"Luke. I am your Father."

I was criticized the other day for discussing a movie with a co-worker. It turns out that not all of those sitting around the water-cooler had seen the movie, and after our detailed discussion, these individuals felt like we had ruined the movie. Sure, we talked openly about the ending. We dissected plots and plot errors like it was an earthworm in 8th grade science class. We talked about better scenes and created our own sub plots just like we would if we were Trekies. (We aren’t, thanks for asking.) We did all of this without even warning the other individuals that were within ear shot. When it was all said and done, it was pointed out how wrong it was of us to do such a thing. Normally, I would agree with that assessment...however, we were talking about The Dark Knight, released in 2008.

So my question to you is this: What is the statute of limitations on spoiler alerts? How many people out there would get mad at me for now mentioning that Luke Skywalker is the son of Darth Vader? Do I need to preface any future Groundhog Day references with a spoiler alert tag?

At first, I thought these guys were joking. They were absolutely irritated that we had not warned them about our discussion. One-hundred percent, honestly offended. I was speechless. I didn’t even know how to respond in my defense. It was as if Mr Belding had walked into the room while Zack and the gang were devising how to sluff class next. Complete silence.

A podcast I listen to gives spoiler alerts. They sometimes discuss Mad Men and Survivor, as well as the various MTV Real World shows. They give a warning when they are about to talk about something that happened at the end of one of these shows, but these usually played within the past week at the time of the podcast.

I wish I could go back to that "spoiler"moment at the fire station, because now I am full of comebacks. I would have told them that the Goonies find a Pirate Ship and save their houses. I would have told them that Apollo dies in Rocky 2. I also would have told them that Sleeping Beauty wakes up at the end and runs off with Prince Phillip. Also, since we were at the fire station, I should have told them that Bull dies at the end of Backdraft.

What are your thoughts?

Eff Ewe Murphy

I've been good. Tried to be responsible. Held out for so many years on getting a nice TV...even after watching so many friends, family members, and complete strangers all upgrade to such nice equipment. I saved (somewhat). Worked extra hours. Worked a second part time job. Been trying hard to not get consumer debt. Finally, the time came that I felt like we could upgrade. So I did. Brand new 1080 P (whatever that means) LCD big screen, flat screen TV. Love it.

Two days later: Washer dies. (true, this should have happened years ago. I have had it for almost 10 years. I bought it for 25 bucks. It is a 1959 (I think) Maytag, so it should have been somewhat suspected, but this week? After getting the TV?)

Four days later: Disposal goes out.

Four days and one hour later: forget debt free. Its time to live it up.

Costume Ball

As promised, I am responding to Rebecca's post down yonder.

The red and white polka dot shirt did not fit. I tried dressing as a fat middle aged man, but couldn't find the right costume. So, we decided to go to Mickey's Halloween Party in Disneyland instead. I dressed as a Ghostbuster, and Rebecca dressed as Hermoine from Harry Potter. Or something like that. Oh yeah, we left the kids home, which is my new favorite way to do Disneyland.

I love Halloween, but I have a weird approach to the holiday. I have this need to have a cool costume. If we are going to dress up, we need to go all out right? Okay, maybe not "all out," but its fun to get into the spirit.

The Halloween Party at DL is a must do for any Disneyland fan. They close the park off early, and you have to buy a special ticket to stay inside and go trick or treating. All the candy you can carry if you really go after it. There are characters all around, photo ops not available during normal park hours, etc.

So yeah, we get into Halloween here. I usually have to work on Hallow's Eve, and this year is no different. So on the actual date I guess I will dress up like a Fireman. It's a popular costume, but I make it look good. (Yes, Angie, that really is me.)

Expose?

I have been meaning to respond to the Halloween post from Rebecca below, but I am going to wait and do it after Halloween, In the meantime, I had some other thoughts...

While watching Rock of Love Girls: Where are They Now? on VH1, my mind wandered off and began thinking about a make-believe special called: Cyprus High Friends: Where are They Now? I began thinking about how good we all have it. I compared my friends to arbitrary situations I come across on a daily basis and came out feeling very good at what our lives have amounted to. Seriously, have you ever stopped to think along these lines? Granted, to my knowledge, none of us are ridiculously rich; but also to my knowledge all are living comfortably. It’s fun to think about what we have become. Here is what I have come up with that, collectively, we have done: built buildings, own a business, practice law, own our homes (or at least paying the bank for them), started families, happily married, program computers, raise children, practice law, fight fires (I had to throw me in here), manage a restaurant, professionally photograph, and the list goes on and on.

We really have a lot to be happy about in life. None of us has major health issues (to my knowledge), we have stayed active to our core religious beliefs, and most of us have created successful blogs.

Seriously though, if you go back to high school days and remember how we were and what we did, and fast forward to where we are now, would you have ever imagined these circumstances for each of us? It’s kind of fun. Sitting in the Commons area begging you all for a nickel so I could get 45 cents for a Reeses Peanut Butter Cup seems like so long ago, and surely my mind was never turned to what I would be when I grew up. I think when asked in classes I always said I wanted to be a Forest Ranger. It also makes me wonder what my kids will become? Right now, Tierra wants to be a Cheetah (Thundercats always comes to mind when she says this), Eli signs his name at school “Eli Fireman,” but always says he wants to be a builder, (in fact, he wants to build Disneyland in our backyard so we don't have to drive so far) and Haylee always dresses herself up in our toy firefighter gear.

Anyway, hopefully this spawns some fun comments about all of us, since those of you that read and comment on the blog are mostly from the Home of Scholars and Champions. Let’s hear it. Who surprises you the most? Least? Not at all? What did you think I would be when I grew up?

Okay, Chad, you win.

Let's talk about Halloween. Costumes to be more specific. I've been digging through our costume box trying to come up with something for all the many, hip Halloween parties we will most certainly be invited too (You know, like the kid's school parties and the ward trunk or treat). There's slim pickin's in that box but I think I might be able to put together something. I'm thinking I could pull of a good Hermione Granger from Harry Potter (I do love my teen fiction). The frizzy hair look should be easy since that's what my hair always seems to do without any coercion. All I would need is a magic wand so I could work on my Patronus charm to keep away Dementors. Or I could just go without it.

I also found a fun pink, striped 50's style skirt and shirt that I could probably do something with. I'm thinking either Sandra Dee from Grease or Barbie. But I don't have the legs to pull of Barbie so I'd probably go with Sandy.

The best thing in the box was something that looked like this little beauty (minus the sickle).

I guess you could call it the Grim Reaper look. The whole faceless thing is pretty creepy. I chased my kids around the house in it for a few minutes (minus the sickle). It was great fun! I think this will be my choice to wear while handing out candy on Halloween night.

For the parties, I'll probably just go with the easy choice: a pirate. It's a popular choice in our household. Simple to throw together, comfortable, and you can wear an eyepatch: what's not to love?

So, do you dress up for Halloween? If so, what are you planning to wear? And if not, is it because you're too busy waiting for The Great Pumpkin? Because he's not coming.

Oh, and Chad, I found a red and white polka-dot shirt with your name on it. I'm thinking Minnie Mouse. I'm sure Tierra would let you borrow her ears.