Salem draws thousands for Halloween - Local News Updates - The Boston Globe

Salem draws thousands for Halloween - Local News Updates - The Boston Globe

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Very warm Halloween weather this year.

How They Made "Where the Wild Things Are" Real

Where The Wild Things Are director Spike Jonze comparing concept art for "Ira" to the clay maquette built by the Jim Henson Creature Workshop. Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.

Vanity Fair features a post on the construction of the costume/puppets for Spike Jonze adaptation of Where the Wild Things Are. I saw the film in IMAX over the weekend and had mixed feelings about the overall film. However, the choice not to simply CGI the monsters was an excellent decision. They used technology, craft, performance, and artistry to make the beasts live and breath. The films tone and mood produce an overall bleak take on childhood. The childhood imagination is not presented here as a method to escape ones every day life. In the short term, there is an escape but all the reality of life seeps back in clouding the euphoric feeling an ordinary Disney ending would leave one with. Voice actors for the monsters were a well chosen eclectic bunch.

PS: Never sit closer than the middle of the theater for an IMAX presentation. Twice I have been seated too close and twice I have felt nauseous afterwards.

Forgot Sadie's Water Bowl

In a pinch, letting her drink from my hand did the job since I forgot her fold-up travel bowl. She, of course, did not mind the extra personal touch. It snowed here last night for three hours. The entire yard was covered in a thin layer of snow last night. What have I done to deserve such an early reminder of the winter months to come? People already have on gloves and winter coats. I flat out refuse to take such measures in October.

Wishing for Sunshine

Last weekend we had wonderful October weather. Today it is rainy, cold and no chance of sunshine. The change of seasons is harder this year. Of course, next weekend could be beautiful. Here is Sadie bounding up and down the beach - in beautiful sunshine from a week ago.

Happy Feet, Soaking up Fall Sunshine (while we can)

A must have for a long walk along the beach is a bag full of stashed dog treats, water, toys to fetch and a leash. Also, included were people snacks too. We have already had the heat on for a few nights. I hope to have a temperature rebound. Summer was too short. A long gradual cooling down fall is what I wish for.

Sadie visits Cranes Beach, Ibswich, MA

On Sunday, Sadie made a full day of it running, digging and looking for horse pooh between the shore and the dunes at Cranes Beach. Thankfully, she found none of the latter. She slept all the way home in the car.

Dachshund Featured in Berkeley Breathed's New Book

Flawed Dogs: The Novel features Sam, a dachshund with a messing leg.

Breathed of Bloom County (remember Opus and Bill the Cat) fame reveals the true flaw:

So in this world

Of the simple and odd,

The bent and plain,

The unbalanced bod,

The imperfect people

And differently pawed,

Some live without love...

That's how they're flawed.

Flawed Dogs, Berkeley Breathed 2009

Today's Workout

Despite the damp, rainy fall weather, I found my way through the front door of the gym today and did the following:

arms, chest, abs

Ding! Ding! Ding! Made it three days during the working week so far. Good feeling.

"The Office" Wedding

"As you’ll all remember, this summer, the world was subjected to a terrifying wedding video where an out-of-touch, but clearly-having-fun couple turned their wedding processional into a dance party, soundtracked by the Chris Brown song “Forever.” If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you lived in a hole this past summer — or never visited YouTube, turned on a morning show, etc. The situation was, in my opinion, the most desperate, disgusting, faux fun thing of ALL TIME! Which, naturally, is exactly the currency The Office trades in. Like Jim, I should have seen this one coming." EW Tanner Stransky, Oct 9, 2009

http://popwatch.ew.com/2009/10/09/office-wedding-recap/

I lived in a hole this past summer! But here is the video in case link above does not take you there.



"Out of touch but clearly having fun" is the best description. The Office did a nice send up of the "wedding dance". Bad news is that there will be those who must imitate this on their special day and cast it with a motley group of two left feet owning friends and relatives - longing to release their inner Martha Graham/Bob Fosse.

Today's Workout

Walking with a friend to the gym can be the motivation one needs to not fall off the wagon.

Legs, glutes, abs, lower back

More on Gourmet's Good Bye

Dining & Wine, NY Times
Closing the Book on Gourmet
By KIM SEVERSON
Published: October 7, 2009

"Killing Gourmet and keeping Bon Appétit may have made business sense for Condé Nast. But to the food elite, it felt like a gut punch."

Halloween Ephemera Vintage and New

A collection of old and new Halloween ephemera

I themed the display around black cats in various shapes and costumes. The cat in the pirate costume is on of my favorites. Better photos may be ahead this year. Sorry for the quality.

Vintage Trick or Treat bags

Workout

Missed a bunch lately. But not today!

chest, arms, back, abs

Gourmet Magazine is History

"The forces assembled against print media scored a big scalp on Monday when Condé Nast announced that Gourmet magazine was finished. The 68-year-old foodie look book will close after the publication of its November issue, although the title will live on in books and on TV shows and some of its content will be folded into Epicurious.com." Time, October 5, 2009

I was not a subscriber but picked up an issue now and again for special occasions or to prepare for the end-of-year holidays/celebrations. Pick-up the November issue for all your Thanksgiving planning.

Gourmet's Tribute Links:

Gourmet's Favorite Cocktails: 1941-2009
Gourmet's Favorite Cookies: 1941-2009

Halloween Crepe Paper Curtins

Boo Perfect Paper Curtains

Made of black crepe paper (no longer just for prom and local parade floats), the curtains ad a bit of an ominous touch even to a yellow tinted room. I did these a few years back in the old apartment. They work best with windows with no coverings or with blinds hung inside the frame/molding. The stretchy quality of crepe paper is more forgiving than traditional tissue paper. Use double sided tape to attach them to window frame. Transfer tape would also work. This is a very inexpensive way to add more gloom to your Halloween festivities. I used the edges of different sized plates and saucers to create the scallops. To match the ones on the end, I cut out the first one then traced the outline onto the second one. Folding paper in half will also produce mirror images. If you have ebony hued furniture they create a dramatic mood.