• Scrabble Inspired Seats & Cushions: http://tinyurl.com/5blwdh #

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I woke up in the middle of the night and wandered into Mike’s office. “Is Obama still president?” I asked him in a sleepy haze. He looked at his computer and replied, “Yeah. It looks like he’s at 350 now.” Safe in that knowledge, I stumbled back to bed. It feels like our entire country has taken a turn for the better. Check out this comic from Joy of Tech:

• The Joy of Tech comic… laughter is the best tech support.

I remember two years ago at SXSW, I was talking to George Kelly. He asked me who I thought would be the next president and I sighed and said John Edwards. He looked at me and said, “You don’t think Obama?” I shrugged my shoulders and said, “I would LOVE Obama as our next president, but I just don’t think he could make it.”

When I saw George dressed up to go vote yesterday, I remembered the conversation in full.

I’ve never been so happy to be wrong in my life!

Here’s a link to a transcript of Obama’s speech last night:

• Transcript: ‘This is your victory,’ says Obama – CNN.com

Here is his speech on YouTube:

The Halloween party this year was a little quieter, but a lot more enjoyable. For the complete photo collection, go here:

• Halloween 2008 – a set on Flickr

I dressed up at Lt. Uhura from the original Star Trek:

Mike dressed up as a science officer (not a Vulcan) from the original Star Trek:

Mom and Reed skipped dressing up this year:

Stacey and Dan dressed up as Dick Cheney and Sarah Palin. Stacey won for Scariest Costume.

The Meatloaf Cake made by Stacey and Dan won for Best Potluck. The frosting was made of mashed potatoes. I’ve been eating it all week in leftovers, so frankly, I’m a little sick of it, but it tasted SO good!

Anne and Mike came as cowboys and Anne won for Sexiest Costume.

Lisa also came as Sarah Palin and won for Funniest Costume. Stuart came as Mr. Palin this year.

Si came as Pancho Villa and won for Beast of Show. Nicole came as a cat.

It was a great party with lots more costumes. You can see the rest of the photos here:

• Halloween 2008 – a set on Flickr

Giant spider eating a bird caught on camera – Telegraph

• Retweet @libel_vox On Election Day, your choice of t-shirt could cost you your vote. Don’t get kicked out. http://tinyurl.com/5cgokm #
• Dot Matrix Wallet: I know Pi to a thousand places: http://tinyurl.com/6ewmqv #
• Cute tree gift tags: http://fogandthistle.com/?p=230 #

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I’ve been writing Merriton for almost two years, but when I saw this scene from True Blood, I was so happy to see Curly brought to life.

Sure, Curly isn’t gay and he’s built a little bigger and more muscle-bound, but this guy brought my beloved Curly to life. A special thank you to Nelsan Ellis for being EXACTLY what I wanted from Curly.

If you have no idea who Curly is or haven’t been reading Merriton, you can get all caught up here:

• Merriton » That? That’s a shed…

Merriton is the story of Randy and Sierra McCain, who move twelve hours away from San Francisco. Some people go to Merriton to ski. Some people go there to get away. Some people go there to stay.

Via: BIBLE VERSUS: TIP YOUR WAITRESS

When you’re named after a movie, it’s a good idea to see the movie. I kind of wish Laura had been more heroic in that movie, but it was really cool seeing Vincent Price being a good guy for once. If you had asked me ten minutes ago, I would have SWORN that David Niven was in that movie, but it looks like that part was played by Clifton Webb. It’s funny how memory does that.

No one has ever asked me if I was named after this movie. I think the only two people on the planet who have seen it are my mom and me.

I wonder how many other Lauras have been named after this movie.

Via: Found in Mom’s Basement: Film Noir Movie Posters from the 1940s

Via: getluky.net » Blog Archive » Are you the favorite person of anybody?

Thanks for sharing this, man!

• @feliciaday Keep up the good work. I started watching House just because of you. Now, I’m addicted. Thank Zod for USA Network! #
• Hey, @rolandksmith It’s lunchtime now! #
• Stuff White People Like: Halloween http://tinyurl.com/56hz5a #

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Long-time readers, remember when I wrote that entry about my feet and all the attention that I was getting from them. If you don’t here’s a refresher:

• Pick Me! » I Feel Gagged

Now, my feet are nationwide famous. Check it!

• ABC News: Marathon Glory Comes With a Price

It’s an article about running marathons and getting black toenail. Of course, I didn’t get black toenail from running a marathon. I didn’t even get it from running. I got it from walking on the treadmill for 10 miles one day and 7 miles the next… all while playing Animal Crossing.

It could be said that video games gave me black toenail… embarrassing, I know.

But not embarrassing enough to deny Lauren Cox from ABC News the right to use my photos. Feeling pretty stoked about that.

