Halloween Preparations

OK, it is about that time of year.  I need to start working on my preparation for Halloween.

Don't mind me, but I'm going to use this blog for my personal Halloween checklist. If I forget anything critical, please leave me a comment.  

OK, first I need some goodies for the little ghoulies and ghosties.

    ☑Goodie Bags (Assorted goodie bags from Oriental Trading)

    ☑Cheap Plastic Toys from China 

         ☑Monsters on parachutes

         ☑Halloween Bubbles

    ♼Candy

    ♼Pack up bags

Next, I need the decorations

    ♼Spider webs

    ♼Graveyard Scene

    ♼Killer in Window with strobe light

    ♼Fog Machine

    ♼Light Show Components from Light O Rama

       ♼Lots of orange lights

       ♼Lots of purple lights

       ♼New disco lights

    ♼Spooky Playlist Synchronized to Lights

Here is the layout for the graveyard scene

This layout has a total of 32 light channels 

Then I need to keep track of how many trick or treaters come around.

    ♼Clipboard 

    ♼Clicker

    ♼Pencil

Here are my stats from previous years.

In 2012 we had a total of 71 Trick or Treaters. Most of them can between 6:15 and 7:15.  This year's Halloween is on a Thursday night. I should be able to top that number.

OK, that is the plan so far.  Let me know if I am forgetting anything.

Zombies Run

So, one moment you are minding your own business and then all of a sudden you are being chased by zombies.  I don't care how much of a couch potato you are, when you are being chased by zombies, you pick up the pace.  That is the premise behind Zombies Run, an interactive running app for your iPhone or Android.  In the story, you are Runner 5. Hundreds of lives are counting on you. You've got to help your base rebuild from the ruins of civilization by collecting critical supplies while avoiding roving zombie hordes. Can you save them and learn the truth about the zombie apocalypse?

I've spent lots of money on crazy things over the years including gym memberships, workout equipment, special shoes and special clothes.  I even bought one of those thing that provided an electric shock to your gut.  Now that was crazy!  Having tried so many other schemes to convince myself to get up off of the couch, having zombies chase me doesn't seem so crazy now does it?  So I spent $3.99 on the Zombies Run App.  

I've been using it for a week now and I can tell you that if nothing else, I've gotten up off the couch to go running more often with the app than without the app.  Will that keep me going after the novelty wears off?  I don't know, but I will keep you informed.



So what exactly goes on in the Zombies Run App.  First you enter a little information about yourself.  Your weight, and how long do you want your missions to last.  The choices are 30 and 60 minutes.  Next you have to download the missions.  Each mission is an audio file that plays intermittently while you are running. As you may have surmised, the Audio is something like, "Hey, there are Zombies chasing you."  Does that sound cheesy to you?  You would be surprised how easily you can convince yourself that zombies are chasing you with the stereo audio of zombie moans and footsteps while running at night.

The program also has an element where you can collect supplies and build a base with the points you earn. This adds a little extra encouragement to go the distance.

My review: I give Zombies Run 4 out of 5 stars.  It is easily worth $4.  My only deduction is that the mission files won't load over my wifi network.  If I can find a way to fix that, I will boost this app up to 5 stars.

Signs, Signs, Everywhere Signs

Blocking out the scenery, breaking my mind, do this, don't do that, can't you read the signs......

So the local greenway has been under construction literally for a decade.  Sometime a year goes by and no one shows up do to any construction.  No sweat.  The local residents just use the one mile or so that is mostly done.  And the neighborhood kids use the greenway to walk to the elementary school.  It's very convenient.  5 minute walk vs 30 minute bus ride.  But apparently there is going to be some small amount of construction taking place soon because these signs showed up.  Mary and I were going to chance walking on the greenway anyway, but we didn't have any bail money with us and I am too pretty to go to jail.

Roll Tide Roll

Rebecca is attending the University of Alabama.  As a member of the Million Dollar Band she had the opportunity yesterday to attend her second national championship game in a row.  Will she be able to make it a trifecta next year?  Only time will tell, but the way the Tide have been playing, I would say that she has a pretty good chance.  Congratulations to the University of Alabama Football Team.  Thanks for all of your hard work.

