Trip to Forks, Day 12 Last Day of SMD

The day started with the Farewell Breakfast for the Forever in Forks group. It was raining lightly. Finally we get rain. Breakfast was good – waffles with warm berry syrup, usual pastries and fruit and breakfast casserole which was basically a fancy omelet. It was a rather quiet group, guess they got all the noise out last night at the party. I said my goodbyes and thanks to Anna and Sharon on my way as I left to go to church. I signed up for Bella’s Twilight Adventure Tour that evening at Leppell’s on way to meetinghouse. They mentioned that the weather was possible problem with dinner on beach to watch sunset, but would do something.

It was really raining when got to the meetinghouse. Strangely there were no signs as to what the building was. It looked like a meetinghouse, but wasn’t positive until went inside. While waiting for Sacrament meeting to get started wrote in my trip journal. Nice friendly ward and very small. One sister was very straightforward about needing me here rather than my current home ward. Nice meeting. It was still raining when I left after Sacrament meeting.

There were some SMD2013 events going on, but I really needed to do laundry. The soap box had enough soap for two loads and I had only one load. So what to do with the rest, how keep it and yet not spill all over everything? I did time it right…there was one washer open when I got there and as leaving two groups came in with multiple loads each.

Nessie’s birthday party was at Miller Tree Inn, also known as the Cullen home. Rain continued throughout the day off and on and varied from heavy to light. The Inn is really interesting…it has the graduation cap movie prop. There is a cute sign out front from Esme. The front room is set up as Carlisle’s office. There is an upright piano for Edward with Twilight sheet music from soundtracks. There are a number of other Twilight related items around the rooms. The party was a final photo op with the Olympic Coven. It was announced on FB and likely Twitter that there would be no refreshments, however later heard about Nessie blowing out candles on the cake – happened after I left, too many people in too small a space. Said final goodbye and thank you to Anna before leaving.

While waiting for the tour I worked on catching up on posts and photos. The weather had cleared some, so the beach barbeque was a go. The tour was fantastic. Charlene Leppell was our tour guide and Richard the driver. Charlene had lots of local stories about various points of interests related to Twilight. We stopped at the City Hall / Police Station, then to Miller Tree Inn. Richard noticed some elk had come out of the tree in field so we made a slight detour. We then went to house associated with Bella and Charlie Swann. It is a private residence and they don’t allow people close to the house. They do have a sign out front and allow pictures from there. Lovely gardens.

Off to Rialto beach and hot dog and s’mores. The weather was still not raining. We wandered about for about 15 minutes. This beach was rocky, much more like First beach is described in the books. All different sizes of rocks, fist size to pea size. Lots of driftwood around as well. It was too cloudy to see the sunset, but still no rain. Half way through my hot dog it started to rain, not hard. Food didn’t really get wet. We all just laughed it off as part of the adventure. We had s’mores too. Richard and Charlene have a great set up with multiple hot dog wire cooker and marshmallows made for s’mores. We packed up and off to Jacob’s house and motorcycle. It was dark by now so flash needed on cameras. One couple’s camera flash was working intermittingly. We all had to kind of wait for theirs to work or not. Oh forgot to mention they have life size cutouts that they bring out so we can take pictures with the cut out too. Charlene was wonderful in offering to take pictures of me at the places. We all sat on the motorcycle for pictures next to Jacob and then on the porch. The next stop was the treaty line and vampire meter at Three Rivers restaurant/gas station/store. Then on to the Welcome to Forks sign.

James Island is in background hiding in fog. 

The hospital and Carlisle’s parking space was the next stop. The sign has been moved around several times, for different reasons. Currently it is around the corner from handicap parking sign above a bicycle rack. That struck me as really funny at the time. Bella’s trucks in front of the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center was the next stop. There is the book correct truck, 1953, and the movie version, 1963. Final stop was the out of doors back of Leppell’s where the SMD2013 group party was held on Saturday. They have the Monte Carlo arch from the movie and gazebo shaped lights. 

The tour started about 1730hrs and we got back about 2130hrs. It was well worth the money. Interesting stories. Fun time. Great way to end SMD weekend.

Happy Anniversary Bella and Edward!

Happy Anniversary Bella and Edward!

Sorry for being a day late.

