Early Twilight Memories

Today is Father’s Day 2016. I should be writing about my father, but I’m not. The Facebook memory that was suggested this morning was a picture of the Gilbert Arizona Temple. That was my first stop on trip to visit nieces and nephew and to attend a Twilight event that year, 2014. Thinking about my father and brother is kind of sad and today I want happier thoughts and that trip was a good trip. It was a good trip for the visits and the event. So that is why I’m writing about Twilight memories today.

I remember the Relief Society meeting with some women talking about the Twilight Saga (TWS). I asked to borrow the first book from one of them and was hooked. That was January 2010. Read all the books, went to a marathon when the third movie came out in June 2010 with a group that I didn’t fit in with. Discovered fan fiction, read a lot and even wrote some poems and posted them.

Then three or so years after first reading the books I read on Twilight Lexicon that there was an event planned for September to celebrate Stephenie Meyer and TWS in Forks Washington. I’d been forced into retirement from my career and nothing else was working for me and really shouldn’t have spent money, but I did.

2013 was the year that the Stephenie Meyer Day (SMD) folks worked with Forever in Forks (FiF) folks and put on joint event. The Forks chamber of commerce also had a few things planned. Most of the events were planned and executed by Staci Chastain & Olympic Coven group and Sharon Lottes Forever in Forks group.

I went. I took pictures, ie I observed. I helped out a little. I met people. I had some longer conversations with a few people. I had a good time. Forever in Forks announced their next event would be June 2014 in Phoenix to celebrate Edward’s birthday. I was impressed that they could do that in nine months.

I have two nieces and a nephew that live in the great Phoenix area. I had some family inheritance things to pass along to them, so decided if the ticket price for FiF was reasonable I could go. The price was reasonable so I drove down to Phoenix area for the visits and event. The FiF event was small. Bad for FiF, good for me. Better chance to meet and talk with people. It worked. Remembered some people from SMD event. Talked with some people. Especially nice was the opportunity to talk with two of the Olympic Coven cosplayers – Travis Shoaf as Emmett and Alan Mitchell as Edward – and the music duo Imperial Mammoth.

I’ve been back to SMD, now called Forever Twilight in Forks and taken over by the Forks chamber of commerce, in 2014 and 2015. Found out about Gatlinburg Tennessee events and attended one in 2015 and 2016. Was invited to a birthday party celebration in St Helens Oregon in April 2015 and was able to attend that. Because of these events I have met some great people that have become friends and a few women that have become great friends. We’ve had some great times laughing and talking and sharing life. Made great memories and I look forward to making some more memories.

Favorite TWS quote: "I think sometimes..." I began. "Life has a way of blessing you when you least expect it. Sometimes, just when you think all is lost, more good comes your way than you ever thought possible." Bella to Edward in ch 14 of What Drives Her by Virginia May. 

This quote sums up what Twilight has been for me. I was at a low point and reading Twilight and Twilight fan fiction stories was a beacon in the dark to lead me to blessings. Blessings of trips I've taken. Blessings of friends made on those trips. Blessings of fan fiction stories I've read. Blessings of FF authors I've chatted with and become friends with - adopted into one family even.

Hope everyone had a good Father's Day. 

Take care.

Name Change from SMD to FTF

It was recently announced that the name of the September festival in Forks Washington would be changed to Forever Twilight in Forks from Stephenie Meyer Day. I was and remain somewhat ambivalent about the change. I am writing this as a way to clarify my thoughts on this change.

2015 is the 9^th year for the celebration of Twilight and the author, Stephenie Meyer, and the 10^th anniversary of the publication of Twilight. This name change is an added controversy surrounding the celebration this year. Does this mean there will be a shift in the focus of the festival?Will we forget who wrote the story that made Forks a spot for fans to visit?

It has been Stephenie Meyer Day for 8 years. In those years, the remaining three (3) books of the Twilight Saga plus other related books have been published and five (5) movies based on the books have been made. Ms Meyer has also published the start of another series of books and started a film production company with one film released, Austenland from Fickle Fish Company.

