The Book Blog

Emirates Airlines is set to launch services to Baghdad beginning July 1 this year. This capital city of Iraq will be the airlines 103rd international location, as well as one of 6 new destinations the carrier has and will launch flights to this year.

Iraq is the only location in the Middle East that remains to be frequented by Emirates, with their current number of Middle Eastern flights every week totaling 197 in 10 countries. To start out with, the carrier will operate 3 services a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. This route will be served by an Airbus A330-200, which offers 12 first-class, 42 business-class and 183 economy-class seats.

Emirates Airlines expects the mix of passengers traveling to and from Iraq to come from plenty of sources, favorably personnel in the industry and government. The oil, construction and telecommunications sectors are anticipated to make up 3 of the largest industry segments.
The chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airlines, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, said that the launch of flights to Baghdad highlight their dedication to connect the Arab world with the remainder of the globe. They is delighted that they have now come full circle by offering services to the last remaining Middle Eastern country.

Iraq is well on the path to recovery, Sheikh Ahmed continued, and they are confident that now is the right time to commence their operations in the country. They says there is a lot of traffic heading both to and from Iraq, and they are in the right position to capitalize on that demand. This year is going to be a powerful year for Emirates Airlines, and they will continue defying industry expectations.

Emirates Airlines is your one-stop source for all your airline related requirement. Emirates Airlines offers both international air tickets and domestic air tickets. Book your air tickets through Emirates Airlines reservation. The Emirates Group is a immense organization with diverse business interests in the aviation, travel, tourism and leisure industries. Emirates group is one of the major employers in the region that employs over 50,000 people worldwide its 50 business units and associated firms, providing specialist services across every aspect of the market

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Backpacks are essential equipment for students, hikers, travelers, and athletes of all ages.  Everyone knows how useful and practical a backpack can be and just about everyone owns at least one backpack. When purchasing backpacks for personal use or retail, consider buying wholesale backpacks. Wholesale and discount backpacks come in various sizes and styles and there is a backpack for every need.  Selecting the right backpack for your does not have to be overwhelming. Check out these types of backpacks and learn how to choose the best backpack for you.

Types of Backpacks

Picking a backpack is more than just a fashion choice, it is a decision that can affect your health. Depending on the size of your load, you’ll need to choose a pack with sufficient support. The main categories of backpacks are backpacks with internal frames, backpacks with external frames, and frameless backpacks. Frameless packs are meant for lighter loads. This kind of backpack is simply a bag with straps that fit over the shoulders. More sophisticated frameless backpacks may have padded shoulder straps and backs for extra comfort and additional pockets to help organize your supplies.

Comfortable Hiking Backpacks

When carrying more weight or traveling longer distances, you will need a backpack with a frame. Hiking backpacks usually have an external frame, made of a lightweight metal such as scandium or titanium alloys. The body of the backpack is cloth attached to the frame.  This frame supports the weight of the pack and then distributes the weight across your hips for a more ergonomically correct fit. Backpacks with internal frames are a recent innovation.  The concept is simple: a metal or plastic frame is sewn into the backpack for built-in support.  Plastic strips follow the shape of your back for a better fit.  Additional metal components may reinforce the frame. And when you go exploring in an urban setting, backpacks make perfect lightweight and convenient luggage.  Backpacking across Europe us a popular pastime for older teens and young adults. When weight is distributed properly, you can carry your backpack long distances without back pain or muscle strain.

Cool School Bags

Because of their versatility, backpacks, sometimes called knapsacks, are popular with students.  Kids’ backpacks give them more space when carrying books, binders, notebooks, lunch, gym clothes, and other essential school things.  Plus, many backpacks offer extra pockets that are perfect for pens, cellphones, and other gear.  Trendy backpacks are available in different designs and colors, often featuring the latest celebrities or television characters, giving kids a chance to express their individuality through a hip backpack. Young children enjoy carrying backpacks as a sign of their maturity and growing independence.  Even preschoolers and kindergarteners like to carry backpacks to have a special place to put their things.  Just remember, pediatricians advise that filled backpacks should weigh no more than 10-15% of a child’s body weight. Most school backpacks also have adjustable straps for a more comfortable fit.

