The truth about "twilight"

With the highly anticipated new book, Breaking Dawn, coming out this Saturday it is hard not getting lost in all the obsessive fan-hype. Are you Team Edward or Jacob? Or maybe you are more middle ground and claim you are Team Switzerland? It amazes me that this book has captured such a fervent audience, and I want to know why!!


Don't worry, I'm not going to sit here and write another critique about how this book has some serious flaws; Edward being a creepy stalker; Bella being a weak female lead; and the moral implications that follow, we are all aware (or should be) how illogical our addiction to this series is. It is not great writing... or is it? Maybe we just want another series and author to latch onto now that Harry Potter is over. Or maybe Meyer has continued a magical ethereal world that we all secretly wish we were a part of.

I can't put these books down, but at the same time want to reach in the book and throttle some of the characters and in that may be the key to its sucess. Meyer took a typical "vampire falls in love with human" story and made us care about the characters, even empathize with them like we know them personally. Take Edward. We each have our own idea of what Edward looks, acts, and sounds like. He leaps off the fictional page and becomes an icon for thousands of teenage girls to swoon and pour their hopes and aspirations into. I hope that they don't act like Bella and completely go catatonic when they grow up and realize no guy will ever meet their Edward-like standards.


I'm also aware that many people like this series not because they believe it was the best book ever written, but like me, feel like it is a fun, light story to get lost in. Isn't that what a book is all about? Does every book have to be landmark literature to be a good read? Maybe twilight has taught us this.

So You Think You Can Dance??

I thought it may be kinda fun to start a blog this summer because I have all this free time. My plan was to make this blog into a review of books, movies, shows.... things like that. I love to write reviews and then compare my opinions with other people.

I personally am sick of reality tv shows and like most of America still watch them anyway. Since I am a dancer, my favorite is the popular show, So You Think You Can Dance. For those of you who don't know, it is a spin-off of American Idol.... only better. The judges are far more insightful, giving constructive criticism, instead of embarrassing remarks that are meant to boost ratings and create dramatic tension. What also is unique about this show is that it showcases many different types and styles of dance, forcing the dancers to be as adaptable and versatile as possible. The dancers on this show are truly talented. I know how hard it is to be trained in classical ballet and then be asked to perform a hip-hop piece. It should turn out a mess, but most of the time the dancers pull it off quite well. They grow and improve on this show. I'm happy to see they've gotten away from dancers purely doing tricks and gymnastics, and tried to emphasize personality and technique.

What also is unique about this show is the choreographers are put on the line as well. The pieces are what is meant to showcase these dancers, and if they do poorly it can be reflected back to the choreography. It is also one of the flaws of this show. A waltz could be done beautifully, but it is almost always out-voted by hip-hop routines and sexy tangos, purely because of the different entertainment value. It's hard to watch a good couple leave because they pulled the fox trot or because one of the partners let the other one down.

It is refreshing to see a show that is finally letting the public see what I consider "real" dance to be. I'm not saying it doesn't have its faults (Mary's obnoxious scream being one of them,) however, it most definitely is a step in the right direction.