Team Edward

Team Edward vs. Team Jacob

Elsie and I have been discussing the premiere of Breaking Dawn since this past summer, when she finally surrendered and read the Twilight Series.  I had been babbling on and on for months about how much I loved these books, so she finally indulged me.  (I hated to do it to her, but I feel better now that I have a partner in this ridiculous obsession).

Tonight we will be donning our "Team Edward" t-shirts, venture to the theater with all the other teens and forty something moms, and thoroughly enjoy Breaking Dawn Part 1! (The reviews have been really 'bad news'... but  like the other films, they just don't make any sense unless you've read the books and can fill in the gaps).

Afterwords, it's Cosmos...obsessing over every detail of the film...comparing it to the book...and dinner with my dear friend. 

The perfect evening!

Unlikely Twilight Bonding

Several months ago as I was visiting with my old home school friends I found myself in a surprising conversation.

Two of the young men (to protect the innocent or blackmail potential later I am using only initials, but you know who you are: J and L)  and I were discussing books we were currently reading and L mentioned he had just finished New Moon.

Like anyone who is infected with Twilight fever, my eyes lit up...I was a giggling teenage girl again and L and I were grokking on all things Twilight.  There really isn't a lot I enjoy more than sharing and discussing a book or a movie that I love.  L jumped right in with me and we did not stop talking until his mom finally said it was time to leave.

From that day forward an unlikely friendship developed between us that I did not see coming.  He has reached out to me a number of times to help him edit his own novel, and discuss other books we both love (can you say Hunger Games). 

Recently, L and his family were traveling across the country and his parents were cool enough to take him to Forks, Washington (the setting of the Twilight series).  To my complete surprise and delight L sent me a Twilight mug and a map of Forks! (I am drinking coffee from the mug as I write this blog...I love it!)  

What I discovered through reading these books is that they bond me to the most unlikely people.  For instance...the lady I connected with in line at the movies the other day (she had at least 6 piercings in her face, tattoos, and pink hair... that is the "unlikely" I am talking about).  She was buying her tickets to the premiere of Breaking Dawn and while she was a little embarrassed to tell me what she was doing...it quickly faded when I said, "Oh, I get it...I will be there, too!"  We then went on to discuss other books we loved, and our excitement over the upcoming event. 

It is so much fun to share and connect over a common interest.  I just can't believe how many teens to forty-year-old women I have bonded with over these books...Stephenie Meyer's truly tapped into something here. 

More Twilight revelations on Thursday!

Botox or Bangs?

Zooey Deschanel...my bang guru!!!

I choose bangs, but not for the reasons you might think:

1.   Cost

2.   I don't like the way botox feels

3.   It gave me a headache (go figure since it is used for migraines)

4.   I look cute with bangs and younger, too (or at least I think so)

5.   Most of my wrinkles are on my forehead (this is probably the number one reason)

Below are some other great hairstyles to hide your wrinkles.  Bangs are 'good news' for your pocket book and probably healthier, too (I mean who are we kidding people... botox is made from botulism).

Kiera Knightly

Reese Witherspoon

J Lo

Let me know if you have any cheap tricks up your sleeve to help with the aging process at: c@cjblake.net.   I'd love to know! 

I hope you enjoyed another edition of Frilly Friday, and may you all be blessed with 'good news' this weekend.  

In an effort to sustain and maintain high quality blogs it has been recommended to me to only blog 1 to 2 times per week.  I really appreciate everyone who missed my daily work but, I agree that if I want this to last, I need to pace myself (which has not been my strong suit in the past).

If Jesus Were A Rocker In 2011?

Hands down I'd choose Michael Franti...I even think he looks like my image of Jesus.  And you know the dreadlocks are a real possibility... because let's be honest hair care has come a long way since 27 A.D..

I'm not sure I have hit groupie status, but for me to see any live band more that once might justify the title.  Last, Saturday night I saw Michael Franti and Spearhead for the fourth time, at the Greek Theater in Berkeley.  It was amazing...to say the least.  We bounced for two hours straight in a mosh pit of love.

Elsie and her husband joined us for a much needed couples weekend...no kids! (which I highly recommend if you can swing it).  Elsie might actually be classified as a true groupie.  She knows the words to all his songs, his birthday, how many kids he has and their names, his marital/dating status and his complete concert schedule.

Bonus!  His music is great for the whole family, from my four year old to my teen...he hits every note.

Here are the top ten songs (Elsie had 20 and the list was growing) that we feel best represent the heart of Jesus' message. (that is if he was a 21st century rocker)  I think Micheal's lyrics prove my point perfectly.  Thanks Elsie for the help!

1.    Never Too Late
2.    East to the West
3.    Bomb the World
4.    Yes I Will (Songs from the Front Porch) version
5.    Have a Little Faith
6.    Nobody Right, Nobody Wrong
7.    Hey World (Don't Give Up) version
8.    Is Love Enough?
9.    See You In The Light
10.  Everyone Deserves Music

Check out these songs and let me know what you think.  If you don't own any Michael Franti get Everyone Deserves Music first because they have a lot of my favorite songs and a very close second is Yell Fire.

"POWER TO THE PEACEFUL"

This is the man's motto...need I say more?

I feel like some of our best preachers are singer/songwriters spreading the love through their music.  If you were to choose a musical artist who best expresses your spiritual bend...who would you choose?  I'd love to know.  Email me at c@cjblake.net and share your thoughts.

Thanks to everyone who shared their secret movie-star-best-friends with me.  From Ellen DeGeneres, Demi Moore (even George Harrison who is a singer, but it still counts) to Lady Gaga...they were all excellent choices and made me feel a little less silly.

Ellen loves Michael Franti, too!