Whatever I Think Of!

Books I Can See Becoming Movies

2012-02-07T16:46:00.000-08:00

With so many books being adapted into films, it makes it harder to find time to read the book first, something you will see in my last few posts. It seems like film producers can't seem to find ideas elsewhere, so they turn to the written novels. And now there are novels that seem ripe for movie adaptations, something that might just come true.

I recently Googled the phrase "books that should be moves" and other variant phrases and came up with results such as the one here. Unfortunately I do not know about many of the books mentioned in this link or the one contained on the link, so I can't say I agree on any of those.

However, I have recently read a few books that I can see be made into movies. So I'd like to offer my list of books that should be made into movies. I have read all of these, so I will be prepared for the movie, should it ever materialize.

1. Summer Rental by Mary Kay Andrews. Three women who have been friends since Catholic grammar school are renting a summer house in North Carolina. One has just lost her job at a bank, another is betrayed by her husband and has another problem looming ahead, and the other is insecure about herself and the man she loves. Along the way one falls for the landlord, who is about to lose everything he's ever cared about. A stranger who's on the run from her abusive husband then rents out a room with the others, using an alias. All five begin questioning what they thought the knew about life and are looking for changes and a path to forgiveness.
The plot of this one just screams movie, something I thought the whole time I was reading this one.

2. Thin, Rich, Pretty by Beth Harbison. Two women who were once outsiders at a summer camp 20 year earlier and their camp nemesis, a once-spoiled and rich girl are the focus of these. Holly, one of the two, was plump and desired to be an artist and the other, Nicola, wanted to be pretty. While at summer camp in the 80s, the two pulled a prank on their rich and spoiled nemesis, Lexi, something that has repercussions two decades later. Now 20 years later, Lexi is totally broke, her father having left all his possessions to her stepmother, who keeps everything, including Lexi's childhood home. Lexi must find a job and new place to live, but has trouble doing so without previous work or rental experience. Holly is now a gallery owner about to get married, and Nicola a near-famous actress. The title refers to Holly's desire to be thin, Nicola's to be pretty and Lexi's desire to be rich.
Beth Harbison's book "Shoe Addicts Anonymous" is already being made into a movie. I have yet to read that one, but see this book as a possible film. again, it has a plot that seems film-worthy.

3. Cleo: The Cat Who Mended a Family by Helen Brown. A woman doesn't plan on taking home one of her friend's kittens until she sees the smallest one of the litter. A tragedy hits the family just before the kitten is delivered to their home, and the woman isn't sure if she can keep the cat until she sees something that she is sure has vanished from the family forever. As a result the kitten becomes the family pet.

This one reminded me a bit of "Marley and Me," and seems to have the same sad film factor that the movie based on "Marley" had.

4. Homer's Odyssey by Gwen Cooper. Though Gwen Cooper already had two cats, shoe fell in love with the eyeless kitten she saw at her vet office. Though everyone though he'd be a underachiever, the kitten eagerly became friends with all who crossed his path. One very gripping scene in the book takes place during the 9/11 attacks when Homer and the other two cats are trapped alone for days in an apartment building near the World Trade Center.

I feel the same way about this one as I did about "Cleo" and "Marley." All are touching pet tales, and this one and "Cleo" would make wonderful family films.

5. Goodnight, Tweetheart by Teresa Medeiros. Sort of an epistolary novel for the Twitter age, this book focuses on writer Abby Donovan, who's putting of things including working on her next novel (she nearly won a Pulitzer for her first one) When her publicist signs her up for a Twitter account, she becomes hooked and gets taken under the wing of one of her followers.

This could be the "You've Got Mail" for Twitter. AOL and Facebook have already gotten films, so why not Twitter?

6. The "Night World" Series by L.J. Smith. Her "Vampire Diaries" books have already been adapted into a TV show, and this series also deserves some adaptation. All nine books focus on members of the Night World, where vampires, shapeshifters, and witches live among humans without their knowledge. The protagonist of each book (always a teenage girl) faces challenges including the soulmate principle.

I can really see this as films, though it would be challenging since there are nine books, with a tenth soon to be out as the conclusion. Perhaps a cable movie series might work in this case. Or the first three books can be combined into the first film, the next two in the second one, and so on.

This is all I have come up with. I'm sure these aren't the only books I'll find film-worthy. I'd planned on including "The Host" by Stephenie Meyer, but while Googling, I discovered it is actually being adapted. This I had not known previously. I have the feeling I'll feel that way about more stuff I have yet to read. But at least I have read all of these before the possibly hit the big screen.

Movies Based on Self-Help Books?

2012-02-01T18:33:00.000-08:00

Almost two years ago, I was waiting to get "He's Just Not That Into You" from Netflix and (just before I received it, I saw it for sale at work). A while before it arrived in the mailbox, I looked at the plot description on Netflix which stated that the movie was based on the best selling book by Greg Behrendt. Having been guilty of not reading a book before seeing the movie adaptation, I decide to seek this out at the library, only to find it was a self-help book. WTF? I wondered. Do I need to read a self-help book for this reason? I decided that was not necessary. And how do you base a movie on a book that has no story? Sounds like it could be boring. And the plot lines would have to be contrived. Sounds like something someone might do in a creative writing class: take a headline, newspaper article, or something from an advice book with no plot or storyline and create one. Yeah, that could be fun, depending how creative different people are.

When I looked up the movie on IMDb.com, there was a question asking of there are other books based on self-help books and the answer reads:

Mean Girls (2004) is based on the non-fiction book Queen Bees and Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends, and Other Realities of Adolescence (2002) by Rosalind Wiseman, founder of the Empower Program, a national violence-prevention program. Wiseman's book describes how female high school social cliques operate and the effect they can have on girls. Sex and the Single Girl (1964) is based on the guide for single women of that title by Cosmo editor Helen Gurley Brown. Although not explicit by today's standards, the book was considered somewhat shocking at the time due to its assumption that single women could be sexually active. Woody Allen's Every Thing You Always Wanted to Know About Sex * But Were Afraid to Ask (1972) was inspired by a 1969 sex manual of the same name by David Reuben, M.D. Warum Männer nicht zuhören und Frauen schlecht einparken is based upon the No.1 best-selling book Why Men Don't Listen and Women Can't Read Maps.

I haven't seen any of those, except "Mean Girls" (I have the DVD).

Well, it seems that this idea is becoming more popular now. Last Saturday, one the previews during "One for the Money" was for an upcoming movie that was said to be "based on the best-selling book." I wasn't surprised to see that, until I saw what the title of the movie and book on screen: "What to Expect When You're Expecting." This is the title of a pregnancy self-help book. I then remembered about "He's Just Not That Into You," about how a filmmaker is is turning some self-help book into an ensemble romantic comedy. And then there this upcoming flick: "Think Like a Man," based on the self-help book "Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man," by comic Steve Harvey.

I'm not yet decided if I'm going to see either of these, but at least in these cases, I won't feel guilty about not reading the book first. No need to, since I'm not expecting and don't need to think like man (or do I?) Enough on this, however.

I can't imagine what they'll adopt next. If "What to Expect..." does well, will the cast be reunited for "Your Baby's First Year"? And heaven help us, are we going to see films based on "Men Are From Mars, Women Are For Venus" or "I'm OK, You're OK"? What can we expect from these?

Trying to Read First, then See the Movie

2012-01-31T18:04:00.000-08:00

As I stated in my last post, I'd read "One for the Money" before seeing the just-released film based on this book. I just began reading the "Hunger Games" books, beginning the first one last night. I got the books for Christmas and have been wanting to read this series for some time now. Last weekend at the cinema during "One for the Money" was a preview for the upcoming film based on the first book.

I've been guilty too often of not reading the book before seeing the movie. In some cases, I was not aware of the book, and just went to the movie. I kind of got out of reading mode until a few years ago, and now I find myself wanting to read a book once I hear about the upcoming movie based on the book. I actually heard about the "Hunger Games" books first after overhearing two others customer at Target one day. I asked them about this series and they said it was good. Then sometime later, I learned via Twitter, about the upcoming movie. In 2008, I saw the trailer for "Marley and Me," and knew I wanted to see it. I did not get around to seeing it in the theater, and then I learned about the book, and found it for sale at work. The movie had already been in my Netflix queue for sometime when I began reading the book, and I got the DVD more than month later. The first "Twilight" film adaption had already come out before I began reading the series, and I did not watch it until I'd finished the books.

A few times recently, I saw a movie without reading the book, but in each case it was because I did not have time and I had not planned seeing the movie on my own. During a recent visit from some relatives, we decided to go to movie and they wanted to see "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close." This was the only movie they were interested in seeing and so as not to feel left out, I went along. And at the end of last year, one of my meetup.com groups had planned on going to see "New Year's Eve" one night, only to find it wasn't playing until after 10PM that night. Some of us had met earlier at a restaurant, and did not wait until then to go to the movies until then. They then looked to see what was playing at 7PM, and decided on seeing "The Descendants." Not wanting to go home early, I went to this one as well. I had not planned on seeing either of these, at least not right away.

But at least I will have finished "Hunger Games" before seeing the film, which comes out at the end of March. And I plan to read the next two books right afterward.

I know that wanting to read a book because of an upcoming movie adaptation is kind of a weird reason, but with so many books being adapted as motion pictures, is the only thing that will encourage reading them? And why must books covers be revised with actors from the film just before its released, such as these?

More posts on books to movie will follow.

Reading the "Stephanie Plum" Books

2012-01-28T21:25:00.000-08:00

Today I saw "One for the Money." I'd read the book just a while ago, and am in the process of reading the entire "Stephanie Plum" series of books. I've been borrowing most of them from the library, except for one that did not have as a printed book. I found a used copy for 50 cents at a thrift store of that particular one. Another of the book was also not available as a print book, but as an audiobook (as was the above-mentioned book). I'd never listened to an audiobook, and since this seemed to be the only option I had to read this one book without buying it, I got the audiobook. It was only three discs and I was able to listen to it all on one Sunday afternoon. I saw that several of these books are available in audio format at my town's library so I may check out some of the other that way, if I feel I have the patience and time to listen to one again.

Yesterday I finished the eighth book and went to find the next book in the sequence. Along with 18 (to date) numbered novels, the character is also featured in four holiday-themed novellas, the first of which, "Visions of Sugar Plums," was published after the eighth book, "Hard Eight." Unfortunately, the library did not have copy for "Sugar Plums," so I asked them if they could do an interlibrary loan. Since this process can take up to two weeks, I'm trying to decide if want to take a break and read some other stuff I'd been planning to read, such as the "Hunger Games" books, which I have been planning to read for some time now. I got these for Christmas and want to read them before the movie comes out in March. Oddly enough a trailer for the "Hunger Games" movie was shown before "One for the Money," and a "Hunger Games" poster was hanging in the theater lobby. I've been trying lately to read the book first, but don't always get to do. There were a few recent movies I saw that were based on a book I haven't read and a while a go I read some books I can see being made into films. But enough about for now (I plan to write about that in another blogpost).

Since I don't know if and when they will get the book at the library, I'm hesitant to start another series of books just now in case they get the book from another library in less than two weeks. I have all the "Hunger Games" books and want to be able to read them all right after the other. Same with the books "Shoe Addicts Anonymous" and its sequel "Secrets of a Shoe Addict." I already have these two as well. I will be hard to give up either of these so quickly if the "Sugar Plums" book comes to the library in less than two weeks, since I will have have it for three weeks. But I will decide what to do.

The Stephanie Plum books in order are (from this link):

Visions Of Sugar Plums

Finger Lickin' Fifteen

Sizzling Sixteen

Smokin' Seventeen

Explosive Eighteen

Quiz: What Office Supply Are You?

2012-01-27T18:08:00.000-08:00

You Are a Red Pen

You have an eagle eye for detail, and this often means you end up finding mistakes in people's work.
You may seem quick to criticize or correct, but you think accuracy and truth is important.

You like to be involved in every project. You feel like you put the polishing touch on things.
You would make a good editor, detective, or accountant. When facts matter, you're the person to call on.

What Office Supply Are You?

Blogthings: 100's of Fun, Free Quizzes and 3 Stupid Ones

Quiz: What Donut Are You?

2012-01-26T15:26:00.000-08:00

You Are a Boston Creme Donut

You have a tough exterior. No one wants to mess with you.
But on the inside, you're a total pushover and completely soft.
You're a traditionalist, and you don't change easily.
You're likely to eat the same doughnut every morning, and you pout if it's sold out.

What Donut Are You?

Blogthings: We're Not Shrinks, But We Play Them On the Internet

Funny thing is that I've never had one of these donuts. I always eat ones with holes, if I ever eat any at all. which isn't very often. When I do eat any donuts, I like the ones with sprinkled with sugar o glazed, or sometimes those with colored sprinkles.

Lane Bryant for Bra Shopping

2012-01-20T20:37:00.000-08:00

The Lane Bryant store in Gilroy, California. I shot this
from the parking lot while sitting in my car.

Something I've been hesitant to write about on my blog. I often dread clothes shopping because it can take up to hours to find things that fit. I especially dread having to buy new bras, something I'd been putting off for months but finally got around to this past Monday.

I don't want to get into too much detail, but even though I'm not plus sized, I need larger size bras (TMI?) And that rules out several shopping options. No Victoria's Secret. I never understood why they are so popular when they only cater to smaller sizes. And just going downtown to Kmart or Target either isn't an option either. So I decided to try at some store that carries plus-size women's clothing, even though I won't be able to wear the outer clothes, just possibly the intimates. I already knew about the Lane Bryant store in the town where I work. I saw on their website that he "buy two, get two free" bra sale was on. However, it ended this Monday, so a trip to LB after work that day was in order.

My shopping bag from LB, at home.

So when I entered the store, I asked the sales lady for a sizing (again, I'm not going into any detail here) and then she showed me what was available. As I'd suspected, I was in the store for nearly two hours. But it wasn't because nothing fit or that I didn't find anything I liked. Neither of those were true. I found many that fit and that I liked (well some I didn't like, and decided against). But I found quite a few I did like, so deciding which four to buy was difficult. But eventually I made my decision and headed to the register to check out. Everything went well, and I saved over $70 dollars (along with the sale, I got 25% for spending over $50). I was satisfied with my purchase. Surprisingly, I did not get asked to apply for their credit card, which I would have said no to. But they did ask if I wished to receive email coupons, and I said yes to that. It's just email. I do plan to go to LB when I next need new intimates.

I'd also planned to go Barnes and Noble (next to LB) that day to use the gift card I got for Christmas and it use an email coupon I'd gotten (it expired that day). I just barely made it into the bookstore to find something I'd been waiting to get, as I was exhausted from my Lane Bryant trip. I didn't make it to get a soda at Bevmo however, even though I was thirsty. And no looking at the Salvation Army. Two hours in one store is bound to make me too exhausted to look anywhere else when I have to be up early the following morning. It was nearly three when I got home.

I just signed onto Yelp and wrote a review for Lane Bryant in Gilroy, CA, the first person to review the store. My reviews page is here.

