It’s my favorite time of year. From Oct. 1 to Oct. 31, I watch horror movies, read ghost stories, and wait to jump out of my skin. My son, who does not care for the scare but loves Halloween, helps me get into costume and loves to dress up. He’s a teenager now, but he loves to go out one night a year and become someone (or thing) else.
That’s the beauty of costumes. Costumes transform you into something you can’t be every day. They allow us to explore our creative side and toss reality out the window, Whether you go cute, sexy, or fierce, something about dressing up frees our spirit. I also have a blast shopping with my family and friends to coordinate and pick the perfect costume.
Halloween doesn’t have to be “evil”. In fact, I witness vandalism and evil almost every day of the year, especially if I watch the news. People who enjoy the holiday the most have fun and get excited, and do their part to make it their own. It’s really no different from any other themed holiday, but if you play your cards right, there’s a lot more candy!
This week, we dug out the old pics and posted some of our best childhood costumes. Oddly enough, my pictures have yet to be found. But have no fear! My son was willing to help and allowed me to post some from his younger days. I promise, if/when mine turn up, I’ll post them 🙂
Pre-costume but too cute not to post. A love for Halloween starts early.I’m pretty sure this was the costume that year. A little Winnie the Pooh.The next year, I was a vampiress and he was Blue from Blues Clues. What am I looking at? Look at the bottom of the pic, and you’ll see 🙂Yep, that’s him! He was a little Blue 😉A few years later: Batman Beyond and much less serious…
Be sure to check in this month, as we post more costumes and celebrate the awesomeness of the season!
Grammar geeks all over the world will battle this issue until the end of time. It’s almost as controversial as abortion, health care, and gay rights. The debate: the serial comma (aka the Oxford comma) and its relevancy.
What is the Oxford comma?
This is a comma usually used before the word ‘and’ in a series.
Ie: For dinner, we had mashed potatoes, fried chicken, green beans, and rolls.
In school, we were taught to always use that comma. No exceptions. However, when I worked on my college newspaper, I learned that Associate Press says to remove it. What?! It felt like my world turned upside down.
Should You Use the Oxford Comma?
It depends. If you’re writing a college paper, probably. Although, I’ve heard some professors don’t care. If you work for a magazine or newspaper, probably not. If you’re writing for your blog, decide and be consistent.
The comma was originally deleted to save space in newsprint, and with everything going digital, that’s no longer a concern, so it may make sense to use it. I’m a fan of using the comma because you can change the entire meaning of a sentence without it:
Photo from: kickyandfun.tumblr.com
I don’t argue usage often because, much like religion, the decision to use the Oxford comma is a personal one. My rational is I can list more reasons to use it instead of not using it. It does clarify meaning, it does help the reader pause, and it separates items in a series. Saving space is not enough of a reason to not use it.
And even though my job requires me to remove it and follow AP style, I do use it if there is more than one ‘and’ in a sentence because AP doesn’t address that instance.
Ie: On our vacation, we hiked and biked though the mountains, ate seafood, and went to an amusement park.
Therefore, I recommend using it unless otherwise told. I don’t think the Oxford comma will ever disappear, especially with more than 30,000 Facebook fans and possibly millions of hard-core grammarians supporting its usage.
What are your thoughts? Are you pro or anti Oxford comma? Tell us why in the comments section!
Season five of Shark Tank premiered this week, and to say I was excited would be an understatement.
Photo by: boss.blogs.nytimes.com
After months of waiting for the new season, I snuggled into my spot on the couch and tuned in. I’m not a fan of reality TV, but something about Shark Tank resonated with me a few years ago. I remember my husband watching one day, and after watching for a few, I was hooked. But why?
Shark Tank is about the American dream of owning your own business and building its success. It’s about everyday people who dream big, create a product or service, and try to get it out to the masses. And of course, it’s about making money.
I think we’ve all fantasized about being our own boss and working our own schedule. Some of us are bored with our jobs, some of us have great ideas, and some know there’s more to life than working 8-5 Monday through Friday for the rest of our lives. Shark Tank gives us hope.
