Twilight Movie Prom

It's all Danylle's fault. Haha. One of the theaters was having a "Twilight Prom" midnight movie release party (tickets were sold out in a few days--a month before the movie was released) so Danylle got a bunch of tickets and my friends and I all went.(I was actually surprised because I thought there would only be like 5 of us.) The party started at 9pm with a midnight movie to follow. My great friend Julie, flew in from Ohio and it was SUCH a blast to have her with us!!! She is SO fun.

They had a HUGE movie poster (to take your picture in front of) and professional photographers (just like the real prom type-we passed, it was $10), a big buffet complete with mushroom ravioli, a red chocolate fountain (with lots of things to dip), candy apples, a dj, dancing,(we ROCKED the dance floor with our loud and fantastic rendition of dancing queen), look a likes(shout out to Jules who claimed to be Mrs. Cope and Danylle for the waitress), prizes(movie posters, gift certificates to local places and even a trip to Washington!), and a fashion show of prom dresses from a local bridal shop.


We got into the theater around 11:15 and the energy around us was already starting. When the theater went dark everyone started screaming and when the movie started the squealing was fun. We were nervous we'd miss half the dialogue but everyone wanted to hear it so it quieted down quickly (with random bursts throughout the movie, but again, it made it fun). Twenty theaters were showing it at the same time and when it was over the parking lot was a mess! I went and sat in my car for 35 minutes listening to a book on CD and finally got home around 3am.


The kids and I were all up at my parents house and there is only one crib there. We put Tyce to bed, let him fall asleep and then moved him onto the floor in my room so they could put Austin down. So sure enough when I crawled into bed at 3am Tyce woke up and started laughing and walking around the room until he realized he could crawl up onto the bed and kicked Kalyana and I all night long.

(This picture is missing Havilah and her daughter and Shauna who couldn't stay for lunch.) I woke up this morning a bit before 9, played with the kids for a bit and then got ready and took off again back to the same theater to meet up with the other half of the SLTA who didn't go last night and also my cute friend Brie (I was SO glad she was able to make it!!). This time the theater was dead silent (made me glad for the energy of last night). After the movie we went out to lunch at Red Robin and chatted about all our thoughts of the movie.

**DONT READ if you don't want a few spoilers.**
For those of you interested in my opinion: I had very low expectations going into this movie. I had seen interviews with Robert Pattinson and thought he was a bit boring, and I'd seen movies with Kristen Stewart and thought she had non-emotional, flat acting. Also from what I knew of Summit and this project (money, connections) I really wasn't sure they'd pull it off. Knowing that, I enjoyed the movie. It was silly, and cheesy (about as much as I expected), but there were also some great scenes of innocent passion, and later intense emotion. With some of the news I heard before I actually thought there was going to be more action (that would over power the rest of it) and in that sense I thought they had an ok balance. Overall, I'd say, understand it's cheesy and there is no way they'd fit that huge book into 2 hours, but have a good time and enjoy a fun movie. Also just FYI Stephenie has a cameo. (I didn't realize so many people didn't know about it or didnt know what she looked like). And they just decided to allow them to film New Moon as well.

Gears

Tarl supported me in going to my midnight release party (for a book) so I supported him in doing his. (Although his wasn't a party it was more, go to the store at midnight, pick up the game, run home and play forever.) I figured he'd last until about 6am but boy was I wrong. He got home around 12:45 am popped that sucker in and didn't stop playing until about 5pm this evening. (After which we promptly fell asleep for the evening.) Glad your enjoying your new toy honey!

These are actual pictures of his games and a picture of him at about noon today, still going strong. (His poor eyes were SOOO bloodshot. He's been sick the last few days so it was perfect timing since he got to lounge on the couch all day and 'recuperate'.)

The sticker adults want to show off!

At the gym this morning I was watching a bit of the news (it's generally the only time I watch TV) and remembered that not everyone gets to vote on these snazzy little machines. So, since this is a record of my life I figured it'd also be fun for posterity to see.

I'm not positive about the details (and couldn't find much when I tried to search) but I think our area has had these for the last 3+ years. We've had the opportunity to vote on these a few times. You get a little log in card, you slip it in up top, do your voting and then check to make sure you did what you wanted on the print out (that stays in the machine) on the bottom right.

I tried to run over and vote on the way to the gym but everyone else was there trying to hit it before work. We went back over around 10 and only one other person was there. In and out in a few minutes.

I'm thankful for the opportunity I have to be included in choosing the leaders of our country. I'm grateful to live in a country where I have freedom. I'm thankful that I live in a place where I can feel safe.

God bless our country and it's people.

Worm?

