Through the Rabbit Hole: Already got my tickets for Twilight

I will admit it. I'm 22 years old and I'm more excited about Twilight than I am about graduation. There's no shame in it, I swear.

The film version of Stephenie Meyer's smash debut novel will hit theaters this Friday to a flurry of anticipation. Hundreds of thousands of tweens and teens-and yes, even "adults" like me-will be standing in lines across the country. Theaters will be filled with screaming girls lusting after Edward Cullen, or any of his unnaturally good-looking vampire brothers.

I had no idea who Stephenie Meyer was until this past summer, when I saw a preview of the movie on the Penelope dvd. I went out and bought the first book the next afternoon. I was back at Books-A-Million a day later for the next two books in the series.

It was the perfect time to pick up the books. Meyer had finished the final book in the series-Breaking Dawn-and was releasing it at the beginning of August. I didn't have to wait to find out whether Edward finally sucked it up and bit her. I went straight from book 3 to book 4.

Yes, they were written specifically for tween and teenage girls. Yes, I am years removed from that demographic. So what? A good book is a good book.

And before you ask, I'm a Harry Potter fan, too. I was devastated to find out that the newest movie, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, was pushed back to a summer 2009 release date. But that meant Twilight got moved up two weeks. So what if it's my little sister's birthday? She's getting her birthday early from me this year.

I line up for tickets to Harry Potter movies. I do the same thing with The Lord of the Rings, Eragon, and anything based on a good Anne Rice novel. It's a good escape from reality. And, trust me, there's too much reality to deal with lately.

Ask anyone who knows me, and they'll tell you I've already got tons of Twilight memorabilia. I was at Wal-Mart at midnight when the soundtrack released. I have the calendar, t-shirts, buttons, bags, and posters. Almost everyone I work with has read the series, so it's all we talk about when we're together.

I didn't think I could make it to the movie release. I've been counting down the days for months now. My Fandango account has had tickets reserved for every show the first day since mid-September. Between my friends, and myself we've reserved 26 tickets for November 21.

Then the good news hit. Theaters are hosting a special midnight preview on Thursday. Class or no class, there was nothing going to stop me from seeing it 12 hours earlier than planned. I have to work at one of my four jobs that Thursday night, but I'm going straight to the movie theater that night.

It should be fun, because Twilight fans are some die-hard people. There was almost a mob scene when Robert Pattinson (Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix) was cast as the drop-dead gorgeous Edward Cullen. I don't have any complaints about the casting. My problem is trying to decide who I like better: broodingly gorgeous Edward, the equally gorgeous big brother Emmett, the beautiful Southern gentleman Jasper, or Carlisle, the centuries old patriarch of the delicious Cullen coven.

I may be 22 years old and about to graduate from college. But sometimes the world of Twilight is more interesting-and understandable-than the real world. So, if you see me with a book in my hand, best not disturb the sleeping bear. I can get pretty violent if I'm interrupted, especially at the good parts.

Bloodsucker or not, I'll be at the theater on November 21. All day. Don't try to call; my cell phone will be off. So, here's to Stephenie Meyer and her wonderful world. "And so the lion fell in love with the lamb." What a great line.