Divining Open Doors

Franklin Delano Roosevelt:
The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.

Has Anyone Seen My Tambourine?

Anything Can Happen on Halloween.
Amazing music video sequence from The Worst Witch.

You're welcome.

:)

Horrorfest 2006

I gotta say that the AMC lineup this Halloween season brings me great joy (and horror of course). AMC always does it up real nice, but this year it is ushering in Halloween just the way we all want it- with classic, campy gore. I don't seem to have much free time on my hands these days to actually watch AMC's horror movie marathon to my satisfaction, but I'm tuning in whenever I can.

Check your TV listings, but here's my picks:
Tonight (Thurs, Oct. 26): Halloween Resurrection. Kinda like Tupac Resurrection, just zombie slasher.

Tomorrow (Fri, Oct 27): Friday the Thirteenth Part II. Technically not a Halloween movie, but that is neither here nor there. Arguably the Best Friday the 13th of the entire series, although Part I is the original and is rumored to have been filmed, in part, in my hometown of Torrington CT (which really explains a lot).

Saturday, Oct 28: Nightmare on Elm Street Part I. Yes, the one with Johnny Depp.

Sunday, Oct 29 (afternoon): Lost Boys (my favorite movie back in the day)- how could this go wrong? It's a late 80s horror movie about rebel teen vampires in Cali. This movie taught me how fun it can be to be a vampire and how you really have to be careful when you eat chinese food. Starring the Coreys, Jami Gertz, Kiefer, Jason Patric as a vampiro Jim Morrison. Also showing (a close second): Children of the Corn (which Jesus Camp reminded me of slightly; salt of the earth folks can be very scary, especially when they are wielding scythes).

I told you AMC meant business.

quantum wisdom

Change your thoughts and you change your world
-Norman Vincent Peale

DANGER: New Sheriff in Town

The Stingray is the new shark- the new news-grubbing killing machine lurking under the surface, lying in wait for would-be victims. Growing up in the New England, Stingrays never really meant anything to me. I vaguely remember learning that they can be dangerous, but the threat seemed so remote I never really paid any attention to it (and I do like thinking about remote threats, so that's really saying something). Then the Crocodile Hunter ups and gets fatally stabbed by one. Granted, some creature was sure to get him someday, but a stingray?! Who would have thought!?! Now, the stingray has taken it up another notch entirely.

A stringray in Florida has reportedly jumped out of the water and into a fishing boat. In the process it also stabbed a grandpa, who is now in critical condition. Stingrays have really put themselves on the map- just in a few weeks their repuation has gone from boring alien looking creatures to acrobatic killing machines.

Christmas is RUINED

Click here to read how Judges in Georgia treat Ruining Christmas like the serious business it is. In fact, Ruining Christmas is practically criminal. I hope this sends a message loud and clear to future Christmas Ruiners- Christmas is for celebrating, candy, and children, not for beatdowns.

10 Things... a list of 10 things to be happy about*

* well I'm happy about these things, at least.

1. It's Fall! Fall brings foliage, apple picking, root vegetables, scary movies, and crisp days that make you appreciate your sweaters again.

2. Jack o' Lanterns. Ok, this is really just another benefit to item 1, but jack o' lanterns are hilarious enough to be mentioned separately.

3. Lindsay Buckingham is coming to town this friday! You heard me (because, unfortunately, you may not have heard it elsewhere because his genious isn't as universally appreciated as it should be)- the visionary guitar god, songwriter and force behind Fleetwood Mac is on tour to support his long awaited new solo album.

4. Oscar season is heating up and I'm really excited about how many good movies are out right now. The Departed, The Last King of Scotland, All the Kings Men, Jesus Camp... Plus, of course, Employee of the Month seems really engaging.

5. Colbert Report, again, is absolutely amazing. Last time I checked this hasn't been uploaded to YouTube yet, but hopefully it will be soon- the other day Colbert had Gloria Steinam and Jane Fonda on to bake apple pie, and it was absolutely priceless to watch the moral dilemnas that ensued.

6. This election season is pretty fun to watch and things are getting more promising with each passing day. The GOP dug its own hole this time around, and voters are unusually engaged and involved for a midterm election.

7. While it seems North Korea is officially part of the nuclear club, they still have a way to go (maybe this is grasping at straws, but...). It is being reported that North Korea's nuclear test was miniscule in comparison any other test runs by every other nuclear country (.5 kt to the average of 9 kts). So that's something.....

8. Pumpkin muffins from Dunkin Donuts. Sweet deliciousness! Run, don't walk to the nearest Dunkins. You'll see.

9. In all seriousness the tremendous strength, forgiveness and empathy demonstrated by those Amish parents in the wake of the school house shootings of their daughters is really remarkable. Their sentiments and spirit are heartwarming and encouraging.

10. My friends! Thanks for being so supportive.

Energy pledge

Saving energy is fun, and hip...
The City of Somerville is campaigning to save energy. I think this is a great idea and wanted to bring it to the attention of those who maybe don't also read the Somerville News. It's as easy as looking at a website and then getting an energy efficient bulb. Here's the website-
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=cal.showTakeAction#spread_word.