Imagine them standing at the foot of your bed

Cool/scary pictures of the Halloweens of yesteryear.

They were not kidding around with those masks.

Happiness is a blue beret

What's blue, 16 years old, came from France, and has moved 7 times? Why, it's my blue beret, and it's come back to me after going AWOL for roughly a year and a half. As I've mentioned before, I've been reorganizing my life for around two years now, so my clothes and possessions have gone into limbo, some reappearing and some remaining lost. When I came across my old blue beret this morning completely by accident, I felt as if I had just run into an old friend.

I bought this beret when I first went to Paris as a student, and I know it's stereotypical to have a beret in France, but I didn't have a hat, and it gets cold there. I had to get it because it was made of wool and was big enough to fit my pumpkin head. I loved it then, and after all these years, it still looks the best on me of all my hats. Plus, it's still in my possession, which is amazing considering how many things I've "misplaced" over the years.

Prince, your girl's raspberry beret has got nothing on my blueberry beret.

Now I'm suddenly inspired at how many of my old clothes I can revive (if I can find them), which will be helpful considering money is getting tight. My old beret, which is still in good shape, some shoe polish on my old boots, a few stitches to mend my old favorite but frayed blouses, and I could be good to go!


Above: Not as happy about this as I am.

You give me fever

I know. I have a funny habit of disappearing for a while from my little blog here. I wish I could say it's because I've been busy saving the world; actually, I just occasionally run into a writer's block, and I can't organize my thoughts. That, and I have nothing truly interesting to say. I suppose the only remedy for that is just to start writing again.

My post today is a confession. I confess that I have been struck with - as my new favorite late night talk show host Craig Ferguson would say - serious Election Fever. People, my current Election Fever is running at about 104 degrees. I am obsessed with this election. It's just been so exciting, so heated, so historic, and so freakin' LONG. For some, the sheer length has caused them to burn out, but not for me. It has only exacerbated my fever. I cannot WAIT until election day. It could be either the highlight or the low point of my entire year. I will possibly be in bed for two weeks following election day just to recover from the excitement.

You know, I have always found elections exhilarating. It's an exciting thing to be able to elect people to office. You hear their speeches, you watch their ads, and then, you decide. Well, ok, there's the electoral vote thing. And I do have a beef with this two party system, but still. Nobody's going anywhere until we go to the polls. And you never know how it's going to turn out until all the votes are counted. I'm like that character Kristen Wiig plays on SNL who cannot contain her excitement for surprises. Excuse me while I go jump through this glass door.

On a serious note, we cannot ignore or take for granted what is really at stake in this election. I'm not just talking about the economy going down the proverbial pipes, or the several wars we're waging around the world, or the ruined reputation we need to recover internationally, or even the crumbling bridges and schools in our own country. These problems will challenge the new President, no doubt. What is really at stake is whether we can elect an African American to the highest office. Much of the living American population remembers segregation, riots, and a hateful, dark chapter of our recent history. If we can put a black man in the Oval Office 45 years after MLK's "I Have a Dream" speech and 44 years after the Civil Rights Amendment, we can send a powerful message of progress into the world. We saw it in South Africa, and now we can do it in America.

The truly positive aspect of this possibility is that we don't have to vote for Obama because he is black, but because he happens to be the best candidate. I believe he has the best ideas for health care, economic recovery, and foreign policy, and I think his youth, intelligence, and even temperament are important qualities for this position. Obama is the one who has persisted despite arguments about his experience, despite his lack of insider connections, despite so many obstacles. He has been a steam roller for about two years in his run for President, and he has stuck to the issues and never been ruffled or lost his cool. (Almost like a non-violent protestor.) I don't mean to deify the guy; I know he's not the Second Coming, nor is he MLK. He is not perfect. He is just one man, and he wants this job. However, he has easily won all three debates. He has made a smart choice of running mate. He has run a well-organized campaign. There is no doubt that he can be President, and he will most likely be a good President. But what will happen?

