A Howling Halloween Night

About 200 trick-or-treaters later and our Halloween Night has come to close. It was a busy, busy night of kids, costumes and candy.


Our friend and neighbor, Anjanette joined us and we gave our candy for both our houses together - the more the merrier, I say. Our neighbor, Sam joined us once we got done voting. We had a great surprise when Dale's sister, Donna, her boyfriend, Mark and her daughter, Mikayla stopped by too. This is the first time we met Mark and he was very nice. It was a fun group and a fun Halloween evening.

Dale and I dressed up in a very unique way. We wore all black and wrapped ourselves in orange stands of lights. Once it got dark, we looked like hundreds of little floating orange lights. We were a hit with the kids and parent alike. Anjanette joined the fun and Dale dug into our bin of Halloween costumes and came up with a prom dress he wore two years ago when we were the Ugly Stepsisters (of Cinderella's Ugly Stepsister), plus a wig he wore last year. Everyone thought Anjanette looked great. We told people she was Michelle Obama and the prom in the 70s and everyone thought it was a great costume. Too bad we made that part up. That just added to the fun.


The amazing pumpkin that Dale carved for me today. He did two actually. Both were amazing.


Anjanette hams it up for the camera as we wait for our first trick-or-treaters.


So sexy..go Michelle Obama.


I look like something out of a bad sci-fi movie, huh?


Dale all a glow for Halloween.


Yes, this was my idea, but I think it was funny. We matched our porch so well.

Still one of the scariest movies!

Stephen King's IT still creeps me out to this day. We all float down here.

Neighborhood plague is spreading

There is a plague in my neighborhood. Yes, a plague. There seems to be ugly, disgusting blue signs popping up on lawns recently. It is like a bad weed.

• Last month there was 1.
• Last week there were 2.
• Yesterday there were 3.
• Today, there are 5 or 6.

Are you just playing a Halloween joke? Now, I am all for people having their own views and I feel people should support the candidate they believe. However, I feel there must be some weird McCain kool-aid being passed around that my neighbors are suddenly drinking. I find it odd. It also scares me that there are so many McCain supporters. This election may be closer than I expected. You also must be the folks voting McCain on my blog poll. Is it possible to block a blog from McCain supporters?

Wondering what I am wearing for Halloween...

...tonight for the trick-or-treaters? Several people have emailed to ask, so I figured I would share a photo. Here is my costume:

However, I fear it may look something more like this!

Watch out kids! You really have to earn your candy tonight.

Happy Haunted Halloween

I hope everyone has a great Halloween Night full of haunts, howls and hilarity. Whether you are trick-or-treating with the kids or hitting a party yourself, have a great time! This music always puts me in the mood.

What a difference a year makes!

It is Halloween (as you know). Last year on Halloween, it was a blast at work - costumes, pumpkin carving and lots of spooky fun. Check out this blog post and see for yourself.

This year - most of us are working from home today. No decorations, costumes or spooky spirit at work.

Not sure how to get this back. It is sad to see the difference a year can make.

5 pumpkins to make you smile...

...and get you in the true spirit of Halloween, which is not spooky or scary, but honestly is having fun. Find your inner child today and re-capture the utter joy that Halloween once brought you. Or make sure your kids or the kids that come to your door tonight have a blast. Halloween is something they will always remember.


This economy is even stressing out the pumpkins.



Even the pumpkins know Obama is the right choice.



This just in from Fox News.



You think you have a headache.



Bring it own bitches!


Source: Oddee

The Best Day of the Year

Bad News for McCain

Even Joe the Plumber finds John McCain rallies pointless. Watch and see.

Secret Republican Plan Revealed - Details Here.

Am I the only one who suspects a Republican conspiracy around the recent drop in gas prices? I know it sounds a bit odd (or even crazy), but there is a part of me that thinks this is the Secret Republican Plan:

• Republicans who control oil keep gas prices declining through November 4th.
• Americans start to feel that the economy is stable.
• Americans get a false sense of hope.
• Americans start to think the current administration is not so bad.
• Americans lower their guard.
• Americans vote for McCain (I know, crazy).
• Republicans who control oil raise gas prices again.