Big news in honor of the anniversary – the boxed set of movies will be available 5 November 2013. It will be a nice early birthday present. Here is Twilight Lexicon’s announcement: http://www.twilightlexicon.com/2013/08/13/twilight-ultimate-box-set-heading-your-way-in-time-for-christmas/

There is a follow up post with details of the extras: http://www.twilightlexicon.com/2013/08/13/special-features-listing-for-the-twilight-saga-complete-box-set/

I never got the BD2 DVD having decided to wait for the boxed set. Unlike more devoted fans I only intended to get one copy of each of movies even though different versions were available from different retailers. I did inadvertently pick up two copies of a couple of the movies and already passed them along. Some of the features will be new to me. Do kind of wonder at no deleted scenes from BD2. They have said there were done and that the scenes didn’t work so not going to release, but us fans don’t really care if work or not. Those of us interested in ‘make of movies’ those scenes would be of interest to see why didn’t work and hear why director thought they didn’t work.

And in one month we have Stephenie Meyer Days in Forks Washington! Making my lists and checking them twice or more. An update for trip is being worked on too.

The delay in this anniversary post is due to stumbling across the first couple of episodes of Castle yesterday. Nathan Fillon was especially cute in the first couple. During the day I was out shopping, partly for the trip.

Bella should be with Edward

Bella should be with Edward, no ifs ands or buts about it.

A recent exchange of emails with LJ Summers (links at end) got me thinking about just why do I have such a strong reaction to Bella being with a member of the wolf pack. I thought about this as I went about daily tasks and came to a couple of conclusions.

To me the pack is a bunch of male chauvinist shape shifters. They need to protect and take care of their people and especially their imprint if they have one. The other tribe members are mortal humans and need protection from supernatural beings that only they can provide. It is as if the other tribal members are victims or possible victims already and need protection and taking care of. Now, fortunately their legends apparently instill some sense of duty, burden, humility and ground them so they are not arrogant and acting all superior to rest of tribe. 

The imprinting compulsion seems to be tied to mates for making better wolves or at least continue the gene. They don’t like the fact that there is a female shape shifter able to take care of herself and others. However grounded they may be, it does seem to me that their mentality is ‘keep their mates pregnant and barefoot and in the kitchen’. To me that is part of the reason why Rebecca and Rachel Black left, with only Rebecca being totally successful.

The idea of thinking of others as possible victims is one thing that bothers me in regards to Bella staying human and a mate of a pack member. She is so much stronger than that, not physically but inside. Would a mere human go to a sadistic vampire to try to save her mother? No. But Bella does. She has the strength to face James, even terrified as she becomes she still faces him. If Bella stays human with Edward or a pack member, physically she would need to be protected. She would be stuck being a victim, needing to be rescued at times from her own clumsiness or supernatural beings. That is degrading her strength. If with a pack member, she would be limited by staying on the reservation or in Forks. She would not be able to become all that she is capable of. That is so wrong!

Bella with Jacob has some additional problems for me. He is two years younger than her, no matter that he looks older once starts shifting. He manipulates her. He physically attacked her. They really don’t have much in common. He really is a better friend than anything more.

Is my perception of the pack accurate or fair? Maybe yes, maybe no, but it is how I see them from just the original books. Am I giving fan fiction stories with Bella staying human and with a pack member a fair chance? Likely I am not, but I’ve not been able to get around my strong feelings for a strong Bella to read much more than a few one-shots like LJ Summers’ Do You Remember? There are enough other fan fiction stories to keep me busy reading.

She deserves to be a supernatural being herself. With her ‘silent mind’ she was meant for Edward. With her inner strength she was meant to be a vampire with the physical strength to match. No, she won’t grow and change, but she will learn and experience a lot more as a vampire. She will find a way to make use of that knowledge. I personally think she’ll have all of the Cullens out of school and working more often than not.

LJ Summers has written a number of fan fiction stories. She has a series under Imprinting: the Mating Imperative. She kindly responded to some questions I had about the series after telling her I won’t read them. I’ve read a number of her other stories. We already agree to disagree about this issue. Those exchange of emails is what got me started thinking about my strong aversion to Bella with a wolf shape shifter. She helped keep my mind busy the other day. Thanks for that and by extension worked up enough to post on my blog again. Here are the links for her fan fiction profile and the first story of the Imprinting series and the other story mentioned. A warning that bittersweet is her favorite flavor and some ironic twists and endings really fit bittersweet.

