(1474,1,'2010-10-26 21:13:18','2010-10-27 04:13:18','<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>It\'s time to play <em><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Name That Horror Flick! </span></strong></em></p>\n\n<p><strong><em> </em></strong> </p>\n\n<p><em><strong> </strong></em></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #333399;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #003366;\">\"Ch-ch-ch!  Kill, kill, kill!  Ch-ch-ch!  Kill, Kill, Kill!\"</span></strong></span> *</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #808000;\"><strong>\"Have you checked the children?\" </strong></span>+</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>\"REDRUM!!!  REDRUM!!!\"</strong> </span> ^</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>When I was a teenager, I lived for horror flicks.  <em>Friday the 13th, Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street</em>...I saw them all. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Once I was living on my own, I wanted no part of them.  It\'s one thing to get totally creeped out and then sleep soundly knowing that your Dad is in the next room.  It\'s another thing to get scared out of you mind and then go to bed alone in a completely quiet house. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>About 5 years ago, as I flipped through channels, I came across <em>Halloween II.  </em>I was nostalgically drawn in.  I then woke up at 2 a.m. seeing Mike Myers at the foot of my bed. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"Never again!\", said I. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Until recently, when my blog Svengali double dog dared me to watch a horror movie during Halloween week.  Alone.  In my house.  Uh-oh. </strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"No way, no how,\" I told Svenny. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"But you asked people to suggest ideas for the blog.  Watching a horror movie alone is my idea!\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>It\'s true.  I welcome your ideas, dear reader.  I even showcase a handy template where you can submit your ideas for my 365 project on this site.  [If you would like to do so now, kindly click <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">Your Wish is My Command (sort of)</a></strong>]<strong>  </strong>The only two ideas that I have completely ruled out are skydiving and free diving with sharks.  So in the scheme of things, I can handle a horror flick.  Alone.  Without a warm body to protect me when things go bump in the night.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Ugh. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">You gotta live up to a double dog dare.</span> </strong></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>In the spirit of Halloween, I wanted this week\'s bloggy adventures to be Halloweenie in nature.  With 7 slots to fill, I decided that I better suck it up and watch the horror flick solo. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I turned on my cable\'s ON DEMAND channel and noticed that their Horror movie menu was quite extensive this month.  I <em>really</em> wanted to watch the original <em>Friday the 13th</em>, but with that one nowhere in sight, I decided that (and I feel ridiculous for verbalizing this) <em><strong>Freddy vs. Jason</strong> </em>would be my best bet for both campy and scary. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>In the spirit of Your Wish is My Command, I emailed  Svenny and asked him to take a look at the Horror movie menu and get back to me with 3 choices.  I hinted that <em>Freddy vs. Jason </em>might be a good fit hoping that he would find it sufficiently slasherific and therefore <strong>NOT PICK </strong><em><strong>THE SHINING!!!</strong>  </em>The ghostly twins do me in every time.  No way, no HOW could I watch <em>The Shining</em> alone! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Svenny\'s reply surprised me.  \"We need to go to the theatre to see <em>Paranormal Activity 2!\"</em> </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>At first, I almost blurted back, \"But Day 30 involves watching a scary movie home alone!  That\'s the whole point!\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>And then I got smart.</strong> </span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Stupid, stupid girl.  WhatEVER are you thinking?!  Watching slasher flick home alone vs. watching ghost movie with member of the opposite sex who is easy on the eyes and has big biceps to grab onto when you get scared. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>As I said, I got smart. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Svenny picked me up at 7.  One of my former students whom I taught when he was in kindergarten sold us our tickets.  Now THAT\'S frightening!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>We took to our seats and Svenny asked, \"Have you and I been to a movie together yet?\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I coquettishly reminded him, \"No, we haven\'t.  Are you going to try to make out with me during the movie?\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Svenny gazed deep into my eyes and announced, \"I just ate Chinese food!\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Oh, Svennkyins.  Your honeyed words are more than a girl\'s heart can bear! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>As Svenny corrected himself and rambled on that he actually ate \"Lean Cuisine\" -- and he relayed this information while scarfing down a gigantic pretzel -- my mind wandered to Jim, a guy I dated briefly a few years prior. <br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Jim looked like he stepped off the cover of <em>Men\'s Health</em>.</strong> </span></span> <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>He possessed both body and brains.  He was a rocket scientist or something like that for Intel. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Anywho, Jim\'s perfect body turned out to be just one facet of his perfect life.  His bachelor pad was cleaner than a hospital.  His car looked like it was detailed every weekend.  He lined up his athletic shoes -- one pair for each day of the week -- perfectly in his home gym. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>For our 5th date, Jim invited me to his house for dinner.  He cooked perfectly healthy burritos.  Jim made his with onions. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>At the end of the evening, he walked me to my car, and as with the previous 4 dates, hugged me goodbye.  (My mother insisted he was gay, but I thought that he might just be a shy rocket scientist or something like that.  Women often make excuses for 6-pack abs.)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I couldn\'t help myself.  I inquired, \"Jim, are you<em> ever</em> going to kiss me?\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>To which he replied, \"But Michelle!  I JUST ATE ONIONS!!!\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And that\'s how I knew Jim and I were not a match. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Jim is the kind of guy who, when you roll over in bed in the morning ready to romp, will fly out of bed to brush his teeth first. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Goodbye, Jim!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>But Svennykins and I are just friends.  So I expected some sort of joke as a response from him. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The lights dimmed, and I sank into my theatre seat. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I rarely watch TV, so I was unfamiliar with the <em>Paranormal Activity</em> commercials that everyone in the greater Phoenix-Scottsdale area has apparently seen.  Therefore, I didn\'t know what the heck this movie was about. Except paranormality (if that\'s a word).   And I  DIDN\'T know that it was filmed <em>Blair Witch </em>style with moving cameras that made me motion sick within the first two minutes of the film. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #808000;\">Bleck. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Equally upsetting was the unveiling of the dog in the film\'s initial moments.  I knew right then that the dog was destined for disaster, and I cannot handle doggie deaths in movies.  I\'d rather see Jason slash an idiot teenager\'s throat than see an innocent canine at the hands of the bad guy. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And.  The.  Film.  Was.  S-L-O-W.  <em>Painfully</em> slow. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I also learned that this movie doesn\'t involve your ordinary run-of-the-mill ghosts, but evil demons.  Which I refuse to discuss any further because I believe in living in the light. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">What kind of freakazoids spend months and years of their lives developing and filming this stuff?  Now THAT\'S scary!</span></span></span></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span> </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>In a nutshell:</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<ul>\n	<li>Slower than molasses </li>\n	<li>Sickening (from motion sickness, not from gore)</li>\n	<li>Cute toddler (who is the victim of freakazoid\'s demented plot)</li>\n	<li>The real hero of the film, the sweet and obedient German Shepherd, is the first to \"get it\".  Bastards.  </li>\n	<li>No gore</li>\n	<li>No gratuitous sex scenes</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Horrors!  They just don\'t make them like they used to. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>On our way out, Svenny and I agreed that the movie wasn\'t scary.  Nope.  Startling at points, but certainly not scary. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And then he dropped me off at home.  Alone. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Ugh. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The house was eerily silent.  Great timing for my broken SoundDock.  No music for me to break the silence.  Except...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I remembered the music channels on TV that I never use!  Feeling shaken by the \"dark stuff\" that I refuse to further discuss, the Christian channel seemed like the most logical choice.  Yep.  I BLARED Jesus throughout every corner of my house.  Worked like a charm. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Until bed.  When I needed to turn off the TV. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I hate to admit this, but before bed, I carried my phone with me throughout the house as I checked every closet.  How silly is that?  What if something had jumped out at me?  \"Pardon me, Boogeyman, but could you please give me a sec while I call Svenny?  He lives right down the street and can be here in a flash!\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I took an allergy pill to knock me out, and I slept like a wee babe. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>No more horror movies for me until my next cohabitation.  No way, no how. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>                                                          *************************************************************</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Answers to <strong><em><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Name That Horror Flick!</span></em></strong></p>\n\n<p><strong><em> </em></strong> </p>\n\n<p><em><strong>*  <span style=\"color: #003366;\">Friday the 13th.</span></strong>  </em>All 50 of them. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>+  <em><strong><span style=\"color: #808000;\">When a Stranger Calls.</span></strong>  </em>This is another one that you couldn\'t pay me to watch alone.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>^  <em><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">The Shining</span></strong></em></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 30:  Horror Movie Night','','inherit','open','open','','1309-revision-27','','','2010-10-26 21:13:18','2010-10-27 04:13:18','',1309,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/26/1309-revision-27/',0,'revision','',0),(1475,1,'2010-10-26 21:16:57','2010-10-27 04:16:57','<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>It\'s time to play <em><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Name That Horror Flick! </span></strong></em></p>\n\n<p><strong><em> </em></strong> </p>\n\n<p><em><strong> </strong></em></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #333399;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #003366;\">\"Ch-ch-ch!  Kill, kill, kill!  Ch-ch-ch!  Kill, Kill, Kill!\"</span></strong></span> *</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #808000;\"><strong>\"Have you checked the children?\" </strong></span>+</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>\"REDRUM!!!  REDRUM!!!\"</strong> </span> ^</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>When I was a teenager, I lived for horror flicks.  <em>Friday the 13th, Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street</em>...I saw them all. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Once I was living on my own, I wanted no part of them.  It\'s one thing to get totally creeped out and then sleep soundly knowing that your Dad is in the next room.  It\'s another thing to get scared out of you mind and then go to bed alone in a completely quiet house. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>About 5 years ago, as I flipped through channels, I came across <em>Halloween II.  </em>I was nostalgically drawn in.  I then woke up at 2 a.m. seeing Mike Myers at the foot of my bed. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"Never again!\", said I. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Until recently, when my blog Svengali double dog dared me to watch a horror movie during Halloween week.  Alone.  In my house.  Uh-oh. </strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"No way, no how,\" I told Svenny. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"But you asked people to suggest ideas for the blog.  Watching a horror movie alone is my idea!\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>It\'s true.  I welcome your ideas, dear reader.  I even showcase a handy template where you can submit your ideas for my 365 project on this site.  [If you would like to do so now, kindly click <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">Your Wish is My Command (sort of)</a></strong>]<strong>  </strong>The only two ideas that I have completely ruled out are skydiving and free diving with sharks.  So in the scheme of things, I can handle a horror flick.  Alone.  Without a warm body to protect me when things go bump in the night.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Ugh. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">You gotta live up to a double dog dare. </span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>In the spirit of Halloween, I wanted this week\'s bloggy adventures to be Halloweenie in nature.  With 7 slots to fill, I decided that I better suck it up and watch the horror flick solo. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I turned on my cable\'s ON DEMAND channel and noticed that their Horror movie menu was quite extensive this month.  I <em>really</em> wanted to watch the original <em>Friday the 13th</em>, but with that one nowhere in sight, I decided that (and I feel ridiculous for verbalizing this) <em><strong>Freddy vs. Jason</strong> </em>would be my best bet for both campy and scary. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>In the spirit of Your Wish is My Command, I emailed  Svenny and asked him to take a look at the Horror movie menu and get back to me with 3 choices.  I hinted that <em>Freddy vs. Jason </em>might be a good fit hoping that he would find it sufficiently slasherific and therefore <strong>NOT PICK </strong><em><strong>THE SHINING!!!</strong>  </em>The ghostly twins do me in every time.  No way, no HOW could I watch <em>The Shining</em> alone! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Svenny\'s reply surprised me.  \"We need to go to the theatre to see <em>Paranormal Activity 2!\"</em> </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>At first, I almost blurted back, \"But Day 30 involves watching a scary movie home alone!  That\'s the whole point!\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><strong>And then I got smart.</strong> </span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Stupid, stupid girl.  WhatEVER are you thinking?!  Watching slasher flick home alone vs. watching ghost movie with member of the opposite sex who is easy on the eyes and has big biceps to grab onto when you get scared. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>As I said, I got smart. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Svenny picked me up at 7.  One of my former students whom I taught when he was in kindergarten sold us our tickets.  Now THAT\'S frightening!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>We took to our seats and Svenny asked, \"Have you and I been to a movie together yet?\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I coquettishly reminded him, \"No, we haven\'t.  Are you going to try to make out with me during the movie?\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Svenny gazed deep into my eyes and announced, \"I just ate Chinese food!\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Oh, Svennkyins.  Your honeyed words are more than a girl\'s heart can bear! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>As Svenny corrected himself and rambled on that he actually ate \"Lean Cuisine\" -- and he relayed this information while scarfing down a gigantic pretzel -- my mind wandered to J, a guy I dated briefly a few years prior. <br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">J looked like he stepped off the cover of <em>Men\'s Health</em>.</span></strong> </span></span> <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>He possessed both body and brains.  He was a rocket scientist or something like that for a Big C. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Anywho, J\'s perfect body turned out to be just one facet of his perfect life.  His bachelor pad was cleaner than a hospital.  His car looked like it was detailed every weekend.  He lined up his athletic shoes -- one pair for each day of the week -- perfectly in his home gym. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>For our 5th date, Jim invited me to his house for dinner.  He cooked perfectly healthy burritos.  Jim made his with onions. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>At the end of the evening, he walked me to my car, and as with the previous 4 dates, hugged me goodbye.  (My mother insisted he was gay, but I thought that he might just be a shy rocket scientist or something like that.  Women often make excuses for 6-pack abs.)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I couldn\'t help myself.  I inquired, \"Jim, are you<em> ever</em> going to kiss me?\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>To which he replied, \"But Michelle!  I JUST ATE ONIONS!!!\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And that\'s how I knew Jim and I were not a match. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Jim is the kind of guy who, when you roll over in bed in the morning ready to romp, will fly out of bed to brush his teeth first. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Goodbye, Jim!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>But Svennykins and I are just friends.  So I expected some sort of joke as a response from him. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The lights dimmed, and I sank into my theatre seat. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I rarely watch TV, so I was unfamiliar with the <em>Paranormal Activity</em> commercials that everyone in the greater Phoenix-Scottsdale area has apparently seen.  Therefore, I didn\'t know what the heck this movie was about. Except paranormality (if that\'s a word).   And I  DIDN\'T know that it was filmed <em>Blair Witch </em>style with moving cameras that made me motion sick within the first two minutes of the film. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #808000;\">Bleck. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Equally upsetting was the unveiling of the dog in the film\'s initial moments.  I knew right then that the dog was destined for disaster, and I cannot handle doggie deaths in movies.  I\'d rather see Jason slash an idiot teenager\'s throat than see an innocent canine at the hands of the bad guy. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And.  The.  Film.  Was.  S-L-O-W.  <em>Painfully</em> slow. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I also learned that this movie doesn\'t involve your ordinary run-of-the-mill ghosts, but evil demons.  Which I refuse to discuss any further because I believe in living in the light. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">What kind of freakazoids spend months and years of their lives developing and filming this stuff?  Now THAT\'S scary!</span></span></span></span></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span> </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>In a nutshell:</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<ul>\n	<li>Slower than molasses </li>\n	<li>Sickening (from motion sickness, not from gore)</li>\n	<li>Cute toddler (who is the victim of freakazoid\'s demented plot)</li>\n	<li>The real hero of the film, the sweet and obedient German Shepherd, is the first to \"get it\".  Bastards.  </li>\n	<li>No gore</li>\n	<li>No gratuitous sex scenes</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Horrors!  They just don\'t make them like they used to. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>On our way out, Svenny and I agreed that the movie wasn\'t scary.  Nope.  Startling at points, but certainly not scary. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And then he dropped me off at home.  Alone. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Ugh. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The house was eerily silent.  Great timing for my broken SoundDock.  No music for me to break the silence.  Except...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I remembered the music channels on TV that I never use!  Feeling shaken by the \"dark stuff\" that I refuse to further discuss, the Christian channel seemed like the most logical choice.  Yep.  I BLARED Jesus throughout every corner of my house.  Worked like a charm. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Until bed.  When I needed to turn off the TV. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I hate to admit this, but before bed, I carried my phone with me throughout the house as I checked every closet.  How silly is that?  What if something had jumped out at me?  \"Pardon me, Boogeyman, but could you please give me a sec while I call Svenny?  He lives right down the street and can be here in a flash!\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I took an allergy pill to knock me out, and I slept like a wee babe. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>No more horror movies for me until my next cohabitation.  No way, no how. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>                                                          *************************************************************</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Answers to <strong><em><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Name That Horror Flick!</span></em></strong></p>\n\n<p><strong><em> </em></strong> </p>\n\n<p><em><strong>*  <span style=\"color: #003366;\">Friday the 13th.</span></strong>  </em>All 50 of them. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>+  <em><strong><span style=\"color: #808000;\">When a Stranger Calls.</span></strong>  </em>This is another one that you couldn\'t pay me to watch alone.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>^  <em><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">The Shining</span></strong></em></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 30:  Horror Movie Night','','inherit','open','open','','1309-revision-28','','','2010-10-26 21:16:57','2010-10-27 04:16:57','',1309,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/26/1309-revision-28/',0,'revision','',0),(1476,1,'2010-10-26 21:18:43','2010-10-27 04:18:43','<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>It\'s time to play <em><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Name That Horror Flick! </span></strong></em></p>\n\n<p><strong><em> </em></strong> </p>\n\n<p><em><strong> </strong></em></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #333399;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #003366;\">\"Ch-ch-ch!  Kill, kill, kill!  Ch-ch-ch!  Kill, Kill, Kill!\"</span></strong></span> *</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #808000;\"><strong>\"Have you checked the children?\" </strong></span>+</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>\"REDRUM!!!  REDRUM!!!\"</strong> </span> ^</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>When I was a teenager, I lived for horror flicks.  <em>Friday the 13th, Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street</em>...I saw them all. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Once I was living on my own, I wanted no part of them.  It\'s one thing to get totally creeped out and then sleep soundly knowing that your Dad is in the next room.  It\'s another thing to get scared out of you mind and then go to bed alone in a completely quiet house. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>About 5 years ago, as I flipped through channels, I came across <em>Halloween II.  </em>I was nostalgically drawn in.  I then woke up at 2 a.m. seeing Mike Myers at the foot of my bed. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"Never again!\", said I. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Until recently, when my blog Svengali double dog dared me to watch a horror movie during Halloween week.  Alone.  In my house.  Uh-oh. </strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"No way, no how,\" I told Svenny. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"But you asked people to suggest ideas for the blog.  Watching a horror movie alone is my idea!\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>It\'s true.  I welcome your ideas, dear reader.  I even showcase a handy template where you can submit your ideas for my 365 project on this site.  [If you would like to do so now, kindly click <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">Your Wish is My Command (sort of)</a></strong>]<strong>  </strong>The only two ideas that I have completely ruled out are skydiving and free diving with sharks.  So in the scheme of things, I can handle a horror flick.  Alone.  Without a warm body to protect me when things go bump in the night.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Ugh. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">You gotta live up to a double dog dare. </span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>In the spirit of Halloween, I wanted this week\'s bloggy adventures to be Halloweenie in nature.  With 7 slots to fill, I decided that I better suck it up and watch the horror flick solo. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I turned on my cable\'s ON DEMAND channel and noticed that their Horror movie menu was quite extensive this month.  I <em>really</em> wanted to watch the original <em>Friday the 13th</em>, but with that one nowhere in sight, I decided that (and I feel ridiculous for verbalizing this) <em><strong>Freddy vs. Jason</strong> </em>would be my best bet for both campy and scary. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>In the spirit of Your Wish is My Command, I emailed  Svenny and asked him to take a look at the Horror movie menu and get back to me with 3 choices.  I hinted that <em>Freddy vs. Jason </em>might be a good fit hoping that he would find it sufficiently slasherific and therefore <strong>NOT PICK </strong><em><strong>THE SHINING!!!</strong>  </em>The ghostly twins do me in every time.  No way, no HOW could I watch <em>The Shining</em> alone! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Svenny\'s reply surprised me.  \"We need to go to the theatre to see <em>Paranormal Activity 2!\"</em> </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>At first, I almost blurted back, \"But Day 30 involves watching a scary movie home alone!  That\'s the whole point!\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><strong>And then I got smart.</strong> </span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Stupid, stupid girl.  WhatEVER are you thinking?!  Watching slasher flick home alone vs. watching ghost movie with member of the opposite sex who is easy on the eyes and has big biceps to grab onto when you get scared. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>As I said, I got smart. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Svenny picked me up at 7.  One of my former students whom I taught when he was in kindergarten sold us our tickets.  Now THAT\'S frightening!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>We took to our seats and Svenny asked, \"Have you and I been to a movie together yet?\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I coquettishly reminded him, \"No, we haven\'t.  Are you going to try to make out with me during the movie?\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Svenny gazed deep into my eyes and announced, \"I just ate Chinese food!\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Oh, Svennkyins.  Your honeyed words are more than a girl\'s heart can bear! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>As Svenny corrected himself and rambled on that he actually ate \"Lean Cuisine\" -- and he relayed this information while scarfing down a gigantic pretzel -- my mind wandered to Jim, a guy I dated briefly a few years prior. <br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Jim looked like he stepped off the cover of <em>Men\'s Health</em>.</span></strong> </span></span> <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>He possessed both body and brains.  He was a rocket scientist or something like that for a Big &amp; Famous Company. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Anywho, Jim\'s perfect body turned out to be just one facet of his perfect life.  His bachelor pad was cleaner than a hospital.  His car looked like it was detailed every weekend.  He lined up his athletic shoes -- one pair for each day of the week -- perfectly in his home gym. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>For our 5th date, Jim invited me to his house for dinner.  He cooked perfectly healthy burritos.  Jim made his with onions. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>At the end of the evening, he walked me to my car, and as with the previous 4 dates, hugged me goodbye.  (My mother insisted he was gay, but I thought that he might just be a shy rocket scientist or something like that.  Women often make excuses for 6-pack abs.)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I couldn\'t help myself.  I inquired, \"Jim, are you<em> ever</em> going to kiss me?\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>To which he replied, \"But Michelle!  I JUST ATE ONIONS!!!\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And that\'s how I knew Jim and I were not a match. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Jim is the kind of guy who, when you roll over in bed in the morning ready to romp, will fly out of bed to brush his teeth first. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Goodbye, Jim!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>But Svennykins and I are just friends.  So I expected some sort of joke as a response from him. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The lights dimmed, and I sank into my theatre seat. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I rarely watch TV, so I was unfamiliar with the <em>Paranormal Activity</em> commercials that everyone in the greater Phoenix-Scottsdale area has apparently seen.  Therefore, I didn\'t know what the heck this movie was about. Except paranormality (if that\'s a word).   And I  DIDN\'T know that it was filmed <em>Blair Witch </em>style with moving cameras that made me motion sick within the first two minutes of the film. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #808000;\">Bleck. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Equally upsetting was the unveiling of the dog in the film\'s initial moments.  I knew right then that the dog was destined for disaster, and I cannot handle doggie deaths in movies.  I\'d rather see Jason slash an idiot teenager\'s throat than see an innocent canine at the hands of the bad guy. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And.  The.  Film.  Was.  S-L-O-W.  <em>Painfully</em> slow. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I also learned that this movie doesn\'t involve your ordinary run-of-the-mill ghosts, but evil demons.  Which I refuse to discuss any further because I believe in living in the light. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">What kind of freakazoids spend months and years of their lives developing and filming this stuff?  Now THAT\'S scary!</span></span></span></span></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span> </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>In a nutshell:</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<ul>\n	<li>Slower than molasses </li>\n	<li>Sickening (from motion sickness, not from gore)</li>\n	<li>Cute toddler (who is the victim of freakazoid\'s demented plot)</li>\n	<li>The real hero of the film, the sweet and obedient German Shepherd, is the first to \"get it\".  Bastards.  </li>\n	<li>No gore</li>\n	<li>No gratuitous sex scenes</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Horrors!  They just don\'t make them like they used to. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>On our way out, Svenny and I agreed that the movie wasn\'t scary.  Nope.  Startling at points, but certainly not scary. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And then he dropped me off at home.  Alone. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Ugh. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The house was eerily silent.  Great timing for my broken SoundDock.  No music for me to break the silence.  Except...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I remembered the music channels on TV that I never use!  Feeling shaken by the \"dark stuff\" that I refuse to further discuss, the Christian channel seemed like the most logical choice.  Yep.  I BLARED Jesus throughout every corner of my house.  Worked like a charm. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Until bed.  When I needed to turn off the TV. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I hate to admit this, but before bed, I carried my phone with me throughout the house as I checked every closet.  How silly is that?  What if something had jumped out at me?  \"Pardon me, Boogeyman, but could you please give me a sec while I call Svenny?  He lives right down the street and can be here in a flash!\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I took an allergy pill to knock me out, and I slept like a wee babe. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>No more horror movies for me until my next cohabitation.  No way, no how. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>                                                          *************************************************************</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Answers to <strong><em><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Name That Horror Flick!</span></em></strong></p>\n\n<p><strong><em> </em></strong> </p>\n\n<p><em><strong>*  <span style=\"color: #003366;\">Friday the 13th.</span></strong>  </em>All 50 of them. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>+  <em><strong><span style=\"color: #808000;\">When a Stranger Calls.</span></strong>  </em>This is another one that you couldn\'t pay me to watch alone.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>^  <em><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">The Shining</span></strong></em></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 30:  Horror Movie Night','','inherit','open','open','','1309-revision-29','','','2010-10-26 21:18:43','2010-10-27 04:18:43','',1309,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/26/1309-revision-29/',0,'revision','',0),(1477,1,'2010-10-26 21:19:40','2010-10-27 04:19:40','<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It\'s time to play <em><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Name That Horror Flick! </span></strong></em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><em> </em></strong> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><em><strong> </strong></em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #333399;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #003366;\">\"Ch-ch-ch!  Kill, kill, kill!  Ch-ch-ch!  Kill, Kill, Kill!\"</span></strong></span> *</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #808000;\"><strong>\"Have you checked the children?\" </strong></span>+</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>\"REDRUM!!!  REDRUM!!!\"</strong> </span> ^</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When I was a teenager, I lived for horror flicks.  <em>Friday the 13th, Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street</em>...I saw them all. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Once I was living on my own, I wanted no part of them.  It\'s one thing to get totally creeped out and then sleep soundly knowing that your Dad is in the next room.  It\'s another thing to get scared out of you mind and then go to bed alone in a completely quiet house. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>About 5 years ago, as I flipped through channels, I came across <em>Halloween II.  </em>I was nostalgically drawn in.  I then woke up at 2 a.m. seeing Mike Myers at the foot of my bed. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Never again!\", said I. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Until recently, when my blog Svengali double dog dared me to watch a horror movie during Halloween week.  Alone.  In my house.  Uh-oh. </strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"No way, no how,\" I told Svenny. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"But you asked people to suggest ideas for the blog.  Watching a horror movie alone is my idea!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It\'s true.  I welcome your ideas, dear reader.  I even showcase a handy template where you can submit your ideas for my 365 project on this site.  [If you would like to do so now, kindly click <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">Your Wish is My Command (sort of)</a></strong>]<strong>  </strong>The only two ideas that I have completely ruled out are skydiving and free diving with sharks.  So in the scheme of things, I can handle a horror flick.  Alone.  Without a warm body to protect me when things go bump in the night.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ugh. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">You gotta live up to a double dog dare. </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In the spirit of Halloween, I wanted this week\'s bloggy adventures to be Halloweenie in nature.  With 7 slots to fill, I decided that I better suck it up and watch the horror flick solo. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I turned on my cable\'s ON DEMAND channel and noticed that their Horror movie menu was quite extensive this month.  I <em>really</em> wanted to watch the original <em>Friday the 13th</em>, but with that one nowhere in sight, I decided that (and I feel ridiculous for verbalizing this) <em><strong>Freddy vs. Jason</strong> </em>would be my best bet for both campy and scary. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In the spirit of Your Wish is My Command, I emailed  Svenny and asked him to take a look at the Horror movie menu and get back to me with 3 choices.  I hinted that <em>Freddy vs. Jason </em>might be a good fit hoping that he would find it sufficiently slasherific and therefore <strong>NOT PICK </strong><em><strong>THE SHINING!!!</strong>  </em>The ghostly twins do me in every time.  No way, no HOW could I watch <em>The Shining</em> alone! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Svenny\'s reply surprised me.  \"We need to go to the theatre to see <em>Paranormal Activity 2!\"</em> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>At first, I almost blurted back, \"But Day 30 involves watching a scary movie home alone!  That\'s the whole point!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><strong>And then I got smart.</strong> </span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Stupid, stupid girl.  WhatEVER are you thinking?!  Watching slasher flick home alone vs. watching ghost movie with member of the opposite sex who is easy on the eyes and has big biceps to grab onto when you get scared. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As I said, I got smart. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Svenny picked me up at 7.  One of my former students whom I taught when he was in kindergarten sold us our tickets.  Now THAT\'S frightening!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>We took to our seats and Svenny asked, \"Have you and I been to a movie together yet?\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I coquettishly reminded him, \"No, we haven\'t.  Are you going to try to make out with me during the movie?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Svenny gazed deep into my eyes and announced, \"I just ate Chinese food!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Oh, Svennkyins.  Your honeyed words are more than a girl\'s heart can bear! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As Svenny corrected himself and rambled on that he actually ate \"Lean Cuisine\" -- and he relayed this information while scarfing down a gigantic pretzel -- my mind wandered to Jim, a guy I dated briefly a few years prior. <br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Jim looked like he stepped off the cover of <em>Men\'s Health</em>.</span></strong> </span></span> <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>He possessed both body and brains.  He was a rocket scientist or something like that for a Big &amp; Famous Company. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Anywho, Jim\'s perfect body turned out to be just one facet of his perfect life.  His bachelor pad was cleaner than a hospital.  His car looked like it was detailed every weekend.  He lined up his athletic shoes -- one pair for each day of the week -- perfectly in his home gym. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>For our 5th date, Jim invited me to his house for dinner.  He cooked perfectly healthy burritos.  Jim made his with onions. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>At the end of the evening, he walked me to my car, and as with the previous 4 dates, hugged me goodbye.  (My mother insisted he was gay, but I thought that he might just be a shy rocket scientist or something like that.  Women often make excuses for 6-pack abs.)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I couldn\'t help myself.  I inquired, \"Jim, are you<em> ever</em> going to kiss me?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>To which he replied, \"But Michelle!  I JUST ATE ONIONS!!!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And that\'s how I knew Jim and I were not a match. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Jim is the kind of guy who, when you roll over in bed in the morning ready to romp, will fly out of bed to brush his teeth first. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Goodbye, Jim!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But Svennykins and I are just friends.  So I expected some sort of joke as a response from him. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The lights dimmed, and I sank into my theatre seat. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I rarely watch TV, so I was unfamiliar with the <em>Paranormal Activity</em> commercials that everyone in the greater Phoenix-Scottsdale area has apparently seen.  Therefore, I didn\'t know what the heck this movie was about. Except paranormality (if that\'s a word).   And I  DIDN\'T know that it was filmed <em>Blair Witch </em>style with moving cameras that made me motion sick within the first two minutes of the film. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #808000;\">Bleck. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Equally upsetting was the unveiling of the dog in the film\'s initial moments.  I knew right then that the dog was destined for disaster, and I cannot handle doggie deaths in movies.  I\'d rather see Jason slash an idiot teenager\'s throat than see an innocent canine at the hands of the bad guy. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And.  The.  Film.  Was.  S-L-O-W.  <em>Painfully</em> slow. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I also learned that this movie doesn\'t involve your ordinary run-of-the-mill ghosts, but evil demons.  Which I refuse to discuss any further because I believe in living in the light. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">What kind of freakazoids spend months and years of their lives developing and filming this stuff?  Now THAT\'S scary!</span></span></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In a nutshell:</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Slower than molasses </li>\r\n	<li>Sickening (from motion sickness, not from gore)</li>\r\n	<li>Cute toddler (who is the victim of freakazoid\'s demented plot)</li>\r\n	<li>The real hero of the film, the sweet and obedient German Shepherd, is the first to \"get it\".  Bastards.  </li>\r\n	<li>No gore</li>\r\n	<li>No gratuitous sex scenes</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Horrors!  They just don\'t make them like they used to. </span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On our way out, Svenny and I agreed that the movie wasn\'t scary.  Nope.  Startling at points, but certainly not scary. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And then he dropped me off at home.  Alone. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ugh. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The house was eerily silent.  Great timing for my broken SoundDock.  No music for me to break the silence.  Except...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I remembered the music channels on TV that I never use!  Feeling shaken by the \"dark stuff\" that I refuse to further discuss, the Christian channel seemed like the most logical choice.  Yep.  I BLARED Jesus throughout every corner of my house.  Worked like a charm. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Until bed.  When I needed to turn off the TV. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I hate to admit this, but before bed, I carried my phone with me throughout the house as I checked every closet.  How silly is that?  What if something had jumped out at me?  \"Pardon me, Boogeyman, but could you please give me a sec while I call Svenny?  He lives right down the street and can be here in a flash!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I took an allergy pill to knock me out, and I slept like a wee babe. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>No more horror movies for me until my next cohabitation.  No way, no how. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>                                                          *************************************************************</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Answers to <strong><em><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Name That Horror Flick!</span></em></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><em> </em></strong> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><em><strong>*  <span style=\"color: #003366;\">Friday the 13th.</span></strong>  </em>All 50 of them. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>+  <em><strong><span style=\"color: #808000;\">When a Stranger Calls.</span></strong>  </em>This is another one that you couldn\'t pay me to watch alone.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>^  <em><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">The Shining</span></strong></em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 30:  Horror Movie Night','','inherit','open','open','','1309-revision-30','','','2010-10-26 21:19:40','2010-10-27 04:19:40','',1309,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/26/1309-revision-30/',0,'revision','',0),(1478,1,'2010-10-26 21:28:18','2010-10-27 04:28:18','','shining-twins','Creepy and Creepier','inherit','open','open','','shining-twins','','','2010-10-26 21:28:18','2010-10-27 04:28:18','',1309,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/shining-twins.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1479,1,'2010-10-27 08:48:24','2010-10-27 15:48:24','<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>[caption id=\"attachment_1485\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"198\" caption=\"I originally had the photo of The Shining twins here. And it freaked me out so badly that I replaced it with something generic. It&#39;s true! :-o\"]<a href=\"http://media.photobucket.com/image/horror%20movie/Edge19/Horror%20Movies/HorrorMovieLogo.jpg?o=194\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-1485 \" title=\"HorrorMovieLogo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/HorrorMovieLogo.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"198\" height=\"81\" /></a>[/caption]</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>It\'s time to play <em><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Name That Horror Flick! </span></strong></em></p>\r\n<p><strong><em> </em></strong> </p>\r\n<p><em><strong> </strong></em></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #333399;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #003366;\">\"Ch-ch-ch!  Kill, kill, kill!  Ch-ch-ch!  Kill, Kill, Kill!\"</span></strong></span> *</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #808000;\"><strong>\"Have you checked the children?\" </strong></span>+</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>\"REDRUM!!!  REDRUM!!!\"</strong> </span> ^</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>When I was a teenager, I lived for horror flicks.  <em>Friday the 13th, Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street</em>...I saw them all. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Once I was living on my own, I wanted no part of them.  It\'s one thing to get totally creeped out and then sleep soundly knowing that your Dad is in the next room.  It\'s another thing to get scared out of you mind and then go to bed alone in a completely quiet house. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>About 5 years ago, as I flipped through channels, I came across <em>Halloween II.  </em>I was nostalgically drawn in.  I then woke up at 2 a.m. seeing Mike Myers at the foot of my bed. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>\"Never again!\", said I. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><strong>Until recently, when my blog Svengali double dog dared me to watch a horror movie during Halloween week.  Alone.  In my house.  Uh-oh. </strong></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>\"No way, no how,\" I told Svenny. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>\"But you asked people to suggest ideas for the blog.  Watching a horror movie alone is my idea!\" </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>It\'s true.  I welcome your ideas, dear reader.  I even showcase a handy template where you can submit your ideas for my 365 project on this site.  [If you would like to do so now, kindly click <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">Your Wish is My Command (sort of)</a></strong>]<strong>  </strong>The only two ideas that I have completely ruled out are skydiving and free diving with sharks.  So in the scheme of things, I can handle a horror flick.  Alone.  Without a warm body to protect me when things go bump in the night.</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Ugh. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">You gotta live up to a double dog dare. </span></strong></span></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>In the spirit of Halloween, I wanted this week\'s bloggy adventures to be Halloweenie in nature.  With 7 slots to fill, I decided that I better suck it up and watch the horror flick solo. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>I turned on my cable\'s ON DEMAND channel and noticed that their Horror movie menu was quite extensive this month.  I <em>really</em> wanted to watch the original <em>Friday the 13th</em>, but with that one nowhere in sight, I decided that (and I feel ridiculous for verbalizing this) <em><strong>Freddy vs. Jason</strong> </em>would be my best bet for both campy and scary. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>In the spirit of Your Wish is My Command, I emailed  Svenny and asked him to take a look at the Horror movie menu and get back to me with 3 choices.  I hinted that <em>Freddy vs. Jason </em>might be a good fit hoping that he would find it sufficiently slasherific and therefore <strong>NOT PICK </strong><em><strong>THE SHINING!!!</strong>  </em>The ghostly twins do me in every time.  No way, no HOW could I watch <em>The Shining</em> alone! </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Svenny\'s reply surprised me.  \"We need to go to the theatre to see <em>Paranormal Activity 2!\"</em> </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>At first, I almost blurted back, \"But Day 30 involves watching a scary movie home alone!  That\'s the whole point!\" </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><strong>And then I got smart.</strong> </span></span></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Stupid, stupid girl.  WhatEVER are you thinking?!  Watching slasher flick home alone vs. watching ghost movie with member of the opposite sex who is easy on the eyes and has big biceps to grab onto when you get scared. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>As I said, I got smart. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Svenny picked me up at 7.  One of my former students whom I taught when he was in kindergarten sold us our tickets.  Now THAT\'S frightening!</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>We took to our seats and Svenny asked, \"Have you and I been to a movie together yet?\" </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>I coquettishly reminded him, \"No, we haven\'t.  Are you going to try to make out with me during the movie?\"</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Svenny gazed deep into my eyes and announced, \"I just ate Chinese food!\" </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Oh, Svennkyins.  Your honeyed words are more than a girl\'s heart can bear! </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>As Svenny corrected himself and rambled on that he actually ate \"Lean Cuisine\" -- and he relayed this information while scarfing down a gigantic pretzel -- my mind wandered to Jim, a guy I dated briefly a few years prior. <br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Jim looked like he stepped off the cover of <em>Men\'s Health</em>.</span></strong> </span></span> <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>He possessed both body and brains.  He was a rocket scientist or something like that for a Big &amp; Famous Company. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Anywho, Jim\'s perfect body turned out to be just one facet of his perfect life.  His bachelor pad was cleaner than a hospital.  His car looked like it was detailed every weekend.  He lined up his athletic shoes -- one pair for each day of the week -- perfectly in his home gym. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>For our 5th date, Jim invited me to his house for dinner.  He cooked perfectly healthy burritos.  Jim made his with onions. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>At the end of the evening, he walked me to my car, and as with the previous 4 dates, hugged me goodbye.  (My mother insisted he was gay, but I thought that he might just be a shy rocket scientist or something like that.  Women often make excuses for 6-pack abs.)</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>I couldn\'t help myself.  I inquired, \"Jim, are you<em> ever</em> going to kiss me?\"</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>To which he replied, \"But Michelle!  I JUST ATE ONIONS!!!\" </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>And that\'s how I knew Jim and I were not a match. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Jim is the kind of guy who, when you roll over in bed in the morning ready to romp, will fly out of bed to brush his teeth first. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Goodbye, Jim!</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>But Svennykins and I are just friends.  So I expected some sort of joke as a response from him. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>The lights dimmed, and I sank into my theatre seat. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>I rarely watch TV, so I was unfamiliar with the <em>Paranormal Activity</em> commercials that everyone in the greater Phoenix-Scottsdale area has apparently seen.  Therefore, I didn\'t know what the heck this movie was about. Except paranormality (if that\'s a word).   And I  DIDN\'T know that it was filmed <em>Blair Witch </em>style with moving cameras that made me motion sick within the first two minutes of the film. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #808000;\">Bleck. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Equally upsetting was the unveiling of the dog in the film\'s initial moments.  I knew right then that the dog was destined for disaster, and I cannot handle doggie deaths in movies.  I\'d rather see Jason slash an idiot teenager\'s throat than see an innocent canine at the hands of the bad guy. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>And.  The.  Film.  Was.  S-L-O-W.  <em>Painfully</em> slow. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>I also learned that this movie doesn\'t involve your ordinary run-of-the-mill ghosts, but evil demons.  Which I refuse to discuss any further because I believe in living in the light. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">What kind of freakazoids spend months and years of their lives developing and filming this stuff?  Now THAT\'S scary!</span></span></span></span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span> </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>In a nutshell:</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Slower than molasses </li>\r\n<li>Sickening (from motion sickness, not from gore)</li>\r\n<li>Cute toddler (who is the victim of freakazoid\'s demented plot)</li>\r\n<li>The real hero of the film, the sweet and obedient German Shepherd, is the first to \"get it\".  Bastards.  </li>\r\n<li>No gore</li>\r\n<li>No gratuitous sex scenes</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Horrors!  They just don\'t make them like they used to. </span></span></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>On our way out, Svenny and I agreed that the movie wasn\'t scary.  Nope.  Startling at points, but certainly not scary. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>And then he dropped me off at home.  Alone. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Ugh. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>The house was eerily silent.  Great timing for my broken SoundDock.  No music for me to break the silence.  Except...</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>I remembered the music channels on TV that I never use!  Feeling shaken by the \"dark stuff\" that I refuse to further discuss, the Christian channel seemed like the most logical choice.  Yep.  I BLARED Jesus throughout every corner of my house.  Worked like a charm. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Until bed.  When I needed to turn off the TV. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>I hate to admit this, but before bed, I carried my phone with me throughout the house as I checked every closet.  How silly is that?  What if something had jumped out at me?  \"Pardon me, Boogeyman, but could you please give me a sec while I call Svenny?  He lives right down the street and can be here in a flash!\" </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>I took an allergy pill to knock me out, and I slept like a wee babe. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>No more horror movies for me until my next cohabitation.  No way, no how. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>                                                          *************************************************************</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Answers to <strong><em><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Name That Horror Flick!</span></em></strong></p>\r\n<p><strong><em> </em></strong> </p>\r\n<p><em><strong>*  <span style=\"color: #003366;\">Friday the 13th.</span></strong>  </em>All 50 of them. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>+  <em><strong><span style=\"color: #808000;\">When a Stranger Calls.</span></strong>  </em>This is another one that you couldn\'t pay me to watch alone.</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>^  <em><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">The Shining</span></strong></em></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n','Day 30:  Horror Movie Night','','inherit','open','open','','1309-autosave','','','2010-10-27 08:48:24','2010-10-27 15:48:24','',1309,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/26/1309-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1480,1,'2010-10-26 21:20:38','2010-10-27 04:20:38','<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It\'s time to play <em><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Name That Horror Flick! </span></strong></em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><em> </em></strong> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><em><strong> </strong></em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #333399;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #003366;\">\"Ch-ch-ch!  Kill, kill, kill!  Ch-ch-ch!  Kill, Kill, Kill!\"</span></strong></span> *</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #808000;\"><strong>\"Have you checked the children?\" </strong></span>+</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>\"REDRUM!!!  REDRUM!!!\"</strong> </span> ^</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When I was a teenager, I lived for horror flicks.  <em>Friday the 13th, Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street</em>...I saw them all. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Once I was living on my own, I wanted no part of them.  It\'s one thing to get totally creeped out and then sleep soundly knowing that your Dad is in the next room.  It\'s another thing to get scared out of you mind and then go to bed alone in a completely quiet house. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>About 5 years ago, as I flipped through channels, I came across <em>Halloween II.  </em>I was nostalgically drawn in.  I then woke up at 2 a.m. seeing Mike Myers at the foot of my bed. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Never again!\", said I. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Until recently, when my blog Svengali double dog dared me to watch a horror movie during Halloween week.  Alone.  In my house.  Uh-oh. </strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"No way, no how,\" I told Svenny. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"But you asked people to suggest ideas for the blog.  Watching a horror movie alone is my idea!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It\'s true.  I welcome your ideas, dear reader.  I even showcase a handy template where you can submit your ideas for my 365 project on this site.  [If you would like to do so now, kindly click <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">Your Wish is My Command (sort of)</a></strong>]<strong>  </strong>The only two ideas that I have completely ruled out are skydiving and free diving with sharks.  So in the scheme of things, I can handle a horror flick.  Alone.  Without a warm body to protect me when things go bump in the night.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ugh. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">You gotta live up to a double dog dare. </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In the spirit of Halloween, I wanted this week\'s bloggy adventures to be Halloweenie in nature.  With 7 slots to fill, I decided that I better suck it up and watch the horror flick solo. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I turned on my cable\'s ON DEMAND channel and noticed that their Horror movie menu was quite extensive this month.  I <em>really</em> wanted to watch the original <em>Friday the 13th</em>, but with that one nowhere in sight, I decided that (and I feel ridiculous for verbalizing this) <em><strong>Freddy vs. Jason</strong> </em>would be my best bet for both campy and scary. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In the spirit of Your Wish is My Command, I emailed  Svenny and asked him to take a look at the Horror movie menu and get back to me with 3 choices.  I hinted that <em>Freddy vs. Jason </em>might be a good fit hoping that he would find it sufficiently slasherific and therefore <strong>NOT PICK </strong><em><strong>THE SHINING!!!</strong>  </em>The ghostly twins do me in every time.  No way, no HOW could I watch <em>The Shining</em> alone! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Svenny\'s reply surprised me.  \"We need to go to the theatre to see <em>Paranormal Activity 2!\"</em> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>At first, I almost blurted back, \"But Day 30 involves watching a scary movie home alone!  That\'s the whole point!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><strong>And then I got smart.</strong> </span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Stupid, stupid girl.  WhatEVER are you thinking?!  Watching slasher flick home alone vs. watching ghost movie with member of the opposite sex who is easy on the eyes and has big biceps to grab onto when you get scared. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As I said, I got smart. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Svenny picked me up at 7.  One of my former students whom I taught when he was in kindergarten sold us our tickets.  Now THAT\'S frightening!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>We took to our seats and Svenny asked, \"Have you and I been to a movie together yet?\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I coquettishly reminded him, \"No, we haven\'t.  Are you going to try to make out with me during the movie?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Svenny gazed deep into my eyes and announced, \"I just ate Chinese food!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Oh, Svennkyins.  Your honeyed words are more than a girl\'s heart can bear! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As Svenny corrected himself and rambled on that he actually ate \"Lean Cuisine\" -- and he relayed this information while scarfing down a gigantic pretzel -- my mind wandered to Jim, a guy I dated briefly a few years prior. <br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Jim looked like he stepped off the cover of <em>Men\'s Health</em>.</span></strong> </span></span> <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>He possessed both body and brains.  He was a rocket scientist or something like that for a Big &amp; Famous Company. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Anywho, Jim\'s perfect body turned out to be just one facet of his perfect life.  His bachelor pad was cleaner than a hospital.  His car looked like it was detailed every weekend.  He lined up his athletic shoes -- one pair for each day of the week -- perfectly in his home gym. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>For our 5th date, Jim invited me to his house for dinner.  He cooked perfectly healthy burritos.  Jim made his with onions. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>At the end of the evening, he walked me to my car, and as with the previous 4 dates, hugged me goodbye.  (My mother insisted he was gay, but I thought that he might just be a shy rocket scientist or something like that.  Women often make excuses for 6-pack abs.)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I couldn\'t help myself.  I inquired, \"Jim, are you<em> ever</em> going to kiss me?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>To which he replied, \"But Michelle!  I JUST ATE ONIONS!!!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And that\'s how I knew Jim and I were not a match. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Jim is the kind of guy who, when you roll over in bed in the morning ready to romp, will fly out of bed to brush his teeth first. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Goodbye, Jim!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But Svennykins and I are just friends.  So I expected some sort of joke as a response from him. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The lights dimmed, and I sank into my theatre seat. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I rarely watch TV, so I was unfamiliar with the <em>Paranormal Activity</em> commercials that everyone in the greater Phoenix-Scottsdale area has apparently seen.  Therefore, I didn\'t know what the heck this movie was about. Except paranormality (if that\'s a word).   And I  DIDN\'T know that it was filmed <em>Blair Witch </em>style with moving cameras that made me motion sick within the first two minutes of the film. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #808000;\">Bleck. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Equally upsetting was the unveiling of the dog in the film\'s initial moments.  I knew right then that the dog was destined for disaster, and I cannot handle doggie deaths in movies.  I\'d rather see Jason slash an idiot teenager\'s throat than see an innocent canine at the hands of the bad guy. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And.  The.  Film.  Was.  S-L-O-W.  <em>Painfully</em> slow. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I also learned that this movie doesn\'t involve your ordinary run-of-the-mill ghosts, but evil demons.  Which I refuse to discuss any further because I believe in living in the light. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">What kind of freakazoids spend months and years of their lives developing and filming this stuff?  Now THAT\'S scary!</span></span></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In a nutshell:</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Slower than molasses </li>\r\n	<li>Sickening (from motion sickness, not from gore)</li>\r\n	<li>Cute toddler (who is the victim of freakazoid\'s demented plot)</li>\r\n	<li>The real hero of the film, the sweet and obedient German Shepherd, is the first to \"get it\".  Bastards.  </li>\r\n	<li>No gore</li>\r\n	<li>No gratuitous sex scenes</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Horrors!  They just don\'t make them like they used to. </span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On our way out, Svenny and I agreed that the movie wasn\'t scary.  Nope.  Startling at points, but certainly not scary. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And then he dropped me off at home.  Alone. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ugh. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The house was eerily silent.  Great timing for my broken SoundDock.  No music for me to break the silence.  Except...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I remembered the music channels on TV that I never use!  Feeling shaken by the \"dark stuff\" that I refuse to further discuss, the Christian channel seemed like the most logical choice.  Yep.  I BLARED Jesus throughout every corner of my house.  Worked like a charm. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Until bed.  When I needed to turn off the TV. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I hate to admit this, but before bed, I carried my phone with me throughout the house as I checked every closet.  How silly is that?  What if something had jumped out at me?  \"Pardon me, Boogeyman, but could you please give me a sec while I call Svenny?  He lives right down the street and can be here in a flash!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I took an allergy pill to knock me out, and I slept like a wee babe. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>No more horror movies for me until my next cohabitation.  No way, no how. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>                                                          *************************************************************</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Answers to <strong><em><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Name That Horror Flick!</span></em></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><em> </em></strong> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><em><strong>*  <span style=\"color: #003366;\">Friday the 13th.</span></strong>  </em>All 50 of them. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>+  <em><strong><span style=\"color: #808000;\">When a Stranger Calls.</span></strong>  </em>This is another one that you couldn\'t pay me to watch alone.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>^  <em><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">The Shining</span></strong></em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 30:  Horror Movie Night','','inherit','open','open','','1309-revision-31','','','2010-10-26 21:20:38','2010-10-27 04:20:38','',1309,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/26/1309-revision-31/',0,'revision','',0),(1481,1,'2010-10-26 21:30:16','2010-10-27 04:30:16','[caption id=\"attachment_1478\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Creepy and Creepier\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/shining-twins.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1478\" title=\"shining-twins\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/shining-twins-300x240.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"240\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It\'s time to play <em><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Name That Horror Flick! </span></strong></em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><em> </em></strong> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><em><strong> </strong></em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #333399;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #003366;\">\"Ch-ch-ch!  Kill, kill, kill!  Ch-ch-ch!  Kill, Kill, Kill!\"</span></strong></span> *</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #808000;\"><strong>\"Have you checked the children?\" </strong></span>+</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>\"REDRUM!!!  REDRUM!!!\"</strong> </span> ^</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When I was a teenager, I lived for horror flicks.  <em>Friday the 13th, Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street</em>...I saw them all. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Once I was living on my own, I wanted no part of them.  It\'s one thing to get totally creeped out and then sleep soundly knowing that your Dad is in the next room.  It\'s another thing to get scared out of you mind and then go to bed alone in a completely quiet house. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>About 5 years ago, as I flipped through channels, I came across <em>Halloween II.  </em>I was nostalgically drawn in.  I then woke up at 2 a.m. seeing Mike Myers at the foot of my bed. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Never again!\", said I. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Until recently, when my blog Svengali double dog dared me to watch a horror movie during Halloween week.  Alone.  In my house.  Uh-oh. </strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"No way, no how,\" I told Svenny. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"But you asked people to suggest ideas for the blog.  Watching a horror movie alone is my idea!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It\'s true.  I welcome your ideas, dear reader.  I even showcase a handy template where you can submit your ideas for my 365 project on this site.  [If you would like to do so now, kindly click <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">Your Wish is My Command (sort of)</a></strong>]<strong>  </strong>The only two ideas that I have completely ruled out are skydiving and free diving with sharks.  So in the scheme of things, I can handle a horror flick.  Alone.  Without a warm body to protect me when things go bump in the night.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ugh. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">You gotta live up to a double dog dare. </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In the spirit of Halloween, I wanted this week\'s bloggy adventures to be Halloweenie in nature.  With 7 slots to fill, I decided that I better suck it up and watch the horror flick solo. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I turned on my cable\'s ON DEMAND channel and noticed that their Horror movie menu was quite extensive this month.  I <em>really</em> wanted to watch the original <em>Friday the 13th</em>, but with that one nowhere in sight, I decided that (and I feel ridiculous for verbalizing this) <em><strong>Freddy vs. Jason</strong> </em>would be my best bet for both campy and scary. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In the spirit of Your Wish is My Command, I emailed  Svenny and asked him to take a look at the Horror movie menu and get back to me with 3 choices.  I hinted that <em>Freddy vs. Jason </em>might be a good fit hoping that he would find it sufficiently slasherific and therefore <strong>NOT PICK </strong><em><strong>THE SHINING!!!</strong>  </em>The ghostly twins do me in every time.  No way, no HOW could I watch <em>The Shining</em> alone! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Svenny\'s reply surprised me.  \"We need to go to the theatre to see <em>Paranormal Activity 2!\"</em> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>At first, I almost blurted back, \"But Day 30 involves watching a scary movie home alone!  That\'s the whole point!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><strong>And then I got smart.</strong> </span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Stupid, stupid girl.  WhatEVER are you thinking?!  Watching slasher flick home alone vs. watching ghost movie with member of the opposite sex who is easy on the eyes and has big biceps to grab onto when you get scared. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As I said, I got smart. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Svenny picked me up at 7.  One of my former students whom I taught when he was in kindergarten sold us our tickets.  Now THAT\'S frightening!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>We took to our seats and Svenny asked, \"Have you and I been to a movie together yet?\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I coquettishly reminded him, \"No, we haven\'t.  Are you going to try to make out with me during the movie?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Svenny gazed deep into my eyes and announced, \"I just ate Chinese food!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Oh, Svennkyins.  Your honeyed words are more than a girl\'s heart can bear! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As Svenny corrected himself and rambled on that he actually ate \"Lean Cuisine\" -- and he relayed this information while scarfing down a gigantic pretzel -- my mind wandered to Jim, a guy I dated briefly a few years prior. <br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Jim looked like he stepped off the cover of <em>Men\'s Health</em>.</span></strong> </span></span> <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>He possessed both body and brains.  He was a rocket scientist or something like that for a Big &amp; Famous Company. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Anywho, Jim\'s perfect body turned out to be just one facet of his perfect life.  His bachelor pad was cleaner than a hospital.  His car looked like it was detailed every weekend.  He lined up his athletic shoes -- one pair for each day of the week -- perfectly in his home gym. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>For our 5th date, Jim invited me to his house for dinner.  He cooked perfectly healthy burritos.  Jim made his with onions. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>At the end of the evening, he walked me to my car, and as with the previous 4 dates, hugged me goodbye.  (My mother insisted he was gay, but I thought that he might just be a shy rocket scientist or something like that.  Women often make excuses for 6-pack abs.)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I couldn\'t help myself.  I inquired, \"Jim, are you<em> ever</em> going to kiss me?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>To which he replied, \"But Michelle!  I JUST ATE ONIONS!!!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And that\'s how I knew Jim and I were not a match. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Jim is the kind of guy who, when you roll over in bed in the morning ready to romp, will fly out of bed to brush his teeth first. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Goodbye, Jim!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But Svennykins and I are just friends.  So I expected some sort of joke as a response from him. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The lights dimmed, and I sank into my theatre seat. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I rarely watch TV, so I was unfamiliar with the <em>Paranormal Activity</em> commercials that everyone in the greater Phoenix-Scottsdale area has apparently seen.  Therefore, I didn\'t know what the heck this movie was about. Except paranormality (if that\'s a word).   And I  DIDN\'T know that it was filmed <em>Blair Witch </em>style with moving cameras that made me motion sick within the first two minutes of the film. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #808000;\">Bleck. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Equally upsetting was the unveiling of the dog in the film\'s initial moments.  I knew right then that the dog was destined for disaster, and I cannot handle doggie deaths in movies.  I\'d rather see Jason slash an idiot teenager\'s throat than see an innocent canine at the hands of the bad guy. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And.  The.  Film.  Was.  S-L-O-W.  <em>Painfully</em> slow. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I also learned that this movie doesn\'t involve your ordinary run-of-the-mill ghosts, but evil demons.  Which I refuse to discuss any further because I believe in living in the light. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">What kind of freakazoids spend months and years of their lives developing and filming this stuff?  Now THAT\'S scary!</span></span></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In a nutshell:</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Slower than molasses </li>\r\n	<li>Sickening (from motion sickness, not from gore)</li>\r\n	<li>Cute toddler (who is the victim of freakazoid\'s demented plot)</li>\r\n	<li>The real hero of the film, the sweet and obedient German Shepherd, is the first to \"get it\".  Bastards.  </li>\r\n	<li>No gore</li>\r\n	<li>No gratuitous sex scenes</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Horrors!  They just don\'t make them like they used to. </span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On our way out, Svenny and I agreed that the movie wasn\'t scary.  Nope.  Startling at points, but certainly not scary. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And then he dropped me off at home.  Alone. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ugh. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The house was eerily silent.  Great timing for my broken SoundDock.  No music for me to break the silence.  Except...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I remembered the music channels on TV that I never use!  Feeling shaken by the \"dark stuff\" that I refuse to further discuss, the Christian channel seemed like the most logical choice.  Yep.  I BLARED Jesus throughout every corner of my house.  Worked like a charm. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Until bed.  When I needed to turn off the TV. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I hate to admit this, but before bed, I carried my phone with me throughout the house as I checked every closet.  How silly is that?  What if something had jumped out at me?  \"Pardon me, Boogeyman, but could you please give me a sec while I call Svenny?  He lives right down the street and can be here in a flash!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I took an allergy pill to knock me out, and I slept like a wee babe. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>No more horror movies for me until my next cohabitation.  No way, no how. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>                                                          *************************************************************</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Answers to <strong><em><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Name That Horror Flick!</span></em></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><em> </em></strong> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><em><strong>*  <span style=\"color: #003366;\">Friday the 13th.</span></strong>  </em>All 50 of them. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>+  <em><strong><span style=\"color: #808000;\">When a Stranger Calls.</span></strong>  </em>This is another one that you couldn\'t pay me to watch alone.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>^  <em><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">The Shining</span></strong></em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 30:  Horror Movie Night','','inherit','open','open','','1309-revision-32','','','2010-10-26 21:30:16','2010-10-27 04:30:16','',1309,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/26/1309-revision-32/',0,'revision','',0),(1483,1,'2010-10-26 21:31:35','2010-10-27 04:31:35','<p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1478\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Creepy and Creepier\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/shining-twins.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1478 \" title=\"shining-twins\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/shining-twins-300x240.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"240\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It\'s time to play <em><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Name That Horror Flick! </span></strong></em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><em> </em></strong> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><em><strong> </strong></em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #333399;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #003366;\">\"Ch-ch-ch!  Kill, kill, kill!  Ch-ch-ch!  Kill, Kill, Kill!\"</span></strong></span> *</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #808000;\"><strong>\"Have you checked the children?\" </strong></span>+</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>\"REDRUM!!!  REDRUM!!!\"</strong> </span> ^</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When I was a teenager, I lived for horror flicks.  <em>Friday the 13th, Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street</em>...I saw them all. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Once I was living on my own, I wanted no part of them.  It\'s one thing to get totally creeped out and then sleep soundly knowing that your Dad is in the next room.  It\'s another thing to get scared out of you mind and then go to bed alone in a completely quiet house. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>About 5 years ago, as I flipped through channels, I came across <em>Halloween II.  </em>I was nostalgically drawn in.  I then woke up at 2 a.m. seeing Mike Myers at the foot of my bed. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Never again!\", said I. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Until recently, when my blog Svengali double dog dared me to watch a horror movie during Halloween week.  Alone.  In my house.  Uh-oh. </strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"No way, no how,\" I told Svenny. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"But you asked people to suggest ideas for the blog.  Watching a horror movie alone is my idea!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It\'s true.  I welcome your ideas, dear reader.  I even showcase a handy template where you can submit your ideas for my 365 project on this site.  [If you would like to do so now, kindly click <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">Your Wish is My Command (sort of)</a></strong>]<strong>  </strong>The only two ideas that I have completely ruled out are skydiving and free diving with sharks.  So in the scheme of things, I can handle a horror flick.  Alone.  Without a warm body to protect me when things go bump in the night.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ugh. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">You gotta live up to a double dog dare. </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In the spirit of Halloween, I wanted this week\'s bloggy adventures to be Halloweenie in nature.  With 7 slots to fill, I decided that I better suck it up and watch the horror flick solo. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I turned on my cable\'s ON DEMAND channel and noticed that their Horror movie menu was quite extensive this month.  I <em>really</em> wanted to watch the original <em>Friday the 13th</em>, but with that one nowhere in sight, I decided that (and I feel ridiculous for verbalizing this) <em><strong>Freddy vs. Jason</strong> </em>would be my best bet for both campy and scary. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In the spirit of Your Wish is My Command, I emailed  Svenny and asked him to take a look at the Horror movie menu and get back to me with 3 choices.  I hinted that <em>Freddy vs. Jason </em>might be a good fit hoping that he would find it sufficiently slasherific and therefore <strong>NOT PICK </strong><em><strong>THE SHINING!!!</strong>  </em>The ghostly twins do me in every time.  No way, no HOW could I watch <em>The Shining</em> alone! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Svenny\'s reply surprised me.  \"We need to go to the theatre to see <em>Paranormal Activity 2!\"</em> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>At first, I almost blurted back, \"But Day 30 involves watching a scary movie home alone!  That\'s the whole point!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><strong>And then I got smart.</strong> </span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Stupid, stupid girl.  WhatEVER are you thinking?!  Watching slasher flick home alone vs. watching ghost movie with member of the opposite sex who is easy on the eyes and has big biceps to grab onto when you get scared. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As I said, I got smart. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Svenny picked me up at 7.  One of my former students whom I taught when he was in kindergarten sold us our tickets.  Now THAT\'S frightening!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>We took to our seats and Svenny asked, \"Have you and I been to a movie together yet?\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I coquettishly reminded him, \"No, we haven\'t.  Are you going to try to make out with me during the movie?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Svenny gazed deep into my eyes and announced, \"I just ate Chinese food!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Oh, Svennkyins.  Your honeyed words are more than a girl\'s heart can bear! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As Svenny corrected himself and rambled on that he actually ate \"Lean Cuisine\" -- and he relayed this information while scarfing down a gigantic pretzel -- my mind wandered to Jim, a guy I dated briefly a few years prior. <br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Jim looked like he stepped off the cover of <em>Men\'s Health</em>.</span></strong> </span></span> <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>He possessed both body and brains.  He was a rocket scientist or something like that for a Big &amp; Famous Company. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Anywho, Jim\'s perfect body turned out to be just one facet of his perfect life.  His bachelor pad was cleaner than a hospital.  His car looked like it was detailed every weekend.  He lined up his athletic shoes -- one pair for each day of the week -- perfectly in his home gym. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>For our 5th date, Jim invited me to his house for dinner.  He cooked perfectly healthy burritos.  Jim made his with onions. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>At the end of the evening, he walked me to my car, and as with the previous 4 dates, hugged me goodbye.  (My mother insisted he was gay, but I thought that he might just be a shy rocket scientist or something like that.  Women often make excuses for 6-pack abs.)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I couldn\'t help myself.  I inquired, \"Jim, are you<em> ever</em> going to kiss me?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>To which he replied, \"But Michelle!  I JUST ATE ONIONS!!!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And that\'s how I knew Jim and I were not a match. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Jim is the kind of guy who, when you roll over in bed in the morning ready to romp, will fly out of bed to brush his teeth first. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Goodbye, Jim!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But Svennykins and I are just friends.  So I expected some sort of joke as a response from him. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The lights dimmed, and I sank into my theatre seat. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I rarely watch TV, so I was unfamiliar with the <em>Paranormal Activity</em> commercials that everyone in the greater Phoenix-Scottsdale area has apparently seen.  Therefore, I didn\'t know what the heck this movie was about. Except paranormality (if that\'s a word).   And I  DIDN\'T know that it was filmed <em>Blair Witch </em>style with moving cameras that made me motion sick within the first two minutes of the film. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #808000;\">Bleck. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Equally upsetting was the unveiling of the dog in the film\'s initial moments.  I knew right then that the dog was destined for disaster, and I cannot handle doggie deaths in movies.  I\'d rather see Jason slash an idiot teenager\'s throat than see an innocent canine at the hands of the bad guy. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And.  The.  Film.  Was.  S-L-O-W.  <em>Painfully</em> slow. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I also learned that this movie doesn\'t involve your ordinary run-of-the-mill ghosts, but evil demons.  Which I refuse to discuss any further because I believe in living in the light. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">What kind of freakazoids spend months and years of their lives developing and filming this stuff?  Now THAT\'S scary!</span></span></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In a nutshell:</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Slower than molasses </li>\r\n	<li>Sickening (from motion sickness, not from gore)</li>\r\n	<li>Cute toddler (who is the victim of freakazoid\'s demented plot)</li>\r\n	<li>The real hero of the film, the sweet and obedient German Shepherd, is the first to \"get it\".  Bastards.  </li>\r\n	<li>No gore</li>\r\n	<li>No gratuitous sex scenes</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Horrors!  They just don\'t make them like they used to. </span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On our way out, Svenny and I agreed that the movie wasn\'t scary.  Nope.  Startling at points, but certainly not scary. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And then he dropped me off at home.  Alone. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ugh. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The house was eerily silent.  Great timing for my broken SoundDock.  No music for me to break the silence.  Except...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I remembered the music channels on TV that I never use!  Feeling shaken by the \"dark stuff\" that I refuse to further discuss, the Christian channel seemed like the most logical choice.  Yep.  I BLARED Jesus throughout every corner of my house.  Worked like a charm. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Until bed.  When I needed to turn off the TV. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I hate to admit this, but before bed, I carried my phone with me throughout the house as I checked every closet.  How silly is that?  What if something had jumped out at me?  \"Pardon me, Boogeyman, but could you please give me a sec while I call Svenny?  He lives right down the street and can be here in a flash!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I took an allergy pill to knock me out, and I slept like a wee babe. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>No more horror movies for me until my next cohabitation.  No way, no how. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>                                                          *************************************************************</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Answers to <strong><em><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Name That Horror Flick!</span></em></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><em> </em></strong> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><em><strong>*  <span style=\"color: #003366;\">Friday the 13th.</span></strong>  </em>All 50 of them. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>+  <em><strong><span style=\"color: #808000;\">When a Stranger Calls.</span></strong>  </em>This is another one that you couldn\'t pay me to watch alone.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>^  <em><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">The Shining</span></strong></em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 30:  Horror Movie Night','','inherit','open','open','','1309-revision-34','','','2010-10-26 21:31:35','2010-10-27 04:31:35','',1309,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/26/1309-revision-34/',0,'revision','',0),(1482,1,'2010-10-26 21:30:29','2010-10-27 04:30:29','<p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1478\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Creepy and Creepier\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/shining-twins.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1478\" title=\"shining-twins\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/shining-twins-300x240.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"240\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It\'s time to play <em><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Name That Horror Flick! </span></strong></em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><em> </em></strong> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><em><strong> </strong></em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #333399;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #003366;\">\"Ch-ch-ch!  Kill, kill, kill!  Ch-ch-ch!  Kill, Kill, Kill!\"</span></strong></span> *</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #808000;\"><strong>\"Have you checked the children?\" </strong></span>+</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>\"REDRUM!!!  REDRUM!!!\"</strong> </span> ^</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When I was a teenager, I lived for horror flicks.  <em>Friday the 13th, Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street</em>...I saw them all. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Once I was living on my own, I wanted no part of them.  It\'s one thing to get totally creeped out and then sleep soundly knowing that your Dad is in the next room.  It\'s another thing to get scared out of you mind and then go to bed alone in a completely quiet house. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>About 5 years ago, as I flipped through channels, I came across <em>Halloween II.  </em>I was nostalgically drawn in.  I then woke up at 2 a.m. seeing Mike Myers at the foot of my bed. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Never again!\", said I. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Until recently, when my blog Svengali double dog dared me to watch a horror movie during Halloween week.  Alone.  In my house.  Uh-oh. </strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"No way, no how,\" I told Svenny. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"But you asked people to suggest ideas for the blog.  Watching a horror movie alone is my idea!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It\'s true.  I welcome your ideas, dear reader.  I even showcase a handy template where you can submit your ideas for my 365 project on this site.  [If you would like to do so now, kindly click <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">Your Wish is My Command (sort of)</a></strong>]<strong>  </strong>The only two ideas that I have completely ruled out are skydiving and free diving with sharks.  So in the scheme of things, I can handle a horror flick.  Alone.  Without a warm body to protect me when things go bump in the night.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ugh. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">You gotta live up to a double dog dare. </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In the spirit of Halloween, I wanted this week\'s bloggy adventures to be Halloweenie in nature.  With 7 slots to fill, I decided that I better suck it up and watch the horror flick solo. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I turned on my cable\'s ON DEMAND channel and noticed that their Horror movie menu was quite extensive this month.  I <em>really</em> wanted to watch the original <em>Friday the 13th</em>, but with that one nowhere in sight, I decided that (and I feel ridiculous for verbalizing this) <em><strong>Freddy vs. Jason</strong> </em>would be my best bet for both campy and scary. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In the spirit of Your Wish is My Command, I emailed  Svenny and asked him to take a look at the Horror movie menu and get back to me with 3 choices.  I hinted that <em>Freddy vs. Jason </em>might be a good fit hoping that he would find it sufficiently slasherific and therefore <strong>NOT PICK </strong><em><strong>THE SHINING!!!</strong>  </em>The ghostly twins do me in every time.  No way, no HOW could I watch <em>The Shining</em> alone! