Happy Halloween!!!

Tonight is the night when the kids hit you up for candy, you get to dress up as anything you want without having to answer to your family, and you can have a lot of fun scaring your friends (or yourself).

No matter if you are 7, or 107, just remember to be smart and safe about the way you choose to celebrate tonight, and that your parents check all of the candy you bring home before you eat any.

Happy Halloween!!!

Halloween Coloring Pages?

To get into the spirit of Halloween, I thought I would look for some coloring pages online.  Just one problem I had with some of the results.  How exactly are you supposed to color them?  A skeleton, and a moon with clouds...I'm all about being creative, but even so.  Pretty sure the main color for both of these is white.  "Look Ma!  All done!  And I stayed inside of the lines!"

I sometimes appreciate some assistance, but I'm going to keep looking for more of a challenge.

Mrs. Headless Horseman

Halloween is coming, so put on a happy face!

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

     I am in the Halloween spirit, and just read “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving.  It is a short story that has spawned one of the most beloved ghost stories: the tale of the Headless Horseman. 

     This tells the story of Ichabod Crane, a scrawny school teacher from Connecticut who moves to the small Dutch community of Sleepy Hollow, New York.  The town is believed to be under a sort of enchantment, and all of the residents like to share tales of ghostly encounters; the most popular of which is that of the Headless Horseman, who rides his steed in the middle of the night.  Ichabod is quite superstitious, and thoroughly enjoys these stories.

     Ichabod falls in love with a young woman by the name of Katrina Van Tassel, who just so happens to be the daughter of the richest man in the area.  He sees himself winning over Katrina’s heart, and becoming the heir to her father’s fortune.

     As Katrina is rich and beautiful, Ichabod is not the only one with his eye on her, and has to compete with one of the most revered and feared men in New York, who goes by the name of Brom Bones.

     One night the Van Tassels through a party at their manor for the townspeople, at which Ichabod has a marvelous time dancing, filling his face, and sharing ghost stories.  That is of course, until he is rejected by Katrina, and has to make the long journey back home at witching hour.  His imagination runs ramped as he passes by “haunted” areas, with each gust of wind a sign of his imminent death.  Then he comes face to face with a horseman in the shadows, and runs for it.  Well, it would have been face to face, had the horseman had a head.  As fast as Ichabod’s horse goes, he is unable to shake the Headless Horseman from riding his tail.  The Horseman throws what appears to be a head at Ichabod, which knocks him off of his horse.  Ichabod is never heard from again.

     I like this story because you just do not know how the story ends.  Ichabod could have been carried away to the underworld, he could have fled the state, or it could all have been a prank.  You just do not know for sure.  It is a great read around Halloween and good to see the original inspiration for many favorite movies.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

A teenager named Charlie (played by Logan Lerman), narrates various events throughout his life to an anonymous pen pal, only referred to as “Friend.”  We quickly learn that Charlie has led a quite difficult life, but the details are not fully there as to why it was so hard, or how he has been coping.

When Charlie beings high school, he is determined to turn his life around, make some friends, and enjoy life.  That is not as easy as he originally thinks, as the lunchroom soon makes obvious to him.  Even people he was once friendly with, will no longer speak to him, much let allow him to sit at their table or invite him to a movie night.

Charlie meets a senior, Patrick (played by Ezra Miller), who is a bit of a class clown, but has deeper issues than meet the surface.  He also has an amazing step sister, Sam (played by Emma Watson).  The two take Charlie under their wing, and show him what a great time life can be, even with the bumps in the road everyone has to deal with.

While Charlie begins to fit in, we see more and more flash backs of his troubling childhood, which revolve around his aunt, and get the message that this woman he idolized is a big factor in his issues.

This movie is interesting.  It is based on the book by the same name, and deals with issues a lot of children have while they are growing up.  It shows that adolescence is not easy, but reminds us that there are amazing people out there who can help us through it.  They are the friends we will never forget, no matter where life takes us after high school.

I would give this movie a 6.5.  It was good, but slow moving, and left a lot of questions open-ended.  It is definitely a drama, and not to be seen purely for entertainment.  The film is rated PG-13, and runs 103 minutes.

Happy Mole Day!

     Chances are, you had no idea today was such an auspicious occasion as Mole Day!  The rest of you are probably thinking, what the heck is Mole Day, and why is there a holiday in honor of a fuzzy rat?

     A mole can be many things.  It can be: 1) an unwanted growth on your body.  2) a spy who gets into the ranks of the government as a double agent. 3) a small mammal with velvety fur that lives mainly underground. 4) a large and powerful machine used to bore through rock to forge tunnels. Or 5) Avogadro's Number (6.02 x 10²³) [used in Chemistry]

     Mole Day is based on definition number 5.  A mole in grams of a particular element, is equal to the atomic mass of the molecule.  For example, oxygen’s atomic mass is 32, so one mole of oxygen gas weighs 32 grams.  This relationship was discovered by Amadeo Avogadro, who the number is named after.  In general, a mole of any substance (even cheeseburgers), contains 6.02 x 10²³ items.  Fun Fact: One mole of blood cells would be more than all of the blood of all of the humans on Earth.