http://www.fanfiction.net/u/1965916/LJ-Summers

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5208316/1/The-Hardest-Part

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5351456/1/Do-You-Remember

Story Recommendations: Cullen and Holmes by persephonesfolly

To continue on with Twilight mysteries, there are three stories with Carlisle Cullen and Sherlock Holmes by persephonesfolly. These are not strictly canon as Carlisle came to America well before Holmes' time, but Carlisle is within canon character.  There is a bonus mystery with Carlisle and Edward working alone.  All four stories are rated T and are multiple chapters. The first one is on both R&T and FFn. In December 2011 another of her stories was  recommended, Christmas in Ashland. She has written some other enjoyable stories that you can find on her profile. Today is mystery day. I love mysteries and having my favorite vampires working with Sherlock Holmes is a real treat. Hope you enjoy too.  Comments are appreciated by the author on the individual stories and by me at the bottom.  

http://www.fanfiction.net/u/854398/persephonesfolly http://www.ramblingsandthoughts.com/twilight/viewuser.php?uid=6389


Dr Cullen, I Presume?
When a patient goes missing, what's a vampiric doctor to do?  Consult the celebrated detective Sherlock Holmes, of course. 
Rated PG13 / T with 4 chapters

http://www.ramblingsandthoughts.com/twilight/viewstory.php?sid=1182
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5598412/1/Dr_Cullen_I_presume

A Mystery in Windermere
In all my years among the undead, I've never met anyone quite like Sherlock Holmes. When he called for my assistance in a perplexing case of murder, how could I refuse? 
Rated PG13 / T with 5 chapters

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5846985/1/A_Mystery_In_Windermere

A Chicago Story
Chicago 1912, a city rife with crime and secret societies, and Dr. Carlisle Cullen finds himself caught up in one of them.
Rated PG13 / T with 10 Chapters

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6255987/1/A_Chicago_Story

Death and the Vampire
School life has its challenges, especially for a vampire like Edward, but throw a serial killer in the mix, and academia turns deadly.
Rated PG13 / T with 14 Chapters

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7880894/1/Death_And_The_Vampire

It is getting harder to read the HTML code to get spacing, text colour correct and no background white on text. Your patience while I learn this aspect is appreciated. 

Story Recommendation: EC's b-day and Summer

Two stories today - one for Edward Cullen's birthday and one for summer solstice. Both stories are a little sweet and fluffy. Hope you enjoy.
Handmade by aliceinwonderland101
Bella wants to give Edward a hand made birthday gift. One chapter, PG13
http://www.ramblingsandthoughts.com/twilight/viewstory.php?sid=1081


Sunkissed by Ren
Only Bella, of all people, would manage to get a sunburn in Forks, leaving Edward to fumble with her fragile condition and sooth the burns as only a vampire can. One chapter, PG13
http://www.ramblingsandthoughts.com/twilight/viewstory.php?sid=760

Story Recommendation Father's Day part 2

There are two story recommendations today. Hope all the fathers out there have a great day. AW

Here is a thoughtful moment between Carlisle and Edward.

Sola Fide by Mackenzie L
"When God gives a gift He does not take it back." A conversation in a deserted cathedral leads to a surprising revelation, and a defining moment between a son and his father figures.

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6650691/1/Sola_Fide

Here is a little piece the night before Charlie picks up Bella from the airport.

Behold the Child by HelenahJay
Charlie, just before Twilight. Second chances.

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6205724/1/

Story Recommendation Father's Day part 1

Happy Father's Day! There are three stories recommended today all one chapter long. Two are with Charlie with Bella and Edward separately and one with Edward and Nessie. Hope you enjoy.

Chatting with Charlie by silly bella
Charlie feels protective of Bella, and he's not thrilled with Edward at the end of New Moon. He also remembers being a teenager. It's time for Charlie to have a chat with Edward.

http://www.ramblingsandthoughts.com/twilight/viewstory.php?sid=63

Like Father, Like Daughter by silly bella

How can Bella make Charlie understand why she welcomed Edward back?

http://www.ramblingsandthoughts.com/twilight/viewstory.php?sid=82

Music Lessons by blondieakarobin

A missing moment from Breaking Dawn of father daughter bonding time.

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4457477/1/Music_Lessons

a side note: My apology for the distraction of the way the middle story is displayed. I don't know why some text is being 'highligthed'. I've noticed it in earlier posts and will look into it. If anyone already knows why, please leave a comment.  update 24 June: found partial solution, fixing old ones, hope to figure out how to stop it from happening in future.