Quiz: The Orchid Test

2012-01-14T15:24:00.000-08:00

You Are Balanced and Wise

You are a big fan of all things in moderation. You avoid extremes.
You are a colorful and fun person, but you always make sure not to go too wild.

You are bold and carefree, but you also have a more sensitive side to you.
You are more fragile than you look. You may be outgoing and outrageous, but you're just as breakable as everyone else.

The Orchid Test

Blogthings: We'll Tell You The Truth... Someone Has To!

Friday the 13th

2012-01-13T12:14:00.000-08:00

Yes, that's today's date. I'm not superstitious, and nothing bad has ever happened to me on one of these dates. But just for the record, there are two more such dates this year, in April and July. This is a leap year that began on a Sunday and will end on Monday (a non-leap year begins and end on the same day of the week). This leap year last occurred in 1984. The last common year with three Friday the 13ths was 2009, and the next such year will be 2015.

Again, I'm not superstitious, but as always be careful tonight, whatever you're doing!

No More Twinkies (and Other Hostess Snacks)?

2012-01-12T18:49:00.001-08:00

You may have heard by now that Hostess Brands, maker of Twinkies, Sno-Balls, Zingers, and Wonder Bread, among other snacks, has filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy this week.

This was a hot topic on Twitter yesterday, and I was among those tweeting and re-tweeting about Twinkies. One person wondered what county fairs will do without their deep-fried Twinkies. I've never tried these, as they seem a bit awful, but now wonder about those who do like deep-fried Twinkies, and how they will miss these. Come to think of it, it's been years since I've gone to our county fair, but that's another story altogether.

Another thing that came up on Twitter about Twinkies was someone saying "I can't imagine a generation not knowing what a Twinkie is." Yeah, it's hard to imagine Twinkies becoming another thing that some people have no knowledge of. Already there are generations of people who don't know about the rotary phone, party lines, and just barely know about the landline phones. Some who've seen an old vinyl record or 8-track tape and wonder what those were. Some who've never used a floppy disk. Many who won't know about the capacitance electronic disc or the laser disc. And many other things that have come and gone. Yes, even food brands come and go, but a Twinkie is one that everyone should be able to enjoy. Twinkies, along with other the other Hostess snacks are always perfect for breakfast on the run. If there's nothing in the house for breakfast, it's so easy to grab a Twinkie and milk (or coffee if that's your preference) at the minimart while going to get gas on the way to work. I've done this on occasion, but more often find myself buying the orange cupcakes (seen at right), another Hostess snack that I will be sad to see go. Sure, Hostess has competition from Little Debbie, but does Little Debbie have a Twinkies knockoff? If there is, I've never seen it. And do they make an orange cupcake? Even so, it just won't be the same.

After hearing about the bankruptcy filing yesterday, it occurred to me that I have not had any of these snacks in some time, no idea just how long. I then wanted to have some so I decided I get some the next time I was at the store. Today I went to target just two browse, but decided I could get some of these snacks there. And I ddid, buying a package of the Chocolate Cupcakes and the Twinkies. No orange cupcakes were in sight,and I have never cared much for many of the other Hostess snacks (although I have tried the Ho-Hos on occasion), so these were two I bought. I had some for snacks this afternoon and may just have some for breakfast tomorrow. Many people yesterday on Twitter were joking about stockpiling Twinkies, another thing that prompted me to buy some today. I wouldn't necessarily call it stockpiling, though.

I just cannot imagine these snacks not existing anymore. But I wanted to enjoy them for one the last, if not THE last, times, should they indeed no longer exist. But I am one of these who prays that that will not be true.

Feels Like Spring

2012-01-10T17:32:00.000-08:00

And it's midway through the second week of January. My birthday is tomorrow [please don't ask :)]. Yet the weather in this part of the country feels like spring. It's California, after all, and those who live there know there's no such thing as snow, except in the mountains. But even the mountains seem to be lacking in snow. Not that that matters to me, since I'm not a skier, but I could not help noticing this article in the San Francisco Chronicle last week. It sure doesn't feel like winter here.

I kind of like this warm weather, but keep putting on my jacket by force of habit. It just seems mandatory to have a jacket on at this time of year. Yet sometimes it's just a bit hot to have my jacket on, especially in the car. I also find myself removing my jacket while at the store. Weather last fall was a bit uncharacteristic of the season as well, in the 70s and 80s, something that seemed largely absent last summer. I'm now beginning to wonder who this summer's and fall's weather will be in my neck of the woods.

It's kind of good to not have to face rain for a while, even though we've suffered a drought for some time now. Last spring it was raining a lot, now wondering if that will be so this year. The weather has been in the 60s and more of the same is expected later this week.

I'm off work all this week for my birthday, by the way, and haven't done much as of yet.

Even in the warm weather, I don't feel compelled to visit the coastal areas. It my just be a little too cold to even go near the ocean. And no breaking out the shorts and sandals either. Totally not characteristic of this time of year, even with spring-like weather. Even with sunny days, it still gets a little cold, it is winter, after all, even though it doesn't look like it for many of us in this part of the country.

What I Read in 2011

2012-01-04T19:01:00.000-08:00

Over the last year or two, I got more into reading that I had been in previous years. And just now after a Google search, I came across postings on other blogs of what the blogger read last year, so I decided to do one of my own. I 'd like to share what I read and perhaps give someone some ideas if they ned something to read this year.

Note: these aren't in chronological order of when I read them, and I'm remembering what I read as best as I can. I still read physical books and am debating if I want to get an e-reader. I still check books out of the library, so I can save some money. And I look for books at thrift stores, meaning I can buy them for between 50 cents and $2. Also note, I won't be doing a review for each (sorry, too lazy for that!), but I don't want to write a super-long blog post. However, I will provide links to info on each book for possible readers to decide.

Lady Luck's Map of Vegas by Barbara Samuel
Homer's Odyssey by Gwen Cooper
Cleo: A Cat Who Mended a Family by Helen Brown
Goodnight Tweetheart by Teresa Medeiros
The Host by Stephenie Meyer
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
I don't Know How She Does It by Allison Pearson
Thin, Rich, Pretty By Beth Harbison
Summer Rental by Mary Kay Andrews

The following books by Emily Giffin: Something Borrowed, Something Blue, Baby Proof, and The Heart of the Matter. I'm hoping to read Love the One You're With. She's becoming a must-read author of mine.

The following books by Sophie Kinsella: Remember Me?, The Undomestic Goddess, and the remainder of the "Shopaholic" books (I'd read the first one of these in 2010 before getting the movie from Netflix). She's another author I want to read more of, including the books she wrote under her real name Madeline Wickham (I've never read any of those).

I also began reading The Vampire Diaries series, all the way up to the first book in the Hunters trilogy, as well as the first four books in the Stefan's Diaries series. And I also read another L.J. Smith series, Night World.

I tend to like series, even though they can be hard to keep up with. I read the first book in Lauren Conrad's L.A. Candy series (got this one at he library), but haven't gotten the rest yet. I also got a used copy of Beth Harbison's Shoe Addicts Anonymous at Goodwill. I haven't read it yet, and will want to read its followup, Secrets of a Shoe Addict.

This is what I recall from last year. I got the Hunger Games books for Christmas and will soon be reading those. Today I went to the library to get the first three books (in one volume) in Janet Evanovich's "Stephanie Plum" series. I'm now halfway through the first book.

New Year

2012-01-01T18:18:00.000-08:00

Well, it's 2012 now. I hated that I did not write a final post for 2011. I've always written a post on the last day of the year since I began the blog. But between taking down the Christmas decorations, doing laundry, going to see "New Year's Eve" yesterday (on the day itself), and going to a New Year's Eve celebration at a local bar, there just wasn't time to write an official end-of-year blog post. Even with only two days of work last week (because of inventory this Tuesday), I slacked a bit on blog posts. So what follows is a brief of Christmas week.

To recap Christmas: The present I ended up getting in our family Christmas present game was a car-cleaning supplies set from Armor All. Strange that I really needed stuff to clean my car with and now I have to get around to cleaning it, since it really needs it! Before the game (and before the cousins began arriving for the night), I got a few presents from Mom; a Barnes and Noble Gift card for $50, and the "Hunger Games" books. I've wanting to read these since I heard about them and that a feature film based on the first book will be released this March. On Christmas Day, we went to see "The Adventures of Tintin."

Last Thursday, I went to my first outing with a group I joined on meetup.com. We first met at a small restaurant and the went to see "The Descendants." We'd planned on seeing "New Year's Eve," but found out that it was only playing at 10PM, and we wanted something at 7PM. And on Friday, my family and I saw "We Bought a Zoo."

While I never make resolutions for the New Year, there are a few things I plan on doing this year and that I hope will change. I plan on re-lisiting my papier mache Halloween decorations I put up for sale
on Etsy last year. None of them sold, but I plan on trying again and putting them up for sale was early as July. And I want to try making other stuff to sale. And I sure hope I'm not still working in the same place after almost six years. We'll see what happens this year.

Still Hearing Christmas Music

2011-12-27T17:37:00.000-08:00

It's been two days since Christmas ended. I was looking forward to going to work on Monday with no more Christmas music playing over the intercom. No such luck, the Christmas music is still playing, although intermittently, as it was before Thanksgiving. But now that Christmas is over, it makes no sense to still be playing the stuff. I'll admit I still have my tree and lights up, but I've heard enough Christmas music already. And I'm not sure when I'll be putting my Christmas stuff away, but likely it will be by then end of this week. But I cannot stand hearing anymore music as stores are starting to display Valentines stuff. At left is a quick shot of boxed valentines spotted today at Kmart. And nowhere else I've been the last two days has been playing Christmas music after the fact. At least I did not hear any as I went through Kmart and later Target and Safeway today. Discounted Christmas merchandise is still in the stores of course, but that is to be expected. And my store has inventory next week, so we will be keeping out the Christmas stuff for a while.

I won't be working for the rest of this week, because there will be more more shipments until after inventory, but I'm hoping the Christmas music will be gone entirely by next week. A lot of the Christmas songs have been stuck in my head, something I didn't expect to be happening during the two days after Christmas. Enough already!

Quiz: The Christmas Sweater Test

2011-12-25T10:41:00.001-08:00

You Are Fun During Christmas

You are affectionate yet mischievous. You have a warm, welcoming spirit - but you also like to spice things up.
You think Christmas is a time for cheer. You do your best to lift everyone's spirits.

You are super laid back and peaceful. Not much disturbs you.
You do your best to stay away from holiday drama, and you usually succeed.

The Christmas Sweater Test

Blogthings: We Have a Quiz for Almost Everything

Quiz: What Does Your Christmas Say About You?

2011-12-24T16:13:00.001-08:00

Your Christmas is Modern

Your wish for the New Year is more happiness.

For you, Christmas is secular holiday. Religion doesn't play a big part in it.

You are a little impatient when it comes to Christmas. You can't wait to open your presents.

You like Christmas traditions, but you're not uptight about them. You do things your way.

You have some preferred ways of celebrating Christmas, but you're open to compromise.

You love Christmas. You enjoy almost every aspect and tradition of the holidays.

You give a big during the holidays but nowhere near as much as you'd like to.

What Does Your Christmas Say About You?

Work is Hard. Time for Blogthings!

Quiz: The Gingerbread Cookie Test

2011-12-24T16:09:00.001-08:00

You Are Kind and Caring

You're the type of person who just naturally appreciates and respects others. You think ill of very few people.
You are naturally open minded and nonjudgmental. You're a good listener, and you end up hearing many secrets.

You reach out to everyone during the holidays, and your acts of kindness and generosity are remembered throughout the year.
You are easily touched this time of year. Even the right holiday card or little gift can move you.

The Gingerbread Cookie Test

Blogthings: Waste Time at Work!

Quiz: What Crappy Christmas Gift Are You?

2011-12-24T16:05:00.001-08:00

You Are a Losing Lottery Ticket!

Full of hope and promise.
But in the end, a cheap letdown.

What Crappy Christmas Gift Are You?

Blogthings: Free Quizzes for Everyone

Quiz: What will Be in Your Christmas Stocking?

2011-12-24T16:03:00.001-08:00

Your Christmas Stocking Will Be Filled With a Stuffed Animal

Either Santa got your Christmas wish many years late...
Or he secretly thinks you're a bit immature!

What Will Be In Your Christmas Stocking?

Blogthings: If Quizzes Are Outlawed, Only Outlaws Will Take Quizzes

12 Days Till Christmas Countdown #12

2011-12-24T15:49:00.000-08:00

Well, it's Christmas Eve and I'm just waiting to go to my family's Christmas Eve dinner and present game tonight. Been home most of the day, Since the stores I usually browse on Saturday are either closed or crowded today. I made sure to get everything I knew I needed yesterday afternoon so as not to face the crowds at the stores today. In order to get out of the house for a while I walked across the street to the liquor store to pick up a holiday lottery ticket. Just like the other day, I did not win, but it was fun. And unlike the other day, I did not even come close to winning anything this time. But it was still fun to try.

Just want to wish everyone a Happy Christmas Eve and Merry Christmas tomorrow.

12 Days Till Christmas Countdown #11

2011-12-23T18:05:00.000-08:00

Well, it's only two days till Christmas, and what to say today. Lots of stuff, actually; too hard to stick to just one thing today.

First of all, for those like me whose families celebrate on Christmas Eve, today is the day to get stuff you need, in order to fight the crowds tomorrow. But today seemed crowded. I planned to look at Target today, but the parking lot was packed. Same was true at the Goodwill and Dollar Tree, which are next door to each other and have two adjacent parking lots. I didn't even bother with Kmart, but I bet their parking lot was packed as well. I guess Christmas Eve Eve is the new day for getting last minute stuff, or could it be just for this year, since Christmas Eve is a Saturday this year. Or it could be others who have diner on Christmas Eve, who don't want to be at Safeway or Target tomorrow. Tomorrow won;t be like most Saturdays, no glancing at stuff at any of those stores or at the hospital thrift store which will be closed until January 3. It's only open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and I almost always go to look on Saturdays.

I'd worked later than planned today, and the Mexican food our store manager had ordered for our Christmas potluck had arrived later than my lunch period, so I hung around after checking out for the day to enjoy some of the food. We also had our Secret Santa gift exchange today. Because I'd worked later, I did not get to the post office until about 2PM, then headed out to the stores. Since tomorrow is Saturday, I'd decided ahead of time to make something for Christmas Eve dinner, something I've not had time to do the last few years. But instead of baking something, I decided to get some fruit punch and 7Up for some holiday punch. I knew I had to get to Safeway today, and I was just barely able to find a parking space. I got the stuff and then took it to my mom's house, so I would not have to make two trips tomorrow, and because her house is just a few roads up from Safeway. Then I remembered I needed to get paper towels and wasn't sure how much milk I had, so before going home, I went to Savemart, and as always, they weren't crowded like Safeway gets. I did not want o be one of those unfortunates who runs out of stuff like this on Christmas Eve, so this trip was necessary. And I did not want to be look like a slacker either who puts off getting this stuff until that day. So once the trip to Savemart was over, it was finally time to get home.