Save Money by Buying Wholesale Backpacks

Back to school shopping or preparing for a hiking trip can be costly.  Save money by buying discount backpacks. With wholesale backpacks, you’ll find high quality, affordable backpacks at deep discounts. Check out online deals on backpacks to find the greatest variety of hiking packs and school bags. Whether you are camping out, hiking on the trails, or just hitting the books, it is easy to find wholesale backpacks that fit your lifestyle and complement your personality.  When buying wholesale backpacks for personal use or for resale at a retail outlet, scout the market for the best bargains and get the most value from your budget.   

Purchasing Discount Backpacks

The Internet is a resource for discount backpacks.  Reputable manufacturers, dealers, and brands sites allow you to conveniently purchase wholesale backpacks online.  Back to school sales, early spring and fall hiking season, and after season closeouts, are the best time to find deals on backpacks at lower prices.

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My first post about comics as an educational aid generated an interesting response – from the managing director of Classical Comics, a comic book company in the United Kingdom. Not to be confused with Classic Comics, often teasingly referred to as a study guide for college literature classes here in the State, Classical Comics turns classical literature into high-quality visual graphic novels.

Founded two and a half years ago, Classical Comics first title was Henry the V in November, 2007, followed by the launch of a Macbeth graphic novel in February, 2008. The Macbeth title received the endorsement of Shakespearean actor, and former Star Trek, The Next Generationstar Patrick Stewart. Upcoming titles for the remainder of 2008 include: Jane Eyre, Frankenstein, and a Christmas Carol. Seven new titles are planned for 2009.

Unlike prior educational efforts, Classical Comics’ titles come in four text options: the original text of the play or novel, plain text translation, a quick text for younger readers, and, a blank text where readers may fill in the captions and bubbles. The first titles are also accompanied by detailed study guides, aimed at the British equivalent of grades kindergarten through middle school. While the titles are too new for the company to have collected readership data, the original version would be likely targeted at ninth and tenth graders with the translations to be more popular with younger readers. I will know better shortly, as the company has shipped me a box of the titles. I have been warned that it will be a very heavy box!

Classical Comics’ managing director Karen Wenborn, a marketer and self-professed avid reader said that the first titles have been well-received because of their high visual quality, substantial feel (gloss paper, much like hardbound graphic novels) and efforts to be true to the period of the story. From viewing covers for the titles at Classical Comics’ website, artwork and action are quite similar to the modern superhero genre. Wenborn pointed out that past efforts to represent classical literature in comics have faltered because the artwork had not been kept up to date; she added that while those titles are being reprinted in the original art, their largest market in the U.K is nostalgia buffs, as opposed to students and educators.

I agree with Karen that visual quality is essential for the success of these titles. Super heroes are actually “old” characters in the United States, for instance, Batman and Superman characters from the 1940’s. Spiderman, Hulk and Ironman are creations from the early 1960’s. Yet these titles succeed, not because they have been made into cartoons and movies, but because their look has been considerably freshened up to appeal to adults (who bought the titles as kids) as well as children. Characters from the 1940’s and 1960’s have had to keep up with the times, as well as technology.

A graphic novel of a classic book, by comparison, does not need to be “updated,” but artistic techniques, combined with historical research, make the story truer to the time it took place. The reader will be comparing their first exposure to these stories with movies that use computer-generated images. A plain text book with no illustrations or one of the original comics will appear dull compared to the visual representations kids see today in comics, video games and movies.

However, Karen explained that Classical Comics are more expensive to produce than similar graphic novels because of the research required for powerful visual effects as well as translations. I see only two obstacles to success: cost to schools versus a more traditional book (which is serious in times of tight budgets in U.S. public schools) and past beliefs about comics among individual educators. I have to ask if librarians might be a stronger market for U.S. expansion; they are more likely to promote the entertainment value of reading than teachers. However, if I were a teacher, and especially if I were the head of a high school English department, I would be trying to negotiate a fair price on original and basic text versions of these books. I know they would entice students to read other titles on their own.

Karen told me that the titles have been very well received in the U.K; they have received the endorsement of Shakespeare for Kidz, an international non-profit organization that provides Shakespeare education to children through a variety of media, and the National Association for the Teaching of English.

I look forward to seeing these titles and reviewing them for you.

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Prophecy is basically a prediction expressed under divine intervention. To prophesy is to reveal through the anointing and divine guidance of the Holy Spirit, the third person in the Trinity. Hence, anybody motivated by the Spirit of God can prophesy or preach the Word of God.

The Gift of Prophecy is one of the three distinct levels or spheres of prophecy. The other levels are the Spirit of Prophecy and the Office of the Prophet. Therefore, if you mull over prophecy and prophesying, you must differentiate between these 3 levels to know exactly what level or sphere of ministry is operational. Otherwise, you may simply mistake one level for a different one and misinterpret the functioning of the Spirit.

