Happy Halloween

Since I sounded like such a crank in my post about Halloween I thought I would share things that I like about it this year:

1.  More Oingo Boingo songs on the radio,

2.  Edie's costume,

3.  Really, any kid in a costume,

4.  My seminary kid who would never intentionally talk to me suddenly telling me this morning about how gross the games were at last night's youth Halloween party.  There were live worms and other insects involved and truthfully, I was getting the heebs.  But I will take what I can get with some of these kids.

5.  This picture of the dumpling assembly party we had at the Institute today:

Can't get enough of that Bubba Bo Bob Brain

1.  I was taking my friend's daughter around at our ward's trunk or treat party.  "Let's run!" she said.  So we did.  From car to car we would trot or skip or run.  This is why we keep kids around.  It's more fun with them.  Can you imagine hanging out with your boring old grown up friends and one of them saying, "Let's run!"  You can't.

2.  No one had a York Peppermint Patty at the trunk or treat.  This was a blow.

3.  For the whole of last week "Walk on the Wild Side" was stuck in my head.  I would wake up singing do do-do do-do do do-do. And then Lou Reed died. I don't know how well this bodes for Katy Perry because that song "Roar" won't leave my brain.

4.  Apparently today is National Cat Day.  How do I know this?  Because half the people on Facebook mentioned it.  And every radio station I turned to brought it up.  Is this a thing?  Because if it really is let me just remind you that cats claw around in their own poo and then walk all over you and your kitchen counters.

5.  On Sunday night my sisters and I spontaneously burst into this song:

A plan to be brave

I just found out that my astronaut hero, mustachioed Canadian and former commander of the International Space Station Chris Hadfield, will be speaking and signing books on November 11 at the Grove.  So if I go this will officially turn into the Year Of Going Against My Very Nature of Shying Away From People I Admire For Fear Of Not Having Anything to Say and Possibly Bursting Into Tears and Just Sucking It Up and Doing It Because They've Inspired Me And I Should Tell Them So.

Do you think if I'm really charming and friendly (Fat chance.  I'll be a mute.) he'll tell me the secret to stowing away on the next Russian space ship?

Step 1:  Get to Russia

When I wrote about meeting Neil Gaiman, my sister-in-law Kylea sent me this clip, which illustrates my mental state exactly in similar situations:



I have faith I'll keep it together.  Anyone want to join me?  We can get ice cream at Carmela afterwards.  It's the second best ice cream in LA and it's right across the street.  Stories of space exploration AND chocolate nib ice cream?  Yes.

We need a Halloween Intervention

Yesterday at church I was chatting with two sisters who were on a vacation from New Zealand.  In asking about their trip they told me all that they had done:  Sea World, San Diego Zoo, Legoland, Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, and Universal Studios.  All in a week! They seemed legitimately worn out and were looking forward to the second half of their vacation in Fiji.  Yes, wouldn't we all be.

(Dear friends, if you have out of town guests visiting southern California would you please let me make an itinerary for them so they don't have to spend a fortune and hours of their lives that they'll never get back schlepping around amusement parks.  I hate the idea of visitors coming here only to stand in line for rides and missing out on all the glorious things to see.)

Anyway, once we got through that part of the conversation one of the sisters mentioned a local phenomena that I've noticed myself, that being people going over the top in their Halloween decorations.  (BEGIN 80 YEAR OLD RANT) Has anyone else noticed this?  I'm not talking about just pumpkins or festive door hangings, I'm talking about cobwebs on the eaves, giant spiders on their roofs, skeletons in their yards, and, sadly, those dumb inflatable decorations that used to just be isolated to Christmas.  I really kind of hate those things.  For the record, I've never been a huge fan of Halloween.  I don't care for dressing up and I don't like spooky things.  Even as a kid I didn't really like it other than the fact that I got candy. And now that I can buy my own candy whenever I want, the last of the Halloween magic is gone for me.

Look, I'm not going to begrudge people their holiday cheer, but it just baffles me.  It never used to be like this, right?  It used to just be a jack-o-lantern on the front porch but now it seems like every other house I drive by has some elaborate spectacle going on.   Where do we draw the line?  Inflatable rodents on Groundhog's Day?  Inflatable oaks on Arbor Day?  Inflatable union reps on Labor Day?  The madness must end!

More Chocolate Thingies

I found the video I was telling you about.  I lost it when he said, "pickle chips."

Bartlett for President

I've been mildly struck down by the beginnings of a cold.  Or maybe it's allergies.  Or maybe it's my sinuses.  It's hard to tell at this stage of the game. Whatever, I feel cruddy, okay. So I came home from work, put on my jams, crawled into bed and watched the first of what would be several episodes of The West Wing.

Because that show is awesome.  I loved it when it was on and when Netflix made it available to stream I plotzed with joy.  Now if only they would stream Gilmore Girls and America's Next Top Model, my life would be complete. And Little House on the Prairie.