Story Recommendation: Finding Fred

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6389768/1/Finding_Fred by Willowby

This story ties in with the novella The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer. Fred was one of the characters that helped Bree and left before the battle. Edward decides to go find him. The story is almost complete. The characters are a little out of true canon characterization in my opinion. There are some really good honest open conversations between Edward and Bella that should have taken place. There are a couple of rather very embarrassing long moments for Bella.  The one in chapter 14 had me laughing way too much. There are some additional characters that come into play in the latter half of the story that are interesting. There is humor, mystery, drama, and romance in this story. Hope you enjoy it too. Reviews and comments are much appreciated.

Weekly story recommendation, 14 Feb 12

Hey, I'm back with a weekly recommendation.  I know these haven't been as regular as initially planned, mundane life interferes sometimes.  This one in honor of Valentine's Day.  It takes place between Twilight and New Moon.  Canon story a possible missing scene, PG rating, three short chapters.  Hope you enjoy.

It is about a gift Bella gives Edward.  "Come Dancing" by Silly Bella.
Summary: Edward loves to dance. Bella want to make him happy.

http://www.ramblingsandthoughts.com/twilight/viewstory.php?sid=89

Weekly story recommendation, 17 Jan 12

Siren Blood by MidnightWalking

The last chapter was recently posted of this story, 74 chapters long.  It is an alternate Universe, PG 13, pretty close to canon characters.  Edward meets Bella in Tacoma Washington in 1957.  The teenage slang is right on for the times, seamed stockings even make an appearance.  There are mysteries, romance, a very fun Emmett, and some new characters.  One mystery is not solved until the very last chapter.  It was a very enjoyable read and well worth the time.

Summary:  What if Edward and Bella really existed? What if someone wanted to share the love between Edward and Bella with the world? What if Stephenie Meyer’s dream was not by chance but through the manipulation of someone who wanted this story shared? What is their real story, and who wanted to share their story?

http://www.ramblingsandthoughts.com/twilight/viewstory.php?sid=167

 Authors appreciate reviews of their stories and I appreciate comments on my blog posts.  Make your own recommendations in the comments.

Tuesday Highlight Story: Irresponsible Angel

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6897688/1/

Irresponsible Angel by ContentedTwiCow

Rated T  AU summary:  Edward and Bella 70 years after they met.  Bella has never been changed.  Death bed scene for POV of Bella’s guardian angel from Midnight Sun.  Vampire creation history too.

This is a different take on Bella's death bed scene.  In Midnight Sun Edward considers two different possibilities for Bella being the way she is to him - a harpy did it to just be mean to him or an irresponsible angel being maybe a bit mischievous.  MS ch9 Theory, pg 217.

Comments always welcomed by author of these stories and by me.

Poem: That Piece

That Piece

By abbyweyr June 2011

Based on A Coming of Age by Elise Shaw, Chapter 12

First time at Chicago Symphony

Father put me on his lap so

I could watch and hear.

It was captivating, especially

That piece.

Asked for piano lessons

That were denied until

Tried to pick out by ear

That piece.

Years later practicing

Mother called me to get

Our doctor for father.

I was practicing

That piece.

Did not know at the time

That was last Human time

Touched the piano keys and it was

That piece.

A few years later a night out

With Carlisle and Esme

Hear another orchestra

They played

That piece

My worlds collided that night

Past and present and future

Tsunami waves of memories connected to

That piece

Emotions erupted with disastrous results

Pent up and denied for so long

Anger, hurt, loss, and thirst all boiled up

New memory, new loss to connect to

That piece.

Poem: Torn

Torn

By abbyweyr July 2011

Inspired by TWS by Stephenie Meyer

And fan fiction

As a boy life was simple

Baseball or piano practice

Was all I was torn between

As a youth life a little more complicated

College and law or army soldier

Was all I was torn between

As a newborn immortal

Back to simple things

Torn between human or animal blood

Instinct and thirst great for human blood

Respect and love for Carlisle

Overcame instinct, satisfied with animal blood

Until hearing the thirst from two others

Added to my own became

Torn between leaving or staying with family

Left family to take human blood

From human monsters

Torn between rapist or murders

Human blood did not fill

The empty hole from

Tearing apart family

Returned to repair the tear in family

Returned to animal blood

Torn no more between family or human blood

Until

One January day in biology class

Hit with the most delicious scent

Torn between kill now or later my singer

Kill all the classmate witnesses or

Kill the secretary or follow her home

Torn between kill quickly or slowly my singer

Follow the path of Carlisle

Follow natural instinct

Torn between kill singer or deny bloodlust

Expose the whole family

Tear a hole in family

Torn between kill singer or leave family

Leave hole in family

Return to family and singer

Torn between stay away or risk exposure

Who is this insignificant human girl child

To awaken thirst for human blood?

