If You Say Pumpkin Spice Three Times...

Ah, the first day of fall. (Or Autumn, whichever word you prefer to use.)

While the pumpkin spice latte has been here for a couple of weeks now, today is the official start of fall. 

And I'll admit it, I'm your basic white girl when it comes to fall. 

Yes, I love pumpkin spice lattes (and the salted caramel mocha! Seriously, you could argue it's even better then the PSL), scarves, boots, hoodies, warm leggings, and crunchy leaves. This has become a bit of a trope in the blog world, and on the Internet in general. We white girls in the suburbs love fall. 

Poke fun at it all you want, but all things fall are my guilty/not guilty pleasure. And why shouldn't they be? 

This is all of the awesome fall brings to the world:

- The extreme heat is gone. I HATE long summers and extreme heat. Having a bit of summer is fine where the temperatures get really high and you can wear tank tops and hit the pool/lake/beach a couple of times. But after that, I'm done. Heat is uncomfortable, sticky, gross, and you can only take off so many pieces of clothing to make yourself feel relief. In the fall? Just throw on a sweater and you're good. It's awesome being able to step outside and feel a crisp breeze instead of choking on humidity. 

- The clothes. I always love the idea of spring and summer clothing. The light colors and flowy tank tops and such. But in reality? I just look better in fall clothing. Bring on the rich dark colors, blue jeans, and scarves. I can rock those. And don't even get me started on how much I love my boots. 

- Fall means all of the best holidays and seasons are coming! (At least here... sorry Australia and the rest of the southern hemisphere. Spring brings the best holidays and seasons for you!) You got Halloween, NaNoWriMo, Thanksgiving, NaNoWriMo, Christmas is just around the corner, NaNoWriMo...

- Food. Along with the awesome holidays and such, you get great food. (Other than the drinks at Starbucks.) Also, soup! I love me some soup. Yeah, I know, I can eat soup whenever I want. But, I always feel weird going to Panera Bread and ordering a hot soup when it's sunny and 95 degrees out in the middle of July. I just do. Maybe it's just me. IDK IDK. Besides, now all of the Halloween candy is out. Who doesn't love Halloween candy? And since I'm an adult, I can go and buy some bags and Mom can't tell me I have to save it for Halloween. 

- Fall TV shows! Need I say more?

So, yeah. I love me some fall, and I don't even feel bad about it. Tease me, call me basic, and make all of the memes you want. (Because they're true.) I don't mind! I'll just be over here, drinking my Starbucks, searching for Halloween/vampire themed things, wearing a scarf, pretending this is me:

The Halloween Tag!

Kirstie of A Quick Succession of Busy Nothings tagged me to a Halloween survey. She made a video of hers, so I did too and posted it on my YouTube channel earlier this week. Check it out!

I tag:

Willie of Lazy, Happy, Board, Happy, Sad
Brittany of Stories, Songs, and Praise
Alexandra of This Journey of Journeys

And no, you don't have to video it like I did! ;-)

The Questions:

What is your favorite horror movie?

If you were in a horror movie how far do you think you would get?

Favorite scary video game?

What is your favorite scary story?

What's one unusual thing you're afraid of?

What's your first memory of Halloween?

What your favorite Halloween memory?

What was your best Halloween costume?

What's your worst Halloween costume?

Which is scarier...

Werewolves or Vampires?

Ghosts or Zombies?

Creepy Dolls or Creepy Clowns?

Freddy Kruger, Jason Voorhees, Michael Meyers, or Leatherface?

Happy Halloween Everyone!

Are You My Mummy

I feel as though everyday I get more and more into the "fall" spirit. This weekend there was perfect fall weather with the sun shining but a slight chill in the air, the NaNoWriMo site is officially up and running for this year, and yesterday I spent all day with some friends at Six Flags for Fright Fest. (I only got scared by one of the actors once!)

I can't even remember the last time I've been to Fright Fest. I think it was in high school. It's so much fun though. I love watching all of the actors in costume walking around scaring people and the ridiculous/corny/slightly creepy decorations the park has up everywhere. My favorite costumes I'm pretty sure were the old time soldiers with gas masks It was very Doctor Who. I tried to take a picture to post with #areyoumymummy but they were walking too quickly. :-(

But there is also this amazingly cheesy show called Love at First Fright and it was my favorite part of the day. They sang all of these songs and threw in as many pop culture jokes as possible and it made my heart happy. So, now I have "Time Warp" stuck in my head. Which... isn't too bad. I love "Time Warp" and it's a perfect Halloween type song. 

