as the NPH opening number and all of the barbs at Meryl throughout the night. Have ever mentioned how much I adore her?

Alright I guess that's all I've got for today. I should probably get back to work.

meh

I feel like I should have an Oscar post, but I am just so wiped out right now I can't muster the energy. :( Maybe soon.

Joan Rivers tomorrow!

The actress that lays a golden egg every frickin' time.

Right now I'm totally loving the attention being lavished on Meryl Streep. From the fabulous NY Times article about the "cinematic chameleon" to an MSN rundown of the Oscars that Streep should have won, I feel like homegirl is finally getting the accolades she deserves.

What is that? Accolades? As if the sixteen Oscar nominations were not enough! I mean, blah blah blah. "It's such an honor to be nominated." That's bull. Meryl is the losingest actor in Oscar history. She deserves a special award just for being her spectacular self. With the roles she's had in the last few years, starting with The Devil Wears Prada, it feels like people are really starting to take notice of her all over again. She's become a major box office draw (thanks Mamma Mia!) and has been on the cover of countless magazines, getting discovered by a whole new, younger audience. I think it's great, especially at her age. Meryl seems so comfortable in her own skin, in a way that she didn't before. She seems freer, more approachable, and very lithe. Her fabulous cheekbones have always been one of her greatest physical attributes, but now her face appears softer, her eyes more dazzling.

So, thank you New York Times for saying what so many of us feel: give Streep another damn Oscar!

And while I appreciate the gesture, MSN Movies, I don't appreciate you calling the film that housed my favorite Streep performance "predictable" or any of her work "treacle". How dare you, sir! And her Devil Wears Prada performance not Oscar-worthy? Shame on you!

Okay, I'm done worshipping Meryl Streep for the day.

annoyances

Why do people keep using the word "tween" incorrectly? Tweens are "in-betweeners" transitioning from childhood into the teenage years. Someone over 13 cannot be a tween because they are a teen. How hard is that to understand?

These movie mash-up posters from Celebuzz are just stoopid. The only ones that are any good are the Up in the Air posters, and most of the ones involving Avatar don't make any sense because they don't use Avatar in the title. (Pandora Twilight and Star Trek? Please.)

Okay, enough venting I suppose. Hey, I sold several of my I Love Lucy things today, which I'm pretty excited about. I'll be able to get rid of some things plus I may not have to borrow money from anyone to pay my income tax. Yay!