October 31, 2006
The Mic Is On — It’s Halloween!
ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 8:00 pm
It’s Like Open Mic Only Different
Here’s how it works.
It’s like any rambling conversation. Don’t try to read it all. Jump in whenever you get here. Just go to the end and start talking. EVERYONE is WELCOME
The rules are simple — be nice.
There are always first timers and new things to talk about. It’s sort of half “Cheers” part “Friends” and part video game. You don’t know how much fun it is until you try it.
Tonight it’s Halloween!
We might also talk about
- Halloween costumes and parties
- Urban legends and childhood beliefs
- trick and treats and childhood pranks
- Haunted Housed and ghost stories
AND THE EVER POPULAR,
Basil the code-writing donkey, and Milton the Moose.
–ME “Liz” Strauss
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The Mic Is On: Happy Birthday to SOBs Everywhere!
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Boxcar Willy said
Mind if I hop aboard?
Joe said
Trick or Treat…
ME Strauss said
Boxcar Willy.
Are you a hobo?
ME Strauss said
Hi Joe,
Welcome. How is everything going?
Boxcar Willy said
I am:-) Just playin’ the harmonica and ridin’ the rails:-)
Boxcar Willy said
Hi Joe:-) happy halloween.
ME Strauss said
You landed in a hobo friendly place here. I wonder where you caught the last train from?
Boxcar Willy said
clarksville?:-)
Joe said
Hey Mike,
You can use your real name, there is nothing Mikey Mouse about you…
Ha ha I guessed who you were through the costume.
Chris Cree said
Boo!
Boxcar Willy said
“I hear that train a comin’…”
I figured I’d only dress up in costume here
ME Strauss said
Whoa! Chris You made me jump, which isn’t easy in this costume.
Renée said
I see I haven’t got that new time zone into my system yet. 13 hours ahead instead 12. So there is no excuse for me to be late when open mic is on.
Happy Halloween Everyone. Hope yours will be interesting and spooky.
Boxcar Willy said
I need to hop a train down Savannah way sometime. Hiya Chris
Darth said
Should we all be in disguise?
Boxcar Willy said
howdy Renee…Lucy loves your site
ME Strauss said
Hi Renée
I see you have a new blog design or is that a blog costume for Halloween?
Chris Cree said
Hey! Mike Ahem. I mean Boxcar. How’s things Iowa way?
You know you are welcome in our fair city anytime. We are actually in the time of year when I like the weather!
Darth said
See, I change my identity and now I’m in moderation for 20 comments…
ME Strauss said
Look out, behind you, Willy. Someone from the Dark Side has skulked in.
Boxcar Willy said
Maybe someone can “force” the issue for ya Joe
Chris Cree said
Darth! Whoa! Scary. Once he was the baddest villain of them all.
Hey Renee! Hey Liz!
Boxcar Willy said
one of these days I’ll hop a caboose down there, Chris
ME Strauss said
Chris,
Are you in a costume?
Darth said
When I was giving out candy tonight, a kid actually came up and said “See, I told you he wasn’t dead”
:-0
Chris Cree said
If you do, please look me up. I’d love to buy you lunch. In fact I’m tempted to buy you lunch anyway to see if I could trade for about 30 mins of bending your ear.
Char said
Okay – I survived Trick or Treating. The kids are wheeling and dealing with each other over the best candy so I’m stopping here for a few.
bj said
*swishes in with her gypsy finery on*
Trrrrick or Trrreat! Do you vish me to tell yourrr forrrtune? Crrross my palm with silverrrr!
Boxcar Willy said
Chris, my phone is always open for ya. Would enjoy chatting it up (I dig a good conversation with fantastic people)
Renée said
Hi Mike or Boxcar Willy, I’m glad Lucy loves it. She is welcome to all my treats, I spoil ALL dogs. Don’t worry, they are all healthy wholesome treats and non fattening too.
Liz, this blog design will be in for a long time, the formal didn’t have enough place for more things. I hate clutters so I used my “sick leave” to freshen up my Chi. Do you like this better than the last one? Give it to me straight, Liz. I need to know from visitors’ viewpoint.
ME Strauss said
Hey bj,
Are you enchanting. Here do tell my fortune!
Chris Cree said
Joe, You’re killing me!
Liz, I thought about the scariest one I could come up with and was going to put on my Naked Man costume but I couldn’t find the cape. And I didn’t want to frighten the kiddies that Gorgeous is shoveling candy at. Although… now that I think about it maybe he doesn’t wear a cape.
The Dread Arachnid said
Somewhere, in a deep, dark, and dismal lair, a monstrous creature stirs……
Boxcar Willy said
nice twirlin’ of the tongue, bj…i could neverrr do that. It ends up sounding like I’m yoddlin’
Darth said
Is anyone else experiencing an extremely slow connection or is it just my Verizon DSL???
Delaney Kirk said
Hi Mike. How’s the weather in Iowa–it’s 76 degrees here in Florida…
Boxcar Willy said
Hey Doctor! It’s brrrrr cold:-) Glad to hear the great gigs you’re getting into – always contagious!
Chris Cree said
Darth I think you might be in Net Neutrality moderation!
ME Strauss said
Hi Delaney!
Welcome! Did you come in costume?
Delaney Kirk said
Where are Mikie and Tim? They always enjoy a good party.
ME Strauss said
ENTRANCE AT COMMENT 32
WATCH OUT!!!!
Boxcar Willy said
I think they went for some candy:-) They’re always tellin good jokes (an Iowa tradition)
Chris Cree said
Boxcar, I think I’ll take you up on your offer one of these days. Probably not this week, though. Way too crazy at work.
Oh. And we’ve got our windows open and the ceiling fans on here.
bj said
Liz, I prrredict much success. Oh, and that line on yourrrr palm there . . . oohhh, much passion soon! OOOHH La la!
Boxcar Willy said
very nice, CC. can I borrow a quilt since you’re not in need of one? there’s a draft in this boxcar
Darth said
Hey Naked Man,
That Net Neutrality gets me every time.
