Monday, October 31, 2005

Halloween thought

I was driving to work this morning, listening to the Rocky Horror Picture Show soundtrack, as I do every Halloween and several times throughout the year. All well and good. Then, it struck me, this is the first Halloween since the 10th grade that I didn't have my friend Erin around. True, since I moved to Harrison almost five years ago, I hadn't seen Erin that much but I could always call her. Now, though, she's living in Ireland with her hubby Alan. Calling her is a bit more complex now.

Why is Erin relevant to RHPS? Well, it was Erin who introduced me to the subtleties and true wonder of that delightful movie. I had seen the film before, in fact, I bought a copy of it on VHS at the Unicorn music store that used to be in Harrison. That was many years ago. (Odd how I've come back so much later.) Erin had me over to her house around Halloween in '94 to catch the live showing of RHPS on VH1 and she taught me the audience particpation lyrics and prompts. Now, I think of Erin any time I listen to the music or see a refrence in a book or movie and I'll be thinking of her tonight while Robin and I watch it. While watching it with Robin will be wonderful, I'll feel a little sad that Erin won't be around to sing Columbia's parts or to laugh at me mimicking Rocky's facial expressions.

Some have questioned my orientation because I enjoy this movie and other musicals. Any one who doubts my preference has but to ask my wife. She has to fend me off almost constantly.

Later!

Thursday, October 20, 2005

My addiction

Robin and I are both habit-minded individuals (not the nun's clothing, though that is provoking) so it comes as no surprise that we not only collect things, we collect hobbies. But our DVD collection is surely no longer a hobby but an addiction. We are both movie buffs and have our own tastes: Robin is into vampires, Milla Jovovich, anime and odd horror movies. I'm into comedies, sci-fi, fantasy and odd horror movies. Go figure...

In the last couple of years, we have really been drawn to amassing a horde of DVDs. We don't even actively seek new DVDs anymore (no, really) but we somehow gain them anyway. I swear, they just jump into our hands or cart. Wal-Mart has really been the enabler here. Since our local store started having those damned bargain bins, we can't help ourselves. Now, we look for the bargain bins at other stores. It really is pathetic.

So, in an attempt to validate our sickness, we started having movie marathons, complete with themes and holiday connections. Our Halloween marathon is coming up fast and we had to track down some new movies to put on the list. Our theme this year began as funny vampire (Love at First Bite) movies, then morphed into unintentionally funny horror movies (like Dracula Rising, don't ask) and now is hovering around an odd combination of both. It's weird, I know.

We also plan on having a Christmas marathon again this year, replete with all the classics (except for It's a Wonderful Life, I hate that movie!). We usually buy a bunch of goodies and bundle up together and just really lose ourselves in the films that shaped our young minds. Laugh now, if you wish.

So, our out-of-control addiction now hovers just below 500 DVDs but we have around 25 on various layaways and a few just waiting to be released in the next two weeks. So, 500 will be topped very shortly.

I don't really know why I started this post, maybe to brag or I'm hoping for an intervention. To truly appreciate our weakness, check out my online database. Be sure to look under the ordered tab to get the true effect.

Mock us if you wish but for God's sake, don't encourage us....OK, you can egg us on if you want. Or, at least, point us in the direction of a DVD sale!

Later!

Thursday, October 06, 2005

I so suck

Been gone too long, sorry. When I started this blog, I promised myself and others that I would keep it current. It's evident now that I am a liar. So many of my side projects are neglected these days. I remember when I was single that I did nothing but work on my hobbies.

This is not the fault of my wife, no sir! I think, really, I find more satisfaction in spending time with her more than organizing my comic book collection. She has curves, after all. I'm a geek but not that big a geek.


I've said it before and I'll say it right now, too. I am inspired by a blog I visit religiously. Colter is a friend of my wife and, hopefully, by extension, my friend as well. Colter, if this isn't so, let me know and I promise I'll be contrite. We had Colter over for dinner recently and I was just astounded by his seemingly limitless knowledge of pop culture and other worldly things. I just can't compete.

I've noticed recently that I'm beginning to act my age. I fin
d myself trying to make better choices and I don't drive as fast anymore either. Of course, I now have a wife and three cats to provide for. Trust me, I don't want to upset the wife or the Trinity.

Speaking of cats, Robin (oh, how I love her!) and I seem to have gained a new cat. Orange Cat, as we call him, wandered into our sphere a week ago and has been a steady presence since. We know better than to try to add him to house proper but he seems content to be an outside cat. We have been feeding him and petting him every day. At first the other cats would sit in the window, indignantly, glaring at us while we showed him some affection. Now they sit in the window and seem to want him to come in. This may be a catricid
al ploy, however. For now, we'll just keep them seperated. Here is O.C.:


Later!