Torn between stay away or return home

Return to repair hole in family and me

Control and discipline paramount

Torn between satisfy curiosity or bloodlust

Discovered who this insignificant girl child is

She opened my world to the love of a mate

Torn between bloodlust and safety

Constant throat burn being near her

Stay near or leave

Torn between thirst and keeping her safe

Always, no matter what, keep her safe.

Poem: Solace

Solace

By abbyweyr July 2011

Inspired by TWS by Stephenie Meyer

Fingers dance across piano keys

Notes float in air

Music lets my mind be alone

Music is my solace

Even before my change

Music was a place to just be

Emotions flowed in and around the notes

As my fingers danced across the keys

Now immortal, music still

Is a place to just be

To express emotions

As my fingers dance across the keys

Music is my rest and refuge

From the constant noise of mental voices

As I play piano or listen to recorded

Music is my solace.

No where else do I have quiet

To hear only my thoughts

But within the solace of music

Until a quiet mind that is not heard

With her quiet mind

I hear only my thoughts

And still be with someone

Music is no longer my only solace

Poem: Bella and Edward

Bella and Edward

By abbyweyr June 2011

Based on TWS by Stephenie Meyer

She arrived mid school year.

Their eyes met across a crowded cafeteria.

He was sitting with siblings,

She was sitting with classmates.

She asked about the group of five

Sitting separate from rest.

She noticed things no one else saw

But was not put off by the differences.

She blushed being caught staring.

He frowned not able to ‘hear’ her.

He could ‘hear’ unkind thoughts from classmates.

Strangely he wanted to protect her from them.

The only empty seat in the biology class

Was to share a lab table with him.

She walked by a fan that blew her scent

Straight to a suddenly very thirsty vampire.

Her scent was the most delicious

He had ever come across in nearly 90 years.

He had not had human blood for 75 years;

He was tempted to break his animal blood diet.

He resisted the siren call of her blood

Keeping Carlisle’s face in mind.

He protected her and classmates.

It was a tortuous hour for him.

She noticed his strange black eyes,

Wondered if he was breathing.

He looked so angry at her

Did not say one word to her.

He ran too quickly from that room.

Then in office trying to get out of that class

Ran into her again and tempted

Even more with only one other there.

He ran out again too quickly for human.

She was confused and hurt by his actions;

Could not understand why angry or hate her

When never met, never spoke.

He did not go home that day,

Went to Alaska to collect himself.

How could an insignificant human girl

Chase him away from his family?

Her siren blood was not worth

Disruption to his family.

He could face her and overcome

The call of her siren blood.

He returned to classes.

He spoke to her in biology.

Their fingers touched

Electricity felt by both.

Next morning he literally protected

Her from being crushed by skidding van

Using his vampire speed and strength.

She noticed and could not be dissuaded.

That moment of holding her was not enough.

He wanted more and not just her blood anymore.

He asked her to lie about how he saved her

And promised an explanation.

At the hospital explanation was denied.

They parted in anger.

She tried to speak to him the next day;

And was still denied.

For six weeks only talk about the lab at hand.

Then girl’s choice dance was coming up.

She had three boys that wanted to go with her.

He realized he was jealous of those boys.

She refused all offers to go to dance;

Too clumsy to dance, made other plans

For that weekend of dance;

Drive her old truck to Seattle.

Went with some friends to First Beach.

Ran into old family friend that fixed and

Sold the old truck to her father.

He told her scary tribal stories.

Went with two girl friends to find dresses

And find a book of Indian legends.

She got lost and was found by the

Wrong kind of human monster.

He was there to save her again;

Took her to dinner and then home

But not before questions were answered.

She knew what he was.

She was still in car alone with him.

This was good and this was bad.

There was something not right.

She had no sense of self preservation.

A human could not know about them.

How can he have a relationship with her?

They are so different, he could hurt her

So easily just not being careful enough.

He picks her up for school,

They talk, questions back and forth.

Arrange a trip on Saturday to Seattle;

Until Alice forewarns it will be sunny.

His throat is on fire around her

From the siren call of her blood.

His spirit aches to know her soul,

Above all he needs to keep her safe.

They go to his favorite quiet place.

Hiking at human pace to the meadow.

She sees his sparkly skin,

Strength and speed of predator.

They learn more about each other,

Thoughts and feelings are shared.

She sees his human side as well.

They share a kiss that seals their love.

  

The Cullen vampire family is now

Three mated vampire couples and

One single vampire with his still human mate.

Bound by love freely given.