We will not know until we cast our votes. And by casting a vote on November 4, we will be part of making history.

I'm so freakin' excited!

Wanna buy a house?

Today is a good day for me and Mr. P. Our redneck (or, "The Nex" for short), crossbow-loving, pick-up truck-driving, back-yard deer-slaughtering, communal-living, late night horseshoe-playing, front-yard-partying, ceaseless dog-barking neighbors have MOVED OUT. Don't know why, but I do know that four couples were camping out periodically in that small house, because that's who packed up and hauled away stuff. It's weird, because they weren't living there all the time, just part of the time. I guess the economy has affected them, too, and they can't afford Skinhead Meeting House, er... I mean, a Community Party House, anymore. Or, Perhaps all the Obama yard signs have driven them away. I dunno, but their confederate flags and deer carcasses are not our problem anymore.

Shutting it down before it starts

Today on the metro, a nice young woman offered me her seat. Figuring it was good karma from my giving up my seat just an hour earlier to an elderly woman, I took it. Then, she introduced herself. Oookay. Then, she said, "I'm actually from Germantown, but I'm out today spreading the news of the Gospel. Are you a believer?"

I started to panic as I rifled through my mental rolodex of excuses. Suddenly, in a moment of unusual clarity, I said, "I'm kind of private about my faith." She looked at me slightly puzzled but responded, "oh, ok." And she was quiet for the rest of the trip.

Wow! That's all it took? I didn't have to be rude, I didn't have to engage in conversation, and I didn't have to line up a bunch of excuses. Because, if I had said, no, then she would have started to try to convert me, if I had said yes, she would have invited me to events, and if I had told her I practiced a different religion, well, you get the picture. There was no right answer. And yet, I found one!

I'm writing about this because I'm proud of myself. See, if I so much as get into a conversation of that nature, before I can say Holy Christ on a Cracker, I'm drinking the kool-aid. I know because it happened when I was living in France. A nice young woman approached me in the metro, started up a conversation, and a few weeks later, I was attended her "cult." Oh - she called it that. But, she didn't bring it up in the first conversation with me, so she was much sneakier.

Whew, I think I dodged a bullet today.

The Lovers, the dreamers, and me

I just saw a wonderful exhibit of Jim Henson's life and work at the Smithsonian, which happily allowed me to revisit the Muppets as well as meet some new characters and learn some things about Henson I didn't know.

For instance, I didn't know he made a lot of commercials in the 60's.

Meet the La Choy Dragon:



I love that the mother is very seriously concerned, and how the store employee extinguishes the burning sign as if that darn dragon sets things on fire every day in that store. (But who's going to pick up all those knocked over cans?)

With another likable and, may I add, creatively designed character, he sells "fabric finish."



How adorable is a medieval knight with irons for feet? So cute that we can overlook the fact that the woman doesn't hear something explode in her living room before she's even out of it.

Ah. I miss Jim Henson. He was some kind of genius. I could devote an entire blog to his work, but I thought I would just share these two lesser known little gems today.

I CAN HAZ WEELZ?

I just got this very swanky cat carrier on wheels free by collecting points from a cat litter. Fresh Step offers free merchandise when you buy their litter (which is good kitty litter, too) and log in your points code on the back of every box. I've been doing it for, like, three years or something now, maybe longer, because I know a while ago I cashed in my points on a kitty bed, which my cat has worn out by now and still loves.

So I was feeling pretty great cashing in another 700 or so points to get a rolling net cat carrier, which I thought would be nice in lieu of the other massive crate that we have to - God forbid- pick up. That crate, and especially the kitty inside it, are heavy.

(I would like to add that Mr. P thinks it pretty funny that I've been so diligent about these darned points, especially when I can't even collect coupons for a grocery store.)

Anyhoo, it came, and I was like, Vinny! Let's give it a spin!



Darned feline is too darned big for darned bag.

The upside? I might be able to use it to shop at the Farmer's Market.