This is Halloween

Since I wrote twice yesterday, you're getting a short post today.

When I saw this Tardis dress at Hot Topic a few weeks ago I KNEW it had to be my Halloween costume this year. It's just like me - bigger on the inside. ;) The actual Tardis... not the dress. Although that would be awesome.

I'm pretty excited about Halloween this year. Tonight I have an event at church to help out with (and I get to wear my costume!) then I'm heading over to a friends house for a Halloween get-together. Which is basically just eating food, watching Halloween movies, and giving candy to kids who show up at the door.

What can I say? My friends like to keep it low-key. Which is totally fine with me. I love Halloween but I also like just hanging out with my friends.

Until then, I'll be prepping for NaNoWriMo tomorrow (it's not too late to sign up!), drinking pumpkin spice lattes, watching Interview With the Vampire, and listening to Thriller way too much for it to be healthy.

If you want some more Halloween tunes, check out my post from last year where I shared my top 10 favorite Halloween songs.

Have a happy and safe Halloween!

Awesome Female Role Models- Dani Dennison (Hocus Pocus)

With Halloween being tomorrow, for my final Awesome Female Role Model for October, I'll be featuring a fantastic character from my all-time favorite Halloween movie.

Dani Dennison from Hocus Pocus.

It's about time I featured some young female characters anyways. Who says you have to be an adult to be a great role model?

Dani's got attitude and tells it as it is. She's not afraid to tell the truth and put people in their place. When Max crosses the line at the Sanderson sisters cottage she's not afraid to tell him. She knows when people do something dumb and will tell them so to their face. Even when she's facing the witches, she'll tell them exactly what she thinks of them and call them out on how awful they are.

She knows how to get her way. She'll manipulate, sweet talk, and scream if needed. While... this isn't the best way to get what you want, you have to admire her to an extent. She'll be a power house when she's older.

She is dealing with a ton of crap too, just like Max. She's also trying to make new friends and adjust to their new home, but she also accepts the reality and challenges her brother to do the same. That's all something we can learn from.

She cares about her brother Max, more than anyone realizes. They've always been close, but since moving to their new home things have changed. Dani will do anything to get their relationship back to the way it was. Even if it means forcing him to take her trick or treating. She might embarrass him often (but what are little sisters for?) but she will still support him when he's trying to win the girl. When he's in danger or doing something stupid, Dani wants him to be safe and will come to his aid. In fact, when the witches come back to life and wonder who lit the candle, Dani jumps up and takes the blame, even though she's mad at Max for doing it.

She's freakishly brave. When the witches come back to life and find her, she plays along. She puts on a brave face and tries to play along. She's clearly terrified, but does what she needs to in order to stay sane and safe.

Max loves Dani too. It takes nearly the whole movie for him to figure out just how much he loves her, but he does. Even though she is a brat and loves to ruin his life, he's willing to do anything for her. Even die. To me, it always says something about a person when you see how much others are willing to sacrifice for them.

Dani is an animal lover - and who can't love a girl who loves a cat the way Dani loves Binx? She attaches to him quickly and wants to take him in after their awful night is over. By the end of the movie when Binx reunites with his own sister, you can't help but feel broken hearted along with Dani that she has lost her new friend.

Awesome quotes:
- I love you jerkface.
- Okay, okay. But next year we go trick-or-treating as Wendy and Peter Pan... with tights or no deal!
- What do you call 'em Max? Yabbos? Max loves your yabbos. In fact... he loves them.
- It's a full moon tonight. That's when all the weirdos are out.
- A virgin lit the candle.
- It doesn't matter how old you are. You sold your soul! You're the ugliest thing that's ever lived and you know it!
- The cat here, Binx, right? He can talk. My brother's a virgin: he lit the black flame candle. The witches are back from the dead and they're after us. We need help.
- Drop dead, moron.
- I scared you I scared you, hahahahaha.
- I'm Allison! Kiss me I'm Allison!
- Come on Max. Couldn't you just forget about being a cool teenager for just one night? Please?
- Well, this is your home now. So get used to it.
- I'm going to take care of you forever. Then my children, and theirs after that, and theirs after that, forever... and ever...