Now put on a costume…
Chris Cree said
Hey Delaney! And everyone be careful of The Dread Arachnid!
ME Strauss said
ooh Passion!!! I could use a little passion and much success would be good, especially considering the name of the blog and all
Thank you, bj for my fortune.
Delaney Kirk said
Yes, my cat (Chairman Meow Tse Tung) and I are dressed as mice!
The Dread Arachnid said
Slowly, the massive creature moves..slowly, claws clacking, towards the light…
Boxcar Willy said
what’s shakin…errr…stirrin?
ME Strauss said
Welcome The Dread Arachnid,
Will you be spreading venom?
Boxcar Willy said
anyone doing NaNoWriMo this year?
Roger von Oech said
Hi Liz, Happy Halloween Everybody!
I loved your birthday party. I met some nice people and discovered some interesting blogs. Great stuff!
Last time you asked me for a post. Tonight I’ll recommend my current one. It’s on “Breastfeeding Icons†and it allows your readers to engage their creativity and be a design judge.
http://blog.creativethink.com/weblog/2006/10/breastfeeding_i.html
And, yes Liz, sometimes I am a little clueless. But you seem to welcome me any way. Must be your big tent policy!
bj said
Hey arachnid! Spiders are always welcome on the WEB!
Boxcar Willy said
a great exercise for blogging, me thinks
ME Strauss said
Renée, I do love this new design.
Somehow it makes me want to take what you’re saying more seriously. Maybe it’s because it doesn’t have the girl on it.
I never realized but she made it seem like a young girl was talking.
Besides I like Snoopy.
Chris Cree said
You know, Now that I think about it I might better dress as my true Superhero Alter Ego even though it’s warm enough. I’ll leave Naked Man for Terry Bradshaw and his naked room.
Spirits Spirit said
Looks like the Halloween party to me!
ME Strauss said
Hi Roger,
How could I not love clueless. That would be like denying my own family!! You’re always welcome!!!
Thank you for coming to visit the Halloween party!
Spirits said
What a party! Hello, all. The Spirits are here!
The Dread Arachnid said
The giant stinger brushes the cavern ceiling as the legendary Dread Arachnid begins toiling upward…closer…ever closer…
Boxcar Willy said
Hey Roger…love the blog. Keep up the contagious work!
Roger von Oech said
Are you having a “Day of the Dead” party tomorrow? (another good reason to have an open mike affair!)
Chris Cree said
Boxcar, I actually considered NaNoWriMo. But we are going to be short handed at work through ’till December and down to half staff for one of those weeks. The timing doesn’t work for me.
ME Strauss said
Glad to see you’re in Good Spirits!!
Everyone knows my costume.
Renée said
Phew, any thing you say I listen! I never knew those small little things count. Thanks Liz
FYI, I’m not that old.
Hey Chris
The Dread Arachnid said
Eerie sounds echo through the cavern as the colossal, chitinous body scrapes the walls…soon…very soon now…
Boxcar Willy said
yeah…i had a tough decision…but I’m also experimenting blog-wise
http://fartherwayabout.wordpress.com
to follow along. Starts tomorrow
Roger von Oech said
Thanks for the nice comments Box Car Willie! I’ll check your blog out later.
Spirits Spirit said
Hard to recognize everyone in the costumes. Let’s see, Liz is the One Night Stand, bj is the gypsy (great job!), I think I’ve met Boxcar Willy just in from the (conver)Station.
Chris, what are you supposed to be, again?
Christine Kane said
Happy Halloween everybody!
ME Strauss said
Roger,
It will take me long enough to get the recap of this one together. Unless of course, you’re volunteering. I think we might all be dead already.
Keep an eye on that Dread Arachnid.
Delaney Kirk said
Liz, I really thought you would come as that 65th crayon…what color would that be?
Darth said
Liz,
Aren’t you the “One Night Stand”???
Looks good on ya…
Boxcar Willy said
actually…
farthestwayabout:-)
Chris Cree said
Renee, everything going to the dogs? {Whispers… “Do you find this whole costume thing making your head hurt, trying to keep everyone straight? I think I need some Advil.}
The Dread Arachnid said
Struggling forward, The Dread Arachnid pushes through the opening…at last! out, out in the darkness of Halloween night…
Sir Wyngvar said
Happy All Hallows! I thought I would come as myself on my trusted steed, Piggykins.
http://www.godecookery.com/helmeted/helmeted.htm
Roger von Oech said
I have a question for everyone.
If you were starting your blog tomorrow, what publishing tool would you use? TypePad, Movable Type, Blogger, Word Press, Something Else?
Boxcar Willy said
Hiya Spirit:-) When did you sneak in (are have you always been here?:-)
hiya CK!
Chris Cree said
Dr. D. gets the prize for the $64,000 question. (Hint, I think it’s kinda a purplish-blue.)
Spirits Spirit said
I’m on the edge of my keyboard with that Dread Arachnid story!
Christine Kane said
Hi Mike! when did you become Boxcar Willy? Are we supposed to be in costume tonight?
Spirits Spirit said
Hiya, Willy. I just sorta drifted in…
ME Strauss said
Behold a Knight at Comment 79!!
Boxcar Willy said
Roger…for business – Typepad Pro. Actually, for me – Typepad Pro either way.
Renée said
Chris, did I hear you say you want to take part in NaNoWriMo this Nov, or was it Oct. Gosh, it’s been a while since my last submission.
Spirits Spirit said
Roger, that’s a heavy question for a light spirit. I don’t know what I would use, but I will tell you that WordPress has not impressed me. I actually like my old Blogger account better!
ME Strauss said
Roger,
WordPress, because it’s easy and free.
Chris, you win for statement out of context. Purplish blue huh?
Darth said
How many of you had 50 kids dressed as you tonight?
Chris Cree said
Hey Christine! (You don’t want to set your drink on that new nightstand tonight. I’m just saying.)
