Halloween Rocks!!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

My favorite holiday is here...didn't get to dress up this year since Flagstar doesn't permit it...oh well. Next year, I am going to do my best to have a small party so I can dress up!! lol By the way, the picture above is from CNN.com's Offbeat Images--handcrafted gourds (non-orange non-pumpkins, for you slow people). Yep, I made them...now you know how talented I am..I modeled them after someone I saw at the movies the other day. heh heh

Movies:

I went to see Saw II Sat. night...much better than I was expecting. Great psychological thriller for sure...with a dash of blood...ok, ok...maybe more than a dash. Tobin Bell is excellent as the demented Jigsaw serial killer, and the twist-ed ending is wonderful and gels completely. The opening scene with the guy trying to cut his eyeball out to save himself from Jigsaw's "game" is probably the most disturbing scene in the film. I was anxious throughout the movie, which is what I crave from a good thriller/horror flick. This is not just another gore movie, but it's definitely not for the squeamish.

I got to finish the weekend off with a viewing of Aliens, thanks to Jason. An older sci-fi thriller I hadn't seen yet. Sigourney Weaver is one of my favorite actresses, and she kicks some alien ass in this movie...YEAH!! This movie holds up well after 20 years...and the aliens are deliciously menacing-looking. I look forward to seeing Alien 3 someday. I've discovered quite a few movies that I want to see...so I guess it's almost time to resurrect my Blockbuster online account.

This weekend, we've got Chicken Little coming out...it looks hillarious. From the previews, I love the turkey's showdown with the alien, where he keeps trying to offer the alien something to not be killed...zap! "Tic tac?" lol

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Outdoors:

I took the above photo on Berkshire in Ann Arbor, kinda near the Arboretum, yesterday. Yesterday was such a wonderful day to be outside, and I spent quite a bit of time in and around the Arb...lots of beautiful sights to behold. Sierra at least humored me...well, she didn't have much choice, I guess... It was a great father-daughter bonding experience. And the temperature was nice as well...60 degrees...sigh...that's perfect in my book.

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Sports:

The Wolverines picked up their 3rd win in a row Sat. night, giving the Wildcats a few good slashes on their home turf. 33-17 Up next is Indiana on Nov. 12th, then the big season-closing game vs. Ohio State. GO BLUE!!!!

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Stupid is as Stupid Does Update:

Bush just loves causing waves, doesn't he? Well, wouldn't you if you were used to swinging around in trees all day looking for bananas? Another stellar Supreme Court nominee, eh? Way to try to bring both parties together, Curious George...it will be interesting to see if ultra-conservative Alito makes it. Filibuster, anyone?

Killers, Gilmores, Potty Elmo, and MORE!!!

Although the album was first released last year, I discovered it for myself this year. There is something about this group that has gotten under my skin. "Mr. Brightside" has been all over the place...radio, VH1/MTV, etc. and is now one of my favorite songs. The lyrics involve a broken heart and jealousy as the guy must watch his ex move on with another man...very passionate song, in my opinion. And I love the lead's voice (Brandon Flowers) as well as the accompaniment. Every time I hear this song, it sends a good chill up my spine...it resonates...much like hearing "Iris" by the Goo Goo Dolls or "The Scientist" by Coldplay.

Most of the rest of the album ain't that bad either...definitely worth the purchase or download. So stop spending money on noise-makers like Britney Spears and the Pussycat Dolls, and start supporting those who actually produce kick-ass music!! lol


In other news....has anyone seen the latest and greatest toy for kids?? Well, who knows how long it's been out on the market..but I saw it on Saturday: Potty Elmo!! If you haven't seen it, basically, it's Elmo sitting on a toilet with his pants around his knees...if that isn't scary enough, try squeezing him in the designated area (I left it ambiguous for you dirty...er, fun-minded people). "Elmo go potty!" (followed by a flushing sound..and he says other stuff that I forget). I'm sure it's a good learning tool for the knee-highs who currently enjoy doing it in the convenience of their own pants. Just funny to see...

SPORTS:

So, Michigan won (23-20) in OT...YEAH!!! And now they are back in the AP Ranking at #25. Sure, they're not at their best, but they aren't doing as bad as some expected. They just like last-minute heroics a little too much for my taste...give a man a heart-attack, why don't you???

