Our pumkin carving got cancelled this year due to a few things. One being that the four pumpkins we got from the Morey School gardens got ambushed by big, fat hungry squirrels. All four of them were anxiously awaiting carving, when attacked. Each now have lobotomies. Here is a very cool link to ambitious, creative carvings from years past.

Sunday, I made a move that puts me, mentally, and maybe socially, up a rung on societies ladder - I bought a tuxedo.
Jinnie's bridal shop competition is closing her doors for good, another example of the slowdown in the bridal industry.
They were having a huge sale on dresses and tuxes. I ended up getting the entire ensemble. Jacket, Vest, Pants, Shirt, and shoes. Good deal. Just a week to though to enjoy the Booklover's Ball black tie event. But now I am ready.

I forgot a few and have found a few more.

Curly Sue - Kelley Lynch, and Jim Belushi. Takes place in cold Chicago. Not fluffy snow, but winter scenes nonetheless.

A Sure Thing - John Cusak

Mystery, Alaska

Edward Scissorhands

I posted last year about what people's favorite holiday or snow movies were. I got some good responses that enriched my movie library. Now I am requesting more. Last night Christy and I watched The Family Stone. Hmm. We still do not know what to make of it. It had all the right ingredients such as actors, Sarah Jessica Parker, Dermot Muhlroney, Diane Keaton, Rachel McAdams, the guy from Coach, and Luke Wilson, so the talent was not lacking. The scenes were done very well. It took place at Christmastime, lots of white snow, beautiful snow scenes of real snow, at what looks like it took place in upstate New York, however they mentioned Bedford quite a bit which led us to think it was Massachusetts. Anyway, the story fell short. Just when you thought, ok, this is going badly, it got a little better. Then you thought, "wow this could get really good" it got worse. There was a part, or ingredient or maybe a theme, that really did not need to be there. I will not say much more, but would recommend you watch it and give us your feedback. Overall, I might even buy this movie just because of the snow scenes and mood.

So, please send me any movies that you know of that have a Christmas or feel good, fluffy snow theme or mood. They do not have to be Holiday movies, either. Thanks.

Here is what I have in my collection:

Elf
Home Alone 1 & 2
Christmas with the Kranks
Beautiful Girls ( from a reader last year)
Dead Poets Society
The Family Man
*The Family Stone
Meet the Parents
Spys Like Us
Groundhog Day
Grumpy Old Men

Erica and I ran the Scream Scram last night at Wash Park. I finished the 5K in 29.4 minutes. Not bad, but still not what I was shooting for. Erica dressed in a big tall witches hat and long black and white stockings. I did not dress up at all, with the exception of an orange fleece. Lame. I don't think we are even going out tonight for the halloween parties. It is just too exhausting for two people on job security limbo. Happy Halloween festivities everyone.

Another strange week has been put upon us. First was the gorgeous Fall sun and leaves. The next day, complete snow. Now today, we have lower 50's and sun. The snow is still present but fading fast. Amazing how fast it can change. Just like our job security.

If you live in Denver, oh hell, even if you don't, come join my friend Erica and Me when we run the annual 5K Scream Scram at Wash Park. It sounds like so much fun. It is sponsored by Scream Agency in Denver and it raises money for Multiple Sclerosis. The fun starts at 6:00pm where people dress up in costumes. Apparently crowds stand around and throw candy corn at the runners ( think rice at a wedding). Happy Hallowiener time! 

Compliments of Dorkus Milorkus.

Vows

I have just been awarded the contract to rebuild and redesign the entire site for Lakewood Community Planning and Development. This is quite an honor. I was up against five other candidates and am very excited to be working with them on this project that will take me in new directions in both design and web programming. I have also been doing more work for Coach for Life out of Florida as well. 

This weekend was Horror Movie/ Chili weekend. Our friend's Lora and Burt just gave birth to their first child, a beautiful 7 lb girl, Olivia Katherine. I made a pot of chili to bring the new parents so we headed over there and after holding Olivia and hearing full birth details, we went went home and decided never to sleep in the same bed again. Since we were already in shock, we decided to take in some Monster Fest X. First it was The Fly, and then Halloween, the classic. Christy then suggested we watch this Butterfly Effect with Ashton Kutcher. I would totally recommend this flick. I was at first extremely ambivalent but then completely amazed! Check it out!

Thisis the BEST ROCK ALBUM ever! ( not really, but this is the best video EVER!

Mistletunes is one cool site. It covers every genre of Christmas music. Peruse through the site and see if you can find your favorites.

So over on Restroom Critic there is a contest to find the UGLIEST, public restroom!
Send your information about a place you frequent or have randomly stumbled across. If it is in Denver, RC will go take pictures, review it and your name will get published (or not), if you wish to remain anonymous. If you are outside the Denver (40 mile radius) area, write your own review and send pics, we'd appreciate it. Thanks and have fun!

