Getting Ready for Halloween, Y'all!

(I'm going to apologize for this post - it's pretty rambly)

Can you smell it in the air? Can you feel it in your bones? It's that subtle atmospheric eeriness that can only mean one thing: It's HALLOWEEN.

The Cylon Jack-o-lantern says it is Halloween.

Halloween is my favorite holiday of the year. For a week (or in some cases, like SyFy's), cable channels play horror movies back to back. Stores have these deliciously tempting Halloween cookies and treats. Theme parks transform at night into giant haunted festivals (for example, tonight I am going to Universal Studios' awesome Halloween Horror Nights event). What's not to love about Halloween?

It also can be an infuriating time of year though. One thing I both love and hate is the inevitable process of picking out a costume. When we were younger it was a whole lot easier to pick the perfect costume (or at least it was in my mind!). In elementary school, I was a ballerina princess, a vampire killer (inexplicably my "vampire killer" also happened to be a vampire. I don't know. I thought it was really cool at the time), Morticia Adams (because even though I was ten, I didn't want to be Wednesday), a devil lady, and Leonardo. From the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

But now that we're older, things have become a whole lot more complicated. There are plenty of costumes out there and a plethora of specialty stores, but it's a challenge to get the PERFECT outfit (that hopefully no one else will be wearing). I have a long term boyfriend who is less enthusiastic about Halloween, and doing couple costumes has gotten increasingly tough over the years. Walking into a costume store is a nightmare - they are jammed full of frantic people, and overpriced, poorly made garb.

And then there's the question that every girl must face (at least out here in California for twenty-five year old me it's a big deal) - do you go with the Super!Slutty!Costume-in-a-bag? Or do you attempt to do something different, unique, and with a little more dignity?

I've always tried to shy away from the Super!Slutty!Costume-in-a-bag route (though I admit I've been a ridiculous ladybug before. It was my first year in college. I didn't know better!). You know what costumes I'm talking about, right? They're regular occupations or storybook characters or animals, just made Super!Slutty. Case in point:

Super!Slutty!Police Officer and Super!Slutty!Bumblebee

The thing is, you see a billion of these costumes - multiple people wearing the SAME. SLUTTY. COSTUMES. at any Halloween party. It's ridiculous. So the challenge then becomes, to come up with something that is fun, clever, current, and hopefully that no one else will be wearing at the event.

Unfortunately, as a book geek, my favorite costume ideas by and large get no love or recognition - for example, this year I wanted to do Katniss and Peeta from The Hunger Games/Catching Fire (some kind of variation on Cinna's costumes for them during the presentations during the books). I even have a mockingjay pin! But the boyfriend and everyone else shot down this idea (i.e. "What the heck is a Katniss? PETA like the organization?" etc, etc). So I resort to films. The year before Batman Begins came out, the boyfriend and I were Batman and Robin. We've also done Star Wars (Padme/Anakin), and a completely inappropriate but funny Full Metal Jacket style Army guy and South East Asian Woman (as I'm half caucasian and half Filipino, I feel like I can own this joke). Lately it's been rough trying to find a costume that fits the both of us well so we've done a few solo jobs (Snow White with Native American Indian, Lara Croft with Mr. Clean). But THIS year, I think we've found a great one.

For 2009, we've finally at long last come up with a costume idea that I think is pretty solid. After trying and discarding a number of ideas (Rufio and Peter Pan, Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog) we've settled on:

The Comedian and Sally Jupiter, the original, real Silk Spectre! (My dress isn't nearly that short though, thank goodness. And the boyfriend will be the Comedian from his death scene - bathrobe, cigar, bloody smiley face button and all)

Granted, a lot of folks probably won't know who we are, but it's more widely known than Katniss and Peeta. Sigh. Plus, the boyfriend agreed to it.

So my question to you, dear DIK-ers is: What are YOU going to be for Halloween? Any costume stories you want to share? I'm all ears!

