There are a few things in life I tend to overanalyze: everything, everything and Halloween costumes.
I always have seen Halloween — my second-favorite holiday — as a chance to be competitive in a way that ends with my silently saying, "In. Your. Face!" Having the best Halloween costume is like winning the Super Bowl for me. I take enormous pride in having a Halloween costume that is extremely original, slightly (extremely) offensive and always gets a laugh from those around me.
This year, I will be in Florida for Halloween. And I only will know one person — my amazing friend Jenn — so I don't feel the need to use one of my ideas to impress the crowd. This year I will be pulling some things from my archive of Mardi Gras wigs and clothing to put together a less-than-original costume. Just something that will allow me to blend into the crowd. Plus, the last time Jenn and I spent Halloween together, we ended up never even putting on our Grey's Anatomy-inspired costumes. Aww, New Orleans.
My costume idea-generating sessions usually start with some events from the year in pop culture. I try to think of something people may or may not understand, but once they are told what the costume is they believe it to be clever.
My big idea for this year, while I'm not using it, was to make an old-school ghost costume by cutting two holes in a white sheet. Think Charlie Brown's The Great Pumpkin. I then was going to carry around a wheel-spun piece of pottery, finishing off my understated costume — the ghost of Patrick Swayze. It's a bit of a stretch, which is why I like the idea. Feel free to use it. Certainly, it will be better than all of the Kate Gosselin wigs you are bound to see. That is said to be the best-selling costume item of the year.
Pop culture influences many top costumes. I am sure you will see plenty of people carrying around eight toy dolls and portraying Octomom. Or maybe you will be at a party with Lady Gaga. Here's the recipe for that costume:
Lady Gaga Halloween Costume
1 blonde wig with severe bangs
Metal, orbital headpiece
Long, black fake eyelashes
Fishnet stockings
Tight-fitting outfit with huge collar and short skirt
Something that sparkles, shines or has lace
Pinch of crazy
Mix all ingredients, and top with pinch of crazy. Act bizarre all night. Serves 1.
Use this Lady Gaga recipe, or create one of your own for a fantastic Halloween this year. Just make sure you use these last few days to get everything together in advance. And know when to say when on the details. Because, if you're anything like me, it's five minutes before the party and you find yourself running around the mall looking for the thing that makes you go from second place to the guaranteed "In. Your. Face!"
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
My continued obsession with Snow Patrol
For me, life has been good. I got a new job (yeah!), I got a new roommate (Brad) and I have been fortunate to see some pretty incredible entertainment recently. Among my favorites — OK, it has been the highlight of my year in entertainment — was catching Snow Patrol at The Paramount in downtown Seattle.
The concert was Oct. 14, and I have checked YouTube every day in hopes of being able to relive that night of incredible music. This seems to be the one time when cell phone recordings of the band are lost completely to the noise of the audience surrounding the recording device. I'm not sure why it matters, since I can listen to all of the music all of the time. I do own every CD. But there is something about knowing that is exactly how a song was performed when you heard it live. Because it is from when you heard it live.
And that's why, if not for the hours and hours of entertaining archival footage and humorous clips, YouTube remains a daily must-visit for me. Now, if I could just get some more folks from the Oct. 14 concert to post videos with stellar audio, I would be back in my happy YouTube place.
There is something about every single song Snow Patrol sings that just really hits home in some way or another. There is not one song on any album from the band that does not grab my attention. And I really would like to be able to have that night captured in a way where I instantly can call upon it for that deep-in-your-gut happy feeling.
Fortunately, I have been having a few of those in my life lately. I hope it continues.
The concert was Oct. 14, and I have checked YouTube every day in hopes of being able to relive that night of incredible music. This seems to be the one time when cell phone recordings of the band are lost completely to the noise of the audience surrounding the recording device. I'm not sure why it matters, since I can listen to all of the music all of the time. I do own every CD. But there is something about knowing that is exactly how a song was performed when you heard it live. Because it is from when you heard it live.
And that's why, if not for the hours and hours of entertaining archival footage and humorous clips, YouTube remains a daily must-visit for me. Now, if I could just get some more folks from the Oct. 14 concert to post videos with stellar audio, I would be back in my happy YouTube place.
