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Women across the iVillage community have fallen in love... with a vampire. In case you've not been, ahem, bitten by the seemingly unstoppable sensation of Twilight, Stephenie Meyer's epic series of novels about young lovers Bella and Edward has captivated women of all ages and they're mesmerized by the story that will hit the big screen November 21. Just how big is the frenzy surrounding all things Twilight? Our community of loyal fans has been burning up the boards on this topic for some time now, but on our newly-created Twilight message board, they have posted over 2000 messages in less than a week discussing their favorite characters, scenes and sharing their anticipation for the film:

"Okay, it is almost 2:00am here on the west coast, and I can't sleep. Why, you ask? Because the movie comes out Thursday night! And I can't stop thinking about it! Seriously, what is wrong with me? Do I have the new mental illness called Twilightitis?" -- futuremrsleader

"I can't decide if I am more excited about finding out my baby's gender on Thursday or the movie on Friday! I am seriously leaning toward the movie!" -- momslovebug

 
Even married women aren't ashamed to admit they're in the market for some hot vampire romance action. So, what do their husbands think about all of this?

"The first time I read through the series, he was annoyed that I had my nose buried in a book all day and he had to hunt for clean undies." -- mrstgraham

"Well he thinks I'm nuts! He doesn't get how I lose track of space and time when I'm reading Twilight. I told him it's the same obsession that he has with Star Trek, that shut him up!" -- aprettygirl

 

Most of our self-proclaimed "twerds" (Twilight nerds) are planning to see the movie this weekend, and many of them are geared up to attend the midnight showing at their local theater, and are prepared to get there well in advance to get good seats:

"I am so excited!!!! I am counting down for the movie. I have read all of the books and finishing up midnight sun. I have passed the book on to six friends. Three of us are going to the movie on Friday... we even ordered shirts!" -- mom_tracyg88

"DH and I only go to the theater once a year since it is pricey, so this is my one movie this year. I think the movie will be great, but I do know I have been let down at the box office before." -- carrie-23

"I'm just looking forward to seeing if they did a good enough job. I'm praying it's not terribly cheesy. Some things just do not translate well from book to screen." -- coffeemomma

"I am just so flipping excited about it all. I want to *see* what I've been seeing in my head for two weeks. I hope that Kristen can get over her weird normal self and do Bella justice... and Edward. Oh man, I just hoping seeing him doesn't send me into labor." -- fp-sweetsarah

They are not even kidding around -- just don't get between them and seeing this movie and you should be fine!

Have you succumbed to "Twilightitis" yet? Or are you confused about all the fuss? Are you planning to catch this film in the theaters or will you wait for the DVD? Chime in here and let me know if you're a "twerd", a casual fan or even anti-Twilight.

 

In case you've been in seclusion for the last several months, this election season has had its share of controversies, hot debates and plenty of fireworks. And that's just been on our message boards. Across the community we've seen iVillagers tell how the political atmosphere has added to tensions between spouses, friends, family members and co-workers who may be on opposite ends of the political spectrum. That can be quite a pickle for sure, but let's get down to what's really important: how do your political views line up with your favorite celebrity? Of course celebs sharing their views on public policy is nothing new (I'm looking at you, Bono), but do you find it helpful or just plain annoying? cl-wordyone recently brought up this very topic on the Movies! board. Here's what some iVillagers had to say about the stars who stump:

"It used to bother me when celebrities would be so vocal about their political views, but it really doesn't bug me much anymore. I mean, they have the right to say how they feel - I guess, lol. It only bothers me when someone gets really rabid about their viewpoint and gets all over anyone who disagrees with them." -- cl-wordyone

"I do know people who, if an actor they previously liked speaks out and they disagree, they won't see that person's films or shows anymore. But that's not me, I disagree with lots of actors' views, but I still watch their stuff!" -- momeebear

"I just find it fascinating how virulent the attacks are on the celebrities this time. Let's face it, there are JUST as many conservative celebrities out there stumping for their guy as there are liberal" ones for 'their' guy." -- thatyank

"Sure they have a right to their opinions and for the most part I have no trouble with it. But, it does bother me when people pay to go to concerts and get a political slide show also. And it really bothers me when celebrities are cruel and vicious... [for] example, when Matt Damon recently publicly said some cruel things about Sarah Palin. Whether you support her or not I think he was out of place." -- wildflower05

"I think that they have as much right to voice their opinions as anyone. And people who aren't usually tuned into politics might pause and listen." -- cl-libelulle

So what do you think? Do you wish celebs would keep their traps shut during election season or are you interested in their political views? Or does it even make it on your radar? Sound off here -- bonus points if you let me know which celeb's political rants drive you bonkers.

Last month I wrote about the wild sentence-name bestowed on a girl in New Zealand, and you sure had a lot to say about the business of naming. Not to be outdone, Gwen Stefani and hubby Gavin Rossdale have welcomed another bouncing baby boy to their family. And that boy will be bouncing along to the name of...

Zuma Nesta Rock Rossdale.