The Gift of Prophecy is a medium to utter to the body of Christ, to inspire, enlighten and to be perceptive of God’s will. If you have experienced Jesus Christ and are made full with the Holy Spirit, you can be utilized by God to deliver a sermon.

To be employed in the prayer of the Gift of Prophecy, you have to foster the growth of a prayer life. When you devote yourself to prayer, you will gain knowledge of heeding the voice of Almighty. When you get used to hear God’s voice, you will make out when He renders you a foretelling to mouth.

In order to be utilized in the Gift of Prophecy, you should have acquaintance with God’s voice. The Bible or Holy Scripture will educate you about the omnipotence of God and spirit of God. The Bible shows us direction for leading a life that is gratifying to Him. When you are part of the Gift of Prophecy, it is affirmed by God’s voice.

Conceding to the Holy Spirit is indispensable. Most of the time if you have under no circumstances been utilized in the Gift of Prophecy, you might make an effort to dismiss His existence, anticipating it will god away. When God wishes to bring somebody into the Gift of Prophecy, the Holy Ghost will keep on motivating them, till they are compliant.

The next issue is about the timing of delivering a prophecy. It is generally delivered all the way through or at the conclusion of a time of worship. God will provide you a place or a break in the service to deliver the divination. Normally, there is a time period of silence at the finish of a worship chant where everybody is gently admiring and giving thanks God. The Gift of Prophecy must act in a state of proper readiness.

You have to reprimand the spirit of fear. Fear comes to the fore often when you are ready to render a prophetical Word of God. The evil spirit does not desire God to be heeded or praised. Say the evil spirit to be quiet, and that you are abiding by God’s voice.

You need to open your mouth and say: When God is striking you to deliver a prophetical message, you do not receive the entire message at once. You may receive one or two words or a line of the message that God wishes you to preach. Start to speak up those few words and the remainder will commence to pour through you.

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Internet marketing, by definition is the act of marketing services or products online. It is called by many other different names such as E-marketing or online marketing. What makes this type of marketing much more effective than the traditional method is the presence of a global audience. Also, it is much, much cheaper than other methods of marketing goods.

There is more to internet marketing than just merely selling or buying products and services. It also encompasses other aspects such as sales, advertising, development, and design. Other methods of online marketing are display advertising, e-mail marketing, search engine marketing, affiliate marketing, online reputation management, also viral marketing or blogging.

One of the most powerful and widely-known tools on Internet marketing is E-Bay. It is an American internet company where businesses and individuals buy and sell services and goods all over the globe you can visit www.create-free-pdf.com It began with a website in the United States (specifically in California) before it became an established ‘local website’ in many other countries including Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Poland, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, to name a few.

Since it is far-reaching, internet marketing is much easier although starting one’s own business in E-Bay could be a bit overwhelming at first. There are many factors to consider such as which merchandise or service to sell and how to contact a reliable wholesaler of goods, not to mention choosing a shipping company that can deliver. The very first step to undertake in using ebay for internet marketing is the creation of an eBay account.

Once the account is created, it is time to think of a good wholesaler which would be able to provide the products that people will rave about. Be able to haggle with wholesalers so that you could maximize profits. It is best to spend a good amount of time in researching for wholesalers and finally settling for the best option.

Once you have settled on a wholesaler that would become your partner for a long while, it is also time to choose the shipping service provider. Again, it’s also advisable to take a moment and do some research on the different companies that do reliable shipping services. Once these things are settled, it is time to begin with internet marketing.

One good advice—starts small when it’s your first time on eBay. It is always better to be cautious but certain than be vicious then fail. Also, another important rule on internet marketing is to set some goals. In goal setting, again, it is important to take into consideration some aspects such as the status of your finances (have enough financial backup) and even product research (be associated with quality products).

Good pricing should also be established. Make sure that you get a decent profit while not robbing the customers at the same time. Do some research on some of your competitors and how much they price their products? It is always safest to assign a price that is moderate so as not to drive any customers away.

If, on the other hand, you are not ‘into’ selling products, there are other ways to earn money on eBay. Other people opt to digital product selling. Stuff like e-books could also be sold at good prices you can visit www.easy-pdf-toolkit.com you could either make your own or have other writers do it for you. A few have pocketed a hefty sum by doing just this. It is important to have good copywriting skills, though.