The Show
I won’t bore you with a full review, so here’s a quick summary: Entrepreneurs deliver a quick presentation and try to convince the five investors to join in their venture. Sound boring? I thought so too. I was wrong.
The show’s perfect mix of drama and reality make it a must-see. The Sharks can be ruthless but fair. They sometimes do fight over a business or product, but it’s usually when something is a really great idea or really successful. Other times, there are some really bad ones, and it’s pretty entertaining to watch the presenter get eaten alive.
Life Lessons
Shark Tank is on our list of Inspiration and Resources because it’s a reminder that with hard work, long hours, and dedication you can achieve your goals. Some of my favorite success stories are those business that received an investment, allowing them to expand and create new jobs in our country.
The Sharks are funny, sympathetic, and real investors who give good advice to small business owners – whether they receive an investment or not. Sometimes they’re wrong, but that’s the beauty of the show. At the very least, the entrepreneurs benefit from appearing on the show by also presenting in front of millions of people.
I face palm at least once during the show from either a horrible idea or from asking myself, “Why didn’t I think of that?!” Watching the show inspires me to figure out what I want to do with my life. I keep a list of ideas and products. I don’t talk myself out of anything, and I know the only person holding me back is me.
If you haven’t seen the show, you should give it a shot to at least see some products and ideas people like you have developed into a business plan. You never know what you’ll achieve if you set your mind to it.
Some things can’t wait. This post is one of those things.
Instead of a traditional story of the month, we decided to talk about the Nashville Comic Con and Expo we attended this past Saturday, Sept. 14. It was actually our first take pics, spend-lots-of-money con!
Highlights
Robert Englund: I can’t speak for our whole group, but hearing Englund tell stories about shooting the Nightmare on Elm Street movies or share his feelings on the reboot was a real treat. Englund is a cool dude, and he loves the entertainment industry. You can see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice. I was blown away by the number of kids ages 10 and under who stood at the mic and asked him questions about his movies — it just shows that the slasher movie is alive and well. Englund treated every fan with the same respect and gratitude his fans showed him.
Costumes: I admit I was impressed by the costumes people walked around in all day. Sure, there were some standard ones you’d find at a party store, and then there were the costumes. The ones that made you stop and ask for a pic because they were so freaking cool. We all were so inspired by the ones who dressed up, we all decided to dress up for the upcoming Wizard World Comic Con in October!
This guy’s costume came complete with lights and sound effects!
The Crowd: Everyone was so unbelievably nice. There was no pushing, no fighting, and no attitude. It was a large group of people who were there to have fun. I did not see one person decline a photo op; it didn’t matter what they were doing at the time. The artists talked to you without pressuring you to buy, and you could walk away with almost anything signed.
Merchandise: One tip: bring cash and lots of it. It was no surprise there were dozens of vendors, but the amount of items they brought with them surprised me. There was SO much cool stuff – and it wasn’t just comic books. We found clothes, figures, games, accessories, artwork, hair bows, posters, weapons, stuffed animals, and almost anything else you can imagine.
My son bought a replica of the Master Sword. It’s almost as big as me.Awesome Raven from Teen Titans print that I framed the next day.
We did miss Maggie and Glen from The Walking Dead, and I would have liked to have stayed for the costume contest, but I can see how the first time can be a little overwhelming. Thousands of people wandered all over the area, and you could easily spend 20-plus minutes at every table browsing through stuff or talking to artists. If you have never been to one, plan to spend at least a few hours there.
If you attended the event, we’d love to hear about your experience, and don’t forget your tickets for Wizard World. Who knows … maybe next year RevPub will have a booth!
“But since he has no true feelings about poverty, nothing to offer about it, neither do you, the reader, have any feelings about it. There is no infection.” – Brenda Ueland
Passion and personality: The difference between good writers and great writers. The difference between a good story and a story no one remembers.
In this chapter, Ueland discusses what she calls the “third dimension”. It is the personality behind the words and ideas.
Depending on the reader, seeing a writer’s personality can be the deal breaker. If there is no personality, why should your reader care what you have to say? Ueland also references Chekhov’s idea for fiction, “to pose a question but never answer it.” According to Chekhov, as soon as you answer it, the reader knows you are lying or trying to prove something. That’s the beauty of writing as art; it’s all about interpretation.