One thing I'll be glad about when I return to work on Monday is that the Christmas music will be gone until next year. I don't totally hate it, but hearing Christmas music all day long since the day after Thanksgiving can get tiring, especially hearing three or more different versions of the same song in one day. And then going into other stores and hearing more of the same. Well, actually there were some instances where I heard something on a store intercom that wasn't Christmas music. Sometime last week the Clash's "Rock the Casbah" was playing in the middle of December, at Safeway, of all places. Seemed weird hearing such a song when everyone was probably expecting to hear Christmas music. And just yesterday I went into McDonald's for lunch and when I entered the restaurant, some Christmas song was playing. I don't remember what it was, and don't really care, but I know it was one I'd heard a million times at work. However, when I sat down to eat my meal, something non-Christmas began playing over the intercom: Christopher Cross's "Never Be the Same." It sounds like the kind of song that would turn up on an intercom at a store or fast-food restaurant, but it's the last thing I'd expect to hear this close to Christmas. And it's been years since I've heard this song. I didn't seem to hear what was playing on the Safeway intercom today. And I'm sure I remember hearing Christmas music at Savemart today.

12 Days Till Christmas Countdown #10

2011-12-22T16:49:00.000-08:00

An outside tree covered in lights.

Santa and reindeer on the roof.

Inflatable Snowman with the camera flash off.

Inflatable snowman with flash on.

Last night after dark I went out to see some of my neighbors's Christmas displays. Unfortunately I did not get to all of the units in the trailer park since there are over 200 of them and since it was a little cold. And needless to say, they only turn on the lights when it's dark. So here are the ones I got a chance to shoot before getting too cold and worrying about walking around in the dark.

12 Days Till Christmas Countdown #9

2011-12-21T14:58:00.000-08:00

Today I decided to check out the Christmas lottery scratchers for this year so I walked across the street to the Quik Stop and picked up the ticket seen in the photo. As you can see, I did not win, just missing getting $100 by one spot. But you know how these things go. It's always about taking a chance. I'd though of getting another ticket at the liquor store a block away from the Quik Stop, but decided against it, at least for today. If I feel lucky enough in the next days before Christmas, then maybe.

After getting town after work today I went to Safeway to get some cookie dough to make cookies to take to out potluck at work on Friday. I will be baking them tomorrow once I get home from work. I'm almost always too busy to do anything like this, but I'm going to find time. I'm also going to try to make something to take to my family's house on Christmas Eve. Since it's on Saturday this year and I'm off work, I'll have plenty of time then, since I don't want to be looking at or running through stores on Christmas Eve, because we all know what a madhouse they will be then. I often go to the thrift store run by the town's hospital on Saturdays, but it will be closed for Christmas Eve. I will need to get to the store on Friday afternoon to avoid the madness, and before then, decide what I need to get then. Present shopping and laundry are all done, so there will be more time for baking and Christmas Eve being on Saturday will make it easier to do.

12 Days Till Christmas Countdown #8

2011-12-20T15:26:00.001-08:00

You Are a Bright Christmas Tree

For you, the holidays are all about fun and seasonal favorites.
You are into all things Christmas, even if they're a little tacky.

What Christmas Tree Are You?

The First Rule of Blogthings Is: You Don't Talk About Blogthings

12 Days Till Christmas Countdown #7

2011-12-19T16:55:00.001-08:00

You Are an Angel

A truly giving soul, you understand the spirit of Christmas.

What Christmas Ornament Are You?

Blogthings: 100's of Fun, Free Quizzes and 3 Stupid Ones

12 Days Till Christmas Countdown #6

2011-12-18T16:19:00.000-08:00

Not a lot to say today except that it's still one week till Christmas. I'm trying to determine what I should get at the grocery store this week, and to get to the store before Christmas Eve. I just know Safeway will be the busiest on Christmas Eve as opposed to the other stores in town. But since Christmas Eve is on Saturday, I likely will get to the store on Friday, if getting there earlier proves to be a problem.

But just how busy will the stores be during this week? Just last night, as I was coming out of the parking lot of Safeway, there were many cars on the road coming from Target. And over the the last two days, the parking lots at Kmart and Target were quite full, if not completely packed. And today there were two long lines at Dollar Tree. So what can I expect this week? I'm just glad I'm done getting presents, as I did not need to get a lot of them. But I plan to bring something for the potluck at work on Friday and possibly something for the family on Christmas Eve. With Christmas Eve on Saturday, I will have more time to make something for that night, but will have to find time to make something for work after work one day. I know I can do that.

And one more week of hearing Christmas music over the work intercom. Somehow they've skipped playing Elton John's "Step Into Christmas" one christmas song I actually like. And they've also skipped over the Eagles' rendition of "Please Come Home For Christmas," never mind the version by Bon Jovi. And of course numerous versions of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," etc., etc. I'm always glad when this is over.

And before the year is up I'm planning to see "New Year's Eve." Presumably before that date.

12 Days Till Christmas Countdown #5

2011-12-17T19:04:00.000-08:00

Christmas ornaments today

It used to be that Christmas tree ornaments were simple stuff like green glass balls, colored lights, stars, snowmen, angels and other stuff associated with the holiday. But now it seems that just about anything is passable for a tree trimming. Why is this?

Cell phones, for instance. They are part of everyone's life now, but does that really mean they should be a Christmas ornament?

We use cell phones everyday, but do they really need to be Christmas ornaments? Toys, such as bears, and blocks seem all right as ornaments, but cell phones, laptops, cameras, and iPods are just too crazy for adorning a Christmas tree, just because they are the "toys" of today.

Food ornaments.

This website looks at some of the weirdest food ornaments. Food just seems to bizarre to decorate a tree with. The pretzel, beer can and chips bag arrangement seems more like a Super Bowl celebration decoration than one for a Christmas tree. And the author of the website says "Why leave Santa milk and cookies when you can leave him a value meal?" Yeah, and add a Diet Coke while you're at it. Tacos and pizza slices are also available.

And other bizarre ornaments have popped up. Today at Target I snapped a few photos of some ornaments. Pardon the focus, but one time when I was shooting photos inside Target, I was told not taking pictures in the store. So I had to shoot these quickly before possibly getting caught (I wasn't). Anyhow, in the photo on the right we see ornaments (on the left side of the pic) shaped like pliers. Seriously? Pliers. I also happened to see wrench ornament behind the pliers one (wasn't able to get it in the picture, sorry). Tools as Christmas decorations? On the left of the photo is a checkered flag ornament. Seems appropriate to put alongside the beer can, pretzel and chips bag for a NASCAR celebration. Maybe this is how sports- and tools-obsessed person decorate their Christmas trees?

Above are more decorations from Target. Pinks shoes and a purple snail. I'm not sure just what to say about these. Neither would ever go on a tree by me. Just too weird. At right are pink ballet slipper. Very pretty and elegant, but I'm not sure I'd ever put these on a Christmas tree either.

And one more shot from Target is a snowman ornament . Snowmen are associated with Christmas, yes, but look carefully and you will see he has a USA hat, like those worn on the Fourth of July. It's as if two holidays are being mixed here. This has happened a bit often, such as gingerbread houses for Halloween, and candy
corn for holidays besides Halloween (in color schemes associated with each holiday). Don't get em wrong, I rather think this ornament is cute, but can we please have one holiday theme at a time? And next to the snowman is a shamrock ornament--is it St. Patrick's day already?

Elvis may have sung about a "Blue Christmas," but is this what he meant? Sure, Elvis was king of rock music, but in the in 1950s, did please have ornaments with his face on them? And apparently putting Elvis's face on a Christmas ball wasn't enough because someone went so far as to put Elvis's face on M&M ornaments and a dancing cow one as well. See pictures on this website.

Can it get any worse? Apparently.

"Jersey Shore" characters as Christmas ornaments? Just totally awful. And take a look at this link.

I think I've only barely scratched the surface here. There must be other awful, weird ornaments around. I think sticking with the traditional angels, stars and lights is much better and simpler. Do people have themed trees, for example, one with food ornaments, or one with TV characters, or one with tools or sports? I have a feeling that this is not true. So why do we need these bizarre ornaments that have very little if anything, to do with Christmas? Don' get me wrong, they're not all that bad, and some are kind of cute, but most of them are just too weird for Christmas.

12 Days Till Christmas Countdown #4

2011-12-16T23:02:00.000-08:00

The Worst Gift Ever?

What's the worst Christmas present you've ever received? For me it has to be one I received 10 years ago--a dinky little picture frame for which I had absolutely no use. JUST AWFUL! This happened right after I got everyone something from the Dollar Tree, when I began working there that year. This was on my dad's side. Long story short: My uncle's then 9-year got a gift card from Borders, which was what I wanted. And I overheard one of my paternal aunts saying that she was burning her CDs of Bob Dylan. Bob Dylan, for a 9-year old kid in 2001? She and his then 6-year old boy just a lot of stuff since they were just kids then. Luckily my uncle on my mom's side all gave the grandkids on that side $50 dollar checks or I might never have gotten the CD the group Yes put out that year. A better way of spending a gift card for a bookstore/music retailer rather than wasting it on crap like Brittney Spears CDs, which someone her age was likely to do in 2001. I believe my paternal uncle got this frame as a free sample from the dealership where he'd gotten his then-new car. An example of bad gift giving, per this article:

5. Anything that looks like you got it as a free sample. I’ve gotten these gifts before, and believe me I’ve been able to tell. Oddly enough, when you give someone who hardly ever wears makeup Clinique cover up it’s kind of a clue that you didn’t buy the gift for that person. Oh, hey, is that a complimentary tote you’ve got there on your arm?

I just chucked the frame eventually. For god sakes, if you get these free samples, don't try to give them as Christmas presents! If you don't want them, donate them to the frigging Goodwill! And apparently I'm not the only person who says a picture frame is the worst gift you could ever receive.

Thankfully, I've never been given a Chia Pet or an "As Seen On TV" gadget. Although on my mom's side of the family since about 1996 has been doing a present game. All of us have to buy something, up to $20, that anyone can use. We then place numbers at the dinner table under the plates. After dinner we play the present game. We draw numbers and when each person's number comes up, that person picks one of the presents up for grabs. They can steal a gift from another person. Each item can be stolen up to three times. This is a sort of a "white elephant" kind of game. Among the items that have been bought over the years for the present game there have been bottles of Heinekin and Jagermeister, DVDs, funny toys, and some "As Seen on TV" gadgets (I bought the George Foreman grill for the game one year) but so far no Chia Pets, as far as I can recall. Who knows if someone in the family will ever get one for the game, though? In the end everyone winds up with something, which may or may not be useful to them, but at least it's not something deliberately or directly given to them. I didn't particularly like the one I ended up with 10 years ago, but it was nothing compared to what happened the following day (my mom's family celebrates on Christmas Eve).

I now have to get a Secret Santa gift for work. I'm considering a gift card since those are a good idea

when you don't really know what that person likes. And I cannot wait to see what I get from this next Friday. I'm also eager to see what silly gifts the family has for the game. Maybe a Sponge Bob DVD, a board game, a barking stuffed dog, who knows? Anything goes, but no one ever, to my knowledge, ever bothered with a boring old picture frame, which come to think of it, is often less than 20 dollars. And another thing they've managed to avoid is the ever-dreaded fruit cake. From this link:

4. Fruit cake. Yes, people still give these. And yes, the cliché is still very, very true. No one wants a fruit cake, even if it is homemade, because chances are, it’s not very good. As for a peanut butter cup cheesecake….that’s a dessert I can get behind.

I have never gotten one of these things, and I hope that fact never changes! I cannot even imagine how upset and angry I will be over seeing something as dreadful and awful as this thing known as fruit cake. Many have asked over the years, "Does anyone really like fruit cake?" Yeah, really do they? Does anyone ever eat the stuff? On second thought, I don't want to know the answer to that one. Give me a gingerbread cookie over fruit cake any Christmas season! Candy canes, Christmas Funfetti cake, sugar cookies, anything but fruit cake!

What the worst gift could you ever possibly receive?

12 Days Till Christmas Countdown #3

2011-12-15T13:01:00.000-08:00

With all apologies to this blogger, I'm still using the fiber-optic Christmas I got in 2001. It still works even after 10 years and is easy to store in the shed when then the Christmas season is over. I would love to get a real one one day, but I see no reason to get rid of this one until and unless it stops working. In some ways, I miss going to the Christmas tree lot and picking out a tree, but I'm also glad to not have to find a way to get rid of the tree after the holiday. I'm guessing I could leave it in my green waste bucket on my garbage pickup day?

Above is a video I just now shot of my rotating fiber-optic tree, while I had the 12 o'clock news on. You can hear the commercials on the TV. I did this as I was waiting for a job interview later this afternoon.

Actually, I keep forgetting I got a small tree for Christmas in 2000, the first year I lived in my mobile home. I got the small, planter-sized tree at a grocery store that year, and saved the small strand of lights and the ornaments that came on the tree. I've been hanging the ornaments on the fiber-optic, though they're not quite noticeable. Look carefully in the video to see them. I also have some green baubles I got at a Goodwill around June of 2004 on the tree as well.

Decorating a tree is one thing I miss about having a real tree. But I like my fiber-optic tree and intend to keep it for as long as it shall keep on working.

12 Days Till Christmas Countdown #2

2011-12-14T15:58:00.000-08:00

Here are some videos I shot of Christmas decorations at Kmart. Since these are motion decorations, I knew that taking still shots just wouldn't do them justice, so I used the video capture on my camera. I did not get caught nor do I know if this is not allowed at the store (since no one caught me).

12 Days Till Christmas Countdown #1

2011-12-13T16:39:00.000-08:00

Today is now only 12 days till Christmas and Christmas merchandise has been in stores since as early as September. Does anyone agree that September seems to early for Christmas, especially since it's a month before Halloween? I'm just dreading in a few weeks when stores start putting up Valentines stuff. Really, that's two months away (from tomorrow). Why must this all be so soon? And I have yet to find out when Easter is next year, even though I've already gotten a calendar for 2012, a leap year and presidential election year. That's another merchandise-driven holiday.

But let's get back to Christmas. It's only 12 days away and I plan to blog each day as a sort of mini-countdown to Christmas. I've been slacking on blogging since this month began by posting Christmas quiz results. I'm going to try to find Christmas stuff to wrote about as Christmas approaches.

So for Day One, I present this photo I actually shot the night after Thanksgiving at the Save Mart store. Similar to the Halloween displays seen in this entry from October, here is a similar display for Christmas made of empty Coca-Cola 12-pack cases. Diet Coke packs for the snowman, a Fanta Orange pack for the carrot nose, and Coca-Coal packs for the red scarf. Very clever. I went to the store across from my house (where the pumpkin display in October was) to see if they had a Christmas display like this, but they did not. A Christmas tree made form empty cases is the window at Safeway, though I have not had a chance to take a picture of that one. It's in the window at Safeway right in front of the checkstands, making it difficult to photograph, anyway. This one at Save Mart was in front of the frozen-food aisle, making it easier to shoot a picture of it. I rarely go to Nob Hill, so I have yet to see if they have any such displays.

I loved this display and think it's a great idea, though it must take a lot of empty cases to put it together. I'd say it really decorates the store.

