Ode to Snowstorms

Calm becomes flurries.
Boots crunch above earth's surface.
Tiny white stars fall.

Movie Review: The Punisher

The New One (Mostly)


This is a movie based on the classic Punisher comic book.  A respectable piece of fiction in and of itself.  While no movie can really do the comic justice, I think this movie did a fairly good job of depecting ole Frank Castle.  Break out the popcorn kids, this might be a long one.


The Good


Let's start with Frank himself.

Before I go on to this movie I must honor the previous Punisher movie and Dolf Lungren, who was the first Frank Castle. 



 
Look at this crazy mofo. Would you want to run into him in a dark alley? Hell no. We who are about to Dolf salute you!


The new movie's Frank Castle is Thomas Jane. He is the more human of the two Punishers. Dolf has the personality of an alien cyborg compared to Jane.



 
Thomas Jane gives the Punisher a more human face.


Jane kicks ass in this movie.



 Rebecca-Romijn Stamos, what a hottie. I mean, her acting was great in this movie.




 To your left.... The Russian, just look at that monster.



 This car makes me weep with joy.





John Travolta was also good in this movie, but he is always decent. He was almost too good for this film though.



The Bad



The plot. Very basic, very straightforward.  I would say that is unusual, but its not.  The Punisher is a straightforward guy, you are bad, he kills you.  It makes for fun comics and ok flow for movies.


Continuity issues, they had this with the first one too.  It is what happens in Punisher flicks.  Like the part where the Russian fucks Castle up and he drinks half a bottle of Wild Turkey in one gulp.  Then the Jolly Blonde Giant stitches his ass up.  There is no way he would come out of that elevator all sober and mentally aware like he was.  They made an effort to have this movie more grounded in reality and then went and did that scene.  That pisses me off.


It is another origin movie.  The did it in the first movie version, and they did it here too.  They basically did the "why the punisher is the punisher" story. Thats cool and all, but hey I have an idea. That wheel has already been invented, lets not reinvent it over and over.  Why not just have a movie of the punisher whooping some more ass and taking more names next time?



 No Louis Gossett Jr., that's who the Punishers partner should have been.  Of the two movies he was the best partner/supporting actor. 







The Rating


I would give this movie an 7-8/10.  Jane made a great Punisher, and he was human.  Which was Marvel's big thing with the ole vigilante.  The plot was lame, but the actors ruled.  The fights were well done.  It also had Rebecca Romijn in it.  I think it stayed pretty true to Punisher cannon, so yes, it has my highly sought after stamp of approval.

Happy New Year... or something like that

I am the harbinger of luck.

Thats right. I said it, I am the harbinger of luck.

Did you know....

0 It was considered lucky to eat food that was circular in shape on new years, as it represented the completion of a full circle.
0 It was considered particularly lucky to have the first visitor you see in the new year be a tall, dark haired man. No bullshit.
0 Rice and cabbage are considered lucky foods to eat on new years day/night.
0 Jan 1 is just an arbitrary day, the real new year occurs on the first new moon after the vernal equinox.

That being said, let me share with you dear reader, my new year eve. This year of course, actually... no less than four hours ago. Here I sit, in the darkened chamber of my room with naught but a lit candle and a half full bottle of wine. The snow is falling lightly if relentlessly outside. By lamplight it provides sufficient illumination to see as if it were twilight. Given this atmosphere and the onset of some inebriation... I think I'll actually write one post here with some unique if non-specific substance about me.

That being said, it was a fairly decent new year eve. I hardly drank at all, visited three parties, and felt at home in none. They were all full of friendly people, all had plenty of drink and things to eat. However, I realized what was lacking was someone to share it with. I suppose being around people on the new year is better than being alone, but a step up from that would be being around someone or someones you can share a night of revelry with. Being a fairly recent arrival here I have found that making friends is a more difficult prospect that I anticipated. I know many, but have few friends. I suppose it just takes time. Though with a few good friends you wouldnt need parties, the party would be where you are.

The eve also makes me re-evaluate the nature of my relations with people and how I conduct myself. I suppose such things are natural. I think I need to rededicate myself to not persue happiness. Many great writers have asserted that when one is consumed with action one can find happiness. But when one is searching or even dare I say the ugly word, grasping.. for it, one finds it not. I think I shall focus this year on deepening ties with people I know and perfecting what it is that I do. I know, not great revelations in themselves, and certainly not original ideas. They are significant for me nonetheless.