Stoked enough to even end Halloween early.

• Blogger/Geek Dinner TONIGHT at Neil’s Halibut 6pm: http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/1146102/ #

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Every town has a Ghost House. Here is a papercraft pattern to make one for a Halloween decoration next year (since it’s a little late to start for this year).

• Ravensblight – Ghost House

I love to create papercraft creations. With little more than my printer, some cardstock, a pair of scissors and some glue, I can make something cool like this haunted house decoration (complete with a secret chamber!).

Via: Papercraft Paradise | PaperCrafts | Paper Models | Card Models: Ghost House Papercraft

Sometimes all you need for Halloween is something simple like this awesome skull bracelet. You can read how to make the skull beads out of polymer clay here:

• Creative Kismet » Blog Archive » Tutorial: No-Mold Polymer Skull Beads

Every polymer clay project I’ve embarked on has been a colossal failure for me. I’ve learned over the years to work in the medium that works for me, but I just don’t see myself crocheting tiny little skulls for a bracelet. Okay, that’s a lie. I can TOTALLY imagine myself crocheting tiny skulls. Hmm…

Via: Craftzine.com blog: HOW TO – No-Mold Polymer Skull Beads

This pumpkin from Curios Bird is freakin’ awesome!

Via: Craftzine.com blog: Scary Carved Pumpkin

• Retweet: @mdjensen YouTube Trick! Make links directly to a timepoint in the video! http://zi.ma/youtubetrick #
• Voting fraud testimony in Florida: http://tinyurl.com/695mob #

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I didn’t get around to it this year, but this cool project turns your old Macintosh computer into a Mac-O-Lantern!

• Mac-O-Lanterns

This Halloween season, bring an old computer back from the dead. Here’s all you need to turn that dusty old Mac Classic into a glowing, Halloween treat. Besides a working computer and a little technical know-how (very little), all you need is three cans of spray paint and a bit of epoxy. And here’s the best part…no slimy guts to clean out!

We have an old Mac in the basement, but it doesn’t have a power cord, so I didn’t even try this project. Maybe next year…

Via: Popgadget Personal Technology for Women: Why not make “Mac O’ Lanterns” for Halloween?

For the perfect prop for your steam punk costume, I present the Unnatural Selector:

• “The Unnatural Selector” A Ray-Blunderbuss from Dr. Grordbort’s [00364] : Weta Collectibles, Exclusive Polystone Collectibles

Of course with prices ranging from $4,500 to $7,900, the cost for a mere prop for your Halloween costume is a bit steep. It DOES look awesome, though, doesn’t it. Since my costume for this year is already finished, I’m really excited for NEXT Halloween when I can be steam punk all I want.

The first thing I need to work on is this Mechanical Aural Communication Device. I intend to look like a normal Victorian lady with all of today’s implements (bluetooth headset, cell phone, ray gun, etc.) carefully packed on my person.

Via: Put The Vintage PEW PEW Back In Your Life With A Steampunk Ray-Blunderbuss – Geekologie

• I think I need to do something about this House addiction. It all started with this episode http://tinyurl.com/3lqgov #
• Gun papercraft for costumes: http://tinyurl.com/5eg4as #
• @ThomAllen The iPhone has 3G coverage in SLC… just sayin’… #
• @ThomAllen Happy Anniversary! #
• Melon Brains: Halloween Food http://tinyurl.com/665lw7 #

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I got an email from Newspapergrl a couple of weeks ago:

Laura,
I don’t even like to bake but I’m in love with this blog today.
I thought of you when I saw her Halloween cupcakes.
Janet

She linked to Bakerella and the cutest Halloween cupcakes EVAR!

• Bakerella: Halloween Cupcakes

• Bakerella: Kitty Cat Cupcakes

I still haven’t decided what I’m going to bring to the Halloween party for my potluck dish. I have never even gotten a vote for my Halloween dishes, which makes me want to just bring something boring like the chili I brought last year. I thought for sure people would have voted for my monster cupcakes last year, but sadly, the giant Hostess Cupcake won instead.

• Mother’s Cookies is defunct. Replacement: http://tinyurl.com/57decq #
• 4th Horse of the Apocalypse: Legwarmers http://tinyurl.com/6pcpx9 #
• @robertmerrill It looks like Ashley Todd made up the story about the attack. http://kdka.com/local/attack.McCain.Bloomfield.2.847628.html #
• Considering the B was BACKWARDS, it’s pretty obvious that she did it to herself. http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/24/mccain.sticker/ #

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This is a video demonstrating the work of Sergei Bryukhonenko, who created a heart/lung machine and connected it to the disembodied head of a dog.

All I could think of while watching this video is about the poor dog. Why do we need horror movies when real-life stuff like this exists?