There is something about every single song Snow Patrol sings that just really hits home in some way or another. There is not one song on any album from the band that does not grab my attention. And I really would like to be able to have that night captured in a way where I instantly can call upon it for that deep-in-your-gut happy feeling.
Fortunately, I have been having a few of those in my life lately. I hope it continues.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Fire drills taught me nothing
This morning I woke up to a sound different from my alarm clock. It was the fire alarm.
I had been having a really pleasant dream that involved me saying goodbye to my fellow sitcom cast members at the wrap party of our first season. Apparently I was starring in a sitcom that looked and smelled a lot like Saved By The Bell: The Midlife Crisis Years. Some of the original SBTB cast members were on the show, as well as a few random sitcom stars. But that was a dream, and this fire alarm was a reality.
I really needed to use the restroom. Isn't that the first thing you need to do when you wake up in the morning? So, I did.
Then I somewhat quickly put on my jeans, socks and shoes before surveying the apartment. I stared at the very laptop on which this blog is being written and left it behind. I grabbed my jacket — and wallet and keys and cell phone — and barreled down the stairwell to the bottom of the apartment. Right after I locked my front door.
Outside, I was met by a crowd of my neighbors and employees from the Trader Joe's on the first level. They all were standing right next to the building. The one that may have been on fire. So, I did the only logical thing and stood right there with them. A couple of times I considered crossing the street, a safer distance from this could-be tragedy. I never did.
It didn't appear there was an actual fire, though the fog outside my window could have been mistaken for smoke. Firetrucks — sirens a blazin' and brimming with firefighters — pulled up to the side of the building, right where we were standing. By this time I was certain there was not a real fire, but I still was annoyed I had not grabbed my laptop. At the very least.
My laptop is my link to the outside world. It has a lot of important documents saved on it, including all of my freelance work. Most of my files are not backed up. Not that it matters in this case, because I did not even take time to grab anything important to me. So, should a back-up drive or disc exist, it would have been left for the flames.
Within 10 minutes or so, it was determined some electrical box switch flipped itself or something. There was no fire and everyone was told they could climb the stairs back to their apartments. I immediately updated my Facebook status, and now I'm writing this.
Now, let's review my mistakes:
1. I took time to go to the bathroom inside a could-be burning building.
2. I carefully considered which pair of jeans should replace my pajama pants.
3. I put on socks. And tied my shoes.
4. I never put my hand on the door to make sure the fire was not directly on the other side.
5. I locked that door.
6. I stood right next to the building.
7. I don't have a back-up drive or disc, nor do I have plans on getting one. Still.*
I think those things, not even considering the chance for other mistakes I am certain I made, would not make my elementary school teachers happy. Fire drills must have been lost on me.
* This is not something you learn during school fire drills. It is something I am, one day, going to learn the very hardest way possible.
I had been having a really pleasant dream that involved me saying goodbye to my fellow sitcom cast members at the wrap party of our first season. Apparently I was starring in a sitcom that looked and smelled a lot like Saved By The Bell: The Midlife Crisis Years. Some of the original SBTB cast members were on the show, as well as a few random sitcom stars. But that was a dream, and this fire alarm was a reality.
I really needed to use the restroom. Isn't that the first thing you need to do when you wake up in the morning? So, I did.
Then I somewhat quickly put on my jeans, socks and shoes before surveying the apartment. I stared at the very laptop on which this blog is being written and left it behind. I grabbed my jacket — and wallet and keys and cell phone — and barreled down the stairwell to the bottom of the apartment. Right after I locked my front door.
Outside, I was met by a crowd of my neighbors and employees from the Trader Joe's on the first level. They all were standing right next to the building. The one that may have been on fire. So, I did the only logical thing and stood right there with them. A couple of times I considered crossing the street, a safer distance from this could-be tragedy. I never did.
It didn't appear there was an actual fire, though the fog outside my window could have been mistaken for smoke. Firetrucks — sirens a blazin' and brimming with firefighters — pulled up to the side of the building, right where we were standing. By this time I was certain there was not a real fire, but I still was annoyed I had not grabbed my laptop. At the very least.
My laptop is my link to the outside world. It has a lot of important documents saved on it, including all of my freelance work. Most of my files are not backed up. Not that it matters in this case, because I did not even take time to grab anything important to me. So, should a back-up drive or disc exist, it would have been left for the flames.