The more things change, the more they stay the same

While tidying up yesterday, I picked up my baby book and started to thumb through it. Tucked in the back were the front pages of two newspapers dated Sept. 1973, about a year and a half after I was born. My mother had kept them because the main headlines were about a hurricane named after me. (well, not really named after me, just sharing my first name.)



I thought, cool, historic newspapers! I wonder what was going on in the world in 1973?

Well, folks, what was going on in 1973 is pretty close to what is going on in 2008. Here is what I gleaned from the yellowing newsprint:

1. Senator Edward Kennedy was in the process of proposing a national health care plan.

2. There was an investigation into the premature death of an actor (Bruce Lee).

3. A dangerous hurricane was bearing down on the gulf coast.

There were, however, some subtle differences:



Super Fly, at the drive-in! A triple feature with a western and 70s soft core.

And, more blaxpoitation; or, otherwise, a 70s classic (sorry for the photo quality):



Yes, that says "6 foot 2" of Dynamite!" It also says, above "Loews Palace:" Air Conditioned.

Fancy!

The difference between The Onion and CNN.com:

The Onion is kidding. Otherwise, the headlines are pretty much the same.

So, I'm eyeballing the headlines on cnn.com just now, ticking off Obama this, McCain that, Putin blames the US, some sharks ate some guys in Florida, Jesus' image seen on wings of a moth, Gustav is closing in on Jam- Wait, huh?

Are they really serious with the Jesus seen in ___ and the Virgin Mary spotted in ___ stuff? Why are these "stories" still (or, ever) making top headlines? Have we become a nation of such religious freaks that we can't even look at a stain on a window/cheeto/flying insect without invoking Christian imagery? Stop giving Bill Maher more material, people.

Does it make me silly/shallow/a bad feminist if:

a) I'm flattered when someone tells me I'm pretty (man or woman) (and not a pick-up line)

and

b) I'm a little moved when a man carries something heavy for me?

Just wondering.

Are we surprised?

Yep: just what I thought.

I needed a good scare

These animated short webisodes (?) promoting Stephen King's upcoming book are entertaining and scaring me.

Following these videos with my latest read, A Good and Happy Child, is making it hard for me to sleep at night. And I love it!

Heaven is a bowl of ice cream

How am I just finding out about Moorenko's Ice Cream?? They've had a cafe in McLean since 2000, and one in Silver Spring since 2003, but somehow, they have slipped under my quest for cream radar until now. I didn't even discover the cafes; I found their tiny little pints shyly staring back at me in the freezers of Whole Foods. Three lone little cartons with the flavors wild blueberry, rice pudding and creme fraiche. Wait, creme fraiche?? How did no one think of this marriage-in-heaven flavor before?

Holy Smoking Lord, this is good ice cream. Somehow these geniuses have combined the natural creaminess of gelato with the texture of American ice cream, and they didn't have to inject their cows with hormones to make it. All natural, and super delicious. They even manage to invent, and re-invent, creative flavors.

I think I'm in love.

Even Bigfoot is fed up

So, allegedly, a cadaver of Bigfoot has been found, the finders are defending it, and they have sent the body to scientists to test it. Whoa! (I won't link to the story because it's everywhere, and it's changing daily) Just last month I was reading the cover story from the DC City Paper about William Draginis, a specialist in surveillance equipment, who has been tracking Bigfoot for, I forget, like 15 years or something. Now, he, like everyone, is skeptical. (His is a fascinating story, by the way; I'll link to it when I locate it again).

I'm skeptical, too. Unfortunately, there are several scents of rat in this claim: these people run a Bigfoot tracking company, and, one of these guys has been responsible for a hoax before. It's hard to believe that they (of all people) just stumbled upon this massive dead body in the woods, even though a body is precisely what's needed to prove the existence of the elusive Bigfoot.