Roger, I did a bunch of research when I wanted more than my first blogger blog could give this past spring I settled on WordPress and have been very happy with it. It is capable and the price is right!
But ultimately it probably depends on the needs and skill level of the primary user.
Boxcar Willy said
Well gang…I gotta Choo-Choo Ch-Boogie
Sir Wyngvar said
Roger, I’ve tried Blogger, WordPress, and Thingamablog. WordPress wins hands-down. For the icons, #8 gets my vote for best, upper left one for funniest (though not cross-cultural).
I’m waiting for Alice Cooper to slide in with the Dread Arachnid.
The Dread Arachnid said
Moving now almost soundlessly across the grass, the gargantuan form glides toward its goal….a lone house in the distance….
bj said
Renee, I hate to bring this up but isn’t Snoopy a copyrighted image? Hate to see you get on the wrong side of that.
ME Strauss said
Joe,
50 kids dressed as you? Too scary!!!
Chris Cree said
ROTFL @ Liz!
Renée said
Thanks bj, I take note on this and will change this afternoon.
Sir Wyngvar said
Farewell, Boxcar.
I see that train a-rollin
It’s rollin round the bend
ME Strauss said
The Dread Arachnid. You aren’t leaving. Are you? I can open a bottle of Glen Livet and leave it where you can climb in.
bj said
Though I vote for WordPress I do it reluctantly. I think with this latest upgrade it’s suffering from code bloat. Lots of problems when plugins are run with hitting the memory ceiling in php.
ME Strauss said
Well, hobo,
See you on your next trip through these parts.
Renée said
You leaving us so early, Boxcar. Planning to spook someone tonight?
The Dread Arachnid said
The Dread Arachnid comes to a quiet halt in front of the house……a moment passes when all sounds are hushed….then a mighty pincer breaks open the door….a giant maw opens…
ME Strauss said
Hey, is anybody watching this Dread Arachnid. I’m getting worried.
I know they said, “Don’t go in the basement.” But I didn’t think they meant it.
Chris Cree said
Renee, NaNoWriMo starts tomorrow! And I’m going to take a pass because I know I’m going to be swamped at work. Adding in an average of 1600+ words a day would probably push me over the edge. Not to mention kill my blogs as well. Not this year.
Darth said
Ok, We caught Jar-Jar Binks and threw him on the BBQ about 20 minutes ago.
He is done to the point of perfection so I have to go take him out of the flames and start eating.
Back soon…
(my mouth is watering)
Sir Wyngvar said
They wait, eyes wide….
Char said
I vote for WordPress. I did Blogger to start but I’m glad I made the switch.
Has anyone else noticed how many pirates there were tonight? Do we have any here?
The Dread Arachnid said
Trick Or Treat!
(and it better be treat. Remember:
Don’t annoy scorpions.
They take it poisonally.)
Spirits Spirit said
breathless…
Chris Cree said
Geeze! Do you see that spider out the window there? It looks like Boxcar is walking right at it!
ME Strauss said
No pirates yet, Char. Unless you are one.
Sir Wyngvar said
It’s only another hobo, Chris. No one will ever notice.
Char said
Not me, but half the neighborhood was. Me – just dressed in my trusty black.
ME Strauss said
Oh, no! We’re stuck in Bloggy Horror Show!!
bj said
um, I think that spider just took a bite outta Willie’s butt.
Chris Cree said
BOXCAAAAAARRRRR!!!!!!!
ME Strauss said
CHRIS!
LOOK OUT! BEHIND YOU AT 111!!
Spirits Spirit said
That spider’s got him by the overalls!
bj said
Don’tcha mean Bloggy Horror Picture Show?
Let’s do the Time Warp again!
Roger von Oech said
Thanks for all the suggestions.
I currently use TypePad Pro, but I get frustrated that I can’t have more control over mye design.
I work in Adobe Creative Suite 2 — especially InDesign, and I’m used to putting things exactly where I want them. And having them look the way I want them. Often I’m surprised with what comes out in TypePad.
Sir Wyngvar said
I would ride to the rescue, but underneath my helm I’m still just a chicken.
Under his breath – Get him Arachnid. He ate my brother. >:-)
Spirits Spirit said
Aw, it’s a scorpion! Not a spider! What a relief!
Quick, offer the scorpion a bottle!
Chris Cree said
Ah don’t be alarmed my fair maiden, Arachnids have no power over ME!
Delaney Kirk said
Never did hear from Liz what she thinks her crayon color would be…we have one vote for purplish blue…any other guesses? By the way, did you know Crayola makes a box of multicultural crayons? I use it when I teach diversity classes.
Scorpia said
Well folks, I hope you liked the little story about my alter ego, The Dread Arachnid (yes, we do have a relationship to spiders; sorta like cousins).
And now, I wish you all a Happy Halloween! Don’t eat all that leftover candy at once
bj said
Roger, those wysiwyg tools aren’t really set up for xhtml/css coding. That’s probably what you’re fighting against. Learn to hand code. I can write webpage code on a coctail napkin, and when I enter it into a site it’ll basically work. Took a few years to get to that point though.
Um . . . all I see outside is a spider burping and a wet puddle. Where’s Willy?
Spirits Spirit said
Whew! I’m a Shade relieved!
ME Strauss said
Roger,
You might find that’s a problem with all blogging software. Go over to no.oneslistening.com and ask Yas about Canvas. Tell him that I sent you.
Canvas might be able to do something for you.
bj said
Did someone say Crayola? I live in the Crayola Capitol of the World.
Periwinkle, btw.
ME Strauss said
Delaney,
I missed the crayon question, but i’m the 65th crayon — purplish blue when you see me most of the time, but actually invisible.
65th because I don’t fit inside the box.
Scorpia said
Good Spirit, for awhile there you were looking like a ghost of yourself
Hmm, if you were exorcised, would that mean you were ex-specter-ated?
Sir Wyngvar said
We must have all been doing the time warp. It was another trick-or treater.
Happy Halloween, Scorpia!