In interviews that I’ve seen Ms Meyer appears composed but a little uncomfortable with all the attention from her stories. Several people that have had the pleasure of meeting her in person have used humble as an adjective for her. She was apparently not thrilled with the celebration being named for her from the beginning. It is even more understandable with the other series coming out and her production company.

There is tradition to keeping the name the same. People know it as Stephenie Meyer Day. I like tradition. But it can hold you back. Marketing and publicity will need to be done to get the new name out there and recognized by people use to Stephenie Meyer Day.

The new name does focus on her first series of books that take place in Forks. The Host series takes place in Arizona, so maybe this is a good change. But we also want to celebrate the author.

The date around Bella’s birthday was chosen for the celebration in Forks since Ms Meyer was born 24 Dec -- not the best time to visit Forks and not best time to have people leave home and family to come visit and celebrate a book and film series. Maybe with the name change there can be some leeway in the date. Maybe another city could host a celebration of Twilight over a weekend close to Bella’s birthday. Next year 13 Sep will be a Tuesday. One place could have a celebration the weekend before and another place the weekend after. This could be a nice happening. See my previous post on 22 January about dream 10^th Anniversary celebration. Maybe happen next year? Dream on AW.

So maybe this new name of Forever Twilight in Forks is a good thing. I don’t like but have gotten use to the federal government combining President Lincoln’s and President Washington’s birthday holidays into one holiday. I figure I’ll eventually get use to the new name and people will forget it was ever anything else.

Dream 10th Anniversary Celebration of Twilight

When it was announced that the Olympic Coven would be celebrating in St Helens Oregon in 2015, I got really excited. The actual film sites with the Olympic Coven would be a dream. Go to the film sites and reenact some scenes maybe and then maybe do some goofy things with it too. And what if they could get the director of Twilight movie Catherine Hardwicke there too. I’m dreaming a fangirl dream.

Add a layer in that dream that the city of Forks would get together and really support a celebration there the weekend before or after St Helens and get Stephenie Meyer to attend. Oh what a 10 year anniversary celebration that would be for the fans of the books and the movies.

Reports were that St Helens was working well with the Olympic Coven group and planning was proceeding in positive manner. Nothing was coming out of Forks for anything beyond a birthday cake celebration. Half of dream is better than none.

Then 30 December 2014 the dream is crushed. The St Helens plans have been sabotaged by petty and unprofessional actions from Forks Chamber of Commerce. Forks changed their plans and now want to throw a big celebration. They were unwilling to work with St Helens and the Olympic Coven to combine efforts on different weekends to make it a wonderful book and movie celebration. Stop and think, what that means to the fans and to the tourist dollars for St Helens and Forks and the surrounding area, it is beyond sad. It is tragic.

I am having a hard time dealing with the disappointment. I know my dream was a dream and not likely to happen, but it was a possibility. I do not trust the Forks Chamber of Commerce after their intentional sabotage of an event in a city four hours away. I do not believe the Forks Chamber of Commerce is really enthusiastic for the Stephenie Meyer Day celebration for the fans or as a tribute to Stephenie Meyer and Twilight. I do believe for the Forks Chamber of Commerce it is only about the money. They have been happy for the money brought into the area by the events Staci Chastain and the Olympic Coven have planned in the past, but have not shared that money with them.

There is added disappointment in the Twilight Forever event being planned in Gatlinburg Tn for August with the Olympic Coven. I wish they would use their time and energy and money in working with Forks to make that a better celebration. I can empathize with the East Coast fans liking a celebration closer to home for them and all of the OC members do live closer to Gatlinburg. I will miss them greatly in Forks. I want to be selfish and not share. I wish that event the best and hope I can be forgiven for wanting to be selfish. I will share information for that event, but not with much enthusiasm.

The Twilight Saga is an emotional experience. It has changed lives, mine included. I am disappointed in the unprofessional way the Forks Chamber of Commerce acted to sabotage the St Helens event. It is sad and tragic. There is time for my emotions to calm before SMD happens. It will not be the same without the Olympic Coven. I will miss them as the coven and the actors as friends.

