Valentines' Day

Since Randy works tonight, we decided to celebrate yesterday. We went to a nice steak house for dinner. Well, it looked nice on the outside and the food looked nice when it arrived. Sadly, looks can be very deceiving. My crab legs were cold, my shrimp scampi was cold and my baked potato was luke warm. The only good thing was the freshly-made bread. Randy ordered prime rib, but what he got tasted more like pot roast. Not a good start to the night.


Romantic comedies just aren't our style, so for Valentines' Day, off we went to see The Rite. Yeah, the exorcist movie starring Anthony Hopkins. The movie started off very slow. Hopkins didn't appear til the movie was half over. That's when it got good. As everyone who has seen him act knows, he plays a good psycho. Watching Hannibal Leckter conduct an exercism is interesting, but the fun begins when the exercist is possessed and has to rely on a wanna-be priest who isn't sure there is a God. The story is based on real-life, so they say. The wanna be is sent to Rome to learn to be an exercist when he wants to leave before being ordained. The class is being taught at the Vatican, but for some reason the teacher is speaking in English and calls Michael "the American" when he shows up late the first day of class. The teacher speaks perfect American English. I can do the willful suspension of disbelief, but it's the little things that bother me. The actor should have at least had an Italian accent.

The movie was pretty good, once you get by the little things. Sadly, I got slammed near the end of the movie with a killer migraine and could barely walk out it hurt so badly. Hubby helps me out, we order pizza to take home to the kids and off we go.

I have injectible pain meds since the doc can't always be available to me. Randy and Trevor both were taught to give them to me, so that's how I spent the last of the holiday weekend - curled up in the dark with Mittens, my arm on fire from the shot and my head exploding.

Maybe I'll do better for St. Patrick's Day?

HorrorFind 12 in Gettysburg the Wrap Up

Well, the convention is over and I'm almost home. At least I'm half way there. I should be home by tonight and can't wait to see my hubby and kids. They are driving to pick me up since I can't drive. Do you realize how inconvenient it is to not be able to drive? I have to rely on my 18-year old daughter to take me places or catch rides with others going. Makes me feel even worse.

The headaches are now constant and I'm on new medicine to try and combat it. Usually, I can at least tolerate things, but today, it feels like a knife has been wedged into my neck and another red hot poker is being slammed repeatedly into my left temple. Such are the joys of my day.

So, the final day of HorrorFind was less hectic. We had met all the celebs we were interested in the first two days, so we were able to just walk around and watch the other fans and take photos. That's my favorite part. I did buy a new series of zombie books from their author Kim Paffenroth. He kindly autographed the two books as well as a mousepad he gave me and posed for a photo. I started reading the first book as we were walking around, but had to stop when I just wanted to stand in one spot and finish the book. I'll have it done in a day or two, depending on the level of pain. Sadly, reading makes things worse.

One of my brother's friends had kidney surgery and wasn't able to go with us. One of her favorite actors was there and my brother asked him if he could possibly say a few words to the video camera for his friend. Instead, he offered to talk to her on the phone, if that were possible. Terrence Zdunich starred in Repo the Genetic Opera. When he handed my brother back the phone, his friend was still screaming and hyperventalating. She couldn't believe he would do that for her. I'll tell you, I haven't seen the movie, but that man has another fan for life in me. Any celeb who would take time out of his day to call a sick girl deserves my admiration.

Another very nice celeb was Doug Bradley who played Pinhead on Hellraiser. Any fans out there of the cube? He was happy to pose for photos, so I had one taken.

Again Gary Busey wasn't really available at his table and Jake was no where to be found while we were there. No loss, for even though I might enjoy their movies, I can't imagine paying $20 just to have a photo taken with them or of them. I noticed not many people did in the three days.

Diamond Dallas Paige, yes the pro wrestler, was there. He was in Rob Zombie's movie The Devil's Rejects. He was very animated that day and was signing postcards for free. They describe his workout plan and he showed me some of the people who had done it and the unreal changes in their lives. It's called YRG Fitness System. I have no idea what the cost is. He didn't require payment for that autograph or for a photo with him. Another really nice guy.

Has anyone seen the movie The Human Centepede? Well, three of the stars were there. I saw the trailer and it made me nautious, so I haven't gotten the nerve to watch the movie yet. Brother is laughing since I can watch most horror movies while eating a nice medium rare steak. In fact, when we got back to his place, I finished my steak from dinner while we watched the Italian classic Zombie. Back to the stars of this movie. They were very friendly to everyone and even gave a response to what Tosh.0 said about their movie. My brother is sending it to the show. He really slammed the movie, so we're thinking he'll use the promo.