Spirits Spirit said
Good one, Scorpia…
ME Strauss said
Scorpia,
You should have seen the Dread Arachnid. It was like something from one of your games. Spooky creepy and we think it ate Boxcar.
Chris Cree said
BJ, where is the Crayola capital of the world?
Char said
I like the invisible crayon…
ME Strauss said
Periwinkle, it’s a fun word. Funny if you say it lots of times in a row.
Hey, Chris,
Periwinkle,Periwinkle,Periwinkle,Periwinkle,Periwinkle,Periwinkle,Periwinkle, Periwinkle,Periwinkle,Periwinkle,Periwinkle,Periwinkle,Periwinkle,Periwinkle, Periwinkle,Periwinkle,Periwinkle,Periwinkle,Periwinkle,Periwinkle,Periwinkle, Periwinkle,Periwinkle,Periwinkle,Periwinkle, Jack
Scorpia said
Oh? That was Boxcar? And here I thought that was just something from a bag of harvest mix candy. Does explain why it was crunchy, tho
Char said
I must be “char”treuse…
Spirits Spirit said
The invisible crayon? What SHADE is that?
bj said
Easton PA, home of Binney and Smith, which is, of course, the Crayola Factory.
Chris Cree said
Jack!
Scorpia said
It’s been fun, but I have a few more doors to batter down now.
Bye all! Happy treating!
Spirits Spirit said
Farewell, Scorpia…happy munching!
ME Strauss said
Bye Scorpia!
Enjoy your Halloween!
bj said
By Scorpia!
I’m outta here too. Bye all!
Chris Cree said
Bye, Scorpia! Your costume was one of the scariest!
ME Strauss said
Spirits Spirit Says:
The invisible crayon? What SHADE is that?
It’s a lovely shade of unseeable with fine glints of transparency, in certain lights you’d swear it sparkles with complete clarity.
Spirits Spirit said
Farewell, bj! loved your kickass costume.
Sir Wyngvar said
G’night, bj. Have fun.
Darth, you done eating Jar Jar, yet? Does he taste fishy?
Spirits Spirit said
compliments to wordsmith Char #142, and to Liz for #151
Delaney Kirk said
I’m off to watch Dancing with the Stars…
I’ve enjoyed the party–thanks for inviting me.
Spirits Spirit said
Must be that time…I must disappear myself….
I feel faint…..
Chris Cree said
‘Night Dr. D! Oh, and if you find you can’t fall asleep after dancing with the stars you might find Hart and a few others still here.
Sir Wyngvar said
Fare well, Delaney. Enjoy the dance!
And Spirit fades into the night…
Spirits Spirit said
Fading back in…..
Chris Cree…. I have heard good things about you from a fellow spirit…. She said you were a neat person, and worth knowing…. Perhaps I should haunt your site and watch you closely!
…..
Chris Cree said
‘Night Becky! You did a tremendous job staying in costume tonight.
Chris Cree said
Spooky!
Great. [Looks around] Now there’s nobody here but us chickens!
ME Strauss said
Good Dr. D. I wish I was dancing.
ME Strauss said
Good night,
Friendly spirits from me, and
from Rocky and Bullwinkle.
Darth said
Sir Wyngvar,
Jar-Jar was VERY TASTY, not fishy at all.
If you cook it right, it tastes just like London Broil, crisp on the outside, pink on the inside and cut on the bias.
Even though they are raised in the water, they are actually more of a Beefy Texture.
Umm- Umm Good
Sir Wyngvar said
Darth is still around with Jar Jar somewhere. I think he’s making horns from his thighbones. At least they aren’t drumsticks.
I didn’t say that out loud, did I?
Chris Cree said
Oh the puns! The puns!
Liz, can you make it stop?
Renée said
It looks like quite a few are leaving us early tonight. Didn’t the party just begin?
Nite nite to all who’s leaving early tonight! Don’t let the monsters creep up at you.
Darth said
Is there a Luke around here tonight?
If so, I would say…
“LUKE, I AM YOUR FATHER…”
Chris Cree said
Renee, don’t be scared. Usually another batch of partiers arrives sometime between now an the top of the hour. Don’t know how the time it so well. But usually the late crowd tumbles in just after the early crowd leaves. Fortuitous but weird.
Sir Wyngvar said
The good knight bids thee all good night. My steed is weary, and yon men in black capes look strangely at me!
Farewell!
Darth said
Or
If you won’t turn, Perhaps She Will…
ME Strauss said
No more Jar, Jar Puns. You hear me.
Or you’ll have to dunk for apples.
Chris Cree said
‘Night Rick. (Sorry but I still can’t pronounce your costume name.) Don’t loose your head!
Rick Cockrum said
I like your new theme, Renee.
ME Strauss said
But, Sir Wyngvar, I didn’t ask you to write the summary! Why are you leaving?
It’s the pain of losing Jar, Jar. Isn’t it?
Darth said
Apples? I think Eve doth tempt the Dark Lord…
ME Strauss said
I missed the part about Delaney dancing with the stars. Where was she going?
Rick Cockrum said
Sir Wyngvar said people kept clucking at him and trying to attract him with candy corn, so he had to go, especially after the other meaty one was eaten.
Chris, it’s wingvar. He’s pretty cool.
And Liz, he really can’t write too well. Sometimes he tries to wing it, but, you know…
Rick Cockrum said
Delaney was going to watch “Dancing with the Stars”, Liz.
Starbucker said
Happy Halloween everyone! Sorry I can’t chat at all tonight (traveling AGAIN tomorrow), but I wanted to share my favorite Halloween costume with you – about 8 years ago my wife and I went to a party as Elvis and Priscilla; I went all out and rented the costume and found the dark glasses, sideburns, and padding. I swear I was chanelling “the King” for a few hours. I NEVER sang “Heartbreak Hotel” better than that night.
I have pictures, but I need to scan them to post them, so maybe next year…….
Once again, Happy Halloween and all the best!