With that dear reader, I will leave you with this. I wish you a most productive and happy year. I wish upon you fortune and good fruits borne by your labour. May this year be better than your last one.

Movie Review: Narnia- The Lion, the witch and the wardrobe

Where do I begin?

This movie was overall quite entertaining. Not too long, not too short. The scenery and costumes were amazing. The beastfolk cgi and actor integration was well done. I like how they didnt try to go over the top with it like in some movies. The movie seem to follow the book fairly well, though there were a couple of small differences that I did not mind overlooking at all.


The Good -

Skandar Keynes was a great choice for Edmund. He was such a little pissah in the movie. At the same time you could kind of see why he did what he did. So he was more of a real character and not just hatable.

Mr. Tumnus, I have never been more impressed with James McAvoy's work. Bravo!

The white witch, she was an evil bitch. What a great job, i dont know about the whole dreadlocks look but she was evil enough not to make this movie a yawner.

The way they portrayed Narnia when it was under winter was pretty boss. It was a dark and uneasy place to be. The mood in the first half of the movie was excellently done.


The Bad-

They say Narnia is a big place... then the kids travel across the breadth of it in a day. Whats with that?

Some would say the biblical references were glaringly obvious here. But I say, hello, its a friggen CS Lewis book, what do you expect? Thats like going to a monster truck rally and bitching about why you are only looking at big trucks.

This one drove me crazy. The boys learning to be consummate combatants in just a few days? At least they tried to show that the boys were training to fight. Though the director did a piss poor job of it. I saw Peter taking those wild swings against the witch in that battle, while she was fighting florentine style. She had like five chances to kill him and I just couldnt help twitching every time she didnt skewer him like a shishkabob. They really should have taught that kid to swordfight a little. It just hurt to watch that, and I usually dig battle scenes.

I think they made the weather change too quickly. It made the movie feel rushed and less believable.


The Rating-
Overall id give it a 7/8 out of 10. The movie was a little lighthearted for me towards the end, I think it could have been just a little more sinister. It would have made the kids ultimate triumph that much more compelling. As is, Id recommend people fork out the money to see it in theatres. It is worth watching at least once. I'll probly get it when it comes out on video.

Happy tidings for the holidays in Washington

So the last couple of days when I have cracked open the news I have seen naught but good things. The Senate has shot down the patriot act. Even though Bush tried to force them to sign it as is. They even offered to compromise on it and he refused thinking they would cave just because the house gave it a thumbs up. Go Senate, let that piece of hogwash expire.

We have the information about how DeLay lived like a king off of campaign contributions. This only further destroys his posturing of not abusing funds. The courts even denied him a faster trial and decided to try him on the courts timetable. Go justice system for not caving to the man!

Moving on, Bush is now under fire for extending wiretaps without warrants on American citizens. Being that he could not hide the fact that he did it he came out and admitted it. When I read bi-partisan comments of how its a breach of the law and the will of congress I laughed. I couldnt help it. Its about time our officials are held accountable for their actions. It hasnt happened yet, but this is a good step in that direction.

All in all Id rate the score:

People - 1
Bush Team - 0

Movie Review: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

I walked into the theatre hoping for "the Prisoner of Azkaban" good. What I witnessed was something even better. Well directed , more bittersweet, and definately darker.


The Good-
No longer do we need to go over character backgrounds. Potter and the others are so established at this point that we can get right into the action.

The dudes from Bulgaria? were pretty fricken cool. They made the Hogwart's kids look kind of prissy.

Voldemort (or however you spell it) was AWESOME. He was so evil, cruel and just creepy. I cant wait to see what kind of fucked up stuff he does in the next movie. Finally, a villain worth watching.

The dance, wonderful way to bring the craziness of a magical world down by tossing in some human failings. Once again we realize that powerful though they be, they are still kids growing up.


The Bad-
They pushed the fantastic to a higher level. One of the few things I liked about the first movie is that I could see the ties into reality and the normal mundane world. In this movie you can almost forget that there is a regular world out there. Much less grounded than the other movies, but still just within reasonable levels.

The characters from the other schools were a little underdeveloped. Also, what was with the girl champion being so lame? That just bothered me. I didnt mind the 50's femininity theme, but did their heroin have to suck so bad?

What is the deal with Ron's hissyfit about Harry being in the contest. I thought that was just lame writing on JK's part. I get that she wanted to toss some teenage jealousy in, but she blew it on that one.