The Happy List

This week I am happy because...

The cast and crew of Night of the Living Dead is amazing. I'm so happy I was able to be part of Acting Out's first season

I can listen to Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban while in my car and at work

NaNoWriMo begins in 1 week

My pumpkin spice latte was free this morning

After a performance in the cold I can go home to a heated blanket

This week I'll have had great catch up time with three of my friends

Everyone has been incredibly understanding of my scratchy voice and runny nose

I have all day tomorrow to work on old writing projects

It finally feels like fall down here in Missouri

Because of technology issues, I was able to get high school students to act out the opening scene of Hocus Pocus during chapel this morning

Source

What has made you happy this week?

Linking up with The Happy List today.

Awesome Female Role Models- Evelyn The Librarian

With Halloween next week - I'm continuing my theme of Halloween type of female role models.

Today, we have Evelyn (Evy) from  the movie, The Mummy.

Growing up, this was one of my sister's favorite movies. At first it terrified me because I was a wimp, but it grew on me. (Although I didn't want to admit it.) Now, I don't know why I resisted loving this movie. It's fantastic and I love Evy.

Evelyn is clumsy and relate-able. She didn't get into the Bembridge Scholars but she's still brilliant, even if others don't see it right away. Granted - who would when she knocks over some very large bookshelves in the first five minutes of meeting her?

She has big dreams. When she finds the map and does her research, she wants to go for it. Not just a "someday that would be awesome" but she wants to go for it now. Let's find a way and go. She's willing to meet and work with awful people and put herself in danger for the sake of history and adventure. She will pay a lot of money to save Mr. O'Connell's life (even though at the moment she hates him) in order to go on this adventure and deal with the terrible jail keeper guy in order to do so.

Evelyn is a complete nerd. It comes along with the whole librarian thing. But she loves Egyptian history with a passion. She doesn't care about the treasure or the adventure. She wants to preserve history and honor the people of the past. Even through all of the danger she encounters through the movie, this is still important to her. I love all of the times she geeks out about some historical artifact. Evy is proud of who she is. Even if she is drunk when she admits it.

Evelyn recognizes where her strengths lie... but also where they don't. She knows she's not a fighter or an adventurer or anything along those lines. What's great about her is that she doesn't have to be in order to be awesome. Many times we see "strong women" as those who can pick up a gun and shoot (or use archery if your Katniss) or she can tell people off and be crude. Evy isn't any of those things. She puts people in their place, but she does it with intelligence and tact. She doesn't have to resort to violence to be strong. All Evy needs is her intellect and charm.

Eveyln is willing to go out of her comfort zone. She's not one for the outdoors, and toughing it out, and being surrounded by crude men. Yet, she does it anyways. She deals with all of the Americans and the other men she's surrounded by, and holds her own. She doesn't treat them disrespectfully or look down on them because she has a more formal education. Except for perhaps her brother... but what are siblings for?

She never wanted to raise a cursed mummy back from the dead, but she deals with it. She puts herself in danger even though she's terrified out of her mind and helps to save the day. The men protect her, but she protects herself and them too. While she may have been the one to read from the book and bring the mummy to life and is always getting herself into trouble (even if she's just locked in her room), she is also the one who saves everyone because of her bravery and knowledge of Egyptian history.

When Imhotep takes Evy away, she doesn't argue. She goes in order to save the others. The others (particularly Rick) want her to stay with them and protect her, but she goes anyways. They go to help her, but it is not because she's a helpless person who can't do anything. It's because she chose to go and help them. They do things for each other. 

Who are some of your favorite Halloween type women? Is there anything about our favorite librarian that I missed?

Awesome Quotes:
- Evy: "I may not be an explorer, or an adventurer, or a treasure-seeker, or a gun-fighter, Mr. O'Connell, but I am proud of what I am."
Rick: "And what is that?" 
Evy: "I . . . am a librarian."
- You know, nasty little fellows like you always get their comeuppance.
- You better think of something fast, because if I become a mummy you're the first one I'm coming after.
- You're wondering what is a place like me, doing in a girl like this?
- According to you and my brother it's called "borrowing."
- The only thing that scares me Mr. O'Connell is your manners.
- They take a red hot poker, stick it up your nose, scramble things about a bit, and rip it all out through your nostrils!
- It's just a book. No harm ever came from reading a book.
- Personally, I think he's filthy, rude, a complete scoundrel. I don't like him one bit.
- Well, I wish you would do it sooner rather than later before you ruin my career the way you've ruined yours.
- Oh for heavens sake girl, it wasn't that good of a kiss!
- Mister O'Connell, can you look me in the eye and and guarantee me this isn't all some kind of flimflam?
- Oh my God. It's a sarcophagus. Buried at the feet of Anubis. He must have been a man of great importance. Or he had done something very naughty.
- Take that Bembridge Scholars!
- Oops.

