i just want to conquer people and their souls

Ah readers, the crunch of rotting leaves and the fact that the homeless man on Grand Army Plaza has brought his protective polystyrene face mask out from the depths of his trolley alerts me to the fact that Fall is fast approaching. I think we are all familiar with my  thoughts on winter  , but Fall is just alright by me. It has so many good qualities - you can wear a cape, eat a pecan pie and carve a terrifying pumpkin. But obviously, the jewel in Fall's crown is Halloween. What a holiday! Growing up as a disgruntled Antipodean we didn't have a day where it was sanctioned, nay  encouraged , to dress up in crazy costumes and solicit candy from one's neighbors. I mean I did it anyway, but still. Halloween was originally invented in the place where all awesome things are invented: The British Isles. In fact, Halloween should probably make it on my list of reasons why Scotland is awesome  . In some parts of Scotland people still go "guising" which I wish we did m...

I've discussed my boo the Manimal and his "Chamber of Wonders"  before on this weblog. Those of you who are faithful readers will know that not just anything makes it into the wunderkammer. Oh no! To be included in his  creepy cornucopia the trinket in question must exist on a higher plane of amazingness. I think we can all agree that this real alpaca foot shot glass from Colombia  eclipses most contenders and earns its place next to the taxidermied cane toad drinking Johnny Walker Red. Welcome home, alpaca foot shot glass.

I nominate the kid at the far right of this glorious picture as our collective teenage id.  He/she embodies exactly how I felt whenever I was forced to interact with my family from the years 1992 - 1997. What are they? Cells? Leaves? And do I spy a gunt?   All of these photos come courtesy of my new favorite time suck . Here are just some of my favorites: Unlike the first photo, everyone here seems pretty stoked to be involved: You don't need real children to have an amazing family photo: This one's for the Manimal; this is his dream family. I hope one day he reaches the lofty style heights of Pops in the middle. I like everything about this photo: If I ever need to announce my impending motherhood, I think these two have the right idea: And finally, my absolute favorite. I think this will be our next Christmas card:

Sometimes, something comes along which leaves me speechless. I don't know whether this is a rant or a rave. Alls I do know is that my life will never be the same. How apropos that on the eve of the Academy Awards, a video would emerge which represents all of the ideals of modern cinematography. Yes sir, the director and cast of "Dead Wrong Teens Booty Shake On People's Graves All Up in the Cemetary" have really set the bar high.