I guarantee post election, whether McCain wins or loses the election, gas prices will shoot back up because the incentive to keep them low will be gone.

Now, I did state this conspiracy is crazy, but there is a little part of me that thinks it is true. If the leaders of the Secret Republican Warlords read this and I "disappear" you will know I was right.

Vote Obama. Do not give into the false hope. See real hope. Seek change. Seek progress.

How detailed are you?

Check out this video and see how much of an eye for detail you have.




My sister had sent me this (she sends great stuff). I had seen it before, but it amazes how as humans how easily we overlook things when given specific direction to focus on one thing.

Keep an eye on your pumpkins tonight or...

...they may end up like this.

Why should you be nice to IT guys?

Because they can delete your email forever. This is dedicated to IT guys everywhere and my two favorite IT guys, Ryan Hadley and Mike Minton. Very funny.

Elvira, Topless Even More In October

I find it amazing how much Elvira, the Mistress of the Dark's (a.k.a - Cassandra Paterson) popularity picks up in the month of October.

My car is named Elvira (I know, I named her). Last year, I blogged about my car topless (she is a convertible) under the title - Elvira Topless!!!. The post included pictures me in my convertible. Since then, my blog has picked up a lot of traffic from men (well, some women too) searching the term Elvira topless. I have always found this funny and even blogged about it a second time under, Elvira Topless. As a result, my blog now ranks 3rd in Google results for "Elvira topless".

Usually on average my blog gets 5-10 clicks coming from Google's search term - Elvira topless. This past month, this traffic has increased to 40-50 clicks per day from this search term. That is quite I rise Elvira is getting (pun intended).

I guess when times get spooky, people think Elvira and then think, she has big boobs. Can I see them? A few clicks later they are on this blog with lots of disappointment.

Funny.

Do you understand the current economy?

With the economy in crisis you hear a lot of financial terms on the news or read them in the paper. Many of these terms can be confusing, so I thought this list of definitions may help.

BULL MARKET — A random market movement causing an investor to mistake himself for a financial genius.
BEAR MARKET — A 6 to 18 month period when the kids get no allowance, the wife gets no jewelry, and the husband gets no sex.
VALUE INVESTING — The art of buying low and selling lower.
P/E RATIO — The percentage of investors wetting their pants as the market keeps crashing.
BROKER — What my broker has made me.
STANDARD & POOR — Your life in a nutshell.

STOCK ANALYST — Idiot who just downgraded your stock.
STOCK SPLIT — When your ex-wife and her lawyer split your assets equally between themselves.
FINANCIAL PLANNER — A guy whose phone has been disconnected.
MARKET CORRECTION — The day after you buy stocks.
CASH FLOW — The movement your money makes as it disappears down the toilet.
YAHOO — What you yell after selling it to some poor sucker for $240 per share.
WINDOWS — What you jump out of when you’re the sucker who bought Yahoo @ $240 per share.
INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR — Past year investor who’s now locked up in a nuthouse.
PROFIT — An archaic word no longer in use.
Source: Fair Loan Rate

This is the song stuck in my head. Kill me.

True Love...Well Not By Me, But Most Guys

Today the blog, List of the Day, featured a list of funny inspirational posters. Well actually posters that mock inspirational posters. This was my favorite and made me laugh out loud. I bet she is not single long. Feel free to check out the others.

They just made love, silent on the bed...

...this was their celebration,
she had her eyes closed,
nothing was said,
they had fulfilled temptation....

Ah, the wonderful lyrics of Satisfied by Squeeze.

This is still one of my favorite songs of all time. It came up on my iPod this AM on the way to work and I thought I would share the love. Give it a try, as most people probably remember the song, Tempted by the Squeeze and not this song, which I feel is far superior.

I just love this song and have since my college days. I honestly think it is the pacing of the song and the lyrics that always draws me in. The pace is almost hypnotic. Funny, but I had never seen the video before.

In just one week, I predict at this time...

...I will be posting - Backack Obama Wins.