Awesome Female Role Models- Sally

It's time for a special Halloween edition of Awesome Female Role Models! The next three weeks I'll feature a female character from a Halloween story and to kick things off, we have Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas.

While watching the movie and researching her best quotes, I found that Sally really doesn't do a whole lot of talking. She sings a little, and has a few conversations, but she doesn't have much dialogue. However, someone watching the movie can still clearly see her character. I love this about Sally. She doesn't need long monologues, witty phrases, or wise words for us to love her. We can see through her facial expressions and her actions where her heart is and what she's all about. The audience can tell she's clever by how she tricks Dr. Finklestien and the ways she helps Jack.

Speaking of Dr. Finklestien, we know that Sally is in an awful situation. She wants to be free, but he refuses to let her go. She's ready to experience life, but he just won't let her. Sally will do anything to escape and be free from him. No matter how many times she has failed at escape, she refuses to give up.

Sally wants adventure. She's not happy staying cooped up in Dr. Finklestien's home. Sally wants to see the world and all that it has to offer. Even if it is the strangeness of Halloween.

Sally also has an interesting relationship with Jack. Right away, the audience knows she admires him and has a crush. (I mean... in their Halloween town... he's the cream of the crop. I'm sure all the girls have crushes on him.) But she connects to Jack. She understands how he wants to experience more, and she's fascinated by his discovery of Christmas. However, she also can tell when something is wrong. She is there to support her friend and be there for him, but she also tries to warn him that taking over Christmas isn't what he should be doing. She sees Jack for how awesome he really is, and wants him to be true to that. Even when he doesn't listen, Sally tries to do something about it. She's willing to sacrifice a potential relationship with Jack and stand out from the crowd to make things right. Sally might have a crush, but she knows when he's doing something wrong. Yet, when he's in trouble, instead of being all "I told you so," she's there at his side.

Sally also is the one to do the "wooing" in her relationship with Jack. She's the one to make the first move by sending him a gift basket. She's willing to be there for him and make herself known. Yet, she does it in a way which doesn't force herself on him. She makes the first move, while also letting him meet her part way. As the movie goes on, Jack soon sees how fantastic Sally is through all she has done for him.

In spite of appearing to be small and fragile, Sally can take care of herself. One of the perks of being a rag doll, she can simply sew herself back up when she falls. She's not afraid to take the big leaps because she can get back up and try again.

Also, Santa Claus likes Sally. He says "The next time you get the urge to steal someone else's holiday, you should listen to her! She's the only one who makes sense in this insane asylum!" And if Santa likes someone... you know they've got to be pretty awesome.

Awesome Quotes:
- What's wrong? I thought you liked frog's breath.
- What will become of my dear friend? Where will his actions lead us then? Oh, how I'd like to join the crowd in their enthusiastic cloud. Try as I may, it doesn't last. And will we ever end up together? No, I think not. It's never to become, for I am not the one.
- But it seems wrong to me, very wrong.
- Mmmmm. See? Scrumptious.
- And sit together, now and forever. For it is plain, as anyone can see, we're simply meant to be.

Favorite Halloween Movies - That Don't Make Me Want a Nightlight

I am a huge fan of anything of the magical/supernatural-y type of thing.

Obviously.



It should also not surprise you that I love Halloween. I love having an excuse to talk about vampires, witches, ghosts, magic, etc. Also, you get to dress up, eat candy, drink apple cider, have bonfires, and watch movies.

While I know it has a really dark history (which is kinda fascinating to me... so we'll just add it to the list of reasons I'm a bad youth minister...) it's still awesome.

The problem is...

I hate horror movies.

Like - REALLY REALLY REALLY hate horror movies. Half of the time while I'm watching Supernatural, I have my Netflix on mute and I'm reading the captions while cuddling with a blanket, a pillow, and my dog. I've gotten better... but I hate being scared.