Char said
We did Elvis and a 70s chick once, too – except my husband stole my blonde wig and was even more of a hit!
Rick Cockrum said
Happy Halloween, Starbucker!
Hi and bye and enjoy the trip:-)
ME Strauss said
Hey Starbucker.
Wish you could stay longer.
Glad you came to tell us your story.
Good night. Safe travels.
Chris Cree said
Hey Starbucker! Has Elvis left the building already? I thought he just got here.
Char said
Liz – what was your best costume as a KID? My son went as a Whoopie Cushion last year. I remember being the best witch on the block for many years.
Renée said
Hey Rick, I was wondering where were you!
Thanks, I think a got a (blog theme) winner here. Liz said she like it too.
What are you dressing up tonight, Rick!
Darth said
In a galaxy far, far away…
There was a star so bright
He thought He could out shine everything else.
So, a new and upcoming star
huffed and puffed until he became a
SUPER NOVA
That’s when he found out that he could
Dance around the night sky, round and round until he turned into a Galaxy of Stars.
Then he turned into the Milkey Way and not another star in the sky could touch him…
Until, he went to Hollywood and found a different type of phenom…
This could go on until the sun turns into a Brown Dwarf, or a Black Hole.
ME Strauss said
Char,
When I was small, we had a boys tuxedo and a top hat. My mom would draw a beard on my face with charcoal and I would be Abe Lincoln. Very cool.
Char said
Ah, I bet you looked cute.
cat said
Hi all,
Happy Halloween! Well, Halloween was yesterday out here. Not that I remembered until late as it hasn’t caught on.
On DWB (cheating) I pointed all to Halloween photography tips from Darren’s blog http://www.designers-who-blog.com/index.php/archive/halloween-photography-tips/
Rick Cockrum said
My only costume this year was virtual, Renee. You can see it at comment #79. (But Sir Wyngar thinks I’m the costume. Don’t tell him he’s wrong.)
Renée said
Liz, I bet you looked handsome for a young President.
Sandra Renshaw said
Hi Liz,
Happy Halloween.
Hi everybody!
ME Strauss said
Hi Cat!
You brought value to your readers. I don’t mind that you got it from Darren’s blog.
ME Strauss said
Hi Sandra,
I hear you’ve been helping out friends of mine with their projects. Happy Halloween You talented lady friend!
ME Strauss said
Darth,
More story, more story
Chris Cree said
Hello Sandra! How’s Iowa tonight? I’m guessing it’s a little chilly.
Joe said
Hey all,
Sorry I’m late, I had to have a little taste of the Jar-Jar beasty.
Very tastey.
Rick Cockrum said
Happy Halloween cat, Sandra.
Chris Cree said
Joe, you eating Jar-Jar? There was this scary villain looking guy called Darth here a minute ago who had the same thing for dinner.
Sandra Renshaw said
Liz, is that the Bathroom Blogfest?
Hi Chris, Iowa is chiiillly. 40s and very windy.
ME Strauss said
Sandra,
Tell me what the Bathroom Blogfest is and I’ll tell you whether that’s it.
Joe said
Chris,
I don’t know what he told you, but I got mine at the Steak House.
They called it London Broil, crisp on the outside, pink on the inside…
Sandra Renshaw said
Hi Rick
Liz, you haven’t heard about the blogfest yet?
Rick Cockrum said
Uh, Joe? The description sounds kind of familiar.
Chris Cree said
Joe, I was doing my best to be polite. But the sound of his heavy breathing was getting a bit old.
Click. Shhhhhhh. Click. {Pause} Shhhhhhh. Click. Shhhhhhh. Click. {Pause} Shhhhhhh.
It went on like that for what seemed like hours. I can’t believe I didn’t notice it stopping when he left.
Darth said
How dare anyone cheapen the taste of a Jar-Jar Binks by comparing it with a piece of red, bloated, carion like London Broil…
ME Strauss said
Sandra,
I’m not sure that I have, now that you mention it. I stay holed up here inside your computer.
Chris Cree said
Anybody hear anything? Sounds like breathing, maybe?
ME Strauss said
Chris,
That breathing thing is scaring me. Do you having younger siblings? You’re acting like a big brother.
Chris Cree said
Sandra, I was instantly drawn to the bathroom blogfest thing when I went to your blog. But then I saw it was a woman’s only deal. Bummer. But wise on your part, I guess.
If you included guys it would probably devolve into a flatulent mess!
Chris Cree said
Oh, and Sandra, I don’t see anything on your About page. Is it broken or just a FireFox thing?
cat said
Hi back all!
Sandra, I just had to drift over to your blog after Liz’s mention. I found the book below on your sidebar.
“Focus Like a Laser Beam: 10 Ways to Do What Matters Most (Hardcover)”
Looks like a good read.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0787984817/purplewren-20
“In this hyperactive world where our work is interrupted once every eleven minutes it’s easy to conclude that as critical as focus is, it is beyond our grasp. But with this book in hand you can get both the methods and the kick-in-the-pants you need to overcome easy excuses and make focus a competitive advantage for you and your team.”
—Laurence Haughton
I certainly need a kick in the pants …
Sandra Renshaw said
The Bathroom Blogfest is quite fun. I just joined in.
Liz, I hope you get out once in a while. It’s no fun to stay in the computer all the time…
You could go check out the ladies’ rooms and write a report or two.
Chris Cree said
Liz, my sibs are much younger. In fact I move out of the house when my next oldest sib was less than 6 mos old. I missed out on all the torturing that was my birthright.
ME Strauss said
Sandra,
I love what you’ve done to lighten your blog design.
The bathroom blogfest is something I’ve been doing on my own for almost ten years now. I think the Ladies room is like a restaurant’s underwear. I can’t help checking out what they’re like. You’d be surprised how many expensive restaurants have Ladies’ Rooms like truck stops.
Darth said
I have been vanquished
by my own son.
Lost my daughter,
the only one.
Once I knew my family
and I died in infamy
Yoda helped me with such glee
and gave me back my family.