Share Your Holiday

2011-12-12T18:22:00.000-08:00

Here is a video I shot last Friday at the annual "Share Your Holiday" drive at KSBW, the NBC station in Salinas, CA. This is the location in my town, Hollister. I always bring a toy or something to this drive since it will help someone less fortunate this holiday season. Everyone should do the same for such drives in your neighborhood. Every little thing helps!

The Present Wrapping Oracle

2011-12-11T15:16:00.001-08:00

You Are Sophisticated

You are a sneaky gift giver. You're good at throwing people off the trail of what you're really giving them.

You are spontaneous and impulsive. You tend to do things quickly, and you're quite impatient.

You are very organized and together. No one would ever accuse you of being a slob.

Your style of dress is whimsical and inspired. You love to play around with different looks.

The Present Wrapping Oracle

Blogthings: Learn Something Surprising About Yourself

Quiz: What Color Christmas Lights Are You?

2011-12-11T15:13:00.001-08:00

You Are Red Lights

Your holidays are a time of warmth and sharing.
No one epitomizes the spirit of giving as much as you do.

You enjoy all of the tastes, sounds, smells, and sights of the holidays.
You usually have the best decorations, music, and food.

What Color Christmas Lights Are You?

The First Rule of Blogthings Is: You Don't Talk About Blogthings

Quiz: What Holiday Drink Are You?

2011-12-07T15:20:00.000-08:00

You Are Eggnog

Your holiday personality is indulgent.
The holidays are when you enjoy your favorite treats without abandon.

And while you're a bit greedy for your favorite goodies, you aren't selfish.
You're the type who makes a whole bunch of holiday treats and gives them to everyone you know.

What Holiday Drink Are You?

Blogthings: We Have a Quiz for Almost Everything

Quiz: The Christmas Snow Globe Test

2011-12-01T15:33:00.000-08:00

You Are Complete

You're one of those few people who is the total package. You are very well rounded and balanced.
You aren't prone to extremism. You always choose the middle path, and you try to keep things simple.

You are dependable and responsible. You like to be as ahead in life as possible.
You are loyal to your friends, and you never forget them around the holidays!

The Christmas Snow Globe Test

Blogthings: Quizzes and Tests and Memes, Oh My!

Quiz: Are You An iPhone or a Blackberry?

2011-11-29T13:32:00.001-08:00

You Are an iPhone

You are one of those early adopter, super geek chic types.
You like a gadget that has a ton of features to fuel your tech obsessions.

You tend to know the inner workings of every toy, phone, and computer you own. You’re always exploring and learning.
You want the most leading edge phone you can find, at almost any cost. You’re usually the first one in line for the latest iPhone!

Are You An iPhone or a Blackberry?

Work is Hard. Time for Blogthings!

I must confess I sometimes, but not too heavily, wish for a smartphone. What, you ask? Of course, I have a cell phone, but it's just a small one for calling and texting. But everywhere I look, everyone seems to have a smartphone, an iPhone or Blackberry. Only one or two people have just a regular cell phone, I've noticed. Sometimes I get a little envious of this and sometimes I suspect others will think I'm behind the times without a phone with all those endless apps for this or that. I don't mind not being able to update my Facebook or Twitter status while away from home, but it might be fun to do so once in a while. Maybe just one day, though such devices are quite expensive. And I'm aware that they keep coming out with new versions of the iPhone and the Blackberry, but what if those become the only cell phone options available?

And I still have a desktop computer, no laptop or tablet computer? Am I the only one?

Black Friday

2011-11-26T19:01:00.001-08:00

I must confess to something I felt tempted to do on Thursday night. Upon learning that some stores, including Target, would be open at midnight, I felt tempted just to drive by Target to see how full the parking lot would get as result of this. I did not work on Friday morning so I could have stayed up to do such a thing. Unfortunately, after getting home around 7PM after the movies and dinner, I watched "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving," and took a nap shortly after that show as over. I thought if I was going to even drive past the parking lot I would need to rest just a little. But when I woke up, I was just too tired to even think of getting out so late. I seriously don't think I missed anything. I watched the news at 11PM that night and saw coverage of Black Friday Eve (I guess we can call it that?) The Outlets in Gilroy were open at 9PM. Kmart in my town was open all day on Thanksgiving. My place of work, Home Goods (I was off Friday), opened at 7AM. Sadly our same store in San Carlos, CA, is in the same strip as Best Buy, meaning they had to open at midnight or whenever their Best Buy opened for Black Friday. Speaking of Best Buy, there were tents outside the Gilroy, CA branch of the popular electronics store. I spotted these while at lunch at work on Wednesday, having gone to eat at the Subway near Best Buy.

I just could not handle going to shop so late at night. Having to be on morning mode for work (though I'm barely a morning person) I easily fall asleep (though not completely) around 7PM, except on nights when I don't work the following day. Since Friday is normally a workday for me, my body automatically went into early sleep mode on Thursday night, even though I woke up around 9PM and went back to bed, deciding not to try to see how crowded the Target parking lot would be.

On Friday, I did not get into town till around noon making trips to Safeway to get a cell phone card and to Ace Hardware to get a light bulb for the front porch light, then to lunch at McDonald's. I then began my laundry which I finished today, then headed off to see "The Muppets." I left the house about half an hour before the movie began, so I stooped at Target before going to the cinema. It was somewhat crowded, but I was able to get a parking space, get into the bathroom and walk briefly through the store without literally bumping into anyone (no colloquially "bumping into anyone" either). No pushing or shoving occurred. After the movie was over, I headed over to Kmart and saw only a small crowd of customers. Again, no pushing or shoving and no bumping into anyone(in either sense). I did not buy anything yesterday other than the light bulb and the phone card.

Today I went to these stores again and still have not bought anything, except some food today at Safeway while finishing my laundry. Tonight I got out my fiber-optic Christmas tree (that I got 10 years ago) and strung my Christmas lights over the kitchen window. I wanted my decorations up before December 1 (next Thursday) so I decided tonight was the night to do it. Monday I'll be back at work, so I have to be in bed early tomorrow night. Today was extremely busy with finishing the laundry, taking out the recyclables, and getting groceries, so I'm amazed I still had energy to get out the Christmas stuff, but I was determined. Now I just have to endure four weeks at work dealing with the holiday rush and the all-day stream of Christmas music over the intercom (so far it's only been intermittent Christmas music). But I will get my shopping done, since I have very little to do. Just not on a day when everyone is rushing and staying outside overnight.

What I'm Doing for Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T21:13:00.001-08:00

Tomorrow some family and I are going to see "Breaking Dawn, Part 1" then going out to dinner. We did the same last year with the movie "Burlesque." I also plan to see "The Muppets" before this weekend is over.

As I've said, I don't hate Thanksgiving but it's just not my favorite time of the year. November has always seemed like that slow, dreary month between the Halloween madness of October and the Christmas frenzy that's supposed to begin in December but which actually begins as early as September. I have to admit since the loud speaker at wrk has been playing Christmas songs intermittently since the beginning of last week, I pulled some of my Christmas music then as well. I've already heard many songs on our loud speaker as well as those at other stores. And there is still a week left in November. I'm not planning on decorating until this weekend so I can have my Christmas stuff by December 1. I have the weekend off so I should be able to accomplish this as well as getting my laundry done.

How do you sell Thanksgiving?

2011-11-17T15:11:00.001-08:00

I've been seeing this cartoon a lot in the last week or so. It depicts how many seem to skip over the holiday of Thanksgiving which is next Thursday. Many have noted how Thanksgiving seems overshadowed by Halloween and Christmas in stores.

Every year someone always complains that Thanksgiving gets forgotten by stores, that Christmas gets focused on once Halloween ends. Actually, Christmas comes to stores even earlier than that, as early as September, before Halloween is even over, before the calendar even switches to October. Halloween merchandise comes in as early as August, sometimes in July. The Spirit Store in Gilroy, CA had its banner up the last Friday in July on the empty building it chose to occupy this year, and the store didn't even open till Labor Day weekend in September.

I must admit I've don't hate Thanksgiving, but that last few times I went to a family gathering on this holiday, everyone just sat around gabbing and watching football while waiting for the dinner to be ready. And no one went around saying they're thankful for this or that. Do very many people take that idea seriously? Last year, my mom and a friends and I went to a movie and then to dinner at a restaurant and we may just do the same this year. It's just not my favorite holiday.

Why so many decorations for Halloween and Christmas but very few for Thanksgiving? It seems so few people decorate for Thanksgiving. People will go to great lengths to create a fake graveyard on their lawn for Halloween and a Santa's Village on the lawn for Christmas, but how often do you see a re-creation of Plymouth Rock on someone's lawn? My answer: never, as far as I can recall. And I rarely see an inflatable turkey, unlike the inflatable pumpkins or Santa Clauses. And sometimes it's just a few jack-o-lanterns and a Christmas tree, but Thanksgiving has no real comparable decorations. The famous cornucopia decoration has seemed to disappeared from store shelves. I'm not into Thanksgiving decor, but I don't bother with Christmas decorating until at least the weekend after Thanksgiving. My Halloween decorations went up the night of September 30. I always put them up as close to October 1 as possible, and always get them down on November 1.

When I arrived at work on Monday, the music system that plays over the intercom started playing Christmas music intermittently among the music it normally plays. After Thanksgiving is over next week, we can expect to hear Christmas music all day long until Christmas is over. Already it's getting overdone. And some stores were already playing Christmas music before ours was. I heard some on the intercom at Kmart about a week or so ago. And I could not resist listening to samples of the Christmas music CDs at Target on the kiosk. And some radio stations begin playing all Christmas music sometime in November like this one from San Francisco. It's been years since I've listened to that station and I probably never will listen again. And since Christmas music has turned up at stores, I coud not help listening to my own Christmas music this week, including the "Twisted Christmas" music by Bob Rivers.

Many have noted that Thanksgiving is not a "sellable" holiday. Halloween is sellable in that people always buy costumes and candy and even decorations. And of course Christmas is all about selling presents, trees, and decorations. Halloween is mostly about the costumes, everyone wanting to be a witch, a clown or a celebrity-du-jour. Websites selling costumes more than likely make their most sales at Halloween, but a few Santa suits might get bought by people wanting to play Santa for their kids or by those taking seasonal jobs as Santas in malls. But how many people are going to buy Thanksgiving costumes, unless they're participating in a play at school or in a community theater group? It's like the only stores that really "sell" Thanksgiving are the food stores, since it's more of a food-centered holiday than a decoration-centered one and even less of a costume-centered one. Thanksgiving-themed candy seems rare, although the Indian Corn variety of Candy Corn comes closest. And just last week at Safeway, I saw some of those Holiday Shape cookies, for Thanksgiving, with turkey images. So the holiday isn't totally ignored, but Thanksgiving seems to be mostly about food.

I'm still not certain about trying to make any Christmas decoration to try to sell on Etsy (I made no sells with my papier mache Halloween decorations) and I may not have a lot of time. If I didn't put them up till December, would anyone buy them? Do I have to have them up before even November, like retail stores do with their Christmas merchandise? I opened my Etsy shop at the end of August and began listing my Halloween decorations on the first weekend of September. Plenty of views, but no sales, and no shop "favoriters" as of yet. Currently I have no items for sale, but am thinking I will put up some boxes I made last spring of rolled-up pieces of store circulars. These might make good Christmas presents.

Safeway Gingerbread Cookie Ice Cream

2011-11-12T20:26:00.001-08:00

It seems a lot of products come up with some seasonal variant, like holiday-themed M&Ms, Peeps, and even candy corn has ventured into other holidays besides Halloween. Apparently even ice cream gets into this act as well. Last night while making a run to Safeway, I felt like having some ice cream so I went into the frozen-foods aisle and looked at what brands and varieties were on hand. I was planning to get one of the standard flavors such as cookies and cream, rocky road or cookie dough (all favorites of mine). However upon seeing the Safeway store brand Gingerbread Cookie ice cream and that it was a limited edition, I decided to give this one a try. Since it was a limited edition, it won't be around after Christmas season and who knows how many others will be buying it as the Christmas holiday looms, even though it's still November.

I must say I loved the illustration on the carton, with the gingerbread houses and cookies in the snow. And I'm sitting here laughing about how the package of Alka Seltzer showed up in the background of this photo, on the counter to the right of my stove top.

So after dinner last night, I spooned out a few scoops of the ice cream into a bowl. Must say, not too bad. Something definitely different, as I'd never tried this before and, to the best of my knowledge, had never noticed this variety of ice cream until now. I had some more of the stuff this afternoon as well.

For the record, chunks of gingerbread cookies are in the ice cream which looks rather brown-ish from the cookie chunks. Sorry for for no illustrations, but didn't get around to taking any pictures of the ice cream in the bowl.

Overall, it's a pretty good flavor. But it's a seasonal one, so if you're hankering for some of this stuff, get some soon before the Christmas season is over!

November begins

2011-11-01T20:24:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's November now and stores are now concentrating on Christmas. Actually have been since September, my store included. But I'm not yet ready to think about Christmas, are you? I barely got my Halloween decorations down today and will not be decorating for Christmas until at least the first of December, or on the weekend after Thanksgiving. Speaking of which, I have no idea what my family and I will be doing for that holiday. We haven't done much in the last few years. Last year, my mom and I and a family friend (who had nothing to do that day) went out to the movies and then out to dinner. If we do that again, that would be all right with me.

None of my papier mache Halloween decorations I put up in Etsy were sold, so I plan on unlisting them until next year, and re-listing them next year around July or August. I now want to try making some Christmas stuff to try to sell. Not sure what I'll make, but the idea of making a papier mache gingerbread house seems like a fun idea. I could use Sculpey to make the "frosting" and "candies" to decorate the houses. Or try making bread dough. Again, not really ready to think about Christmas, but if I want to try to make Christmas stuff to sell, I will need to get on it soon. I'm still not decided on this yet.

I went into the Spirit store today to see all the Halloween stuff that is now 50% off. I saw people taking things off the racks and walls, including one girl who grabbed the Katy Perry dress I'd gotten from that store. I did not buy anything, as I don't want to think about Halloween next year just yet. Though I know that one year, I want to do a '20s costume (as two people I know from the local bar did this year) and another year I want to do a '50s one. Oddly enough the poodle skirt we had at my store is now discounted to $17, though I did not buy that one either. None of the costumes seemed to sell before Halloween and all but two were left today. Again, not yet sure about next year. A lot can change in one year. Though I'm certain I may just do one of those ideas next year.

To me, November has always been that dreary period that follows the Halloween madness of October and precedes the holiday madness of December. Of course we have Thanksgiving, but many people over the years have called it "the forgotten holiday." Not many people decorate for this holiday like they do for Halloween or Christmas. I for one, have seen many inflatable ghost and pumpkins on lawns during Halloween and inflatable Santas and snowmen during Christmas season. But how often do see an inflatable turkey? I don't dislike Thanksgiving, but have found it boring just sitting around gabbing and watching football (I don't watch sports) while waiting to consume turkey and stuffing. My family and I will likely see the next "Twilight" movie the weekend before Thanksgiving.

And even though it's fall season, the weather in my neck of the woods has been a bit warm. Last month we had weather in the 70s and 80s, something we didn't seem to have over the summer.