Noted primatologist Jane Goodall herself has stated that she doesn't disbelieve the notion of Bigfoot; she thinks it's highly possible that "he" exists, but a body - or bones - is needed. I believe, however, it would almost signify the end of an era if it were proven true; once a mystery is made a reality, it isn't so much fun anymore. I'm not sure we need worry just yet, though; these guys are very likely clowns, and when their "body" turns out to be an elaborate hoax and publicity stunt, Bigfoot enthusiasts - as well as myself - are going to be mightily pissed.

Madame, please.

Now that I've kvetched about China, allow me to pick a bone about the US. Did you catch Nancy Pelosi on Larry King yesterday? Of course you didn't; you're smart and don't watch Larry King. The man annoys to no end, after all. Well, I got tired of the Olympics (see previous post) and had to change the channel, and God, there really is nothing on in the Summer, is there. There was Pelosi, doing the crazy face and saying nothing substantial about the invasion of Georgia. I thought, Pelosi sure is talking a lot to the media these days. Then I realized why. She's shilling her book.

I'm glad we have a Madame Speaker of the House for the first time, and I'd be glad to see more and more women in positions of power, but is it appropriate for her to be pushing her book while still in office? Isn't the point of being a role model of female power to pass policies, criticize the president, and actually make a difference? Doesn't she have bigger fish to fry at the moment?

I am so over our government.

With apologizes to Chinese-Americans, and other Chinese friends

I really don't like China. Look, I'm sorry. I know they have an important history and a rich culture, and I know they've contributed so much to other cultures in this world, and I'm sure there are many Chinese individuals who are wonderful. In fact, I know that. I don't hate Chinese people, but I have a strong dislike for the nation at large. Their record on human rights - not to mention cruelty to animals - is appalling. Chairman Mao, who is regarded as a hero, was a cruel dictator who killed a lot of people. And, apparently, the Olympics Opening Ceremony was completely digitally altered. Ok, so that last statement was more tongue-in-cheek, but still. Get over yourself, China. And please quit eating dogs.

The truth is out there, darn it!

I'm kind of excited about this recent event, about a strange misty figure caught on a school surveillance camera in the middle of the night. As a lover of the paranormal, I don't go hunting for ghosts - and don't really care to see one for real - but I like that there are happenings out there that we, in all our intellectual logic, cannot explain. This find is better than anything the Ghost Hunters on SciFi have found.

Mole breath

The cat who owns this adorable face, above, killed a mole yesterday, ate it, and threw up the skin, in our bedroom, in the middle of the night.

You're welcome.

Cranky + Grumpy = Crumpy

I was on the phone with my dad yesterday, lecturing him on promoting his art. He's retired now, and he's finally finding time to devote himself to painting. During this time, he has found - in my opinion - a vision and style, and I think he's ready to take the paintings to posh galleries and slap some high prices on them. However, he is much like me, that is, challenged in the self-esteem department. My step mother, who has been an avid supporter and mate to my father for over 10 years now, God bless her, was listening in on speaker phone, and she commented, "y'all can help each other. After all, you're so much alike!" My dad chuckled and added, "yeah, we're both cranky!"

Um. How did he know that? I mean, I don't think I grew up being cranky all the time. I don't think I'm cranky around my dad now; I do try to watch my attitude with family. When I told Mr. P about the comment, he, too, chuckled. "Sweetie," he said. "Everyone knows you're cranky."

Urgh! That just makes me grumpy.

The eyes have it

On the way into work this morning, a woman on the train said to me, "You have the most beautiful eyes!" I thanked her, and she replied, "Don't thank me! Thank the people who gave them to you!" Then she wondered how many people I had "given them to," which I perceived as a little gross, giving your eyes to someone, but I am eye-phobic. I also wondered if she meant how many people I had used my eyes to flirt with it, because in the South, after all, we do learn how to "give your eyes to someone." But she meant children, and when I told her I had not yet chosen to pass along my genes, she encouraged me to do so, many times over, because if she had eyes like mine, she would "give them to everyone!" Why, that's just about the best reason I've ever heard to breed.