My pro-football team won as well last night...the Falcons flew higher than the Jets with 27-14 being the final score. Booyah!!

In tennis, Lindsay Davenport is back on top in the women's world rankings with Sharapova and Clijsters not far behind. Woohoo!! While my man, Ginepri, is now #15 in the men's rankings...he won't be the underdog for too much longer.

Tonight is Game 3 of the World Series...I think the Astros will win tonight..just because there's no way they will let 3-in-a-row go. They will pull out all the stops tonight to let the White Sox know they're not going down without a fight. BUT the White Sox will be the ultimate victors, for sure.

TV:

The Gilmore Girls are on tonight...and while I like Rory living with Richard and Emily, I can't wait till she and Lorelai reunite and mend fences. One of my favorite tv moments occurred the week before last when Emily told off Logan's imperious mother with a eat-shit-and-die smile and a deceptively sweet-toned voice...such an awesome monologue from my favorite character of the show. I actually let out a whoop! like I was watching a game. lol Since I'm a dork, I found the monologue in print on tvguide.com and have decided to paste it here...it's worth a read but even more fun to see:

EMILY: Ah, yes. Well, let me tell you this, Shira — we are just as good as you. You don't think Rory is good enough for your son? As if we don't know Logan's reputation? We do. But he is welcome in our home anytime, and you should extend the same courtesy to Rory.… Now, let's talk about "your" money. You were a two-bit gold digger, fresh off the bus from Hicksville, when you met Mitchum at whatever bar you happened to stumble into. And what made Mitchum decide to choose you to marry amongst the pack of women he was bedding at the time, I'll never know, but hats off to you for bagging him. He's still a playboy, you know. Well, of course you know. That would explain why your weight goes up and down 30 lbs. every other month, but that's your cross to bear. But these are ugly realities. No one needs to talk about them. Those kids are staying together as long as they like. You won't stop them. Now enjoy the event.

Tonight, Madeline Albright will be guesting on the show...and Rory turns 21...and Richard and Emily realize she's been having s-e-x. Should be fun... This show still rocks. If you don't watch it, tune in at 8pm (and rent/buy the first 4 seasons).

Wow...this blog post is almost as long as a Harry Potter book.......bye...

The Buffy at Work Program

How cool is this: we have two tv's hanging from the ceiling here at the bank...and we have a DVD player connected to them...and a surround sound system. That's just the beginning...take that and add to it that I can bring in any DVD when I'm here alone (as I am now). So I am watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer right now at work...THAT is the really cool part!!! Booyah!!!

So tonight, I'm going to try for a corn maze again...since last weekend, the one in Dundee closed an hour earlier than their website indicated (AND they didn't accept credit cards). I'm not going back to that one because of the repressed-lesbian bitch who knows customer service like a wrestler knows rocket science. No offense, wrestlers...I don't know rocket science either.

The rest of the weekend looks like rain, according to forecasters...but at least I have football and the World Series to keep me occupied!! I can also kick my ass at the gym too!

I've run out of things to say now...

Fruity Hurricanes & Natural Disasters

Today, Wilma will become more than Fred Flintstone's prehistoric wife...she will become this season's 12th hurricane (talk about evolution!). The storm formed just a couple days ago and is also the 21st named storm this hurricane season, tying the record established in 1933. Unfortunately, it looks like Wilma is going to make her way into the Gulf of Mexico, where she will most likely do like Rita, Katrina, and Dennis and grow immensely. But anything can happen between now and then...

Meanwhile, the season still has 6 weeks left (ending November 30th), and should a 22nd storm form, it will be given the name Alpha, as the current name lists only allow for 21 storms. Any beyond 21 are assigned Greek letters in alphabetical order, naturally. Personally, I think the Greek letters sound much cooler than people names. Let's face it, who wants to know that their name is also the name of a hurricane that wreaked havoc? And Hurricane Omega just sounds so much better than Hurricane Ophelia or Opus. Or maybe we could do like Gwynth Paltrow and name the storms after fruit: Hurricane Apple...Hurricane Banana...Hurricane Pineapple...Hurricane Tomato. I'd love to see forecasters and the media saying "Hurricane Grapefruit is now a Category 3 storm..." Oh man...I'm cracking myself up...

