The votes are in - Anchorman it is

It's official.

We've decided to go as the cast of "Anchorman" for the Go! Halloween run.

My main goal was to find a costume that required a mustache.

And yeah, you can add a mustache to just about anything. But we were looking for authenticity.

I will be Ron Burgundy. Trying to figure out how to work Baxter and some scotch into the costume.

Looking forward to seeing the trident and Sex Panther.

Should be a really good day - thanks to Mike for the suggestion.

So.

I keep stumbling across things from my deep past which remind me of a time when I was very happy.

Things like Sandlewood incense. Ani DiFranco albums. Journaling. Birks & wool socks. My old guitar playbook. Pastels & charcoal.

Was I happy simply because of these things? Partly - they were comfortable, they were mine, and I discovered each one during a certain time in my life that's connected with a really good memory.

And yeah, I've made new memories since then, but the collective of these memories is like a connection to an old, dear friend.

It was a time when I didn't know my future, felt like I had all the time in the world, and wasn't so digitally connected that I couldn't take time to let the "here and now" sink in.

I think it might be time for an experiment.

Infuse these items that invoke warm memories of the past into my digitally-enhanced present. See what happens.

This weekend is as good a time as any to start.

I swear

I rarely have time to watch the local news, whether it's in the morning, after work or in the evening.

It's for this reason I get most of my local news online. But it's getting frustrating.

When I go to a local news website and click on a video I
want to watch, I ALWAYS have to sit through a frickin ad.

It's SO annoying. And the fact that these ads don't give me the choice to "skip" after 5 seconds makes me even more mad, because I appreciate that option.

I have sworn to never give my business to the following:

Quicklane Tires
The Retirement Coach on KTRS
Leafguard Gutter System
Lumiere Place
Rivercity Casino

Randomness

So tired I think I fell asleep in hypnotherapy class tonight.

Dating is fun.

I have a sport sock addiction. I love fresh, white sports socks that wick away moisture. And have extra heel cushioning.

Is kind of over reality television. Give me an After School Special or Monday Night Drama of the Week and I think I would be happy.

Read an article on Japanese Scotch, and would like to try some.

In my next life I'd like to be a symphony conductor.

9 weeks to the 1/2 marathon. Hmm.

Treasures her friendship with Brian - there are few people on this earth I can confide in without hesitation, and he's one of them.

My favorite fall outfit of leisure is comfy jeans, wool socks, an oversized long-sleeved mens waffled t-shirt.

I think I would've made a good hippie.

Things that go boo in the night

I live in a haunted house.

My neighbor just confirmed it.

I already knew this.

How?

Because I see shadows move in the doorway to my dining room. Day and night.

Because I can feel a presence. I've lived other places where I feel nothing. I feel it here.

Because one night, when I was headed out, I heard a woman's voice distinctly say in my ear, "I don't think that's going to work." And I was alone in the house.

And finally, because I caught my dog playing with someone in my kitchen last night. An invisible to me someone, but visible to him someone.

So, my neighbor told me all about the woman who died here in 1971, from cancer. Apparently she was a very nice person. Which is why I never feel scared.

I always feel comfortable in this house. So knowing what I know now explains a lot.

Right out of college my husband and I lived on the top floor in one of the oldest houses in St. Charles. It was haunted. By evil.

And we're talking really, really evil. Creeps me out to drive by the place.

I might have to tell this story soon, but not at night, and not before I'm about to go to bed.

Sleep tight....

Zero tolerance for effing up my movie-going experience

My favorite theater in St. Louis is the Tivoli, for the following reasons:

1. It's fancy, and everyone could use a bit of fancy every once in awhile in their lives.

2. It plays the more obscure movies that usually aren't formulaic, might have subtitles, and could very well inspire you to change professions, partners, or your hair color.

3. It is in a hip/cool/swank part of town, so when you're done with the movie you can turn left or right and experience tasty Thai, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Mexican, Greek, pub or street fare.

My second favorite movie theater is the Hi-Pointe, mostly because I feel like I'm seeing a move back in the 60's. The chairs are squishy/comfy, you purchase tix outside which throwback-cool, and the testy canine that frequents the lobby makes me laugh and cower at the same time.

My third favorite movie theater is the Plaza Frontenac, mostly because of the films - foreign, off-beat, political. And I do like window shopping for outrageously expensive fountain pens and cufflinks.

But If I go mainstream, it's gotta be an AMC theater. They feel newer, cleaner, and have better popcorn than the Wehrenberg theaters.

And now, I just received some news which might make me dump my longstanding AMC and hook up with the competition.

Apparently, Wehrenberg now has a "zero tolerance" cell phone policy in their theaters.

I. Love. This. LOVE IT.

I am easily distracted. Always have been. Bird, blue sky, beep-beep kind of distracted. It's a wonder I haven't driven off a bridge or fallen into an open manhole.