Within 10 minutes or so, it was determined some electrical box switch flipped itself or something. There was no fire and everyone was told they could climb the stairs back to their apartments. I immediately updated my Facebook status, and now I'm writing this.
Now, let's review my mistakes:
1. I took time to go to the bathroom inside a could-be burning building.
2. I carefully considered which pair of jeans should replace my pajama pants.
3. I put on socks. And tied my shoes.
4. I never put my hand on the door to make sure the fire was not directly on the other side.
5. I locked that door.
6. I stood right next to the building.
7. I don't have a back-up drive or disc, nor do I have plans on getting one. Still.*
I think those things, not even considering the chance for other mistakes I am certain I made, would not make my elementary school teachers happy. Fire drills must have been lost on me.
* This is not something you learn during school fire drills. It is something I am, one day, going to learn the very hardest way possible.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Creating for a cause
I recently began volunteering my time to assist with the branding and marketing efforts at Gilda's Club Seattle. The organization, named after the famous Saturday Night Live alum, offers support programs and classes for those touched by cancer — that's everyone, really.
This is a poster I quickly created for the upcoming Kai Leamer Night, which supports the Seattle clubhouse and scholarship fund for the club's annual essay contest for teenagers.
Even though I am just getting started with the organization, I am proud to support the efforts of such an incredible cause. The directors of the Seattle club are some top-notch individuals dedicated to making even the smallest difference in the lives of cancer patients, survivors and their families and friends.
If you're interested in getting involved, I encourage you to do a quick Gilda's Club search in Google to find a chapter near you.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Spelling counts
I always have been the guy who edits menus at dinner, looks for misspellings on signs and gets crazy when there are mistakes.
So, in an effort to try and help the world of grammar and spelling, here is another mistake I found. The word caramel was spelled incorrectly on a sign outside of a cupcake shop in my neighborhood. The sign said "Carmel Apple Cupcakes."
Caramel, people. Not Carmel. That's a place in Indiana.
P.S. The "carmel" apple cupcakes are almost good enough for me to excuse the error.
So, in an effort to try and help the world of grammar and spelling, here is another mistake I found. The word caramel was spelled incorrectly on a sign outside of a cupcake shop in my neighborhood. The sign said "Carmel Apple Cupcakes."
Caramel, people. Not Carmel. That's a place in Indiana.
P.S. The "carmel" apple cupcakes are almost good enough for me to excuse the error.
Monday, October 05, 2009
A funny inspiration
My last few months have been spent making goals for myself. One of those has been to try and read a book a month. I consistently have been about a week or so behind on this goal.
But today I finished a book by my comedy hero, Kathy Griffin. Kathy's best-selling Official Book Club Selection is a book I have anticipated reading since I heard it was being released. While I did finish it in less than a month from the time I bought it, it was my September book. It is Oct. 5, in case you forgot. I'm not beating myself up about this.
I don't need to go on and on about how much I think Kathy Griffin is a genius. And the hardest working funny person in the business. And someone who deserves every great success she has achieved, which is something I believe even more after reading this book. I have written Kathy two open letters in newspaper column form, and I believe she even read one (it was given to her by one a show promoter). But I never got a response (not very D-List), and that's OK. I realize I am just another fan.
But after reading Kathy's book, I feel I know a little more about this woman I admire. Even though some of her real-life moments appear on the Bravo series, My Life on the D-List, the real Kathy Griffin has a much deeper story ... obviously.
My interest in reading about some of her more difficult moments is no different from my interest in reading about other celebrity lives. I am just curious what makes people tick and how events change their lives — especially famous people.
I always have said everyone has a story, and I am glad Kathy has shared part of her story with us. I especially love the chapter of e-mail correspondence between Kathy and the Woz. Hysterical and down-to-Earth stuff.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
In the spirit of Halloween
You know how Target always has the coolest Halloween stuff on the planet? I remember their theme last year involved some kooky skeletons made from a mix of bright oranges, greens and purples.
As I was looking at a Halloween decoration I have with the skeleton theme, I decided to spend a bit of time creating some kooky seasonal characters of my own.
They are not too complicated — and I realize they look a bit like South Park costumes — but that was the idea. I created these little monsters in just about an hour. Maybe one day I will use them for a greeting card line or Target will find them and hire me to create future holiday campaigns. I wish.
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