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Svenny\'s reply surprised me.  \"We need to go to the theatre to see <em>Paranormal Activity 2!\"</em> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>At first, I almost blurted back, \"But Day 30 involves watching a scary movie home alone!  That\'s the whole point!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><strong>And then I got smart.</strong> </span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Stupid, stupid girl.  WhatEVER are you thinking?!  Watching slasher flick home alone vs. watching ghost movie with member of the opposite sex who is easy on the eyes and has big biceps to grab onto when you get scared. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As I said, I got smart. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Svenny picked me up at 7.  One of my former students whom I taught when he was in kindergarten sold us our tickets.  Now THAT\'S frightening!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>We took to our seats and Svenny asked, \"Have you and I been to a movie together yet?\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I coquettishly reminded him, \"No, we haven\'t.  Are you going to try to make out with me during the movie?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Svenny gazed deep into my eyes and announced, \"I just ate Chinese food!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Oh, Svennkyins.  Your honeyed words are more than a girl\'s heart can bear! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As Svenny corrected himself and rambled on that he actually ate \"Lean Cuisine\" -- and he relayed this information while scarfing down a gigantic pretzel -- my mind wandered to Jim, a guy I dated briefly a few years prior. <br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Jim looked like he stepped off the cover of <em>Men\'s Health</em>.</span></strong> </span></span> <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>He possessed both body and brains.  He was a rocket scientist or something like that for a Big &amp; Famous Company. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Anywho, Jim\'s perfect body turned out to be just one facet of his perfect life.  His bachelor pad was cleaner than a hospital.  His car looked like it was detailed every weekend.  He lined up his athletic shoes -- one pair for each day of the week -- perfectly in his home gym. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>For our 5th date, Jim invited me to his house for dinner.  He cooked perfectly healthy burritos.  Jim made his with onions. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>At the end of the evening, he walked me to my car, and as with the previous 4 dates, hugged me goodbye.  (My mother insisted he was gay, but I thought that he might just be a shy rocket scientist or something like that.  Women often make excuses for 6-pack abs.)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I couldn\'t help myself.  I inquired, \"Jim, are you<em> ever</em> going to kiss me?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>To which he replied, \"But Michelle!  I JUST ATE ONIONS!!!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And that\'s how I knew Jim and I were not a match. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Jim is the kind of guy who, when you roll over in bed in the morning ready to romp, will fly out of bed to brush his teeth first. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Goodbye, Jim!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But Svennykins and I are just friends.  So I expected some sort of joke as a response from him. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The lights dimmed, and I sank into my theatre seat. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I rarely watch TV, so I was unfamiliar with the <em>Paranormal Activity</em> commercials that everyone in the greater Phoenix-Scottsdale area has apparently seen.  Therefore, I didn\'t know what the heck this movie was about. Except paranormality (if that\'s a word).   And I  DIDN\'T know that it was filmed <em>Blair Witch </em>style with moving cameras that made me motion sick within the first two minutes of the film. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #808000;\">Bleck. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Equally upsetting was the unveiling of the dog in the film\'s initial moments.  I knew right then that the dog was destined for disaster, and I cannot handle doggie deaths in movies.  I\'d rather see Jason slash an idiot teenager\'s throat than see an innocent canine at the hands of the bad guy. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And.  The.  Film.  Was.  S-L-O-W.  <em>Painfully</em> slow. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I also learned that this movie doesn\'t involve your ordinary run-of-the-mill ghosts, but evil demons.  Which I refuse to discuss any further because I believe in living in the light. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">What kind of freakazoids spend months and years of their lives developing and filming this stuff?  Now THAT\'S scary!</span></span></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In a nutshell:</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Slower than molasses </li>\r\n	<li>Sickening (from motion sickness, not from gore)</li>\r\n	<li>Cute toddler (who is the victim of freakazoid\'s demented plot)</li>\r\n	<li>The real hero of the film, the sweet and obedient German Shepherd, is the first to \"get it\".  Bastards.  </li>\r\n	<li>No gore</li>\r\n	<li>No gratuitous sex scenes</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Horrors!  They just don\'t make them like they used to. </span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On our way out, Svenny and I agreed that the movie wasn\'t scary.  Nope.  Startling at points, but certainly not scary. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And then he dropped me off at home.  Alone. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ugh. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The house was eerily silent.  Great timing for my broken SoundDock.  No music for me to break the silence.  Except...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I remembered the music channels on TV that I never use!  Feeling shaken by the \"dark stuff\" that I refuse to further discuss, the Christian channel seemed like the most logical choice.  Yep.  I BLARED Jesus throughout every corner of my house.  Worked like a charm. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Until bed.  When I needed to turn off the TV. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I hate to admit this, but before bed, I carried my phone with me throughout the house as I checked every closet.  How silly is that?  What if something had jumped out at me?  \"Pardon me, Boogeyman, but could you please give me a sec while I call Svenny?  He lives right down the street and can be here in a flash!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I took an allergy pill to knock me out, and I slept like a wee babe. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>No more horror movies for me until my next cohabitation.  No way, no how. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>                                                          *************************************************************</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Answers to <strong><em><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Name That Horror Flick!</span></em></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><em> </em></strong> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><em><strong>*  <span style=\"color: #003366;\">Friday the 13th.</span></strong>  </em>All 50 of them. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>+  <em><strong><span style=\"color: #808000;\">When a Stranger Calls.</span></strong>  </em>This is another one that you couldn\'t pay me to watch alone.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>^  <em><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">The Shining</span></strong></em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 30:  Horror Movie Night','','inherit','open','open','','1309-revision-33','','','2010-10-26 21:30:29','2010-10-27 04:30:29','',1309,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/26/1309-revision-33/',0,'revision','',0),(1484,1,'2010-10-26 21:34:18','2010-10-27 04:34:18','<p>[caption id=\"attachment_1478\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Creepy and Creepier\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/shining-twins.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1478 \" title=\"shining-twins\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/shining-twins-300x240.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"240\" /></a>[/caption]</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>It\'s time to play <em><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Name That Horror Flick! </span></strong></em></p>\r\n<p><strong><em> </em></strong> </p>\r\n<p><em><strong> </strong></em></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #333399;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #003366;\">\"Ch-ch-ch!  Kill, kill, kill!  Ch-ch-ch!  Kill, Kill, Kill!\"</span></strong></span> *</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #808000;\"><strong>\"Have you checked the children?\" </strong></span>+</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>\"REDRUM!!!  REDRUM!!!\"</strong> </span> ^</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>When I was a teenager, I lived for horror flicks.  <em>Friday the 13th, Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street</em>...I saw them all. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Once I was living on my own, I wanted no part of them.  It\'s one thing to get totally creeped out and then sleep soundly knowing that your Dad is in the next room.  It\'s another thing to get scared out of you mind and then go to bed alone in a completely quiet house. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>About 5 years ago, as I flipped through channels, I came across <em>Halloween II.  </em>I was nostalgically drawn in.  I then woke up at 2 a.m. seeing Mike Myers at the foot of my bed. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>\"Never again!\", said I. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><strong>Until recently, when my blog Svengali double dog dared me to watch a horror movie during Halloween week.  Alone.  In my house.  Uh-oh. </strong></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>\"No way, no how,\" I told Svenny. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>\"But you asked people to suggest ideas for the blog.  Watching a horror movie alone is my idea!\" </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>It\'s true.  I welcome your ideas, dear reader.  I even showcase a handy template where you can submit your ideas for my 365 project on this site.  [If you would like to do so now, kindly click <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">Your Wish is My Command (sort of)</a></strong>]<strong>  </strong>The only two ideas that I have completely ruled out are skydiving and free diving with sharks.  So in the scheme of things, I can handle a horror flick.  Alone.  Without a warm body to protect me when things go bump in the night.</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Ugh. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">You gotta live up to a double dog dare. </span></strong></span></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>In the spirit of Halloween, I wanted this week\'s bloggy adventures to be Halloweenie in nature.  With 7 slots to fill, I decided that I better suck it up and watch the horror flick solo. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>I turned on my cable\'s ON DEMAND channel and noticed that their Horror movie menu was quite extensive this month.  I <em>really</em> wanted to watch the original <em>Friday the 13th</em>, but with that one nowhere in sight, I decided that (and I feel ridiculous for verbalizing this) <em><strong>Freddy vs. Jason</strong> </em>would be my best bet for both campy and scary. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>In the spirit of Your Wish is My Command, I emailed  Svenny and asked him to take a look at the Horror movie menu and get back to me with 3 choices.  I hinted that <em>Freddy vs. Jason </em>might be a good fit hoping that he would find it sufficiently slasherific and therefore <strong>NOT PICK </strong><em><strong>THE SHINING!!!</strong>  </em>The ghostly twins do me in every time.  No way, no HOW could I watch <em>The Shining</em> alone! </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Svenny\'s reply surprised me.  \"We need to go to the theatre to see <em>Paranormal Activity 2!\"</em> </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>At first, I almost blurted back, \"But Day 30 involves watching a scary movie home alone!  That\'s the whole point!\" </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><strong>And then I got smart.</strong> </span></span></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Stupid, stupid girl.  WhatEVER are you thinking?!  Watching slasher flick home alone vs. watching ghost movie with member of the opposite sex who is easy on the eyes and has big biceps to grab onto when you get scared. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>As I said, I got smart. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Svenny picked me up at 7.  One of my former students whom I taught when he was in kindergarten sold us our tickets.  Now THAT\'S frightening!</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>We took to our seats and Svenny asked, \"Have you and I been to a movie together yet?\" </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>I coquettishly reminded him, \"No, we haven\'t.  Are you going to try to make out with me during the movie?\"</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Svenny gazed deep into my eyes and announced, \"I just ate Chinese food!\" </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Oh, Svennkyins.  Your honeyed words are more than a girl\'s heart can bear! </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>As Svenny corrected himself and rambled on that he actually ate \"Lean Cuisine\" -- and he relayed this information while scarfing down a gigantic pretzel -- my mind wandered to Jim, a guy I dated briefly a few years prior. <br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Jim looked like he stepped off the cover of <em>Men\'s Health</em>.</span></strong> </span></span> <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>He possessed both body and brains.  He was a rocket scientist or something like that for a Big &amp; Famous Company. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Anywho, Jim\'s perfect body turned out to be just one facet of his perfect life.  His bachelor pad was cleaner than a hospital.  His car looked like it was detailed every weekend.  He lined up his athletic shoes -- one pair for each day of the week -- perfectly in his home gym. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>For our 5th date, Jim invited me to his house for dinner.  He cooked perfectly healthy burritos.  Jim made his with onions. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>At the end of the evening, he walked me to my car, and as with the previous 4 dates, hugged me goodbye.  (My mother insisted he was gay, but I thought that he might just be a shy rocket scientist or something like that.  Women often make excuses for 6-pack abs.)</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>I couldn\'t help myself.  I inquired, \"Jim, are you<em> ever</em> going to kiss me?\"</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>To which he replied, \"But Michelle!  I JUST ATE ONIONS!!!\" </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>And that\'s how I knew Jim and I were not a match. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Jim is the kind of guy who, when you roll over in bed in the morning ready to romp, will fly out of bed to brush his teeth first. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Goodbye, Jim!</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>But Svennykins and I are just friends.  So I expected some sort of joke as a response from him. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>The lights dimmed, and I sank into my theatre seat. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>I rarely watch TV, so I was unfamiliar with the <em>Paranormal Activity</em> commercials that everyone in the greater Phoenix-Scottsdale area has apparently seen.  Therefore, I didn\'t know what the heck this movie was about. Except paranormality (if that\'s a word).   And I  DIDN\'T know that it was filmed <em>Blair Witch </em>style with moving cameras that made me motion sick within the first two minutes of the film. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #808000;\">Bleck. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Equally upsetting was the unveiling of the dog in the film\'s initial moments.  I knew right then that the dog was destined for disaster, and I cannot handle doggie deaths in movies.  I\'d rather see Jason slash an idiot teenager\'s throat than see an innocent canine at the hands of the bad guy. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>And.  The.  Film.  Was.  S-L-O-W.  <em>Painfully</em> slow. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>I also learned that this movie doesn\'t involve your ordinary run-of-the-mill ghosts, but evil demons.  Which I refuse to discuss any further because I believe in living in the light. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">What kind of freakazoids spend months and years of their lives developing and filming this stuff?  Now THAT\'S scary!</span></span></span></span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span> </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>In a nutshell:</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Slower than molasses </li>\r\n<li>Sickening (from motion sickness, not from gore)</li>\r\n<li>Cute toddler (who is the victim of freakazoid\'s demented plot)</li>\r\n<li>The real hero of the film, the sweet and obedient German Shepherd, is the first to \"get it\".  Bastards.  </li>\r\n<li>No gore</li>\r\n<li>No gratuitous sex scenes</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Horrors!  They just don\'t make them like they used to. </span></span></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>On our way out, Svenny and I agreed that the movie wasn\'t scary.  Nope.  Startling at points, but certainly not scary. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>And then he dropped me off at home.  Alone. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Ugh. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>The house was eerily silent.  Great timing for my broken SoundDock.  No music for me to break the silence.  Except...</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>I remembered the music channels on TV that I never use!  Feeling shaken by the \"dark stuff\" that I refuse to further discuss, the Christian channel seemed like the most logical choice.  Yep.  I BLARED Jesus throughout every corner of my house.  Worked like a charm. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Until bed.  When I needed to turn off the TV. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>I hate to admit this, but before bed, I carried my phone with me throughout the house as I checked every closet.  How silly is that?  What if something had jumped out at me?  \"Pardon me, Boogeyman, but could you please give me a sec while I call Svenny?  He lives right down the street and can be here in a flash!\" </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>I took an allergy pill to knock me out, and I slept like a wee babe. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>No more horror movies for me until my next cohabitation.  No way, no how. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>                                                          *************************************************************</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Answers to <strong><em><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Name That Horror Flick!</span></em></strong></p>\r\n<p><strong><em> </em></strong> </p>\r\n<p><em><strong>*  <span style=\"color: #003366;\">Friday the 13th.</span></strong>  </em>All 50 of them. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>+  <em><strong><span style=\"color: #808000;\">When a Stranger Calls.</span></strong>  </em>This is another one that you couldn\'t pay me to watch alone.</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>^  <em><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">The Shining</span></strong></em></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n','Day 30:  Horror Movie Night','','inherit','open','open','','1309-revision-35','','','2010-10-26 21:34:18','2010-10-27 04:34:18','',1309,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/26/1309-revision-35/',0,'revision','',0),(1487,1,'2010-10-26 21:45:05','2010-10-27 04:45:05','<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://media.photobucket.com/image/horror%20movie/Edge19/Horror%20Movies/HorrorMovieLogo.jpg?o=194\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1485\" title=\"HorrorMovieLogo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/HorrorMovieLogo.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"198\" height=\"81\" /></a><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>It\'s time to play <em><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Name That Horror Flick! </span></strong></em></p>\n\n<p><strong><em> </em></strong> </p>\n\n<p><em><strong> </strong></em></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #333399;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #003366;\">\"Ch-ch-ch!  Kill, kill, kill!  Ch-ch-ch!  Kill, Kill, Kill!\"</span></strong></span> *</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #808000;\"><strong>\"Have you checked the children?\" </strong></span>+</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>\"REDRUM!!!  REDRUM!!!\"</strong> </span> ^</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>When I was a teenager, I lived for horror flicks.  <em>Friday the 13th, Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street</em>...I saw them all. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Once I was living on my own, I wanted no part of them.  It\'s one thing to get totally creeped out and then sleep soundly knowing that your Dad is in the next room.  It\'s another thing to get scared out of you mind and then go to bed alone in a completely quiet house. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>About 5 years ago, as I flipped through channels, I came across <em>Halloween II.  </em>I was nostalgically drawn in.  I then woke up at 2 a.m. seeing Mike Myers at the foot of my bed. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"Never again!\", said I. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Until recently, when my blog Svengali double dog dared me to watch a horror movie during Halloween week.  Alone.  In my house.  Uh-oh. </strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"No way, no how,\" I told Svenny. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"But you asked people to suggest ideas for the blog.  Watching a horror movie alone is my idea!\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>It\'s true.  I welcome your ideas, dear reader.  I even showcase a handy template where you can submit your ideas for my 365 project on this site.  [If you would like to do so now, kindly click <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">Your Wish is My Command (sort of)</a></strong>]<strong>  </strong>The only two ideas that I have completely ruled out are skydiving and free diving with sharks.  So in the scheme of things, I can handle a horror flick.  Alone.  Without a warm body to protect me when things go bump in the night.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Ugh. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">You gotta live up to a double dog dare. </span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>In the spirit of Halloween, I wanted this week\'s bloggy adventures to be Halloweenie in nature.  With 7 slots to fill, I decided that I better suck it up and watch the horror flick solo. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I turned on my cable\'s ON DEMAND channel and noticed that their Horror movie menu was quite extensive this month.  I <em>really</em> wanted to watch the original <em>Friday the 13th</em>, but with that one nowhere in sight, I decided that (and I feel ridiculous for verbalizing this) <em><strong>Freddy vs. Jason</strong> </em>would be my best bet for both campy and scary. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>In the spirit of Your Wish is My Command, I emailed  Svenny and asked him to take a look at the Horror movie menu and get back to me with 3 choices.  I hinted that <em>Freddy vs. Jason </em>might be a good fit hoping that he would find it sufficiently slasherific and therefore <strong>NOT PICK </strong><em><strong>THE SHINING!!!</strong>  </em>The ghostly twins do me in every time.  No way, no HOW could I watch <em>The Shining</em> alone! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Svenny\'s reply surprised me.  \"We need to go to the theatre to see <em>Paranormal Activity 2!\"</em> </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>At first, I almost blurted back, \"But Day 30 involves watching a scary movie home alone!  That\'s the whole point!\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><strong>And then I got smart.</strong> </span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Stupid, stupid girl.  WhatEVER are you thinking?!  Watching slasher flick home alone vs. watching ghost movie with member of the opposite sex who is easy on the eyes and has big biceps to grab onto when you get scared. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>As I said, I got smart. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Svenny picked me up at 7.  One of my former students whom I taught when he was in kindergarten sold us our tickets.  Now THAT\'S frightening!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>We took to our seats and Svenny asked, \"Have you and I been to a movie together yet?\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I coquettishly reminded him, \"No, we haven\'t.  Are you going to try to make out with me during the movie?\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Svenny gazed deep into my eyes and announced, \"I just ate Chinese food!\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Oh, Svennkyins.  Your honeyed words are more than a girl\'s heart can bear! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>As Svenny corrected himself and rambled on that he actually ate \"Lean Cuisine\" -- and he relayed this information while scarfing down a gigantic pretzel -- my mind wandered to Jim, a guy I dated briefly a few years prior. <br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Jim looked like he stepped off the cover of <em>Men\'s Health</em>.</span></strong> </span></span> <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>He possessed both body and brains.  He was a rocket scientist or something like that for a Big &amp; Famous Company. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Anywho, Jim\'s perfect body turned out to be just one facet of his perfect life.  His bachelor pad was cleaner than a hospital.  His car looked like it was detailed every weekend.  He lined up his athletic shoes -- one pair for each day of the week -- perfectly in his home gym. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>For our 5th date, Jim invited me to his house for dinner.  He cooked perfectly healthy burritos.  Jim made his with onions. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>At the end of the evening, he walked me to my car, and as with the previous 4 dates, hugged me goodbye.  (My mother insisted he was gay, but I thought that he might just be a shy rocket scientist or something like that.  Women often make excuses for 6-pack abs.)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I couldn\'t help myself.  I inquired, \"Jim, are you<em> ever</em> going to kiss me?\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>To which he replied, \"But Michelle!  I JUST ATE ONIONS!!!\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And that\'s how I knew Jim and I were not a match. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Jim is the kind of guy who, when you roll over in bed in the morning ready to romp, will fly out of bed to brush his teeth first. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Goodbye, Jim!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>But Svennykins and I are just friends.  So I expected some sort of joke as a response from him. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The lights dimmed, and I sank into my theatre seat. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I rarely watch TV, so I was unfamiliar with the <em>Paranormal Activity</em> commercials that everyone in the greater Phoenix-Scottsdale area has apparently seen.  Therefore, I didn\'t know what the heck this movie was about. Except paranormality (if that\'s a word).   And I  DIDN\'T know that it was filmed <em>Blair Witch </em>style with moving cameras that made me motion sick within the first two minutes of the film. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #808000;\">Bleck. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Equally upsetting was the unveiling of the dog in the film\'s initial moments.  I knew right then that the dog was destined for disaster, and I cannot handle doggie deaths in movies.  I\'d rather see Jason slash an idiot teenager\'s throat than see an innocent canine at the hands of the bad guy. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And.  The.  Film.  Was.  S-L-O-W.  <em>Painfully</em> slow. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I also learned that this movie doesn\'t involve your ordinary run-of-the-mill ghosts, but evil demons.  Which I refuse to discuss any further because I believe in living in the light. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">What kind of freakazoids spend months and years of their lives developing and filming this stuff?  Now THAT\'S scary!</span></span></span></span></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span> </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>In a nutshell:</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<ul>\n	<li>Slower than molasses </li>\n	<li>Sickening (from motion sickness, not from gore)</li>\n	<li>Cute toddler (who is the victim of freakazoid\'s demented plot)</li>\n	<li>The real hero of the film, the sweet and obedient German Shepherd, is the first to \"get it\".  Bastards.  </li>\n	<li>No gore</li>\n	<li>No gratuitous sex scenes</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Horrors!  They just don\'t make them like they used to. </span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>On our way out, Svenny and I agreed that the movie wasn\'t scary.  Nope.  Startling at points, but certainly not scary. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And then he dropped me off at home.  Alone. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Ugh. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The house was eerily silent.  Great timing for my broken SoundDock.  No music for me to break the silence.  Except...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I remembered the music channels on TV that I never use!  Feeling shaken by the \"dark stuff\" that I refuse to further discuss, the Christian channel seemed like the most logical choice.  Yep.  I BLARED Jesus throughout every corner of my house.  Worked like a charm. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Until bed.  When I needed to turn off the TV. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I hate to admit this, but before bed, I carried my phone with me throughout the house as I checked every closet.  How silly is that?  What if something had jumped out at me?  \"Pardon me, Boogeyman, but could you please give me a sec while I call Svenny?  He lives right down the street and can be here in a flash!\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I took an allergy pill to knock me out, and I slept like a wee babe. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>No more horror movies for me until my next cohabitation.  No way, no how. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>                                                          *************************************************************</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Answers to <strong><em><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Name That Horror Flick!</span></em></strong></p>\n\n<p><strong><em> </em></strong> </p>\n\n<p><em><strong>*  <span style=\"color: #003366;\">Friday the 13th.</span></strong>  </em>All 50 of them. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>+  <em><strong><span style=\"color: #808000;\">When a Stranger Calls.</span></strong>  </em>This is another one that you couldn\'t pay me to watch alone.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>^  <em><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">The Shining</span></strong></em></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 30:  Horror Movie Night','','inherit','open','open','','1309-revision-37','','','2010-10-26 21:45:05','2010-10-27 04:45:05','',1309,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/26/1309-revision-37/',0,'revision','',0),(1485,1,'2010-10-26 21:40:47','2010-10-27 04:40:47','','HorrorMovieLogo','','inherit','open','open','','horrormovielogo','','','2010-10-26 21:40:47','2010-10-27 04:40:47','',1309,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/HorrorMovieLogo.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1486,1,'2010-10-26 21:34:28','2010-10-27 04:34:28','<p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1478\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Creepy and Creepier\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/shining-twins.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1478 \" title=\"shining-twins\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/shining-twins-300x240.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"240\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It\'s time to play <em><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Name That Horror Flick! </span></strong></em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><em> </em></strong> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><em><strong> </strong></em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #333399;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #003366;\">\"Ch-ch-ch!  Kill, kill, kill!  Ch-ch-ch!  Kill, Kill, Kill!\"</span></strong></span> *</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #808000;\"><strong>\"Have you checked the children?\" </strong></span>+</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>\"REDRUM!!!  REDRUM!!!\"</strong> </span> ^</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When I was a teenager, I lived for horror flicks.  <em>Friday the 13th, Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street</em>...I saw them all. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Once I was living on my own, I wanted no part of them.  It\'s one thing to get totally creeped out and then sleep soundly knowing that your Dad is in the next room.  It\'s another thing to get scared out of you mind and then go to bed alone in a completely quiet house. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>About 5 years ago, as I flipped through channels, I came across <em>Halloween II.  </em>I was nostalgically drawn in.  I then woke up at 2 a.m. seeing Mike Myers at the foot of my bed. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Never again!\", said I. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Until recently, when my blog Svengali double dog dared me to watch a horror movie during Halloween week.  Alone.  In my house.  Uh-oh. </strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"No way, no how,\" I told Svenny. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"But you asked people to suggest ideas for the blog.  Watching a horror movie alone is my idea!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It\'s true.  I welcome your ideas, dear reader.  I even showcase a handy template where you can submit your ideas for my 365 project on this site.  [If you would like to do so now, kindly click <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">Your Wish is My Command (sort of)</a></strong>]<strong>  </strong>The only two ideas that I have completely ruled out are skydiving and free diving with sharks.  So in the scheme of things, I can handle a horror flick.  Alone.  Without a warm body to protect me when things go bump in the night.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ugh. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">You gotta live up to a double dog dare. </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In the spirit of Halloween, I wanted this week\'s bloggy adventures to be Halloweenie in nature.  With 7 slots to fill, I decided that I better suck it up and watch the horror flick solo. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I turned on my cable\'s ON DEMAND channel and noticed that their Horror movie menu was quite extensive this month.  I <em>really</em> wanted to watch the original <em>Friday the 13th</em>, but with that one nowhere in sight, I decided that (and I feel ridiculous for verbalizing this) <em><strong>Freddy vs. Jason</strong> </em>would be my best bet for both campy and scary. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In the spirit of Your Wish is My Command, I emailed  Svenny and asked him to take a look at the Horror movie menu and get back to me with 3 choices.  I hinted that <em>Freddy vs. Jason </em>might be a good fit hoping that he would find it sufficiently slasherific and therefore <strong>NOT PICK </strong><em><strong>THE SHINING!!!</strong>  </em>The ghostly twins do me in every time.  No way, no HOW could I watch <em>The Shining</em> alone! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Svenny\'s reply surprised me.  \"We need to go to the theatre to see <em>Paranormal Activity 2!\"</em> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>At first, I almost blurted back, \"But Day 30 involves watching a scary movie home alone!  That\'s the whole point!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><strong>And then I got smart.</strong> </span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Stupid, stupid girl.  WhatEVER are you thinking?!  Watching slasher flick home alone vs. watching ghost movie with member of the opposite sex who is easy on the eyes and has big biceps to grab onto when you get scared. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As I said, I got smart. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Svenny picked me up at 7.  One of my former students whom I taught when he was in kindergarten sold us our tickets.  Now THAT\'S frightening!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>We took to our seats and Svenny asked, \"Have you and I been to a movie together yet?\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I coquettishly reminded him, \"No, we haven\'t.  Are you going to try to make out with me during the movie?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Svenny gazed deep into my eyes and announced, \"I just ate Chinese food!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Oh, Svennkyins.  Your honeyed words are more than a girl\'s heart can bear! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As Svenny corrected himself and rambled on that he actually ate \"Lean Cuisine\" -- and he relayed this information while scarfing down a gigantic pretzel -- my mind wandered to Jim, a guy I dated briefly a few years prior. <br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Jim looked like he stepped off the cover of <em>Men\'s Health</em>.</span></strong> </span></span> <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>He possessed both body and brains.  He was a rocket scientist or something like that for a Big &amp; Famous Company. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Anywho, Jim\'s perfect body turned out to be just one facet of his perfect life.  His bachelor pad was cleaner than a hospital.  His car looked like it was detailed every weekend.  He lined up his athletic shoes -- one pair for each day of the week -- perfectly in his home gym. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>For our 5th date, Jim invited me to his house for dinner.  He cooked perfectly healthy burritos.  Jim made his with onions. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>At the end of the evening, he walked me to my car, and as with the previous 4 dates, hugged me goodbye.  (My mother insisted he was gay, but I thought that he might just be a shy rocket scientist or something like that.  Women often make excuses for 6-pack abs.)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I couldn\'t help myself.  I inquired, \"Jim, are you<em> ever</em> going to kiss me?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>To which he replied, \"But Michelle!  I JUST ATE ONIONS!!!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And that\'s how I knew Jim and I were not a match. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Jim is the kind of guy who, when you roll over in bed in the morning ready to romp, will fly out of bed to brush his teeth first. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Goodbye, Jim!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But Svennykins and I are just friends.  So I expected some sort of joke as a response from him. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The lights dimmed, and I sank into my theatre seat. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I rarely watch TV, so I was unfamiliar with the <em>Paranormal Activity</em> commercials that everyone in the greater Phoenix-Scottsdale area has apparently seen.  Therefore, I didn\'t know what the heck this movie was about. Except paranormality (if that\'s a word).   And I  DIDN\'T know that it was filmed <em>Blair Witch </em>style with moving cameras that made me motion sick within the first two minutes of the film. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #808000;\">Bleck. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Equally upsetting was the unveiling of the dog in the film\'s initial moments.  I knew right then that the dog was destined for disaster, and I cannot handle doggie deaths in movies.  I\'d rather see Jason slash an idiot teenager\'s throat than see an innocent canine at the hands of the bad guy. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And.  The.  Film.  Was.  S-L-O-W.  <em>Painfully</em> slow. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I also learned that this movie doesn\'t involve your ordinary run-of-the-mill ghosts, but evil demons.  Which I refuse to discuss any further because I believe in living in the light. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">What kind of freakazoids spend months and years of their lives developing and filming this stuff?  Now THAT\'S scary!</span></span></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In a nutshell:</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Slower than molasses </li>\r\n	<li>Sickening (from motion sickness, not from gore)</li>\r\n	<li>Cute toddler (who is the victim of freakazoid\'s demented plot)</li>\r\n	<li>The real hero of the film, the sweet and obedient German Shepherd, is the first to \"get it\".  Bastards.  </li>\r\n	<li>No gore</li>\r\n	<li>No gratuitous sex scenes</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Horrors!  They just don\'t make them like they used to. </span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On our way out, Svenny and I agreed that the movie wasn\'t scary.  Nope.  Startling at points, but certainly not scary. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And then he dropped me off at home.  Alone. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ugh. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The house was eerily silent.  Great timing for my broken SoundDock.  No music for me to break the silence.  Except...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I remembered the music channels on TV that I never use!  Feeling shaken by the \"dark stuff\" that I refuse to further discuss, the Christian channel seemed like the most logical choice.  Yep.  I BLARED Jesus throughout every corner of my house.  Worked like a charm. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Until bed.  When I needed to turn off the TV. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I hate to admit this, but before bed, I carried my phone with me throughout the house as I checked every closet.  How silly is that?  What if something had jumped out at me?  \"Pardon me, Boogeyman, but could you please give me a sec while I call Svenny?  He lives right down the street and can be here in a flash!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I took an allergy pill to knock me out, and I slept like a wee babe. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>No more horror movies for me until my next cohabitation.  No way, no how. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>                                                          *************************************************************</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Answers to <strong><em><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Name That Horror Flick!</span></em></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><em> </em></strong> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><em><strong>*  <span style=\"color: #003366;\">Friday the 13th.</span></strong>  </em>All 50 of them. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>+  <em><strong><span style=\"color: #808000;\">When a Stranger Calls.</span></strong>  </em>This is another one that you couldn\'t pay me to watch alone.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>^  <em><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">The Shining</span></strong></em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 30:  Horror Movie Night','','inherit','open','open','','1309-revision-36','','','2010-10-26 21:34:28','2010-10-27 04:34:28','',1309,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/26/1309-revision-36/',0,'revision','',0),(1488,1,'2010-10-26 21:46:45','2010-10-27 04:46:45','<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1485\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"198\" caption=\"I originally had the photo of The Shining twins here. And it freaked me out so badly that I replaced it with something generic. It&#39;s true! :-o\"]<a href=\"http://media.photobucket.com/image/horror%20movie/Edge19/Horror%20Movies/HorrorMovieLogo.jpg?o=194\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-1485 \" title=\"HorrorMovieLogo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/HorrorMovieLogo.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"198\" height=\"81\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It\'s time to play <em><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Name That Horror Flick! </span></strong></em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><em> </em></strong> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><em><strong> </strong></em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #333399;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #003366;\">\"Ch-ch-ch!  Kill, kill, kill!  Ch-ch-ch!  Kill, Kill, Kill!\"</span></strong></span> *</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #808000;\"><strong>\"Have you checked the children?\" </strong></span>+</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>\"REDRUM!!!  REDRUM!!!\"</strong> </span> ^</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When I was a teenager, I lived for horror flicks.  <em>Friday the 13th, Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street</em>...I saw them all. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Once I was living on my own, I wanted no part of them.  It\'s one thing to get totally creeped out and then sleep soundly knowing that your Dad is in the next room.  It\'s another thing to get scared out of you mind and then go to bed alone in a completely quiet house. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>About 5 years ago, as I flipped through channels, I came across <em>Halloween II.  </em>I was nostalgically drawn in.  I then woke up at 2 a.m. seeing Mike Myers at the foot of my bed. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Never again!\", said I. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Until recently, when my blog Svengali double dog dared me to watch a horror movie during Halloween week.  Alone.  In my house.  Uh-oh. </strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"No way, no how,\" I told Svenny. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"But you asked people to suggest ideas for the blog.  Watching a horror movie alone is my idea!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It\'s true.  I welcome your ideas, dear reader.  I even showcase a handy template where you can submit your ideas for my 365 project on this site.  [If you would like to do so now, kindly click <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">Your Wish is My Command (sort of)</a></strong>]<strong>  </strong>The only two ideas that I have completely ruled out are skydiving and free diving with sharks.  So in the scheme of things, I can handle a horror flick.  Alone.  Without a warm body to protect me when things go bump in the night.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ugh. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">You gotta live up to a double dog dare. </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In the spirit of Halloween, I wanted this week\'s bloggy adventures to be Halloweenie in nature.  With 7 slots to fill, I decided that I better suck it up and watch the horror flick solo. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I turned on my cable\'s ON DEMAND channel and noticed that their Horror movie menu was quite extensive this month.  I <em>really</em> wanted to watch the original <em>Friday the 13th</em>, but with that one nowhere in sight, I decided that (and I feel ridiculous for verbalizing this) <em><strong>Freddy vs. Jason</strong> </em>would be my best bet for both campy and scary. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In the spirit of Your Wish is My Command, I emailed  Svenny and asked him to take a look at the Horror movie menu and get back to me with 3 choices.  I hinted that <em>Freddy vs. Jason </em>might be a good fit hoping that he would find it sufficiently slasherific and therefore <strong>NOT PICK </strong><em><strong>THE SHINING!!!</strong>  </em>The ghostly twins do me in every time.  No way, no HOW could I watch <em>The Shining</em> alone! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Svenny\'s reply surprised me.  \"We need to go to the theatre to see <em>Paranormal Activity 2!\"</em> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>At first, I almost blurted back, \"But Day 30 involves watching a scary movie home alone!  That\'s the whole point!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><strong>And then I got smart.</strong> </span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Stupid, stupid girl.  WhatEVER are you thinking?!  Watching slasher flick home alone vs. watching ghost movie with member of the opposite sex who is easy on the eyes and has big biceps to grab onto when you get scared. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As I said, I got smart. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Svenny picked me up at 7.  