Happy Halloween

Really, is there anything else to say after that?

Scary

If you're looking for something scary to watch this Halloween, may I humbly suggest The House of the Devil?  Made in the style of '80s horror films (and set at an indeterminate time in that decade), it's one of the scarier films I've seen in recent years, and it does a bang-up job of utilizing The Fixx song seen in its official video form at the top of this post.  (I would have embedded that scene up top, but out of context I don't know that it sells it much.  Plus, why ruin the fun?)  It should be pretty easy to find for rental or streaming.  Just don't blame me if it freaks you out.

Eight-legged freaks

Since it's Halloween weekend, why don't you check out this octopus that dresses up as other sea creatures? Truth is stranger than fiction yet again.

Trick or treat

Has Halloween always been a big thing for adults, or is it a more recent phenomenon? I ask on what is Beggar's Night in most local communities here. (I was at a hockey game, so no, I was not home and giving out candy or keeping the place dark to avoid trick or treaters.)

The last time I recall dressing up for Halloween was in junior high. I went trick or treating with some friends. I seem to remember feeling vaguely embarrassed that we were too old to be doing this. I don't think I've ever put on a costume for the holiday since.

When I was a college freshman I went to Athens, Ohio to see what the hubbub was all about for the infamous Halloween party that fills the streets around Ohio University, but I didn't dress up for it. (I also was probably one of the few without a drop of alcohol in me.) Honestly, seeing that mess once was plenty for me.

It seems like I'm behind the curve on Halloween for adults, which appears to be something of a big deal, not that I really feel like I'm missing out. Do I not have the "right" friends, or am I too lame? Possibly. But I don't recall my parents or other adults doing Halloween stuff when I was growing up. Then again, that might not be the right sample.

Trick or treat

Trick or treat?

I placed an online order with a Big Box electronics retailer for in-store pickup of two CDs. The e-mail notifying me that my items were ready to be picked up included an eye-catching guarantee. I would receive my order within a minute of giving the clerk the e-mail printout or get ten dollars knocked off my purchase. This sounded like a nice marketing gimmick, but come on, there's no way they instituted this policy if there was a decent chance of them returning ten bucks to customers.

But who knows what mischief ghouls and goblins might be up to on Halloween? Why, my order was nowhere to be found at the in-store pickup station! It only took a few minutes for someone in the warehouse to run it up to the front of the store, but that guarantee is for sixty seconds, bub! I asked about it, but the clerk said that the computer didn't indicate I qualified. (Conveniently, he didn't start the clock until he swiped my card through the machine, which was also after he had located my order.) He told me to call the toll-free customer service line if I wanted to check into it.

I did, I did. The customer service representative told me that I should have been given ten dollars off; however, the matter had to be handled at the store. I returned to the point of purchase a few hours later armed with my explanation of the situation and prepared to stand my ground. I was shocked that I faced no resistance and was handed a well-worn ten dollar bill.

Two new CDs for $5.99 and, more importantly, a victory with customer service...

Judgment: TREAT

I got a flu shot at the campus health center. I had received one for free every year while employed there...until last year. They reversed course and offered them at no cost again this year.

Judgment: TREAT

I arrived home to find a package sitting on my doorstep. I wasn't expecting anything, although awards season screener DVDs have started to show up already. Ooh, what goodness did today bring? The mailing label indicated that the box came from the studio's home video division. I didn't recall requesting anything, and even when I do, I rarely get it. How exciting to get something unsolicited. Inside was an advance copy of the commercial DVD for I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry. They've got another thing coming if they think I'm watching that again.

Judgment: TRICK

I went to knit night at a LYS again. It was anticipated that fewer people would be in attendance since Beggar's Night actually coincided with Halloween, but not counting the owner, there was only one other person in the shop when I entered. She was there for a lesson and was taken to another room. Two more women showed up, though, so I had some company for knitting and chatting. A nearby tea shop owner was closing early. She dropped off some piping hot tea, and the LYS owner provided some scones. I got a lot of knitting done and was able to introduce myself better than last week's position of needing project salvaging.

Judgment: TREAT