And the next presidential election is a year away, meaning that the election will be a hot topic all next year.

What to do all this month.

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T16:54:00.000-07:00

Hi, not much left to say. I was so out of blogging mode on the weekend and a bit busy. I thus missed few days of the countdown, but there really wasn't much left to say. I saw "Puss In Boots" in 3D on Sunday. I waited until today to get candy for the kids who come to my door tonight, so that I would not eat all the candy myself. After work, I changed into my Katy Parry costume and ran around town. Not one person seemed to know who I was. At one point I was mistaken for Lady Gaga. Here I ma in the photo on the left with the bar tender and a bar regular at a Halloween celebration at local bar last Friday night. I was thought by some to be a candy princess or candy fairy or something like that!

I felt like getting a lotto ticket today and picked one up at the Quik Stop across the street and won $13.

Once again, participating in the Halloween blog countdown was quite fun and I plan to do so again in 2012. Here's hoping things will be different next year. Till then, everyone have a safe holiday tonight.

Three Days Till Halloween

2011-10-28T16:06:00.000-07:00

Not much to say today, as the spooky day nears. Just a few random thoughts of the day.

Tonight's the Halloween karaoke contest at one of my local bars. I've been going for three years now and can't wait for tonight.

After work I wandered over to the Spirit Store and saw someone looking a the Charlie Sheen accessories. I now wonder how many people will be doing this one, and will I actually see any of them. I never saw anyone as Michael Jackson or the Oxi Clean guy in 2009, and will I be seeing anyone as Charlie Sheen this year? How about Angry Birds? Amy Winehouse?

Today I noticed at Kmart about seven of the Dorothy dresses I got from them last year. I guess he wasn't too popular this year. Then again, I seemed to be the only wearing it last year, as far as I could see. At least one of the medieval princess dresses I saw the other day was left on the rack near the store entrance. I still wonder abut those last-minute shoppers.

I still haven't bought any candy for the trick-or-treaters, but will not do so till at least Monday afternoon. I have to keep it away from me as long as possible to avoid eating all of it myself.

That's all for today.

Halloween Funfetti cake

2011-10-27T16:42:00.000-07:00

Since we're having a Halloween potluck at work tomorrow, I decided to make one of these cakes after seeing the Pilsbury Halloween Funfetti cake and frosting at Target the other day. I bought these and began working on the cake when I got home today. I'd worked longer than expected, but had to make time to make the cake for tomorrow.

I have a bundt cake pan, two muffin tins, two round pans, and pan for making a sheet cake. Since I'd bought the stuff two days ago, I had two days to decide which kind of cake to make. I'd thought of making cupcakes, but did not get around to buying any cupcake liners, so before I began making the cake, I chose to use the two round pans and make a two-layer cake. I then followed the baking instructions on the box.

One thing I must admit is that I like making cakes, but only every so often. I'm no expert, so I only do what I can. Just carefully reading and following the instructions should keep from messing up the cake. But whenever I do make a cake or cookies, they turn out fine in the end by following instructions.

After the cakes were done baking, I left them on the stove to cool before frosting them. Then placed one of them on the base of the plastic cake-saver and proceeded to frost that half, for the bottom layer of the cake, then placed the other half and frosted the remainder of the cake. Frosting the side of the
cake was somewhat difficult. I then opened the Funfetti candy bits and spread them across the top of the cake. The sides looked bare, so I put on some of the candy corns I got at the store yesterday. I wasn't sure how to add the spread the candy bits on the sides without the bits spilling all over.

The cakes cooling after baking.

The bottom layer frosted.

A distant shot of the cake.

The Candy Corn on the sides

The candy bits on the top of the cake.

Candy Corn Treat

2011-10-26T15:16:00.000-07:00

On top of the bag, just before consumption.

This was something we had for sale at work, in the displays near the cash registers. As the title says, it's a candy treat, actually one of those treats made from Rice Krispies or similar cereals with marshmallows, made to look like a piece of candy corn.

I took a photo of this before eating it, which was actually about two weeks ago. I didn't get around to blogging about it till now, since I had some much else to put for the countdown. But I took the pictures since I knew I was going to mention this eventually.

Before removing the treat from the bag.

The characteristic candy corn tri-color design is made from white and orange frosting, with tiny yellow sprinkles. I have never really known what those things are called. I guess there was no yellow frosting. Either that or the person who made it liked the yellow sprinkles.

In the package

Pumpkin treat unwrapped before eating

Also there was this pumpkin treat, also made from Rice Krispies, with orange frosting and orange sprinkles, and green sprinkles for the pumpkin stem.

Needless to say there was a lot of sugar with the frosting on top of the cereal and melted marshmallows that were used to make the treats. Rice Krispies treats are often just eaten as is, without frosting. But the frosting was needed in this instance to make the pumpkin and candy corn look like a pumpkin and candy corn.

And while I'm on the subject of pumpkins, I got one at the party I attended last Saturday. It's still sitting in my house, as I have not yet decided what to do with it. It's been so long since I've carved a pumpkin. I'm not sure if I'll do that, but I sure don't want an uncarved pumpkin sitting around after Halloween. I wouldn't know what to do with it then. So I may just try to carve a simple face.

And speaking of candy corn, I got some of that today at Safeway as their generic brand is on sale this week. Candy corn is most popular around Halloween, though it's also sold for other holidays. I know I'll be seeing the Christmas version soon, the green, red and white version called "Reindeer Corn." This coming Sunday is what as known as National Candy Corn Day.

Just six more days till Halloween

2011-10-25T17:08:00.000-07:00

Today at Kmart I saw that Halloween stuff is now 50% off. Makes sense. I also could not help noticing what costumes were leftover. At least seven burgundy medieval princess dresses, and about five Grim Reaper costumes, and about two or three sorceress costumes, among a few other things. I could not help wondering how many last-minute shoppers are going to want these. And if they need something at the last minute, these are what their choices are going to be. It seems these aren't very popular this year. This sounds like a gag on a TV show, kind of? "I'm sorry, but that's all that was left." Of course, in TV world, it would be something very undesirable, whatever that could be. But if I'd waited till now to find something, I wouldn't have minded the medieval princess, not too sure about the sorceress, and definitely not the Grim Reaper. Makes me glad I try to decide on something early on so I'm not faced with few choices.

But these were just those on racks near the front entrance of the store. There are still costumes, capes, makeup, wigs and such in the aisle were the stuff as initially placed when it began coming in. So there are other choices for those still in need of a costume. As I passed these aisles to get to the bathroom, I overheard someone saying, "You should be ketchup and he should be mustard." I guess all the ads for the mustard and ketchup bottles costumes have the guy as ketchup and the girl as mustard. Ridiculous. It's fine to decide to do just the opposite. And on the way back, a woman was showing her child (I could not see if it was a boy or girl) costumes, including an orange clownfish and a duck, saying "You could be a Nemo or a duck..."

Later, at Target, I picked up a CD of Halloween music, that I'd seen the other day. And the I bought the Halloween Funfetti cake mix and frosting to make for our pot luck on Friday at work. I've wanted to try this stuff, but barely ever have time to bake, but will have to find time on Thursday after work. SInce the shipment for today was cancelled, I didn't have to work today and am off gain tomorrow, so I'm getting jump on doing my laundry and will be making a run to Safeway tomorrow, so all this will be done before the weekend.

Hottest Celebrity Costumes of 2011?

2011-10-24T20:10:00.000-07:00

Here I am as Katy Perry from a party put on my my county's Democrats last Saturday. The invite through Facebook said that costumes were optional and I was the only one in costume, except those who performed in the haunted house.

I've never been a celebrity for Halloween before and am now wondering if I will see others disguised as a celebrity. In 2009, I'd hoped to see a lot of Michael Jackson and Billy Mays, but not one of either. No Farrah Fawcett either. No Lady Gaga last year. I must not be in the right places for these costumes.

It is now being said that Charlie Sheen is the top costume for 2011. I've already seen the Sheen accessories at the Spirit Halloween store. The one I've been to has the Sheen accessories on an endcap with a life-size cut-out of the actor, referred to as "Sheen's Korner." I first spotted these in September after the store opened and Tweeted this info to my followers on Twitter and one follower declared that he's got his costume for this year. I'm now wondering how many Charlie Sheen impersonators I will see, but I now suspect I won't be in the right place for these costumes. But there must be some people going as Sheen as several websites have said the Sheen mask (pictured at right) is sold out.

The above link also says:

In a growing trend toward pop-culture references, top choices for women include Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and Snooki (or any member of the gang from the "Jersey Shore" cast). ...

I now wonder if I'll see another Katy Perry this year. I actually though of getting the cupcake bra or even attempting to make one myself like this. I decided it would be too for this one, though, and went
with the candy dress, which I bought at the Spirit store, where I also got the lavender wig. I added the candy necklace, which I had a hard time finding till I looked at Safeway. A premade cupcake bra costume is available but only sold on Spirit's website. The website BuyCostumes.com also has it for
sale. BuyCostumes also has the whipped cream costume from the "California Gurls" video. What are the chances I'll see one of these or another girl in the candy dress?

Amy Winehouse is also expected to be popular. It seems every year a recently deceased celebrity inspires costumes for Halloween, but once again I wonder if I will miss seeing anyone was Winehouse the way I missed seeing any Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett or Billy Mays two years ago. Pictured is an Amy Winehouse costume from Amazon.

The Spirit store devoted an endcap to "Jersey Shore." Though I've heard all the hype over the show, I've never seen it since I don't have cable and therefore won't know if I see someone as one of the characters. They will probably think I'm weird not to know, but they will have to understand I have no cable.

Who else can you expect to see?

Scary Decorations at Kmart

2011-10-23T12:06:00.000-07:00

Shot these videos at Kmart yesterday. I'd have loved to buy some of these decorations, but am not sure where to hang them. Still it was watching these things at the store was fun.

Video From Spirit Store

2011-10-22T13:26:00.000-07:00

I took this last week at the Spirit Halloween store in Gilroy, California:

Still Another Grocery Store Decoration

2011-10-21T14:04:00.000-07:00

This seems to be a common decoration as nearly every grocery store in my town except Savemart seems to have one of these. There is one other store I have not yet looked at, but I rarely go to that one. I may just do so just to see if they have one of these displays.

This one (above) was taken at Nob Hill and looks a lot like the one I took last week(at right) I looked closely at this display and saw tape on the boxes. I then carefully touched one of the boxes and could tell that it was empty, something I should have suspected all along. I wondered how they could have balanced all these boxes this way, but I should have known the boxes are empty. There is no way they could have balanced all those boxes if they were full. And look at how the "stems" made from Mountain Dew packs are constructed.

Notice in the photo above the cutouts and the "Be Scary" sign.

Neighborhood Haunts #5

2011-10-20T13:55:00.000-07:00

The last of the shots from last Sunday's walk. these are all from the same house, one of the few elaborately decorated in the park. The fake spider webs on the railing was the most noticeable part. I also liked the hanging ghost from the porch.

Neighborhood Haunts #4

2011-10-19T09:24:00.000-07:00

The fake spiderwebs on this one made this shot a bit blurry.

The same house above, from a different angle.

Another house heavily decorated with fake spiderwebs.

Neighborhood Haunts: Post #3

2011-10-18T12:35:00.000-07:00

Love the pumpkin decor on this one, and he fake spider web
in the window.

Spider web decoration with pumpkin lights.

Pumpkin, skeleton and ghosts in a window,

Loved this very spooky display. This was the best I could shoot of this
one without trespassing into the driveway next door.

Neighborhood Haunts--Post #2

2011-10-17T14:00:00.000-07:00

This is the first one I spotted on my walk.

Even in a large trailer park, there were so few decorated homes to be found. Here are some photos I took while walking around yesterday afternoon, a pretty warm day for October. More photos will be posted in the next few days.

A small cemetery decoration.

Best shot I could get of this one, since the decoration
was behind the van in the driveway.

"666 Elm street" reads this window sign. Strangely, there IS
an Elm Street in the park.

Love how the bronze cowboy boots and statues
look with the Halloween on this one.

Neighborhood Haunts

2011-10-16T10:45:00.000-07:00

Here is just one decoration put up by someone in one of the houses on the streets behind the grocery store across from my home. I took a walk to this area last week and didn't find a lot of houses decorated. I guessed some people just haven't gotten around to doing it yet. I plan to look for more later and to look around my mobile home park for my neighbors' haunts for upcoming blog entries. Here are the photos for today's entry. This was the best I could shoot from the sidewalk.

Love this pumpkin, but wonder what the orange and white
thing on the ground is.

I really don't know what that decoration on the door is, but
I love the sideways view of the scarecrow.

Fun graveyard decoration with monster.

Closer shot of the graveyard and monster.

Another Grocery Store Decoration Made From Soda Packs

2011-10-15T18:43:00.000-07:00

This one was at Safeway. It was in the front window, just in front of the checkstands, making it hard to photograph the entire display. This ghost decoration was made from 12-packs of Pepsi and Diet Pepsi. The first two photos were taken inside the store, and the last one was taken from the outside.

Grocery Store Display

2011-10-14T17:28:00.000-07:00

This was at a grocery store across from my home.

This pumpkin is made from 12-packs of Orange Crush,
Pepsi One, and Mountain Dew. This is one side of
the decoration, as viewed from the back wall of the store.

A closer shot of the same side above.

The other side, decorated with fake spider webs, and a
Frankenstein cut-out.

"Eat, Drink and Be Scary" says a sign on the display.

Should You Choose Something Different?

2011-10-13T15:09:00.000-07:00

This was me on Halloween in 2008. You're probably wondering what this was supposed to be. And so were a lot of others that year. I was the Seven Deadly Sins. I'd already told the people at work I was going to do this, so they knew (my boss took this picture at work). But I did suspect that others weren't going to know, so I had to find a way to explain that would not be too tiring. I managed to make it fun. FYI, here's how it went:

Pride: a tiara with a black skull with purple and black tinsel.
Greed: a boa made from fake $100 bills (people noticed this the most).
Envy: Green hair piece and green makeup (not very noticeable in the photo).
Sloth: The bathrobe
Lust: Fishnets and lacy garters
Wrath: white glove stained with fake blood.
Gluttony: A belt made of plastic dog toys shaped like food, including donuts, Oreo-like cookies, a hot dog, cheeseburger and an ice cream cone.

Should you choose something different for Halloween? That, of course, is your decision, but one thing to keep in mind is that though there likely won't be millions of others doing the same things as you, most people will likely not know what you are. They might also assume you are something else that your outfit might seem to resemble. And you may have to make the costume yourself, since it probably won't be sold in stores.

In 2009, I bought the Pumpkin Spice costume from a costume website. The pumpkin stem on the wig was unfortunately not very noticeable and many did not know it was supposed to be a pumpkin. Someone thought it was a relative of the Flinstones or the Jetsons. I thought that was kind of funny. I was surprised when one person actually knew that it was called Pumpkin Spice.

Can you see the pumpkin stem in the photo on the left? Likely not, at least not from the angle from which this photo was shot. I have other shots of this one, but far too many to search through right now. From what I recall, the stem must not have been too visible for most people.