And when I'm at the movies and I see a bright light flickering out of the corner of my eye, my eyes wander...away from the screen...and I lose precious plot points, dialogue and time.

The culprit of said flickering light is usually a misanthropic Gen Y'er or Bieber-haired Millenial who cannot be without some form of digital communication for over five minutes, lest their heads explode from missing out on a perfectly-placed, smiley-faced icon or an OMG.

Pisses me off to no end.

I once had to sit behind a lady who USED HER CELL PHONE LIGHT TO KNIT WHILE SHE WAS AT THE MOVIES. WTH?? Almost slapped the baby blue off of her Coldwater Creek cardigan.

Will I give up the cleanliness, newness and tasty, buttered carbs of the delightful AMC establishments to sit in a musty, old, weatherbeaten Wehrenberg theater which promises no distractions?

Why, yes. Yes I will.

Until AMC gets on board, you can find me at the Wehrenberg Des Peres getting my distraction-free, sucky-popcorn film-going experience on.

Maybe the best movie of the year

Troll Hunter

Surprisingly great. It is a very unique story, told in mockumentary fashion (because, well, trolls really don't exist, right?)

The CGI was captivating - the trolls looked like something out of a very well-illustrated storybook.

The cinematography makes me want to visit Norway. Stunning. Man, find me a forest!

The actors put on decent performances. I found myself feeling for them as the movie rolled on.

The ending? Thankfully, it delivered.

5 out of 5

7 weeks to heaven

October is my favorite month of the year, for the following reasons:

1. Cooler temps. Nothing like running in 60 degree weather.

2. Coats, sweaters, tights, boots, scarves. How can you not love fall fashion?

3. The smells - wet leaves, wood-burning fireplaces, roasting pumpkin seeds.

4. Camping - see #1, 2 & 3.

5. Shaw Art Fair - in my opinion, this is THE art fair of St. Louis. Many local residents host national artists in their homes, it's a beautiful neighborhood, and lots of affordable options. Oh, and they usually have some really great food vendors on hand to satisfy any kind of craving. When you're done shopping, you can walk on over to the Botanical Garden for a lovely stroll through the Japanese Garden.

6. Football, rugby and hockey. Can't get enough. CAN NOT.

7. Nature outings - there's this spot on Hwy 94 just outside of Defiance, but before Augusta where you can pull off the road and take in the most breathtaking view of rolling hills filled with multi-colored leaves. It's autumn at its finest. Hiking in the Mark Twain Forest, Busch Wildlife, or Castlewood is amazing this time of year.

8. Oktoberfest - beer, friends, food, and fun. Need I say more? Nope.

9. Washington, MO - I love taking a drive down to Washington, MO on the backroads (Hwy D, DD, Z) to check out the small town church chili dinners, antique stores, yard sales, and vegetable stands, all the while listening to NPR. Upon arriving in Washington, lunch must be had at Wimpy's, followed by walking the downtown area and hitting up the Amish country store for homemade taffy and cinnamon popcorn. Then, an early dinner at Aldo's, a family-owned pizzeria that has THE most amazing sausage/mushroom pizza. Finally it's a dusk drive back to the STL, again listening to the soothing sounds of NPR.

10. Halloween - my second favorite night of the year. My entire family gets together, cooks burgers and gets the deep-fryer out for french fries and shrimp, and we take turns answering the door, handing out candy and playing cards. Too much fun.

11. Farmers markets - Soulard, Kirkwood, St. Charles. Apples for pies, squash for dinner, and everything in between.

12. Centennial Farms or Eckerts - apple picking, pumpkin picking, hay-bale mazes and homemade honey stix.

The countdown begins. Now.

Shorty-short movie reviews

Barney's Version - whoever put together the trailer must have been on crack. This movie was pretty superb. It had a good feel, Paul Giamatti was splendid. It's a great character study with a murder mystery weaved in for good measure. A little long, but very satisfying.

Frontiers - wicked weird French horror flick. Outstanding special effects are worth the rental.

Cowboys and Aliens - naptime with popcorn.

Friends With Benefits - an entertaining summer flick. Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis fit.

Sarah's Key - book was much better, although I'd gladly watch Kristin Scott Thomas make soap, so it was worth it to me.

Mutants - slow, boring French zombie flick. Would've made a nice TV series.

Tokyo Gore Police - if you know me, you know I'm good with gore. This movie did me in. It beat me. Had to turn it off after 8 1/2 minutes. Feeling queasy just thinking about it. It's probably a good movie, but I'll never know.

Horrible Bosses - great. Charlie Day is like comedic cocaine for me. I need him. Everyday.

Midnight In Paris - love seeing the city, tolerated seeing and listening to Owen Wilson.