One of my former students whom I taught when he was in kindergarten sold us our tickets.  Now THAT\'S frightening!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>We took to our seats and Svenny asked, \"Have you and I been to a movie together yet?\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I coquettishly reminded him, \"No, we haven\'t.  Are you going to try to make out with me during the movie?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Svenny gazed deep into my eyes and announced, \"I just ate Chinese food!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Oh, Svennkyins.  Your honeyed words are more than a girl\'s heart can bear! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As Svenny corrected himself and rambled on that he actually ate \"Lean Cuisine\" -- and he relayed this information while scarfing down a gigantic pretzel -- my mind wandered to Jim, a guy I dated briefly a few years prior. <br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Jim looked like he stepped off the cover of <em>Men\'s Health</em>.</span></strong> </span></span> <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>He possessed both body and brains.  He was a rocket scientist or something like that for a Big &amp; Famous Company. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Anywho, Jim\'s perfect body turned out to be just one facet of his perfect life.  His bachelor pad was cleaner than a hospital.  His car looked like it was detailed every weekend.  He lined up his athletic shoes -- one pair for each day of the week -- perfectly in his home gym. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>For our 5th date, Jim invited me to his house for dinner.  He cooked perfectly healthy burritos.  Jim made his with onions. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>At the end of the evening, he walked me to my car, and as with the previous 4 dates, hugged me goodbye.  (My mother insisted he was gay, but I thought that he might just be a shy rocket scientist or something like that.  Women often make excuses for 6-pack abs.)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I couldn\'t help myself.  I inquired, \"Jim, are you<em> ever</em> going to kiss me?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>To which he replied, \"But Michelle!  I JUST ATE ONIONS!!!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And that\'s how I knew Jim and I were not a match. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Jim is the kind of guy who, when you roll over in bed in the morning ready to romp, will fly out of bed to brush his teeth first. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Goodbye, Jim!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But Svennykins and I are just friends.  So I expected some sort of joke as a response from him. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The lights dimmed, and I sank into my theatre seat. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I rarely watch TV, so I was unfamiliar with the <em>Paranormal Activity</em> commercials that everyone in the greater Phoenix-Scottsdale area has apparently seen.  Therefore, I didn\'t know what the heck this movie was about. Except paranormality (if that\'s a word).   And I  DIDN\'T know that it was filmed <em>Blair Witch </em>style with moving cameras that made me motion sick within the first two minutes of the film. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #808000;\">Bleck. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Equally upsetting was the unveiling of the dog in the film\'s initial moments.  I knew right then that the dog was destined for disaster, and I cannot handle doggie deaths in movies.  I\'d rather see Jason slash an idiot teenager\'s throat than see an innocent canine at the hands of the bad guy. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And.  The.  Film.  Was.  S-L-O-W.  <em>Painfully</em> slow. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I also learned that this movie doesn\'t involve your ordinary run-of-the-mill ghosts, but evil demons.  Which I refuse to discuss any further because I believe in living in the light. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">What kind of freakazoids spend months and years of their lives developing and filming this stuff?  Now THAT\'S scary!</span></span></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In a nutshell:</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Slower than molasses </li>\r\n	<li>Sickening (from motion sickness, not from gore)</li>\r\n	<li>Cute toddler (who is the victim of freakazoid\'s demented plot)</li>\r\n	<li>The real hero of the film, the sweet and obedient German Shepherd, is the first to \"get it\".  Bastards.  </li>\r\n	<li>No gore</li>\r\n	<li>No gratuitous sex scenes</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Horrors!  They just don\'t make them like they used to. </span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On our way out, Svenny and I agreed that the movie wasn\'t scary.  Nope.  Startling at points, but certainly not scary. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And then he dropped me off at home.  Alone. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ugh. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The house was eerily silent.  Great timing for my broken SoundDock.  No music for me to break the silence.  Except...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I remembered the music channels on TV that I never use!  Feeling shaken by the \"dark stuff\" that I refuse to further discuss, the Christian channel seemed like the most logical choice.  Yep.  I BLARED Jesus throughout every corner of my house.  Worked like a charm. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Until bed.  When I needed to turn off the TV. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I hate to admit this, but before bed, I carried my phone with me throughout the house as I checked every closet.  How silly is that?  What if something had jumped out at me?  \"Pardon me, Boogeyman, but could you please give me a sec while I call Svenny?  He lives right down the street and can be here in a flash!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I took an allergy pill to knock me out, and I slept like a wee babe. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>No more horror movies for me until my next cohabitation.  No way, no how. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>                                                          *************************************************************</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Answers to <strong><em><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Name That Horror Flick!</span></em></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><em> </em></strong> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><em><strong>*  <span style=\"color: #003366;\">Friday the 13th.</span></strong>  </em>All 50 of them. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>+  <em><strong><span style=\"color: #808000;\">When a Stranger Calls.</span></strong>  </em>This is another one that you couldn\'t pay me to watch alone.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>^  <em><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">The Shining</span></strong></em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 30:  Horror Movie Night','','inherit','open','open','','1309-revision-38','','','2010-10-26 21:46:45','2010-10-27 04:46:45','',1309,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/26/1309-revision-38/',0,'revision','',0),(1489,1,'2010-10-26 22:53:49','2010-10-27 05:53:49','<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1485\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"198\" caption=\"I originally had the photo of The Shining twins here. And it freaked me out so badly that I replaced it with something generic. It&#39;s true! :-o\"]<a href=\"http://media.photobucket.com/image/horror%20movie/Edge19/Horror%20Movies/HorrorMovieLogo.jpg?o=194\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-1485 \" title=\"HorrorMovieLogo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/HorrorMovieLogo.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"198\" height=\"81\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It\'s time to play <em><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Name That Horror Flick! </span></strong></em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><em> </em></strong> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><em><strong> </strong></em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #333399;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #003366;\">\"Ch-ch-ch!  Kill, kill, kill!  Ch-ch-ch!  Kill, Kill, Kill!\"</span></strong></span> *</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #808000;\"><strong>\"Have you checked the children?\" </strong></span>+</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>\"REDRUM!!!  REDRUM!!!\"</strong> </span> ^</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When I was a teenager, I lived for horror flicks.  <em>Friday the 13th, Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street</em>...I saw them all. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Once I was living on my own, I wanted no part of them.  It\'s one thing to get totally creeped out and then sleep soundly knowing that your Dad is in the next room.  It\'s another thing to get scared out of you mind and then go to bed alone in a completely quiet house. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>About 5 years ago, as I flipped through channels, I came across <em>Halloween II.  </em>I was nostalgically drawn in.  I then woke up at 2 a.m. seeing Mike Myers at the foot of my bed. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Never again!\", said I. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Until recently, when my blog Svengali double dog dared me to watch a horror movie during Halloween week.  Alone.  In my house.  Uh-oh. </strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"No way, no how,\" I told Svenny. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"But you asked people to suggest ideas for the blog.  Watching a horror movie alone is my idea!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It\'s true.  I welcome your ideas, dear reader.  I even showcase a handy template where you can submit your ideas for my 365 project on this site.  [If you would like to do so now, kindly click <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">Your Wish is My Command (sort of)</a></strong>]<strong>  </strong>The only two ideas that I have completely ruled out are skydiving and free diving with sharks.  So in the scheme of things, I can handle a horror flick.  Alone.  Without a warm body to protect me when things go bump in the night.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ugh. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">You gotta live up to a double dog dare. </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In the spirit of Halloween, I wanted this week\'s bloggy adventures to be Halloweenie in nature.  With 7 slots to fill, I decided that I better suck it up and watch the horror flick solo. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I turned on my cable\'s ON DEMAND channel and noticed that their Horror movie menu was quite extensive this month.  I <em>really</em> wanted to watch the original <em>Friday the 13th</em>, but with that one nowhere in sight, I decided that (and I feel ridiculous for verbalizing this) <em><strong>Freddy vs. Jason</strong> </em>would be my best bet for both campy and scary. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In the spirit of Your Wish is My Command, I emailed  Svenny and asked him to take a look at the Horror movie menu and get back to me with 3 choices.  I hinted that <em>Freddy vs. Jason </em>might be a good fit hoping that he would find it sufficiently slasherific and therefore <strong>NOT PICK </strong><em><strong>THE SHINING!!!</strong>  </em>The ghostly twins do me in every time.  No way, no HOW could I watch <em>The Shining</em> alone! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Svenny\'s reply surprised me.  \"We need to go to the theatre to see <em>Paranormal Activity 2!\"</em> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>At first, I almost blurted back, \"But Day 30 involves watching a scary movie home alone!  That\'s the whole point!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><strong>And then I got smart.</strong> </span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Stupid, stupid girl.  WhatEVER are you thinking?!  Watching slasher flick home alone vs. watching ghost movie with member of the opposite sex who is easy on the eyes and has big biceps to grab onto when you get scared. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As I said, I got smart. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Svenny picked me up at 7.  One of my former students whom I taught when he was in kindergarten sold us our tickets.  Now THAT\'S frightening!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>We took to our seats and Svenny asked, \"Have you and I been to a movie together yet?\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I coquettishly reminded him, \"No, we haven\'t.  Are you going to try to make out with me during the movie?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Svenny gazed deep into my eyes and announced, \"I just ate Chinese food!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Oh, Svennkyins.  Your honeyed words are more than a girl\'s heart can bear! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As Svenny corrected himself and rambled on that he actually ate \"Lean Cuisine\" -- and he relayed this information while scarfing down a gigantic pretzel -- my mind wandered to Jim, a guy I dated briefly a few years prior. <br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Jim looked like he stepped off the cover of <em>Men\'s Health</em>.</span></strong> </span></span> <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>He possessed both body and brains.  He was a rocket scientist or something like that for a Big &amp; Famous Company. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Anywho, Jim\'s perfect body turned out to be just one facet of his perfect life.  His bachelor pad was cleaner than a hospital.  His car looked like it was detailed every weekend.  He lined up his athletic shoes -- one pair for each day of the week -- perfectly in his home gym. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>For our 5th date, Jim invited me to his house for dinner.  He cooked perfectly healthy burritos.  Jim made his with onions. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>At the end of the evening, he walked me to my car, and as with the previous 4 dates, hugged me goodbye.  (My mother insisted he was gay, but I thought that he might just be a shy rocket scientist or something like that.  Women often make excuses for 6-pack abs.)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I couldn\'t help myself.  I inquired, \"Jim, are you<em> ever</em> going to kiss me?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>To which he replied, \"But Michelle!  I JUST ATE ONIONS!!!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And that\'s how I knew Jim and I were not a match. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Jim is the kind of guy who, when you roll over in bed in the morning ready to romp, will fly out of bed to brush his teeth first. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Goodbye, Jim!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But Svennykins and I are just friends.  So I expected some sort of joke as a response from him. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The lights dimmed, and I sank into my theatre seat. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I rarely watch TV, so I was unfamiliar with the <em>Paranormal Activity</em> commercials that everyone in the greater Phoenix-Scottsdale area has apparently seen.  Therefore, I didn\'t know what the heck this movie was about. Except paranormality (if that\'s a word).   And I  DIDN\'T know that it was filmed <em>Blair Witch </em>style with moving cameras that made me motion sick within the first two minutes of the film. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #808000;\">Bleck. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Equally upsetting was the unveiling of the dog in the film\'s initial moments.  I knew right then that the dog was destined for disaster, and I cannot handle doggie deaths in movies.  I\'d rather see Jason slash an idiot teenager\'s throat than see an innocent canine at the hands of the bad guy. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And.  The.  Film.  Was.  S-L-O-W.  <em>Painfully</em> slow. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I also learned that this movie doesn\'t involve your ordinary run-of-the-mill ghosts, but evil demons.  Which I refuse to discuss any further because I believe in living in the light. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">What kind of freakazoids spend months and years of their lives developing and filming this stuff?  Now THAT\'S scary!</span></span></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In a nutshell:</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Slower than molasses </li>\r\n	<li>Sickening (from motion sickness, not from gore)</li>\r\n	<li>Cute toddler (who is the victim of freakazoid\'s demented plot)</li>\r\n	<li>The real hero of the film, the sweet and obedient German Shepherd, is the first to \"get it\".  Bastards.  </li>\r\n	<li>No gore</li>\r\n	<li>No gratuitous sex scenes</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Horrors!  They just don\'t make them like they used to. </span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On our way out, Svenny and I agreed that the movie wasn\'t scary.  Nope.  Startling at points, but certainly not scary. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And then he dropped me off at home.  Alone. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ugh. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The house was eerily silent.  Great timing for my broken SoundDock.  No music for me to break the silence.  Except...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I remembered the music channels on TV that I never use!  Feeling shaken by the \"dark stuff\" that I refuse to further discuss, the Christian channel seemed like the most logical choice.  Yep.  I BLARED Jesus throughout every corner of my house.  Worked like a charm. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Until bed.  When I needed to turn off the TV. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I hate to admit this, but before bed, I carried my phone with me throughout the house as I checked every closet.  How silly is that?  What if something had jumped out at me?  \"Pardon me, Boogeyman, but could you please give me a sec while I call Svenny?  He lives right down the street and can be here in a flash!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I took an allergy pill to knock me out, and I slept like a wee babe. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>No more horror movies for me until my next cohabitation.  No way, no how. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>                                                          *************************************************************</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Answers to <strong><em><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Name That Horror Flick!</span></em></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><em> </em></strong> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><em><strong>*  <span style=\"color: #003366;\">Friday the 13th.</span></strong>  </em>All 50 of them. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>+  <em><strong><span style=\"color: #808000;\">When a Stranger Calls.</span></strong>  </em>This is another one that you couldn\'t pay me to watch alone.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>^  <em><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">The Shining</span></strong></em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 30:  Horror Movie Night','','inherit','open','open','','1309-revision-39','','','2010-10-26 22:53:49','2010-10-27 05:53:49','',1309,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/26/1309-revision-39/',0,'revision','',0),(1491,1,'2010-10-27 08:47:54','2010-10-27 15:47:54','<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1485\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"198\" caption=\"I originally had the photo of The Shining twins here. And it freaked me out so badly that I replaced it with something generic. It&#39;s true! :-o\"]<a href=\"http://media.photobucket.com/image/horror%20movie/Edge19/Horror%20Movies/HorrorMovieLogo.jpg?o=194\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-1485 \" title=\"HorrorMovieLogo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/HorrorMovieLogo.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"198\" height=\"81\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It\'s time to play <em><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Name That Horror Flick! </span></strong></em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><em> </em></strong> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><em><strong> </strong></em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #333399;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #003366;\">\"Ch-ch-ch!  Kill, kill, kill!  Ch-ch-ch!  Kill, Kill, Kill!\"</span></strong></span> *</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #808000;\"><strong>\"Have you checked the children?\" </strong></span>+</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>\"REDRUM!!!  REDRUM!!!\"</strong> </span> ^</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When I was a teenager, I lived for horror flicks.  <em>Friday the 13th, Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street</em>...I saw them all. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Once I was living on my own, I wanted no part of them.  It\'s one thing to get totally creeped out and then sleep soundly knowing that your Dad is in the next room.  It\'s another thing to get scared out of you mind and then go to bed alone in a completely quiet house. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>About 5 years ago, as I flipped through channels, I came across <em>Halloween II.  </em>I was nostalgically drawn in.  I then woke up at 2 a.m. seeing Mike Myers at the foot of my bed. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Never again!\", said I. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Until recently, when my blog Svengali double dog dared me to watch a horror movie during Halloween week.  Alone.  In my house.  Uh-oh. </strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"No way, no how,\" I told Svenny. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"But you asked people to suggest ideas for the blog.  Watching a horror movie alone is my idea!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It\'s true.  I welcome your ideas, dear reader.  I even showcase a handy template where you can submit your ideas for my 365 project on this site.  [If you would like to do so now, kindly click <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">Your Wish is My Command (sort of)</a></strong>]<strong>  </strong>The only two ideas that I have completely ruled out are skydiving and free diving with sharks.  So in the scheme of things, I can handle a horror flick.  Alone.  Without a warm body to protect me when things go bump in the night.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ugh. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">You gotta live up to a double dog dare. </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In the spirit of Halloween, I wanted this week\'s bloggy adventures to be Halloweenie in nature.  With 7 slots to fill, I decided that I better suck it up and watch the horror flick solo. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I turned on my cable\'s ON DEMAND channel and noticed that their Horror movie menu was quite extensive this month.  I <em>really</em> wanted to watch the original <em>Friday the 13th</em>, but with that one nowhere in sight, I decided that (and I feel ridiculous for verbalizing this) <em><strong>Freddy vs. Jason</strong> </em>would be my best bet for both campy and scary. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In the spirit of Your Wish is My Command, I emailed  Svenny and asked him to take a look at the Horror movie menu and get back to me with 3 choices.  I hinted that <em>Freddy vs. Jason </em>might be a good fit hoping that he would find it sufficiently slasherific and therefore <strong>NOT PICK </strong><em><strong>THE SHINING!!!</strong>  </em>The ghostly twins do me in every time.  No way, no HOW could I watch <em>The Shining</em> alone! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Svenny\'s reply surprised me.  \"We need to go to the theatre to see <em>Paranormal Activity 2!\"</em> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>At first, I almost blurted back, \"But Day 30 involves watching a scary movie home alone!  That\'s the whole point!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><strong>And then I got smart.</strong> </span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Stupid, stupid girl.  WhatEVER are you thinking?!  Watching slasher flick home alone vs. watching ghost movie with member of the opposite sex who is easy on the eyes and has big biceps to grab onto when you get scared. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As I said, I got smart. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Svenny picked me up at 7.  One of my former students whom I taught when he was in kindergarten sold us our tickets.  Now THAT\'S frightening!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>We took to our seats and Svenny asked, \"Have you and I been to a movie together yet?\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I coquettishly reminded him, \"No, we haven\'t.  Are you going to try to make out with me during the movie?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Svenny gazed deep into my eyes and announced, \"I just ate Chinese food!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Oh, Svennkyins.  Your honeyed words are more than a girl\'s heart can bear! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As Svenny corrected himself and rambled on that he actually ate \"Lean Cuisine\" -- and he relayed this information while scarfing down a gigantic pretzel -- my mind wandered to Jim, a guy I dated briefly a few years prior. <br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Jim looked like he stepped off the cover of <em>Men\'s Health</em>.</span></strong> </span></span> <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>He possessed both body and brains.  He was a rocket scientist or something like that for a Big &amp; Famous Company. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Anywho, Jim\'s perfect body turned out to be just one facet of his perfect life.  His bachelor pad was cleaner than a hospital.  His car looked like it was detailed every weekend.  He lined up his athletic shoes -- one pair for each day of the week -- perfectly in his home gym. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>For our 5th date, Jim invited me to his house for dinner.  He cooked perfectly healthy burritos.  Jim made his with onions. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>At the end of the evening, he walked me to my car, and as with the previous 4 dates, hugged me goodbye.  (My mother insisted he was gay, but I thought that he might just be a shy rocket scientist or something like that.  Women often make excuses for 6-pack abs.)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I couldn\'t help myself.  I inquired, \"Jim, are you<em> ever</em> going to kiss me?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>To which he replied, \"But Michelle!  I JUST ATE ONIONS!!!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And that\'s how I knew Jim and I were not a match. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Jim is the kind of guy who, when you roll over in bed in the morning ready to romp, will fly out of bed to brush his teeth first. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Goodbye, Jim!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But Svennykins and I are just friends.  So I expected some sort of joke as a response from him. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The lights dimmed, and I sank into my theatre seat. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I rarely watch TV, so I was unfamiliar with the <em>Paranormal Activity</em> commercials that everyone in the greater Phoenix-Scottsdale area has apparently seen.  Therefore, I didn\'t know what the heck this movie was about. Except paranormality (if that\'s a word).   And I  DIDN\'T know that it was filmed <em>Blair Witch </em>style with moving cameras that made me motion sick within the first two minutes of the film. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #808000;\">Bleck. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Equally upsetting was the unveiling of the dog in the film\'s initial moments.  I knew right then that the dog was destined for disaster, and I cannot handle doggie deaths in movies.  I\'d rather see Jason slash an idiot teenager\'s throat than see an innocent canine at the hands of the bad guy. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And.  The.  Film.  Was.  S-L-O-W.  <em>Painfully</em> slow. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I also learned that this movie doesn\'t involve your ordinary run-of-the-mill ghosts, but evil demons.  Which I refuse to discuss any further because I believe in living in the light. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">What kind of freakazoids spend months and years of their lives developing and filming this stuff?  Now THAT\'S scary!</span></span></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In a nutshell:</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Slower than molasses </li>\r\n	<li>Sickening (from motion sickness, not from gore)</li>\r\n	<li>Cute toddler (who is the victim of freakazoid\'s demented plot)</li>\r\n	<li>The real hero of the film, the sweet and obedient German Shepherd, is the first to \"get it\".  Bastards.  </li>\r\n	<li>No gore</li>\r\n	<li>No gratuitous sex scenes</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Horrors!  They just don\'t make them like they used to. </span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On our way out, Svenny and I agreed that the movie wasn\'t scary.  Nope.  Startling at points, but certainly not scary. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And then he dropped me off at home.  Alone. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ugh. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The house was eerily silent.  Great timing for my broken SoundDock.  No music for me to break the silence.  Except...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I remembered the music channels on TV that I never use!  Feeling shaken by the \"dark stuff\" that I refuse to further discuss, the Christian channel seemed like the most logical choice.  Yep.  I BLARED Jesus throughout every corner of my house.  Worked like a charm. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Until bed.  When I needed to turn off the TV. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I hate to admit this, but before bed, I carried my phone with me throughout the house as I checked every closet.  How silly is that?  What if something had jumped out at me?  \"Pardon me, Boogeyman, but could you please give me a sec while I call Svenny?  He lives right down the street and can be here in a flash!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I took an allergy pill to knock me out, and I slept like a wee babe. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>No more horror movies for me until my next cohabitation.  No way, no how. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>                                                          *************************************************************</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Answers to <strong><em><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Name That Horror Flick!</span></em></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><em> </em></strong> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><em><strong>*  <span style=\"color: #003366;\">Friday the 13th.</span></strong>  </em>All 50 of them. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>+  <em><strong><span style=\"color: #808000;\">When a Stranger Calls.</span></strong>  </em>This is another one that you couldn\'t pay me to watch alone.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>^  <em><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">The Shining</span></strong></em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 30:  Horror Movie Night','','inherit','open','open','','1309-revision-41','','','2010-10-27 08:47:54','2010-10-27 15:47:54','',1309,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/27/1309-revision-41/',0,'revision','',0),(1492,1,'2010-10-28 01:11:57','2010-10-28 08:11:57','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260184.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1493\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260184-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer named Michelle. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle absolutely positively LOVED Halloween and its traditions. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One of her favorite traditions was carving a Jack O\' Lantern.  Each year, Michelle would create your basic triangled-eyes and nose  Jack O\' Lantern.  Michelle is many things, but a visual artist she is not. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One Halloween Michelle was writing this Late Bloomer blog about incoporating soul-scintillating challenges into each day for 365 days.  That\'s a lot of days to fill! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since she loved Halloween so much, she wanted her soul-scintillation activities around Halloween week to center around all things Halloweenie.  So on Day 31 of this 365 challenge, Michelle decided on carving an intricate Jack O\' Lantern for the very first time.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>She picked her perfect pumpkin and a Pumpkin Carving Kit. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260180.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1494\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260180-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Reminiscent of <em>Julie &amp; Julia</em>, Michelle began this undertaking at 10 p.m. at night when she finally finished writing her previous blog post on scary movies.  She was beyond exhausted.  Svenny would tell her to double up her activities on the next day, but Michelle is a stickler for living genuinely and authentically.  She promised her readers that she would live curiously EVERY day, and she refused to relent to fatigue!  It\'s just a state of mind, anyway.  Right???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>After a 1/2 hour of degutting the pumpkin, she chose a thoroughly complicated pattern at 10:30 at night.  If she was going to do this, she may as well do it right!  With gusto! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260186.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1495\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260186-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle is a <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinesthetic_learning\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>kinesthetic learner</strong> </a>which means that she gets frustrated with reading directions in about 2 seconds.  She needs to get her hands on something and dive in. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>After a 2 second study of the instructions, Michelle chose to ignore the bit about tracing the pattern with the pounce wheel.  Do YOU know what a pounce wheel is??? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle dug in. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2601881.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1498\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2601881-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Houston, we have a problem. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit A</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260189.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1499\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260189-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit B</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260192.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1500\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260192-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit C</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260194.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1501\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260194-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit D </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260201.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1502\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260201-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And all was well with the world. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Because <em>this </em>was the Jack O\' Lantern that Michelle really wanted to carve in the first place. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Funny how that works.   </p>','Day 31: Experiments in Jack O’ Lanterning','','publish','open','open','','day-30-jack-o-lantern-disasters','','','2010-12-12 21:35:32','2010-12-13 04:35:32','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=1492',0,'post','',5),(1493,1,'2010-10-27 14:37:50','2010-10-27 21:37:50','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-58','','','2010-10-27 14:37:50','2010-10-27 21:37:50','',1492,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260184.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1494,1,'2010-10-27 14:48:14','2010-10-27 21:48:14','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-59','','','2010-10-27 14:48:14','2010-10-27 21:48:14','',1492,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260180.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1495,1,'2010-10-27 14:55:12','2010-10-27 21:55:12','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-60','','','2010-10-27 14:55:12','2010-10-27 21:55:12','',1492,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260186.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1496,1,'2010-10-27 14:56:44','2010-10-27 21:56:44','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260184.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1493\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260184-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer named Michelle. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Michelle absolutely positively LOVED Halloween and its traditions. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>One of her favorite traditions was carving a Jack O\' Lantern.  Each year, Michelle would create your basic triangled-eyes and nose  Jack O\' Lantern.  Michelle is many things, but a visual artist she is not. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>One Halloween she was writing this blog about incoporating daily soul-scintillating challenges each day for 365 days.  That\'s a lot of days to fill! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Since she loved Halloween so much, she wanted her soul-scintillation activities around Halloween week to center around all things Halloweenie.  So on Day 30 of this 365 challenge, Michelle decided on carving an intricate Jack O\' Lantern for the very first time.  </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>She picked her perfect pumpkin and a Pumpkin Carving Kit. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260180.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1494\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260180-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Reminiscent of <em>Julie &amp; Julia</em>, Michelle began this undertaking at 10 p.m. at night when she finally finished writing her previous blog post on scary movies.  She was beyond exhausted.  Svenny would tell her to double up her activities on the next day, but Michelle is a stickler for living genuinely and authentically.  She promised her readers that she would live curiously EVERY day, and she refused to relent to fatigue!  It\'s just a state of mind, anyway.  Right???</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>After a 1/2 hour of degutting the pumpkin, she chose a thoroughly complicated pattern at 10:30 at night.  If she was going to do this, she may as well do it right!  With gusto! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260186.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1495\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260186-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 30:  Jack O\' Lantern Disasters','','inherit','open','open','','1492-revision','','','2010-10-27 14:56:44','2010-10-27 21:56:44','',1492,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/27/1492-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1490,1,'2010-10-27 08:46:26','2010-10-27 15:46:26','<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1485\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"198\" caption=\"I originally had the photo of The Shining twins here. And it freaked me out so badly that I replaced it with something generic. It&#39;s true! :-o\"]<a href=\"http://media.photobucket.com/image/horror%20movie/Edge19/Horror%20Movies/HorrorMovieLogo.jpg?o=194\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-1485 \" title=\"HorrorMovieLogo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/HorrorMovieLogo.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"198\" height=\"81\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It\'s time to play <em><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Name That Horror Flick! </span></strong></em>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><em> </em></strong> \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><em><strong> </strong></em>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #333399;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #003366;\">\"Ch-ch-ch!  Kill, kill, kill!  Ch-ch-ch!  Kill, Kill, Kill!\"</span></strong></span> *\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #808000;\"><strong>\"Have you checked the children?\" </strong></span>+\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>\"REDRUM!!!  REDRUM!!!\"</strong> </span> ^\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When I was a teenager, I lived for horror flicks.  <em>Friday the 13th, Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street</em>...I saw them all. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Once I was living on my own, I wanted no part of them.  It\'s one thing to get totally creeped out and then sleep soundly knowing that your Dad is in the next room.  It\'s another thing to get scared out of you mind and then go to bed alone in a completely quiet house. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>About 5 years ago, as I flipped through channels, I came across <em>Halloween II.  </em>I was nostalgically drawn in.  I then woke up at 2 a.m. seeing Mike Myers at the foot of my bed. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Never again!\", said I. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Until recently, when my blog Svengali double dog dared me to watch a horror movie during Halloween week.  Alone.  In my house.  Uh-oh. </strong>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"No way, no how,\" I told Svenny. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"But you asked people to suggest ideas for the blog.  Watching a horror movie alone is my idea!\" \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It\'s true.  I welcome your ideas, dear reader.  I even showcase a handy template where you can submit your ideas for my 365 project on this site.  [If you would like to do so now, kindly click <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\">Your Wish is My Command (sort of)</a></strong>]<strong>  </strong>The only two ideas that I have completely ruled out are skydiving and free diving with sharks.  So in the scheme of things, I can handle a horror flick.  Alone.  Without a warm body to protect me when things go bump in the night.\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ugh. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">You gotta live up to a double dog dare. </span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In the spirit of Halloween, I wanted this week\'s bloggy adventures to be Halloweenie in nature.  With 7 slots to fill, I decided that I better suck it up and watch the horror flick solo. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I turned on my cable\'s ON DEMAND channel and noticed that their Horror movie menu was quite extensive this month.  I <em>really</em> wanted to watch the original <em>Friday the 13th</em>, but with that one nowhere in sight, I decided that (and I feel ridiculous for verbalizing this) <em><strong>Freddy vs. Jason</strong> </em>would be my best bet for both campy and scary. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In the spirit of Your Wish is My Command, I emailed  Svenny and asked him to take a look at the Horror movie menu and get back to me with 3 choices.  I hinted that <em>Freddy vs. Jason </em>might be a good fit hoping that he would find it sufficiently slasherific and therefore <strong>NOT PICK </strong><em><strong>THE SHINING!!!</strong>  </em>The ghostly twins do me in every time.  No way, no HOW could I watch <em>The Shining</em> alone! \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Svenny\'s reply surprised me.  \"We need to go to the theatre to see <em>Paranormal Activity 2!\"</em> \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>At first, I almost blurted back, \"But Day 30 involves watching a scary movie home alone!  That\'s the whole point!\" \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><strong>And then I got smart.</strong> </span></span>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Stupid, stupid girl.  WhatEVER are you thinking?!  Watching slasher flick home alone vs. watching ghost movie with member of the opposite sex who is easy on the eyes and has big biceps to grab onto when you get scared. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As I said, I got smart. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Svenny picked me up at 7.  One of my former students whom I taught when he was in kindergarten sold us our tickets.  Now THAT\'S frightening!\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>We took to our seats and Svenny asked, \"Have you and I been to a movie together yet?\" \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I coquettishly reminded him, \"No, we haven\'t.  Are you going to try to make out with me during the movie?\"\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Svenny gazed deep into my eyes and announced, \"I just ate Chinese food!\" \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Oh, Svennkyins.  Your honeyed words are more than a girl\'s heart can bear! \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As Svenny corrected himself and rambled on that he actually ate \"Lean Cuisine\" -- and he relayed this information while scarfing down a gigantic pretzel -- my mind wandered to Jim, a guy I dated briefly a few years prior. <br class=\"spacer_\" /> \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Jim looked like he stepped off the cover of <em>Men\'s Health</em>.</span></strong> </span></span> <br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>He possessed both body and brains.  He was a rocket scientist or something like that for a Big &amp; Famous Company. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Anywho, Jim\'s perfect body turned out to be just one facet of his perfect life.  His bachelor pad was cleaner than a hospital.  His car looked like it was detailed every weekend.  He lined up his athletic shoes -- one pair for each day of the week -- perfectly in his home gym. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>For our 5th date, Jim invited me to his house for dinner.  He cooked perfectly healthy burritos.  Jim made his with onions. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>At the end of the evening, he walked me to my car, and as with the previous 4 dates, hugged me goodbye.  (My mother insisted he was gay, but I thought that he might just be a shy rocket scientist or something like that.  Women often make excuses for 6-pack abs.)\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I couldn\'t help myself.  I inquired, \"Jim, are you<em> ever</em> going to kiss me?\"\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>To which he replied, \"But Michelle!  I JUST ATE ONIONS!!!\" \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And that\'s how I knew Jim and I were not a match. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Jim is the kind of guy who, when you roll over in bed in the morning ready to romp, will fly out of bed to brush his teeth first. </span></span></strong>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Goodbye, Jim!\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But Svennykins and I are just friends.  So I expected some sort of joke as a response from him. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The lights dimmed, and I sank into my theatre seat. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I rarely watch TV, so I was unfamiliar with the <em>Paranormal Activity</em> commercials that everyone in the greater Phoenix-Scottsdale area has apparently seen.  Therefore, I didn\'t know what the heck this movie was about. Except paranormality (if that\'s a word).   And I  DIDN\'T know that it was filmed <em>Blair Witch </em>style with moving cameras that made me motion sick within the first two minutes of the film. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #808000;\">Bleck. </span></span></strong>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Equally upsetting was the unveiling of the dog in the film\'s initial moments.  I knew right then that the dog was destined for disaster, and I cannot handle doggie deaths in movies.  I\'d rather see Jason slash an idiot teenager\'s throat than see an innocent canine at the hands of the bad guy. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And.  The.  Film.  Was.  S-L-O-W.  <em>Painfully</em> slow. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I also learned that this movie doesn\'t involve your ordinary run-of-the-mill ghosts, but evil demons.  Which I refuse to discuss any further because I believe in living in the light. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">What kind of freakazoids spend months and years of their lives developing and filming this stuff?  Now THAT\'S scary!</span></span></span></span>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span> \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In a nutshell:\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Slower than molasses </li>\r\n	<li>Sickening (from motion sickness, not from gore)</li>\r\n	<li>Cute toddler (who is the victim of freakazoid\'s demented plot)</li>\r\n	<li>The real hero of the film, the sweet and obedient German Shepherd, is the first to \"get it\".  Bastards.  </li>\r\n	<li>No gore</li>\r\n	<li>No gratuitous sex scenes</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Horrors!  They just don\'t make them like they used to. </span></span>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On our way out, Svenny and I agreed that the movie wasn\'t scary.  Nope.  Startling at points, but certainly not scary. