Birthday Project for Stephenie

ATTENTION ALL TwilightMOMS, TwilightTEENS, and Twilight20Somethings!!! 

TwilightMOMS is putting together a Happy Birthday video for Stephenie Meyer in conjunction with our other fansite friends out there! 

What we need for from you:

• A 15 second video telling Stephenie Happy Birthday AND why Esme and Carlisle Rock! 
  
• Or a photo from a time you met Stephenie and we will include it in the video!
  

Each of the fansites is taking a couple, group, or character from The Twilight Saga and we have Carlisle and Esme. Let’s wish our favorite author a happy birthday by thanking her for these great characters!

But HURRY! We need to have all these in by the 20th! 

Send videos or pics to twilightmomsnewsblog@gmail.com 

HURRY! HURRY!

Want To Be Heard? Write Summit & Go See Twilight Tomorrow

I'm getting lots of emails from fans who have some definite opinions about some of the different reports that have come out regarding the filming of New Moon: Replacing Catherine Hardwicke, film budget, replacing Taylor Lautner, rushing to get the film into the theaters, etc. Though opinions on these different issues vary with individual fans, the one thing that everyone agrees on is that the movie should stay true to the book Stephenie Meyer wrote. Everyone expresses that they want the film makers to "get it right."

It is the responsibility of the fans to make sure film makers "get it right" and preserve the integrity of Stephenie Meyer's stories and the characters which fans all love so deeply. Most emails I get are from people who want to "do something," "send them a message," or "be heard." The most effective way to do this is to write directly to Summit and share your concerns or kudos with them in a letter sent through the mail... like on real paper and with a stamp on it and everything! 

Summit Entertainment 

1630 Stewart Street, Suite 120 

Santa Monica, CA 90404 USA

How is this effective? 

• Online petitions are a farce and do not work. 
  
• Emails are easily deleted and do not work. 
  
• Using profanity does not enhance a message (nor your IQ). 
  
• Death threats or threats of bodily harm definitely do NOT work and are illegal. 

Taking the time to write your message down and send something tangible to the film makers will be taken seriously. It sends an underlying message that you are a human being who cares about something and you deserve their respect. The more letters they receive from individuals, the more they will realize that fans do matter. 

Imagine if you were going out to get your mail and you had the usual couple of bills, some junk mail in the box, and a giant bag as tall as your waist full of letters from thousands, even millions, all over the world sitting there waiting for you? What if you got that same sack of mail, or even 2 or 3 bags of that mail every day from individuals everywhere? You couldn't simply ignore that people are trying to tell you something. That makes a definite impact!

• Use a tone of respect and courtesy. 
  
• Include your name and country/state.
  
• Be professional. 
  
• Get to your point(s) right away. 
  
• Lengthy letters are less likely to be read completely. 
  
• Don't be afraid to write again.

Prove that fans matter on 12.12.08.

On TwilightMOMS.com we are planning a TwilightMOMS Night at the Movie. We've passed this on to other fan sites and are hoping that all fans everywhere will take part by going to see Twilight in theaters Friday (tomorrow) 12.12.08, which was the original release date set for the movie. 

It doesn't matter what time you see it, or if you go alone or with a group, the point is... on 12.12.08 JUST GO. With enough people participating we will bump up the movie earnings on that particular day and $how Summit just how much they need and want fan support in order to succeed. 

To sum it all up: 

• Writing and mailing letters to Summit is effective, writing to me is not. 
  
• Going to the movie Twilight on 12.12.08 and letting the almighty dollar send a message is effective, doing nothing is not.

Twilight has a very unique fandom and when we work together for a good purpose we can accomplish amazing things! We made Twilight a hit at the box office regardless of the fact that no one in the movie industry took the film seriously. We brought the movie millions of dollars! We set a new record for the biggest opening weekend for a female director! We took relatively unknown actors and put their names into the industry everywhere! We took "known" actors and made them into international superstars! 

Sounds to me like if fans had something to say... the wise thing for Summit to do would be to listen.

Twilight Christmas Spoof LOL!!!

For Moms EVERYWHERE!!!

New Moon: Formula For Success

I would like to clearly distinguish myself as a Stephenie Meyer fan. I am a fan of her writing. For whatever reason my brain says, "This is good stuff. I want more." This is a seriously amazing feat due to the fact that I have never been a reader and have never been a fan of fantasy or science fiction. I am not a literary snob when it comes to books because I haven't read very many of them, to tell you the truth. I get bored easy and will suddenly realize I just read a whole chapter and have no idea what I read b/c I was thinking of something else more entertaining. I actually made it out of high school without reading any more than maybe a couple of books. I actually used to make up books in my head and do book reports on them and get A's and B's. So, for me to be enthusiastic about a book, let alone 5 of them from the same author, is a miracle in and of itself! 