What does your writing say about you?
Honest writing exemplifies its author. If you look closely, you can see certain personality traits from the author(s). Here are a few examples from recent posts:
1. I think we CAN all get along. I think various kinds of fans CAN get along, and many kinds of fans can exist within one person – you can be a fan of games, electronic entertainment, sports, literature, history, natural science, etc. I know you can be, because I am a fan of aspects of all those things.
2. No matter the animal, we grow attached to them. Sometimes we talk to them when we can’t talk to anyone else – animals can’t gossip or argue. In fact, they may be the only ones in the world we can completely trust. There’s no judgment or criticism.
3. Despite the accident, I did return the next year; though it was unremarkable for the most part. I did get a ridiculous case of athlete’s foot from the community shower. I also saw a boy cut off most of his thumb with a hatchet. Nothing matched the bus accident though.
What do you notice about the writers?
I see writer one is accepting and open-minded, but he wants and possibly expects others to be as accepting and tolerant.
Writer two doesn’t trust easily, and she sometimes feels alone and judged – so much so, that animals fill a void people cannot.
In the third passage, the author shows fearlessness in a potentially traumatic situation. However, he also uses humor to make light of the situation that may still haunt him.
Fun, right?! This week, pick an article, post, or book, and look beyond the words and images. What do you learn about your author’s personality? Also, think about what your readers will say about you. Feel free to share your thoughts below!
Twenty years ago the mass media portrayed geeks as wearing glasses and pocket protectors, and they played chess, which was so not cool. Growing up, I never understood the last part because I played chess and was cool. Right?
Chess is more than a strategy game; it’s the perfect game. You can play alone – as the Pixar’s Geri’s Game shows us – or you can play with your best friend, child, or significant other. It requires no luck (unless you count the other player’s screw up as luck), and you have to consider your next move. It’s not mindlessly stacking blocks or mining, you’re not just shooting people or beating them up, and you’re not throwing down chips on a table hoping to out bluff four-plus other people.
Photo by: commons.wikimedia.org
Chess challenges you. It’s good for your brain, and there are dozens of studies that explain the mental benefits of playing, such as improving your memory, preventing Alzheimer’s, and increasing your IQ. And who out there doesn’t need a little brain boost?
Chess Brings Us Closer
Brain benefits aside, my favorite part of playing chess is the intimacy of the game. I remember my dad teaching me to play when I was 9 years old. I remember teaching my son to play when he was only 4. Ten years later, I’m proud to say he can beat me, sometimes in less than 10 moves.
Another cool thing about chess is the types of chess sets available. In a quick search, I found Street Fighter chess sets, literary-themed sets, sports, aliens, etc. And sure, some are a little pricey, but when you consider how much you spend on movies, apps, and video games in a year, the price is affordable. If well cared for, the set can provides hundreds of hours of gameplay, and you can pass it down to future generations without it freezing or becoming outdated. How many apps and video games can do that?
They also make great gifts as they can accent a room and start a conversation. Chess sets are versatile, and you can play anywhere. I’ve even played in a parking lot after work out of the trunk of a car!
Common Misconceptions
When talking to others, I hear “I’ve never played, it’s too hard,” or “I wouldn’t be any good at it.” Bull stuffings. I guarantee these people have never tried to play. Each game piece has a rule and moves accordingly. It’s not hard to learn – in fact, it’s probably one of the easier games to learn – but it can be hard to win. However, it’s not about winning; it’s about having fun, learning, and bonding with your opponent.
According to Parents magazine, in 1990 more than 3,000 kids ages 14 and under played chess for school. Today, more than 35,000 adolescents play. That’s a huge leap, which tells us parents of my generation and just above me get it. They see the importance and encourage their kids to play, no matter how nerdy the world tries to portray it.
So, get a chess set, whether it’s a $5 board at Target or a custom $250 set, or dig out the one in the closet and play a game. It’s family-friendly fun but can also be very romantic. It’s up to you!
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