Wings, The Series, Third Season, DVD

We had some very good entries. I truly appreciate Sarah K. for submitting her version of Dave Avatar, and the special note. I love the hallowiener depiction and scene.

But, to keep with the contest rules, reader, Molly, pulled it off. CONGRATUALTIONS for your detailed and precise avatar depiction of, well, me! I loved the shoes, the shirt and really felt the tight pants were an accurate representation of my apparel daily choice.Molly wins(*) a $21 Dollar Starbucks Gift Card ( 62 temp high for Denver, divided by 3 cups of coffee = $21) to be spent at any of the gazillion Starbuck's coffee shops in Denver or beyond.

Christy was a close second with her dead-ringer depiction of Dave Avatar, but I think that she had the inside advantage...sleeping with the contest host. The puffy vest, scarf and facial expression was a beautiful match. Good job.

Thank you to all that participated. I am already drumming up anothe contest which is sure to inspire and provoke my readers.

(*) Molly, please email me your home address.

Ok, this has to be one of the best reason's to have a blog. And this is also one of the best stories we have seen here at Gannon Central in a long time. This email comes from Sarah K. from Denver. Here is her email to Christy, and her avatar entry.

Hey Christy: First of all-hope you are well. Happy Wedding!! Congrats. Second, I have been helping Jack work on a project about bees in Denver and when I googled all bees in Denver (I forgot the space). I found your website!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OK-so I love it. I linked to Dave's and I love it too! I have about one million things to do tonight as we are leaving for San Diego on Sat am for a week and instead I spent 2 hours reading your blogs and then-this just gets better-creating an AVATAR for Dave! I have never done that before. I have not had so much fun in ages. Bill keeps coming down to see when I am coming to bed as it is now midnight. Anyhow, I am emailing it to you. It has a halloween or should I say..halloweiner theme. I hope to talk to you soon. xx, Sarah

Thanks Sarah for your great story and avatar!

*Readers, you still have the rest of your day until 9PM (MNT) to enter your avatar.*

Suggestica.comThis site uses experts advice and takes their suggestions. Then they post lists of books and websites on related subjects, such as Design, Life, Finance, etc. It is in beta right now so check it out.

Here are the contenders so far for the Starbuck's gift card. One more day, so get your entries in.
Thank you both for taking time to do this.

First we have a submission from Molly. Great job.



Second, from Beehive. This is very well done.

Fellow readers.

Here is a challenge slash contest for you all.

I am having a hard time finding an avatar that really fits me.
So, the challenge is: Make me an avatar that you think best depicts me.

I think the theme should be Fall, since it is. Other than that, go for it.
The winner will get a Starbucks card filled with an amount equal to the high temperature of the day in Denver on 10/11/06 divided by how many cups of coffee I drink that day.

All entries must be received by Wednesday, Oct. 11th at 9PM MNT.

To get started, you must have a Yahoo account.
Then go to avatars.yahoo.com to get started.

Have fun. * serious entries only* thanks.
My current Avatar is shown above.

-Send me me jpgs of the avatar. Once you have created and saved your avatar, go to HOME. Then choose download, not export, and then send me the file. Email me if you have any questions. Thanks and let the fun begin.

We are doing a seasonal beer story for the upcoming The List publication. I have been doing research on breweries around Colorado and this one, Left Hand Brewery takes the cake for smart, clever design and navigation.

Flying Dog Brewery has a new seasonal Fall beer. Mmm, looks good. I will try it this weekend.

From their new movie Lord Don't Slow Me Down

If you have commented, I have commented too. Please check. Thanks.

If you know me well, you know that this is my favorite time of year. I love smells, the tree color, the mood on our block, the cool nights and comfortable days. I have already broken out our pumpkin candles. I even bought some pumpkin body wash/shampoo from B&BW. It is a refreshing scent that I would recommend if you are as obsessed as I am. On Sunday, Christy went to the wine and food show, but I stayed home and worked in the yard. Then went and washed the car and drove around looking at trees. It was amazing to see all the colors. Some neighborhoods had changed and some were still green. Gorgeous!

Hello dear readers. I have been busy this past week working on my latest project. Restroom Critic. This has been, and continues to be, a work in progress, but I am very excited about it's potential. Please take a look and provide any feedback you wish. Here are my plans for the site:

• Biweekly commercial restroom reviews of the style, cleanliness, design, smell and usability of bathrooms in Denver.


• Reviews of new bathroom fixtures


• Reviews of cleaning products for the bathroom and home


• Reader section of recommendations for bathroom reviews

Please offer any other ideas you may have for the site. I look forward to hearing from you.