And finally, I leave you with my contribution to the "Freaky Tunes" segment here on DIK. I give you....the BOLLYWOOD THRILLER!!!!!!!!!!! Beware. This WILL make you laugh uncontrollably.



Lyrics (These are NOT the real lyrics, but are based on what the lyrics sound like in English - transcribed by some clever soul):

I think I’m the evil of the people…

(Praise the glory of the evil!)

GIRLY MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!
Girly Man!
Girly man, man, man, man, man!

Gosh, my old calculator ain’t got no bow!
Nipply man I met, he ate my motorboat!
Calm down and park that comfy shin guard armor!
Welcome the dude who ain’t the buyer of mugs.

Girly Man!
Girly man, man, man, man, man!

RRRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIPPPPPYOURMMMMMMMMMMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN

X-Men Origins: Wolverine - Day 2

So we've seen Logan/Wolverine...but how about the actual hero I took to the island with me?

I'm talking about none other than my card-charging main man...

GAMBIT

As I talked about yesterday over at my usual casa, I got my start with the X-Men through the Saturday morning cartoons. And my two favorite men were Wolverine and this guy:

Although he was slated to make a cameo in X-3: The Last Stand, the role was eventually cut. Which is a shame because Josh Holloway read for the part. My head would explode if he was cast as the Cajun. Just imagine Josh Holloway saying "Chere."

(Clearly, I'm not the only one who felt strongly about this)

So, when Ana and I learned that Gambit would be in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, it was a joyous day indeed. He's never been portrayed in film, but he has always been one of my favorite leading men. For those who might not be familiar with Gambit here's the basic rundown. Remy LeBeau, aka Gambit, from New Orleans and was a thief before joining the X-Men. He has the ability to kinetically charge objects, which then explode when they come into contact with anything - his trademark is charging cards then throwing them at a target, projectile style. His other weapon? A staff that he also can charge. Not to mention, he's a badass at savate and other forms of combat.

Now that you know a little bit about the Cajun, I give you...

The Ballad of Gambit and Rogue

Remy: This is how I've wanted it t'be since I FIRST looked at you, Roguie. Beyond all the flirtin' an' teasin'- past all the games an' all the uncertainty - I KNOW we can be hurt, girl. Physically as well as emotionally - I know one kiss from you - one touch, flesh to flesh - might give me some serious hurtin' - but I'm willin' t'take the RISK for you....you willin' t'do the same for me?

Rogue: ah...ah can't....ah want to - but ah can't. Ah'm so afraid - ah might hurt you - ...an' if ah kiss you an' if ah hurt you - ah know - ah JUST KNOW - ah'd want to DIE.

Enough said.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine - Day 1

Well, it's here. My turn again on the DIK Ladies Blog. Which means a break from the regular programming while I (aka Skeletor!Thea) hijack the posts for three days.



In all honesty, I had completely forgot that I had another turn coming up until Tracy kindly nudged me (thank you Tracy!). So I started my normal head-scratching routine. What could I write about, and for three days no less? I was at a complete loss and having a bit of a panic attack (like, getting ready to post random youtube clips...wait, I still might do that!).

And then...sweet, sweet inspiration.

In the form of a trailer.

Picture this: Me, lost and alone, pitifully drowning in a morass of panic. Grasping at lame non-idea after lame non-idea. And then, as the rushing sound of chaos threatens to choke any creative instinct I might have, I hear it.

KA-SHING!!

The sound of ruthless adamantium, breaking through flesh, cutting through steel. And just like that, I'm saved.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine comes out in theaters this Friday, and what better way to celebrate the first bonafide blockbuster film of the Summer than to take a look at some of the leading dudes?

Especially considering, Remy Le Beau, aka Gambit, is one of my heroes living with me on the island.

Without further ado, I give you a look at the guys that put the X in Men. Starting with the gruffest badass of them all...

Wolverine

X-Men Origins: Wolverine is, after all, Wolverine's solo shot. Really playing fast and loose with the X-continuity but basically deriving from the Origin and Weapon X stories.

