Final Practice Pumpkin

Well, I was supposed to have a pumpkin carving party tonight but had to cancel it because I'm still sick. Although I usually put socializing before health, I am pretty run down today and couldn't picture myself hostessing tonight. But since Halloween is tomorrow and I had one more pumpkin to carve before the deadline, I carved it alone. So without further ado, here it is: the last pumpkin in my quest to carve the best pumpkin ever (the best pumpkin I've ever carved, that is.). It's supposed to say RIP, but the P is kind of hard to see. (Deal with it.)

So, it's this verses Practice Pumpkin One and Practice Pumpkin Two. Any votes on which is the best? And if you vote for pumpkin #2, I'll know you're joking. So far two people have asked if it's supposed to be a bat.

Costume help!

So, I'm going to a Halloween party Friday night and I still have no idea what to dress up as! I've been sick this week, and I think that's slowing down my creative juices. I wish I could come up with something both creative and easy to make, but I'm afraid I'm going to end up as one of the old standby costumes for women: a cat, a princess, a witch, or a gypsy. There's nothing wrong with these costumes except that I'm sure I won't be the only one in the room if I choose any one of these. I had thought about being Sarah Palin, but decided it might be too controversial.

Last year as a last resort I dressed up as butterfly, only because Katherine had both the wings and antennae that she let me borrow. Oh, and come to think of it, I was also a witch (at a different party). So, yeah. I think I need something new.

When I was a kid, my favorite thing to dress up as was a gypsy. This was mainly because it meant I got to wear a lot of jewelry - including dangly clip on earrings - and a lot of Wet and Wild makeup.

Once I was old enough to wear make up on days other than Halloween, I got slightly more creative. One year I was a devil disguised as an angel (an angel costume with a devil tail in the back). I stole that idea from a list I found online so I can't take credit for it. Another time, when I had a job working with migrant students, I was La Llorona which was pretty good. But I've been in a rut for a couple years now.

Halloween is only a couple days away so I need a costume idea stat! Anyone have any ideas or suggestions?

Scaarrrryyy Movieeeess.....

It's Halloween week! One of my favorite things to do before Halloween is watch at least one scary movie. I have a few favorites that I like to watch every year, but if I only watch one, it's usually the Changeling. I first saw it at a church youth activity when I was about 14 and it is terrifying! Here's the catch with this one: I used to rent it every year and the box said it was rated PG, but then when I finally ordered it last year, the new box I got said R!? What!? Why was the rating changed? I think it's because it's old and it's very very spooky. Here are a few of my scaaaarrrry movieee recommendaaaaations:

*The Changeling:
Don't watch this one alone. In fact, you might want to have a group of friends spend the night (with all the lights on) after watching this. It's way scary. If you think it's going to be too scary for you, invite a certain friend over - you know, the friend who makes wise cracks all throughout a movie, like, "Ooooh, I'm sooo scared!" in a sarcastic voice, or the friend who looks at things too logically ("why would a ghost do that!? I mean, come on!"). It'll help with the tension.

*Some people have asked me if the new Angelina Jolie movie titled Changeling is a remake of the original. The answer is: definitely no! It's something totally different. Glad we cleared that up.

The Skeleton Key
So spooky!! I first saw this movie in the theater with my cousin Polly and every time something scary happened, we'd grab each other and scream. It's about voodoo and takes place in and around New Orleans. If you haven't seen it, I'd recommend it. It's pretty scary though so don't say I didn't warn you.

It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown
A classic. This one transports you back to your childhood. I put a link to it on the title - you should check it out. As soon as you start watching it and you hear that Charlie Brown theme music, you'll find yourself playing air piano (I wouldn't do that, but you would), and wondering why everyone was always so mean to poor Charlie Brown! But this movie is great because it takes you back to your childhood, which was when Halloween was the most fun, right?

Another good non-scary Halloween movie is Hocus Pocus. This one is fun, and I usually try to watch it every year. Check it out if you're in a house with kids! (Or if you're a kid at heart.) Also does anyone else remember the Disney movies Mr. Boogedy and Bride of Boogedy? I loved these movies when I was a kid but I don't think they are sold on DVD. Sad.

So, for now those are my top picks. I hope you enjoy some scary movies this week. If you have a favorite medium level scary movie you recommend, let me know! And if the movies I recommended scare you so bad you have to sleep with the lights on, don't say I didn't warn you.

New Kids on the Block

Kathy's going to see NKOTB tomorrow night at the Palace and I am so jealous! NKOTB was the first concert I ever went to and let me tell you, they did not disappoint. I was 12, and Kristin and I went while her mom waited for us in the car the whole time. Here's a classic NKOTB video you have to watch. Check out the hair and those dance moves! Awesome!!