Via: Mad Science: Eight Real-Life Doctor Frankensteins Who Pushed the Boundaries of Life and Death

• If the bad guys win, it could be YOUR fault: http://tinyurl.com/5gouao #

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If I hadn’t already chosen my costume back in June, I would be frantically working on a steampunk costume like the ones shown here:

• Deconstructing Steampunk: Designing Your Own Costume | My Disguises – We Love Costumes

I love the idea of steampunk. It takes the best of Victorian costumes (top hats and corsets) and pairs them with sci-fi gadgetry! Next year, my friends, next year…

Via: For Your Consideration: 10 Halloween Costumes That Rule

• Children’s Coloring Wallet: http://tinyurl.com/66dhbo #

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If you are looking for a fun evening creating some cute decorations for you fireplace mantel, here is something for you to do:

• Paper Toys by Goobeetsa

There are six creepy creatures for you to create, so have fun!

Via: Papercraft Paradise | PaperCrafts | Paper Models | Card Models: Halloween Papercraft: Spooky

The Library of Congress has been publishing its public domain photos on Flickr. They have them available in large sizes, so you can print them out and use them for creepy Halloween art projects and decorating.

Here is a photograph of a classic hearse from J.P. Morgan’s funeral:

• J.P. Morgan Hearse, Stuyvesant Sq. (The Library of Congress) on Flickr

If you want Victorian photos, the best selection is here:

• The Library of Congress: News in the 1910s – a set on Flickr

They also have some gorgeous photos from the 30’s and 40’s.

• The Library of Congress: 1930s-40s in Color – a set on Flickr

If you need something definitively creepy, there is a lot to choose from in the 1910’s set. Check it out!

• Spider cupcakes http://tinyurl.com/5eqfru #
• @extralife I have Xbox 360 and PS2. I use the Wii more than both of them. #

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I used to watch Land of the Lost every Saturday morning as a kid. I LOVED that show! The dinosaurs were scary, but they moved so slowly that they didn’t seem much of a threat to Will and Holly, but the Sleestaks! THEY were the scariest of the Saturday morning lineup.

I rated Sleestaks right up there with Nightmare Theatre. The only thing that kept me from having nightmares from Land of the Lost is that I watched it at nine in the morning and had a whole day of activity to forget it before I went to sleep. That slithery noise of the Sleestaks is still a little scary to me even to this day.

This is one of those shows on television that I would have loved to watch, but worried that it was “demonized” and that my dad would catch me watching it. Being Jehovah Witness as a kid really made the most innocuous things “evil.”

Here’s opening clip from Mad Monster Party:

Via: WWdN: In Exile: happy october

Martha Stewart shows us how to make some snakes out of some pipe insulation.

• Creepy Snakes and more holiday recipes, crafts projects, decorating tips, gift ideas, and simple solutions on marthastewart.com

I don’t find snakes to be scary, so the idea of adding some snakes to my home to decorate it for Halloween doesn’t do it for me. I’ve heard that other people think snakes are scary, though, so spook it up!

Via: Craftzine.com blog: Halloween Snakes

If you are looking for a new twist on the sexy costume this year, Craftster smarmyclothes has something to show you. She painstakingly bleached this skeleton on a sexy black dress.

• Craftster Forum: blood and zombies and another bleached skeleton – CLOTHING

Smarmyclothes has done an excellent job:

This is by far my best bleached skelly, yet. And I guess it should be, I spent at least 2 hours bleaching that skeleton, making sure it was anatomically correct, and all!

If you are looking for a sexy costume, skip past the St. Pauli Girl outfits and the flouncy skirts and go all the way to skeletal with this awesome idea!

Via: Craftzine.com blog: Bleached Skeleton Dress

• Try this when the server is back up. Lace crown: http://tinyurl.com/3rgdus #
• Just in case the server never comes back: http://tinyurl.com/4k9ql5 #
• Sweet Sushi w/Rice Krispies: http://tinyurl.com/4vuytm #

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This year’s fires were devastating for some families. Nicole Litterst took her children to see what the fire had done to their area and took photos of their reactions.

They look like child ghosts looking for their way home.

Via: gwendomama: Haunting Fire Photos

• @livehigh5 Gay doesn’t mean pedophile, you DORK! #
• Firefox Cross-stitch pattern: http://tinyurl.com/3efj8q #
• Halloween Food for the party: http://tinyurl.com/45hcjs #
• Barack Obama Party at Acme Burger TODAY 10-15-08 at 7pm htttp://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/debatewatchparty/gs5yzw #
• Literal Take On Me: I wonder what A-Ha thinks about it. http://tinyurl.com/4ybadz #

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Check out this awesome garden gnome costume. You don’t have to sew a thing!