It is very unlikely that I will be able to attend the August event. I am glad I had the opportunity of seeing most of the Olympic Coven one last time at the Cullens’ Winter Escape event and to thank them. They have given much pleasure in portraying the Cullen family as a family. Fun to watch them interacting as a family and with the nomads and Volturi guests. It has been a pleasure to talk with the actors as well. I wish all the best in their personal and professional lives. Be Safe. Live long and prosper. May the Force be with you. God bless you and yours. Take care.

Trip to Forks Day 10: Stephenie Meyer is here!

Friday 13 September 13. Scary day? Not so much here. Cloudy all day, good weather for our vampires to be out and about. Started off with walk to Tillicum Park to check in and get breakfast for Forever in Forks group. 

It was heavy misting or light rain for most of the walk. Not unpleasant, didn't get soaked at all, just a little wet. I was one of last ones and good thing walked as no parking available. There wasn't enough seating available either. Met and chatted with a few ladies, in line and at table. The good bag was fun - drawstring backpack style with Bella's engagement ring, TWS inspired soap sample, FiF landyard, sunglasses, slap wrist bracelet, FiF button, Twilight postcard, instructions for scavenger hunt and a hard back book, The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa. 

The rain stopped before got to the park and hadn't started up again so dry walk back to motel. I stopped at the Chinook Pharmacy and General Store to look around more than did the other day. Interesting place. Fabric, toys, over the counter meds, gifts/souvenirs - sort of felt like back in Old West general store. 

Then to First Beach and picnic lunch with Olympic coven. 

Looks a little different from two days ago with thick fog couldn't see the islands at all. They are much closer than thought they would be from pictures of the area. 

The Olympic Coven was delayed getting there because Stephenie Meyer came to town more or less unannounced. She was at the Chamber of Commerce/Visitor info signing and meeting the Olympic Coven. Lunch was good, more meeting and chatting with different folks. Stephenie came to our area but stayed away from the lunch site...word got around. Didn't have a chance to talk with her, but did see her and cried about it. I don't know who the other lady is.

She said that she would be back. She had to go meet with Mayor and open SM Day. Apparently she hadn't been here for several years for this yearly event. We were richly blessed. I ended up leaving for a break since no specific time for bon fire and S'mores. Didn't make it back to First beach for the bon fire and SM visit for variety of reasons. 

Went to the Roundhouse for the music fest for a few minutes. Talked with the Hindi Sisters from The Hillywood Show. Then to the FiF fan fiction discussion. Interesting discussion about stories never heard of and from sounds of won't likely read - sounds like most would be M rated. Back to Roundhouse to see the end of Eclipse parody and then the two Breaking Dawn ones. Hilly and Hannah answered questions after that. Getting tired and had to update this, so I left after a couple of questions. Heard that SM was suppose to show up at the Roundhouse, don't know if she did or not. The Hindi Sisters met SM for the first time during their meet and greet at Sully's Burgers. 

Tomorrow is visit to Hoh Rainforest - aka Bella's First Hunt trip. So off to bed for me. 

Forks Trip Planning Update 1

One month to wait for Stephenie Meyer Days (SMDs) in Forks Washington! Making my lists and checking them twice or more.

Recently found out there are actually two local Forks organizations that put on different aspects of SMDs, so a total of three organizations. It was something of a shock to see The Hillywood Show announcement and check things out and discovered a different schedule. Exchanged some emails with SMD and got things cleared up. The names are similar and wondered if a site got hijacked or something. Neither Twilight Lexicon nor Forever in Forks had mentioned the other organization and events. [Wonder if some bad feelings between the groups. Seen that among our local science fiction community.]

