Challenge Completed...???

As you know, Alecia publicly challenged me to read the Twilight series on June 11, 2008. She challenged me for what I think was two reasons. 1st to learn something about the attributes that women find so amazing about the main character, Edward. 2nd to give me an entertaining read.

I accepted the challenge and finished last weekend, August 10, 2008. Took me a month (4 weeks) to read 4 books. That is the most I have ever read in that short of time in my entire life. I will address the 2nd part of her challenge, that yes it was an enjoyable and entertaining read.

Never mind the mushy gushy stuff (almost romance novel type) in the first half of the first book, I can see why these books were on the New York Times bestsellers list.

Now the 1st part of her challenge. I can totally understand and see why women around the world are in love with Edward. Here is a man (immortal) that loves this girl more than he loves himself and would do anything to keep her out of harms way. The other part of what I see to be so lovable is his ability to exercise self-control to express his love and keep her safe. This self-control covers many aspects of his life, such as appetites, temptations, anger among many other things.

So does this mean I have completed the challenge...I don't think so. I do love my wife and my family extremely so and would do anything to keep them safe to let them know I love them. Where I need tremendous help is exercising self-control. Now my self-control isn't necessarily in the same areas as Edward, but there are many I can relate to.

I still think Alecia is much more like Bella (the main leading lady), more than she will ever realize, and I truly love that about her.

Old Guy/Twilight

OK. So Alecia already posted this on her blog, but I thought I should post it also.

Brooklynn had a district swim meet in Leavenworth yesterday (her final meet of the year). It was my first chance to go as all the others were on Wednesday nights when I had Stake meetings. We were there from 7:40 a.m. til 5:00 p.m. and it made for a long day.

I thought this would be a great chance to try and catch up on Alecia's challenge to read the Twilight series that she blogged about on July 11. She wants me to learn about some characteristics to incorporate in my own life that a fictional character by the name of Edward has from this series. I took the challenge and started reading the first of 3 books on the scout camp I attended with Logan.

I didn't get all the way through the 1st book "Twilight", but finished it at home. Now I am reading the 2nd book "New Moon" and am only half through. Mind you, Alecia read all 3 books within a 4 day period of time and I am sure it is frustrating her that I am not reading them all as fast. The books are romance action/adventure novels with a twist. The main characters are vampires and now werewolves. They are a little mushy (really mushy in the 1st book) up to about half way through, and then they get in some good adventure and suspense. So I must admit I am liking them a bit.

Anyway, while reading "New Moon" between swim events, I was walking around in the park with the book. I overhear 2 teenage girls say "Look at the older guy reading the Twilight book. Doesn't he know those are girly books." Well, I didn't know what to take more offense to first, the "girly book" comment or the "old guy" comment. I have never thought of myself as old, but I guess I am starting to look the part to the younger generation.

The "girly book" comment didn't really upset me as like I said earlier, the books are not that bad and there are plenty of mens men that are reading the books. See "Twilight Guys Report" to read more about that.

Now about learning some characteristics to be more like Edward. I am only through one and a half books and I have to say first of all, Alecia is more like the main character, Bella, than she realizes. Second, from what I have read about Edward so far, I don't want to be like him (but am already like him in many ways). What I don't like is he fell in love with Bella because she smelled delicious and he can't do that as it is against his morals. He can read peoples minds to know how to act around them, but he can't read Bella's mind, so he has to read the minds of those she talks to understand her more. Then he abandons Bella "for her safety" but has really left her in more danger than ever before.

A character I wouldn't mind being like more is Jacob. He looks and Bella, studies her and tries to know more about her by her actions, who she really is. If I could do that with Alecia, I think that would be great, and in some ways I am do that already. Jacob also leaves Bella "for her safety", but comes around to wanting to be with her and protect her always.

From what I understand, I am supposed to pay more attention to Edwards character in the 3rd book. So I will have to update my opinions of him as I get to that book.