Whether its product selling or creating your own products that you opt to do, make sure that you put up an auction that would immediately catch the attention of the hungry market. Know which keywords most buyers look for and bank on those. If you can, there is much available software on the market which allows customers to just download the products that you are selling. Easy for both you and the customer and there’s easy profit for you there, too.

E-bay is all about making the most out of internet marketing. It is popular, it is in demand, and it is the epitome of online business. Money-making has never been these easy, thanks to eBay.

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The interrogative many peoples have today is whether it is worth greasing one’s palms an Apple iPad or go with a netbook, notebook computer or laptop computer as their data processor. That is a option suitable of very much of retainer still though the iPad is betraying very well justly now. From my point of view, it would look that the personnel casualty of calculating power by picking out the iPad over a computing device would create a existent remainder. Many peoples, nevertheless, like the portability and comfort of exercise of the less operative iPad. My employing the words less functional may create the iPad look inferior but it’s actually a matter of how much you want out of a data processor. I will create my breaker point by creating a couple of compares.

Setting out with the size and weight unit of the iPad compared to a netbook, the 1.5 pounding tab has a definite reward. The 9.7″ cover is fine, but stock still smaller than the 10″ plus screens of netbooks and notebook computers.

The processing powerfulness of a netbook is alone a bit bigger for a netbook vs. the iPad. The 1GHz A4 is good enough to shop the cyberspace and show e-books but not as versatile as a scheme with the Windows 7 OS.

If you demand a great deal of computer memory then a 2.5″ disc drive has an reward over a 16GB unchanging reposition iPad. You too have the power to change the disc drive likewise as having extra USB port wines to use.

The iPhone OS versus Windows 7 works substantially with the iPad since Malus pumila worked difficult to pluck that organization. No vantage with Windows 7.

The on screen keyboard for the iPad appears to be missing in comfort, although the multi-touch screen is great to interpret in action. All the same, a existent keyboard is necessary for haptic tactile property specially if you do lots of typewriting, like word processing for instance.

The immense measure package available for the iPad through the Appstore appears very attractive when first seen. All the same, full duration, installed package, is real significant for peoples that demand multi-functionality from their automobile.

It all appears to boil down to this : if you are looking to run through subject matter like surfboarding the net with an easy to utilize, extremely portable device then the iPad is for you. But then, if you desire more functionality than channelling surf the cyberspace and meter reading e-books, then you want to study a slimly less portable netbook or notebook computer.

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Humorist and satirical author David Sedaris is currently on his April/May book tour, reading excerpts from his national bestseller When You Are Engulfed in Flames. The Paris resident and National Public Radio humorist has been hailed as the rock star of the literary world, engaging fans from nearly every country in his speaking engagements and tours, entertaining audiences with his dry humor and observational tact that makes the mundane seem extraordinary.

As The Christian Science Monitor writes in review of When You Are Engulfed in Flames: “David Sedaris’ ability to transform the mortification of everyday life into wildly entertaining art” has extended with the latest book. He’s a talented artist that doesn’t just write beautiful prose but also performs it well, so be sure to get <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=”http://www.stubhub.com/david-sedaris-tickets/”>David Sedaris tickets</a> from http://www.stubhub.com.

A prominent contributor to Esquire and The New Yorker, Sedaris published his first series of short stories in 1994, entitled Barrel Fever: Stories and Essays with Bay Back Books. The national bestseller went on to become the Village Voice Literary Supplement’s Favorite Book of the Year, as the awkwardly hilarious author moved up the social ladder with appearances on National Public Radio’s Moring Edition.

Recounting his days as a Macy’s elf, complete with the green tights, SantaLand Diaries was another favorite that was included in both Barrel Fever and Holidays on Ice. “The great skills with which Sedaris slices through cultural euphuisms and political correctness proves that he is a master of satire and one of the most observant writers addressing the human condition today,” wrote the Biltmore Farms Hotel Group.

When You Are Engulfed in Flames, Sedaris’ fourth personal narrative and bestseller (following Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day and Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim) has continued to showcase his work to international audiences. According to the Barclay Agency, the humorist has more than seven million copies of his books in print, translated into 25 languages. His work expanded when he comprised his favorite short stories into the collection Children Playing before a Statue of Hercules, in which Sedaris introduced the stories and edited them.