Being serious again, it seems some people have decided that the numerous natural disasters lately are the result of an angry God...that the Apocalpyse is near. While that is very optimistic and makes me feel all warm and happy, it's not quite accurate, in my opinion. Remember, people used to think thunder storms were the gods fighting in the heavens. Take a look at this article about our perception that natural disasters seem much more common and why that may seem so: Natural Disasters Becoming More Common Food for thought...

Alright, time for me to finish my yogurt and start this day...YEAH!!

Bush: the Early Years

Little Georgie doesn't know how to play nice with his new friend.

This picture from CNN.com's Offbeat Images cracked me up for some reason...isn't it remarkable how much the little monkey looks and acts like a certain president of ours? Look at its eyes...isn't that the same lost look Bush has most of the time??

Getting Lost, an Autobiography (or not)

Alright...we're 12 days into my favorite month of the year. The temperature is much, much cooler (I hear a jingle in my head from a gum commercial)...but I love it!!

Already, I've rented some creepy movies (Alien, The Exorcist, and Phantasm...more to come). Last weekend, I went to the Wiard's Haunted Hayride with one of my good friends. That was so much fun...I thought the hayride was well-done, creeps and all. The beautiful moon- and star-lit sky and cool, Fall air added to the enjoyment as well. And hey, I didn't fall out of the wagon or get whapped by a tree branch...woohoo!!! Tho, that guy who jumped out of the crate scared the shit out of me...as did the dragon head that popped out of the trees lol. I highly recommend it..and I'm sure all of the other haunted activities at Wiard's are fun too..I'll be going back next year for sure.

Next up, it's maze time!! This weekend or next I hope to take on Farmer J's Corn Maze in Dundee. I have a pic of it at the top of this post. Is that the shit or what?!?! WOW...I hope whoever goes with me has a better sense of direction than I do..and can handle trivia questions...otherwise, it'll be a loooong time out there. I can't wait!! It's located behind Cabela's, so maybe that can be part of the day as well.

LOST

Tonight is Lost night (9:00, ABC)...for those of you who aren't hooked on this incredible, kick-ass show...well, you are missing out. Not watching it is like going years without bananas...it's THAT good. The characters are intriguing, the plot is compelling, and the mysteries and clues are compounding faster than the interest in my customers' accounts. So get Lost...I always have good taste...trust me.

So...where is the French lady? Will she and on-the-run Desmond run into each other in the jungle and make like Tarzan and Jane?? What about The Others...are they a part of the original group that started the experiments? What is REALLY going on with that hatch..and are there more? Will Locke and Jack have to keep pressing that damn button every 108 minutes? I think not...so I guess we will find out what happens when it isn't pressed...hmmm. Damn...perhaps I'm a bit too obsessed with this show?? lol

Like how the Lost part of my entry and the Maze part both fit the "getting lost" theme? Yeah..me too...so maybe I should do that now...

Mini Expansion and Today's Sport Events!

I am currently at work on this cloudy, cool Saturday. I just finished with my fifth customer of the day (I've been here since 8), and I am all alone...apparently, my cohort forgot to show up. Am I upset? Hell no...like I can't handle this deluge of customers...I suppose it's a security risk for no one else to be here in case I am robbed...and if someone should for some reason come in for a loan or if I need supervisor approval, I guess I'm outta luck. lol No problem, tho...cuz the lobby closes at 12...and then I sit here til 4:15 handling all the nobodies who come through the drive-thru. Good thing I brought a movie to watch on our hanging-tvs. OR I could watch the Michigan game!!

Also, I read that BMW is thinking about releasing new styles of the Mini in the US...in addition to the wonderful Cooper. Of course, they say it would have to be small in whatever category they venture into next (station wagon, pick-up, and off-road are mentioned as possibilities). If I were willing to part with the vehicle I have currently, I would definitely choose a Mini, hands-down. I love the Cooper immensely...who cares that I would look hillarious in such a small car?? It would be fun...

Check out the full article on the future of Mini: Ready for a Mini SUV?