One year ago today I made a goal to read 50 books in 52 weeks. At my six month mark I hit my goal and I aimed for a new on of 100 books in 52 weeks.

Here are my stats as I was going along.

Date Started: October 22, 2007
Book Count: 17 (As of Dec 31, 2007-end of year)
Book Count: 26 (As of January 22, 2008--3 month mark & over 1/2 my goal!)
Book Count: 50 (As of April 17, 2008)
**50 Book Challenge** Succeeded on: April 17, 2008 @ 4:45pm (a few days shy of the 6 month mark)
Book Count: 68 (As of June 22, 2008-- 8 months in)
Book Count: 75 (As of July 16, 2008--75 books in a little under 9 months)
Book Count: 83 (As of August 22, 2008--17 books left with 2 months to go!)
Book Count: 91 (As of Sept 22, 2008--1 month to go!!!)
***Book Count: 100!!!! (As of Oct 10, 2008, 50 weeks)***
Current Book Count: 106 (As of Oct 21, 2008)

I read 106 books in one year!!

Are you ready? Be sure to Rock It!

One month to go and counting.

Continue researching the issues.

Don't forget your local issues too.

Rock the Vote!

Volleyball Valor

It was close! The whole stinkin game! Point for point, one up, back and forth. Until they both hit 18...in each match, and the Americans were able to push it to 21! A continued undefeated season for Walsh and May. Incredible. History. I couldn't stand the wait and actually jumped on the internet to find out that they won their first match (but I didn't see by how much). I couldn't handle not looking so I had to keep myself busy and went and deep cleaned my kitchen while I waited for it to air on nbc. Even though I already knew they won the first match I was still anxious the whole game. Good thing my kids are good sleepers. I was screaming my head off. I hope my neighbors didn't mind too much.

Some impressive stats and facts:
~Aug 19 marked exactly one year since they lost a match.
~June 30 2007 was their last international loss, ironically to Tian and Wang (whom they played today).
~May-Treanor and Walsh are the first beach volleyball team, men or women, to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals.
~In two Olympic Games, May-Treanor and Walsh have won an all-time best 14 straight matches. Better yet, they've won all 28 sets they've played.
~May-Treanor and Walsh got their 108th straight win; they broke their own previous record of 89 earlier this year.
~A gold medal gave them 19 titles in the last 19 tournaments they've entered; they broke their own previous record of 15 earlier this year.
~May-Treanor and Walsh already own the most gold medals in international FIVB play with 34; a second Olympic title would be their 35th in 60 career events.
~Only one woman in beach volleyball history has 100 career titles: May-Treanor with 103. Walsh joined her at 100 with this gold medal in Beijing.
~Simple won-lost record: 714-50 in 131 official tournaments, including Olympic matches so far.

I got these stats from nbc.com

Olympic Volleyball

Kerri Walsh and Misty Mae-Treanor are Uh-May-Zing! I watched them in the Sydney Olympics but I've been following them this time around in Bejing. They partnered up almost 8 years ago when their parents met each other and were sympathizing about their daughters frustrations with their games/teams.

They've been undefeated in the Olympics (and actually for a good part of the year I think with now over 107 wins in a row) having just won the semifinal round and are going on to play against a Chineese team (Jia and Jie) for the Gold! Tonight they played against the Brazilan team where the game was short but awesome. They had some incredible volleys where both teams had really great digs and saves. Seriously awe inspiring ladies. If I could ever get the chance to watch these ladies in person I'd do it. Sadly I may not get the chance for a while since after the Olympics they're both taking time off to start their families. Perhaps in a few years when the enter the circuit again I'll look 'em up and get to a game!!!

I have always enjoyed sports and loved the year I got to play volleyball on the city recreation team. The years I didn't play city I played a fierce church ball often known for throwing myself around the court to get those hard to reach balls or sliding along the floor on my knees and burning my pants onto my knee caps (I wore nylon workout pants). Sometimes I miss my sports participation younger self.



And on a side note, Olympics Trampoline? Really? Apparently this has been around since the games in Sydney in 2000 but for the last eight years I must have been hiding around a rock. Or maybe a small pebble. Did you know it existed?

A bit of history I got off of NBC's Olympic coverage, "The 2000 Olympics was the first to include competition on trampoline, an apparatus said to have been developed by Eskimos and invented - according to circus lore - by a French trapeze artist named du Trampolin. More officially, American inventor George Nissen designed the first modern-style trampoline in 1936. U.S. military in training pilots and soldiers used his portable device during World War II. Nissen, at age 86, was present in Sydney to witness trampoline's debut at the Games." Hmm. Seriously. Interesting, but I gotta admit I giggled while I was watching it.

