Twilight fans don't have to be fanatics

Someone told me recently that I need to stand up for myself more . . . especially when it came to the fact that I do actually enjoy the Twilight series. So, I thought, what could be better for doing that than posting it on the Internet where possibly millions of people can see it? In reality, only about twenty people including my mom and sister will probably view this page, but nonetheless here it is. I am a fan of Twilight.

I do, however, feel the need to define a difference between being a fan of the series and being a FANATIC of the series. I enjoyed all four of the Twilight books and could not put them down once I started reading them. I rented the first movie and thought it was all right, I did feel a little let down by that one. And yes, I was actually excited for New Moon and did see it with my friends in a sold-out theater the weekend it came out, and I really enjoyed the movie. But, this makes me a fan - not a fanatic. I draw the line at the numerous Twilight t-shirts and was appalled to find out that they make underwear with Edward's face on them in multiple places. I do not dream of being or dating a vampire nor do I wish to have a vampire and a werewolf fighting for my love. I also do not have the desire to wallpaper my room in Twilight posters of half-naked boys, no matter how tempting that may sound after seeing New Moon.

Some people just take the series a little too far and I'm not saying there is anything wrong with hanging Twilight posters in your room or wearing a shirt with Jacob or Edward on it. There really isn't. (I actually have an empty box of special edition Twilight Sweethearts with Edward's face on it on display in my bedroom right now.) There is, however, something wrong with attacking people for not liking the Twilight series. I am referring to fans who have the name 'Twihards' and have been chronicled on a website entitled 'The Twihard Attack Directory' (http://twilightsucks.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=fangirls&action=display&thread=5175) for their often violent attacks against 'Antis', people who don't like the series.

The attacks are ranked/categorized as 'Slap on the Wrist,' 'Police worthy' and '. . . Felony.' I scrolled through a few of them in each category and . . . wow. That's all I can really think to say. It is absolutely ridiculous to beat someone up with a bat, push someone down a flight of stairs and throw a brick at someone's head - all because they do not enjoy the same form of entertainment that you do. Most of the people who listed attacks on this website only made a simple comment about how they didn't understand the Twilight craze or how they would not consider it their favorite book. And because of that, they are physically threatened? It's outrageous.

Yes, these attacks could be made up . . . I truly hope they are, because if not I think that's just sad. They're just books. They're fantasy; these characters do not exist and we do not exist in their mystical world of vampires and werewolves. People need to get a grip here. There's nothing wrong with enjoying something, I really enjoy the Twilight series, but that's just taking it to a whole other level and that level is not okay.

I'm just going to stick to my fan position for now, if I ever become a Twihard I give you permission to slap me. Although, be careful because I may think it's an attack on Twilight and fight back . . . only kidding.