A Few Things

Haven't blogged for a while so let's catch up.


First and foremost, it seems as though as of Sunday the basement will be a step closer to having the basement fixed. My brother and sister in law are coming over to help tear down the drywall. Apparently it's grown into a family gathering as Valerie's parents and her other sister are coming as well. I never knew drywall was so popular. Since Ron's taken down drywall in his own house, he and Stephanie graciously offered their help to Valerie last week on the phone, and we of course took them up on it. It will, after all, save us some money and maybe I'll learn me a thing or two. All I really needed was an extra pair of experienced hands, but now it appears I'll have more hands than I'll know what to do with. That's okay though , I appreciate everyone's willingness to help. Besides, maybe we'll get done a little earlier and have time for a visit too. Pizza's on me!

*****

Anyone who's been following knows I promised a horror movie roundup for Halloween. Didn't happen, and if I know me it probably won't. However, I do have a recommendation. For those who maybe didn't get their scary movie on last week, or who aren't ready to make the transition into Christmas yet, fire up the Netflix and get a movie called Trick R Treat.

Tick R Treat is a horror anthology film with a twist. There are four main tales, all happening on Halloween night, and they intertwine with one another. The timeline of the film is also done out of order, which is normally a device I can't stand but here it works to great effect. Characters that seem unimportant fade out of the picture only to show up later in a big way. Small clues and references to the other stories are dropped throughout the movie, almost begging for a second viewing to play "Spot the tie-in".

Nothing is as it seems in Trick R Treat. Not only do characters change, but situations do as well. And it's all monitored by a creepy little guy named Sam. Sam looks like a little kid with a Charlie Brown head in a raggedy costume, but he is more. He is the protector (embodiment?) of Halloween who makes sure that people are following the Rules Of Halloween. Don't feed them after midnight, never get them wet...no, wait, that's Gremlins.

Anyway, as you can probably tell, I thoroughly enjoyed this flick. It's what I call fun-horror. Not much in the gore department, dark humor and fantastical ideas. This is the type of movie that can be a lot of fun in the right circumstances and with the right crowd. There are a few scenes that some may find objectionable(dealing with kids and the mentally disabled), but the intent is not negative or derogatory. Plus, it's only a movie so get over yourselves. The movie may lose some of its Halloweeney magic after October, but it's still a treat. And it deserves to be a seasonal classic. Like It's A Wonderful Life.

*****
Watched bill Cosby receive the Mark Twain prize for American humor last night on PBS. Pretty entertaining. The Cos may be a little older and grumpier but he's still pretty funny. As the first African American comic to really hit it big, all accolades are deserved. And he did it all without addressing race in his routines. By focusing his comedy on universal matters, he made race almost a non issue, thus furthering the civil rights cause without shouting, insults, or violence.

So what the f--k, Dick Gregory?

*****
Going to a reception on Friday at Church for all volunteers. It's a desert buffet. Yay desert. And yay volunteering for the Church. And yay desert.

*****

According to all sources, things have stabilized with my Great Aunts in Arkansas. Stella is getting better after her stroke, slowly but surely. Marge's Parkinsons disease is getting worse, but she seems to be over her bout with pneumonia, so that's good. It's a bummer that they most likely won't be at Thanksgiving this year, but we'll be thinking of them and wishing the best.

*****

The twins seem to be doing fine. Tessa's still cute (she went as a duck for Halloween-though some mistook her for the Dirt Cheap Chicken). So everything at home is good. hope it is for you all too.