ME Strauss said
Gosh, Chris, That’s too bad that your siblings are so much younger. You take to harassment so naturally.
Sandra Renshaw said
Cris,
Yes, I’m having trouble with my site. All will be fixed soon (I hope). Somebody told me last week that nobody reads the “about” pages, but I do.
Cat,
Focus Like a Laser Beam is a great read. I’ve gotten a lot out of it. There’s a few posts on my blog. Whenever I need inspiration I pick up a book and just open it.
Chris Cree said
Sandra, they’re nearly always the first things I go for. I like to know who that person speaking to me is!
Liz, I was an only child (well, until I was 18 anyway) and I spent 4 years in a military school followed by 6 in the Navy. You could even say I’m a professionally trained harasser!
katiebird said
Hi Liz & Sandra & Chris & Darth!!
I want to Bathroom Blog — What’s the policy?
Rick Cockrum said
I’ve always heard that the condition of the ladies’ room can have a large impact on your business. Unfortunately, they also get dirty faster than the men’s room.
Sandra, thanks for the link to Kiva. I’ve read about microloans. Now there’s a way to participate.
katiebird said
Hi Cat — I broke with tradition and read-back far enough to see you’re here.
How are you?
Rick Cockrum said
I didn’t know Darth was a poet, even in death!
Rick Cockrum said
Happy Halloween, katiebird!
ME Strauss said
Hi Katie!
Welcome!
We’re talking about everything, mostly Women’s bathrooms and how Chris harasses people.
Do you know Sandra?
Chris Cree said
Katie! Whoa… Did your blog get a makeover? Or have I just been out of the loop for a while?
Joe said
Sandra,
I agree with Chris, I want to know who I’m reading.
Once I visit a new page, the second thing I do is look at the About.
And I don’t know who first mentioned to me that a pic is a good thing to have to make it more personal between the writer and the reader. But it does seem to make me more comfortable when I revisit the site.
katiebird said
Hi Rick, Trick or Treat!
cat said
Sandra,
I’m listening to the talk now … http://www.projectstreamer.com/users/lhaneberg/Focus_Like_a_Laser_Beam/Focus%20Like%20a%20Laser%20Beam%203.html
… I’ll head on over to check out your posts.
katiebird said
Wow, we turned a page when I wasn’t looking…
I heard about the bathrooms (I’m fascinated), but I missed Chris’s harrassment. Is it fun?
Sandra’s the Bathroom Blogger? I think tonight’s our first meeting.
katiebird said
Chris, I think the big change was about a month ago. But I’ve missed Open Mic for a few weeks, so it’s probably me that’s been out of the loop.
Sandra Renshaw said
I agree about the ladies’ room being like the restaurant’s underwear. That’s why I was thrilled to join this project.
I’ve seen truck stop restrooms that are very nice. You never know what you might find.
sorry, my computer is slow
ME Strauss said
Sandra,
What I was talking about before was your expertise at Slideshare.
cat said
Hi Katie, Happy Halloween!
How am I? Life is good. Computer problems are ongoing but I’m hoping to sort them this week. Depending on the cost, it’s either a fix or a new powerbook. I’m dreading the new. Too little time and too many programs and bits to copy over.
How is it over at your end?
Chris Cree said
Well it looks awesome! Right down to the favicon! Way to go!
Rick Cockrum said
My pillow calls, so good night, everyone. It’s been fun.:-)
Thanks for the costume party, Liz!
ME Strauss said
Good night, Rick,
Thanks for coming and tell Sir W. not to worry. I wasn’t going to ask him anyway.
katiebird said
Cat — I know what you mean, mine is slowing down too but I’m hoping more RAM is enough for me.
Thanks Chris, it is a new favicon I think this one will stick.
(The grandkids came and went in the middle of typing this — I’d better post before something else happens!)
katiebird said
Rick — Goodnight!! I’m glad I got to see you, if only for a second.
Sandra Renshaw said
Rick,
Glad you found the kiva link. There’s a show on PBS right now about microloans. I’m taping it so I can party a while more.
Renée said
Sorry guys, I was on the phone and missed all the convesation here.
Good night Rick!
Hello katiebird, Cat, Sandra. If I missed some, pardon me
Chris Cree said
‘Night Rick. Don’t get your feathers ruffled!
Joe, I found Sandra’s Bio. Sometimes you just have to keep looking.
Sandra Renshaw said
Hi Katiebird,
Glad to meet you. You can find more about Bathroom Blogfest at Technorati with the tag “ladiesrooms”
Chris,
There are some guys getting involved, too.
http://experienceology.blogspot.com/
cat said
OH! And another book at Sarah’s site ….
First Draft In 30 Days: A Novel Writer’s System for Building a Complete and Cohesive Manuscript (Paperback)
I drool over books on writing. Well, all things writing as I’m determined to improve in the next year.
If you look over to Liz’s sidebar you’ll see a link to Write Express. They offer the StyleWriter software I’ve been working with. In my opinion, SW is amazing.
StyleWriter is on my broken computer at the moment, but when I use it my writing improves immensely. Even without it I can see a difference.
Xmas came early so I also have the Electronic Writing Course which works hand in hand with StyleWriter.
If any of you need decent writing assistance but can’t afford a copywriter, then go for it. The pair are worth the money … and then some.
Sandra Renshaw said
Sorry, I was distracted by a phone call. Glad you found my bio at BIZolution. Until last night there was a photo on PurpleWren, too. Then I did some mapping and got caught in the TypePad updates or something. I’ll work on my about page. I like to read about the person who is writing myself.
Joe said
No long poem to say good night
Because I have had such a freight
And in the bedlam if I take flight
I won’t forget to say… Good Night.
Berma Shave
Nite Liz
Nite All
ME Strauss said
Yeah, Cat,
I asked them to make a page for me and they never got back. I’ll have to nag them about it again. It’s a really great product. I’m so glad you turned me on to it.
ME Strauss said
Good Night, Joe.
