Happy Halloween!

Oct 31, 2009 by Rochelle

Last night, I rushed home from work, hit the grocery store, and then spent a solid hour and a half getting ready for the Matthies Halloween party.

I decided to make an “easy” treat for the party, and so I thought I would make some ghostie covered strawberries. The strawberries turned out great, but my eyes and 0-shaped mouth, not so much. The canned decorators icing was terrible. It advertised “easy flow” but that was the problem. It was terribly hard to be precise. I was *this close* to breaking out my real cake decorating tools and whipping up my own black icing, but time just wouldn’t allow it.

Halloween Party 2009

After that, I got to work on getting into my costume and doing my make up. I so badly wish I took a picture of myself to post here. It turned out great! One of the best costumes I’ve ever done. I’m a natural Cleopatra!

The too-small head piece even worked out. I pinned it underneath my hair, which just added to the effect. Hopefully, I’ll be able to grab a picture from someone else.

The party was really fun and I just stuck to soda. I was planning on wine, but I was craving soda like mad. The food was great and the company was really pleasant. I spent almost an hour talking to a friend of mine that also likes to write and is working on his first novel. I told him all about my NaNoWriMo plans (which I’m so excited to start!).

Today I’m just bumming around the house and watching random Halloween stuff on TV. Loving this weekend!!

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Weekend plans

Oct 30, 2009 by Rochelle

It’s Halloween weekend and that means there’s going to be some festivities.

First off, tonight I’m going to rush home and get ready for the annual Matthies Halloween party. Last year was a ton of fun, and I’m expecting the same this year. Like I said in an earlier post, I’m going to be Cleopatra. I’m really looking forward to this costume. Hopefully, I can get the head piece worked out.

Then on Halloween itself, I get to stick around home and relax. Since last weekend didn’t feel much like a weekend all, but instead felt like work, I look forward to just bumming around and doing whatever. Hopefully, I won’t be totally lazy.

Then, at the stroke of midnight, I can begin writing my novel for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). I’ve been waiting to participate in this all year, and I’m so excited. The gist, is that you have to write a 50,000 word (150 page) fictional novel between November 1 and November 30. You would be surprised how many people participate in this. There are at least 780 people in Boulder doing it alone. So I’m super psyched!

The work itself is going to be a mystery. I’ve never written mystery before, but I’ve read plenty. It’s going to be called “The Four Mansions on Lambert Bay” and it will have a female tow historian/librarian protagonist that solves it all.

Before it’s all said and done, I’m going to make some calzones on Sunday. Thanks Amanda for the recipe tip!

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A change to Project 365 and the blog…

Oct 30, 2009 by Rochelle

So lately I’ve been wanting to post more than Project 365 entries, but I feel weighed down by the project. It is one of the harder things I’ve ever done, but I’ve somehow stuck to it (for the most part). Nevertheless, keeping up with Project 365 makes it harder for me to post other fun stuff, and I really miss that. Mostly because I feel like if I don’t post my Project 365 entry for the day (because I don’t have the pictures edited, uploaded etc), then I can’t post about anything else, for continuity sake.

I could go on and on, the point is…I’m making a change.

I will continue to do Project 365 posts, but I’m going to compile my seven photos into one post a week. That way, the rest of the week I can blog here and there about all the other crap that comes to mind.

I should have done this a lot earlier in the year, but I had to overcome the disappointment I felt over the inconsistency it would bring for the project as a whole. I’m not sure I’ll do this project again next year, but if things improve because of my new strategy, I might just give it another go.

So now I feel free to do the stuff I used to. Book reviews and silly rants, obsessions and TV talk.

Thanks to all my readers who keep up with me! You make it all worthwhile!

–Rochelle

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Friday Five: The Movie Edition

Oct 30, 2009 by Rochelle

Time for Friday Five! It’s been awhile. Here’s the Friday Five website. Copy these questions and write your own answers on your blog, then leave a comment so I can check them out!

What’s your favorite sports movie?
What’s your favorite romantic comedy film?
What’s your favorite animated Disney movie?
What’s your favorite non-Disney movie musical?
What’s your favorite stranger-in-a-strange-land / fish-out-of-water movie?

What’s your favorite sports movie?

It is absolutely without a doubt Field of Dreams. I’ve seen it a hundred times and it just gets better each time. It’s also a family favorite and one that we watched together when I was a kid. We still quote lines from it all the time, and it feels like our own private joke, even though every one has seen it.

This scene always gave me the chills.

What’s your favorite romantic comedy film?

Say Anything, if you can call that a romantic comedy. It’s also one of those movies that gets better every time. John Cusack is obviously amazing in that role, and I love the unusual challenges and obstacles that come between the characters. Plus, who doesn’t love to sing “Joe lies… when he cries.”

There is a serious lack of Say Anything clips on YouTube. This was the best I could do…

And if you’re unfamiliar with the movie (you’re weird, but…) here’s a remake in six minutes that’s pretty funny.

What’s your favorite animated Disney movie?

Pocahontas. I’m like the only person I know that loved that movie, but I really did. I loved Mel Gibson’s voice as John Smith. I loved all the songs and the furry creatures. I think I saw it four times in the theaters.

What’s your favorite non-Disney movie musical?

Moulin Rouge. Another great one that I love to sing along to. I love the color in that movie and the little details. The sets, the costumes, etc. It also helps that it has Ewan McGregor

My friend Katie and I used to sing this song to each other when we lived together.

What’s your favorite stranger-in-a-strange-land / fish-out-of-water movie?

The Holiday. What a great movie. I remember when I resisted watching that movie for a long time because I don’t care for Cameron Diaz, but I saw it on TV one day and gave it a shot. Now I watch it like crazy. I love the concept of a house swap and wish so badly I could do it. Sadly, I don’t have much to offer, except the exquisite Rocky Mountains.

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Oct 29 2009: Snow Queen

Oct 29, 2009 by Rochelle

Once again, while all the schools (and colleges) around the Boulder campus closed for the snow storm, my place of employment was open. Seriously? But it all turned out okay. There was very little traffic on the way in (since a lot of smart people stayed home anyway). And work was light and easy.

When I got home, I snapped some pictures of the snow. I love it. Especially this time of year, because it’s not terribly cold.

Oct 29 2009: Snow Queen