James Howlett, aka Logan, aka Wolverine, was born on a plantation in Canada in the late 1800s. After a traumatic event in his childhood resulting in his father's murder and his mother's suicide, James's healing factor kicked in, protecting him from the trauma of his prior memories, and he refused Rose (his childhood companion and the only person who could tell him the truth)'s offer to tell him about his past. Over the ensuing years, Logan fought in wars, eventually teaming up with Captain America in WWII, eventually leading him to Team X, and then the dreaded Weapon X, where he had the adamantium grafted to his skeleton. And, the rest, as they say, is history.

So, replacing the geek hat with the fangirl hat, what am I really looking forward to from the movie (when by all accounts it seems like it will be light on substance and high and style)?

How's about some of this:

Even if the movie is terrible, which it might well be, I still get to sit and stare at Hughverine for two hours on a big screen. What? If guys can do this with Transformers and Megan Fox, what's wrong with us chicas enjoying a little mancandy?

Right?

Right?!

Thea's Heroes...Yeah, Baby!

It's time to introduce my starting lineup. Of heroes, that is.


1. Jamie Fraser, from the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon

Jamie. Jamie, Jamie, Jamie. I love Diana Gabaldon's Outlander books with a passion--because of the rich history, the science fiction aspect, and, of course, the enduring love between Jamie and Claire. I read the entire series (well, the first six books) in a two month binge. That's like...60,000 pages or something nuts like that (ok, I'm exaggerating, but it's a lot of text)! Jaime the Red, James MacKenzie Fraser is it. A product of his time, yes, but the kind of hero a woman wants. Especially with his considerable skills at hunting, on a desert island. (Gerry, with some hair dye, could totally pull off Jamie)

Plus...come on. Even my cynical heart cannot resist this:

"I will find you," he whispered in my ear. "I promise. If I must endure two hundred years of purgatory, two hundred years without you---then that is my punishment, which I have earned for my crimes. For I have lied, and killed, and stolen; betrayed and broken trust. But there is one thing that shall lie in the balance. When I shall stand before God, I shall have one thing to say, to weigh against the rest."
His voice dropped, nearly to a whisper, and his arms tightened around me.
"Lord, ye gave me a rare woman, and God! I loved her well."

or this:

"I prayed all the way up that hill yesterday," he said softly. "Not for you to stay; I didna think that would be right. I prayed I'd be strong enough to send ye away." He shook his head, still gazing up the hill, a faraway look in his eyes. "I said 'Lord, if I've never had courage in my life before, let me have it now. Let me be brave enough not to fall on my knees and beg her to stay.'" He pulled his eyes away from the cottage and smiled briefly at me. "Hardest thing I ever did, Sassenach."

2. Joscelin Verreuil, from the Kushiel's Legacy series by Jacqueline Carey

Truth be told, I love these books for Phedre. BUT Joscelin is one damn fine hero. Although neither Legolas nor Wesley are quite right for the Casseline, tall, blonde and deadly is close to fitting the bill. And beautiful. Did I mention the beautiful?


3. Jacob Black, from the Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer

Pretending that the crapfest last book never happened, Jacob Black still is one of the sweetest, passionate guys out there. And, since the movie casting just doesn't fit the bill for me, I'm taking Stephen Strait as my Jacob. Yeah, he probably looks a little old for the role in the picture above...but he looks pretty young and sweet-faced here:

4. Bruce Wayne, aka Batman (and I am cheating and taking every version of the bat that I want. I can do that)

Do I need to explain my love for Bruce? Or why I would bring a bajillionaire badass to the island (especially considering he comes with hi-tech gadgets and Alfred too, naturally)?

I didn't think so.

Batman, I heart you.