I just connect with the stories Stephenie Meyer tells. And so I do not consider myself as much a fan of movie translations of her books by other individuals so much as I classify myself as a fan of her written stories. They are my favorite form of entertainment and it is nice to be able to enjoy something that was written just for the sake of entertainment and enjoyment on her part as much as they are for me as a reader of them. 

All that being said, there is such an astronomical amount of hype going on about the movies part of The Twilight Saga. (duh. it's everywhere.) I was extremely thrilled beyond belief at the prospect of seeing Twilight brought to life physically on screen. The buzz was immediate for all of us in the fandom. The fans began marketing the movie even before it began filming! We wanted to know anything and everything about the movie! Set's, wardrobe, hair, the most seemingly minute details, you name it! The cast and crew literally had no idea what they had gotten themselves into. We are a very close-knit fanbase, and we are perfectionists about getting it right! Why? Because it is the story and the characters that we love passionately and only want justice done to them in the way Stephenie Meyer brought them to life in her books. 

The fans were lucky beyond belief that Catherine Hardwicke was the director of Twilight. She "got it" right away. She connected with the fans and acknowledged that it was the fans who would make it a success so it was the fans she would do her best to satisfy. She didn't have much to work with but she pulled it off! She caught the vision and gave us a movie that depicted the essence of Stephenie Meyer's story and characters honorably. 

Melissa Rosenburg managed to accomplish something few could ever do... condense Twilight yet preserve the essence of it. She not only did it, but made it look effortless! 

When you break it down, it seems like we have a proven formula for success in the box office... 

• Stephenie Meyer's story preserved with integrity, 
• Melissa Rosenburg to condense that story in a way that preserves its integrity, 
• Catherine Hardwicke to direct the filming of the story and actors' portrayal of characters in a way that preserves the story's integrity, 
• the pleased fans to market (maintain and build hype) for a movie they trust will honor the integrity of the story they love. 

The product of this formula is: a box office success. 

You'll notice, I didn't put any of the stars of the movie into that formula. Some would argue that the success of the movie was due to Rob Pattinson's excellent portrayal of Edward. I personally disagree with that. I believe the hype surrounding him is because young girls are confusing Rob Pattinson, the person, with Edward, the character. (Of course that doesn't mean the film makers won't use that to their advantage while filming NM.)

It is the character created by Stephenie Meyer that they are swooning over. The truth is, Yoda could have been cast in the role of Edward and we'd still love him, because... it's Edward! They could change out the whole cast (aside from Peter Facinelli and Billy Burke, who were flawless in their portrayals; and possibly Jackson Rathbone, who I'd like to see more from before forming an opinion) for New Moon and it wouldn't bother me. I dare to even suggest that they could replace THE Robert Pattinson and THE Kristen Stewart, and if the integrity of the story is still intact, the fans would still deliver and make it a success. 

*Please don't throw things at me! I reiterate, I'm a fan of the books more than of the actors involved in the movie. 

I, for one, am disappointed that Catherine Hardwicke will not be involved with New Moon. I can't even begin to presume what the whole negotiation situation between Summit and her was but I will give a little personal speculation here that she had the integrity to basically say, if they weren't gonna let her do it right... she won't do it at all. Once again, that is pure speculation on my part. 

The fans had faith in her as the director for Twilight and then had no doubts with her at the prospect of directing New Moon. So it's not surprising that many of us would be nervous about rushing the sequel and putting it in the hands of someone who may not have the same level of commitment and appreciation to "getting it right" that Catherine Hardwicke was proven to have.

However, if the film-making-powers-that-be keep the following simple formula in mind, I think we'll all be satisfied with the outcome.

• Stay true to Stephenie Meyer's story and characters, and work WITH her on this.
  
• Through every process, acknowledge, appreciate and involve the fans who will make it a success.
  
• If the director isn't going to be Catherine Hardwicke, then at least let the director be a woman. Women "get" this story... it's just a fact. And it's women who made this story a success.

So there you have it... the controversy! Seriously, I just wish Stephenie Meyer had a new book coming out. I'm so ready for yet another literary masterpiece of fun just from her!!!  

 

How To Be Miserable

This was a great lesson I heard at church today. I just loved it. It made me really think about what a wonderful life I have regardless of all the difficulties I'm going through. Christmas time in general has become increasingly excessive. The shopping, the decorating, the eating. It seems like we're just not satisfied unless it's even more lavish and grand than the previous year. This holds true for my own family. After realizing just how much this applies to us, I just don't like the idea of my kids (or me and my husband for that matter) getting too comfortable with having "things". 