Back to the West Wing. Don't you just love how idealistic governing seems on that show?  All they want to do is serve the people. I mean, I hate all politicians right now.  I don't like them most days but with this whole shutdown business, and the fact that it has hijacked NPR which means I can't listen to it without wanting to spit, well, I think they're all criminals and should be marched out onto the streets of Washington so we can throw rotten fruit at them and say mean things about their hair cuts.

Oh blast, I got off topic again.  The West Wing -- It's awesome. (Sorry, the Nyquil has set in.  I'm not so lucid.)(Also, I had to look up how to spell Nyquil.  And I object.  My whole life I've thought it was Nite-quil. I should be, right?)

It was a Sunday Miracle

I was going to link to a video here that had me ROLLING all weekend only to discover today that it has been removed from YouTube.  Which is a crying shame because it was so funny that in the temple on Friday night I remember it and started giggling.

Oh, like you've never thought of something funny in the temple and had to muffle hysterical laughter.

Along with the temple we went to Cafe Rio and then back to Allie's house for a soak in the hot tub. Should every night be like this? Yes. 

Also, can we just acknowledge how amazing my bangs look in this picture?

We were about to start a game of Ticket to Ride last night when Camille shouted out, "Don't move! You're bangs are perfect!" And then I made her take this picture for posterity, and also so I could see for myself, because never in my life have my bangs been perfect. Never! You know how they plague my very soul. My posture is lacking but oh, those bangs.

The Triumphal Return of IWP

It was cold and rainy yesterday (Welcome back Inclement Weather Paralysis!).  It was the first cold and rainy day we've had since last winter. If you're not from around here, let me give you an idea of what happens:  It starts to rain.  People walk to the doors and windows to watch and comment on how it is raining.  And then other people come in and say, "It's really raining outside and it's cold." And they stand by the window and talk some more about it.  They are usually either dressed in very large, heavy coats and hats or in shorts and flip flops. This is because we don't know what to do when it's cold and rainy.  Those in coats have probably had that coat for months or years and only get to wear it just a few times each season so any opportunity to wear it has to be taken advantage of.  Also, we think we're going to die if it dips below 70.  And those in flip flops forget that there is bad weather from time to time and when you wear flip flops every day for months on end you can't bring yourself to not wear them. No one has an umbrella because no one can remember where they put it after they used it back in April.

In case you think I'm judging, I'll tell you that I'm right along with them.  I comment on how wet and cold it is just like everyone else. I walked out of my house with just a light sweater even though I knew it was supposed to rain. I happened to luck out by having an umbrella in my trunk.  I find it kind of adorable how dopey we are about it.

But I love rainy days because IWP means that I have a valid excuse to come home and put on my jimjams and make soup.  Which I did.

PS.  Happy birthday to my brother Sam.  He is the funniest person I know.  And he makes really great cream puffs and knows a lot about everything. He's a great brother.  And he has cute kids.

Post Season

We scored tickets to the Dodgers/Braves playoff game last night and boy was it a doozie.  I'm pretty sure I had multiple heart attacks during many innings.  Particularly the 8th.  But we won. EEEEEEE!!!!!  And the place was bananas.  I mean, a) I've never seen that many people at Dodger Stadium before and b) I've never seen that many people at Dodger Stadium in the 9th inning before and c) holy cats, that was an exciting game and the crowd was eating it up.  We were all dialed up to 10 the whole night.  And every hit got a round of high fives from all the neighbors. 

 

Anyway, this was my view:

 

 

He was one of four mop-headed youths who sat in front of us. It was worse when we all stood but it provided some comedy. I managed to peak through the locks.

 

 

Is this place heaven or what?

Autumnal Decor

What are your thoughts on decorating graves?  Like for holidays and stuff? I think flowers are nice.  I don't go for much more but I also can't judge how someone else honors the dead. If you want to put a teddy bear picnic around a headstone (which I have seen) then go for it.

I drive by a cemetery every morning on my way to work.  A big one on a hill.  So I see a lot of grave side decorations.  There are always a few baskets with stuffed animals at Easter, and the occasional mini tree at Christmas.  But for the most part it's just flowers.

Well, this morning I was stuck in traffic so I had a long, slow view of the hill, and as I approached the top I noticed a man standing over a grave.  He was very still.  And his arms were stretched out.  And there was straw coming out of his sleeves.

Yep.  It was a scarecrow.  Someone decorated their dearly departed's grave with a scarecrow.  You know, for fall.

Side note:  wouldn't it be fascinating to talk to the guy who has to go around picking this stuff up?  I mean, old flowers are one thing, but a scarecrow?  Actually, I think anyone who works in the death and burial business in fascinating.  How does one end up becoming a coroner?  Or a funeral director?  I should research this.