The Rating-
I would rate this movie an 8 out of 10. I would definately pay to see it again or watch it at home a few times if I owned the dvd. Very well done and even better than the first three. I can not wait to see what the next movie has to offer. This concludes my movie review for the day. If you disagree with me its ok, just remember, you are wrong. :)

On Snow...

I like snow. Snow is good. Good in my belly... wait, wrong commentary.

Snow is lovely though. Im new to the whole phenom., but it seems to me that once it creates a white blanket on the waking word, time seems to slow down. It is as if there is a lesser sense of urgency than exists in those hot muggy summer months in this region. It could be because my blood is cooler in the snow, but I dont think that is correct hypothesis. Everything appears more prestine than it was. A purified picturesque landscape everywhere you look. How can one not appreciate it?

US, the good and bad

"Watching the pathetic, old, lie-on-its-back frightened Labrador of the American media changing overnight into a vicious Rottweiler is one of the enduring pleasures of society in the United States."

This was a quote from Robert Fisk, written no more than a day ago. A talented UK reporter to be sure, but one I usually dont agree with. Like most EU pressmen he seems obsessed with jumping on the anti-US bandwagon. On this particular occasion though, I do quite agree with him. It is a pleasure to see our toothless media grow some balls and start asking the hard questions. The questions even I dont want to know the answers to. Not because I dont want to see justice done, but because I dont want to believe that our government could be responsible for such reckless misbehavior.

A thing that many forget, is that the American way works. We are a fucked up nation at times, this is true. But it is our own conscience that wakes us up from our darkest dreams and brings about a new catharsis. The civil rights era, the abolition movement, the Resolution of Apology to Native Peoples introduced in U.S. Congress May 6, 2004, the McCarthy era, and now..

We are not a perfect nation, by any means. But it is a comforting thought to know that we have the power to correct ourselves. Even facing the dark truths that we as a nation are ashamed/afraid of facing. I take comfort in the thought that the vast majority of Americans want to do the right thing, both domestically and abroad. It is inevitable that there are those who will try to lead us astray, but just knowing that such ill winds will not be the will of this country is enough to let me rest easier.

As the most influential nation on this earth our actions will resonate louder than any other. Our mistakes will be known by all, our failings will be trumpeted everywhere. Especially by those who envy our virtues and successes. But in history, if we stay true to ourselves, the character of our nation will not be mistaken. My fervent hope is that we stay true to the ideals we have always held dear, even in the centuries ahead. If we do, I do not fear for America's fate. I simply remain a proud citizen.

You know you are a drinker when...

If a party runs out of booze, you sock the host and drink his nosebleed.

You know how to say “Where are my pants?” in seven languages.

You have a lot of respect for that 80-year-old guy at the end of the bar, but you know from experience that he’s a dirty fighter.

You got in a fist fight with a wino over how long a bottle of Thunderbird should be allowed to “breathe”.

When you donate blood they store it in oak barrels.

Anyone who kisses you must legally wait half an hour to drive.

You enjoy cooking with wine, and sometimes you even put it in the food.

You’ve been cut off during communion.

From another perspective

Can you imagine being a housecat (or some other small house domesticated creature) living among giants? Being in a place where these strange creatures who are infinately larger, stronger and faster can dictate the very conditions you live under? With a moment of action they can shut portals (doors) that cannot be passed through no matter how you try. With little more effort they can create light or make it dark at a whim. It is a good thing your senses are keener than theirs, or you would really suffer at these giants capricious fancies.

On our Constitution : Warning-Long Post

Mr. President,

I confess that there are several parts of this constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them: For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged by better information, or fuller consideration, to change opinions even on important subjects, which I once thought right, but found to be otherwise. It is therefore that the older I grow, the more apt I am to doubt my own judgment, and to pay more respect to the judgment of others.

Most men indeed as well as most sects in Religion, think themselves in possession of all truth, and that wherever others differ from them it is so far error. Steele a Protestant in a Dedication tells the Pope, that the only difference between our Churches in their opinions of the certainty of their doctrines is, the Church of Rome is infallible and the Church of England is never in the wrong. But though many private persons think almost as highly of their own infallibility as of that of their sect, few express it so naturally as a certain french lady, who in dispute with her sister, said "I don't know how it happens, Sister but I meet with no body but myself, that’s always in the right--il n'y a que moi qui a toujours raison."