I was laid off from a job I truly, truly loved about 6 months ago. My husband and I agreed that I would be the breadwinner until he was through school. I wasn't too worried about getting another job and just starting over as a warehouse grunt or a temp from an agency. There was always a need somewhere nearby, however, soon the economy crumbled and along with it the job market. Now, my searches for jobs have been turning up nothing more than "opportunities" in Asbestos Removal or Pipe Welding, which I would gratefully try for but they are in cities approximately 3 to 4 hours away from me and I only drive my car long distances when it is absolutely necessary because it will be literally dying on me any day now... poor little Bessie. 

I could be miserable and complain about not having a job, or I could be miserable and worry myself into physical illness. I could spend the days crying "why me" and look for pity. Those are some "choices" I could make, but I can also choose to enjoy this time with my children. I can choose to say, "Yeah, our Christmas is gonna be very small, but off the top of my head I can think of LOTS of other people whose situations are FAR more tragic than mine." (... and far more deserving of God's blessings!) There is always someone worse off and in need of help. 

I may not have money, a good functioning car, or the "good" stuff in my cupboards, but I and my family are healthy and able bodied. My kids laugh everyday. My husband only has a little over a year to go in school instead of 3 or 4 years, we've got family nearby, wonderful friends all around us (near and far), and we are able to give our service to our friends and neighbors who desperately need the help of others right now for reasons which I know I would never make it through if it were me in their place. 

And so, whoever you are, whatever your situation... you have a choice. That can NEVER be taken from you. Viktor Frankl, author of Man's Search For Meaning (my favorite book), learned  this while he was a prisoner and slave in the worst concentration camps during World War 2. He, along with millions of Jews, were stripped of all they had... freedom, job, home, family, food, the very clothes on their backs... and their own given name was even replaced by a new "identity" they were forced to go by... a number branded on their arm. Though everything humanly possible was taken away, Viktor Frankl realized he still had choice. He had his mind, his memories, and his ability to choose to hope for a better day to come, or to let despair overcome him and end his life. Be strong or give up. 

We can all list things that make us happy or ways to be more joyful, but consider these instructions on how to be miserable as well. I pondered on each point and realized I've gotten my lists mixed up because I'm guilty of all these items!!! (There are also some very insightful quotes to go along with each item.)

How To Be Miserable

Daily, constantly, we choose by our desires, our thoughts, and our actions whether we want to be blessed or cursed, happy or miserable.  ~Ezra Taft Benson

1. Believe That Things Will Never Change

• Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change. ~Norman Vincent Peale
  
• Tough times never last, but tough people do! ~Robert Schuller
  

2. Think About Your Problems

• Everyone can be discontented if he ignores his blessings and looks only at his burdens. ~Thomas S. Monson
  

3. Worry About Things You Can't Control

• He who worries about calamities suffers them twice over. ~Og Mandino
  

4. Complain About Your Blessings

• I complained because I had no shoes until I saw a man who had no feet. ~Sign in a shoe shop
  

5. Think About Yourself

• Generally speaking, the most miserable people I know are those who are obsessed with themselves: the happiest people I know are those who lose themselves in the service of others. ~Gordon B. Hinckley
  

6. Put Yourself Down (and/or Compare Yourself To Others "Better Off")

• Our doubts are traitors,  And make us lose the good we oft might win... ~William Shakespeare

7.  Hold Onto Grudges

• There is no peace in the nursing of a grudge. There is no happiness in living for the day when you can "get even." ~Gordon B. Hinckley
  

8. Put Deadlines On Your Happiness (i.e. "I won't be happy until __________ happens.")

• Happiness is a decision, not a destination. It's and attitude, not an event! ~John Bytheway 
  

9. Always Want More

• Remember that in the end, surely God will be looking only for clean hands, not full ones. ~Jeffrey R. Holland
  

10. Postpone Prayer

• Ask and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. ~Matthew 7:7
  

11. Recycle Regrets

• The past is behind; learn from it. The future is ahead; prepare for it. The present is here; live in it! ~Thomas S. Monson

The Christmas Tree Is Up

We finally got Christmas out of the boxes and storage totes from the basement! The kids did a great job cleaning their rooms so they could help decorate the tree. And here it is...

The Hansen Family Christmas Tree

It's a six foot fiber optic lighted tree. It's nice but with the vaulted ceiling I want to go for the slim twelve footer I saw at Walmart the other day... *sigh* someday. 