So get out there, vote and make it come true. (Even if you do not support Obama, still get out there and vote. Be heard!)

Want to see something painful?

Dancing with the Stars may have forever ruined Rob Base's It Takes Two. I used to like this song and it used to remind me of a dance my senior year in High School. Now, it reminds me that Cloris Leachman and Susan Lucci are so far from hip-hop it is painful. You have to see it, to believe it.

It is 7 PM. Guess where I am.

Bed.

Yes, Dale and I are in bed and it is 7 PM. I know, we are worse than old. We are practically antique. Even our dogs are looking at us funny. However, we have two good reasons to be in bed early:

1. We are both exhausted and not feeling well. My back is bothering me from gall stones and Dale's back is bothering him from too much yard work.
2. It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is on TV tonight. It is a classic (originally broadcast in 1966) and what better place to watch it, then in bed; all cozy and warm.

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is a wonderful memory for me, not only of my childhood, but also my Mom. She always loved Halloween and made sure my sister and I never missed the Peanut Gang classics. She started me on my love of all things Halloween.

Does everyone remember watching this cartoon as a kid? I always love the classic Charlie Brown line, "I got a rock." Can you imagine going trick-or-treating, all the other kids get candy and at every house you get a rock? Classic Charlie Brown.

It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

One of my favorites is on TV tonight - It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Check out this post from last year to better understand my desire to be Linus and what a wonderful childhood memory this program is to me.

If the candidates were trains

I think people have a hard time understanding what the Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates are truly about. I do think people understand trains, so I think this image is perfect in helping people better understand the candidates.

All aboard!!!!!!!

Source: Media Tumblr

I am proud to be a Coloradian!

Colorado -- Nine electoral votes. Bush beat Kerry 52 percent to 47 percent in the state in 2004, but since then, Democrats have won the state Legislature and governor's office.

A poll on Saturday showed Obama up by 12 points.

Check out how Obama is doing in other key states.

Go Obama!

Source: Reuters

John McCain just called me!

Well, sort of...I got a robocall from John McCain. It was his voice and he called me his fellow American. He started talking about his views on America, I got bored and deleted the rest....sort of how I feel when I watch him debate.

This is my 6th robocall today telling me how I should vote. Too bad, but I already did my mail in ballot. The past week has been horrible with political phone calls and visitors to my door. Being an independant in a battle ground state, like Colorado, is like being the bell of the ball - everyone wants to dance with you....but it is just because you dressed like a whore, not because they like you.

I am working from home today...

...since my lower back and groin are killing me. It started late last night and as a result I got next to no sleep. I have a feeling it may be gall stones again (last happened in late July). Ugh. Is it time just to have my gall bladder removed. Let's look at the pros and cons.

Cons

1. I like my gall bladder; it is my 3rd favorite organ.
2. I do not like hospitals.
3. I do not like the idea of people on my insides while I am sleeping

Pro

1. I would not be in pain.

Well, three to one...I am thinking no surgery, but we will see. Am I the only one who sees all surgeons like this?

New Blog Design (really this is it for a while)

After many, many, many changes (I appreciate your patience) to by blog these past few weeks, I finally settled on a design that I really like. I decided to do the refresh to celebrate my blog's one-year anniversary. For my many design templates I tried:

• 2 column, 3 column and even a 4 column design.
• light and dark designs.
• red, blue and green designs.
• simple and complex designs.
• swirls, bubbles and everything in between.

I finally settled on this 2 column design that has a fun background and a clean look. I added some fun stuff into the right column including:

• 10 most popular posts.
• 15 of my favorite posts.
• Fozzy Bear displaying my Twitter tweets.
• a poll.
• recent posts and comments.
• a widget that rotates the images on my blog.

I hope you like it and would love to hear your thoughts (this is the part where you add a comment).

Best Haunted House in Denver

On Saturday night, Dale and I went to our favorite and what we feel is the best haunted house in the Denver metro area - Field of Corpses. Believe me, we know, since Dale and I have visited over 20 of the local haunted houses over the past few years.

Field of Corpses is located at 64th & Indiana in Arvada. Why is it the best?