In these sentiments, Sir, I agree to this Constitution with all its faults, if they are such; because I think a general Government necessary for us, and there is no form of Government but what may be a blessing to the people if well administered, and believe farther that this is likely to be well administered for a course of years, and can only end in Despotism, as other forms have done before it, when the people become so corrupted as to need despotic Government, being incapable of any other.

I doubt too whether any other Convention we can obtain, may be able to make a better Constitution. For when you assemble a number of men to have the advantage of their joint wisdom, you inevitably assemble with those men, all their prejudices, their passions, their errors of opinion, their local interests, and their selfish views. From such an assembly can a perfect production be expected? It therefore astonishes me, Sir, to find this system approaching so near to perfection as it does; and I think it will astonish our enemies, who are waiting with confidence to hear that our councils are confounded like those of the Builders of Babel; and that our States are on the point of separation, only to meet hereafter for the purpose of cutting one another's throats.

Thus I consent Sir, to this Constitution because I expect no better, and because I am not sure, that it is not the best. The opinions I have had of its errors, I sacrifice to the public good. I have never whispered a syllable of them abroad. Within these walls they were born and here they shall die. If every one of us in returning to our constituents were to report the objections he has had to it, and endeavor to gain partizans in support of them, we might prevent its being generally received, and thereby lose all the salutary effects & great advantages resulting naturally in our favor among foreign Nations as well as among ourselves, from our real or apparent unanimity.

Much of the strength & efficiency of any Government in procuring and securing happiness to the people, depends, on opinion, on the general opinion of the goodness of the Government, as well as the wisdom and integrity of its Governors. I hope therefore that for our own sakes as a part of the people, and for the sake of posterity, we shall act heartily and unanimously in recommending this Constitution (if approved by Congress & confirmed by the Conventions) wherever our influence may extend, and turn our future thoughts & endeavors to the means of having it well administered.

On the whole, Sir, I can not help expressing a wish that every member of the Convention who may still have objections to it, would with me, on this occasion doubt a little of his own infallibility, and to make manifest our unanimity, put his name to this instrument-

Written by Benjamin Franklin
Monday Sep. 17, 1787: In Convention


What I find eminently curious about this particular speech, is that its revelvance resonates strongly today. The thing we venerate as an inviolate document was indeed seen as flawed by many of our country's founders. Despite these differences of opinion the convention signed into being the document which became the binding cornerstone of our nation. It cannot be doubted, that this setting aside of personal and local ambitions for the greater public good, is what made this nation a real entity, and not just a dream.

The themes he touches upon that get in the way of positive policy making exist today. Partisan pandering, allusions to self infallibility, corruption and the happienss of the people resting on their opinion of the governments honesty (which are decidedly lacking these days) and integrity. All things, that in our hubris over the centuries we have fallen victim to. One only has to watch the news to see it. I'm willing to bet that like many, our leaders get caught up in the game sometimes, and forget some of the most important things. Like working towards the people's greater good, and not fighting wars for thier parties. Speeches like this bring it all back to focus. Perhaps they should read something like this before conducting business in the morning.

Moments only

We honor the man who recklessly enters the unknowable abyss. Who for but a moment becomes a whirlwind of action. Casting off all caution and doubt he becomes iconic, enviable. From a simple, flawed member of humanity to an adonis. A storm of such intensity that he scars our psyche for years to come. Even after time has passed he is still remembered for that moment, long ago, despite his current disposition. They say that is glory, and that it stays with a man.

Intelligent Design in Kansas

Let me preface this by saying that if anyone honestly supports the concept Intelligent Design (in a science class) they likely do not understand concept of "Science". What pisses me off about the whole Intelligent Design crowd is that they try to foist this invidious drivel off as science. They remind me of big tabacco corporations which tout that smoking can be good for you. Dont hate the playa, hate the game baby. Fuck you ID pusher man, I rule you with my vitriolic denial. Intelligent Design has about as much of a chance of bearing scientific value as my left testicle has of winning the nobel peace prize.

In fact, the proponents of this theory spend more time trying to justify why its not creationism in thier writing than they do laying evidence to their claims.

Moving on...

ID is the hypothesis that some things in nature are simply too complex to have evolved by natural selection, and therefore must have been “intelligently” designed.

In Behe’s testimony he cites the miniature molecular motors, called flagella, that allow bacteria to swim as an example of this. The development of flagella and the blood-clotting mechanism, which requires at least 30 different proteins to work together, are “irreducibly complex”, he argued.