Sleepy swell.
katiebird said
cat,
My friend, Nancy Pickard wrote a pretty well-regarded book on writing, “Seven Steps on the Writer’s Path.
I’ve found it to be very helpful for other creative projects too — not just writing.
Sandra Renshaw said
Those books sound interesting. I’ll have to check them out.
Liz, SlideShare is great! I’m looking forward to using it.
Chris Cree said
Holy Smokes! I just realized it’s after 2300. I really need to go to bed. Catch y’all later! Enjoy!
katiebird said
Good night, Chris.
(SlideShare?)
ME Strauss said
Sandra,
Didn’t you just do a slideshare for someone’s blog?
Chris Cree said
Katie, It’s like YouTube for PowerPoint type slide shows. Link
ME Strauss said
Good night, Chris
See you tomorrow!
Sandra Renshaw said
Talking about writing? Is anyone joining NaBogPoMo or NaNoWriMo or DrawMo tomorrow?
Chris Cree said
‘Night all. Sleep well. May you have no bad dreams tonight.
ME Strauss said
Here you go Katie,
http://www.successful-blog.com/1/great-find-slideshare/
Sandra Renshaw said
Liz,
I put one of Mike Sansone’s blog posts on PowerPoint and used SlideShare.
ME Strauss said
Yeah, that was it. I was going to say that’s where I saw it, but I wasn’t sure. It looked beautiful!
Sandra Renshaw said
Katiebird,
I’ve just been checking out your site. I’ll have to visit – looks interesting to me.
Sandra Renshaw said
Liz,
It was fun and quick. Mike’s already picked out posts that I can use when I run out of things to do…
ME Strauss said
Sandra,
I think you could start sideline business doing slideshare shows for bloggers. You ought to consider it, if you like doing that.
Ah Pek said
Good afternoon Liz and all you guys,
the most nightmarish hallowen outfit that i can think of is me in my birthday suit!
Sandra Renshaw said
Liz,
I do like it and I would consider it. Is there one I can do for you as a sample? One of your favorites?
ME Strauss said
Sandra,
I don’t think I have anything that is appropriate at the moment. But I might one day soon. Who knows? You’d be who I’d go to if I do.
katiebird said
Thanks Sandra. I’d like to visit with you there.
I’ve just been off looking at your blog, I like it very much. (I just read your Time Management post, a subject I’m desperate to learn)
cat said
“Is anyone joining NaBogPoMo or NaNoWriMo or DrawMo tomorrow?”
This is the first I’ve heard of them (from your site). From me it’s a no (no time) but in the future I’d like to join in. After I read both books (there are two advised at amazon.com).
katiebird said
On the “NaBogPoMo or NaNoWriMo or DrawMo” It sounds fascinating, but the timing is bad for me.
I’m taking two days off next week, which means doing what I would have done then, now….well, today and tomorrow.
Now, I’m here.
Sandra Renshaw said
I understand. I probably am overcommitted for November, but couldn’t resist. Thought it might alleviate my writing blues. A post a day will be easy after writing pages.
katiebird said
Sandra, Do you suffer from writer’s block?
cat said
Liz,
I wasn’t aware they made individual tweaks to their designs. I do remember guides on banner height, but that’s about all (again, the bits are on my poor broken computer)
You can use their designs as is. I know, they won’t go with your blog …
Sandra Renshaw said
Katie,
Yes. It’s an effort for me to put fingers to keyboard. But once I start, it’s sometimes difficult to slow me down. How about you?
Sandra Renshaw said
Liz,
Do you mind if I work with the contents of one of your “how to” posts? I’ve learned so much from them. I’ll send you the result and you can do with as you wish. This is just a test, only a test. I’m not trying to sell you anything.
ME Strauss said
Cat,
They offered a choice in which they would make a page, because I can’t access my server.
katiebird said
Sandra, I don’t have writer’s block (at least since blogging) but I’ve suffered from “project block” and “programmer’s block”, where getting started on a new thing seems impossible.
That book of Nancy Pickard’s has been really helpful even for various creative efforts — even though it’s really a book for writers.
She co-wrote it with a therapist (Lynn Lott).
cat said
Ah HAH! As we’ve been chatting I’ve been researching BoDo resources for writing by following the shared urls … (thanks all!)
‘Trunk-or-treating’ is a new one on me.
It came from the Double-Tongued Dictionary
http://www.doubletongued.org/index.php/citations/trunk_or_treating_1/
“You go trick-or-treating when you go to people’s houses to get candy.…You go trunk-or-treating when you go to people’s cars to get candy”
So now I know …
ME Strauss said
Sandra,
You can do what you like with one of my posts. That would be fun. Just tell me which one you pick. In case it’s one I think needs updating somehow.
katiebird said
cat, I followed that link, but I can’t tell if they’re serious or not. Is there really such a thing?
Sandra Renshaw said
I made a note of the book by Nancy Pickard.
Liz and Cat,
Are you designing a new site?
(Pardon me while I get used to all the different conversation threads.)
Is Renee still here?
ME Strauss said
No Sandra, we were still talking about the company that makes Write Express and Style Writer — how they haven’t written about the page they were going to prepare so that I could make StyleWriter (a cool writing program) available for my readers.
katiebird said
Can you ever really get used to all the different conversation threads?
I like the part where I’m stuck on a page 4 or 5 posts after the corner’s been turned (to a new page) and by the time my posts show up they look like they were typed by a CRAZY! person.
ME Strauss said
Katie,
I actually think that out of context part is part of the fun. It makes the conversation almost like a video game.
Sandra Renshaw said
Katie, LOL – glad I’m not the only one.
Liz, thanks for catching me up. I’ll have to look at Write Express and Style Writer.
Sandra Renshaw said
It’s a wild time – you have to be here to understand the experience.
cat said
“I like the part where I’m stuck on a page 4 or 5 posts after the corner’s been turned (to a new page) and by the time my posts show up they look like they were typed by a CRAZY! person.”