Rebecca Mast

A special shout out to a friend of mine who is just getting started as an author.  She now has a website.  Now all she needs is to start posting some of her cool writings and some encouragement from the blogosphere.  Stop over at her place www.rebeccamast.com and show her some love.

Favorite TV Shows

Happy 2013 everyone.  Yes, I know that it has been a long time since my last post.  I would like to say that I have been busy, but it is kind of hard to say that with a straight face after a two year hiatus.  I was just thinking that I should to list my current favorite TV shows.  Why?  Just because.  So, here they are in no particular order.

1. Walking Dead - What can I say?  I'm a sucker for Zombies.  My first zombie movie was George Romero's Dawn of the Dead which was filmed in a shopping mall near the town where I grew up.  One of the ladies in my theater group there was actually one of the zombies.  How cool is that.  Anyway's I'm fond of the zombies.  Zombieland - Loved it.  Wish they would have made a Zombieland 2.  I would have gone to see it.  World War Z (the book) - Loved it.  Read it at the library and then went and bought myself a copy.  I have a little trepidation with the movie that is being produced based on the book.  I hope it doesn't stink.  So, walking dead is coming back in February.  Looking forward to it.

2. Big Bang Theory - I'm a geek, nerd, whatever.  It's nice to see a documentary about our lives.  So one of my favorite movies of all times is Revenge of the Nerds.  I went off to college thinking that the movie was an accurate portrayal of college life.  Well, not exactly.  But Big Bang is exactly how life is for nerds after they graduate from college right?

3. Downton Abbey - My wife and daughter a big into any period BBC crap.  I just happened to be in the room when Downton Abbey was on and I got a little caught up in the show.  I can quit any time I want. Really, I can.  :) I find myself speaking with a British accent after every episode.  Pip, Pip, Tally Ho and all that rot.  Tomorrow is the season premier.  I can't wait.

So that's my eclectic TV watching habits.  Zombies getting their brains blown out, Geeks chasing girls and being geeky and old English folks being bloody pompous.  What do you watch and why?

The Pohick Files

Have you ever wondered what the X-Files would have been like if only they had a little more budget to work with? Now you know.

At bob jones football game.

FWD:

more parade

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FWD:

at homecoming parade.

Justice Dept. approves United-Continental merger

According to USA today, Continental and United airlines won Justice Department approval of their proposed merger on Friday, after agreeing to lease landing and takeoff rights at Newark Liberty International Airport to discounter Southwest Airlines.

Justice said late Friday that it has closed its antitrust review of the United-Continental merger because it is satisfied with the carriers' deal to reduce their combined market dominance and increase competition at Newark. Continental currently operates a hub there and has the largest market share in the greater New York air travel market, the USA's largest. In addition to Newark, New York is served by LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy airports. Together United and Continental currently offer 442 daily flights at Newark.

Becca's Trip to Europe

I dropped Rebecca off at the airport this morning for her trip to Europe. There are 12 students and two adults going off on the trip. Rebecca is very excited and has been looking forward to this for a long time.

At becca's concert.

Checked in at the colorado springs airport. So far it looks like my flights are on time today.Wish me luck.

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Made it safely to colorado. Its snowing. I don't think i will be doing much site seeing this week.

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Winter Comes to Alabama

Winter has officially come to Alabama. Like much of the nation, Alabama is in the middle of a deep freeze and today the freeze was reinforced with some snow. The schools sent the girls home at noon today and they decided to take advantage of the snow with a bit of frolicking. Molly is refusing to have anything to do with the snow refused to leave the house all day.

Snug Wow

What do you get if you mix together a Snuggie and a Sham Wow. Watch the video and find out. This is hilarious.

Outback Bowl Half Time Show

Scribbles and her marching band performed as part of this years Outback Bowl Half Time Show in Tampa Florida. There were approximately 2000 performers including marching band members, color guard, and dance teams. The bands performed a number of Beach Tunes. The only downside was the unseasonably cold temperature and rain. The show was great though.

Outback Bowl Parade

The night before the Outback Bowl the band marching in the Outback Bowl parade where they were declared the parade grand champions!

Half time at outback bowl

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