Another thing that made me write this is something from the book "Blubber" by Judy Blume. I never really red the book, but glanced at a used copy in a thrift store once. In one chapter, the girl is deciding on a costume for Halloween, and doesn't want to be a witch again. She decides to be a flenser, an idea she gets from another girl's class report on whales. A flenser is a person who strips the blubber or skin from a whale. She hopes to win as most original costume.

And last year, on the TV show "The Middle" had a Halloween episode in which the younger son Brick donned an unusual costume. He was Charles MacKenzie, Scottish sergent from World War I. But no one knows that, and they mistake him for everything from Shirley Temple, to a Catholic schoolgirl to Groundskeeper Willie from "The Simpsons, " and even Hannah Montana. No one knows, that is except the old man down the street, who claims not to know who Hannah Montana or Groundskeeper Willie are.

I have perused the website Costume Idea Zone for several years now. Many of the ideas included are unusual ones, and many are plays on words, such as Lawsuit: Wear a nice suit and carry a briefcase. Attach legal documents all over yourself. See the picture at left. And if you want any other ideas, look for other fun ideas on that website. I've seen so many I like but haven't gotten around to using any of them.

Now there is nothing wrong with doing something unusual for Halloween, as it's your chance to be creative and stand out. There's just the unfortunate consequence of most people knowing what you're supposed to be. But you can make it fun and come up with away of explaining your idea that will be fun too, and not tiresome. Do what you like, whether it's original or traditional or one of the hot ones for the year. Just be who or what you really want to be, as is always that case on this one night of the year.

Quiz: What Does Your Favorite Candy Say About You?

2011-10-12T14:33:00.000-07:00

You Are a Zany Trendsetter

You are energetic and full of inspiration.
You never slow down, and you're constantly leaving people and ideas behind.

You are a true visionary. You are constantly thinking about the future.
You love living, and you stay flexible. You're open to going wherever life takes you.

What Does Your Favorite Candy Say About You?

Blogthings: Free Quizzes for Everyone

Costumes: The Sacrifice

2011-10-11T17:28:00.000-07:00

Bag of jelly beans made from balloons
and clear plastic bags

Classic grapes costume from
purple balloons.

I've liked a lot of costume ideas over the years including the classic bunch of grapes or bag of jelly beans (both pictured at left). But have never done these because of having to use balloons for the grapes or jelly beans. I just get fearful of how long the balloons will last before popping or
deflating, and just how will I drive to the celebration at the bar
or wherever with a bunch of balloons attached to me. And they will also restrict movement, and make going to the bathroom difficult. I once thought the jelly beans could be done with the balls you see in kids' play areas such as those at McDonald's. These won't pop or deflate, but two problems exist with this idea. One is where to buy these things for your own use, and the other is that they won't make it any easier to move, drive, etc., than with the balloons.

Other ideas I've liked but avoided are using boxes to make costumes, an idea given on this site. A lot of these seem like fun, some of you might say, and I think so too. And you can get boxes free. But just how do you move in these get ups? Something I have always pondered when considering making one of them.

Homemade skill crane costume.

Aquarium costume made from a box.

Classic Rubik's Cube toy from
a box.

These all appear to be examples of something I came across sometime ago. In this hubpage article, that author describes what he calls "Common Stereotypes and the People Who Wear Them." One stereotype he mentions is "The Sacrifice," which the above costumes and anything similar to them all seem to fall under. "The author describes "The Sacrifice" stereotype as:

Sometimes being really creative means paying a price. Whether wearing your movable, awesome-looking Transformer costume means you can't go pee or that by being a fully-functioning condom dispenser keeps you from raising your arms above your head, sometimes you have to be willing to give up some things for the sake of Halloween. These types of costumes mentioned are officially known as The Sacrificeand are what you have to be willing to deal with all night if you want to take your Halloween costume to the next level.

Not all sacrifices are equal either and although you might not be welcomed on the dance floor with your life-size paper mache Sponge Bob Square Pants costume, you'll be laughing last when you walk away with the best costume prize money at the end of the night. I mean, who cares that you can't even get a drink at the bar without knocking out every other person within a 10-foot radius? You look damn good and the 450 hours that you've spent building your Halloween masterpiece is paying off 100%.

Here are some images presented in that hub that illustrate this idea:

Moveable Transformer costume.

Another Rubik's Cube
costume

I loved that line about a "life-size paper mache Sponge Bob Square Pants costume." Seems a bit ambitious and a lot of work. Most would just use and paint a box for Sponge Bob, a lot less work. Or even use a paper bag. See this link.

SpongeBob made from a box

SpongeBob from a
paper bag

Not only would a grown-up have trouble driving in most of these costumes, but a small child might have trouble walking to and from school or riding the bus in one of these things. And how will this restrict the child's movement while going out tog et candy on Halloween night? Just wondering how some have done this, if they have.

In some cases, if you use a box to make a costume, you might be able to come up with some way to make it so you can remove it when needed. Unfortunately, this won't work in all cases, and it won't work with the balloons.

I guess the author was right when he said being creative means paying a price. If you can give up some things for the sake of a costume, then do so if you wish. Maybe one day I'll be up to doing one of these things, despite the things I'll have to sacrifice. But it seems driving is the main problem involved here, so going to a celebration is what I'll have to sacrifice. So I guess these ideas are what I'll have to sacrifice.

Quiz: What Animal Should You Dress Up As?

2011-10-10T15:04:00.000-07:00

You Should Dress Up As a Bunny

You are bouncy, cute, and a bit hard to catch. You are usually very caught up in doing your own thing.
You attract a lot of attention, and to be honest, a lot of it is unwanted. You're a true introvert, and you prefer to be left alone.

While you may want to fade into the background, there's no chance of that happening any time soon. Everything you do is charming and adorable.
You move quickly through life. You are always changing, learning, and evolving. And you're not about to let anyone slow you down!

What Animal Should You Dress Up As?

Blogthings: Cheaper Than a Therapist

A Neighbor's Halloween Decoration

2011-10-09T15:32:00.000-07:00

Shot these last night after it got dark. I saw these one morning while passing by this house on the way to work early in the morning. I knew I needed to shoot these in the dark, and quickly snuck away from the house after three shots.

Shot with the flash on.

With the flash off.

Amazing how spooky a picture looks without the flash.

Pumpkin Displays at Safeway

2011-10-08T19:25:00.000-07:00

This display contained white gourds.

I though it was funny that these "Wet Floor" cones were near the
pumpkin patch display

The scarecrow up close.

Lines of little pumpkins.

The Blue scarecrow on the display with white gourds.

Another shot of the blue scarecrow.

Orange and white gourds pileup!

Other Halloween Stuff at the Goodwill

2011-10-07T18:05:00.000-07:00

Besides the racks of used costumes, graduation gowns, and Halloween sweatshirts, the headless mannequin costume displays, and the scary decorations, the Hollister Goodwill also had the following Halloween displays:

1. Display of hats. Velveteen pimp hats, fake furry hats, cowboy hats, and generic straw hats that might just be worked into some costumes. I just had to laugh at the Spider Man figure that was placed on this shelf.

2. Rack of Neon Bob Wigs, with make up kits hung alongside the wigs. The angle at which I shot this one got the sunglasses rack in the background.

3. Pegged displays of masks, trick-or-treat bags, make-up, fishnets, fake tattoos, fake-blood-stained hoods and other accessories I can't make out.

4. Dog costumes from Target. In the photo is a hot dog costume for dogs (two of them, actually), hung on a rack with the people costumes. More dog costumes were hung a wall (sorry, no photos). Read this

blog entry from last year on dog costumes.

Graduation Robes in the Halloween Racks

2011-10-06T12:40:00.000-07:00

The Halloween racks at thrift stores seem to be filled not just with used costumes (as you can see in the photos on the left), but also with Halloween t-shirts, articles of clothing that seem passable for a costume (but you're just not sure what they could be used for) and graduation robes. I'm sure one or more of those items are hidden in these pictures.

I once wondered why graduation robes get thrown on these racks. Then I guessed that these could actually be used for something. White ones could be used for angels, and red ones could be used for devils. One year, I decided to be the half-angle/half-devil (also called other names such as "Heavenly Devil"). I bought two thrift store graduation robes (one white and one red, of course) and cut them each in half, sewing each half down the back. I made a devil cape from the other half of the red robe.

Well, it seems someone else got the idea that these robes can be used for different costumes, as one day at Goodwill I spotted a navy blue one that someone had used to make a wizard's robe, by decorating the robe with cut-out stars and moons. See the photo at the right. . I also donated my devil/angel costume after I wore it. I don't know where it ended up or if anyone bought it, but someone might have. I hope they could tell it was made from graduation gowns.

EDIT: I got ahead of myself. I went down to the Goodwill about an hour after originally posting this. The wizard robe is still there.

Halloween City

2011-10-05T12:30:00.000-07:00

I'd never heard of this chain of temporary Halloween stores until now, when I saw one in Gilroy, California a few weeks ago. I knew that Gilroy always get the Spirit Halloween stores and I always wait for those to open. Upon seeing the Halloween City sign one day, I decided to check this store out. It is on a building left empty by Office Max, which I had not heard about closing

Before entering the store, I shot this picture from the parking lot. Unfortunately I was greeted at the door with a sign saying taking pictures or videotaping inside the store was forbidden, so this was all I was able to get. I'm now not so sure I'll ever go to one of the stores again. Their merchandise wasn't as great as that at Spirt. I've actually gone twice, but found few, if any, other shoppers in the store at the same time. maybe that was because ti was a weekday. I usually only work on weekdays and if I happen to work on a Saturday or Sunday, I usually avoid business that are likely to be madhouses on weekends. I did work last Sunday and step into the Spirit store, but only because it was within walking distance from work.

Not being able to take pictures left me with little to say about the store and its merchandise, displays and such.

oddly, a while a go, I stumbled onto this video from Youtube: (Could this be why the stores aren't allowing videotaping and photographing?)

Halloween at the Salvation Army

2011-10-04T17:33:00.000-07:00

I actually took these pictures about two weeks ago and now most of the stuff is gone and new displays have taken over. But since I took these photos, I decided to share them.

Some things I could not help noticing were the Valentine mailbox on the shelf below the Halloween decorations. At least it wasn't mixed in the Halloween stuff but it was weird seeing the Valentine box near kitchen items, including a knife holder. It was also weird seeing these things near the Halloween stuff.

I also loved the hanging scary decoration and the plastic pumpkin with a curly wig. This reminded me of the bus driver on "The Simpsons." Not too long after taking the photo, I saw that someone had removed the wig from the pumpkin.

And I just couldn't resist taking the picture of the Darth Vader dog costume. I don't have dogs, but have been curious about the costumes made for dogs. They seem to have everything for dogs now, I have noticed.

Headless Mannequins

2011-10-03T14:44:00.000-07:00

More Halloween stuff from the Goodwill.. The store uses headless mannequins to display some of its costumes for sale. I don't know if they think it seems creepy, but I kind of think so.

A pirate costume in the window of one Goodwill store, and I'm
not sure what that costume next to it is supposed to be.

Not sure what this one is supposed to be, but I love that
hippie-looking outfit in the background with the
multi-colored skirt.

50's Diner Waitress costume, complete with the cap.

A witch without a head.

Another headless witch, in the store window. I had trouble
photographing this from the outside.
this

Scary decorations at Goodwill

2011-10-02T14:51:00.001-07:00

The Goodwill store in Hollister, California has been putting up scary decorations each year for Halloween. Pictured in this entry are the ones displayed this year. I began taking pictures of these last month when I first saw them.

The skeleton seen in the photos has been moved around since the first two pictures were taken. In the first two, he was hung near a display of graduation robes and used gothic costumes. In the third, he was hung above a display of decorations on a gondola, with feather boas on the endcap. Also in this pic, he is holding a Halloween promotional poster from Goodwill.

Seen hanging on the end of a rack of men's clothing is a stuffed vampire.

At right are two shots of a scary creature with a pumpkin head, wrapped in chains.

Unusual Thrift-Store Costume Find

2011-10-01T15:22:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Countdown to Halloween for 2011. I am participating once again (my third time) and anxious to see what other participants are coming up with. Here is my entry for Day One.

Over the last few weeks I have been looking at Halloween displays at thrift stores as I have always been curious what they will put out for this each year. I already have some photos taken for upcoming entries. Today when I went to one such store in my hometown, I saw something unexpected. On one of the racks among used inflatable-muscle costumes, used Spider Man costumes and graduation robes was a total blast from the past.

In the photos is an old-style costume consisting of a vinyl smock and a plastic mask. Many of you old enough to remember Ben Cooper and Collegeville and some lesser-known costume makers such as Halco will remember these old-style costumes which had a picture of the character or actor represented. Almost every personality imaginable was depicted on one of these costumes, though some seemed questionable as to whether someone would say "I want to be __ for Halloween." And most likely there were some characters that didn't get bought at all (or just barely) andended up as the leftovers, the ones that the last-minute shoppers got stuck buying.

Out of curiosity, I looked at the costume and at the bottom of the smock, I saw that it had a 1981 copyright date, but forget what company made it. I'd seen the smock upon arriving into the store and only a short while later did I see the mask, then looked again at the smock and saw the date. I had no idea what this "Hoblin Goblin" was at first, so I Googled "Hoblin Goblin Costume" and came up with this. Sorry for lack of info. I know this is one I would not have wanted to wear back in the day, but someone must have, if it ended up in a thrift store 30 years later.

I don't ever recall wearing any of these store-bought costumes, even though they were around for quite a long time. And I just can't imagine this concept today, with characters such as SpongeBob. Yet, seeing this was amazing, since I'd never seen one of these in a thrift store.

Decorations up!

2011-09-30T19:56:00.000-07:00

I just spent about half an hour crumpling newspapers to stuff my pumpkin bags that I've had for years now and the new ghost bags I bought just this week at Goodwill. Below are some photos of these on my porch as well as the lights on the windows that went up last night. I was glad the first is on a Saturday this year so I could out the stuff up the night before.

A neighbor across the street complimented my display as I was putting the last bags out.

Window lights taken without the flash to look spooky

Another spooky shot done without the flash.

I balanced some of the pumpkin bags on the railings

See the new ghost bags

Close-up of the ghosts against the large pumpkin bag

Began decorating today

2011-09-29T19:00:00.000-07:00

Lights and other window decorations are up for now. Tomorrow after work I will get up the outside stuff up. The last two years I put up the decorations the Sunday before the first of October in order to have them up for all of the month. Both times I had to endure very hot late-September weather as I decorated. This past Sunday, however, I was too tired and the weather was a little dark, making it undesirable to want to do any decorating. Besides, since October 1 is on a Saturday this year, putting the stuff up tomorrow seemed like good plan, since I will be off that day. Unfortunately, though I normally have Sunday off, I have to work this Sunday :-( I also have to do laundry this weekend and go to the grocery store. Looks like a busy weekend ahead.

I pulled out my jack-o-lantern bags and my new ghost bags in order to set them up tomorrow afternoon. I fill these with crumpled newspaper. This gets my hands quite black and I have to wash them many times.

Another shot from another angle.

