We all need an occasional break for sanity's sake.
There are benefits of making TIME for YOU.
Events
Twilight Author, Stephenie Meyer at NY Comic-Con: "Life and Death", the demise of the "Midnight Sun" because of "Grey" and "Depressed and Suicidal" Edward Cullen
Stephenie Meyer, author of the vampire romance series, “Twilight”
was at New York Comic-Con on Thursday.
Most of the fans waited in line to see the author talk about the “Midnight Sun”, the unreleased novel that retells the Twilight story in the point of view of Edward Cullen.
She said that there’s always something and that the book seemed to be cursed.
First, the "raw" chapters were leaked. Then "Twilight" movie "changed the way she was seeing the characters" which she said was "uncomfortable for writing because she wasn't seeing the characters they way she had."
But once she completed "Life and Death" she said she was "in a better place, she was happier in the whole world" which prompted her to "start back at the Midnight Sun" which got the fans excited.
Meyer said "Stop right there" as fans applauded and cheered. "Listen to the story" she continued to say, "I wrote 2 paragraphs, got into the internet and guess what the top story for that day? Grey!"
"I kinda a had a non-literal flip-the-table moment. Whatever!"
You can tell she totally flipped since her idea was stolen (once again) by E.L. James, author of "50 Shade of Grey".
When Meyer showed her mother the draft for "Life and Death", it's interesting that even her mother would have preferred that "Midnight Sun" was the story Meyer completed. Unfortunately, it sounded like "Midnight Sun" is dead!
Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" books rekindled my love of reading and writing. It was actually after reading her books that I got the motivation to complete and publish my family's immigration memoir, "Out of Status".
When asked about her legacy, Meyer said it's about the lifelong friendships, and people rediscovering their love of reading.
When I heard that I smiled because it's true. I have a friend who didn't enjoy reading, but after I gave her my book, "Out of Status", she went on to read more books after that. In fact, she is now on her 200th book!
In writing "Life and Death", a gender swapping retelling of the Twilight story, finding the right title was not an easy task.
One of her first choices for the title was a quote from the end of the Twilight books, "Twilight, the end of another day" but everyone hated it.
On naming characters Meyer noted that she researched what's available depending on the time of the events. It's interesting to know that "J" names are products of recent events. She also briefly mentioned the importance of "girl-centric" story lines. After Bella of Twilight, the movie industry seems to be riding the strong female character leads such as Katniss in "Hunger Games" and Tris in "Divergent".
In casting Robert Pattison as Edward Cullen:
Pattison played a minimal part (Cedric) in Harry Potter but when he walked in the restaurant, people were turning heads - and that's when she knew Pattison is Edward Cullen!
However, Pattison was insisting that the Edward character was "depressed and suicidal". The fans laughed when Meyer said, "he was really committed!"
New York is the one place you can be whoever you want to be and no one will judge. And if people do judge, it's more of acknowledging WHO you are.
This weekend New York ComicCon is at the Javits Center. Midtown Manhattan is treated to the most artistic, the geekiest, the funniest place to be.
The first time I heard of the ComicCon was 2 years ago when my husband and I were in Maryland for one of my son's college tour visits. People of all ages were in full costume and attitude parallel to their animated characters.
As I walked through the Blue doors, thanks to MakilalaTV, I was initially overwhelmed at my playground for the day. I felt like I was part of a Marvel DC Comics movie. Surrounded by Super Heroes, I didn't know which way to go first.
Travel and Culture
Another New York City Adventure: Philippine Gold at Asia Society, Gryffindor-like Dining and Protest at Columbia University
Once upon a time, not too long ago - and in fact, just a few days ago - I hopped on a train to New York to meet with friends and explore.
The day started with a luncheon at Brother Jimmy's BBQ. I met my fellow co-hosts at Makila, the first Filipino American Television Talk Show in the New York metropolitan area. We ate, talked, laughed and put together a robust plan of action for the next 6 months.
This coming Saturday marks a new milestone for the Makilala Team. We will be taping for the first time at our new home, Manhattan Neighborhood Network's El Barrio Firehouse.
With the urging of my friend, I took the MTA Bus (M4). It was my first time to take the bus! All along I thought buses had their own lane, but of course, I was mistaken.
The day started with a luncheon at Brother Jimmy's BBQ. I met my fellow co-hosts at Makila, the first Filipino American Television Talk Show in the New York metropolitan area. We ate, talked, laughed and put together a robust plan of action for the next 6 months.
This coming Saturday marks a new milestone for the Makilala Team. We will be taping for the first time at our new home, Manhattan Neighborhood Network's El Barrio Firehouse.
I'm the lead-host for our two (2), yes, you read it correctly, not one (1) but two (2) upcoming episodes.
The first one is "The road to pre-colonial Filipino ancestry paved in gold". I've heard so much about the gold exhibit at Asia Society that I needed to see it myself.
When it was time to get off the bus, I didn't know what door to exit from. Luckily, a friendly man told me to push the door open.