The dealers' room had quite a variety of items to purchase and make up artists were avialble to turn people into the walking dead. I didn't have that done because we had a two hour drive ahead of us and I imagine I'd be talking to some nice men in blue if I walked into a convenience store to get a bottle of water with blood and bruises covering my fave and hands. :)

While there were some serious problems with the convention, it was mainly how some of the staff acted. I've already addressed that in another post and won't go into it again here. Most of the staff were great and helpful. We did enjoy the convention and found it incredibly convenient to be staying in the same hotel as the show. The cost of admission was nothing compared to other shows I've covered and written about. I can get over some of the rude staff because the celebs were good. I just hope they think about finding a decent place for their costume contest/auction where people aren't turned away and treated so poorly.

Second day of HorrorFind

Today was the second day of three at the HorrorLinkFind Weekend 12 convention in Gettysburg. It was a lot different from yesterday. The celeb room was packed. It was hard to even move around. Dee Wallace was again so sweet and friendly, I think I now have new favorite actress! She remembered us and was happy to let me give my hubby a special gift. Can't tell what since he reads this.

Today was the costume contest and auction. The people in charge didn't think it through. The place it was held was a small room in the movie theater. There were probably 400-500 people turned away. It's things like that that people won't return because of. The "STAFF" weren't very nice. They were pretty arrogant about it. When the convention was so huge to begin with, they should have known better and moved the contest. Everyone wanted to see Bruce Campbell. The fans were so disappointed and the staff couldn't have cared less. Nothing was offered to the fans who were turned away. When a few were at the back of the building to take photos while the costume contest was going on, the untrained staff again showed their true colors.

We will be leaving tomorrow afternoon. We have to go visit Devil's Den and the witness tree while we're here. I can't be this close and not go. I'm sure others have been in the same boat. Brother doesn't mind and he's driving. He hasn't been here in about a decade. He was here one time with Randy, Dad, the kids and me. I'd like to start this as an annual event.

Better get back to working on photos!

Pirahna 3D -- Review

Arielle and I have always loved to watch bad B-movies on SyFy, so when we saw the trailers for Pirahna 3D, we knew it was a movie we had to go see.

We had some free time yesterday, so off we went for a girls night out. We picked up a few things, including a light jacket for each of us since hubby won't let me keep hoodies in the car.

We get to the theater a couple minutes after the movie started, picked up popcorn and pop and settled into our seats. There had to have been at least 15 minutes of commercials. (I'm paying for this??) Soon the cheesy goodness began and kept up for the rest of the movie. :) Guys, there is plenty of T & A and full frontal nudity. Moms, it's probably not a movie to take the kiddies to.

The feeding frenzy of the pirahna wasn't as gory as it could have been. Finding the chewed up corpses was nasty.

We laughed and laughed throughout the entire movie. I'm not sure that's what the director was aiming for when he made it, but how can anyone take it seriously?

Valentines Weekend

We had a good Valentines weekend. I didn't take my meds, so I was able to enjoy the weekend. Isn't that something? The stuff they give me to function makes me so miserable I can't stand up most days, but it's for my own good? How does that work?

Anyway, we went to see Friday the 13th and Taken on Saturday and met the kids for dinner at Hoss's. Yes, my kids were on a double date! How did that happen? Stop laughing Kim! They all went to see Friday the 13th when we were at Taken.

Yesterday, we went to State College for a minor league baseball winter welcome back festival and met some of the players and coaches. Arielle's boyfriend went with us. Got lots of autographs in my scrapbook and on posters and schedules. Took a ton of photos. I interviewed the new head coach of the State College Spikes. Gotta love a press ID. I'm a freelance writer/photographer for those who don't know and people who work with media always mark me as a reporter. Guess it's the huge camera around my neck and the way I look? I don't know. :) Anyway, the All Star game is being held in State College in August and the general manager has me on the list for press credentials for that! Woo Hoo!!!

We stopped at Hot Topic, of course. I had seen a Twilight bag last weekend when I was there and was so good and didn't buy it. Mentioned it to Randy and it was my Valentines' present. (I'm a purse addict for those who don't know) I just love it! Got another fairy shirt, too. We went to my favorite restaurant for dinner Outback Steakhouse and I ate way too much. I always share a meal with Randy. We had prime rib this time. Oh, it was soo good! We went to a few stores and stopped by to see my new little cousin Layken on our way home. What a great end to the weekend! She is such a little sweetie! Can't wait to start spoiling her. That's my job in the family. All the cousins' kids call me when their parents won't let them get something. They know I'll find it and they'll end up with it for a birthday or Christmas. That's the only positive about being so ill, nobody has the heart to yell at me for spoiling them. Of course, I use that.