5. Remy LeBeau, aka Gambit (of the X-Men)

Who doesn't love the cajun? He's suave, he's got that killer accent, and I want him to call me cher. And risk draining his lifeforce for a kiss. And who better to play Remy than LOST's own smooth talking conman, Sawyer. Josh Holloway...well, he's something else, ain't he? I mean just look at this:

Yep. He'd be a pretty good Gambit.

How'd that get in there?


6. Roland Deschain, from The Dark Tower series by Stephen King

Who better to bring to the island than the last Gunslinger? Yeah, he might have his cold heart--but I don't think it can ever get any more badass than Roland. At least he'll be able to keep the lobstrosities ("dod-a-chok? did-a-chick?") from raiding the camp at high tide.

So...there you have it. My men. We'll be partying out in my inflatable zodiac. Until tomorrow then!

Thea's Desert Island Keepers

Whasssaaaaa! FINALLY it is here! My turn to seize control of host the blog *cackles maniacally in a nasal voice*

Ok, I promise not to abuse my power and go crazy. Now, dear minions, my books are as follows! (I have made some changes...and because of the power of Skeletor and Snake Mountain, this is totally legit)

"The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed."

1. The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King

At the age of 19 Stephen decided he would like to write an epic similar to The Lord of the Rings. The “spaghetti Westerns” of that time and a poem written by Robert Browning, “Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came,” became the inspiration for his magnum opus. The series written and published separately over a period of 22 years consists of seven books and the short story, “The Little Sisters of Eluria” published in his short story collection, Everything’s Eventual. ~ from The Dark Tower Official Website

So, I notice that some folks are snagging entire series' and bringing them to the island. I want in--and I'm taking all The Dark Tower books with me *ninja flip* These books are my favorites of all time, even though the series itself is deeply flawed...it just makes it that much more endearing. These are some of King's best novels, very epic, and tragic, and grand in scale. I cried after finishing the last book and had to reread the series immediately.

"Hammering my fist against the back of my closet wasn’t one of my more pleasant dreams. Actually, it kind of hurt."

2. For a Few Demons More by Kim Harrison

Despite dating one vampire and living with another, Rachel Morgan has always managed to stay just ahead of trouble . . . until now.

A fiendish serial killer stalks the Hollows, and no one living in or around Cincinnati—human, inhuman, or undead—is safe.

An ancient artifact may be the key to stopping the murderer—a mysterious relic that is now in the hands of Rachel Morgan, fearless independent bounty hunter and reckless witch. But revealing it could ignite a battle to the death among the vast and varied local supernatural races.

Rachel's been lucky so far. But even she can't hide from catastrophe forever. ~ from Kim Harrison.com

The Rachel Morgan series is flat-out my favorite Urban Fantasy series. Kim Harrison is easily my favorite UF author--make that one of my favorite authors, period. Rachel's adventures are incredibly fast-paced, with stakes that get higher in each book. This one, book five, is my favorite because of the character growth and the heartbreak.

"This should be agony. I should be a mass of aching muscle -- broken, spent, unable to move. And, were I an older man, I surely would... but I'm a man of thirty -- of twenty again. The rain on my chest is baptism --
I'm born again...."

3. The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller

It is ten years after an aging Batman has retired and Gotham City has sunk deeper into decadence and lawlessness. Now as his city needs him most, the Dark Knight returns in a blaze of glory. Joined by Carrie Kelly, a teenage female Robin, Batman takes to the streets to end the threat of the mutant gangs that have overrun the city. And after facing off against his two greatest enemies, the Joker and Two-Face for the final time, Batman finds himself in mortal combat with his former ally, Superman, in a battle that only one of them will survive. This collection is hailed as a comics masterpiece and was responsible for the launch of the Batman movies. ~ from DC Comics.com

Not only my favorite Batman book, but my favorite graphic novel, period. Batman is back, as an older man who cannot retire and give up that darker, savage, alive part of him. There is an air of finality to this book--but in a beautiful way.

"The terror, which would not end for another twenty-eight years--if it ever did end--began, so far as I can know or tell, with a boat made from a sheet of newspaper floating down a gutter swollen with rain."

