If we get any kids, which is doubtful considering the population I see around me, it's either kids in strollers or the family down the block who appear to have two little girls around 5 and 7 (best guestimate.)
Our street - hardly a major throughway as it's only three blocks long - doesn't seem to have many kids.
But one of the Trick or Treat evenings in the pass, we got so many kids, that they were bussed in!
No kidding! Granted they weren't 50+ passenger buses, but two or three shuttle buses can add up to a lot of kids. Homeowners were going nuts! The worst nightmare came true - we were all running out of candy! We were all out on our driveways, screaming back and forth, "Have you got any left?" "No!" would come back in an anguished wail.
Happily the majority of the kids were short as they were 5 to 8 years old and incapable of much in the way of damage.
Today, it seems that schools and churches have parties at their location which is a great deal safer anyhow.
What this means at our house is buy only what we like. Richie is very much the Be Prepared Boy Scout so Thurs. Writers will all be diligently working for cavities post-Halloween! We're all too old to slobber for sour gummy bears and such. Mini-candy bars are a hit though.
As it happens that Halloween IS on a Thurs., we are planning a mini party of our own. Sparkling cider (when we'd all prefer wine which the City which owns and runs the Veteran Park Senior Center has expressly forbidden.)
Instead, sticking to our writerly duties, we're all supposed to write a scary six word novel. Yes, I scoffed, too.
The example given is: For Sale
Baby Shoes
Never Worn
Does that give a chill or what?!
As Game 7 ran to the close, I came up with the following. If you'd like to play, too, Comments is your spot or write me direct..
Rich grandma's walker - steep basement stairs.
Sister's husband beats her!
At Scrabble.
From my friend in French Conversation - "Ghoul screams! What? No ice cream?"
Jay not Z contributed
Happy Halloweens have haunting and howling
Manager South Bay Stories"Show -
It's morning blood on my pillow.
AND Miss Sweetheart of the Yacht Club contributed a whole poem!
Halloween Lament
THEN All Hallow's Eve was a time to grieve
NOW We see a witch fly and get a sugar high
THEN Treats were homemade
NOW Look for a razor blade
THEN Costumes were funny
NOW Only dress as a bunny
THEN Kids giggled with joy
NOW Not sure if girl or boy.
By Janet White
Thursday, October 31, 2019
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
What Could Go Wrong -
When you build a world-class art museum on the crest of a hill in brush country? Next to a freeway so busy that if often resembles a parking lot? No smokers among them! No nut case arsonists. No faulty tailpipes. Nahhh!
I am referring, of course, to the Getty Museum, Los Angeles; entrance off of the 405 freeway. Given the number of times Malibu has burned (or swallowed mudslides) it is surprising they didn't put the art there.
The Getty (as it's most commonly known) opened on December 16, 1997, at a cost of $1.3 billion. It hosts 1.8 million visitors per year. Then and now, museum management brags that it is "fireproof" (which is just asking for it in my opinion) with a grass helipad, a one million gallon underwater reservoir for the internal, continual hosing down of the grounds.
Speaking of the grounds, all of the chaparral was ruthlessly ripped out (it will burn like a bastard) and replaced with "poverty weed" instead. Like the famed kudzu of the American South it is very quick to reproduce and it is believed to be more fireproof than the chaparral it replaced.
Herds of goats are brought in periodically to further clean the surrounding area of weeds.
In addition to double, concrete or stone walls, the many rooves are made of stone as an ember discourager. There is an air system that blows smoke away and sucks in fresh air. It sounds like a chemistry/dangerous viruses lock system.
Fire fighters were consulted and the roads to and from were designed to accommodate fire trucks. A cousin, a fire chief, told me that speed bumps on our city streets are hated because at speed, the bumps rip out the axles.
I read today, speaking of firemen, that for this fire, the Getty restaurants are used as a rest station and that they particularly like being up in the air to see and then direct where the fire is at that moment and which areas need attention. The $1.3 billion fire rest. And worth every penny of it if keeps a fireman safe.