LOL! I have the same problem. Especially when I get into a looooooooong response.
cat said
“cat, I followed that link, but I can’t tell if they’re serious or not. Is there really such a thing?”
Katie, I think it’s pretty much tongue-in-cheek. I’ve never heard or ‘trunk or treating’, but who knows what’s going on with kids these days.
Or adults.
And I think they have a disclaimer for that one. I believe people submit then they try and verify the new words or some such.
katiebird said
I think we’ve discovered a piece of the Universal Open Mic Experience….
katiebird said
(cough) Only Different.
Sandra Renshaw said
This has been great fun!
Great party, Liz! Meeting new friends is one of my favorite things to do. But I must say goodnight so I can get a post written. Early breakfast meeting tomorrow, too.
Good night all. Stop by anytime. Can’t wait to visit more.
Sandra
katiebird said
Cat, thanks for reminding me. I meant to bookmark that site and go back (maybe tomorrow) when things are calmer.
katiebird said
Goodnight Sandra, it was wonderful meeting you. Good luck with your posts. I’ve bookmarked your site so I can look at it closer later.
ME Strauss said
Good night, Sandra.
Thanks for coming!
Maybe you’ll come back next week.
Until then, work easy and sleep well.
ME Strauss said
What say you, friends?
I think I’m about ready to find my pillow as well.
katiebird said
Oh, I totally forgot to look at the clock. (Running off before I get stuck with the lights)
Goodnight Liz, good night cat.
Liz, this was the best evening I’ve had in weeks. Thank you.
Sandra Renshaw said
Nite all. Sleep well.
ME Strauss said
Good night, Katie,
Sleep well. Talk to you soon!
cat said
Nite all! I guess I need to get back to work anyway …
Thanks again Liz
ME Strauss said
Good night, Cat.
Do great things and don’t let the electricity get the best of you.
cat said
Ok, I just HAVE to share this before taking off ….
http://www.googlism.com/index.htm?ism=Liz&type=1
Googlism for: liz
liz is right on the money
liz is listening to what you say
liz is so good
liz is stalking me”
liz is
liz is a wonderful friend from petite elf
liz is back
liz is champion again
liz is willing to learn with you
liz is this? …
(mine was boring …)
ME Strauss said
thank you!
Michael Stelzner said
Hey Liz – Trick or treat!
I see the lights are off.
Think you might find this little article about “Halloween Marketing Lessons” interesting:
http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2006/10/31/halloween-marketing-lessons/
Carl Chapman said
Just stopping by after finishing up our poker game. Really tired… 2:58 AM EST.
Make today a great day! -Carl
ME Strauss said
Hi Michael,
Thanks for adding a holiday lesson. That’s a great reminder that we can always keep our minds tuned to where the “other guy” is coming from.
ME Strauss said
Thanks for the Halloween shout, Carl.
It’s above and beyond the call of duty to leave a comment at 3 in the morning just to say hello.
It shows you are a quality guy!
Casual Keystrokes » Halloween Roundup - Blogtipping Style! said
[...] Let me just say that the Open Mic party at Successful Blog was fun – I didn’t get to stay as long as I had wanted! [...]
Rick Cockrum said
Another Halloween has gone
Ghosts and Goblins wandered on
The crowd was rowdy with their pranks
At Open Mic we shared their ranks
Boxcar Willie sang a song
But as he left the lights went down
Dread Arachnid crept behind
Coldly thinking “he is mine!”
Dawn her maw the hobo went
Another young life bravely spent
While Darth Vader picked his teeth
With the ribs of Jar Jar Binks
Spirits Spirit watched and played
Her ghostly light a lovely shade
While brave Sir Wyngvar cowered and prayed
To keep his wings for one more day
But as the spirits of evil fled
The lights came out and reality led
To talk of blogging tools and tricks
Another other handy writing tips
Roger found the blogging tool
WordPress seems to be the rule
He also had an icon to see
Where baby feeding can safely be
Chris was in his birthday suit
He though Vader was brute
And found his breath a haunting fear
Softly whispering in his ear
Renee was here with her brand new dress
Her blog has found its happiness
With Katiebirds’s they both impress
New clean lines they do express
bj came, a gypsy dream
Reading palms, dreaming dreams
While warning of the WordPress greed
For memory it has a need
Delaney came as a little mouse,
With colors and crayons for every house
Char decided she was ‘char’ treuse
Dressed in black, it was no ruse.
Later as the party slowed
cat arrived, tip in tow
Of photography for Halloween
How to watch the pumpkins preen
She found books at Sandra’s house
Of focus and writing – Can we all be Proust?
We all saw the bathroom blogs
Where women’s rooms are judged by all
And don’t forget the microloans
We can all finance an investment boom
Finally Michael stopped right in
To tip his hat, we were all done in
Others came to spread their cheer,
Christine, Starbucker, Ah Pek, and Carl
Couldn’t stay but to give a smile
And so another mic did end
Thank you Liz for inviting us in.
ME Strauss said
You sneaky man, I love you!!!
I’m sending an autographed copy of Raj’s book, Beyond Code. Because you are wonderful, marvelous, and genuinely generous to a fault.
thank you, thank you, thank you.
Rick Cockrum said
Thank you, Liz! The book is generous, though unnecessary. When I’m up to it, I enjoy doing this. It’s my thank you.
I just said Sir Wyngvar couldn’t do it. The only typing he knows is hunt and peck, and then he usually just wings it.
ME Strauss said
Raj gave me a book or two to share as I saw fit during the month of November as Thank You gifts. This seems a great time to use one of them. I’ve read book and send a copy to my son.
Sandra Renshaw said
Wow – the party never ends here!
Love the “Halloween Marketing Lessons” from Michael and the poem from Rick.
ME Strauss said
Yea, Sandra,
This blog is not a destination. It’s an event!
Welcome to the world of Successful Blogginess.
Successful Blog - Open Mic 7pm Chgo Time — It’s Song Lyrics and Quotes! said
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