Yes, take a moment with me and let that sink in a bit: Zuma. Nesta. Rock. Sort of just rolls off the tongue, doesn't it? And just think when that kid is in trouble on the playground and gets the full mom-is-calling-out-your-full-name treatment. The kids are either going to gear up for a full-scale taunting or be awfully jealous. (Probably more the latter because, hey, mom is Gwen Stefani, after all!)

They're reacting to this new celeb baby name on the Baby Names board and giving it the full analysis, wondering where in the heck the name Zuma came from:

"What are stars doing with these baby names? So many of them are crazy!" -- jasey24

I'm not sure who started this trend, but over the past few years it seems that we have all become celebrity baby crazy. Absolutely bonkers. Forget when their next blockbuster debuts, we're more obsessed with when they're going to give birth, what sort of designer clothes will be in their layette, and of course, what the name of the little tyke will be. While we wait for the latest cover shot of the uber-famous newborns and their perfect parents, the reality for most moms is that the post-baby body isn't always what we hope it would be. Most every mom I know has struggled with losing pregnancy weight, not to mention coming to terms with fun stuff like stretch marks or that little pouch of belly that never seems to go away. I know you know what I'm talking about. Even though these issues (and the feelings that swirl around them) are common and normal, all of the public hype around celebrity pregnancies and the quick recovery of their superstar bodies may be creating an even bigger perception of not measuring up.

Post-pregnancy body image and losing the baby weight is a big topic in the iVillage community. rachnriley from the June 2008 Playgroup likely speaks for many new moms when she writes:

"Obviously, I am not exercising and I am eating too much and not the right things. So, it's not that I don't know why, it's just depressing because I know I won't be doing anything about it for awhile! With three kids and trying to work part time, I am just tired and hungry and don't have the mental capacity to try to either exercise or eat better."

As someone who works in front of a camera, nervous1sttimer2007 offers her fears:   

"I really will have to lose this weight before I go back to work, though. I'm a television reporter, and my bosses will freak. I'm serious -- one of my colleagues came back overweight after pregnancy, and viewers actually called to chastise her about her weight gain! Seriously -- they'd tell her she needed to lose a lot of weight, and ask her how "she could have let herself go" so much. It's horrifying, so I feel a lot of pressure."

 

Member newlamom is close to the Hollywood action in Los Angeles and sounds off on the unrealistic expectations celeb moms and the media are putting forth. ... 

Go directly to Jail ... Do Not Pass Go ... Do Not Collect $200.

Perhaps a classic game of Monopoly is the root of our fascination with people going to and getting out of jail? Or maybe it's just that rubbernecking is a national pastime? Whatever the case, there are a lot of iVillage communities buzzing about famous faces in correctional places. So I bring you Jail Watch 2007!

It's no surprise that everyone's talking about Paris Hilton's sentence, her report to jail and now (!!) her apparent release after only three days. Say what? Well CNN is reporting that TMZ is reporting this and like my buddy Tam says, "If you can't believe TMZ, who can you believe any more?"

While most are disgusted by the celeb get-out-of-jail-free cards, this mom has a different take and tells why she sort of envies Paris:

"Not because she's rich, not because people think she's beautiful. I envy her because for 23 days she gets to be ALONE, in the QUIET, with NOTHING to do and nobody to talk to, and nobody talking to her, and no responsibilities! They say how sad it is that she only gets an hour to take a shower or watch TV and I think "An hour to take a shower??? AWESOME!!!" "

Well, she does have a point there.

Still on the celebrity front, some are also wondering why DUI Diva Lindsay Lohan isn't in jail and not just hanging out in rehab.

On the other end of the age spectrum, "Dr. Death" Jack Kevorkian left prison last week after serving 8 years for his involvement in a reported 130 "assisted suicides". They're debating the whole gamut of Kevorkian-related topics on the Hot Debates message board, from the ethics of assisted suicide to whether Kevorkian should pay for his own incarceration. Here's a sentiment from the In the News board that seems to come up again and again in these conversations:

"Dr. K helped people who were suffering from living an unbearable life. I had hoped that the exposure of medically assisted suicide would have grown since his arrest and that option would have become available for terminally ill patients."

More reaction from the March 2005 playgroup:

"Why is it that we will put down our pets (dogs and cats) when they are suffering/dying/in pain, but when it comes to family members we don't give them the same respect."

"From what I understand, not all of Kevorkian's patients were terminally ill. Many people had him assist in their suicide, who did NOT have a terminal illness. So... What about sanctioning assisted suicide for those who want to die - -without a terminial illness?"

This is one debate that is going to be around for a very long time, I think.

And finally, former top White House aide Scooter Libby was sentenced to 30 months in prison for perjury and obstruction of justice in the Plame case. Though now there's talk swirling of a possible pardon, the Politics Today board is holding a party for Happy "Scooter to the Slammer" Day! Truly a festive occasion that only the Politics Today crowd could come up with.

Have I missed anyone on the incarceration roster? What are your thoughts about these stories -- and why do we care? Check in here with your take and make it quick, my visiting hours are almost over!

