Halloween 2009 Post

Just for the fun of it, I am tossing together a small post on Halloween. This may become a tradition given I did it last year and the year before. I may or not go out this year, since the little one is not so little anymore, but if we do, it will be in costume. Anyhow, as for this post, it is mostly a few things I have found while browsing around the Internet that my four readers (actually, those four read the other blog, but who's counting?) might find interesting or amusing. Snarky comments are mine.

• As the old saying goes, you can't tell the players without a scorecard. Here then is a "Halloween Bingo Card." If you are familiar with the classic idea of office bingo, then you know how this works. And you know you will see some of the things on the card sooner or later (via Holy Taco).
  
• To file under ridiculous item of the day, apparently the Christian Right has a problem with Halloween? No, really? This is news? No shit. Well, I kid you not. According to a religious right columnist, Halloween candy is prayed on by witches before your children eat it. Yep, according to their logic, if you can call it logic, the manufacturers of Mars Candy, Hershey's, and so on employ witches on a full-time basis to do the cursing and hexing. And wait until you read the list of stuff that happens behind the scenes according to the fundie nutjobs. Go ahead, I dare you to go read the article (via AlterNet).
  
• Want some candy? Miss Cellania has some links on candies and cakes for Halloween.
• If you feel like a movie, AMC is running their annual Fearfest. Not only can watch movies on TV, but you can watch some of the vintage B-movies online too.
  
• Classic Cinema Online is another place to catch some B-Movies online (horror or otherwise).
  
• And speaking of films, here is a list of "10 Sex Scenes Involving Costumes." This is from mainstream films (not porn), but if a little skin or innuendo bother you, you may want to skip (via Spout blog).
  
• Learn a bit about the fantasy and folklore of Halloween, from the American Folklife Center of the Library of Congress. A bibliography is also provided.
  
• Do you want to make your Halloween party just a bit cooler? Maybe these bottle labels can add a spark (via the Intoxicated Zodiac blog). The same blog also has a recipe for some brain shooters. I have made one similar to the one on that recipe (without the strawberry vodka), and I can tell you, they do look like brains. Great fun drinks to make.
  
• Here is something a bit more classical: Vincent Price reads the poem "The Raven" (via YesButNoButYes). You can find the text of the poem here.
• National Geographic News has a feature on "Halloween 2009: Top Costumes, History, Myths, More."
• Blogcritics has put together a series of their reviews and posts with Halloween themes for 2009. Need an idea for a book to read? Or a DVD to watch? This is a good place to start.
• The Census Bureau has its annual Facts for Features with facts and figures about Halloween for 2009.
• Do you still need an idea for a costume? If you are reading this, and the answer is yes, you are running a little late. Let me help out: here are some celebrity costume ideas (via Film.com), some costume trends for 2009 (via Offbeat Guides blog), and the totally controversial and not politically correct ideas (warning: some of these can be offensive: via Gather.com). Family Corner has some costume ideas that are family and kid friendly.
  
• Need a menu for your party? Some recipes. Epicurious has some for you here.
• If you are interested in a more spiritual angle, or maybe just find out where your particular faith practice stands when it comes to Halloween, Beliefnet has a section on Halloween here.

However you spend your Halloween-- out trick or treating, at a party, at home watching scary movies, so on--please do so safely. Please remember that if you choose to drink (alcohol, that is), to do so in moderation, and if you do drink a bit much, please don't drive.

Have a safe and happy Halloween.