Chocolate

Interesting story here about a Chicago chocolate factory that exceed EPA regulations for their chocolate emmissions. I remember growing up near an M and M/Mars plant in Chicago and the smell was heavenly. I guess if the cocoa dust is blocing out the sun, it could be a problem, but all it ever did to me was make me hungry!
On to other things, hope you can stop by the Warehouse on First this Friday or Saturday and help our food drive for Contact Ministries.

Walk The Line

Saw Walk The Line over the weekend. Great movie, I can see why there's Oscar buzz. Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash and Reese Witherspoon as June Carter not only provide us a lot of drama in this somewhat unlikely love story, but also sing amazingly well, no lip-synching here. In an early scene where Johnny auditions for Sam Phillips at Sun Records, Phoenix shows us the moment where Cash gained his confidence and his "sound."
The movie shows us the real Johnny, no sugar-coating. Nothing John does seems to satisfy his father, who blames John for his brother's death. Johnny becomes a pill-popping, beer guzzling womanizer - a guy you still root for, realizing there is a light at the end of the tunnel. That light is June, who goes through a few bad marriages herself. She will help him overcome his demons and become his partner in life, as well as on stage. Given his association with country music, it's interesting to see the people John tours with. Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis are there in the early days and these rockers must certainly have had some influence on Johnny. The filmmakers got input from Johnny and June before they passed away, so you know it's a pretty authentic bio. I recommend it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Don't eat too much!

Winter's here

Those of us who were holding out hope, put away those light jackets and shorts, winter's here! Yesterday was so cold with the wind making it downright ridiculous. I even saw some light snow. I don't like winter, not much on the dog days of summer either. I love fall and spring...the in-between temperatures are the best. It gets dark too early in the winter too. Makes you wonder how people can maintain their sanity in Alaska. Cold and sometimes it's dark almost all day! It's a place of natural beauty though. My cousins went on an Alaskan cruise, in the summer of course!
Have you seen the series Deadliest Catch on Discovery Channel? It's about these crab fishermen in Alaska. Talk about terrible working conditions! They're on icy decks, hauling these heavy crab containers (pots) and it seems to always be storming! They're paid well, but I think I'll stick with my safe job.

Eagle Scout

Hope you had a great weekend. Congratulations to my cousin Jim who attained the rank of Eagle Scout. I attended his Court of Honor over the weekend. It takes a lot of work and dedication, and as Jim's speech mentioned, a lot of fun times too. I never was a scout. I probably would have enjoyed it though, as I enjoy camping and seeing new places.
Here's a few things to be prepared for this weekend. (Bad pun) Memorial's Festival of Trees opens Saturday. Join me at the Orr Building as we kick off this annual tradition. The train will be going and the gingerbread village is back too! Also this weekend marks the return of the WNNS Christmas Craft Show at the Warehouse. Holiday gifts and decorations...stuff you won't find in the stores. Admission just a buck.

Christmas tree and ghosts

Christmas is coming! That's no news flash. The stores are starting to fill with Christmas items, including maybe, upside down trees? Yes, in fact Target is selling them online and so are a few other places.
Check it out. They look odd, but there's more room for presents underneath. Does the star still go on top, or would that be the bottom? I have a small tree (about a foot tall) and it's enough for my apartment. And it's going right-side up!
Also came across this story and found it amusing. A guy gets fired for complaining about ghosts on the job. Click here.That's a new one, but you deserve a workplace where no onebothers you.

Gnip Gnop

I was thinking the other day about toys and games I had growing up. No Nintendo, Playstation or the like. The most technologically advanced I suppose was the Mattel hand held video games. I had the baseball, football and hockey. But once you mastered them, they weren't much fun anymore. Better still were the board games and stuff like Gnip Gnop. And it's back! Check this website for more great memories. I always wondered where they got such a weird name, but it turns out it's ping pong backwards! Guess my mind only works forwards! What are some other toys/games you remember as a kid?

More to worry about

Thanksgiving's coming, is your turkey safe? We have enough concerns in the world but with bird flu I guess the question of whether it could affect domestic turkeys is obvious. MSNBC says we should be ok, but make sure you cook it well. I'm more concerned with what's in the stuffing ever since I figured out what "giblits" are! Is anybody planning other Thanksgiving entrees? My uncle always served polish sausage and sauerkraut at every holiday, but since he's passed away, it'll be just turkey for us.

Worst Costumes

Holy moley, I could have been a village person, or rubik's cube or the Welcome Back Kotter dude! Hilarious site
here with questionable costume ideas. Hope you had a great Halloween.