Once, some friends and I went to someone's house to watch a scary movie on Halloween. We had to leave about 15 minutes into it because I was terrified of what might happen as we watched.

I was about 23.

So, what do you do when you're a movie and supernatural lover like myself at Halloween? Here is a list of my favorite (tamer) movies to get me into the spirit:

The Nightmare Before Christmas

This movie can go either Christmas or Halloween. I go for Halloween because all of the characters try to pull off Christmas, but learn they are created for Halloween. I feel like it's more about embracing Halloween vs. Christmas. (Also being true to yourself. Yay for Halloween movies with morals!) It's also weird and creepy at times, but not enough to get me running for my blanket. Cause you know... it's a cartoon.

The Corpse Bride

Technically, this isn't a Halloween movie. However, it's all about death and it's a Tim Burton movie. Therefore- Halloween. It's also adorable.

Disney's Halloween Treat

Do you all remember this? I remember getting so excited for this Halloween special hosted by the Magic Mirror from Snow White. I found it on YouTube - so I fully intend to watch it this year. It's a bunch of little snippets of classic Disney villans and other short cartoons to get into the spirit.

Interview with the Vampire

I don't just watch kid movies - I promise! When I first saw this movie when I was in jr. high it terrified me. But now that I'm older, and I've seen it a million times, it doesn't scare me anymore. Also, there aren't really any "bumps in the night" which make me jump a foot off of the couch, so I was able to deal with this one better. A little bit of gore I can get over easily. Besides, I love Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles and this movie is wonderful. Also - this is a perfect cast. Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Antonio Banderas, and child Kirsten Dunst. Brilliant! 

My dream Halloween costume is to be Claudia. It's one of the few times being short and blonde has its perks. I could totally pull off child vampire.

I just ignore the movie Queen of the Damned.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

I love musical theatre. What did you expect?

Dracula

The awesome things about old horror movies? Sometimes they aren't all that scary. Besides... this is a classic. And almost anything with vampires - I'm game!

The Mummy

How any could not love The Mummy is beyond me. It's another one that scared me in jr. high, but as I got older I realized it wasn't very scary at all. It's funny, ridiculous, but also has action and corpses rising from the dead.

Also- she's a librarian.  Can it get any better than that? I didn't think so.

Rebecca

This is one of Hitchcock's earlier movies and I adore it. It's creepy in a non-creepy way at all... and done as only Hitchcock can. You feel like there's a ghost when there isn't one, and there's a mystery and a love story... and Mrs. Danvers is one of the best villains ever. Also - Joan Fontaine and Lawrence Oliver are in it. Completely brilliant.

Pirates of the Caribbean

Captain Jack Sparrow, ghost/zombie pirates, Will Turner... yup. I feel like this is a Halloween winner. 

Warm Bodies

After seeing this movie (twice) when it came out earlier in 2013, and falling in love with the book, and writing blog posts about it, my long-time readers had to know this movie was going to be on the list. There's zombies and great eating of brains and fighting, but also a ridiculously cute love story. R is also hilarious. 

Harry Potter

Any of the Harry Potter movies will do. Or all of them. Whatever. They're wizards and witches at school and crazy things happen. Can it get any more Halloween than that? 

And any excuse to watch Harry Potter is good in my book.

While you're at it... just go read all seven books. I'm not here to judge. 

Hocus Pocus

Seriously, this is one of the best Halloween movies of all time. If not the best. Bette Midler and Sarah Jessica Parker are fantastic in this movie, they're hilarious and scary at the same time. (I'm sorry, eating the souls of children is terrifying.) Thackery Binks is the cat I never knew I wanted (and he was kinda cute as a human... at least in my elementary school/Jr. high girl eyes). I also wished I had a big brother like Max. From this movie, I also know who Ice is... and we all need to know that information. From this movie, you also learn that zombies can be good guys. 

I know there are a ton of other great non-terrfying Halloween movies out there - but I can't name them all! What are some of your favorites?

Also - if you don't want to just watch movies, Supernatural, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Vampire Diaries are the best TV shows to watch this time of year (if not all year round). 

I also intend to try watching Snow White A Tale of Terror this month. While it is a horror movie and I'll be scared out of my mind,  as a fan of the Snow White fairy tale I feel like I need to watch it.