• It is about 15 minutes long.
• The sets are incredibly spooky.
• It is run by enthusiastic high school drama kids, who are amazing.
• They provide you a ghoulish guide, who makes it even more fun.
• It provided real scares and screams...not corny gimmicks.
  

This year we were joined by our friends - Sam, Anjanette and Heather (who we have not seen in ages and have missed). They seemed to have a great time too. Dale and Heather got some special scary treatment, which made it even more fun.

After the haunted house, we headed back to our house for some pizza and scary movies - Prom Night (original from 1980) and Prom Night (2008 inspired version). I got a little sleepy and fell asleep during the 2008 Prom Night, but everyone seemed to enjoy the horror double feature.

It was a great evening with friends, scares and pizza...not to mention some great dip from Sam and Anjanette and a delicious apple desert from Heather. It was a great kick-off to Halloween.

Our House For Halloween

Yesterday, Dale and I decorated the front porch for Halloween. Each year we try to do something different, so the kids get a treat.

Last year, we did a window display of monsters and heads. This year, we did the front porch in more of a pumpkin and gravestone theme. We always wrestle with trying to not make it too scary because in the past some of the little kids have been a little too scared. We try to find a place somewhere between Halloween cute and Halloween wet-yourself-scared.

Halloween Fun

Halloween decorating.
Haunted house.
Friends.
Pizza.
Scary movies.

More details tomorrow.

Do you ever have a blonde moment?

I do not have a lot of friends who are blonde oddly enough. I am not sure why. When I hear a blonde joke, I always think of my friend Jennifer Arciere. i think of her, not because she is a stereotypical blonde, but more because she is the type of blonde who appreciate blonde jokes and would laugh.

I am not a blonde (I was a child, but apparently outgrew it), but I often have blonde moments. I consider myself a smart guy, but sometimes I even amaze myself by my own stupidity. Am I alone in this?

Thanks to my sister, Rachel for sharing this. Very funny.

Funny Story

A crusty old man walks into a bank and says to the teller at the window, "I want to open a damn checking account."

To which the astonished woman replies, I beg your pardon, sir; I must have misunderstood you. What did you say?"

"Listen up, damn it. I said I want to open a damn checking account right now!"

"I'm very sorry sir, but we do not tolerate that kind of language in this bank."

So saying, the teller leaves the window and goes over to the bank manager to tell him about her situation.

They both return and the manager asks the old geezer, "What seems to be the problem here?"

"There's no friggin’ problem, dammit!" the man says; "I just won $50 million bucks in the damn lottery and I want to open a damn checking account in this damn bank!"

"I see," says the manager, "and this bitch is giving you a hard time?

Source: Tom Phillips

And how was your morning?

4:04 AM.
Awake.
In bed.
Can't sleep.
Head aches.
Stomach aches.
Restless.

4:17 AM.
Still awake.
In bed.
Reading work email on Blackberry.
Frustrated.
Some people are so ignorant.
Some people should think before they email.
Head aches.
Stomach aches.
Annoyed.

4:27
Still awake.
In kitchen.
Head aches.
Stomach aches.
Took two Advil.
Drinking some ginger ale to calm my stomach.

4:34 AM
Still awake.
Giving up.
Will not be back to sleep this morning.
Sipping ginger ale.
Watching Married with Children on TBS.
Christina Applegate is so much more attractive now.
Head aches.
Stomach aches.

Do you like scary movies?

I do, but not all. I saw the Blair Witch Project with my sister, Rachel. It may have been the lack of AC in the theater or the bouncy camera action, but I almost hurled in the movie. The thought of the movie still gives me the sweats.

My thanks to Rachel for sending me this cartoon.

Is your dog smarter than your child?

My sister sent me this. Sadly, this dog is smarter than a lot of children I have met. Not necessarily my nieces or nephew since they can count, but several children I have met over the years.

Beautiful Irony

I said BURR! It's cold in here!

Our house is FREEZING!

Dale says he does not want to turn on the heat until he vacuums out the heat registers. I think he is protesting Excel Energy, but either way, I think I can see my breathe. It is so cold.