SPORTS:

The Braves play tonight in Houston in Game 3 of their playoff series...the Astros took them out in Game 1 (10-5); they slammed the Astros in Game 2 (7-1)...so anything can happen...I'm pullilng for my tomahawk-choppers. The game starts at 7:35pm on Fox.

Michigan faces Minnesota at home today at 1 pm. With this year's unstable team, all bets are off, especially with the Gophers being 4-1. Hopefully, the Blue will come to the field today as they did last week against the Spartans. At least they are back in the AP Top 25 Ranking.

In tennis, my man, Robby Ginepri (#19), lost his latest tournament (the AIG Japan Open)...I'm just waiting for the day when he makes it big...cuz I know he will. Plus, he's very nice to look at. heh heh. Davenport (#2) and Mauresmo (#4) will face each other in the Tashkent Open finals...hopefully, Davenport will send the French fry packing.

Goblins, witches, and Bush's...oh my!!

October is one of my favorite months...mainly because of Halloween, the cooling weather, and the beautiful fall foliage. Whoever says Halloween is just for kids is wrong...it's not Trix or blue Ketchup.

Those who don't celebrate Halloween or take advantage of all the fun activities out there are missing out! First of all, you get the opportunity to dress up as something completely out of the ordinary; second, you can get the shit scared out of you at well-done haunted houses, haunted outdoor mazes (corn or shrubs), haunted hayrides, etc.; third, you can enjoy some of the year's best parties; fourth, scary/cheesy horror movies! Usually, those with a vivid imagination enjoy Halloween the most.

I'm going to Wiards Orchard this weekend to try out their Halloween extravaganza...http://www.nightterrors.biz/ Check out their website if you are in Michigan...sounds like some cool stuff going on there. I may try out another maze next weekend. Then, if possible, I'd like to go to Cedar Point. Woohoo!!

Some horror movies I love are: Alien, Aliens, Nightmare on Elm Street, Halloween (a MUST), The Others (great Nicole Kidman flick), Phantasm, The Ring, The Exorcist, Poltergeist, The Grudge, 28 Days Later, Scream, and The Sixth Sense. I'm sure I left a few out..but these will for sure give you some good creeps.

Ok...I'm tired of typing now...it's gonna be another fun October!! Yep yep.

Brave be thy Potter Fan

So I'm sitting here at work with one more hour to go...all by myself...watching the Braves-Astros playoffs game, which is disappointing me, big time. I thought the Braves had a chance to win this game, but now it looks like I was wrong...Hudson and Bennett seem unable to pitch effectively..and the Braves' offense is not too great against the Astros' pitchers tonight. Perhaps Smoltz's return to the mound tomorrow night will help redeem the Braves and tie up the series. Here's hoping!!

Dork alert time...

I finished the latest Harry Potter super-gigantic novel, which was excellent! Still, not as good as my favorite (The Prisoner of Azkaban, which the movie adaptation did not completely do justice to). As always, I enjoyed the fact that I was surprised once again in the end. Being perhaps a little too kind to the character of Snape during the series, I was thrown for a loop when he was revealed to actually be a traitor AND the Half-blood Prince (who I thought would be Voldemort). And he killed Dumbledore!!!! That bastard...

I also felt a little bad that I believed Dumbledore to be Voldemort in disguise most of the way through the book...and his death and the ending chapters definitely toyed with my emotions. Harry's last true protector (following his parents and Sirius Black) is gone...and he will have to continue the arduous mission of finding and eliminating the Horcruxes (and then Voldemort) alone. Book 7, the final in the series, has a wonderful set up, and I can't wait however long it takes J.K. Rowling to spit it out! Geez oh man...will Hogwarts reopen after the death of its headmaster? And who the hell is R.A.B., and how did he/she know about the Horcruxes too?? I don't see how anyone can NOT love these books...

Ok...dork time is over...I can't wait for the temps outside to go back down...this mid-80s mess is cramping my style and should be confined to the South this time of year. Bring on Fall!

Oh man...the Braves game is just too sad to watch now...losing 10-3...I have faith that they will play better in Game 2. YEAH!!!!

Thanks for reading my blog...I've got to go trim some armpit hair...shhhh..don't tell my manager! heh heh