The biggest laugh of the whole evening goes to my son, Caleb, who being the dutiful 6 year old boy he is, followed directions to the "T". While I was busy going through items in the other room, I yelled for him to fan the tree out while they were waiting for me. I walked back into the room to find the tree just the way I left it, standing up looking like it just came out of the box... except now with a small fan aimed directly at the tree... plugged in and running. 

You have to give it to the boy... he knows how to do what he's told. =D 

Finished The Wizard of Oz

I finished reading The Wizard of Oz to my kids the other day. And all I have to say is... what was he smokin'? No, I'm just kidding... (but not). If you've only seen the movie then you've seen a very different version of the L. Frank Baum classic. My son really enjoyed the story and looked forward to it every night (for more than a reason to prolong going to bed). 

It was such a crazy adventure! When the scarecrow gets his brains they are nothing more than a big ball of needles (like actual sharp needles) mixed with a cup of bran (as in the fiber). And when he thinks the needles start poking out of the burlap sack that is his head. (I know! I know! Crazy!) And the flying monkeys? Well, they are under the power of the person who holds the "golden cap". The witch had this cap at first and then Dorothy melted her like brown sugar while trying to mop the floor while the witch was messing with Dorothy who was her kitchen-slave (which I find an entirely relatable situation). Dorothy then takes the cap and has the winged monkeys at her command. (But the keeper of the cap can only summon them a total of three times.) Their adventures also lead them to a whole town made of fine china. The people, houses, and animals are little figurines who have to be very careful or they might break themselves. (cuckooooo! hello!)

With today's technology, they could absolutely remake a more accurate movie version, but... it might freak me out a little. My kids, on the other hand, would LOVE it! Unfortunately, I'm not a fan of fantasy in general. (Yes, I realize vampires and werewolves are "fantasy" and aliens are sci-fi. My two least favorite categories yet also where some of my most favorite books fall under. But those books are more "real-life" based so I have a hard time with the classification sometimes. :P ) But I don't want my kids to be as picky as me with books so I'll read them anything that will stimulate their imagination even if that includes some pretty freaky wacked out stuff, man! 

Up next is probably Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites by Chris Heimerdinger... we just choose from what we have around our house, and since this is MY house we're talking about... the choices are very limited. (I'd rather read Where the Red Fern Grows or Super Fudge and I'm really close to scouring the house for loose change just to go purchase one or the other.) What about the local library? you ask? Bwahahaha! First off, I live in Springville,  Utah: ie Crappy Libraryville. And second, the anxiety I suffer from borrowing a book from the library and bringing it into my home... where my children, my very own over-caffeinated flying monkeys live is just far too much to ask of me. I have more respect for public library books than to endanger them in that way. 

I'm kidding of course! I do take my kids to the library sometimes and let them mess up the book displays in the kids section, or act like I don't know whose unruly children they are when I see them stand entirely too close to someone in deep concentration trying to use the computer until they are just so uncomfortable that they leave and my child then takes the empty seat while simultaneously clickclickclickclicking the mouse to make something, anything, happen on the screen. It's loads of fun! And sometimes they even get to pick 2 books (only!) to check out. 

Anyway, getting back to the point... Dorothy's shoes aren't even red! They are SILVER! And my kids and I would never have known the truth if we hadn't read the book together! 

Flattering Friend Request

I just got this friend request on myspace. I was laughing so hard I could barely breathe... but I'm SO flattered!!!!!!! I guess I picked a good picture for my profile because I KNOW I don't look anything near as beautiful as Elizabeth Reaser in real life!!! (read the message to me as pointed out by the pink arrow-click on pic to see larger)

4 Days of Thanksgiving

I'm finally back from my four full days of non-stop eating! Yes, I shamelessly stuffed my face with all that fabulously fattening food each and every day of the holiday weekend and enjoyed every minute of it! All I have to say is... thank heaven for family, friends, and cream cheese! If I ever left my husband, it would be for a brick of softened cream cheese... I kid you not! 

Now that Monday is here and life is somewhat back to normal, I was able to finally get caught up on my emails... somewhat... and I have been working on putting my house back together after the long weekend. Although we weren't home for a very large portion of it, for some reason just the simple fact that my kids and husband don't have school automatically makes my house dirty and disorganized. It's one of those unexplainable, but accepted anomalies of my life. 

I've got dinner already done for the most part, which is super exciting for me. And I will probably attempt to tackle mount wash-more next, but now that the kidlets are home I have a feeling that I should stop trying to go down my to-do list before the inevitable frustration sets in from the feelings of lack of accomplishment with the last items. It's best just to bask in the glory of sense of accomplishment from the items I did get to cross off and then just "go with the flow" after 3:30pm for me. So, here I go...