A neighbor's window decoration

For the last few years I have been one of the first, if not THE first, to decorate for Halloween. However, this year, one of my neighbors in my mobile home park has already put up decorations, at least in their windows. I noticed it about a week ago when I was leaving early in the morning for work. The lights were turned on since it was still a bit dark. However, I was only able to photograph them during daylight one day this week. As far as others in the park and decorating goes, I have not seen any others as of yet but I have yet to look.

Will be getting pictures of my decorations on my blog once they are complete.

Getting the blog ready

2011-09-28T18:40:00.000-07:00

for the Halloween Countdown. I have redesigned the page to look spooky for the occasion. I am planning to get up my decorations on Friday, since the first of October is on Saturday. I was off today, but had other things to do and little time to get started.

On Monday at lunch time, I went into the Spirit Store to buy the Katy Perry California Gurls dress. I haven't yet decided which wig to get, the blue one or the lavender one, both of which are available at the store.

Also today, I found some decorations at the Goodwill, some ghost bags to add to my pumpkin bags I have had for several years now. I will be crumpling newspapers to stuff the bags with.

Can't wait for the countdown!

Gonna Feel Like 1994 Again

2011-09-27T17:18:00.000-07:00

Tonight I will be seeing the re-release of Disney's "The Lion King" in 3D. I missed in the theaters the first go-round, but saw it on VHS then. I have yet to see it on DVD, as it only has the green "Save" button on Netflix. Seeing it in 3D should be especially fun. Our cinema only ran the 2D version one time each day. I knew I had to go see it tonight since it was re-released last week and it would only last for two weeks. No work tomorrow, so tonight is perfect. Will be leaving in an hour.

Already Christmas Stuff Out...

2011-09-25T15:18:00.000-07:00

It's still the end of September and since late last month, stores have been stocking Halloween items. But now Christmas is starting to pour in. I haven't even begun my Halloween countdown on my blog yet (will start on the first), but wanted to write about Christmas coming after Home Goods began Christmas items last week while still getting Halloween items, which we began getting in August. And now other stores are following suit. Here is some Christmas stuff that I spotted today at Kmart.

These artificial Christmas trees have been going up at Kmart for at least two days now, in an area where they always display seasonal items such as these. Over the summer, this area was filled with barbecue grills and pool items as well as school supplies, which they began phasing out about a month ago to make room for Halloween. Some of their pool items remain on a nearby shelf as seen above.

The Halloween stuff is hanging on some of the back walls and in aisles near the trees. In the photo above the trees are being placed near the displays of bagged candy and Halloween-themed books for kids. And Halloween decorations are hung on the wall in the background.

I didn't have a chance to get any pictures, but Target is also getting Christmas too. I saw some there today on a back wall behind the Halloween costume display. They'd begun phasing out their school items about a month ago for Halloween and placing the discounted school supplies on the back walls.

Is anyone even thinking of Christmas now? We just got over summer and are getting used to fall, which began last Friday, with--in my area at least--hot, summer-like weather, which has seemed to cooled down, at least for now.

As I said, I'm still not ready to start getting ready for Halloween, but I plan to get my decorations up before the first, next Saturday. The last two years, when the first was on a Thursday one year, and a Friday the next, I put up my decorations the previous Sunday so they they would be up for all of October. And both those years, it was 90-degree weather in late September, something not happening today. I endured the heat those two years to get my stuff up, but don't feel like doing it now, despite no heat. I have Wednesday off so I might start then, and if not that day, then definitely on Friday.

I have already begun preparing for the countdown by taking some pictures. Still trying to decide what to post, but I have some ideas in mind. Can't wait for that.

Ten Years Ago

2011-09-10T20:51:00.000-07:00

What were you doing on September 11, 2001 when you got the news of the attacks?

Here's my story: During the previous week (on the day before Labor Day), I'd gotten fired from a kitchen job at a restaurant where I'd been working since 1999, by the new owner who had taken over in the spring of 2001. I was without a job, needless to say, but it would not be for long. I went to the movies twice that week and began looking for another job. Then I went to my cousin's wedding the Saturday before the attacks. And the next day I was glad to not have to be up early on Sunday (since I'd worked on the weekends at 7AM). The last thing I remember doing the night of September 10, 2001 was watching TV before going to bed that night, as I almost always do. Not having a job, I had no idea was I was going to be doing each day during that week, and would wake up at whatever time I desired. Then my mom called me the next morning and asked if I heard about an attack on the news. I turned on the TV and there was news of the World Trade Center bombing, an incident thereafter known as 9/11. Here is a clip of the news on NBC's Today Show:

Trying to watch the news of the attacks was difficult, but there was nothing else on because every station was covering the attack. Even though I felt I was ignoring something important, I just could not sit around all day trying to keep up, as long as I got the gist of the story. Besides, I knew that with an incident of this magnitude there would be more news to come in the days that followed.

So then I decided it was time to get out the house for a while, and took a drive around town. Along the way, I saw some tables set up in front of an empty building that had once housed a local drug and variety store. I saw the the Dollar Tree was opening in my town and because I was in need of job I decide to apply and was quickly hired. I had hated the new restaurant owner and was looking for new work, including the Goodwill store that had also come to my town in 2001 (I'd gone to an interview for the Goodwill in August then, but heard nothing back). The two stores are next door to each other and opened around the same time in September 2001. So something good came of that day. I could not wait to begin, and my training began the following Monday. Some stores closed that day because of the attacks. I went to the next town over to go to Walmart as I would sometimes do that if I was bored often on Mondays and Tuesdays, since the restaurant where I was working was closed on those days. I then drove over the outlet center near Walmart and saw that the stores had closed that day because of the attacks. Meanwhile, there was still more news of the attacks the rest of that day, as well as in the days that followed.

Forward to 2011. Earlier this year, I read the book "Homer's Oddyssey," about a blind cat named Homer. In one chapter, Homer and his owner's other two cats are trapped in her New York City apartment during the attacks as she is away from home when the bombings take place. While reading this part of the book, I then remembered that this year will be the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

And of course now everyone seeing memorials of the attacks on TV and in the papers as well as on the Internet. All this makes me glad to still be alive as well as sad for those who lost loved ones during the attacks. This the sort of event that most people will always know they were doing the day it occurred.
Do you remember what you were doing?

Holiday confusion?

2011-09-07T15:28:00.000-07:00

Well not really, since Goodwill always sells leftover holiday items after that holiday. But it's still very weird seeing these Valentine candies nearly seven months after that holiday. Are these things still edible? Goodwill should start getting Halloween stuff soon and I shudder to imagine them mixing these leftover Valentine candies with Halloween candy and somehow throwing the bags of candy in with tea lights, feather boas, baseball caps, Halloween cards and the other stuff that gets placed on the tables, alongside racks of marked-down costumes from Target along with old graduation robes and used ninja costumes without the swords. These should all be up soon. I hope not to see these leftover Valentines candies mixed with whatever Halloween candy the Goodwill sells, and I hope no one tries to pass out Valentines candies on Halloween night. Will the kids go for such a thing? Or do they even notice or care about such things?

And come December they will be selling leftover Halloween candy as customers await the Christmas season. I've seen this happen in seasons past. Are people going to buy the Halloween candy then, two months later or ten months early, depending on how you choose to see it. I don't even understand why some stores begin stocking Halloween candy at the end of August, before all other Halloween items. Is anyone going to buy it that early if it's not for their own consumption? Can you really keep it safe until the end of October? Can you hide things from yourself? I can't even buy Halloween candy a week earlier without feeling to eat any or all of it myself before the event. It just doesn't seem to make sense to get the candy in stock so soon before decorations and costumes and other non-edible items.

Etsy shop up!

2011-09-03T20:56:00.000-07:00

After pondering whether to try to sell on Etsy, I finally got a shop set up. I'd considered doing so a year ago, but never got around to doing so. I plan on selling some papier mache stuff and perhaps items created other ways. Right now I'm selling decorations for Halloween, including ghosts and pumpkins made from papier mache strips pasted over small paper bags. Pictured are few of the items.

My shop is called Papier Mache 'n' Things.

Countdown to Halloween

2011-09-01T14:41:00.000-07:00

Once again I will be participating in the Countdown to Halloween starting next month. If you are interested, please visit the link provided.

Is it really the end of summer?

2011-09-01T14:38:00.000-07:00

Sure didn't feel like summer around here. and now it's nearly over. If last year was any indication, it's going start feeling like summer this weekend. But the calendar just switched to September and that means fall is upon us. Then again, it can still be warm well into September in my neck of the woods. I'm still not ready to put my shorts and short-sleeved shirts away just yet. This is definitely California weather.

Didn't have to do jury duty today

2011-08-22T17:17:00.000-07:00

Over a month ago I was sent a dreaded jury duty summons for today's date. I had get today off from work, and I let my boss know last month after receiving the summons. Then last night I called the line and was told I was no longer needed. I was glad, but felt I'd wasted a day off, but it wasn't my fault, since I'm sure most of you know how this kind of thing can be.

Since living at my current address, I've been called every three years and since I was last called in 2008, I knew I had a summons coming this year. Not only was I called in 2008, but was chosen to serve. The trial lasted until Thursday that week, and needless to say, I got bored sitting around in the court room. I was nearly asleep on the final day as we gathered in the room to come to our decision. I was glad to get back to work on Friday that week in October 2008. I was glad to not have to got through this all over again. No need to keep calling my boss all week to say when I have to be at the trial. I can just got back tomorrow and tell them I wasn't chosen.

Halloween approaches

2011-08-02T18:09:00.000-07:00

It's less than three months away, but it's always around this time that some stores start stocking Halloween merchandise. My town's Dollar Tree has had some Halloween up for some time now. And I saw some Halloween decorations in the floral department at Safeway last week. My own place of work has yet to get any Halloween merchandise, though we always seem to start getting it as early as the beginning of August. Perhaps later this week and if not then then next week. Stores like Kmart and Target are still concentrating on back-to-school right now, but the Halloween can be expected before this month is over.

And as of last week, the annual Spirit Halloween Superstore in Gilroy, California began setting

up. For the last three years they had been taking over the

abandoned Linen and Things building, but this year they are taking place in a building left empty earlier this year by Famous Footwear. This building is only two doors to the left of Home Goods (where I have been working since 2006) and to the left of Old Navy. I'd applied for a temporary side job at the Spirit store on its website last month (haven't heard anything) and they'd said their store in Gilroy would be opening next to Costco, meaning they would be in the old Linens and Things building, in the same building strip as Lowe's, across the parking lot from Costco. Imagine my surprise when I pulled out of the parking lot at work last week and saw the Spirit store banner on the former Famous Footwear building. When Spirit opens, I won't have to drive to the store, since I'll be in the same parking lot.

And since last month I've been working on some papier mache ghosts and pumpkins (made from paper bags) that I want to try to sell on Etsy. I'm still working on opening an Etsy shop, and need to learn how to use Paypal. I've already got an Etsy account and have been looking for a way to make a banner for my shop for free on the Internet. Today I found a way to make one and made and saved it on my computer. I'll talk more on this later as I take more pictures of my papier mache creations. I've already chosen several favorite Etsy shops.

Here are the ghosts I first made six years ago that I have displayed each halloween in my kitchen window. The standing ghost are the ones I made form putting papier mache strips over paper bags.

And I have already been browsing costume sites, especially this one. I feel tempted to get this one, though I could easily make one myself. I've been Googling how to make one myself and came across how one person made the cupcakes using newspaper. That sounds like a good idea and I am considering trying this idea. I have already begun experimenting with strips of newspaper.

So far that's all I have seen and have been doing. More to come.

MTV 30th Anniversary

2011-08-01T12:43:00.000-07:00

The popular cable channel that once carried and popularized music videos was launched 30 years ago today. I was 10 years old that year. My family did not have cable until eight years later and by then MTV had gradually slowed down showing videos. Before getting MTV I'd stay up late on Friday nights to watch NBC's "Friday Night Videos."

Below is a You Tube clip of MTV's launch just after midnight on August 1, 1981:

The first video was appropriately the Buggles's "Video Killed the Radio Star."

And remember these TV ads with various rock stars telling viewers to call their cable providers and demand, "I want my MTV" ?

The music video days of MTV are long gone, and reality shows now dominate the channel's programming. According to this article, the channel used to be cool:

I know it’s hard to believe now, but MTV used to be cool, or at least interesting. Back at the beginning, when there weren’t a lot of videos, they had to play what they got. They had Pete Townshend and Sting (before he was a total prat) doing commercials. They ran Velvet Underground outtakes and local NYC bands and anything, at all, that they could run to fill the time and space. They had “VJ’s” (instead of DJ, get it?) that actually knew something about music. Martha Quinn used to be a dj at WNYU back when that was my outpost to hear about new music, driving home from my after-school job at the medical records department at the HMO. There was 120 Minutes and The Cutting Edge – both of which you would plan your week around, even if you had figured out how to program your VCR – and the old 60′s videos from Beat Club. There was plenty of crap, to be sure, but there was always something worth watching, something worth talking about.

I don't have cable now, but know that a lot of cable channels, along with MTV, have strayed from their original focus. And many music videos from MTV's early days can be found on Youtube.

Here is one look at MTV 30 years later. And another person laments MTV's revolution continuing without a soundtrack in this link. And here the same person remembers "30

Things We Miss About MTV":

30 THINGS WE MISS ABOUT MTV:
30. Dial MTV
29. Beavis & Butt-Head
28. We're Dancin'
27. Street Party
26. Live coverage of Live Aid
25. The Cutting Edge
24. Just Say Julie
23. Yo! MTV Raps
22. Top 20 Video Countdown
21. "I want my MTV" promos
20. Liquid Television
19. Chris Connelly's movie reviews
18. Tabitha Soren's politics updates
17. MTV News with Kurt Loder
16. Downtown Julie Brown
15. World Premiere Videos
14. The crazy contests
13. Adam Curry
12. Headbangers Ball
11. Remote Control
10. The Young Ones
9. Al TV
8. 120 Minutes
7. The moon man
6. Nina Blackwood
5. Alan Hunter
4. J.J. Jackson
3. Mark Goodman
2. Martha Quinn
1. Music videos

Anyone agree? I'm sure a lot of you do.

And by strange coincidence about a week ago, I was looking through my stash of old Rolling

Stone magazines from the 1980s and 1990s. Among those from the 1980s was this one from late 1983, with the cover story: "Inside MTV: The Selling Out of Rock and Roll."

And from the pages of "TV Guide"'s August 4, 2001 edition comes this image (at left) of the magazine's celebration of MTV's 20th anniversary that year, saying "We Still Want Our MTV."

Do you still want your MTV?

Another One Bites the Dust

2011-07-29T13:54:00.001-07:00

I'm talking about The Blockbuster Video store in Hollister, California. This I was not aware of until 12 days ago when I was making a Sunday run to our hometown's Target which parts of a large parking lot with Blockbuster. Both opened in our still-rather-small town in the early 1990s.

At right is the now empty building that housed our Blockbuster store starting in mid-1995.