When is poor Paris Hilton going to catch a break? Leaked sex tapes, cell phone mishaps, starlet spats, a DUI and now violating her probation looks like it's going to put Miss Hilton behind bars. And not the kind with Cristal and cosmopolitans, either. I mean ... she's just an honest, simple girl tryin' to have fun, y'all! Ok maybe not. But just when you think that the Paris Hilton parade of absurdity can't get any better, it totally does. As seen on the Daily Blabber, Paris and entourage are petitioning the Governator Arnold Schwarzenegger for a pardon. Of course when something so amazingly crazy like this happens, our message board communities are quick to add their reactions.

On the Hot Debates board:

"Is Paris Hilton just a spoiled brat who thinks all laws and rules simply don't apply to her? And now she wants the governor to pardon her sentence? Give me a break."

"Yes, when I found out she's going to jail I laughed like so evilly

BWhahahahahahahahahahha!

Brilliant!"

Reactions are a bit more mixed on the 20-Something Hangout board:

"I personally think she would get more out of community service than jail time. We all know she's going to go to the pansy, low security prison with cable and do her nails for 45 days. With as stressed as I've been lately, I would welcome the jail time she's getting! "

"She needs to sit her little butt in the slammer for 45 days and get a slap in the face as to how reality is! Money should not be able to buy freedom. If you do the crime my goodness go to jail for it."

And more Paris-inspired opinions from the March Lucky Charms 2002 playgroup:

"I think she should have went to jail in the first place I am so sick of DUI being a slap on the wrist crime for everyone it doesn't matter if you are a celeb or just my stupid brother you get nothing for a crime that can kill."

"I do believe that Paris deserves what she is getting but I also think they are using her to set an example. She is high profile, out in front, in your face and she is going to be the one to burn at the stake to hammer the point home.

I also have this nagging suspicion that she will not serve all that time in jail. I am leaning towards 48-72 hours at the most and the rest under that lovely fashion statement ankle bracelet Michelle Rodriguez had the pleasure of wearing."

Whether Arnold gives Paris a get-out-of-jail-free card or tells her "Hasta la vista, baby" -- do you find the use of celebrity privilege (not to mention celebrity money) to avoid legal consequences appalling? Or typical? Do you care? Is anyone really looking to these people are role models anyway? I know you have something to say about this, so let's hear it!

... about Alec Baldwin. Yep, ever since last week's voicemail tirade tape was leaked, it seems almost everyone has something to say about the 30 Rock star. As if the tape itself weren't bad enough, we also have the classic Baldwin/Basinger verbal volleys and then AB's drop-in on The View. Because, you know, when there's just not enough drama already, involve the gals on The View. But really, who needs The View when you have the iVillage community adding their own (much more interesting) reactions and opinions about this crazy mess? The members of the Domestic Abuse: New Beginnings message board are not impressed:

"He sounded completely immature for a man of his age, and I am guessing this may be the reason Kim Basinger left him and is fighting so hard for her child."

"This just goes to show you that abuse is everywhere and has no boundaries. You don't need to be poor for this to happen, even the rich do it. (they just have better lawyers to cover it up). If Alec is this way with an innocent child, how was he with Kim?"

The custody battles, missed calls and the notion of parental alienation in this situation struck a chord on the Stepmoms/Bio Moms Debate message board:

"He had a right to be upset that his daughter did not call him, and address it with her, but he wayyy overreacted and the name calling is never acceptable. I am sure a lot of parents saw themselves in this phone call. A lot of divorced parents are upset due to missed phone calls."

"The mother and father have clearly set the stage for a poor father-daughter relationship."

"I have said things to my children that I am not proud of. I am human...the good news for me is that I'm a nobody and there isn't a soul who would care to record me and put it out in the public."

And my personal favorite summary ...

"I think they are both psycho and the only good thing is they have been so preoccupied with each other they haven't remarried and dragged more people into their psycho mess."

What do you think? Is this just one more chapter in what seems to be a never-ending ugly divorce story? Does Alec need professional help? Should he be allowed to leave 30 Rock? Why are we so fascinated with these celebrity train wrecks? Toss in your two cents about this latest round of dysfunctional celebrity family news!

You know a thread is going to be good when it begins, “I just have to rant a bit.”

And rant they do – about the extremely rant-worthy topic of women “starving to be thin.” The latest epidemic of skeletal celebs has women starving themselves in imitation, and, most disturbingly, has teens and preteens hating their bodies. We’ve heard it again and again – women, and even (increasingly) little girls, feeling like they have to be Nicole Ritchie-thin (see also: the gruesome cover of this week’s In Touch), which is in no way healthy. (Sorry, Nicole.) The more celebs get crazy-skinny, the harder it will be to figure out “what normal means” – for us and for young girls.

So cl-shywon starts us off: “I have two colleagues/friends who are on this near-starvation diet at the moment, and it's really getting to me. It's really just the one "friend" because she's doing it to lose THREE pounds. THREE!!! She's admitted it's not about health, it's about the number on the scale…. I guess I'm just frustrated at all the pressure there is to be that "right" size or weight.”