I have two blankets wrapped around me and the dogs snuggled up close to provide me some heat, but it is still cold.

I am using the laptop so I can get the heat from the battery.

I am so cold. I finally understand how Jack felt floating on the piece of wood after the Titanic sunk.

Dale says it is fine and I am exaggerating. I included this snapshot of myself...you be the judge.

Arch Nemesis Job: Apply Now!

I got an email from a college friend today who I have not heard from in almost 3 years. He caught me up on his life, but the best part of the email was when he told me about his arch nemesis.

His arch nemesis is some guy he has worked with at two jobs, including his current job, who he feels is always sabatoging his projects. My college friend is a Senior Project Manager for a large IT firm on Long Island. He described his arch nemesis in such detail and with such passion it was very funny. I got two sentences on his girlfriend, but two paragraphs on his arch nemesis. I also love that he refers to him as his arch nemesis and not just some dick at work. It makes it all sound so sinister and calculated.

However it got me thinking, do other people have an arch nemesis? Am I alone in that I do not? Should I? Would it motivate me more at work or in life if I did? Or am I some else's arch nemesis and I do not know it? That would be bad, as I would hate to be torturing someone unintentionally. I like to torture everyone and know I am doing it.

So, I have decided to accept applications for an arch nemesis of my own. In 50 words or less please tell me:

1. Why you feel my life should be sabatoged?
2. Why are you the right person to screw with me?

Now the job does not pay, except for the satisfaction of a job well done. Let me know if you are interested.

This is the best Sarah Palin video ever!

This is very funny. Very. My thanks to my co-worker Ronnie for forwarding to me.

My One Year Blogging Anniversary

Today is the one year anniversary of my blog.

Happy Anniversary, It's All About The Blog!

My blog started as a way for me to share some pictures from our Halloween party last year with our guests. My first post was on October 22, 2007 with picture of my friends Heather Sharp, Terri Hill and Michelle Spidell dressed as Charlie's Angels.

1,348 posts later (yes, I post that much - 3.69 posts per day) my blog has become so much more to me than a way to share Halloween photos. It is a chronicle of my life, my thoughts, a little bit of venting and where I share all the random things I come across online or is sent to me.

My thanks to all those who read this blog and those who comment. You keep me coming back each day and adding more. I truly appreciate your support and love.

Since I am a true geek, I tracked the 1,348 posts by month and as you can see, some months were more than others. My one question - what the hell was I doing in May 2008 that I only blogged 36 times? Why didn't anyone say anything?

I hope you have enjoyed my blog and keep coming back too.

Speaking of Chicken

Very funny. Forwarded to me by my sister, Rachel.

Gymnastics Superstar

Go Lauren!

My niece Lauren was featured in the Aurora Sentinel. She is a superstar and works so hard at everything she does, as does my other niece Jillian.

I am so proud.

Overland’s Lauren Hanley does her balance beam routine Wednesday, Oct. 16, during the Centennial League Championships.

For more gymnastics coverage, head to our website this weekend: www.aurorasentinel.com. (Photo by Gabriel Christus/The Aurora Sentinel)

My view on strip clubs

Every night on the way home on the bus we drive past a strip joint (we do not stop, as it is not scheduled).

The place always seems busy. I just do not relate to the idea of strip joints and not just because I am gay. That is partly it, granted, but to me they are just a bit pointless.

I have been to several strip clubs over the years with straight friends and each time I observed the following:

1. The drinks are always over-priced and watered down.
2. The girls always reek of too much perfume. Always!
3. The places are always badly lit, sticky, dirty or smell funky.
4. For every 1 really got girl, there are 3 who should have either a) never got in the business or b) quit the business before they turned 45.

I just find the concept of paying to get teased weird because that is really what it is all about, right? The girls seeing how little they can do, while getting the most money out of you. Why pay money to only get part of the job done?