The Skills to Pay the Bills

I was recently reunited with my dear old friend, Dr. Mario. We go way back, but our time together has been sporadic. We first met back in high school when I'd play this game with one of my best friends, Kelly. I loved the game and considered myself the champ. Which reminds me, I should warn you that when I talk about Dr. Mario and my mad skills at this game, I might come across as conceited. But rest assured, I'm aware of how obnoxious I'm being and for me part of the fun of Dr. Mario is the trash talk. Go ahead and trash talk me back - it just motivates me.

After high school it was years before I played the game again. Then one day, my friend Kristin and I were hanging out at our friend Jimmy's apartment when someone suggested we play Dr. Mario. Well, after just one night of playing, we became addicted. But since we couldn't be at Jimmy's all the time, Kristin bought the game, found an old Nintendo and started holding tournaments at her house. That summer we probably clocked about 1000 hours of Dr. Mario. We had four controllers so we'd invite friends over for tournaments, but mock their inferior skills. Most of the time the players who rotated in and out of the game were: Kristin, Abram, Garrett, Jimmy, Katherine, Brandi, and me.

Even though we weren't actually looking at each other (focused on the game!), we grew very close playing Dr. Mario. After staring at those pills long enough, we'd just start opening up about our lives. In fact, I'm pretty sure it was through playing Dr. Mario that Kristin and Abram fell in love (they are now married).

Well, that was years ago. Someone broke Dr. Mario (I'm pretty sure it was Abram, who was sick of feeling inferior, although I have no way of proving this). So after going through some intense withdrawal, we moved on with our lives.

Recently, Dr. Mario came back into my life. It was at Brian's movie night. Katherine suggested that I play but I was reluctant at first. I mean, I'd moved on with my life and maybe I wasn't good anymore. Turns out playing Dr. Mario is like riding a bike and I had no problem dominating that night (I'm sorry, playing this game makes me really sassy).

Then I found out my friend Emily has the game so we started playing too. She has greatly improved in the last couple weeks in skill, trash talk, and passion for the game (even throwing herself on the ground last night after losing). Even though I trash talk her like crazy, I think our friendship has grown stronger.

And this past weekend, I was able to play against one of my former opponents, Jimmy. He was in town for the weekend and invited some friends over to play games. Apparently his memory is bad because for some reason he thought he could beat me at Dr. Mario. Wrong! He claimed exhaustion from running a marathon that day, but pullease. Yes, he could barely move his body, but his fingers were still nimble.

As you can see, this game brings out my evil side. Usually the whole room ends up rooting against me, cheering for whoever my opponent is. But, you know, I guess it's always lonely at the top. It's just Dr. Mario and me.

With the cold and flu season coming...

Check out this video: How to cough into your sleeve

We were told to watch this today at work and it's pretty amusing. I think you will enjoy it as much as I did. It's informative and entertaining! And the acting will leave you speechless. (What's up with the guy in the gym!?) Enjoy.

Treasures

Where I work, there is a free table in the kitchen where people can put their old stuff in hopes that it finds a new, loving home. Justin and Kathy and I have found some real treasures on this table, such as a dusty stuffed frog, an old Ricky Martin CD, and used aerobics VHS tapes. Usually when one of us finds something particularly awesome on the free table, we generously leave it on each other's desks. I mean, who doesn't like a surprise gift?!

This breathtaking clock was generously left on my desk a few months ago. I tried regifting it to Kathy and Justin over the months that followed, but it always ended up back on my desk. Eventually I just accepted that it was mine for keeps and positioned it so it's facing Kathy all day. Trust me, the look on her face says it all. She loves it.

But we've enjoyed its beauty long enough and decided that it might be time to find a new home for this gorgeous clock. So today Kathy posted it on craigslist with this description:

Take a safari ride back through time with this ceramic masterpiece. Feel the wind rush through your hair as you bump through the Serengati in your Jeep. This work of art is perfect for your new nursery or centered on the mantle in the family room. You can watch your newborn's eyes light up as they check the time. Or have a great conversation starter piece for those uncomfortable dinner parties. Either way, you can't lose. Monkey pendulum swings with ease, and the color palate makes this beautiful piece versatile for any decor. Made in China- sticker insignia still in tact to prove authenticity. (batteries not included.) Asking $125 OBO. (Will accept trade for Snickers)

Keep in mind that this is a total joke, and we wouldn't accept any real money for it (not that we'd be offered any). But... we'd definitely trade it for some Snickers.