A lover of short stories since his days apple-picking in Odell, Ore., he wrote, “When apple-picking season ended, I got a job in a packing plant and gravitated toward short stories, which I could read during my break and reflect upon for the remainder of my shift. A good one would take me out of myself and stuff me back in, outsized, now, and uneasy with the fit.”

Even more original is his work with sister Amy Sedaris, with whom he has collaborated under the name “The Talent Family,” writing nearly a dozen plays produced throughout New York City. Among the most well known plays includes The Book of Liz, which was published in book form by Dramatists Play Service, and One Woman Shoe, which earned an Obie Award. A great performer, his live albums have been nominated for three Grammy Awards for Best Spoken Word and Best Comedy Album, including 2009’s David Sedaris: Live for Your Listening Pleasure.

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Almost all of the properties that wholesalers will “put under contract” will need some degree of repair work. These repairs can range from some new carpet and paint to a complete “gut job” where you will have to remodel the entire house inside and out!

Unfortunately we as wholesalers MUST be able to calculate the rehab dollar amount. We must be able to plug this critical “Rehab Value” into our Wholesale Formula Spread Sheets. These spreadsheets tells the wholesaler if he has a real deal on his plate or not!

More on how to calculate your spreadsheet numbers some other time! But for now, just know that this rehab dollar amount is a critical variable when figuring out how much you will offer on the property you are looking at!

So, if you know absolutely nothing about estimating repairs on a rehab project this could be a problem for you. So here’s what I suggest you do if your new to the business. CALL A CONTRACTOR TO HELP YOU CALCULATE THE REHAB COSTS! Then, open up your ears and your eye’s and pay attention to what the contractor tells you about the project at hand.

Estimating repairs is not rocket science. It just takes a little practice to get it right! I suggest that new investors should be walking through as many distressed properties as they can with a notepad, a tape measure, and an open mind! I can teach anyone in 30 Days or less, how to calculate rehab numbers and have excellent ballpark repair numbers on just about any project.

I have put together some generic project cost sheets that will help put 90 % or more of the repair totals together for you. Just plug my numbers into your Rehab Value Spreadsheet and you will be more than on your way to arriving at the complete project cost totals that you will need. In my e-book “Wholesaling Smarts” I have included this project estimating cost sheet.

You may have to pay your contractor a few bucks for the first few estimates, but do it anyway! Think of it as the price of an education! While the contractor is doing his thing, you should run your own numbers using the cost estimating sheet in my e-book. Then, after the contractor has given you his numbers, compare them to yours to see how you did on your project total. Be patient, it will take some practice, but anyone can learn how to estimate like a pro! After a while, you will never need to call the contractor again, I promise!

YOU MUST HAVE AN ACURATE REHAB COST VALUE TO PLUG INTO YOUR WHOLESALE DEAL SPREADSHEET, WHETHER YOU ARE ESTIMATING THE REAPIRS OR YOUR CONTRACTOR IS DOING IT FOR YOU. IT’S AN EVIL NESSESSITY THAT ALL WHOLESALERS MUST CONTEND WITH IF THEY WANT TO BE SUCCESSFUL WHOLESALERS!
More Free FAQ videos about real estate wholesaling here? www.WholesalerSmarts.com

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Whether you are Team Edward or Team Jacob, Team Angel or Team Spike there is one thing that all of these fans have in common and that is passion, passion for the characters and stories that make up the two most popular contributions to the pop culture of vampires in the last 20 years. With that passion, as is often the case, comes debate and controversy.

In 2008, the film adaptation of Stephanie Meyer’s book Twilight was released catapulting the series of books written by Stephanie Meyer off the charts. The Twilight craze had begun and fans all over the country devoured as much of the books, films, soundtracks and merchandise as possible.  The series itself is four books, Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn.

There was another group of fans, a slightly older fan-base, that reacted with annoyance at the fans of the new craze claiming that this was nothing new, the storylines now famous bore a striking resemblance to the vampire culture that they had known and loved for 10-plus years, Buffy The Vampire Slayer. Buffy The Vampire Slayer, the TV series written by Joss Whedon, ran for seven seasons from 1997 through 2003. Gradually, the Buffy community began to grow ever more irritated at the attention being received by the Twilight series and the Twilight fans became equally as irritated claiming that the Twilight series was both different and superior to the Buffy series.