Yes I know females are firefighters, too. It's unnecessary to type firemen/women as we've all been brainwashed to be Politically Correct.
I am referring, of course, to the Getty Museum, Los Angeles; entrance off of the 405 freeway. Given the number of times Malibu has burned (or swallowed mudslides) it is surprising they didn't put the art there.
The Getty (as it's most commonly known) opened on December 16, 1997, at a cost of $1.3 billion. It hosts 1.8 million visitors per year. Then and now, museum management brags that it is "fireproof" (which is just asking for it in my opinion) with a grass helipad, a one million gallon underwater reservoir for the internal, continual hosing down of the grounds.
Speaking of the grounds, all of the chaparral was ruthlessly ripped out (it will burn like a bastard) and replaced with "poverty weed" instead. Like the famed kudzu of the American South it is very quick to reproduce and it is believed to be more fireproof than the chaparral it replaced.
Herds of goats are brought in periodically to further clean the surrounding area of weeds.
In addition to double, concrete or stone walls, the many rooves are made of stone as an ember discourager. There is an air system that blows smoke away and sucks in fresh air. It sounds like a chemistry/dangerous viruses lock system.
Fire fighters were consulted and the roads to and from were designed to accommodate fire trucks. A cousin, a fire chief, told me that speed bumps on our city streets are hated because at speed, the bumps rip out the axles.
I read today, speaking of firemen, that for this fire, the Getty restaurants are used as a rest station and that they particularly like being up in the air to see and then direct where the fire is at that moment and which areas need attention. The $1.3 billion fire rest. And worth every penny of it if keeps a fireman safe.
Yes I know females are firefighters, too. It's unnecessary to type firemen/women as we've all been brainwashed to be Politically Correct.
Monday, October 28, 2019
Washington Post Somewhat Confused
Their headline for the story of Big Long Name, the Terrorist's Death described him as "an austere religious leader."
Outrage in cyberland reverberated. These promptly popped up as obituaries for other well-known world names.
Mao Zedong who saved 20 to 45 million of his own people from the struggle for existence, died at 82.
Genghis Kahn, noted traveler, dies at 64.
Voldemort, 71, austere political reformer and aspiring teacher killed by teen terrorist.
(I had to look up "who was Voldemort?" since I had no clue who or what a Voldemort could be. A bad guy in the Harry Potter series.)
This is too good not to play with - thanks to the contributors above.
Outrage in cyberland reverberated. These promptly popped up as obituaries for other well-known world names.
Mao Zedong who saved 20 to 45 million of his own people from the struggle for existence, died at 82.
Genghis Kahn, noted traveler, dies at 64.
Voldemort, 71, austere political reformer and aspiring teacher killed by teen terrorist.
(I had to look up "who was Voldemort?" since I had no clue who or what a Voldemort could be. A bad guy in the Harry Potter series.)
This is too good not to play with - thanks to the contributors above.
Sunday, October 27, 2019
An Interesting Book - And How!
"My Lovely Wife," by Samantha Downing 374 pages $26
This struck me as amazingly good for a debut novel. But then again, author Downing lives in New Orleans and writers there are often … quirky. Anne Rice anyone?
But this is not a vampire tome. It is billed as "Dexter Meets Mr. and Mrs. Smith*" which was something of a giveaway to me to expect sudden deaths and perhaps a pair of serial killers. As a team, no less.
I was not disappointed. The story moves along briskly but without any sense of being hurried to get the two most blessed words in a writer's life: The End. Which was quite satisfactory. If you like serial killers as I do, I think you'll enjoy it.
*Have never seen "Dexter" but got the drift from a book bout him that was so overblown that I closed it and, of course, "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" is the movie that blew Brad Pitt and Jennifer Anniston (I think) apart in real life due to super vixen Angelina Jolie's machinations.