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And then he dropped me off at home.  Alone. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ugh. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The house was eerily silent.  Great timing for my broken SoundDock.  No music for me to break the silence.  Except...\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I remembered the music channels on TV that I never use!  Feeling shaken by the \"dark stuff\" that I refuse to further discuss, the Christian channel seemed like the most logical choice.  Yep.  I BLARED Jesus throughout every corner of my house.  Worked like a charm. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Until bed.  When I needed to turn off the TV. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I hate to admit this, but before bed, I carried my phone with me throughout the house as I checked every closet.  How silly is that?  What if something had jumped out at me?  \"Pardon me, Boogeyman, but could you please give me a sec while I call Svenny?  He lives right down the street and can be here in a flash!\" \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I took an allergy pill to knock me out, and I slept like a wee babe. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>No more horror movies for me until my next cohabitation.  No way, no how. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>                              *************************************************************\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Answers to <strong><em><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Name That Horror Flick!</span></em></strong>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><em> </em></strong> \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><em><strong>*  <span style=\"color: #003366;\">Friday the 13th.</span></strong>  </em>All 50 of them. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>+  <em><strong><span style=\"color: #808000;\">When a Stranger Calls.</span></strong>  </em>This is another one that you couldn\'t pay me to watch alone.\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>^  <em><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">The Shining</span></strong></em>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>','Day 30:  Horror Movie Night','','inherit','open','open','','1309-revision-40','','','2010-10-27 08:46:26','2010-10-27 15:46:26','',1309,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/27/1309-revision-40/',0,'revision','',0),(1497,1,'2010-10-27 15:10:56','2010-10-27 22:10:56','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-61','','','2010-10-27 15:10:56','2010-10-27 22:10:56','',1492,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260188.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1498,1,'2010-10-27 15:12:44','2010-10-27 22:12:44','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-62','','','2010-10-27 15:12:44','2010-10-27 22:12:44','',1492,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2601881.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1499,1,'2010-10-27 15:15:14','2010-10-27 22:15:14','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-63','','','2010-10-27 15:15:14','2010-10-27 22:15:14','',1492,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260189.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1500,1,'2010-10-27 15:17:03','2010-10-27 22:17:03','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-64','','','2010-10-27 15:17:03','2010-10-27 22:17:03','',1492,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260192.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1501,1,'2010-10-27 15:18:20','2010-10-27 22:18:20','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-65','','','2010-10-27 15:18:20','2010-10-27 22:18:20','',1492,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260194.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1502,1,'2010-10-27 15:19:27','2010-10-27 22:19:27','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-66','','','2010-10-27 15:19:27','2010-10-27 22:19:27','',1492,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260201.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1503,1,'2010-10-27 15:20:47','2010-10-27 22:20:47','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260184.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1493\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260184-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer named Michelle. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Michelle absolutely positively LOVED Halloween and its traditions. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>One of her favorite traditions was carving a Jack O\' Lantern.  Each year, Michelle would create your basic triangled-eyes and nose  Jack O\' Lantern.  Michelle is many things, but a visual artist she is not. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>One Halloween she was writing this blog about incoporating daily soul-scintillating challenges each day for 365 days.  That\'s a lot of days to fill! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Since she loved Halloween so much, she wanted her soul-scintillation activities around Halloween week to center around all things Halloweenie.  So on Day 30 of this 365 challenge, Michelle decided on carving an intricate Jack O\' Lantern for the very first time.  </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>She picked her perfect pumpkin and a Pumpkin Carving Kit. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260180.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1494\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260180-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Reminiscent of <em>Julie &amp; Julia</em>, Michelle began this undertaking at 10 p.m. at night when she finally finished writing her previous blog post on scary movies.  She was beyond exhausted.  Svenny would tell her to double up her activities on the next day, but Michelle is a stickler for living genuinely and authentically.  She promised her readers that she would live curiously EVERY day, and she refused to relent to fatigue!  It\'s just a state of mind, anyway.  Right???</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>After a 1/2 hour of degutting the pumpkin, she chose a thoroughly complicated pattern at 10:30 at night.  If she was going to do this, she may as well do it right!  With gusto! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260186.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1495\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260186-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Michelle is a <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinesthetic_learning\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>kinesthetic learner</strong> </a>which means that she gets frustrated with reading directions in about 2 seconds.  She needs to get her hands on something and dive in. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>After 2 second study of the instructions, Michelle chose to ignore the bit about tracing the pattern with the pounce wheel.  Do YOU know what a pounce wheel is??? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Michelle dug in. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2601881.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1498\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2601881-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Houston, we have a problem. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Exhibit A</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260189.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1499\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260189-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Exhibit B</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260192.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1500\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260192-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Exhibit C</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260194.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1501\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260194-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Exhibit D </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260201.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1502\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260201-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And all was well with the world. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Because this was the Jack O\' Lantern that Michelle really wanted to carve in the first place.  Funny how that works out </p>','Day 30:  Jack O\' Lantern Disasters','','inherit','open','open','','1492-revision-2','','','2010-10-27 15:20:47','2010-10-27 22:20:47','',1492,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/27/1492-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1504,1,'2010-10-27 15:21:47','2010-10-27 22:21:47','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260184.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1493\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260184-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer named Michelle. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Michelle absolutely positively LOVED Halloween and its traditions. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>One of her favorite traditions was carving a Jack O\' Lantern.  Each year, Michelle would create your basic triangled-eyes and nose  Jack O\' Lantern.  Michelle is many things, but a visual artist she is not. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>One Halloween she was writing this blog about incoporating daily soul-scintillating challenges each day for 365 days.  That\'s a lot of days to fill! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Since she loved Halloween so much, she wanted her soul-scintillation activities around Halloween week to center around all things Halloweenie.  So on Day 30 of this 365 challenge, Michelle decided on carving an intricate Jack O\' Lantern for the very first time.  </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>She picked her perfect pumpkin and a Pumpkin Carving Kit. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260180.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1494\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260180-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Reminiscent of <em>Julie &amp; Julia</em>, Michelle began this undertaking at 10 p.m. at night when she finally finished writing her previous blog post on scary movies.  She was beyond exhausted.  Svenny would tell her to double up her activities on the next day, but Michelle is a stickler for living genuinely and authentically.  She promised her readers that she would live curiously EVERY day, and she refused to relent to fatigue!  It\'s just a state of mind, anyway.  Right???</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>After a 1/2 hour of degutting the pumpkin, she chose a thoroughly complicated pattern at 10:30 at night.  If she was going to do this, she may as well do it right!  With gusto! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260186.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1495\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260186-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Michelle is a <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinesthetic_learning\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>kinesthetic learner</strong> </a>which means that she gets frustrated with reading directions in about 2 seconds.  She needs to get her hands on something and dive in. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>After 2 second study of the instructions, Michelle chose to ignore the bit about tracing the pattern with the pounce wheel.  Do YOU know what a pounce wheel is??? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Michelle dug in. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2601881.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1498\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2601881-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Houston, we have a problem. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Exhibit A</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260189.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1499\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260189-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Exhibit B</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260192.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1500\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260192-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Exhibit C</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260194.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1501\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260194-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Exhibit D </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260201.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1502\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260201-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And all was well with the world. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Because this was the Jack O\' Lantern that Michelle really wanted to carve in the first place. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Funny how that works.   </p>','Day 30:  Jack O\' Lantern Disasters','','inherit','open','open','','1492-revision-3','','','2010-10-27 15:21:47','2010-10-27 22:21:47','',1492,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/27/1492-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(1505,1,'2010-10-27 15:24:02','2010-10-27 22:24:02','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260184.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1493\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260184-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer named Michelle. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Michelle absolutely positively LOVED Halloween and its traditions. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>One of her favorite traditions was carving a Jack O\' Lantern.  Each year, Michelle would create your basic triangled-eyes and nose  Jack O\' Lantern.  Michelle is many things, but a visual artist she is not. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>One Halloween she was writing this blog about incoporating daily soul-scintillating challenges each day for 365 days.  That\'s a lot of days to fill! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Since she loved Halloween so much, she wanted her soul-scintillation activities around Halloween week to center around all things Halloweenie.  So on Day 30 of this 365 challenge, Michelle decided on carving an intricate Jack O\' Lantern for the very first time.  </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>She picked her perfect pumpkin and a Pumpkin Carving Kit. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260180.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1494\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260180-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Reminiscent of <em>Julie &amp; Julia</em>, Michelle began this undertaking at 10 p.m. at night when she finally finished writing her previous blog post on scary movies.  She was beyond exhausted.  Svenny would tell her to double up her activities on the next day, but Michelle is a stickler for living genuinely and authentically.  She promised her readers that she would live curiously EVERY day, and she refused to relent to fatigue!  It\'s just a state of mind, anyway.  Right???</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>After a 1/2 hour of degutting the pumpkin, she chose a thoroughly complicated pattern at 10:30 at night.  If she was going to do this, she may as well do it right!  With gusto! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260186.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1495\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260186-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Michelle is a <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinesthetic_learning\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>kinesthetic learner</strong> </a>which means that she gets frustrated with reading directions in about 2 seconds.  She needs to get her hands on something and dive in. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>After a 2 second study of the instructions, Michelle chose to ignore the bit about tracing the pattern with the pounce wheel.  Do YOU know what a pounce wheel is??? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Michelle dug in. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2601881.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1498\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2601881-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Houston, we have a problem. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Exhibit A</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260189.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1499\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260189-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Exhibit B</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260192.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1500\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260192-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Exhibit C</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260194.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1501\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260194-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Exhibit D </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260201.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1502\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260201-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And all was well with the world. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Because this was the Jack O\' Lantern that Michelle really wanted to carve in the first place. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Funny how that works.   </p>','Day 30:  Jack O\' Lantern Disasters','','inherit','open','open','','1492-revision-4','','','2010-10-27 15:24:02','2010-10-27 22:24:02','',1492,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/27/1492-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(1506,1,'2010-10-27 15:24:07','2010-10-27 22:24:07','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260184.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1493\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260184-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer named Michelle. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle absolutely positively LOVED Halloween and its traditions. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One of her favorite traditions was carving a Jack O\' Lantern.  Each year, Michelle would create your basic triangled-eyes and nose  Jack O\' Lantern.  Michelle is many things, but a visual artist she is not. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One Halloween she was writing this blog about incoporating daily soul-scintillating challenges each day for 365 days.  That\'s a lot of days to fill! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since she loved Halloween so much, she wanted her soul-scintillation activities around Halloween week to center around all things Halloweenie.  So on Day 30 of this 365 challenge, Michelle decided on carving an intricate Jack O\' Lantern for the very first time.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>She picked her perfect pumpkin and a Pumpkin Carving Kit. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260180.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1494\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260180-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Reminiscent of <em>Julie &amp; Julia</em>, Michelle began this undertaking at 10 p.m. at night when she finally finished writing her previous blog post on scary movies.  She was beyond exhausted.  Svenny would tell her to double up her activities on the next day, but Michelle is a stickler for living genuinely and authentically.  She promised her readers that she would live curiously EVERY day, and she refused to relent to fatigue!  It\'s just a state of mind, anyway.  Right???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>After a 1/2 hour of degutting the pumpkin, she chose a thoroughly complicated pattern at 10:30 at night.  If she was going to do this, she may as well do it right!  With gusto! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260186.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1495\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260186-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle is a <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinesthetic_learning\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>kinesthetic learner</strong> </a>which means that she gets frustrated with reading directions in about 2 seconds.  She needs to get her hands on something and dive in. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>After a 2 second study of the instructions, Michelle chose to ignore the bit about tracing the pattern with the pounce wheel.  Do YOU know what a pounce wheel is??? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle dug in. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2601881.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1498\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2601881-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Houston, we have a problem. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit A</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260189.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1499\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260189-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit B</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260192.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1500\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260192-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit C</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260194.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1501\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260194-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit D </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260201.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1502\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260201-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And all was well with the world. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Because this was the Jack O\' Lantern that Michelle really wanted to carve in the first place. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Funny how that works.   </p>','Day 30:  Jack O\' Lantern Disasters','','inherit','open','open','','1492-revision-5','','','2010-10-27 15:24:07','2010-10-27 22:24:07','',1492,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/27/1492-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(1507,1,'2010-10-27 15:25:11','2010-10-27 22:25:11','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260184.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1493\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260184-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer named Michelle. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle absolutely positively LOVED Halloween and its traditions. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One of her favorite traditions was carving a Jack O\' Lantern.  Each year, Michelle would create your basic triangled-eyes and nose  Jack O\' Lantern.  Michelle is many things, but a visual artist she is not. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One Halloween she was writing this blog about incoporating soul-scintillating challenges into each day for 365 days.  That\'s a lot of days to fill! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since she loved Halloween so much, she wanted her soul-scintillation activities around Halloween week to center around all things Halloweenie.  So on Day 30 of this 365 challenge, Michelle decided on carving an intricate Jack O\' Lantern for the very first time.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>She picked her perfect pumpkin and a Pumpkin Carving Kit. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260180.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1494\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260180-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Reminiscent of <em>Julie &amp; Julia</em>, Michelle began this undertaking at 10 p.m. at night when she finally finished writing her previous blog post on scary movies.  She was beyond exhausted.  Svenny would tell her to double up her activities on the next day, but Michelle is a stickler for living genuinely and authentically.  She promised her readers that she would live curiously EVERY day, and she refused to relent to fatigue!  It\'s just a state of mind, anyway.  Right???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>After a 1/2 hour of degutting the pumpkin, she chose a thoroughly complicated pattern at 10:30 at night.  If she was going to do this, she may as well do it right!  With gusto! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260186.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1495\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260186-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle is a <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinesthetic_learning\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>kinesthetic learner</strong> </a>which means that she gets frustrated with reading directions in about 2 seconds.  She needs to get her hands on something and dive in. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>After a 2 second study of the instructions, Michelle chose to ignore the bit about tracing the pattern with the pounce wheel.  Do YOU know what a pounce wheel is??? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle dug in. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2601881.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1498\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2601881-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Houston, we have a problem. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit A</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260189.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1499\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260189-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit B</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260192.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1500\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260192-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit C</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260194.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1501\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260194-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit D </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260201.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1502\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260201-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And all was well with the world. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Because this was the Jack O\' Lantern that Michelle really wanted to carve in the first place. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Funny how that works.   </p>','Day 30:  Jack O\' Lantern Disasters','','inherit','open','open','','1492-revision-6','','','2010-10-27 15:25:11','2010-10-27 22:25:11','',1492,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/27/1492-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(1508,1,'2010-10-27 15:32:30','2010-10-27 22:32:30','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260184.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1493\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260184-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer named Michelle. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Michelle absolutely positively LOVED Halloween and its traditions. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>One of her favorite traditions was carving a Jack O\' Lantern.  Each year, Michelle would create your basic triangled-eyes and nose  Jack O\' Lantern.  Michelle is many things, but a visual artist she is not. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>One Halloween Michelle was writing this Late Bloomer blog about incoporating soul-scintillating challenges into each day for 365 days.  That\'s a lot of days to fill! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Since she loved Halloween so much, she wanted her soul-scintillation activities around Halloween week to center around all things Halloweenie.  So on Day 30 of this 365 challenge, Michelle decided on carving an intricate Jack O\' Lantern for the very first time.  </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>She picked her perfect pumpkin and a Pumpkin Carving Kit. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260180.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1494\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260180-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Reminiscent of <em>Julie &amp; Julia</em>, Michelle began this undertaking at 10 p.m. at night when she finally finished writing her previous blog post on scary movies.  She was beyond exhausted.  Svenny would tell her to double up her activities on the next day, but Michelle is a stickler for living genuinely and authentically.  She promised her readers that she would live curiously EVERY day, and she refused to relent to fatigue!  It\'s just a state of mind, anyway.  Right???</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>After a 1/2 hour of degutting the pumpkin, she chose a thoroughly complicated pattern at 10:30 at night.  If she was going to do this, she may as well do it right!  With gusto! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260186.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1495\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260186-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Michelle is a <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinesthetic_learning\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>kinesthetic learner</strong> </a>which means that she gets frustrated with reading directions in about 2 seconds.  She needs to get her hands on something and dive in. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>After a 2 second study of the instructions, Michelle chose to ignore the bit about tracing the pattern with the pounce wheel.  Do YOU know what a pounce wheel is??? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Michelle dug in. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2601881.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1498\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2601881-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Houston, we have a problem. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Exhibit A</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260189.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1499\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260189-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Exhibit B</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260192.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1500\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260192-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Exhibit C</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260194.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1501\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260194-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Exhibit D </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260201.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1502\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260201-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And all was well with the world. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Because <em>this </em>was the Jack O\' Lantern that Michelle really wanted to carve in the first place. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Funny how that works.   </p>','Day 30:  Jack O\' Lantern Disasters','','inherit','open','open','','1492-autosave','','','2010-10-27 15:32:30','2010-10-27 22:32:30','',1492,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/27/1492-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1509,1,'2010-10-27 15:25:37','2010-10-27 22:25:37','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260184.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1493\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260184-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer named Michelle. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle absolutely positively LOVED Halloween and its traditions. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One of her favorite traditions was carving a Jack O\' Lantern.  Each year, Michelle would create your basic triangled-eyes and nose  Jack O\' Lantern.  Michelle is many things, but a visual artist she is not. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One Halloween Michelle was writing this Late Bloomer blog about incoporating soul-scintillating challenges into each day for 365 days.  That\'s a lot of days to fill! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since she loved Halloween so much, she wanted her soul-scintillation activities around Halloween week to center around all things Halloweenie.  So on Day 30 of this 365 challenge, Michelle decided on carving an intricate Jack O\' Lantern for the very first time.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>She picked her perfect pumpkin and a Pumpkin Carving Kit. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260180.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1494\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260180-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Reminiscent of <em>Julie &amp; Julia</em>, Michelle began this undertaking at 10 p.m. at night when she finally finished writing her previous blog post on scary movies.  She was beyond exhausted.  Svenny would tell her to double up her activities on the next day, but Michelle is a stickler for living genuinely and authentically.  She promised her readers that she would live curiously EVERY day, and she refused to relent to fatigue!  It\'s just a state of mind, anyway.  Right???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>After a 1/2 hour of degutting the pumpkin, she chose a thoroughly complicated pattern at 10:30 at night.  If she was going to do this, she may as well do it right!  With gusto! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260186.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1495\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260186-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle is a <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinesthetic_learning\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>kinesthetic learner</strong> </a>which means that she gets frustrated with reading directions in about 2 seconds.  She needs to get her hands on something and dive in. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>After a 2 second study of the instructions, Michelle chose to ignore the bit about tracing the pattern with the pounce wheel.  Do YOU know what a pounce wheel is??? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle dug in. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2601881.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1498\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2601881-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Houston, we have a problem. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit A</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260189.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1499\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260189-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit B</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260192.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1500\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260192-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit C</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260194.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1501\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260194-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit D </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260201.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1502\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260201-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And all was well with the world. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Because this was the Jack O\' Lantern that Michelle really wanted to carve in the first place. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Funny how that works.   </p>','Day 30:  Jack O\' Lantern Disasters','','inherit','open','open','','1492-revision-7','','','2010-10-27 15:25:37','2010-10-27 22:25:37','',1492,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/27/1492-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(1510,1,'2010-10-27 15:27:56','2010-10-27 22:27:56','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260184.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1493\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260184-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer named Michelle. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle absolutely positively LOVED Halloween and its traditions. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One of her favorite traditions was carving a Jack O\' Lantern.  Each year, Michelle would create your basic triangled-eyes and nose  Jack O\' Lantern.  Michelle is many things, but a visual artist she is not. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One Halloween Michelle was writing this Late Bloomer blog about incoporating soul-scintillating challenges into each day for 365 days.  That\'s a lot of days to fill! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since she loved Halloween so much, she wanted her soul-scintillation activities around Halloween week to center around all things Halloweenie.  So on Day 30 of this 365 challenge, Michelle decided on carving an intricate Jack O\' Lantern for the very first time.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>She picked her perfect pumpkin and a Pumpkin Carving Kit. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260180.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1494\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260180-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Reminiscent of <em>Julie &amp; Julia</em>, Michelle began this undertaking at 10 p.m. at night when she finally finished writing her previous blog post on scary movies.  She was beyond exhausted.  Svenny would tell her to double up her activities on the next day, but Michelle is a stickler for living genuinely and authentically.  She promised her readers that she would live curiously EVERY day, and she refused to relent to fatigue!  It\'s just a state of mind, anyway.  Right???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>After a 1/2 hour of degutting the pumpkin, she chose a thoroughly complicated pattern at 10:30 at night.  If she was going to do this, she may as well do it right!  With gusto! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260186.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1495\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260186-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle is a <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinesthetic_learning\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>kinesthetic learner</strong> </a>which means that she gets frustrated with reading directions in about 2 seconds.  She needs to get her hands on something and dive in. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>After a 2 second study of the instructions, Michelle chose to ignore the bit about tracing the pattern with the pounce wheel.  Do YOU know what a pounce wheel is??? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle dug in. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2601881.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1498\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2601881-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Houston, we have a problem. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit A</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260189.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1499\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260189-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit B</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260192.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1500\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260192-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit C</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260194.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1501\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260194-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit D </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260201.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1502\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260201-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And all was well with the world. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Because <em>this </em>was the Jack O\' Lantern that Michelle really wanted to carve in the first place. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Funny how that works.   </p>','Day 30:  Jack O\' Lantern Disasters','','inherit','open','open','','1492-revision-8','','','2010-10-27 15:27:56','2010-10-27 22:27:56','',1492,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/27/1492-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(1511,1,'2010-10-27 15:30:11','2010-10-27 22:30:11','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260184.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1493\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260184-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer named Michelle. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle absolutely positively LOVED Halloween and its traditions. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One of her favorite traditions was carving a Jack O\' Lantern.  Each year, Michelle would create your basic triangled-eyes and nose  Jack O\' Lantern.  Michelle is many things, but a visual artist she is not. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One Halloween Michelle was writing this Late Bloomer blog about incoporating soul-scintillating challenges into each day for 365 days.  That\'s a lot of days to fill! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since she loved Halloween so much, she wanted her soul-scintillation activities around Halloween week to center around all things Halloweenie.  So on Day 30 of this 365 challenge, Michelle decided on carving an intricate Jack O\' Lantern for the very first time.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>She picked her perfect pumpkin and a Pumpkin Carving Kit. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260180.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1494\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260180-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Reminiscent of <em>Julie &amp; Julia</em>, Michelle began this undertaking at 10 p.m. at night when she finally finished writing her previous blog post on scary movies.  She was beyond exhausted.  Svenny would tell her to double up her activities on the next day, but Michelle is a stickler for living genuinely and authentically.  She promised her readers that she would live curiously EVERY day, and she refused to relent to fatigue!  It\'s just a state of mind, anyway.  Right???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>After a 1/2 hour of degutting the pumpkin, she chose a thoroughly complicated pattern at 10:30 at night.  If she was going to do this, she may as well do it right!  With gusto! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260186.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1495\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260186-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle is a <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinesthetic_learning\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>kinesthetic learner</strong> </a>which means that she gets frustrated with reading directions in about 2 seconds.  She needs to get her hands on something and dive in. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>After a 2 second study of the instructions, Michelle chose to ignore the bit about tracing the pattern with the pounce wheel.  Do YOU know what a pounce wheel is??? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle dug in. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2601881.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1498\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2601881-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Houston, we have a problem. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit A</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260189.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1499\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260189-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit B</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260192.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1500\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260192-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit C</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260194.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1501\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260194-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit D </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260201.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1502\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260201-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And all was well with the world. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Because <em>this </em>was the Jack O\' Lantern that Michelle really wanted to carve in the first place. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Funny how that works.   </p>','Day 30:  Jack O\' Lantern Disasters','','inherit','open','open','','1492-revision-9','','','2010-10-27 15:30:11','2010-10-27 22:30:11','',1492,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/27/1492-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(1512,1,'2010-10-27 15:33:13','2010-10-27 22:33:13','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260184.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1493\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260184-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer named Michelle. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle absolutely positively LOVED Halloween and its traditions. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One of her favorite traditions was carving a Jack O\' Lantern.  Each year, Michelle would create your basic triangled-eyes and nose  Jack O\' Lantern.  Michelle is many things, but a visual artist she is not. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One Halloween Michelle was writing this Late Bloomer blog about incoporating soul-scintillating challenges into each day for 365 days.  That\'s a lot of days to fill! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since she loved Halloween so much, she wanted her soul-scintillation activities around Halloween week to center around all things Halloweenie.  So on Day 30 of this 365 challenge, Michelle decided on carving an intricate Jack O\' Lantern for the very first time.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>She picked her perfect pumpkin and a Pumpkin Carving Kit. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260180.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1494\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260180-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Reminiscent of <em>Julie &amp; Julia</em>, Michelle began this undertaking at 10 p.m. at night when she finally finished writing her previous blog post on scary movies.  She was beyond exhausted.  Svenny would tell her to double up her activities on the next day, but Michelle is a stickler for living genuinely and authentically.  She promised her readers that she would live curiously EVERY day, and she refused to relent to fatigue!  It\'s just a state of mind, anyway.  Right???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>After a 1/2 hour of degutting the pumpkin, she chose a thoroughly complicated pattern at 10:30 at night.  If she was going to do this, she may as well do it right!  With gusto! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260186.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1495\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260186-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle is a <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinesthetic_learning\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>kinesthetic learner</strong> </a>which means that she gets frustrated with reading directions in about 2 seconds.  She needs to get her hands on something and dive in. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>After a 2 second study of the instructions, Michelle chose to ignore the bit about tracing the pattern with the pounce wheel.  Do YOU know what a pounce wheel is??? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle dug in. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2601881.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1498\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2601881-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Houston, we have a problem. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit A</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260189.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1499\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260189-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit B</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260192.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1500\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260192-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit C</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260194.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1501\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260194-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit D </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260201.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1502\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260201-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And all was well with the world. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Because <em>this </em>was the Jack O\' Lantern that Michelle really wanted to carve in the first place. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Funny how that works.   </p>','Day 30:  Experiments in Jack O\' Lanterning','','inherit','open','open','','1492-revision-10','','','2010-10-27 15:33:13','2010-10-27 22:33:13','',1492,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/27/1492-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(2275,1,'2010-11-27 17:46:58','2010-11-28 00:46:58','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/PB250186.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2263 alignleft\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/PB250186-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n\n<p>I used to think that being single on Thanksgiving sucked. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Oh, how times have changed! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\">Here are the advantages of a single girl\'s TDay:</span></strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<ul>\n	<li>You get to spend it with people whom you <em>want </em>to spend time with, rather than people whom you are <em>obligated</em> to spend time with</li>\n	<li>As much as I love kids, I prefer peace and quiet during a feast</li>\n	<li>I am also a fan of adult discussions about music, art, and culture. </li>\n	<li>Discussions that quickly fall into the gutter are equally as fun</li>\n	<li>NO DRAMA</li>\n	<li>Copious amounts of wine </li>\n	<li>Eclectic iTunes playlists</li>\n	<li>NO DRAMA</li>\n	<li>Lots of laughter amongst good friends</li>\n	<li>Plenty of leftovers</li>\n	<li>NO DRAMA </li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>Kimeee and I have been spending Thanksgiving together since 2002.  Some gathering have been large, some have been small, some have included boyfriends, a few even included a fiancé (Kimeee\'s), and a couple have included our friend, Mark. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>This year we invited Laney into our inner circle.  A former wine rep, Laney knows wine and brought plenty of it.  Boy, did we <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">get lit</span> enjoy ourselves! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Laney also presented me with the most deliciously lovely book which doubles as a fantastic future blog idea!  Hurrah! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>The book:  <em>The Elixir of Life.</em></strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><em> </em> </p>\n\n<p>She had me at the title.  How perfect!   How appropros!  How Laney to pick something so perfectly appropros for moi!  xo</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>The book\'s tagline:  finding love and joy in the passionate pursuit of food. </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Well, well, well.  Was Laney thinking of the <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/27/day-60-3-yes-3-when-harry-met-sally-moments-during-1-dinner/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>3 When Harry Met Sally \"moments\"</strong> </a>that I experienced at El Chorro the night before?  Hmmm?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The book\'s mojo:  author Lisa Dahl travels to Tuscany, Italy, to celebrate the elixirs of the olive and the vine, and the elixir of inspiration that underlies her decades of Italian- and Mediterranean-influenced cusine. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong>The book jacket goes on to describe Dahl\'s \"lusty cooking\". </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Oh, yeah. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>AND...coinkidink of coinkidinks...Ms. Dahl resides in my fair state!!!  In magical Sedona, which I just so happened to introduce you to on Day</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>So here\'s my plan, peeps: </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>In early 2011, when we are all whining about our post-holiday blues (or perhaps even Valentine\'s Schmalentine\'s Day), we are all diving into food porn together.  </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>We are going to be soooooo <em><strong>Julie &amp; Julia</strong></em>, and we\'re going to have a blast!  </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>For one week, we are going to cook a different recipe(s) every night from Lisa Dahl\'s lusty book.  Yes, that\'s right.  We will all cook the recipes together in our perspective kitchens and then blog/comment about our experiences throughout the week. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>If you want to live vicariously through us and simply stalk us on the blog, that\'s fine, too.  Lusty stuff always involves creepy peeping Toms and Tinas.  Just kidding!  Of course, you are welcome to just follow along and let us entertain you.  Or maybe you will be so inspired and filled with lust that you MUST cook one of the recipes or your life cannot go on.  Now THAT would make for a great comment section! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>At the end of all of this cooking/living vicariously/lustfulness, I will travel to the enchanting Sedona, Arizona (twist my arm) to dine at one of Lisa Dahl\'s fine culinary establishments, Cucina Rustica or Dahl &amp; Di Luca. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Now here\'s the outrageously fun part:  I am inviting all fellow Late Bloomers and Late Bloomer Wannabees to join me in Sedona for a Lusty Feast!  Hell -- even the token male readers are invited!  If you are hot, we encourage you to attend!</strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I am so excited about this that I don\'t know how I\'m going to sleep tonight. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Details to follow as the weeks pass. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Until then, Buon Giorno!<br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 61:  Thankful for Fellow TDay Orphans','','inherit','open','open','','2257-revision-6','','','2010-11-27 17:46:58','2010-11-28 00:46:58','',2257,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/27/2257-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(2276,1,'2010-11-27 17:47:23','2010-11-28 00:47:23','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/PB250186.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2263 alignleft\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/PB250186-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I used to think that being single on Thanksgiving sucked. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Oh, how times have changed! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\">Here are the advantages of a single girl\'s TDay:</span></strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>You get to spend it with people whom you <em>want </em>to spend time with, rather than people whom you are <em>obligated</em> to spend time with</li>\r\n	<li>As much as I love kids, I prefer peace and quiet during a feast</li>\r\n	<li>I am also a fan of adult discussions about music, art, and culture. </li>\r\n	<li>Discussions that quickly fall into the gutter are equally as fun</li>\r\n	<li>NO DRAMA</li>\r\n	<li>Copious amounts of wine </li>\r\n	<li>Eclectic iTunes playlists</li>\r\n	<li>NO DRAMA</li>\r\n	<li>Lots of laughter amongst good friends</li>\r\n	<li>Plenty of leftovers</li>\r\n	<li>NO DRAMA </li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<p>Kimeee and I have been spending Thanksgiving together since 2002.  Some gathering have been large, some have been small, some have included boyfriends, a few even included a fiancé (Kimeee\'s), and a couple have included our friend, Mark. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This year we invited Laney into our inner circle.  A former wine rep, Laney knows wine and brought plenty of it.  Boy, did we <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">get lit</span> enjoy ourselves! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Laney also presented me with the most deliciously lovely book which doubles as a fantastic future blog idea!  Hurrah! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>The book:  <em>The Elixir of Life.</em></strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><em> </em> </p>\r\n\r\n<p>She had me at the title.  How perfect!   How appropros!  How Laney to pick something so perfectly appropros for moi!  xo</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>The book\'s tagline:  finding love and joy in the passionate pursuit of food. </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Well, well, well.  Was Laney thinking of the <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/27/day-60-3-yes-3-when-harry-met-sally-moments-during-1-dinner/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>3 When Harry Met Sally \"moments\"</strong> </a>that I experienced at El Chorro the night before?  Hmmm?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The book\'s mojo:  author Lisa Dahl travels to Tuscany, Italy, to celebrate the elixirs of the olive and the vine, and the elixir of inspiration that underlies her decades of Italian- and Mediterranean-influenced cusine. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong>The book jacket goes on to describe Dahl\'s \"lusty cooking\". </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Oh, yeah. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>AND...coinkidink of coinkidinks...Ms. Dahl resides in my fair state!!!  In magical Sedona, which I just so happened to introduce you to on Day</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>So here\'s my plan, peeps: </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>In early 2011, when we are all whining about our post-holiday blues (or perhaps even Valentine\'s Schmalentine\'s Day), we are all diving into food porn together.  </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>We are going to be soooooo <em><strong>Julie &amp; Julia</strong></em>, and we\'re going to have a blast!  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>For one week, we are going to cook a different recipe(s) every night from Lisa Dahl\'s lusty book.  Yes, that\'s right.  We will all cook the recipes together in our perspective kitchens and then blog/comment about our experiences throughout the week. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>If you want to live vicariously through us and simply stalk us on the blog, that\'s fine, too.  Lusty stuff always involves creepy peeping Toms and Tinas.  Just kidding!  Of course, you are welcome to just follow along and let us entertain you.  Or maybe you will be so inspired and filled with lust that you MUST cook one of the recipes or your life cannot go on.  Now THAT would make for a great comment section! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>At the end of all of this cooking/living vicariously/lustfulness, I will travel to the enchanting Sedona, Arizona (twist my arm) to dine at one of Lisa Dahl\'s fine culinary establishments, Cucina Rustica or Dahl &amp; Di Luca. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Now here\'s the outrageously fun part:  I am inviting all fellow Late Bloomers and Late Bloomer Wannabees to join me in Sedona for a Lusty Feast!  </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Hell -- even the token male readers are invited!  If you are hot, we even <em>encourage </em>you to attend!</strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I am so excited about this that I don\'t know how I\'m going to sleep tonight. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Details to follow as the weeks pass. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Until then, Buon Giorno!<br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 61:  Thankful for Fellow TDay Orphans','','inherit','open','open','','2257-revision-7','','','2010-11-27 17:47:23','2010-11-28 00:47:23','',2257,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/27/2257-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(1515,1,'2010-10-27 20:12:53','2010-10-28 03:12:53','','SI Exif','','inherit','open','open','','si-exif','','','2010-10-27 20:12:53','2010-10-28 03:12:53','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN0604.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1516,1,'2010-10-27 20:13:25','2010-10-28 03:13:25','','SI Exif','','inherit','open','open','','si-exif-2','','','2010-10-27 20:13:25','2010-10-28 03:13:25','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06041.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1517,1,'2010-10-27 20:15:07','2010-10-28 03:15:07','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-67','','','2010-10-27 20:15:07','2010-10-28 03:15:07','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270179.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1519,1,'2010-10-29 01:11:49','2010-10-29 08:11:49','<p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1520\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Halloween 2004\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1520\" title=\"SI Exif\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p>For those of you who read yesterday\'s <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/day-30-jack-o-lantern-disasters/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Experiments in Jack O\'Lanterning</strong></a>, there seems to be a theme here...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer named Michelle.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle absolutely positively LOVED Halloween and its traditions.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One of her favorite traditions was dressing up in costume for Halloween.    For the past few years, Michelle donned her Catholic School Girl costume to Halloween parties.  Michelle is many things, but a shopper she is not.  (Highly unusual female behavior, isn\'t it?)  If the costume ain\'t broke, why fix it? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Then One Halloween, Michelle was writing this Late Bloomer blog about incorporating soul-scintillating challenges into each day for 365 days.  That\'s a lot of days to fill! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since she loved Halloween so much, she wanted her soul-scintillation around Halloween week to center around all things Halloweenie.  So on Day 32 of this 365 challenge, Michelle decided on shopping for a new costume. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is sort of inaccurate.  She had no desire to shop, but her friend, Christy Jo, forced her into it. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>From an actual Christy Jo email:  \"You will need a costume.  You can\'t post blog pics wearing the same costume from last year.\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Now, reader, have you seen Michelle\'s costume from last year?  And if you happen to be a Facebook \"friend\" on her personal page, do you REMEMBER her costume from last year???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exactly.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But Christy Jo is always heavy on the peer pressure.  And since she is one of Michelle\'s favorite peeps, Michelle tends to listen to Christy Jo when she bosses her around. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>So, against her better judgment, Michelle headed on down to the Halloween megastore, Spririt.  She gave herself an hour, which tends to be her maximum shopping capacity. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle marveled at the swarm of people invading the store.  They looked remarkably similar to the swarm that she witnessed at the MVD a few weeks prior.  (You may refer to this pit of despair as the DMV in your fair state.) </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle was afraid.  Very, very afraid. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Trying not to gag on the swarm\'s eau du cigarette smoke, she approached the woman\'s costume section.  As Michelle rummaged through the various options, she wondered how normal women wear this crap?  I mean, come on!  Michelle is no prude -- her old \"standby\" is a Catholic school girl costume!  She likes to be fun and flirty like the rest of us!  But she also has class and prefers not to look like a Ho when she is out in public. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Actual text message to Christy Jo:  \"Leaning towards my Catholic school girl standby.  Gross stuff!\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Actual reply from Christy Jo:  \"Wear shorts under.\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Oh, that\'s sexy!  I think I\'ll wear shorts under my skirt like I did in 5th grade\", thought Michelle.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit A:</span></strong><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1522\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When Michelle found the Alice costume, she was very excited.  You can\'t make it out here, but the lettering on her apron says, \"Curioser and Curioser\".  On the right side of the Diary of a Late Bloomer blog page, please note the \"Curioser and Curioser\" section! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This costume turned out to be curioser indeed.  At 5 foot 2 and ¾ inches tall, Michelle was curious as to how the Alice skirt did not cover her bum.  She assumed that the long-legged model on the package was much taller, and <em>her</em> skirt covered <em>her </em>bum!  Curioser and curioser...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit B:</span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"> </span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1523\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Tinkerbell!  With coverage!  And then Michelle remembered the Halloween where Katie Ann was a fairy and those bloody wings nearly drove her (and everyone she bumped with them) to the brink of insanity. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Next! </strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong> </strong> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit C:</span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1524\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle has fantasized about being a mermaid for Halloween as long as she can recall.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"If this is supposed to look like a mermaid, then my name is Ariel,\" mused Michelle.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Next! </strong><br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit D: </span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1525\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Men completely escape costume shopping issues.  They can look like an idiot, get a few laughs, and call it a night. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>For women, shopping for a Halloween costume has evolved into a more stressful shopping experience than shopping for a bathing suit.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And so our Late Bloomer Michelle ultimately decided on...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit E:</span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"> </span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Back in 2004, sexy costumes covered your assets. A little mystery is always a good thing, if you ask me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042.jpg\"><img title=\"SI Exif\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And all was well with the world.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Because <em>this</em> was the costume that Michelle really wanted to wear in the first place. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Funny how that works. </p>','Day 32: Experiments in Halloween Costume Shopping','','publish','open','open','','day-32-experiments-in-halloween-costume-shopping-2','','\nhttp://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/day-30-jack-o-lantern-disasters/','2010-12-12 21:34:50','2010-12-13 04:34:50','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=1519',0,'post','',7),(1520,1,'2010-10-27 20:17:28','2010-10-28 03:17:28','','SI Exif','','inherit','open','open','','si-exif-3','','','2010-10-27 20:17:28','2010-10-28 03:17:28','',1519,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1521,1,'2010-10-27 20:16:59','2010-10-28 03:16:59','','Day 32:  Experiments in Halloween Costume Shopping 2','','inherit','open','open','','1519-revision','','','2010-10-27 20:16:59','2010-10-28 03:16:59','',1519,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/27/1519-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1522,1,'2010-10-27 20:19:17','2010-10-28 03:19:17','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-68','','','2010-10-27 20:19:17','2010-10-28 03:19:17','',1519,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1523,1,'2010-10-27 20:20:15','2010-10-28 03:20:15','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-69','','','2010-10-27 20:20:15','2010-10-28 03:20:15','',1519,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1524,1,'2010-10-27 20:21:09','2010-10-28 03:21:09','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-70','','','2010-10-27 20:21:09','2010-10-28 03:21:09','',1519,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1525,1,'2010-10-27 20:22:14','2010-10-28 03:22:14','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-71','','','2010-10-27 20:22:14','2010-10-28 03:22:14','',1519,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1526,1,'2010-10-27 20:18:25','2010-10-28 03:18:25','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1520\" title=\"SI Exif\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer</p>','Day 32:  Experiments in Halloween Costume Shopping 2','','inherit','open','open','','1519-revision-2','','','2010-10-27 20:18:25','2010-10-28 03:18:25','',1519,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/27/1519-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1528,1,'2010-10-27 20:22:44','2010-10-28 03:22:44','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1520\" title=\"SI Exif\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1522\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1523\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1524\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1525\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>','Day 32:  Experiments in Halloween Costume Shopping 2','','inherit','open','open','','1519-revision-3','','','2010-10-27 20:22:44','2010-10-28 03:22:44','',1519,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/27/1519-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(1529,1,'2010-10-27 20:23:14','2010-10-28 03:23:14','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1520\" title=\"SI Exif\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1522\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1523\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1524\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1525\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>','Day 32:  Experiments in Halloween Costume Shopping','','inherit','open','open','','1519-revision-4','','','2010-10-27 20:23:14','2010-10-28 03:23:14','',1519,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/27/1519-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(1530,1,'2010-10-27 20:23:39','2010-10-28 03:23:39','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1520\" title=\"SI Exif\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1522\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1523\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1524\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1525\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>','Day 32:  Experiments in Halloween Costume Shopping','','inherit','open','open','','1519-revision-5','','','2010-10-27 20:23:39','2010-10-28 03:23:39','',1519,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/27/1519-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(1531,1,'2010-10-27 20:26:05','2010-10-28 03:26:05','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1520\" title=\"SI Exif\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1522\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1523\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1524\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1525\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>','Day 32:  Experiments in Halloween Costume Shopping','','inherit','open','open','','1519-revision-6','','','2010-10-27 20:26:05','2010-10-28 03:26:05','',1519,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/27/1519-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(1718,1,'2010-11-06 01:11:45','2010-11-06 08:11:45','<p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1738\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Popeye didn&#39;t know squat. Auntie I says, &quot;Eat your Escarole!&quot; \"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/PB040182.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1738\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/PB040182-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p>Who loves soup on a blustery Autumn day?  On a cold winter\'s night? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Are you ready for a DELISH soup recipe? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>THIS, my friends, is an authentic Portuguese Escarole Soup recipe passed down from my Aunt Ida aka Auntie I.  (Auntie I is technically my great Aunt -- my Nana\'s sister.) </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When I ate Day 40\'s leftovers at lunch today, Corinnie-cakes and Cooleenie both asked, \"What the heck is escarole?\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I am happy to be of service, my friends.  Escarole is...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Actually, I really don\'t know what the heck it is either.  Except a leafy green.  And I flip for leafy greens.  Spinach, kale, Swiss chard, collard greens -- YUM!  Must be a Portuguese thing. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I looked up escarole for us, and it looks like there\'s a whole host of reasons why we need to eat it.  Check it out at <a href=\"http://www.cookthink.com/reference/2667/What_is_escarole\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Eat Your Escarole, Peeps!  </strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Here is Auntie I\'s recipe, dictated straight from the Portuguese woman\'s mouth: </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Portuguese Escarole Soup</strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Ingredients:</strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Chicken Broth (buy as much as you want.  I used 3 of the 32 oz cartons of Swanson Low Sodium.) <em> (Late Bloomer used Free Range Chicken Broth from Whole Paycheck.) </em></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Escarole or Rapini also known as Broccoli Raab (I used two heads of Escarole since I made a huge pot)</p>\r\n\r\n<p>Potatoes ( I used 4 of the big russets)</p>\r\n\r\n<p>small onion</p>\r\n\r\n<p>Garlic  <em>(Late Bloomer really digs garlic, so she used 4 cloves when she halved this recipe.  You could use 8 or less for the full recipe.)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p>olive oil</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Chop up the onion finely as well as the garlic.   Sauté in olive oil until a nice yellow color.  Add the broth, bring to a boil and simmer while you peel and cut up the potatoes.  <em>(Late Bloomer left the skins on!  Don\'t peel away the nutrition and the fiber!)</em>  Cut the potatoes up into smallish cubes.  Put in pot and return to a boil.  Cook until they just about fall apart.  Then take your potato masher and mash them up good.  <em>(In Late Bloomer\'s universe, this translates to \"blend most of the potatoes in the VitaMix and then add to the soup to thicken the broth\".)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>While those potatoes are simmering away, wash your greens good to get rid of grit.  Then chop them up.  Pack them down into the pot because they will boil away to nothing.  I used two big heads because I wanted lots of greens.   Cook them for about 10 minutes or so.  Eat and enjoy. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This took about 1 hour start to finish depending how fast you chop etc. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>If you try this at home, please make sure to send me your culinary opinion.  Even better, send me a review!  I\'m sure you\'ll find it worthy of 5 stars! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Viva Portugal! </span> </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/portugal-flag.png\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1741\" title=\"portugal-flag\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/portugal-flag-300x199.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 40:  Portuguese Soup for the Soul ','','publish','open','open','','day-40-portuguese-soup-for-the-soul','','','2010-11-06 08:27:26','2010-11-06 15:27:26','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=1718',0,'post','',0),(1533,1,'2010-10-28 11:51:39','2010-10-28 18:51:39','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1520\" title=\"SI Exif\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer named Michelle.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Michelle absolutely positively LOVED Halloween and its traditions.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>One of her favorite traditions was dressing up in costume for Halloween.    For the past few years, Michelle donned her Catholic School Girl costume to Halloween parties.  Michelle is many things, but a shopper she is not.  (Highly unusual female behavior)  If the costume isn\'t broke, why fix it? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>One Halloween, Michelle was writing this Late Bloomer blog about incorporating soul-scintillating challenges into each day for 365 days.  That\'s a lot of days to fill! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Since she loved Halloween</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1522\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1523\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1524\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1525\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>','Day 32:  Experiments in Halloween Costume Shopping','','inherit','open','open','','1519-revision-7','','','2010-10-28 11:51:39','2010-10-28 18:51:39','',1519,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/1519-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(1534,1,'2010-10-28 11:53:31','2010-10-28 18:53:31','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1520\" title=\"SI Exif\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>For those of you who read yesterday\'s <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/day-30-jack-o-lantern-disasters/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Experiments in Jack O\'Lanterning</strong></a>, there seems to be a theme here...</p>\n\n<p>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer named Michelle.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Michelle absolutely positively LOVED Halloween and its traditions.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>One of her favorite traditions was dressing up in costume for Halloween.    For the past few years, Michelle donned her Catholic School Girl costume to Halloween parties.  Michelle is many things, but a shopper she is not.  (Highly unusual female behavior)  If the costume isn\'t broke, why fix it? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>One Halloween, Michelle was writing this Late Bloomer blog about incorporating soul-scintillating challenges into each day for 365 days.  That\'s a lot of days to fill! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Since she loved Halloween</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1522\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1523\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1524\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1525\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>','Day 32:  Experiments in Halloween Costume Shopping','','inherit','open','open','','1519-revision-8','','','2010-10-28 11:53:31','2010-10-28 18:53:31','',1519,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/1519-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(1535,1,'2010-10-27 20:10:41','2010-10-28 03:10:41','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260184.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1493\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260184-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer named Michelle. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle absolutely positively LOVED Halloween and its traditions. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One of her favorite traditions was carving a Jack O\' Lantern.  Each year, Michelle would create your basic triangled-eyes and nose  Jack O\' Lantern.  Michelle is many things, but a visual artist she is not. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One Halloween Michelle was writing this Late Bloomer blog about incoporating soul-scintillating challenges into each day for 365 days.  That\'s a lot of days to fill! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since she loved Halloween so much, she wanted her soul-scintillation activities around Halloween week to center around all things Halloweenie.  So on Day 30 of this 365 challenge, Michelle decided on carving an intricate Jack O\' Lantern for the very first time.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>She picked her perfect pumpkin and a Pumpkin Carving Kit. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260180.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1494\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260180-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Reminiscent of <em>Julie &amp; Julia</em>, Michelle began this undertaking at 10 p.m. at night when she finally finished writing her previous blog post on scary movies.  She was beyond exhausted.  Svenny would tell her to double up her activities on the next day, but Michelle is a stickler for living genuinely and authentically.  She promised her readers that she would live curiously EVERY day, and she refused to relent to fatigue!  It\'s just a state of mind, anyway.  Right???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>After a 1/2 hour of degutting the pumpkin, she chose a thoroughly complicated pattern at 10:30 at night.  If she was going to do this, she may as well do it right!  With gusto! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260186.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1495\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260186-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle is a <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinesthetic_learning\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>kinesthetic learner</strong> </a>which means that she gets frustrated with reading directions in about 2 seconds.  She needs to get her hands on something and dive in. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>After a 2 second study of the instructions, Michelle chose to ignore the bit about tracing the pattern with the pounce wheel.  Do YOU know what a pounce wheel is??? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle dug in. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2601881.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1498\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2601881-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Houston, we have a problem. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit A</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260189.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1499\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260189-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit B</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260192.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1500\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260192-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit C</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260194.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1501\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260194-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit D </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260201.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1502\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA260201-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And all was well with the world. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Because <em>this </em>was the Jack O\' Lantern that Michelle really wanted to carve in the first place. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Funny how that works.   </p>','Day 31:  Experiments in Jack O\' Lanterning','','inherit','open','open','','1492-revision-11','','','2010-10-27 20:10:41','2010-10-28 03:10:41','',1492,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/27/1492-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(1536,1,'2010-10-28 12:01:10','2010-10-28 19:01:10','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1520\" title=\"SI Exif\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>For those of you who read yesterday\'s <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/day-30-jack-o-lantern-disasters/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Experiments in Jack O\'Lanterning</strong></a>, there seems to be a theme here...</p>\n\n<p>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer named Michelle.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Michelle absolutely positively LOVED Halloween and its traditions.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>One of her favorite traditions was dressing up in costume for Halloween.    For the past few years, Michelle donned her Catholic School Girl costume to Halloween parties.  Michelle is many things, but a shopper she is not.  (Highly unusual female behavior)  If the costume isn\'t broke, why fix it? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>One Halloween, Michelle was writing this Late Bloomer blog about incorporating soul-scintillating challenges into each day for 365 days.  That\'s a lot of days to fill! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Since she loved Halloween so much, she wanted her soul-scintillation around Halloween week to center around all things Halloweenie.  So on Day 32 of this 365 challenge, Michelle decided on shopping for a new costume. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which is sort of inaccurate.  She had no desire to shop, but her friend, Christy Jo, forced her into it. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>From an actual Christy Jo email:  \"You will need a costume.  You can\'t post blog pics wearing the same costume from last year.\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I ask you, reader, have you seen my costume from last year?  And if you happen to be a Facebook \"friend\" on my personal page, do you REMEMBER the costume from last year???</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Exactly.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>But Christy Jo is heavy on the peer pressure.  And since she is one of my favorite peeps, I tend to listen to her when she bosses me around. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>So, against my better judgment, I headed on down to</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1522\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1523\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1524\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1525\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>','Day 32:  Experiments in Halloween Costume Shopping','','inherit','open','open','','1519-revision-9','','','2010-10-28 12:01:10','2010-10-28 19:01:10','',1519,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/1519-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(1537,1,'2010-10-28 12:01:24','2010-10-28 19:01:24','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1520\" title=\"SI Exif\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>For those of you who read yesterday\'s <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/day-30-jack-o-lantern-disasters/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Experiments in Jack O\'Lanterning</strong></a>, there seems to be a theme here...</p>\r\n\r\n<p>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer named Michelle.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle absolutely positively LOVED Halloween and its traditions.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One of her favorite traditions was dressing up in costume for Halloween.    For the past few years, Michelle donned her Catholic School Girl costume to Halloween parties.  Michelle is many things, but a shopper she is not.  (Highly unusual female behavior)  If the costume isn\'t broke, why fix it? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One Halloween, Michelle was writing this Late Bloomer blog about incorporating soul-scintillating challenges into each day for 365 days.  That\'s a lot of days to fill! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since she loved Halloween so much, she wanted her soul-scintillation around Halloween week to center around all things Halloweenie.  So on Day 32 of this 365 challenge, Michelle decided on shopping for a new costume. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is sort of inaccurate.  She had no desire to shop, but her friend, Christy Jo, forced her into it. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>From an actual Christy Jo email:  \"You will need a costume.  You can\'t post blog pics wearing the same costume from last year.\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I ask you, reader, have you seen my costume from last year?  And if you happen to be a Facebook \"friend\" on my personal page, do you REMEMBER the costume from last year???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exactly.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But Christy Jo is heavy on the peer pressure.  And since she is one of my favorite peeps, I tend to listen to her when she bosses me around. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>So, against my better judgment, I headed on down to the Halloween megastore, Spririt. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1522\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1523\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1524\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1525\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>','Day 32:  Experiments in Halloween Costume Shopping','','inherit','open','open','','1519-revision-10','','','2010-10-28 12:01:24','2010-10-28 19:01:24','',1519,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/1519-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(1538,1,'2010-10-28 12:01:30','2010-10-28 19:01:30','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1520\" title=\"SI Exif\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>For those of you who read yesterday\'s <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/day-30-jack-o-lantern-disasters/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Experiments in Jack O\'Lanterning</strong></a>, there seems to be a theme here...</p>\r\n\r\n<p>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer named Michelle.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle absolutely positively LOVED Halloween and its traditions.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One of her favorite traditions was dressing up in costume for Halloween.    For the past few years, Michelle donned her Catholic School Girl costume to Halloween parties.  Michelle is many things, but a shopper she is not.  (Highly unusual female behavior)  If the costume isn\'t broke, why fix it? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One Halloween, Michelle was writing this Late Bloomer blog about incorporating soul-scintillating challenges into each day for 365 days.  That\'s a lot of days to fill! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since she loved Halloween so much, she wanted her soul-scintillation around Halloween week to center around all things Halloweenie.  So on Day 32 of this 365 challenge, Michelle decided on shopping for a new costume. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is sort of inaccurate.  She had no desire to shop, but her friend, Christy Jo, forced her into it. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>From an actual Christy Jo email:  \"You will need a costume.  You can\'t post blog pics wearing the same costume from last year.\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I ask you, reader, have you seen my costume from last year?  And if you happen to be a Facebook \"friend\" on my personal page, do you REMEMBER the costume from last year???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exactly.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But Christy Jo is heavy on the peer pressure.  And since she is one of my favorite peeps, I tend to listen to her when she bosses me around. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>So, against my better judgment, I headed on down to the Halloween megastore, Spririt. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1522\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1523\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1524\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1525\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>','Day 32:  Experiments in Halloween Costume Shopping','','inherit','open','open','','1519-revision-11','','','2010-10-28 12:01:30','2010-10-28 19:01:30','',1519,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/1519-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(1539,1,'2010-10-28 12:18:01','2010-10-28 19:18:01','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1520\" title=\"SI Exif\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>For those of you who read yesterday\'s <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/day-30-jack-o-lantern-disasters/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Experiments in Jack O\'Lanterning</strong></a>, there seems to be a theme here...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer named Michelle.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle absolutely positively LOVED Halloween and its traditions.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One of her favorite traditions was dressing up in costume for Halloween.    For the past few years, Michelle donned her Catholic School Girl costume to Halloween parties.  Michelle is many things, but a shopper she is not.  (Highly unusual female behavior, isn\'t it?)  If the costume isn\'t broke, why fix it? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One Halloween, Michelle was writing this Late Bloomer blog about incorporating soul-scintillating challenges into each day for 365 days.  That\'s a lot of days to fill! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since she loved Halloween so much, she wanted her soul-scintillation around Halloween week to center around all things Halloweenie.  So on Day 32 of this 365 challenge, Michelle decided on shopping for a new costume. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is sort of inaccurate.  She had no desire to shop, but her friend, Christy Jo, forced her into it. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>From an actual Christy Jo email:  \"You will need a costume.  You can\'t post blog pics wearing the same costume from last year.\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Now, reader, have you seen Michelle\'s costume from last year?  And if you happen to be a Facebook \"friend\" on her personal page, do you REMEMBER her costume from last year???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exactly.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But Christy Jo is always heavy on the peer pressure.  And since she is one of Michelle\'s favorite peeps, Michelle tend to listen to Christy Jo when she bosses her around. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>So, against Michelle\'s better judgment, she headed on down to the Halloween megastore, Spririt.  She gave herself an hour, which tends to be her maxium shopping capacity. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle marveled at the swarm of people invading the store.  They looked remarkably similar to the swarm that she witnessed at the MVD a few weeks prior.  (You may refer to this pit of despair as the DMV in your fair state.) </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle was afraid.  Very, very afraid. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Trying not to gag on the swarm\'s eau du cigarette smoke, she approached the woman\'s costume section.  As Michelle rummaged through the various options, she wondered how normal women wear this crap?  I mean, come on!  Michelle is no prude -- her old \"standby\" is a Catholic school girl costume!  She likes to be fun and flirty like the rest of us!  But she also has class and prefers not to look like a Ho when she is out in public. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Actual text message to Christy Jo:  \"Leaning towards my Catholic school girl standby.  Gross stuff!\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Actual reply from Christy Jo:  \"Wear shorts under.\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Oh, that\'s sexy!  I think I\'ll wear shorts under my skirt like I did in 5th grade. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit A:<br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1522\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1523\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1524\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1525\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>','Day 32:  Experiments in Halloween Costume Shopping','','inherit','open','open','','1519-revision-12','','','2010-10-28 12:18:01','2010-10-28 19:18:01','',1519,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/1519-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(1540,1,'2010-10-28 12:18:08','2010-10-28 19:18:08','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1520\" title=\"SI Exif\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>For those of you who read yesterday\'s <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/day-30-jack-o-lantern-disasters/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Experiments in Jack O\'Lanterning</strong></a>, there seems to be a theme here...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer named Michelle.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle absolutely positively LOVED Halloween and its traditions.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One of her favorite traditions was dressing up in costume for Halloween.    For the past few years, Michelle donned her Catholic School Girl costume to Halloween parties.  Michelle is many things, but a shopper she is not.  (Highly unusual female behavior, isn\'t it?)  If the costume isn\'t broke, why fix it? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One Halloween, Michelle was writing this Late Bloomer blog about incorporating soul-scintillating challenges into each day for 365 days.  That\'s a lot of days to fill! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since she loved Halloween so much, she wanted her soul-scintillation around Halloween week to center around all things Halloweenie.  So on Day 32 of this 365 challenge, Michelle decided on shopping for a new costume. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is sort of inaccurate.  She had no desire to shop, but her friend, Christy Jo, forced her into it. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>From an actual Christy Jo email:  \"You will need a costume.  You can\'t post blog pics wearing the same costume from last year.\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Now, reader, have you seen Michelle\'s costume from last year?  And if you happen to be a Facebook \"friend\" on her personal page, do you REMEMBER her costume from last year???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exactly.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But Christy Jo is always heavy on the peer pressure.  And since she is one of Michelle\'s favorite peeps, Michelle tend to listen to Christy Jo when she bosses her around. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>So, against Michelle\'s better judgment, she headed on down to the Halloween megastore, Spririt.  She gave herself an hour, which tends to be her maxium shopping capacity. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle marveled at the swarm of people invading the store.  They looked remarkably similar to the swarm that she witnessed at the MVD a few weeks prior.  (You may refer to this pit of despair as the DMV in your fair state.) </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle was afraid.  Very, very afraid. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Trying not to gag on the swarm\'s eau du cigarette smoke, she approached the woman\'s costume section.  As Michelle rummaged through the various options, she wondered how normal women wear this crap?  I mean, come on!  Michelle is no prude -- her old \"standby\" is a Catholic school girl costume!  She likes to be fun and flirty like the rest of us!  But she also has class and prefers not to look like a Ho when she is out in public. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Actual text message to Christy Jo:  \"Leaning towards my Catholic school girl standby.  Gross stuff!\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Actual reply from Christy Jo:  \"Wear shorts under.\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Oh, that\'s sexy!  I think I\'ll wear shorts under my skirt like I did in 5th grade. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit A:<br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1522\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1523\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1524\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1525\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>','Day 32:  Experiments in Halloween Costume Shopping','','inherit','open','open','','1519-revision-13','','','2010-10-28 12:18:08','2010-10-28 19:18:08','',1519,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/1519-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(1541,1,'2010-10-28 12:37:52','2010-10-28 19:37:52','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1520\" title=\"SI Exif\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>For those of you who read yesterday\'s <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/day-30-jack-o-lantern-disasters/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Experiments in Jack O\'Lanterning</strong></a>, there seems to be a theme here...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer named Michelle.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Michelle absolutely positively LOVED Halloween and its traditions.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>One of her favorite traditions was dressing up in costume for Halloween.    For the past few years, Michelle donned her Catholic School Girl costume to Halloween parties.  Michelle is many things, but a shopper she is not.  (Highly unusual female behavior, isn\'t it?)  If the costume isn\'t broke, why fix it? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>One Halloween, Michelle was writing this Late Bloomer blog about incorporating soul-scintillating challenges into each day for 365 days.  That\'s a lot of days to fill! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Since she loved Halloween so much, she wanted her soul-scintillation around Halloween week to center around all things Halloweenie.  So on Day 32 of this 365 challenge, Michelle decided on shopping for a new costume. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which is sort of inaccurate.  She had no desire to shop, but her friend, Christy Jo, forced her into it. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>From an actual Christy Jo email:  \"You will need a costume.  You can\'t post blog pics wearing the same costume from last year.\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Now, reader, have you seen Michelle\'s costume from last year?  And if you happen to be a Facebook \"friend\" on her personal page, do you REMEMBER her costume from last year???</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Exactly.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>But Christy Jo is always heavy on the peer pressure.  And since she is one of Michelle\'s favorite peeps, Michelle tend to listen to Christy Jo when she bosses her around. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>So, against Michelle\'s better judgment, she headed on down to the Halloween megastore, Spririt.  She gave herself an hour, which tends to be her maxium shopping capacity. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Michelle marveled at the swarm of people invading the store.  They looked remarkably similar to the swarm that she witnessed at the MVD a few weeks prior.  (You may refer to this pit of despair as the DMV in your fair state.) </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Michelle was afraid.  Very, very afraid. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Trying not to gag on the swarm\'s eau du cigarette smoke, she approached the woman\'s costume section.  As Michelle rummaged through the various options, she wondered how normal women wear this crap?  I mean, come on!  Michelle is no prude -- her old \"standby\" is a Catholic school girl costume!  She likes to be fun and flirty like the rest of us!  But she also has class and prefers not to look like a Ho when she is out in public. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Actual text message to Christy Jo:  \"Leaning towards my Catholic school girl standby.  Gross stuff!\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Actual reply from Christy Jo:  \"Wear shorts under.\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"Oh, that\'s sexy!  I think I\'ll wear shorts under my skirt like I did in 5th grade\", thought Michelle.  </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Exhibit A:<br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1522\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>When Michelle found the Alice costume, she was very excited.  You can\'t make it out here, but the lettering on her apron says, \"Curioser and Curioser\".  On the right side of the Diary of a Late Bloomer blog page, you will note the \"Curioser and Curioser\" section! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>This costume turned out to be curioser indeed.  At 5 foot 2 and ¾ inches tall, Michelle was curious as to how the Alice skirt did not cover her bum.  She assumed that the long-legged model on the package was much taller, and <em>her</em> skirt covered <em>her</em> bum!  Curioser and curioser...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Exhibit B:</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1523\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Tinkerbell!  With coverage!  And then Michelle remembered the Halloween where Katie Ann was a fairy and those bloody wings nearly drove her (and everyone she bumped with them) to the brink of insanity. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Next! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Exhibit C:</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1524\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Michelle has fantasized about being a mermaid for Halloween as long as she can recall.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"If this is supposed to be a mermaid, then my name is Ariel,\" mused Michelle.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Next! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Exhibit D:  <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1525\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Men don\'t have these problems.  They can look like an idiot, get a few laughs, and call it a night. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And so our Late Bloomer Michelle ultimately decide on...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Exhibit E:</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And all was well with the world.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Because <em>this</em> was the costume that Michelle really wanted to wear in the first place. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Funny how that works. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Apparently costumes in 2005 were sexy but still covered your assets. </p>','Day 32:  Experiments in Halloween Costume Shopping','','inherit','open','open','','1519-revision-14','','','2010-10-28 12:37:52','2010-10-28 19:37:52','',1519,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/1519-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(1542,1,'2010-10-28 12:38:23','2010-10-28 19:38:23','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1520\" title=\"SI Exif\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>For those of you who read yesterday\'s <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/day-30-jack-o-lantern-disasters/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Experiments in Jack O\'Lanterning</strong></a>, there seems to be a theme here...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer named Michelle.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle absolutely positively LOVED Halloween and its traditions.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One of her favorite traditions was dressing up in costume for Halloween.    For the past few years, Michelle donned her Catholic School Girl costume to Halloween parties.  Michelle is many things, but a shopper she is not.  (Highly unusual female behavior, isn\'t it?)  If the costume ain\'t broke, why fix it? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One Halloween, Michelle was writing this Late Bloomer blog about incorporating soul-scintillating challenges into each day for 365 days.  That\'s a lot of days to fill! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since she loved Halloween so much, she wanted her soul-scintillation around Halloween week to center around all things Halloweenie.  So on Day 32 of this 365 challenge, Michelle decided on shopping for a new costume. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is sort of inaccurate.  She had no desire to shop, but her friend, Christy Jo, forced her into it. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>From an actual Christy Jo email:  \"You will need a costume.  You can\'t post blog pics wearing the same costume from last year.\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Now, reader, have you seen Michelle\'s costume from last year?  And if you happen to be a Facebook \"friend\" on her personal page, do you REMEMBER her costume from last year???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exactly.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But Christy Jo is always heavy on the peer pressure.  And since she is one of Michelle\'s favorite peeps, Michelle tend to listen to Christy Jo when she bosses her around. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>So, against Michelle\'s better judgment, she headed on down to the Halloween megastore, Spririt.  She gave herself an hour, which tends to be her maxium shopping capacity. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle marveled at the swarm of people invading the store.  They looked remarkably similar to the swarm that she witnessed at the MVD a few weeks prior.  (You may refer to this pit of despair as the DMV in your fair state.) </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle was afraid.  Very, very afraid. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Trying not to gag on the swarm\'s eau du cigarette smoke, she approached the woman\'s costume section.  As Michelle rummaged through the various options, she wondered how normal women wear this crap?  I mean, come on!  Michelle is no prude -- her old \"standby\" is a Catholic school girl costume!  She likes to be fun and flirty like the rest of us!  But she also has class and prefers not to look like a Ho when she is out in public. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Actual text message to Christy Jo:  \"Leaning towards my Catholic school girl standby.  Gross stuff!\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Actual reply from Christy Jo:  \"Wear shorts under.\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Oh, that\'s sexy!  I think I\'ll wear shorts under my skirt like I did in 5th grade\", thought Michelle.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit A:<br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1522\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When Michelle found the Alice costume, she was very excited.  You can\'t make it out here, but the lettering on her apron says, \"Curioser and Curioser\".  On the right side of the Diary of a Late Bloomer blog page, you will note the \"Curioser and Curioser\" section! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This costume turned out to be curioser indeed.  At 5 foot 2 and ¾ inches tall, Michelle was curious as to how the Alice skirt did not cover her bum.  She assumed that the long-legged model on the package was much taller, and <em>her</em> skirt covered <em>her</em> bum!  Curioser and curioser...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit B:</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1523\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Tinkerbell!  With coverage!  And then Michelle remembered the Halloween where Katie Ann was a fairy and those bloody wings nearly drove her (and everyone she bumped with them) to the brink of insanity. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Next! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit C:</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1524\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle has fantasized about being a mermaid for Halloween as long as she can recall.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"If this is supposed to be a mermaid, then my name is Ariel,\" mused Michelle.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Next! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit D:  <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1525\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Men don\'t have these problems.  They can look like an idiot, get a few laughs, and call it a night. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And so our Late Bloomer Michelle ultimately decide on...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit E:</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And all was well with the world.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Because <em>this</em> was the costume that Michelle really wanted to wear in the first place. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Funny how that works. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Apparently costumes in 2005 were sexy but still covered your assets. </p>','Day 32:  Experiments in Halloween Costume Shopping','','inherit','open','open','','1519-revision-15','','','2010-10-28 12:38:23','2010-10-28 19:38:23','',1519,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/1519-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(1543,1,'2010-10-28 12:39:38','2010-10-28 19:39:38','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1520\" title=\"SI Exif\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>For those of you who read yesterday\'s <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/day-30-jack-o-lantern-disasters/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Experiments in Jack O\'Lanterning</strong></a>, there seems to be a theme here...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer named Michelle.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle absolutely positively LOVED Halloween and its traditions.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One of her favorite traditions was dressing up in costume for Halloween.    For the past few years, Michelle donned her Catholic School Girl costume to Halloween parties.  Michelle is many things, but a shopper she is not.  (Highly unusual female behavior, isn\'t it?)  If the costume ain\'t broke, why fix it? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One Halloween, Michelle was writing this Late Bloomer blog about incorporating soul-scintillating challenges into each day for 365 days.  That\'s a lot of days to fill! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since she loved Halloween so much, she wanted her soul-scintillation around Halloween week to center around all things Halloweenie.  So on Day 32 of this 365 challenge, Michelle decided on shopping for a new costume. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is sort of inaccurate.  She had no desire to shop, but her friend, Christy Jo, forced her into it. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>From an actual Christy Jo email:  \"You will need a costume.  You can\'t post blog pics wearing the same costume from last year.\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Now, reader, have you seen Michelle\'s costume from last year?  And if you happen to be a Facebook \"friend\" on her personal page, do you REMEMBER her costume from last year???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exactly.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But Christy Jo is always heavy on the peer pressure.  And since she is one of Michelle\'s favorite peeps, Michelle tend to listen to Christy Jo when she bosses her around. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>So, against Michelle\'s better judgment, she headed on down to the Halloween megastore, Spririt.  She gave herself an hour, which tends to be her maxium shopping capacity. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle marveled at the swarm of people invading the store.  They looked remarkably similar to the swarm that she witnessed at the MVD a few weeks prior.  (You may refer to this pit of despair as the DMV in your fair state.) </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle was afraid.  Very, very afraid. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Trying not to gag on the swarm\'s eau du cigarette smoke, she approached the woman\'s costume section.  As Michelle rummaged through the various options, she wondered how normal women wear this crap?  I mean, come on!  Michelle is no prude -- her old \"standby\" is a Catholic school girl costume!  She likes to be fun and flirty like the rest of us!  But she also has class and prefers not to look like a Ho when she is out in public. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Actual text message to Christy Jo:  \"Leaning towards my Catholic school girl standby.  Gross stuff!\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Actual reply from Christy Jo:  \"Wear shorts under.\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Oh, that\'s sexy!  I think I\'ll wear shorts under my skirt like I did in 5th grade\", thought Michelle.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit A:<br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1522\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When Michelle found the Alice costume, she was very excited.  You can\'t make it out here, but the lettering on her apron says, \"Curioser and Curioser\".  On the right side of the Diary of a Late Bloomer blog page, you will note the \"Curioser and Curioser\" section! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This costume turned out to be curioser indeed.  At 5 foot 2 and ¾ inches tall, Michelle was curious as to how the Alice skirt did not cover her bum.  She assumed that the long-legged model on the package was much taller, and <em>her</em> skirt covered <em>her</em> bum!  Curioser and curioser...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit B:</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1523\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Tinkerbell!  With coverage!  And then Michelle remembered the Halloween where Katie Ann was a fairy and those bloody wings nearly drove her (and everyone she bumped with them) to the brink of insanity. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Next! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit C:</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1524\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle has fantasized about being a mermaid for Halloween as long as she can recall.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"If this is supposed to be a mermaid, then my name is Ariel,\" mused Michelle.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Next! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit D: </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1525\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Men don\'t have these problems.  They can look like an idiot, get a few laughs, and call it a night. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And so our Late Bloomer Michelle ultimately decide on...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit E:</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And all was well with the world.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Because <em>this</em> was the costume that Michelle really wanted to wear in the first place. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Funny how that works. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Apparently costumes in 2005 were sexy but still covered your assets. </p>','Day 32:  Experiments in Halloween Costume Shopping','','inherit','open','open','','1519-revision-16','','','2010-10-28 12:39:38','2010-10-28 19:39:38','',1519,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/1519-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(1544,1,'2010-10-28 18:01:56','2010-10-29 01:01:56','<p>\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_1520\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Halloween 2004\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1520\" title=\"SI Exif\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n</p>\n\n<p>For those of you who read yesterday\'s <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/day-30-jack-o-lantern-disasters/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Experiments in Jack O\'Lanterning</strong></a>, there seems to be a theme here...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer named Michelle.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Michelle absolutely positively LOVED Halloween and its traditions.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>One of her favorite traditions was dressing up in costume for Halloween.    For the past few years, Michelle donned her Catholic School Girl costume to Halloween parties.  Michelle is many things, but a shopper she is not.  (Highly unusual female behavior, isn\'t it?)  If the costume ain\'t broke, why fix it? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Then One Halloween, Michelle was writing this Late Bloomer blog about incorporating soul-scintillating challenges into each day for 365 days.  That\'s a lot of days to fill! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Since she loved Halloween so much, she wanted her soul-scintillation around Halloween week to center around all things Halloweenie.  So on Day 32 of this 365 challenge, Michelle decided on shopping for a new costume. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which is sort of inaccurate.  She had no desire to shop, but her friend, Christy Jo, forced her into it. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>From an actual Christy Jo email:  \"You will need a costume.  You can\'t post blog pics wearing the same costume from last year.\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Now, reader, have you seen Michelle\'s costume from last year?  And if you happen to be a Facebook \"friend\" on her personal page, do you REMEMBER her costume from last year???</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Exactly.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>But Christy Jo is always heavy on the peer pressure.  And since she is one of Michelle\'s favorite peeps, Michelle tends to listen to Christy Jo when she bosses her around. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>So, against her better judgment, Michelle headed on down to the Halloween megastore, Spririt.  She gave herself an hour, which tends to be her maximum shopping capacity. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Michelle marveled at the swarm of people invading the store.  They looked remarkably similar to the swarm that she witnessed at the MVD a few weeks prior.  (You may refer to this pit of despair as the DMV in your fair state.) </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Michelle was afraid.  Very, very afraid. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Trying not to gag on the swarm\'s eau du cigarette smoke, she approached the woman\'s costume section.  As Michelle rummaged through the various options, she wondered how normal women wear this crap?  I mean, come on!  Michelle is no prude -- her old \"standby\" is a Catholic school girl costume!  She likes to be fun and flirty like the rest of us!  But she also has class and prefers not to look like a Ho when she is out in public. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Actual text message to Christy Jo:  \"Leaning towards my Catholic school girl standby.  Gross stuff!\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Actual reply from Christy Jo:  \"Wear shorts under.\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"Oh, that\'s sexy!  I think I\'ll wear shorts under my skirt like I did in 5th grade\", thought Michelle.  </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit A:</span></strong><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1522\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>When Michelle found the Alice costume, she was very excited.  You can\'t make it out here, but the lettering on her apron says, \"Curioser and Curioser\".  On the right side of the Diary of a Late Bloomer blog page, please note the \"Curioser and Curioser\" section! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>This costume turned out to be curioser indeed.  At 5 foot 2 and ¾ inches tall, Michelle was curious as to how the Alice skirt did not cover her bum.  She assumed that the long-legged model on the package was much taller, and <em>her</em> skirt covered <em>her </em>bum!  Curioser and curioser...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit B:</span></strong></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"> </span></strong></p>\n\n<p><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1523\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Tinkerbell!  With coverage!  And then Michelle remembered the Halloween where Katie Ann was a fairy and those bloody wings nearly drove her (and everyone she bumped with them) to the brink of insanity. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Next! </strong></p>\n\n<p><strong> </strong> </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit C:</span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1524\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Michelle has fantasized about being a mermaid for Halloween as long as she can recall.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"If this is supposed to look like a mermaid, then my name is Ariel,\" mused Michelle.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Next! </strong><br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit D: </span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1525\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Men completely escape costume shopping issues.  They can look like an idiot, get a few laughs, and call it a night. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>For women, shopping for a Halloween costume has evolved into a more stressful shopping experience than shopping for a bathing suit.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And so our Late Bloomer Michelle ultimately decided on...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit E:</span></strong></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"> </span></strong></p>\n\n<p>\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Back in 2004, sexy costumes covered your assets. A little mystery is always a good thing, if you ask me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042.jpg\"><img title=\"SI Exif\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And all was well with the world.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Because <em>this</em> was the costume that Michelle really wanted to wear in the first place. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Funny how that works. </p>','Day 32:  Experiments in Halloween Costume Shopping','','inherit','open','open','','1519-autosave','','','2010-10-28 18:01:56','2010-10-29 01:01:56','',1519,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/1519-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1545,1,'2010-10-28 15:51:09','2010-10-28 22:51:09','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1520\" title=\"SI Exif\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>For those of you who read yesterday\'s <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/day-30-jack-o-lantern-disasters/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Experiments in Jack O\'Lanterning</strong></a>, there seems to be a theme here...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer named Michelle.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle absolutely positively LOVED Halloween and its traditions.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One of her favorite traditions was dressing up in costume for Halloween.    For the past few years, Michelle donned her Catholic School Girl costume to Halloween parties.  Michelle is many things, but a shopper she is not.  (Highly unusual female behavior, isn\'t it?)  If the costume ain\'t broke, why fix it? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One Halloween, Michelle was writing this Late Bloomer blog about incorporating soul-scintillating challenges into each day for 365 days.  That\'s a lot of days to fill! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since she loved Halloween so much, she wanted her soul-scintillation around Halloween week to center around all things Halloweenie.  So on Day 32 of this 365 challenge, Michelle decided on shopping for a new costume. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is sort of inaccurate.  She had no desire to shop, but her friend, Christy Jo, forced her into it. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>From an actual Christy Jo email:  \"You will need a costume.  You can\'t post blog pics wearing the same costume from last year.\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Now, reader, have you seen Michelle\'s costume from last year?  And if you happen to be a Facebook \"friend\" on her personal page, do you REMEMBER her costume from last year???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exactly.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But Christy Jo is always heavy on the peer pressure.  And since she is one of Michelle\'s favorite peeps, Michelle tend to listen to Christy Jo when she bosses her around. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>So, against Michelle\'s better judgment, she headed on down to the Halloween megastore, Spririt.  She gave herself an hour, which tends to be her maxium shopping capacity. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle marveled at the swarm of people invading the store.  They looked remarkably similar to the swarm that she witnessed at the MVD a few weeks prior.  (You may refer to this pit of despair as the DMV in your fair state.) </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle was afraid.  Very, very afraid. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Trying not to gag on the swarm\'s eau du cigarette smoke, she approached the woman\'s costume section.  As Michelle rummaged through the various options, she wondered how normal women wear this crap?  I mean, come on!  Michelle is no prude -- her old \"standby\" is a Catholic school girl costume!  She likes to be fun and flirty like the rest of us!  But she also has class and prefers not to look like a Ho when she is out in public. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Actual text message to Christy Jo:  \"Leaning towards my Catholic school girl standby.  Gross stuff!\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Actual reply from Christy Jo:  \"Wear shorts under.\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Oh, that\'s sexy!  I think I\'ll wear shorts under my skirt like I did in 5th grade\", thought Michelle.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit A:<br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1522\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When Michelle found the Alice costume, she was very excited.  You can\'t make it out here, but the lettering on her apron says, \"Curioser and Curioser\".  On the right side of the Diary of a Late Bloomer blog page, you will note the \"Curioser and Curioser\" section! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This costume turned out to be curioser indeed.  At 5 foot 2 and ¾ inches tall, Michelle was curious as to how the Alice skirt did not cover her bum.  She assumed that the long-legged model on the package was much taller, and <em>her</em> skirt covered <em>her</em> bum!  Curioser and curioser...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit B:</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1523\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Tinkerbell!  With coverage!  And then Michelle remembered the Halloween where Katie Ann was a fairy and those bloody wings nearly drove her (and everyone she bumped with them) to the brink of insanity. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Next! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit C:</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1524\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle has fantasized about being a mermaid for Halloween as long as she can recall.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"If this is supposed to be a mermaid, then my name is Ariel,\" mused Michelle.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Next! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit D: </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1525\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Men don\'t have these problems.  They can look like an idiot, get a few laughs, and call it a night. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And so our Late Bloomer Michelle ultimately decide on...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit E:</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And all was well with the world.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Because <em>this</em> was the costume that Michelle really wanted to wear in the first place. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Funny how that works. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Apparently costumes in 2005 were sexy but still covered your assets. </p>','Day 32:  Experiments in Halloween Costume Shopping','','inherit','open','open','','1519-revision-17','','','2010-10-28 15:51:09','2010-10-28 22:51:09','',1519,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/1519-revision-17/',0,'revision','',0),(1546,1,'2010-10-28 15:58:03','2010-10-28 22:58:03','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1520\" title=\"SI Exif\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>For those of you who read yesterday\'s <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/day-30-jack-o-lantern-disasters/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Experiments in Jack O\'Lanterning</strong></a>, there seems to be a theme here...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer named Michelle.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle absolutely positively LOVED Halloween and its traditions.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One of her favorite traditions was dressing up in costume for Halloween.    For the past few years, Michelle donned her Catholic School Girl costume to Halloween parties.  Michelle is many things, but a shopper she is not.  (Highly unusual female behavior, isn\'t it?)  If the costume ain\'t broke, why fix it? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One Halloween, Michelle was writing this Late Bloomer blog about incorporating soul-scintillating challenges into each day for 365 days.  That\'s a lot of days to fill! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since she loved Halloween so much, she wanted her soul-scintillation around Halloween week to center around all things Halloweenie.  So on Day 32 of this 365 challenge, Michelle decided on shopping for a new costume. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is sort of inaccurate.  She had no desire to shop, but her friend, Christy Jo, forced her into it. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>From an actual Christy Jo email:  \"You will need a costume.  You can\'t post blog pics wearing the same costume from last year.\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Now, reader, have you seen Michelle\'s costume from last year?  And if you happen to be a Facebook \"friend\" on her personal page, do you REMEMBER her costume from last year???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exactly.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But Christy Jo is always heavy on the peer pressure.  And since she is one of Michelle\'s favorite peeps, Michelle tends to listen to Christy Jo when she bosses her around. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>So, against Michelle\'s better judgment, she headed on down to the Halloween megastore, Spririt.  She gave herself an hour, which tends to be her maximum shopping capacity. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle marveled at the swarm of people invading the store.  They looked remarkably similar to the swarm that she witnessed at the MVD a few weeks prior.  (You may refer to this pit of despair as the DMV in your fair state.) </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle was afraid.  Very, very afraid. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Trying not to gag on the swarm\'s eau du cigarette smoke, she approached the woman\'s costume section.  As Michelle rummaged through the various options, she wondered how normal women wear this crap?  I mean, come on!  Michelle is no prude -- her old \"standby\" is a Catholic school girl costume!  She likes to be fun and flirty like the rest of us!  But she also has class and prefers not to look like a Ho when she is out in public. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Actual text message to Christy Jo:  \"Leaning towards my Catholic school girl standby.  Gross stuff!\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Actual reply from Christy Jo:  \"Wear shorts under.\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Oh, that\'s sexy!  I think I\'ll wear shorts under my skirt like I did in 5th grade\", thought Michelle.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit A:<br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1522\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When Michelle found the Alice costume, she was very excited.  You can\'t make it out here, but the lettering on her apron says, \"Curioser and Curioser\".  On the right side of the Diary of a Late Bloomer blog page, please note the \"Curioser and Curioser\" section! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This costume turned out to be curioser indeed.  At 5 foot 2 and ¾ inches tall, Michelle was curious as to how the Alice skirt did not cover her bum.  She assumed that the long-legged model on the package was much taller, and <em>her</em> skirt covered <em>her </em>bum!  Curioser and curioser...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit B:</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1523\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Tinkerbell!  With coverage!  And then Michelle remembered the Halloween where Katie Ann was a fairy and those bloody wings nearly drove her (and everyone she bumped with them) to the brink of insanity. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Next! </strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit C:</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1524\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle has fantasized about being a mermaid for Halloween as long as she can recall.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"If this is supposed to look like a mermaid, then my name is Ariel,\" mused Michelle.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Next! </strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit D: </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1525\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Men don\'t costume shopping issues.  They can look like an idiot, get a few laughs, and call it a night. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And so our Late Bloomer Michelle ultimately decide on...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exhibit E:</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And all was well with the world.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Because <em>this</em> was the costume that Michelle really wanted to wear in the first place. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Funny how that works. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Apparently costumes in 2005 were sexy but still covered your assets. </p>','Day 32:  Experiments in Halloween Costume Shopping','','inherit','open','open','','1519-revision-18','','','2010-10-28 15:58:03','2010-10-28 22:58:03','',1519,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/1519-revision-18/',0,'revision','',0),(1547,1,'2010-10-28 16:02:50','2010-10-28 23:02:50','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1520\" title=\"SI Exif\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>For those of you who read yesterday\'s <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/day-30-jack-o-lantern-disasters/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Experiments in Jack O\'Lanterning</strong></a>, there seems to be a theme here...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer named Michelle.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle absolutely positively LOVED Halloween and its traditions.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One of her favorite traditions was dressing up in costume for Halloween.    For the past few years, Michelle donned her Catholic School Girl costume to Halloween parties.  Michelle is many things, but a shopper she is not.  (Highly unusual female behavior, isn\'t it?)  If the costume ain\'t broke, why fix it?  <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One Halloween, Michelle was writing this Late Bloomer blog about incorporating soul-scintillating challenges into each day for 365 days.  That\'s a lot of days to fill! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since she loved Halloween so much, she wanted her soul-scintillation around Halloween week to center around all things Halloweenie.  So on Day 32 of this 365 challenge, Michelle decided on shopping for a new costume. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is sort of inaccurate.  She had no desire to shop, but her friend, Christy Jo, forced her into it. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>From an actual Christy Jo email:  \"You will need a costume.  You can\'t post blog pics wearing the same costume from last year.\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Now, reader, have you seen Michelle\'s costume from last year?  And if you happen to be a Facebook \"friend\" on her personal page, do you REMEMBER her costume from last year???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exactly.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But Christy Jo is always heavy on the peer pressure.  And since she is one of Michelle\'s favorite peeps, Michelle tends to listen to Christy Jo when she bosses her around. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>So, against Michelle\'s better judgment, she headed on down to the Halloween megastore, Spririt.  She gave herself an hour, which tends to be her maximum shopping capacity. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle marveled at the swarm of people invading the store.  They looked remarkably similar to the swarm that she witnessed at the MVD a few weeks prior.  (You may refer to this pit of despair as the DMV in your fair state.) </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle was afraid.  Very, very afraid. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Trying not to gag on the swarm\'s eau du cigarette smoke, she approached the woman\'s costume section.  As Michelle rummaged through the various options, she wondered how normal women wear this crap?  I mean, come on!  Michelle is no prude -- her old \"standby\" is a Catholic school girl costume!  She likes to be fun and flirty like the rest of us!  But she also has class and prefers not to look like a Ho when she is out in public. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Actual text message to Christy Jo:  \"Leaning towards my Catholic school girl standby.  Gross stuff!\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Actual reply from Christy Jo:  \"Wear shorts under.\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Oh, that\'s sexy!  I think I\'ll wear shorts under my skirt like I did in 5th grade\", thought Michelle.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit A:<br class=\"spacer_\" /></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1522\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When Michelle found the Alice costume, she was very excited.  You can\'t make it out here, but the lettering on her apron says, \"Curioser and Curioser\".  On the right side of the Diary of a Late Bloomer blog page, please note the \"Curioser and Curioser\" section! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This costume turned out to be curioser indeed.  At 5 foot 2 and ¾ inches tall, Michelle was curious as to how the Alice skirt did not cover her bum.  She assumed that the long-legged model on the package was much taller, and <em>her</em> skirt covered <em>her </em>bum!  Curioser and curioser...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit B:</span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1523\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Tinkerbell!  With coverage!  And then Michelle remembered the Halloween where Katie Ann was a fairy and those bloody wings nearly drove her (and everyone she bumped with them) to the brink of insanity. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Next! </strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit C:</span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1524\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle has fantasized about being a mermaid for Halloween as long as she can recall.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"If this is supposed to look like a mermaid, then my name is Ariel,\" mused Michelle.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Next! </strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit D: </span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1525\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Men don\'t costume shopping issues.  They can look like an idiot, get a few laughs, and call it a night. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>For women, shopping for a Halloween costume has evolved into a more stressful shopping experience than shopping for a bathing suit! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And so our Late Bloomer Michelle ultimately decided on...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit E:</span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And all was well with the world.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Because <em>this</em> was the costume that Michelle really wanted to wear in the first place. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Funny how that works. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Apparently costumes in 2005 were sexy but still covered your assets. </p>','Day 32:  Experiments in Halloween Costume Shopping','','inherit','open','open','','1519-revision-19','','','2010-10-28 16:02:50','2010-10-28 23:02:50','',1519,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/1519-revision-19/',0,'revision','',0),(1550,1,'2010-10-28 16:06:08','2010-10-28 23:06:08','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1520\" title=\"SI Exif\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>For those of you who read yesterday\'s <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/day-30-jack-o-lantern-disasters/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Experiments in Jack O\'Lanterning</strong></a>, there seems to be a theme here...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer named Michelle.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle absolutely positively LOVED Halloween and its traditions.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One of her favorite traditions was dressing up in costume for Halloween.    For the past few years, Michelle donned her Catholic School Girl costume to Halloween parties.  Michelle is many things, but a shopper she is not.  (Highly unusual female behavior, isn\'t it?)  If the costume ain\'t broke, why fix it?  <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One Halloween, Michelle was writing this Late Bloomer blog about incorporating soul-scintillating challenges into each day for 365 days.  That\'s a lot of days to fill! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since she loved Halloween so much, she wanted her soul-scintillation around Halloween week to center around all things Halloweenie.  So on Day 32 of this 365 challenge, Michelle decided on shopping for a new costume. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is sort of inaccurate.  She had no desire to shop, but her friend, Christy Jo, forced her into it. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>From an actual Christy Jo email:  \"You will need a costume.  You can\'t post blog pics wearing the same costume from last year.\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Now, reader, have you seen Michelle\'s costume from last year?  And if you happen to be a Facebook \"friend\" on her personal page, do you REMEMBER her costume from last year???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exactly.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But Christy Jo is always heavy on the peer pressure.  And since she is one of Michelle\'s favorite peeps, Michelle tends to listen to Christy Jo when she bosses her around. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>So, against Michelle\'s better judgment, she headed on down to the Halloween megastore, Spririt.  She gave herself an hour, which tends to be her maximum shopping capacity. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle marveled at the swarm of people invading the store.  They looked remarkably similar to the swarm that she witnessed at the MVD a few weeks prior.  (You may refer to this pit of despair as the DMV in your fair state.) </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle was afraid.  Very, very afraid. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Trying not to gag on the swarm\'s eau du cigarette smoke, she approached the woman\'s costume section.  As Michelle rummaged through the various options, she wondered how normal women wear this crap?  I mean, come on!  Michelle is no prude -- her old \"standby\" is a Catholic school girl costume!  She likes to be fun and flirty like the rest of us!  But she also has class and prefers not to look like a Ho when she is out in public. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Actual text message to Christy Jo:  \"Leaning towards my Catholic school girl standby.  Gross stuff!\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Actual reply from Christy Jo:  \"Wear shorts under.\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Oh, that\'s sexy!  I think I\'ll wear shorts under my skirt like I did in 5th grade\", thought Michelle.