No announcement of Blockbuster closing was made as far as I can recall. I was taken by surprise, though not completely, given that the video chain has been closing stores. And I was sad to see it go, even though I have been with Netflix since 2007. Since signing on Netflix, I have only rented a few times from Blockbuster, most recently with gift card I received as a Secret Santa gift at work. I gave Redbox a try after receiving a rental coupon from the register at Safeway one year. Safeway then replaced the Redbox with Blockbuster's own rental kiosk Blockbuster Express. I gave that one a try earlier this year to rent "The Social Network," since it had just gotten out on DVD and had a long wait on Netflix. Since then I have used Blockbuster Express a few more times upon having received free rental coupons via e-mail and from the register at Safeway. And I have even used my town's library to rent some DVDs that I didn't want to wait for on Netflix. I also found a while ago a movie from the 1990s that I missed back in the day, "Made in America." This has the green "Save" button on Netflix so I cannot rent it that way. I was glad to find it at the library.

Blockbuster was the first and only chain video store to hit Hollister. A number of local, independent ones came and went over the years, many of which were around mostly during the VHS era. One of the local video stores that many residents patronized was one called B.O.B.'s Video, whose owner, Bob Valenzuela, also wrote a column for one of our town's newspapers. The store closed in 2002 when Mr. Valenzuela left town for Hollywood. By the time I got my DVD player in 2002, Blockbuster was the only video store in town. Now its closing leaves the rental kiosks (Blockbuster Express in Safeway and Redbox in two other grocery stores), the library, and Netflix the only rental options for Hollister.

While I'm on the subject of Netflix, I must admit I have no way of Instant watching or streaming. I have a pre-Intel-based Macintosh, which does not allow Instant Watching and cannot afford any other device that allows streaming. So after learning that they are will start charging $15.98 a month for both Instant Watch and one DVD-at-a-time, I knew the right thing to do was change over to the plan for one DVD-at-a-time (with no streaming) for $7.99 a month. This plan change will start next month. No sense paying for something I cannot use. I was taken by surprise when I got the e-mail about the Netflix price changes, but did not want to be one of those who got angry and posted negative comments on the Netflix's Twitter or Facebook pages or its blog. With DVDs as my only watching option, I knew that paying for unlimited DVDs was the way to go.

And of course, the bookstore chain Borders will be closing. The nearest one to me is in Seaside, and I used to go to that store whenever I felt like making that long drive. I had not gone there much, however, since Barnes and Noble opened a store in 2004 in Gilroy, near Hollister. I last went to the Seaside store last summer to find a book I had not been able to locate elsewhere, and the lady at the register asked if I had a rewards card for the store, and said no since I don't live in that area. She then asked if I'd tried the B&N store in Gilroy and I said yes, but did not find what I was looking for. I don't know if I'll have chance to go to the Seaside store before it closes, since I don't know exactly when it will close, or if has already done so. And on the subject of bookstores, Hollister had two different ones over the years both independent ones, that last of which closed in 2002. Buying books in Hollister is now limited to Target, Kmart, Rite Aid and Safeway. I still read regular books, and am glad for the library. I've saved money reading books this way. No e-readers for me.

Quiz: What Email Function Are You?

2011-07-11T13:02:00.001-07:00

You Are Archive

You are competent, organized, and careful. You know how to stay on task and focus on the most important thing.

You like to have everything in its place. Messes and chaos completely stress you out.

You have a system for almost everything in your life, and you don't like to deviate from it.

Calendars, routines, and having things in a certain order keeps you calm. You don't like to shake things up too much.

What Email Function Are You?

Blogthings: Learn Something Surprising About Yourself

Quiz: What Type of Book Are You?

2011-07-08T19:50:00.001-07:00

You Are a Fantasy Book

You can't help but see the world as how you want it to be. You are an idealist.

You don't put bounds or limitations on your thoughts. You are a down to earth daydreamer.

You can picture whole other worlds and lives. You have a very vivid imagination.

You're the type of person who would like to believe anything is possible. You believe there's so much more to this world than what we see.

What Type of Book Are You?

Blogthings: Learn Something Surprising About Yourself

Quiz: The Summer Test

2011-07-08T19:47:00.000-07:00

Summer Means Warmth to You

You are a truly loving person. You are affectionate and warm-hearted.

You are unselfish, humble, and altruistic. You get great joy from putting others first.

You are tender and compassionate. You wear your heart on your sleeve.

You are a virtual roller coaster of emotions, and most people enjoy the ride. You are full of delightful surprises.

The Summer Test

Blogthings: Discover the Parts of Your Personality that Have Been Hiding

My YouTube Channel

2011-06-30T13:53:00.000-07:00

Please visit my You Tube Channel:

http://www.youtube.com/user/Jannghi

I have the video-taking option on my digital camera but never used it much till now. I recently attended a family birthday party with kids sliding on a water slide. Some other videos are from last Christmas season, including one at an annual holiday drive put on by a local TV station.

Quiz: How Addicted To Blogthings Are You?

2011-06-30T13:41:00.001-07:00

You Are 60% Addicted to Blogthings

You're a Blogthings fiend - addicted but not totally dependent.

So what if you know your personality type by heart?

And while you may feel like Blogthings is crack...

There are people much worse off than you!

How Addicted To Blogthings Are You?

The First Rule of Blogthings Is: You Don't Talk About Blogthings

Getting Better

2011-06-25T21:06:00.001-07:00

Well, it's been more than a week and my leg is still a little sore, but it's getting better and the bruises have begun to fade. I can walk better now.

I've been back at work since Thursday, and learned that my backroom supervisor quit suddenly while I was out. I never really liked her. She yelled a little too much. I'm glad she's gone, but was shocked just the same to hear she'd quit. And another girl at work will be leaving soon, something I wish I could soon say about myself. When you've worked at one place for as long as I have, well, you know how that can be. I've applied for other jobs, though not much recently, having been laid up over the last week. This is another thing I hope to change soon.

Back to Work Today

2011-06-23T17:53:00.000-07:00

I've still not completely recovered, but I am walking a little better and am no longer using my crutches. I called in sick again on Tuesday and then called and found I had Wednesday off. After much thinking yesterday I decided to get back to work today.

In the last three days I practiced walking without the crutches and am now walking with cane (though not a medically prescribed one). I can walk without the cane, although My leg is still stiff where the muscle was torn. And my leg is still bruised on one side. And over the last few days as I was practicing getting my foot back on the ground, I'd forgot to practice kneeling, which I tired to do at the store the other day at the store. I'm trying, it's still hurting right now. Hoping that gets better.

I'm glad to get back at last. I had to walk around work without the cane, but I managed. I find myself walking without the cane anyway around the house, but with it as I went into some stores today. And my driving is OK. I was scared about that because it's my right leg.

Now waiting to see my leg bruises fade.

Trying to walk steadily again

2011-06-20T13:31:00.000-07:00

I had to practice getting my foot flat on the ground, something that hurt last week after I felt the tear in my leg. Now I'm working on flexing and lifting my foot so I can walk more steadily. Yet, I'm still limping a little, something I hope is not permanent. Will I still be able to drive? Been practicing walking with and without the crutches. My leg is bruised from the tear, something the doctor said would happen so as not be be frightened. Been lying down with ice on my leg. I made a block of ice from water in a plastic freezer bag. Needless to say, I had to call in sick today, something I rarely do unless I'm actually sick or in pain. Two years ago, I missed four days of work because of a back ache. This time it's even worse. So far only three days missed this time. I was off Wednesday last week and am always off on Saturday and Sunday.

Shame I can't get out, since it's such a nice day today, though it's expected to get hotter later on. And the weather in my area for tomorrow (the actual Summer Solstice date) and the following day is expected to be in the 100s! And if I'm still home tomorrow, that will not be fun! I have no air conditioning and have to run several fans at once! Now waiting to see what happens tomorrow.

My First Time on Crutches

2011-06-19T15:37:00.000-07:00

I guess there's a first time for everything and that includes walking on crutches. Not having been an athlete in school I'd never broken a leg or sprained an ankle. Nor did I ever do any other sort of activity that might cause this. I'd seen many others at school going through this.

But this past Tuesday night I was walking around the house between 7 and 8 PM and felt a strange pull in my right leg. No clue what caused it then and still no clue now. I could barely walk and had to tiptoe on my right foot. It hurt a lot. and if I tried to put my right foot flat down, I'd fall over on my other end. Really. I was glad to be off work the next day so I could see a doctor. My mom had to take me because I would not be able to drive with my leg. Ironically I was supposed to get my car serviced that day but had to cancel that, since I wouldn't be able to get it to the mechanics and back.

After waiting an hour and 15 minutes for the next available slot at the clinic, I was still trying to walk tiptoed and it hurt a lot with this long of a wait. Mom and I drove around town while we waited, first to the donut shop (I'd been unable to get up to get some cereal that morning and was hungry). Then I waited in her car as she went to look in some thrift stores and into Kmart to get cat food. It was definitely no fun having to wait like this on a hot day in June. I made the mistake of not taking the book I was reading with me. Finally it was 11:15, time for my appointment. Once I got to see the doctor, he determined I'd need an ultrasound to determine what was wrong with my leg. As I exited my appointment trying to tiptoe, the doctor asked if I wanted to use crutches. He went to get some and adjusted them according to my height.

This being my first time, it was totally new to me. Needless to say, I nearly slipped a few times as I started walking. I tend to move a little fast sometimes so I had to get used to going a little slow and get used to being on crutches for a while. Getting in and out of the car was only the first difficulty I endured once I got out of the doctor's office.

The next available time for a ultrasound at the hospital was at 2:30PM, so another long wait was ahead of me. I waited at Mom's house and watched reruns of "The Office" and "Friends" on TBS and enjoyed some lunch from Subway while waiting. At last time it was time, and the wait was even longer. Several other people waiting for x-rays or ultrasounds got called ahead of me and they had arrived after I did! When I was finally called, I learned I had to go to the room all the way at the end of the hallway! I did not think I could make it all that way on the crutches so the ultrasonographer offered to get a wheelchair.

The stuff they squirted on my leg to do the ultrasound was quite warm and funny-feeling. The doctor had been worried I might have had a blood clot in my leg, but thankfully that turned out not to be true. I'd torn a muscle or something. I had to return to the doctor the next morning so I had to call in sick at work for Thursday (and again for Friday). The doctor repeated that info that there was no blood clot and that I'd torn a muscle. He than said that I must keep my leg elevated and on ice, and practice flexing my foot so I can get it back into walking mode. Been doing this for the last three days.

I watched DVDs and read books while laid up on the first two days and did not get on my

computer for two days!

Getting to and from the mailbox was a challenge at first. I got a Netflix movie on Wednesday and left it in the box for pickup on Thursday. No mail came that day. Friday I paid my VISA bill and waited for the mail carrier to come. When she arrived she asked me what happened, upon seeing my crutches.

Saturday I needed to get groceries and Mom took me to Target where I got some food, a new book to read, and some bathroom supplies. I practiced walking by pushing the cart. I left my crutches in the cart and my purse in the child seat and as best as I could pushed the cart throughout the store. When I got home and put away the groceries away slowly I settled down for the rest of the night to watch another movie from Netflix.

Another thing that's been something of challenge is making dinner. When I got home on Wednesday, I was lazy and ate some cereal. But the next tow night I fished the rice I'd cooked on Tuesday night before hurting my leg. For lunches, I made the microwavable pizza slices I had in the freezer.

Today I'm still practicing flexing my feet and walking without my crutches, but my leg is still sore and my ankle is swollen, so it looks like I have to call out sick again tomorrow. Sadly it's not ever yet and a lot has been happening the last few days, hence this really long blog post! pardon the lack of images, but there just wasn't time to photograph everything. And I was in too much pain to even think of that! Though I new I was going to blog about my experience.

More to come on this story later.

No rain this past weekend

2011-06-07T19:20:00.001-07:00

Not where I live anyway. It was said that rain was predicted for this past weekend, but not a sign of rain occurred. Just a few dreary-looking skies on each weekend day. And with news that it was hot in the South with degrees in the 100s, I was glad not to be living in that portion of the USA, but wished that it would look more like summer. Strange how weather can vary in different parts of the country.

To prepare for the predicted rain over the weekend, I rushed over to the grocery store across the street on Friday afternoon to get some food. I only needed a few items, so I chose not to drive across town to Safeway. I felt like I would have to stay home all weekend, so I decided to grab some food then while there still was no rain. I'd feared I'd have to stay home all weekend, but with still no signs of rain by mid-day Saturday, I decide to run out and look around town. A trip to the ATM and to the gas station proved to be necessary anyway. I was glad to be out for just a while. Nearly the same thing occurred on Sunday. I got a for a few hours after lunch and got a new flashlight out I the electricity might go out if the predicted storm had occurred.

A side note: I missed the mail somehow on Saturday. I then chose to drop my Netflix movie that I received last Thursday in a mailbox on Sunday. I'd left my movie in my mailbox on Saturday and came home finding it still there.

More rain was predicted for Monday but that did not happen either. But warm weather still hasn't happened an I still haven't felt ready to put my jacket away for the summer as it's still a bit windy. Here's hoping for that warm summer weather to come soon.

It Doesn't Look Like Summer Yet

2011-05-30T08:58:00.001-07:00

It's Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of summer. Yet even though the calendar says May for two more days before changing over to June on Wednesday, there have been very few signs of summer. There have been a few warm days this month, but rain has occurred throughout May probably making many people forget that summer is almost here. Sure they know, what with kids almost out of school and with stores having pools, pool toys, and other summer-related supplies on display (saw a bunch of these things at Kmart and Target recently). Summer doesn't officially begin until around June 21, so maybe Mother Nature's waiting till that exact date.

To see rain in June in my neck of the woods is nothing unusual. Six years ago, it rained in June, so much so the rain leaked through the roof of the store where I was working then. And would you believe it also rained at least one day each in July and August that year also? Every month then in fact. And last night's 11PM news teaser on my NBC station said there was more rain forecast for this week. I missed the actual newscast, unfortunately, so I did not hear the whole story. I'm now wondering what they will say on the news tonight about this week's weather.

Right now there's no sun outside and there's no telling how the rest of the day will be.

The Zebra Test

2011-05-28T11:41:00.001-07:00

You Are Mysterious

You are a puzzling person to both strangers and friends. Often your actions seem to contradict each other.

You don't mind being complex, though it isn't something you necessarily strive for. You just are complicated.

You follow your heart, and often times your heart is divided. You don't tend to act consistently.

You believe that people can change, and you're good with that. You certainly change weekly - if not daily!

The Zebra Test

Blogthings: Free Quizzes for Everyone

"What About Bob?"

2011-05-24T14:16:00.000-07:00

I can't believe this movie came out over 20 years ago, around this time in 1991. it was one of those I knew I wanted to see after seeing promos for the movie on TV. I have loved it ever since I saw it then. I saw it a few times on TV and got the DVD in 2004, for only $5.50 at Target. I never got the VHS, but then I was never big on buying movies on that format.

I am watching the DVD as I type this entry.

Speaking of Bob, today is the birthday of a famous Bob. Robert Zimmerman, who became known as Bob Dylan, is turning 70 today. I need to break out my Bob Dylan CDs sometime today, after the DVD is over.