• FamilyFun: Tricky Gnome on Toadstool – and More Family Fun

Who knew a couple of Fun Noodles, some fabric and some toddler clothing could make such a rockin’ costume. I don’t really think it would work for adults, however, since the size difference is so big between adults and gnomes.

On the other hand, I can’t really think of a kid that would really WANT to be a garden gnome for Halloween. It kind of reminds me of the kid who came to our house a few years ago as a table. I swear that kid’s gonna be in therapy for a LONG time.

Via: Craftzine.com blog: HOW TO – Gnome Costume

• Waiting for the Weight Watchers meeting to start. http://twitpic.com/g7o2 #

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Here is the Kearns High 1987 Video Yearbook. There are only about 1500 people in the world who care about this, but I thought I’d post it here for them to see.

Download this video for your iPod

At the 14:20 mark, you can see me selling Kearn High Towels. I don’t know why they thought those little towels would be better than t-shirts, but we sold an awful lot of them. I still have one stored in my basement. I really need to do something about my hoarding instincts.

P.S. If you look really closely, you can see me wearing my Sir Swatch, complete with the old school Swatch Guard.

This brilliant essay from Annalee Newitz at io9 explores the idea that feminism is at the core of many zombie movies. The vision of a “dead girl wrapped in plastic” is enough to make anyone wish for revenge, but it goes further than that.

• io9 Sci-Fi Blog: Zombie Feminism

Ever since Dr. Frankenstein reanimated a woman to serve as his monster’s bride and she said no, the zombie woman has been a weird figure for female resistance to control. Zombie feminism is an uneasy subgenre, daring to use freakish gore and death slapstick to pose questions about what it might take for women to become unrapeable.

Kudos to Annalee Newitz for writing an insightful and interesting essay on zombies and how they relate to our collective feelings about fighting back, even if it’s from beyond the grave.

It’s hard to imagine that a woman this lovely could be dead. Nearly one hundred years ago, she went missing:

• July 23, 1912: YOUNG WOMAN GONE LIKE DOROTHY ARNOLD – The New York Times

YOUNG WOMAN GONE LIKE DOROTHY ARNOLD; After starting for New York to do some shopping last Wednesday, Miss Dorcas Iyams Snodgrass, 26 years old, who was living at the home of her sister, Mrs. John L. Crider, 140 Wallace Avenue, Mt. Vernon, has disappeared as mysteriously as did Miss Dorothy Arnold nearly two years ago.

• July 30, 1912: SUSPECT FOUL PLAY IN SNODGRASS CASE – The New York Times

SUSPECT FOUL PLAY IN SNODGRASS CASE; Officials at Catskill, Where Body Was Found, Say Nurse Was Not a Suicide.

• July 31, 1912: CAN’T PROVE MURDER OF MISS SNODGRASS – The New York Times

CAN’T PROVE MURDER OF MISS SNODGRASS; Tests with a Dummy in the Creek Leave Authorities Still Uncertain.

• August 1, 1912: NURSE’S BODY SENT SOUTH. – The New York Times

NURSE’S BODY SENT SOUTH.; Relatives Think Miss Snodgrass Fell Into Creek While Ill.

• August 3, 1912: FINDS NURSE KILLED HERSELF – The New York Times

FINDS NURSE KILLED HERSELF; Physician’s Report on Autopsy Shows Miss Snodgrass Committed Suicide.

• August 6, 1912: CLUE IN SNODGRASS CASE – The New York Times

CLUE IN SNODGRASS CASE.; Handkerchief with Star Picked Up Near Where Body Was Found.

A friend of Dorcas, Amelia Danby, went missing on July 13th, but she was able to make it home.

• August 6, 1912: MISS DANBY COMES HOME – The New York Times

MISS DANBY COMES HOME.; Missing Mount Vernon Girl Says She Was Afraid to Return Sooner.

Still decreed as a suicide, the murder of this beautiful nurse has yet to be solved. Unlike CSI, sometimes they just don’t find the bad guys. My only consolation is that after nearly a hundred years, both Dorcas and her murderer are dead.

There was nothing like the costumes that they used to sell in the late 70s and early 80s. They were made of plastic, had flat masks and looked NOTHING like the character that they were portraying. Instead, the costume showed a picture of the character on your chest.

Enter Exhibit A: PlaidStallions’ Yoda costume from 1980:

• PlaidStallions: Rambling and Reflections on 70s Pop Culture

He explains:

I decided to go for realism with the costume by adding the greenest sweater I owned, some playtex gloves and my pajar boots, just like Yoda didn’t wear. I don’t why I was trying to add realism to a dark blue suit with Yoda’s face on it, guess that comes with being nine.

Click on over to PlaidStallions to see a full-sized photo and other great stuff from the 70s and early 80s.