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit A:<br class=\"spacer_\" /></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1522\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When Michelle found the Alice costume, she was very excited.  You can\'t make it out here, but the lettering on her apron says, \"Curioser and Curioser\".  On the right side of the Diary of a Late Bloomer blog page, please note the \"Curioser and Curioser\" section! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This costume turned out to be curioser indeed.  At 5 foot 2 and ¾ inches tall, Michelle was curious as to how the Alice skirt did not cover her bum.  She assumed that the long-legged model on the package was much taller, and <em>her</em> skirt covered <em>her </em>bum!  Curioser and curioser...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit B:</span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1523\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Tinkerbell!  With coverage!  And then Michelle remembered the Halloween where Katie Ann was a fairy and those bloody wings nearly drove her (and everyone she bumped with them) to the brink of insanity. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Next! </strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong> </strong> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit C:</span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1524\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle has fantasized about being a mermaid for Halloween as long as she can recall.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"If this is supposed to look like a mermaid, then my name is Ariel,\" mused Michelle.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Next! </strong><br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit D: </span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1525\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Men don\'t costume shopping issues.  They can look like an idiot, get a few laughs, and call it a night. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>For women, shopping for a Halloween costume has evolved into a more stressful shopping experience than shopping for a bathing suit! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And so our Late Bloomer Michelle ultimately decided on...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit E:</span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And all was well with the world.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Because <em>this</em> was the costume that Michelle really wanted to wear in the first place. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Funny how that works. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Apparently costumes in 2005 were sexy but still covered your assets. </p>','Day 32:  Experiments in Halloween Costume Shopping','','inherit','open','open','','1519-revision-22','','','2010-10-28 16:06:08','2010-10-28 23:06:08','',1519,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/1519-revision-22/',0,'revision','',0),(1548,1,'2010-10-28 16:04:10','2010-10-28 23:04:10','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1520\" title=\"SI Exif\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>For those of you who read yesterday\'s <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/day-30-jack-o-lantern-disasters/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Experiments in Jack O\'Lanterning</strong></a>, there seems to be a theme here...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer named Michelle.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle absolutely positively LOVED Halloween and its traditions.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One of her favorite traditions was dressing up in costume for Halloween.    For the past few years, Michelle donned her Catholic School Girl costume to Halloween parties.  Michelle is many things, but a shopper she is not.  (Highly unusual female behavior, isn\'t it?)  If the costume ain\'t broke, why fix it?  <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One Halloween, Michelle was writing this Late Bloomer blog about incorporating soul-scintillating challenges into each day for 365 days.  That\'s a lot of days to fill! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since she loved Halloween so much, she wanted her soul-scintillation around Halloween week to center around all things Halloweenie.  So on Day 32 of this 365 challenge, Michelle decided on shopping for a new costume. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is sort of inaccurate.  She had no desire to shop, but her friend, Christy Jo, forced her into it. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>From an actual Christy Jo email:  \"You will need a costume.  You can\'t post blog pics wearing the same costume from last year.\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Now, reader, have you seen Michelle\'s costume from last year?  And if you happen to be a Facebook \"friend\" on her personal page, do you REMEMBER her costume from last year???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exactly.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But Christy Jo is always heavy on the peer pressure.  And since she is one of Michelle\'s favorite peeps, Michelle tends to listen to Christy Jo when she bosses her around. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>So, against Michelle\'s better judgment, she headed on down to the Halloween megastore, Spririt.  She gave herself an hour, which tends to be her maximum shopping capacity. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle marveled at the swarm of people invading the store.  They looked remarkably similar to the swarm that she witnessed at the MVD a few weeks prior.  (You may refer to this pit of despair as the DMV in your fair state.) </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle was afraid.  Very, very afraid. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Trying not to gag on the swarm\'s eau du cigarette smoke, she approached the woman\'s costume section.  As Michelle rummaged through the various options, she wondered how normal women wear this crap?  I mean, come on!  Michelle is no prude -- her old \"standby\" is a Catholic school girl costume!  She likes to be fun and flirty like the rest of us!  But she also has class and prefers not to look like a Ho when she is out in public. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Actual text message to Christy Jo:  \"Leaning towards my Catholic school girl standby.  Gross stuff!\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Actual reply from Christy Jo:  \"Wear shorts under.\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Oh, that\'s sexy!  I think I\'ll wear shorts under my skirt like I did in 5th grade\", thought Michelle.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit A:<br class=\"spacer_\" /></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1522\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When Michelle found the Alice costume, she was very excited.  You can\'t make it out here, but the lettering on her apron says, \"Curioser and Curioser\".  On the right side of the Diary of a Late Bloomer blog page, please note the \"Curioser and Curioser\" section! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This costume turned out to be curioser indeed.  At 5 foot 2 and ¾ inches tall, Michelle was curious as to how the Alice skirt did not cover her bum.  She assumed that the long-legged model on the package was much taller, and <em>her</em> skirt covered <em>her </em>bum!  Curioser and curioser...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit B:</span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1523\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Tinkerbell!  With coverage!  And then Michelle remembered the Halloween where Katie Ann was a fairy and those bloody wings nearly drove her (and everyone she bumped with them) to the brink of insanity. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Next! </strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong> </strong> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit C:</span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1524\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle has fantasized about being a mermaid for Halloween as long as she can recall.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"If this is supposed to look like a mermaid, then my name is Ariel,\" mused Michelle.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Next! </strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit D: </span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1525\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Men don\'t costume shopping issues.  They can look like an idiot, get a few laughs, and call it a night. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>For women, shopping for a Halloween costume has evolved into a more stressful shopping experience than shopping for a bathing suit! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And so our Late Bloomer Michelle ultimately decided on...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit E:</span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And all was well with the world.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Because <em>this</em> was the costume that Michelle really wanted to wear in the first place. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Funny how that works. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Apparently costumes in 2005 were sexy but still covered your assets. </p>','Day 32:  Experiments in Halloween Costume Shopping','','inherit','open','open','','1519-revision-20','','','2010-10-28 16:04:10','2010-10-28 23:04:10','',1519,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/1519-revision-20/',0,'revision','',0),(1549,1,'2010-10-28 16:05:07','2010-10-28 23:05:07','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1520\" title=\"SI Exif\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>For those of you who read yesterday\'s <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/day-30-jack-o-lantern-disasters/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Experiments in Jack O\'Lanterning</strong></a>, there seems to be a theme here...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer named Michelle.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle absolutely positively LOVED Halloween and its traditions.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One of her favorite traditions was dressing up in costume for Halloween.    For the past few years, Michelle donned her Catholic School Girl costume to Halloween parties.  Michelle is many things, but a shopper she is not.  (Highly unusual female behavior, isn\'t it?)  If the costume ain\'t broke, why fix it?  <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One Halloween, Michelle was writing this Late Bloomer blog about incorporating soul-scintillating challenges into each day for 365 days.  That\'s a lot of days to fill! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since she loved Halloween so much, she wanted her soul-scintillation around Halloween week to center around all things Halloweenie.  So on Day 32 of this 365 challenge, Michelle decided on shopping for a new costume. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is sort of inaccurate.  She had no desire to shop, but her friend, Christy Jo, forced her into it. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>From an actual Christy Jo email:  \"You will need a costume.  You can\'t post blog pics wearing the same costume from last year.\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Now, reader, have you seen Michelle\'s costume from last year?  And if you happen to be a Facebook \"friend\" on her personal page, do you REMEMBER her costume from last year???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exactly.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But Christy Jo is always heavy on the peer pressure.  And since she is one of Michelle\'s favorite peeps, Michelle tends to listen to Christy Jo when she bosses her around. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>So, against Michelle\'s better judgment, she headed on down to the Halloween megastore, Spririt.  She gave herself an hour, which tends to be her maximum shopping capacity. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle marveled at the swarm of people invading the store.  They looked remarkably similar to the swarm that she witnessed at the MVD a few weeks prior.  (You may refer to this pit of despair as the DMV in your fair state.) </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle was afraid.  Very, very afraid. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Trying not to gag on the swarm\'s eau du cigarette smoke, she approached the woman\'s costume section.  As Michelle rummaged through the various options, she wondered how normal women wear this crap?  I mean, come on!  Michelle is no prude -- her old \"standby\" is a Catholic school girl costume!  She likes to be fun and flirty like the rest of us!  But she also has class and prefers not to look like a Ho when she is out in public. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Actual text message to Christy Jo:  \"Leaning towards my Catholic school girl standby.  Gross stuff!\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Actual reply from Christy Jo:  \"Wear shorts under.\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Oh, that\'s sexy!  I think I\'ll wear shorts under my skirt like I did in 5th grade\", thought Michelle.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit A:<br class=\"spacer_\" /></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1522\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When Michelle found the Alice costume, she was very excited.  You can\'t make it out here, but the lettering on her apron says, \"Curioser and Curioser\".  On the right side of the Diary of a Late Bloomer blog page, please note the \"Curioser and Curioser\" section! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This costume turned out to be curioser indeed.  At 5 foot 2 and ¾ inches tall, Michelle was curious as to how the Alice skirt did not cover her bum.  She assumed that the long-legged model on the package was much taller, and <em>her</em> skirt covered <em>her </em>bum!  Curioser and curioser...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit B:</span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1523\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Tinkerbell!  With coverage!  And then Michelle remembered the Halloween where Katie Ann was a fairy and those bloody wings nearly drove her (and everyone she bumped with them) to the brink of insanity. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Next! </strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong> </strong> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit C:</span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1524\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle has fantasized about being a mermaid for Halloween as long as she can recall.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"If this is supposed to look like a mermaid, then my name is Ariel,\" mused Michelle.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Next! </strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit D: </span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1525\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Men don\'t costume shopping issues.  They can look like an idiot, get a few laughs, and call it a night. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>For women, shopping for a Halloween costume has evolved into a more stressful shopping experience than shopping for a bathing suit! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And so our Late Bloomer Michelle ultimately decided on...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit E:</span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And all was well with the world.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Because <em>this</em> was the costume that Michelle really wanted to wear in the first place. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Funny how that works. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Apparently costumes in 2005 were sexy but still covered your assets. </p>','Day 32:  Experiments in Halloween Costume Shopping','','inherit','open','open','','1519-revision-21','','','2010-10-28 16:05:07','2010-10-28 23:05:07','',1519,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/1519-revision-21/',0,'revision','',0),(1551,1,'2010-10-28 17:32:37','2010-10-29 00:32:37','','SI Exif','','inherit','open','open','','si-exif-4','','','2010-10-28 17:32:37','2010-10-29 00:32:37','',1519,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN0597.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1552,1,'2010-10-28 16:07:32','2010-10-28 23:07:32','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1520\" title=\"SI Exif\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>For those of you who read yesterday\'s <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/day-30-jack-o-lantern-disasters/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Experiments in Jack O\'Lanterning</strong></a>, there seems to be a theme here...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer named Michelle.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle absolutely positively LOVED Halloween and its traditions.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One of her favorite traditions was dressing up in costume for Halloween.    For the past few years, Michelle donned her Catholic School Girl costume to Halloween parties.  Michelle is many things, but a shopper she is not.  (Highly unusual female behavior, isn\'t it?)  If the costume ain\'t broke, why fix it?  <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One Halloween, Michelle was writing this Late Bloomer blog about incorporating soul-scintillating challenges into each day for 365 days.  That\'s a lot of days to fill! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since she loved Halloween so much, she wanted her soul-scintillation around Halloween week to center around all things Halloweenie.  So on Day 32 of this 365 challenge, Michelle decided on shopping for a new costume. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is sort of inaccurate.  She had no desire to shop, but her friend, Christy Jo, forced her into it. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>From an actual Christy Jo email:  \"You will need a costume.  You can\'t post blog pics wearing the same costume from last year.\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Now, reader, have you seen Michelle\'s costume from last year?  And if you happen to be a Facebook \"friend\" on her personal page, do you REMEMBER her costume from last year???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exactly.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But Christy Jo is always heavy on the peer pressure.  And since she is one of Michelle\'s favorite peeps, Michelle tends to listen to Christy Jo when she bosses her around. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>So, against Michelle\'s better judgment, she headed on down to the Halloween megastore, Spririt.  She gave herself an hour, which tends to be her maximum shopping capacity. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle marveled at the swarm of people invading the store.  They looked remarkably similar to the swarm that she witnessed at the MVD a few weeks prior.  (You may refer to this pit of despair as the DMV in your fair state.) </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle was afraid.  Very, very afraid. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Trying not to gag on the swarm\'s eau du cigarette smoke, she approached the woman\'s costume section.  As Michelle rummaged through the various options, she wondered how normal women wear this crap?  I mean, come on!  Michelle is no prude -- her old \"standby\" is a Catholic school girl costume!  She likes to be fun and flirty like the rest of us!  But she also has class and prefers not to look like a Ho when she is out in public. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Actual text message to Christy Jo:  \"Leaning towards my Catholic school girl standby.  Gross stuff!\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Actual reply from Christy Jo:  \"Wear shorts under.\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Oh, that\'s sexy!  I think I\'ll wear shorts under my skirt like I did in 5th grade\", thought Michelle.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit A:<br class=\"spacer_\" /></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1522\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When Michelle found the Alice costume, she was very excited.  You can\'t make it out here, but the lettering on her apron says, \"Curioser and Curioser\".  On the right side of the Diary of a Late Bloomer blog page, please note the \"Curioser and Curioser\" section! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This costume turned out to be curioser indeed.  At 5 foot 2 and ¾ inches tall, Michelle was curious as to how the Alice skirt did not cover her bum.  She assumed that the long-legged model on the package was much taller, and <em>her</em> skirt covered <em>her </em>bum!  Curioser and curioser...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit B:</span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1523\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Tinkerbell!  With coverage!  And then Michelle remembered the Halloween where Katie Ann was a fairy and those bloody wings nearly drove her (and everyone she bumped with them) to the brink of insanity. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Next! </strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong> </strong> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit C:</span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1524\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle has fantasized about being a mermaid for Halloween as long as she can recall.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"If this is supposed to look like a mermaid, then my name is Ariel,\" mused Michelle.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Next! </strong><br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit D: </span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1525\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Men don\'t costume shopping issues.  They can look like an idiot, get a few laughs, and call it a night. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>For women, shopping for a Halloween costume has evolved into a more stressful shopping experience than shopping for a bathing suit! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And so our Late Bloomer Michelle ultimately decided on...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit E:</span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And all was well with the world.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Because <em>this</em> was the costume that Michelle really wanted to wear in the first place. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Funny how that works. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Apparently costumes in 2005 were sexy but still covered your assets. </p>','Day 32:  Experiments in Halloween Costume Shopping','','inherit','open','open','','1519-revision-23','','','2010-10-28 16:07:32','2010-10-28 23:07:32','',1519,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/1519-revision-23/',0,'revision','',0),(1553,1,'2010-10-28 17:37:13','2010-10-29 00:37:13','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1520\" title=\"SI Exif\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>For those of you who read yesterday\'s <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/day-30-jack-o-lantern-disasters/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Experiments in Jack O\'Lanterning</strong></a>, there seems to be a theme here...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer named Michelle.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle absolutely positively LOVED Halloween and its traditions.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One of her favorite traditions was dressing up in costume for Halloween.    For the past few years, Michelle donned her Catholic School Girl costume to Halloween parties.  Michelle is many things, but a shopper she is not.  (Highly unusual female behavior, isn\'t it?)  If the costume ain\'t broke, why fix it?  <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One Halloween, Michelle was writing this Late Bloomer blog about incorporating soul-scintillating challenges into each day for 365 days.  That\'s a lot of days to fill! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since she loved Halloween so much, she wanted her soul-scintillation around Halloween week to center around all things Halloweenie.  So on Day 32 of this 365 challenge, Michelle decided on shopping for a new costume. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is sort of inaccurate.  She had no desire to shop, but her friend, Christy Jo, forced her into it. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>From an actual Christy Jo email:  \"You will need a costume.  You can\'t post blog pics wearing the same costume from last year.\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Now, reader, have you seen Michelle\'s costume from last year?  And if you happen to be a Facebook \"friend\" on her personal page, do you REMEMBER her costume from last year???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exactly.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But Christy Jo is always heavy on the peer pressure.  And since she is one of Michelle\'s favorite peeps, Michelle tends to listen to Christy Jo when she bosses her around. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>So, against Michelle\'s better judgment, she headed on down to the Halloween megastore, Spririt.  She gave herself an hour, which tends to be her maximum shopping capacity. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle marveled at the swarm of people invading the store.  They looked remarkably similar to the swarm that she witnessed at the MVD a few weeks prior.  (You may refer to this pit of despair as the DMV in your fair state.) </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle was afraid.  Very, very afraid. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Trying not to gag on the swarm\'s eau du cigarette smoke, she approached the woman\'s costume section.  As Michelle rummaged through the various options, she wondered how normal women wear this crap?  I mean, come on!  Michelle is no prude -- her old \"standby\" is a Catholic school girl costume!  She likes to be fun and flirty like the rest of us!  But she also has class and prefers not to look like a Ho when she is out in public. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Actual text message to Christy Jo:  \"Leaning towards my Catholic school girl standby.  Gross stuff!\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Actual reply from Christy Jo:  \"Wear shorts under.\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Oh, that\'s sexy!  I think I\'ll wear shorts under my skirt like I did in 5th grade\", thought Michelle.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit A:<br class=\"spacer_\" /></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1522\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When Michelle found the Alice costume, she was very excited.  You can\'t make it out here, but the lettering on her apron says, \"Curioser and Curioser\".  On the right side of the Diary of a Late Bloomer blog page, please note the \"Curioser and Curioser\" section! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This costume turned out to be curioser indeed.  At 5 foot 2 and ¾ inches tall, Michelle was curious as to how the Alice skirt did not cover her bum.  She assumed that the long-legged model on the package was much taller, and <em>her</em> skirt covered <em>her </em>bum!  Curioser and curioser...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit B:</span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1523\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Tinkerbell!  With coverage!  And then Michelle remembered the Halloween where Katie Ann was a fairy and those bloody wings nearly drove her (and everyone she bumped with them) to the brink of insanity. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Next! </strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong> </strong> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit C:</span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1524\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle has fantasized about being a mermaid for Halloween as long as she can recall.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"If this is supposed to look like a mermaid, then my name is Ariel,\" mused Michelle.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Next! </strong><br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit D: </span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1525\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Men don\'t costume shopping issues.  They can look like an idiot, get a few laughs, and call it a night. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>For women, shopping for a Halloween costume has evolved into a more stressful shopping experience than shopping for a bathing suit! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And so our Late Bloomer Michelle ultimately decided on...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit E:</span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"> </span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042.jpg\"><img title=\"SI Exif\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And all was well with the world.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Because <em>this</em> was the costume that Michelle really wanted to wear in the first place. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Funny how that works. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Apparently costumes in 2005 were sexy but still covered your assets. </p>','Day 32:  Experiments in Halloween Costume Shopping','','inherit','open','open','','1519-revision-24','','','2010-10-28 17:37:13','2010-10-29 00:37:13','',1519,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/1519-revision-24/',0,'revision','',0),(1554,1,'2010-10-28 17:40:00','2010-10-29 00:40:00','[caption id=\"attachment_1520\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Halloween 2004\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1520\" title=\"SI Exif\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<p>For those of you who read yesterday\'s <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/day-30-jack-o-lantern-disasters/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Experiments in Jack O\'Lanterning</strong></a>, there seems to be a theme here...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer named Michelle.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle absolutely positively LOVED Halloween and its traditions.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One of her favorite traditions was dressing up in costume for Halloween.    For the past few years, Michelle donned her Catholic School Girl costume to Halloween parties.  Michelle is many things, but a shopper she is not.  (Highly unusual female behavior, isn\'t it?)  If the costume ain\'t broke, why fix it?  <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One Halloween, Michelle was writing this Late Bloomer blog about incorporating soul-scintillating challenges into each day for 365 days.  That\'s a lot of days to fill! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since she loved Halloween so much, she wanted her soul-scintillation around Halloween week to center around all things Halloweenie.  So on Day 32 of this 365 challenge, Michelle decided on shopping for a new costume. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is sort of inaccurate.  She had no desire to shop, but her friend, Christy Jo, forced her into it. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>From an actual Christy Jo email:  \"You will need a costume.  You can\'t post blog pics wearing the same costume from last year.\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Now, reader, have you seen Michelle\'s costume from last year?  And if you happen to be a Facebook \"friend\" on her personal page, do you REMEMBER her costume from last year???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exactly.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But Christy Jo is always heavy on the peer pressure.  And since she is one of Michelle\'s favorite peeps, Michelle tends to listen to Christy Jo when she bosses her around. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>So, against Michelle\'s better judgment, she headed on down to the Halloween megastore, Spririt.  She gave herself an hour, which tends to be her maximum shopping capacity. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle marveled at the swarm of people invading the store.  They looked remarkably similar to the swarm that she witnessed at the MVD a few weeks prior.  (You may refer to this pit of despair as the DMV in your fair state.) </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle was afraid.  Very, very afraid. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Trying not to gag on the swarm\'s eau du cigarette smoke, she approached the woman\'s costume section.  As Michelle rummaged through the various options, she wondered how normal women wear this crap?  I mean, come on!  Michelle is no prude -- her old \"standby\" is a Catholic school girl costume!  She likes to be fun and flirty like the rest of us!  But she also has class and prefers not to look like a Ho when she is out in public. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Actual text message to Christy Jo:  \"Leaning towards my Catholic school girl standby.  Gross stuff!\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Actual reply from Christy Jo:  \"Wear shorts under.\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Oh, that\'s sexy!  I think I\'ll wear shorts under my skirt like I did in 5th grade\", thought Michelle.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit A:<br class=\"spacer_\" /></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1522\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When Michelle found the Alice costume, she was very excited.  You can\'t make it out here, but the lettering on her apron says, \"Curioser and Curioser\".  On the right side of the Diary of a Late Bloomer blog page, please note the \"Curioser and Curioser\" section! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This costume turned out to be curioser indeed.  At 5 foot 2 and ¾ inches tall, Michelle was curious as to how the Alice skirt did not cover her bum.  She assumed that the long-legged model on the package was much taller, and <em>her</em> skirt covered <em>her </em>bum!  Curioser and curioser...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit B:</span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1523\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Tinkerbell!  With coverage!  And then Michelle remembered the Halloween where Katie Ann was a fairy and those bloody wings nearly drove her (and everyone she bumped with them) to the brink of insanity. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Next! </strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong> </strong> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit C:</span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1524\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle has fantasized about being a mermaid for Halloween as long as she can recall.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"If this is supposed to look like a mermaid, then my name is Ariel,\" mused Michelle.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Next! </strong><br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit D: </span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1525\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Men don\'t costume shopping issues.  They can look like an idiot, get a few laughs, and call it a night. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>For women, shopping for a Halloween costume has evolved into a more stressful shopping experience than shopping for a bathing suit! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And so our Late Bloomer Michelle ultimately decided on...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit E:</span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"> </span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Back in 2004, sexy costumes covered your assets. A little mystery is always a good thing, if you ask me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042.jpg\"><img title=\"SI Exif\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And all was well with the world.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Because <em>this</em> was the costume that Michelle really wanted to wear in the first place. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Funny how that works. </p>','Day 32:  Experiments in Halloween Costume Shopping','','inherit','open','open','','1519-revision-25','','','2010-10-28 17:40:00','2010-10-29 00:40:00','',1519,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/1519-revision-25/',0,'revision','',0),(1563,1,'2010-10-28 18:00:15','2010-10-29 01:00:15','<p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1520\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Halloween 2004\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1520\" title=\"SI Exif\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p>For those of you who read yesterday\'s <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/day-30-jack-o-lantern-disasters/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Experiments in Jack O\'Lanterning</strong></a>, there seems to be a theme here...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer named Michelle.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle absolutely positively LOVED Halloween and its traditions.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One of her favorite traditions was dressing up in costume for Halloween.    For the past few years, Michelle donned her Catholic School Girl costume to Halloween parties.  Michelle is many things, but a shopper she is not.  (Highly unusual female behavior, isn\'t it?)  If the costume ain\'t broke, why fix it? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Then One Halloween, Michelle was writing this Late Bloomer blog about incorporating soul-scintillating challenges into each day for 365 days.  That\'s a lot of days to fill! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since she loved Halloween so much, she wanted her soul-scintillation around Halloween week to center around all things Halloweenie.  So on Day 32 of this 365 challenge, Michelle decided on shopping for a new costume. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is sort of inaccurate.  She had no desire to shop, but her friend, Christy Jo, forced her into it. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>From an actual Christy Jo email:  \"You will need a costume.  You can\'t post blog pics wearing the same costume from last year.\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Now, reader, have you seen Michelle\'s costume from last year?  And if you happen to be a Facebook \"friend\" on her personal page, do you REMEMBER her costume from last year???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exactly.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But Christy Jo is always heavy on the peer pressure.  And since she is one of Michelle\'s favorite peeps, Michelle tends to listen to Christy Jo when she bosses her around. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>So, against her better judgment, Michelle headed on down to the Halloween megastore, Spririt.  She gave herself an hour, which tends to be her maximum shopping capacity. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle marveled at the swarm of people invading the store.  They looked remarkably similar to the swarm that she witnessed at the MVD a few weeks prior.  (You may refer to this pit of despair as the DMV in your fair state.) </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle was afraid.  Very, very afraid. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Trying not to gag on the swarm\'s eau du cigarette smoke, she approached the woman\'s costume section.  As Michelle rummaged through the various options, she wondered how normal women wear this crap?  I mean, come on!  Michelle is no prude -- her old \"standby\" is a Catholic school girl costume!  She likes to be fun and flirty like the rest of us!  But she also has class and prefers not to look like a Ho when she is out in public. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Actual text message to Christy Jo:  \"Leaning towards my Catholic school girl standby.  Gross stuff!\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Actual reply from Christy Jo:  \"Wear shorts under.\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Oh, that\'s sexy!  I think I\'ll wear shorts under my skirt like I did in 5th grade\", thought Michelle.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit A:</span></strong><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1522\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When Michelle found the Alice costume, she was very excited.  You can\'t make it out here, but the lettering on her apron says, \"Curioser and Curioser\".  On the right side of the Diary of a Late Bloomer blog page, please note the \"Curioser and Curioser\" section! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This costume turned out to be curioser indeed.  At 5 foot 2 and ¾ inches tall, Michelle was curious as to how the Alice skirt did not cover her bum.  She assumed that the long-legged model on the package was much taller, and <em>her</em> skirt covered <em>her </em>bum!  Curioser and curioser...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit B:</span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"> </span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1523\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Tinkerbell!  With coverage!  And then Michelle remembered the Halloween where Katie Ann was a fairy and those bloody wings nearly drove her (and everyone she bumped with them) to the brink of insanity. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Next! </strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong> </strong> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit C:</span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1524\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle has fantasized about being a mermaid for Halloween as long as she can recall.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"If this is supposed to look like a mermaid, then my name is Ariel,\" mused Michelle.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Next! </strong><br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit D: </span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1525\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Men completely escape costume shopping issues.  They can look like an idiot, get a few laughs, and call it a night. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>For women, shopping for a Halloween costume has evolved into a more stressful shopping experience than shopping for a bathing suit.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And so our Late Bloomer Michelle ultimately decided on...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit E:</span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"> </span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Back in 2004, sexy costumes covered your assets. A little mystery is always a good thing, if you ask me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042.jpg\"><img title=\"SI Exif\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And all was well with the world.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Because <em>this</em> was the costume that Michelle really wanted to wear in the first place. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Funny how that works. </p>','Day 32:  Experiments in Halloween Costume Shopping','','inherit','open','open','','1519-revision-32','','','2010-10-28 18:00:15','2010-10-29 01:00:15','',1519,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/1519-revision-32/',0,'revision','',0),(1555,1,'2010-10-28 17:46:59','2010-10-29 00:46:59','<p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1520\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Halloween 2004\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1520\" title=\"SI Exif\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p>For those of you who read yesterday\'s <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/day-30-jack-o-lantern-disasters/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Experiments in Jack O\'Lanterning</strong></a>, there seems to be a theme here...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Once upon a time there was a Late Bloomer named Michelle.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle absolutely positively LOVED Halloween and its traditions.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One of her favorite traditions was dressing up in costume for Halloween.    For the past few years, Michelle donned her Catholic School Girl costume to Halloween parties.  Michelle is many things, but a shopper she is not.  (Highly unusual female behavior, isn\'t it?)  If the costume ain\'t broke, why fix it? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The One Halloween, Michelle was writing this Late Bloomer blog about incorporating soul-scintillating challenges into each day for 365 days.  That\'s a lot of days to fill! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since she loved Halloween so much, she wanted her soul-scintillation around Halloween week to center around all things Halloweenie.  So on Day 32 of this 365 challenge, Michelle decided on shopping for a new costume. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is sort of inaccurate.  She had no desire to shop, but her friend, Christy Jo, forced her into it. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>From an actual Christy Jo email:  \"You will need a costume.  You can\'t post blog pics wearing the same costume from last year.\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Now, reader, have you seen Michelle\'s costume from last year?  And if you happen to be a Facebook \"friend\" on her personal page, do you REMEMBER her costume from last year???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Exactly.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But Christy Jo is always heavy on the peer pressure.  And since she is one of Michelle\'s favorite peeps, Michelle tends to listen to Christy Jo when she bosses her around. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>So, against Michelle\'s better judgment, she headed on down to the Halloween megastore, Spririt.  She gave herself an hour, which tends to be her maximum shopping capacity. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle marveled at the swarm of people invading the store.  They looked remarkably similar to the swarm that she witnessed at the MVD a few weeks prior.  (You may refer to this pit of despair as the DMV in your fair state.) </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle was afraid.  Very, very afraid. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Trying not to gag on the swarm\'s eau du cigarette smoke, she approached the woman\'s costume section.  As Michelle rummaged through the various options, she wondered how normal women wear this crap?  I mean, come on!  Michelle is no prude -- her old \"standby\" is a Catholic school girl costume!  She likes to be fun and flirty like the rest of us!  But she also has class and prefers not to look like a Ho when she is out in public. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Actual text message to Christy Jo:  \"Leaning towards my Catholic school girl standby.  Gross stuff!\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Actual reply from Christy Jo:  \"Wear shorts under.\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Oh, that\'s sexy!  I think I\'ll wear shorts under my skirt like I did in 5th grade\", thought Michelle.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit A:<br class=\"spacer_\" /></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1522\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA2701791-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When Michelle found the Alice costume, she was very excited.  You can\'t make it out here, but the lettering on her apron says, \"Curioser and Curioser\".  On the right side of the Diary of a Late Bloomer blog page, please note the \"Curioser and Curioser\" section! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This costume turned out to be curioser indeed.  At 5 foot 2 and ¾ inches tall, Michelle was curious as to how the Alice skirt did not cover her bum.  She assumed that the long-legged model on the package was much taller, and <em>her</em> skirt covered <em>her </em>bum!  Curioser and curioser...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit B:</span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1523\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270180-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Tinkerbell!  With coverage!  And then Michelle remembered the Halloween where Katie Ann was a fairy and those bloody wings nearly drove her (and everyone she bumped with them) to the brink of insanity. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Next! </strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong> </strong> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit C:</span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1524\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270181-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Michelle has fantasized about being a mermaid for Halloween as long as she can recall.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"If this is supposed to look like a mermaid, then my name is Ariel,\" mused Michelle.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Next! </strong><br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit D: </span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1525\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PA270182-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Men don\'t costume shopping issues.  They can look like an idiot, get a few laughs, and call it a night. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>For women, shopping for a Halloween costume has evolved into a more stressful shopping experience than shopping for a bathing suit! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And so our Late Bloomer Michelle ultimately decided on...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Exhibit E:</span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"> </span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Back in 2004, sexy costumes covered your assets. A little mystery is always a good thing, if you ask me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042.jpg\"><img title=\"SI Exif\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSCN06042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And all was well with the world.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Because <em>this</em> was the costume that Michelle really wanted to wear in the first place. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Funny how that works. </p>','Day 32:  Experiments in Halloween Costume Shopping','','inherit','open','open','','1519-revision-26','','','2010-10-28 17:46:59','2010-10-29 00:46:59','',1519,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/1519-revision-26/',0,'revision','',0);