The Short Story of my Stephenie Meyer Adventure

Top Ten AMAZING Things That Happened to ME this Weekend:

1-I talked to Stephenie Meyer twice!

2-My book club appeared (and were sometimes featured!) on Channel 2, 4 and 13 (I'm on here about 20 sec in)and in the Deseret News on Sunday!

3-We got to play with sister Emily (Stephenie's sister she wrote the books for) and cousin Melanie (who the Host character was named after) at our Ice cream social. We actually got to talk to them because there were only 28 of us there besides them.

4-Our group got in to Thanksgiving Point (2.5 hours before the signing) without having to wait in line!

5-Stephenie answered three of MY questions (and my friends got a few too!) during her Q&A: My questions--
-What was it like to Orson Scott Card contact you??
-If you could choose any ONE medicine from the Host what would it be?
-Why is that cute scene in the ARC not in the published version?
My friends questions--
-Why is Wanderer so self sacrificing (my friend Holly's!)
-Will you ever post outtakes of the scene of Melanie and Jared reuniting on your website? (my friend Lori's question)
-Why were Sharon & Maggie so bitter towards Wanda? (my friend Luisa's question)

6-I gave Stephenie Meyer a tote bag with goodies from some fans on her website.

7-I now have a memorable story about her signing my book and having a conversation with me.

8-I met Alphie and Pel who run her biggest fan site on the internet, and got to play with them all weekend.

9-I won an audio version of Twilight!

10-I got to play with my book club ALL weekend!!!! (These are some incredible ladies that I am privileged to call my great friends!)

I just have to say that my parents are the greatest ever!! They were great to watch my kids ALL three days so I could play.

* * If you want more details then read the rest. * *

The Long Story

*~*~Warning~*~*

This is mostly for my own benefit since this is my scrapbook/journal. Read at your own risk. It's lengthy!! (Also this will make much more sense if you're familiar with Stephenie Meyer[SM], Twilight, The Host, and the fandom websites.)

Thursday

Some of the girls met at the airport to welcome Laura (Pel) from NJ. More of us met at Gardner Village for lunch and fun stories and shopping. Afterwards a few left to get Lori (Alphie) from the airport (coming in from TN) while the rest of us prepared for dinner later that night.

We met at Danylle's for dinner and almost the entire group was there. We got fun stories from Laura and Lori about fans of Twilight, visiting the movie set, running the twilightlexicon and more. After dinner we all handed out our goodies. We all wanted to know more about Laura and Lori so we came up with a list of questions for them. They had 6 prizes so Christie picked her top six and two of them were mine! I won an audio version of Twilight. We got I love Ian/Jared buttons, Lexicon postcards signed by Alphie & Pel, "Sanity" medicine from Emily and our club shirts from Rachel!

We made our host name sashes (Kayla had the great idea to have Miss America style sashes to show our host love) , buttons (mine said 'Ian is my no pain'. Shauna came up with that!) After the party we visited until 12 (some of us until 1:30) and left to get rest for all of Fridays activities. Some good news of the evening was that Nancy announced she had hookups at Thanksgiving Point so we didn't have to stand in line all day Friday like we originally planned.

Friday

Danylle, Christie and Cami were in the studio audience for 'Good Things Utah' where SM was interviewed. After the show Danylle was interviewed by the station as one of SM's biggest fans (she found the books a few years ago and has been to several events over the years that she is now recognized by SM).

Instead of having to stand in line, we headed up to SLC to see Stephenie on TV (UT's channel 2). The studio is in front of huge windows so they panned outside to the fans reactions and I got on TV! We then jumped on Trax and headed over to the Gateway to eat lunch and brainstorm questions.

It was then time to head down to Thanksgiving Point so we took off to gather our books, 'flare' and other girls. We met up at the dinosaur museum and got our 'insertions' (Kayla painted souls on us), put on our 'host name' sashes -mine was "Friend of all worlds" and got the call to meet at the back door so we could get in before the crowd. We were in front and center row 5! While we waited for SM to come out we took pictures, visited with other fans, and wrote questions. After 2.5 hours it was time to start! I videotaped the Q&A but this is Rachaels video because mine isn't downloaded yet.

When the Q&A was over we were called by rows to get our books signed. It took 1.5 hours to get to our row (everyone had stacks! of books). I gave SM a little gift of her favorite drink and snack and she smiled and said thanks.

When our group was finished with the signing we headed over to Shauna's house for our ice cream party. We invited SM's sister Emily to come play and she did! She brought a few of her friends and her cousin Melanie (yup the same one that The Host was named after). It was enjoyable to get to visit with them and they were very sweet! I asked Emily if she'd tell us why SM's husband goes by Poncho (when someone asked SM before she said it was a stupid story and didnt tell it) and Emily said, 'sure' and told us. They told us some fun stories and then left since it was getting late and they had a long drive home.