Oh really? Thats your theory? Look thats complex! Some great designer must have created it. Look thats not complex, that thing obviously has no designer. Look there's an alien, lets have sex with it. Who determines what is complex or not? Some choleric nut with a penchant for eyeballing bacteria? Thats the great revelation of our time? Im floored by the such significant coruscation.

My ultimate point here is that this is not science. You want to teach that to your kids, more power to you. I have no problems at all with people believing there is a god. But make no bones about it, this ID is not science. Its philosophy at best. Dogmatic tripe in the guise of academia at worst. It has religious overtones. It's creators are all associated with religious institutions and/or previous creationist organizations. We wont be fooled by these scurillious rapscallions. Well, Kansas might, but you know, its Kansas. They change their educational curriculum like Pam Anderson goes through panties. Nuff said.

Now thats just cool!

The Personnel Halting and Stimulation Response (PHASR) rifle was developed at the Air Force Research Laboratory in New Mexico, US, and two prototypes have been delivered to military bases in Texas and Virginia for further testing.


Now how cool is that? We have phasr's! Aint science fun kids?

New Body Measurement Offers Better Test for Obesity Health Risks

The best test for obesity -- at least, when it comes to predicting heart attacks -- isn’t BMI (body mass index), the researchers write.

Instead, it’s the ratio of the measurement of your waist to your hips. It boils down to wider hips and slimmer waists. Larger waists were bad news; larger hips were a plus...

Abdominal fat, represented by a wider waistline, has been linked to heart risks. Wider hips may mean bulkier bones and stronger gluteal muscles, write the researchers.

I can live with that. I like the fact that what I find pleasing to the eye is also the way things should be. It didnt show the actual suggested ratio for men and women, but it sounds pretty reasonable. Though I think for the most part this is basically common sense.

The Two Primary Laws of Drinking

Heed my words ye drunkards, bow your head's in veneration. I present to you your sacred covenant.

1. The Law of the Open Bottle-
Thou shalt share thy booze if thou have it and thy friends do not. Let them sup the nectar of Bachhus's goodness.

2. The Law of Round Reciprocity-
(Also known as the Buy Back Law)
Thou shalt buy a drink for thy friend upon thy next opportunity, if he hast purchased thee one recently. Thou must close the circle of the drink purchase so that it may beginneth again.

These are not the droids you are looking for!

Sometimes the amount of denial I witness is astounding. I have just read not once, not twice, but thrice! Seperate comments by everyday Amurcan Joes who claim that:

A- Our administration performed no dishonest behavior in the lead up to the war in Iraq. That there was no misrepresentation to the public and that the Plame issue is completely groundless.

B- Rove and Libby are innocent upstanding patriots who would not harm a fly.

C- That his approval ratings are a lie, they are really much higher.

D- That his detractors are just making all this shit up to bring down a good hardworkin man.

E- Our economy is better than ever.

and let me not forget...

F- Bush and Cheney do not support torture, anywhere at any time.

Now, you would think that with all the evidence out there, which has taken years to amass by the way, that any reasonable person could accept the fact that maybe our Executive Branch has been a bit shady the last few years. Thats not to say that Bush and co are responsible for all the worlds problems. HOWEVER, people seem to forget it was Bush who said, "I will bring integrity back to the white house". What's that? You ask who has been indibted lately? Why that would be ole "Scooter", Vice President Cheney's top confidant and Bush policy maker. Who is also caught up in criminal conspiracy? Karl "The Saint" Rove? Get outta here.

Seriously though, to all you crazy Bush cheerleaders I say go read the papers. Read papers with conflicting agenda's, or just fucking read something, there is no denying what is going on now. To the mindless Republicans who support government corruption (and unintentionally the destruction of your own party) because they dont want to see the ugly truth. I say pull your heads out of your asses and fight for your parties true values. Think for yourselves, and do what I say. Vote McCain.

One last little bit...
McCain pushed a bill through congress abolishing torture. Bush says we need to be able to torture people. Then McClellan makes a claim today that Bush doesnt support ANY American performing torture. C'mon, I know these are the droids I am looking for, your jedi mind tricks wont work on me anymore.

The Four Types of Naggers

I got this from a friend, great stuff....


A female nagger can be classified in one of four groups:

The Innocent: This is the one nagger that doesn't really mean to nag. She brings up problems that she has to make you aware of, but tries to do so without making you angry or starting an argument. Chances are her intentions are good, she just needs a little work on her approach.