There is the Forever in Forks (FiF) group, web site:  http://www.foreverinforks.com/  . They are the group that plans an annual event in different places. This year they are working with Stephenie Meyer Day to coordinate various activities over the weekend. Last year it was in LA in conjunction with the BD2 movie premier. They pick places associated with the Saga in some way. They do a poll to see what the people’s preferences are. By the time I found out it was decided in Forks Washington for SMD. Last month they had a poll up with location and weekend choices for next year. You pay for a ticket to all of their events or just the big party night. At least for this time there are a few meals included in the price. I decided to do the whole thing for a variety of reasons. The price actually seems reasonable for all that you are getting, better deal than the special gold packages CreationCon usually has at least in my opinion. The movie viewing is the only thing I’m not really interested in. At the party there is an auction and raffle to raise money for a charity, this year it is Stand Up 2 Cancer. They recently announced that there will be an acoustic concert from some of the artists on the soundtracks and one of the actors, Cider Sky, Iko and Tinsel Korey. They are asking for donations to the auction and raffle. I’m thinking about donating a couple of items. I am trying to downsize my collectibles. That night I will really need to keep that in mind.

There is the Stephenie Meyer Day (SMD), web site: http://stepheniemeyerday.com .  This year they are working with the FiF group and coordinating events. This group offers a more immersive experience into the Saga world. To help with that they work with a group of actors to recreate the main characters, The Olympic Coven. Most of the events are free; actually so far the only ones that cost money involve meals and the prom. I’ve already volunteered to help them during the events on Thursday and Friday. It will be nice to have something to do at the prom since I don’t dance. Volunteering will also be a way to really meet people. I told them of my local science fiction experience volunteering and that my job is customer service and cashiering. The volunteer supervisor mentioned having buttons for us – chaperon for the prom. That got me thinking of doing a Mrs Cope costume, old enough and might be kind of fun. I may get a chance to flirt with Edward as a bonus, all in keeping with the characters of course. I will need a bad red wig and need to read Bella’s initial description and see if I have the appropriate clothes. Staci, the lead organizer, has been very patient in answering my questions and explaining things and offering help to make sure I have a good time. I’m looking forward to meeting her. Maybe we will have a chance to sit and talk about our differing experiences in running events.

The third group is Stephenie Meyer Days 2013 (SMD13), web site: http://www.stepheniemeyerdays21013.com  Their mission is to provide events honoring Stephenie Meyer and spotlight local businesses. With the similar names, hopefully a little understandable how one might think something funny with one or the other. The events are more like what I think of as street fair happenings. There are some duplication of events, costume contests and they have at least their own Alice and Bella for photo ops. The Hillywood Show ladies will be their guest. I am looking forward to seeing the Hindi ladies again. There are some other fun events that I may have a hard time juggling time between all the happenings.

The Hillywood Show web site: http://www.thehillywoodshow.com     

The Olympic Coven portion of SMD: http://stepheniemeyerday.com/#!/?page_id=2 

The next thing to talk about is The Forks Motel, http://forksmotel.com  They are the official motel for the FiF group. I called in early July and all the rooms were reserved already, not surprising. The gentleman that I spoke with took my name and number and requirements for their waiting list. I didn’t really expect I’d get a call, figured there were a fair number already on the list. Then out of blue there was a message left for me from Sherry – a reservation had been cancelled for a three queen bed with full kitchen. The price was only $10 more a night than the reservation I had in Port Angeles and it was in Forks and worth it. We chatted a bit and mentioned didn’t have confirmed roommates and likely only one, but three beds and kitchen would be useful. Two days later Sherry called again…there was a two queen beds room available at a big savings over the suite. WOW. I am really impressed at the service level. There was additional savings. I really need to send them a San Francisco gift, maybe some sourdough bread or Ghirardelli chocolate.

This past Saturday I heard back from both of my possible travel companions and neither can come. Good thing the room was changed from three beds to two. I’m kind of sad that I won’t have a traveling companion. Neither one being able to come was not a total surprise as I had begun to think this whole trip is something that I’m suppose to do alone – something of a quest or walkabout, to walk by faith with practical preparation done ahead of time. I am trying to keep myself open to possibilities. I am at peace with this so far, so I must be walking the path the Lord intends. I do not intend to share much more of this personal aspect of the trip. I have a written journal for that. I plan on posting to this blog on a daily basis once the trip starts. Those postings will be to share in the adventure part of the trip, pictures, places stop, other exciting things. I need to try out posting pictures. I am thinking of a Flickr account to download all the photo’s each day and post the better ones here. Check back for update and link for that if decide to go that route. Three weeks and counting for this wonderful trip to begin.