     In honor of the number, the day is celebrated from 6:02 am, to 6:02 pm on October 23^rd (6:02, 10/23).  Not much unlike Pi Day, which is held every March (on 3/14).

     If you are not into chemistry, you will most likely never think about this number again.  However, it is quite important in the field of science, so this day was established to foster interest in chemistry around the world mainly through activities done inside of the classroom. 

     And the sky is the limit with how you can get creative with this day.  Some classes have mole-themed parties, play mole games (like Mole-opoly), or make mole day posters.  Each year the National Mole Day Foundation (US) releases a theme for that particular holiday.  The theme for 2012 is “Molar Eclipse.”  Past themes include “Moles of the Caribbean,” “Double Mole Seven,” and “Remember the Alamole.”  Check out http://moleday.org/ for more information on the holiday and project ideas.

Six Word Memoir

Quick exercise that was shared with me.  Write your memoir in six (6) words.  Here's my first stab at it:

Riddled with challenges, conquered by determination.

And who is to say you can only have one?  It can change as you do.  Feel free to revise or rewrite as necessary!  

Through the Looking-Glass

     “Through the Looking-Glass” is the sequel to “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” written by Lewis Carroll.  Alice has another fantastical dreamlike adventure.  As Alice is lounging about her living room, she wonders what it would be like to live inside of a mirror, where everything would be the reverse of life on the outside.  As the title says, she quite literally, and rather quickly, travels through a mirror (or looking-glass) into another dimension.

     She leaves the looking-glass house and finds herself in a beautiful garden.  No matter which path she takes to get away, she ends up straight back at the house.  Along the way she meets the Red Queen (not to be confused with the Red Queen from her previous adventure down the rabbit hole).  Not far from where they are standing is a grand game of chess, which Alice proclaims she would like to join.  The Queen instructs Alice on how she can become a queen at the end of the game, and will start off as a pawn.

     Throughout Alice’s course to the finish of the game, she inexplicably finds herself in situations that would be considered absurd and impossible if she were back in the real world, but since she is through the looking-glass, it is just accepted. 

     People disappear or transform before her eyes, and everyone is keen on reciting poetry no matter how much Alice objects.  She encounters two twins, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, the White Queen, and Humpty Dumpty before she makes it to the end of the game, where a crown materializes on the top of her head.

     The Red and White Queen scrutinize Queen Alice, and soon fall asleep and disappear without an explanation.  Alice then awakes back in her world, wondering if she was in her own dream or someone else’s.

     This story is every bit as confusing as “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.”  You have to have the mind set to suspend your disbelief and take everything as it comes.  If you over analyze or question everything, this may be very difficult to get through, although it was aimed for children.  Both stories are definitely beneficial to read in order to understand and appreciate all of the cinematic adaptations.

     The book reads like a dream, and leads one to wonder whether Alice has an incredible imagination, or if she should seek psychiatric assistance.

What is Luck?

“Luck”

What is “luck”?

Good things happening to those who deserve it?

Being prepared to pounce when opportunity knocks?

What is “luck”?

How would you define someone who is “lucky”?

How could you identify them?

Are they simply enjoying what they’re given?

Or are they given more than others

Which in turn makes them happy?

Can you be lucky and unhappy?

Are “luck” and “happiness” synonymous?

Can you have one without the other?

Are you destined to have either both or neither?

What is luck?

Do you have any?

Who do you know that does?

What do they have that is different than you?

“Luck.”

Happy 10/11/12

I love it when the date is special.

Today is 10/11/12 (if you write the month before the day).

Have fun today, as you'll never see another one like it!

Reticent

Reticent - adj - reserved; not inclined to speak freely; restrained

The reticent worker did not say anything when his coworker took the credit for his production plan.

Wanted Ad

Single sock seeks sole mate.  Seeking that special someone who enjoys long walks in the park, warming up by the fire, and stretching out on the couch after a long day on your feet.  Pass times include playing footsy and football.  Cotton blend a must, matching color a plus.

Movies I Can't Wait to See: Lone Ranger

Official Disney Trailer of Lone Ranger (2013) released on October 2, 2012

Staring Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer

October has Arrived

It’s October.  Time for breast cancer awareness, Halloween, and everything pumpkin-flavored. 

That’s right!  Autumn has arrived.  The air is getting crisp, the leaves are changing colors, and it’s time for the fairs (at least where I live).

I personally LOVE the fall.  Not only is Halloween coming (which is a great excuse to eat a lot of candy and dress up as something your aren't , but it is a wonderful season which reminds me that Christmas is only a quarter of a year away!

Happy October!