We gave our 'SLC hosts the Lexicon' gifts to Laura and Lori which was filled with some fun Utah things for them to remember us by. We shared more stories and laughs and we were all starting to nod from our long day so we took off since we had another one the following day.

When I got home I got all my stuff ready for the next day and took care of a few things and got into bed around 1am. After having several ideas and thoughts I got back out of bed and went and typed up some questions, and downloaded my pictures (to clear my memory card for more video). I finally made it to bed around 3am.

Fox 13 had their cameras inside and I was on the news the following day with a few of my friends holding our banner.

Saturday

I woke up at 6am to feed Tyce and get ready. My kids were staying at my parents house so I'd see them in the morning and be home to feed Tyce at night. (My parents are AMAZING!) I got the kids ready for the day, fed them breakfast and finished gathering my things for the days events. I was a bit nervous with my lack of sleep and energy level but I ended up not getting sick and started feeling better by the time my friend showed up to go.

We took off for Highland High and met up with the rest of our group in line. They opened the doors at 10:30 and we found our seats and started visiting. SM came out around 11:30 to sign books early because they needed to have the venue cleared sooner then they anticipated. They called us by group numbers (we were assigned a group number in the order we purchased our tickets. The morning the tickets went on sale we called in before the store opened. I called in 45 minutes before opening and was still in group 4!)

When I got to SM I gave her the tote bag from our group (the protocol is to give it to Elizabeth her publicist who is standing next to her). I said, "This is from the Twilight Lexicon gals." And SM looked up from the book she was signing of the gal ahead of me with a huge smile on her face and says, 'Oh how fun. That is so awesome. Thank you.'

Then she gets my books and sees the names on the books. (We were able to have our Host books personalized and two of her other books just signed. The protocol was to have a post it note on the page with your name so she could spell it correctly.) She sees my book says Linda (Since I got my book the first day I was able to get others the second day for my mom) and she says, "Are you Linda?" And in an effort to claim the book was mine and be simplistic I answered, "yes". Then she says, "Oh wait, your name tag says Debbie. Are you Debbie?" I say, "OH yeah, well Linda is my mom. I'm getting a book for her because she's nice enough to watch my kids so I could be here to see you." To which SM replies, "Haha, well you don't have to say you're Linda if you're not Linda." Oh goodness! I just lied to Stephenie Meyer and I GOT CAUGHT! Hahaha!!

She signed books for about an hour and then went backstage to go through questions and prepare for her Q&A. While we waited we took more pictures, visited with other fans and told them our knowledge of the extra stuff and facts we found on the websites and I even got to talk to my cousin Jamie and friend Jerusha.

SM came back around 1pm and had some fun questions to answer. My videos are here, part 1 and part 2. You'll notice they get a little shaky because I got a little excited that she answered THREE of my questions!! I say in the video which ones are mine.

After the Q&A more of our group got their books signed and then a few of my friends (Danylle and Shelli) were interviewed by the Deseret News .

We all headed over to Jamie's house for dinner and Host Pictionary. We could all tell the weekend was catching up to us since we were all slouching in our chairs, not as wild as usual and I think perhaps a bit quieter (could that be?!?). We watched Lori being interviewed on Fox 13 and were excited to see she did a great job! We finally decided to end our weekend and get back home to our families.

I got home around 9:30 and just sort of had an emotional overload. It was an amazing weekend full of intense experiences and awesome times with some amazing women who I'm blessed to call my friends!

Visuals of my stories

Our group at Highland High.


Lunch at Gardner Village with Laura


Debbie, Emily (SM's sister) & Michelle


Emily, Shelli, Debbie, & Laura riding Trax


Holly, Luisa, Shauna & Debbie


Stephenie at Highland High-she's adorable!


SLTA waiting at Thanksgiving Point


Laura & Lori being questioned. Haha.


Stephenie signing my book at Thanksgiving Point


SLTA at Thanksgiving Point


Danylle being interviewed by Angie at Channel 4


Fox 13 cameras about to get us on film at Thanksgiving Point


SLTA going in the back door for our reserved seating


SLTA in line at Highland High


Debbie, Jenni, Melanie (yes THE Melanie), & Michelle


Christie, Debbie, & Havilah in line at Highland High


Kayla painting on my Soul


Jamie's Soul almost inserted


Stephenie signing my book at Highland High. Yup I lied to sweet gal. Haha.


Debbie and Lori


SLTA at Danylle's the first night of partying