This struck me as amazingly good for a debut novel. But then again, author Downing lives in New Orleans and writers there are often … quirky. Anne Rice anyone?
But this is not a vampire tome. It is billed as "Dexter Meets Mr. and Mrs. Smith*" which was something of a giveaway to me to expect sudden deaths and perhaps a pair of serial killers. As a team, no less.
I was not disappointed. The story moves along briskly but without any sense of being hurried to get the two most blessed words in a writer's life: The End. Which was quite satisfactory. If you like serial killers as I do, I think you'll enjoy it.
*Have never seen "Dexter" but got the drift from a book bout him that was so overblown that I closed it and, of course, "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" is the movie that blew Brad Pitt and Jennifer Anniston (I think) apart in real life due to super vixen Angelina Jolie's machinations.
Saturday, October 26, 2019
Celebrities - and What They Said
boredpanda.com today tackles (among many other things) celebrities and some of the rather stupid remarks they have made. The article said they probably regret the remark, but (always the contradictorian) I say that if they said it in the first place, they're too dumb to recognize it.
Be that as it may. Am unlikely to ever meet a celebrity and jot down any remarks on my handy little notebook, so let's go with statistics.
There are 27 people quoted. The categories I assigned are:
Blonde females - 9
Brunet females - 4
For a grand total of 13 females
Male sports stars - 6
Male entertainers - 8
For a grand total of 13 males
The Dalai Lama makes #27 And was quoted as saying that if a female Dalai Lama came along, fine if she was very attractive. If not, no use.
What are some quotes? Aha! Glad you asked!
Jessica Simpson - "Is this chicken or fish? I know it's tuna but it says "Chicken of the Sea!"
Christina Aguilar - "So where's the Cannes Film Festival this year?"
Kelly Pickler - "I thought Europe was a country!"
Three lovely and entertaining blondes.
Be that as it may. Am unlikely to ever meet a celebrity and jot down any remarks on my handy little notebook, so let's go with statistics.
There are 27 people quoted. The categories I assigned are:
Blonde females - 9
Brunet females - 4
For a grand total of 13 females
Male sports stars - 6
Male entertainers - 8
For a grand total of 13 males
The Dalai Lama makes #27 And was quoted as saying that if a female Dalai Lama came along, fine if she was very attractive. If not, no use.
What are some quotes? Aha! Glad you asked!
Jessica Simpson - "Is this chicken or fish? I know it's tuna but it says "Chicken of the Sea!"
Christina Aguilar - "So where's the Cannes Film Festival this year?"
Kelly Pickler - "I thought Europe was a country!"
Three lovely and entertaining blondes.
Friday, October 25, 2019
Analogies for Writers
Writers try (or at least they should try) not to use "like" as in "like a bat out of hell." Or "as" in a comparison. Here are some examples of good analogies.
"I'd rather listen to a Styrofoam cooler squeaking in the back set of a car for five hours than: listen to country western; talking on the phone with my mother-in-law."
"Cat nip is the Devil's lettuce." Pure statement of fact. Not, "Some consider cat nip as the devil's lettuce."
Sign in a bar window "Gentlemen - no shirt, no service. Ladies - no shirt, no charge." This is not an analogies. But it is funny.
Red as a beet. Smelly as a pig sty. As oily as a three card monte dealer. (double points two uses.))
"I'd rather listen to a Styrofoam cooler squeaking in the back set of a car for five hours than: listen to country western; talking on the phone with my mother-in-law."
"Cat nip is the Devil's lettuce." Pure statement of fact. Not, "Some consider cat nip as the devil's lettuce."
Sign in a bar window "Gentlemen - no shirt, no service. Ladies - no shirt, no charge." This is not an analogies. But it is funny.
Red as a beet. Smelly as a pig sty. As oily as a three card monte dealer. (double points two uses.))
Thursday, October 24, 2019
All Hail the Newest Political Fad!