Now prostitution I understand. You are paying and receiving, not paying and receiving half. My opinion is that some people are very skilled at sex and they especially enjoy it for money and with strangers. Why judge these people? I know people who really enjoy painting or managing other people. Now we do not call those people whore's for using their skills or following their passion, so why judge the prostitutes. If there is demand, how can you daily someone for bringing the supply. It is simple economics.

To me going to a strip club is like buying an expensive wine, just to be told you can smell and look at it, but not drink it. That is just stupid. So there you have it - strip clubs con and prostitution pro.

21st Century Excuses

With changing technology and innovation, come new problems. This is more of a reflective post, but here are some trends that I have been noticing as new technology becomes available. This is a list of the top excuses and their 21st century counterparts. Enjoy.

1. My dog ate my homework. = “I got a virus.”
2. I lost my keys. = “My battery was low and I lost my charger.”
3. My grandmother died. = “My grandmother’s computer died.”
4. I had the wrong conference room. = “The meeting had the wrong call-in number.”
5. It was lost in the mail. = “Did you check your spam filter?”
6. I gave it to… = “What was your email address again? I think I sent it to the wrong person.”
7. I wasn’t home, I didn’t get your message. = “My phone has been acting really weird lately, I get really bad reception there.”
8. The library didn’t have that book. = “I tried, but it said the website was down.”
9. I went by your office, you weren’t there–Weird, I’ll come by again later. = “I sent you an email last night, didn’t you get it? Weird, I’ll send it again when I get back.”
10. I forgot. = “My calendar didn’t remind me.”

Source: Project ReThink

Brown Bag Surprise Party

Looking for a great concept for a party - check this out.

25 unmarked brown grocery bags filled with thrift store clothing and accessories, sitting in the middle of your living room. This is what the moment of truth will look like at the Brown Bag Surprise.

Set Up

There are 25 brown grocery bags filled with unknown costumes sitting in the middle of your living room. This is what the moment of truth will look like at the brown bag surprise.

Pick someone that has a good party house to host and preferably walking distance from some bars in case you want to go paint the town. Participants will need to go prior to the party and pick out a costume at a thrift store. The costume must include a top and bottom. Girls shop for girls. Guys shop for guys.

Feel free to accessorize as much as possible (wigs, jewelry, hats) but the spending limit should be capped around $30. If you really want to get serious you can have everyone bring the receipt for their purchases and account for everything they bought.

Everyone should arrive wearing tee-shirts and shorts. This is the base of clothing that they are always allowed to wear. Everyone should bring their costume in a brown grocery bag, clearly labeled with their name and stapled closed. Have a few drinks and let everyone get loosened up a little before you start the night’s festivities.

Make a list of everyone’s name at the party. The party organizer should probably buy two costumes in case an odd amount of people show up. Put everyone's name into a hat and then take turns drawing. When you pick someone's name you are forced to wear that person's costume for the entire night. After everyone is drunk enough, make your way to the closest dive bar and proceed to take it over in your muumuu and leg warmers.

Don’t be a dick like our friend, Luke, who filled his bag with only duct tape.

How sad is this?

I am on the bus.
Starting the 45 minute ride home.
It is getting dark.
It is cold.
I am still sick.
Stuffy.
Congested.
I feel cloudy.
I am completely exhausted.
So tired in fact,
that I have set the alarm on my phone,
to wake me 5 minutes before my stop,
in case I fall asleep.
Which seems likely,
even though I have control issues,
and would unfortunately be asleep, if the bus crashed or was hijacked.
But really my driver seems capable,
and who would want an RTD bus?
So, I think I will shut my eyes for a minute or two.

Presidential Election Pandora's Box

Check out - Pandora's Box. Pretty funny. Thanks to Terri Hill for sending my way.

Source: Washington Post

Gruesome Polar Bear Attack...View with Caution

Who's a scary polar bear? You are! You're a scary polar bear. Awwww. Now shame on all of you who hoped you would see a polar bear tearing a man's arm off. Shame. Give this polar bear a few years and then check bad and I promise carnage.

The funny part is I stumbled across this on a site for Cleveland Seniors. It was tagged bany polar bear, but the headline read polar bear attack with a warning. Funny seniors.

Source: Cleveland Seniors