Twilight

While the Twilight craze was initiated by the release of the films, there was a large fan-base that was already in place; the books themselves had already generated a large following of devoted fans. I should warn the reader that I don’t consider someone a Twilight fan if they haven’t read the books, while the films are great; I am always biased towards the book in nearly every case. Whenever a book is adapted for film there is always so much material that is left out. The books chronicle the story of Bella Swan and her arrival in the town of Forks. She meets a young man named Edward who has a secret. The two of them fall in love and have to deal with the consequences related to friends, family, society and Edward’s secret.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer

The Buffy The Vampire Slayer series chronicles the story of Buffy Summers, a girl with a secret, and her arrival in the town of Sunnydale. She meets a young man named Angel who has a secret. The two of them fall in love and have to deal with the consequences related to friends, destiny, fate and their respective secrets.

Stephanie Meyer maintains that she had never seen Buffy The Vampire Slayer prior to writing her series. The creation of the Twilight world began when she had a dream about the two main characters and a dialogue that they have, which sparked the novels, the world and pop culture. While there is no reason to disbelieve Stephanie Meyer, there are some significant similarities between the two series.

** Warning: The remainder of this article will cover content from both series that would be considered a spoiler if you have not read all of the Twilight Series or seen the entire Buffy The Vampire Slayer series.**

Buffy Summers and Bella Swan, both independent strong young women. Each of them are deposited into a new town and left to climb the mountain of integrating into a new school, making new friends and adjusting to life with a single parent.

Buffy falls in love with a vampire named Angel, Bella falls in love with a

Vampire named Edward.

The Buffy series had a werewolf named Oz who was part of the main cast of characters. Jacob is the werewolf in the Twilight Series.
Both of the female leads have a best friend (female) with supernatural powers.
Both series have a supernatural governing body, which sets rules for the worlds that they live in and disapproves of the relationship between vampire and human.
In each series there is a male vampire and his female companion who come to town to stir up trouble.
The topic of forbidden love, betrayal, and heartbreak are prevalent in both.
The best-guy friend of the female lead is a victim of unrequited love.

The list of similarities goes on for quite a while longer, however, the point has been made.

In spite of all of the similarities, there are many ways in which the two storylines deviate.

Buffy has supernatural powers from the introduction of her character and struggles with a dual identity through the entire series. Her life is a constant struggle between fate, destiny and free will. Bella does not come into full realization of her supernatural abilities until near the end of the series. While her story does not deal with such ominous ideas like fate and destiny, hers is more of a story of love, romance and family.
Buffy is never able to make her relationship with Angel work and while he will always be the love of her life, their relationship will never be fully realized. Bella and Edward at the end of the series find them selves in love, happy, with a daughter and an eternity laid out before them.
Buffy on a nearly weekly basis finds herself in the midst of a battle in which the fate of the world rests in the balance. Bella may feel often times that the world is ending but in reality the scope of her actions does not extend too far outside of Forks.
Buffy is a hero, with that comes struggle, resolve, failure and redemption. Bella is a teenager, relatable, fallible, and her character is developed intensely throughout the series.

In my mind, the verdict is simple, Twilight is not a remake, nor did Buffy The Vampire Slayer largely inspire it. While there may be some similarities in the details of the characters and plot elements that can easily be explained by the genre in which the stories where based. When you write stories about vampires in modern day times, when your lead is a teenage female, it should be expected that some of the same plot devices will be present in both. When analyzing the rites of passage and the inner workings of love in youth it is no wonder that the stories unfold in similar ways after all Buffy and Bella are both human.

The overarching storyline of Buffy The Vampire Slayer is that of a young woman who was destined by fate to be a hero. She struggles with the dual identity of being a normal girl who wants to fall in love and the Slayer who carries the responsibility of protecting the world from unimaginable evil. The Twilight series is a character study of a young teenager caught up in a star-crossed love affair. However, discounting either story because of its similarity to previous works sets a scary precedent for countless great works of fiction. Over and over again we see stories with storylines that closely mirror and are inspired by other works. Some of them have come to be milestones of popular culture. The Harry Potter series, the Inheritance series and even the Star Wars series are all rooted in literature that predates when it was written. It doesn’t negate the value or the entertainment inherent in those works. We are all inspired daily by things that we see, read, and hear. Our lives are the sum of our experiences and as writers take experiences and use them to inspire their work it is still valuable, still entertaining and still honest.

Why must there be a choice? Why must you be on Team Buffy or Team Twilight? I for one am a huge fan of both series. I think they are fantastic stories full of elaborate characters, and deal with issues that are far reaching beyond the superficial layer of entertainment, that should be what you take away from either series. That is what has generated fans on both sides that share one thing in common, passion.

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