Choice of two - impeachment or recall. Nationally, the biggie is impeachment! And yesterday, dammit!
But locally - comes now recall. Really local is the recall attempt to yank one Councilman John Gran out of Redondo Beach District 4 wherein dwell the Murphys. The other day, bang, bang on the steel security door that permits us to leave the wood door wide open every summer night. I was closest and there to greet me was a fire fighter in uniform shorts and shirt, offering a petiton for us to sign to get an official permission to petition to have him removed. How confusing is that? Evidently, the fire fighters got the required number because yesterday's mail brought a 4/c biiig brochure - 12 in. long and 8 1/2 in. wide which opens out to become four pages.
Since you didn't get one because you don't live here in District 4, permit me to quote the copy. "Redondo Beach District 4 City Council Member admits he's "Not a very good politician."
That's because he's a dishonest one.
Dishonest John's self-dealing decision making is putting you and your family at risk.
Remove Dishonest John from office … before it's too late.
Sign the recall petition. Now."
This expensive effort (4/c glossy) is sponsored by the Redondo Beach Firefighters Association, Inglewood, CA.
Gist: RB firefighters want to merge services with LA County Fire.
My shock stems from the fact that I never dreamed you could publicly and with much fanfare call a politician "dishonest." A great many of them, of course, are, but to just baldly splash that opprobrium on one of them? ALORS!
Nearly as shocking was the announcement of a local Recall Gavin Newcom! (Governor of California.) meeting to recall him! Given the overwhelming number of registered voters in California are Democrats, this came as quite the surprise.
There are at least four different sites pushing the bye bye agenda and the stated reasons are:
Mismanaged the State
Caused poor schools (where are the funds the lottery was supposed to hand over to schools?)
Deteriorating infra-structure - Oh, we live on Washboard Road, not far from Pothole Street)
High costs for gas and utilities "Summer gas" my bippy.
Increased homelessness
Supports Medicare For All and laws that aid immigrants here illegally.
What next? God only knows in this suddenly alpha political country.
But locally - comes now recall. Really local is the recall attempt to yank one Councilman John Gran out of Redondo Beach District 4 wherein dwell the Murphys. The other day, bang, bang on the steel security door that permits us to leave the wood door wide open every summer night. I was closest and there to greet me was a fire fighter in uniform shorts and shirt, offering a petiton for us to sign to get an official permission to petition to have him removed. How confusing is that? Evidently, the fire fighters got the required number because yesterday's mail brought a 4/c biiig brochure - 12 in. long and 8 1/2 in. wide which opens out to become four pages.
Since you didn't get one because you don't live here in District 4, permit me to quote the copy. "Redondo Beach District 4 City Council Member admits he's "Not a very good politician."
That's because he's a dishonest one.
Dishonest John's self-dealing decision making is putting you and your family at risk.
Remove Dishonest John from office … before it's too late.
Sign the recall petition. Now."
This expensive effort (4/c glossy) is sponsored by the Redondo Beach Firefighters Association, Inglewood, CA.
Gist: RB firefighters want to merge services with LA County Fire.
My shock stems from the fact that I never dreamed you could publicly and with much fanfare call a politician "dishonest." A great many of them, of course, are, but to just baldly splash that opprobrium on one of them? ALORS!
Nearly as shocking was the announcement of a local Recall Gavin Newcom! (Governor of California.) meeting to recall him! Given the overwhelming number of registered voters in California are Democrats, this came as quite the surprise.
There are at least four different sites pushing the bye bye agenda and the stated reasons are:
Mismanaged the State
Caused poor schools (where are the funds the lottery was supposed to hand over to schools?)
Deteriorating infra-structure - Oh, we live on Washboard Road, not far from Pothole Street)
High costs for gas and utilities "Summer gas" my bippy.
Increased homelessness
Supports Medicare For All and laws that aid immigrants here illegally.
What next? God only knows in this suddenly alpha political country.
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