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

Just got back from seeing this movie with my son. WOW! It was excellent! Now, as everyone knows, I'm a vampire girl, but it did make me see things in a different way for the lycans. I understand completely why they hate vamps so much and why the vamps fear them. :) Of course, the fact that Lucian is really HOT helped me like it even more.



The fight scenes were awesome when Lucian transformed to wolf and realized he was the true ruler of all the lycans. I won't spoil it any further, but if you like that sort of stuff, I highly recommend going to see it.

Anyone else see the movie? Would love to hear other thoughts on it.

DuBois Scare Fair

The annual scare fair was held on Saturday and it gets bigger every year. This year, they added a movie star and a horror author as well as the man-eating plant from Little Shop of Horrors. Yes, you'll be a dentist! That probably makes no sense to anyone who doesn't know the movie and/or Broadway play, but to those that have seen it, you understand. :)

The TV stars were Erin Murphy "Tabitha" from Bewitched and Butch Patrick "Eddie" from The Munsters. I grew up watching them, so I had to go. The kids had no idea who they were, but trudged along because it made me happy. Then the movie star was Lenny Lies who played the "Machete Zombie" from the original Dawn of the Dead. He was also the zombie on the book cover in my previous post. Of course, the author, I've already written about, Len Barnhart.







Everyone there had a free page to autograph or were selling their own photos or other items. Lenny even had a machete. They were all happy to take photos with the fans. More conventions should be run like this. There were no problems. Everyone was friendly, including security. Looking forward to seeing who will be there next year. Time to bring in Grant and Jason. :)

Trick or Treat Time

For the first year ever, I wasn't able to go trick-or-treating with my kids. :( They went with a group of friends and I stayed home watching "scary" movies on Sci Fi Channel.

My daughter took her camera along and got quite a few photos for me, so I'll be able to see the fun once I get them downloaded. When they got home, they let me take a few photos to scrapbook with. My daughter was a black cat and my son a ring wraith. He loves the Lord of the Rings novels and has been that same character for the past few years.

They went on a ghost walk Friday night. I really wanted to go, but it was raining and everyone was afraid I'd slip and rip out some of the 16 staples in my stomach. My son videotaped it for me though, so I get to experience it anyway. There's always next year, right?

Thanks for all the sweet comments while I'm healing. It's nice to log on and see someone actually reads this.

The staples come out on Thursday morning!!! I'll be able to get out walking on Friday and get back to physical therapy for my shoulder. Not sure when I'm able to drive again, hopefully soon. I hate being stuck in here!!! There's just not much to do or photograph. My poor camera thinks I've abandoned it.

What is everyone's plans for Samhain/Halloween? I'll be right here (of course) watching Sci Fi's Ghosthunters' live episode. No parties this year although my costume is really good as Frankenstein's Bride.

Freaky Friday

It started out at about 12:30 this morning when I was getting ready for bed. I put away the last of my pen pal letters and turned off the light. I had the sleep timer on the TV for whatever cop show that was on Court TV when I saw a shadow fly over the bed and out the door. Of course, being a woman, I start screaming for my son because Randy is working third shift and wasn't here.

He is 12-years old and was playing his video games as always. He comes running up the steps, figuring it was a spider. Well, the shadow flies at his head and he realizes what I'm screaming about. He jumps in my bedroom and slams the door.

Have you guessed what it was yet?

It was a horrid, nasty, smelly BAT!

He grabs a baseball bat and we slowly step out the door, making sure to shut it behind us. All the other bedroom doors were shut already, so we knew it wasn't in any of them. We go downstairs and poke around every corner, behind every curtain and under all the tables. Nothing there. We were quite the sight - T with the baseball bat and me with a broom. Mighty huntress, I wasn't.

We start back upstairs and he hears it in the bathroom, so he slams the door shut and we spend the rest of the night with the light on in my room. He wouldn't let me turn off the bedroom light.

Around 2:30, he had to go to the bathroom, but there was no way he was going in that room, so I drove him to a near-by Sheetz (24-hour convenience store).

Randy gets home at 8 a.m. and has to take care of the thing immediately. He knocks it off the shower caddy with the broom, then captures it and sends it on its way.

I'm sure it will be funny eventually, but at the time I was really scared. Those things can carry rabies and I'm a product of way too many horror movies. All I could picture was the thing turning into a vampire. With my luck, it would look like the original Nosferatu and not a hot one like Angel or Spike. What a total nightmare!

So, that was my day so far. I have to cover a graduation ceremony in an hour with absolutely no sleep. Should be fun.