Random crap with Uno.

[Buster's Uncle]

Well,11 hours now.  Cover me boys; I'm going in...

There's less than 60 days to get ready, I'm always sporadic this time of year.  You should be used to it by now.

I should by now, shouldn't I?  What's it doing September already?

Astronomy looks great, on both my phone and tablet.

  The changes are showing already?

Have you seen Star Trek: Renegades?  It's post-Voyager and has Tuvok and Ichib in it.  Video embedded/linked a few pages back in the Star Trek thread.

[Unorthodox]

Meeting new neighbors around the corner:

"We're the house over there with the monster in the yard."

"Oh! You're the Halloween house! We heard about that, it's one of the reasons we looked in the neighborhood!  We're going to be your competition this year!"

I managed to not laugh at the last. 

A:  I've never understood the "competition" mindset to begin with.
B:  What we do is so far outside the box it wouldn't register.
C:  Given equal budget, there's maybe a dozen people in the nation I'd consider competition.   

Bonus:  neighbors might be able to break the HOA Halloween deathzone. 

[Buster's Uncle]

HOA?

[Unorthodox]

Out my door, to the left is older homes.  To the right is newer homes in a Home Owners Association death zone of regulated decorations.  This is where the new neighbors lie. 

They've severely softened their stances since we moved in.  I'm hoping we finally break em all together. 

[Buster's Uncle]

Well, they'll get schooled about competition in under two months by example - or they're not ready for the lesson yet.  Any idea yet what they plan beyond presumably some yard decorating?

[Buster's Uncle]

Hidden Blue Paint Found in Ancient Mummy Portraits

[hEtErOdOx]

Our oldest son said that the new neighbors have a garage full of Halloween stuff...presumably of the Spirit Superstore Variety. Since Uno doesn't really decorate---it's more of an experience---the competition factor is a moot point.

[Unorthodox]

I need to get them some contact info, introduce them to the Halloween groups, etc.

I'm guessing we'll see what they have around October 1 or so, where I don't decorate till a week out.  I'm not even sure they saw Father before he was taken down. 

[Buster's Uncle]

If they think they can put on a show down the street, I suppose it would be best to reach some vague mutual support agreement to talk each other up a little to the crowds - it could end up growing the audience a lot if they're not TOO lame.  Maybe even then.  [shrugs]

[Unorthodox]

I've always been supportive of anyone decorating anything, no matter what I think of it. 

Any luck, it's another customer for when I decide to sell things off. 

[Buster's Uncle]

'Spose there's any way it won't turn out to be a lot of plastic rabbits in witches' hats?

[Unorthodox]

Well, everything dead in the field and one rotting already, figured we may as well pick. 

To recap, since planting, I HAVE DONE NOTHING this year.  Alec weeded a time or two in spring, but pretty much, no watering, weeding or fuss. 



The two bigger ones here are my mystery pumpkin.

[Bertilak]

Well, everything dead in the field and one rotting already, figured we may as well pick. 

To recap, since planting, I HAVE DONE NOTHING this year.  Alec weeded a time or two in spring, but pretty much, no watering, weeding or fuss. 



The two bigger ones here are my mystery pumpkin.

Does your area receive snow regularly during the late fall or winter seasons? That basement window below ground looks unusual to me because most houses in my area lack below ground structures.

[Unorthodox]

Snow is common, yes.  We wish it were MORE common the last decade or so...

Underground basements are normal around here, unless the area has a high water table.  Being up the hill a bit, that's not an issue.  About 15 miles north of here, you don't see too many since the water table is different. 

[Unorthodox]

Well, I'm sure anyone from the states has seen the halloween superstores popping up year after year...

And they are great for some quick and dirty stuff, but we like to shop at the local permanent shop:



http://www.fxsupply.com/index.html

They sell the hollywood grade stuff there, and I wanted to get some of the higher quality makeups for Talia this year.   Unfortunately, they sold out of the one I wanted, so I've got to make another trip to Salt Lake when it comes in. 

Also reworked every one of our Island King torches.  (90% of our yard is lit by them these days)  I don't know what all had gone wrong, whether it was bad oil, or bad wicks or what, but we've had a devil of a time keeping the couple we use year round lit lately, so I just bought a big spool of cotton wick and dumped the old oil in everything.  Cotton wicks chosen due to the unique nature of the Island King torch. Should yield better flame than the old fiberglass ones. 

Started on a mask for me.  Everyone else in the house is going the makeup route this year.  Still not entirely sure what I'm doing for me, just letting it come out how it needs.