It's never really the holidays until the lights go up around the house and ornaments are hung from the tree. And for the first time since living on my own, I have a full size tree to enjoy this Christmas! No, it's not a real one, but it's pretty darn close (and a huge improvement from my tabletop one I used the last few years.)
John and I laced twinkling light strands around our 6th floor balcony, which I honestly love so much, I might just keep them up year-round! The view is only enhanced from the soft glow of the warm lights. The tree? Well, the cats haven't tried to climb it yet, and I even have just the right amount of ornaments to fill it.
I wish that John and I could stay through Christmas and enjoy this festive little space. But for the weeks leading up to our trip to Cleveland, I know this is what will put me in that holiday spirit. How are your decorations coming along? Did you put them up weeks ago, or are you holding off until the last minute? No matter when they go up, I hope you're all having a beautiful winter's day.
One undeniable truth about me is that I'm a big scaredy-cat. I don't love horror movies, though I've seen my fill of classics over the years. Hitchcock, '30s monster movies, the occasional psychological thriller, and anything by Del Toro... I have my limits, and thankfully, after many horrible choices (don't let your friends convince you to watch The Devil's Rejects when you know in your gut it's just not for you), I've learned what those limits are.
But as a lover of cinema... I've had a hard time disregarding an entire genre just because I'm such a wuss. Turns out, I'm actually more curious than I am scared; I want to know about all these movies that other people seem to love or devour with frightened delight--and when I was in college, I found something that made that possible.
Obviously, lists and countdowns are my jam. In 2004, the Bravo network aired a countdown called the 100 Scariest Movie Moments--and I have watched this three and a half hour fright-fest every year for the past 10 years in the days leading up to Halloween.
Since it's a free cable network, they can only show you so much--but it's just enough to give me the taste of fear, and the education on the world of horror that my scaredy-cat self would normally miss and dismiss. Many of the "talking heads" they get to give comedy and commentary are luminaries of horror, and more than anything, they make it entertaining and thrilling. While a lot of it still makes my stomach churn (I just walk away when they talk about the original The Last House on the Left), I have to admit: I love watching it.
And thanks to the world of the internet, every segment has been broken out into 100 short videos on YouTube. Watching it is my own personal tradition, and for anyone like me who hates horror movies but feels that tinge of curiosity... this epic countdown might just be for you.
Even if you're in the opposite camp and love horror films, seeing what Bravo considered (in the olden days of 2004) to be scariest movie moments is pretty interesting. Enjoy! And have a great Halloween!
Click below to watch a playlist of the entire countdown, courtesy of ThatHorrorMovieGuy:
It feels odd to be talking about this already, considering Halloween is only just upon us; but as the months tick down, I realize it's becoming crucial to start planning for all those holiday travels.
Me? I'll be spending my Christmas vacation in the lovely metropolis of Cleveland, OH. It might sound like I'm saying this in a less than enthusiastic tone. Truth is, I'm pretty ecstatic about visiting Cleveland—it's my boyfriend's hometown and a place I've never been! I am, however, less than enthused about the travel bit of it.
I've never had a problem with flying. I actually really like it. But it's been many, many years since I was one of the millions of masses boarding a plane to visit extended family at the holidays. My travels always included me, my pets, and a pile of dirty laundry, all packed into my comfy [private] car on the drive from LA to San Francisco. Easy-peasy.
Not this year. This year, I'll be having a much colder Christmas. And I have been warned that my California blood can't possibly prepare for the chill coming off of Lake Eerie that time of year. Oh, and don't even get me started on forking over $700+ for a round-trip plane ticket... my mouse is hovering over that "purchase" button this very moment. It's a click that'll sting a bit.
Okay. I might have some hesitations. So tell me friends: aside from visiting the Christmas Story House Museum—what is there that I shouldn't miss while in the lovely city of Cleveland? My itinerary planning starts... now.