4. It by Stephen King

A promise made twenty-eight years ago calls seven adults to reunite in Derry, Maine, where as teenagers they battled an evil creature that preyed on the city's children. Unsure that their Losers Club had vanquished the creature all those years ago, the seven had vowed to return to Derry if IT should ever reappear. Now, children are being murdered again and their repressed memories of that summer return as they prepare to do battle with the monster lurking in Derry's sewers once more.

It is incredibly ambitious. It's sinfully long, and yet amazingly, not long enough--I finished It in middle school, and try to reread it at least once a year. AND, drumroll please, I've convinced Ana to read it too. This is King at his finest--scariest shit I have ever read, and yet heartwarming too. If you can believe that.

"Mara! Oh, Amon, no hand but mine shall slay that misbegotten Libyan."

5. Mara, Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Jarvis McGraw

Mara is a proud and beautiful slave girl who yearns for freedom. In order to gain it, she finds herself playing the dangerous role of double spy for two arch enemies - each of whom supports a contender for the throne of Egypt.

Against her will, Mara finds herself falling in love with one of her masters, the noble Sheftu, and she starts to believe in his plans of restoring Thutmose III to the throne. But just when Mara is ready to offer Sheftu her help and her heart, her duplicity is discovered, and a battle ensues in which both Mara's life and the fate of Egypt are at stake. ~ from Barnes & Noble.com

I first read this book in sixth grade, and it has been one of my favorite books ever since. Actually, this was the first book I had ever finished and then immediately reread. This young adult novel was written and published in the 1950s, and is still in print today, testament to how damn good it is. It's wonderfully romantic, set across a vivid ancient Egyptian backdrop and EVERYONE must read this novel. Seriously. Read it.

"We speak of stories ending, when in truth it is we who end. The stories go on and on."

6. Kushiel's Avatar by Jacqueline Carey

The land of Terre d' Ange is a place of unsurpassed beauty and grace. It is said that angels found the land and saw it was good...and the ensuing race that rose from the seed of angels and men live by one simple rule: Love as thou wilt.

Phedre no Delaunay is a woman born with a scarlet mote in her left eye and sold into indentured servitude as a child. Her bond was purchased by a nobleman, and he was the first one to recognize who and what she is: one pricked by Kushiel's Dart, chosen to forever experience pain and pleasure as one.

Phedre's path has taken a strange and sometimes dangerous course. She has lain with princes and pirate kings, battled a wicked temptress who is still determined to win the crown at any cost, and saved two nations with her courageous actions and sacrifices. Through it all she has had the devoted swordsman Joscelin at her side, who knew from the beginning what she was. Her very nature is a torturous thing for them both, and it is a bane on their lives--but he is sworn to her and by accepting who she is, Joscelin has never violated the central precept of the angel Cassiel: to protect and serve.

But Phedre's plans will put his pledge to the test, for she has never forgotten her childhood friend Hyacinthe. She has spent ten long years searching for the key to free him from his eternal indenture to the Master of Straights, a bargain with the gods that he struck so that a nation could be saved; in doing so, he took Phedre's place as a sacrifice. She cannot forget, and she cannot forgive--herself or the gods. She is determined to seize one last hope to redeem her friend, even if it means her death.

Their search will bring Phedre and Joscelin on adangerous path that will carry them across the world, to fabled courts and splendid vistas, to distant lands where madness reigns and souls are currency, and down a fabled river to a land forgotten by most of the world.

And to a power so mighty that none dare speak its name. ~ from Powell's Books.com

Kushiel's Dart having been taken, I would take this last book in Phedre's trilogy. This is probably my second favorite series of all time. Lyrical, heartbreaking...Jacqueline Carey is, in a word, brilliant.

So there you have it! Feel free to borrow whatever books you choose--just make sure they make their way back into my hut. Speaking of which, I have some heroes to take care of...

Until tomorrow! Cold beers for everyone!