The Chatterbox: This nagger never seems to stop. But her nagging rarely escalates into real fights because you've probably learned to effectively zone her out (by the way, this is a good method; just don't let her catch you).

The Riddler: Ah, the nagger that nags without nagging (say that five times fast). She says things like, "Would you like to try and guess why the green plates are not in the cabinet?" You have no idea what she's talking about and she knows it, otherwise why would she be asking in the first place?

The T-Rex: If she doesn't rip your head off while screaming at you, you got away lucky. It seems as though she actually grows horns when the nagging starts, the room gets a little darker, you know it's coming and there's no place to run. Scientific studies conducted within laboratories showed conclusive evidence that she may very well be one of Satan's minions. Good luck with all that.

Now thats just not right

Chavez warns of spooky US Halloween 'terrorism'
Oct 31 7:51 PM US/Eastern

President Hugo Chavez cautioned Venezuelan parents to protect their children from Halloween with a spooky warning that the US tradition is rooted in "terrorism."

"What they have implanted here, which is really a 'gringo' custom, is terrorism," Chavez said, quoted in the local press. "They disguise children as witches and wizards, that is contrary to our culture."

Chavez often lashes out at the US government, which he has described as "terrorist" and accused of plotting his assassination. But this time his warnings were directed at the American celebration that combines costumes and candy.

He issued "an appeal for reflection by parents" not to encourage their children to dress up for the holiday.

His comments came after authorities in Caracas recently seized pumpkins, cardboard skeleton costumes and other traditional Halloween items inscribed with anti-Chavez messages.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Going after Bush, sure, that is a hobby for Chavez. We have come to expect it. Kicking out christian missionaries who subvert local culture through direct bribery? Sure why not, but attacking Halloween? C'mon man, thats just un-American. Seriously though, Halloween is rooted in Terrorism? The fallacy in his logic defies all good sense. How does he build that bridge of reasoning?

It is entertaining to watch his antics sometimes. On the world stage he is quite the card. Like when he got Jesse Jackson to meet with him after one of our biggest fundamentalists called for his assasination. But Halloween is where I draw the line. What is he trying to say, that non-'gringos' cant participate in the holiday? Or that children hide grenades in their little plastic pumpkins when they go trick or treating? Im not upset, but this Bush strategy of creating a sense of impending danger to make the people feel compelled to follow him is getting old.

He should get a better domestic strategist. Perhaps one who is ok with people having freedom to assemble or writing whatever they want on thier costumes.

Happy All Hallow's Eve

Aka - All Saint's Day
Aka - Samhain
Aka - Halloween

Yes, it is here! The time when the wheel of seasons turns. The time in the old days which marked the beginning of winter and the dying of the old year. The beginning of the world's hibernation and additionally, the time when the veil between the spirit and physical world's are at thier thinnest. When the spirits of the dead can cross over and settle affairs of the past.

They say this is also the time when that stingy old Irish bastard, Jack, wanders the lands of the dead. Holding in front of him his ghostly lantern, a pumpkin (or turnip) with a burning coal from hell lighting it up from the inside. Ole Scaley tossed it at him when he banished wily Jack from entering the gates of hell. Since he was also banned from heaven, Jack wanders the roads of the dead, forever searching for a place to put up his boots. His way lit by that hellish lamp. Otherwise known as the Jack-o-Lantern.

Legend also has it that on this day and night the spirits of the dead wander the lands in greater numbers. To protect themselves, villagers would give themselves horrific countenances to ward off thier spectral callers. The tradition still lives on in a hybrid form now, with people wearing scary costumes on this holiday.

While we may not regard this day in the same way society of old has, I think it is still appropriate. If this is indeed the marking of our entry into winter, and our recognition of the nights ghostly traffic. Then revelry honoring traditions of old on this eve, and celebrating the vitality of our life is indeed a worthy persuit of the day. Our time is short enough on this earth as it is, best not to waste it as curmudgeons. My suggestion is to think on this when planning your evening. Kudos to you who have read this far, I wish you the flush of inspiration on this All Hallow's Eve.


One smidgen of text I think is quite evocative:

Empty your heart of its mortal dream.
The winds awaken, the leaves whirl round,
Our cheeks are pale, our hair is unbound,
Our breasts are heaving our eyes are agleam,
Our arms are waving our lips are apart;
And if any gaze on our rushing band,
We come between him and the deed of his hand,
We come between him and the hope of his heart.