Happy All-Hallows Eve

Today is Halloween in the U.S., but last night was "Beggar's Night" in my neighborhood. What is "Beggar's Night", you ask? I wondered the same thing when I first moved to Iowa. The night before Halloween, the kids go out begging for candy in costume, but they are required to tell you a joke or riddle in order to get the kiddy crack. Since the above link probably won't work after a day or two, here's an excerpt from the Des Moines Register article about the origins of the Central Iowa Beggar's Night:

The flash point came on Halloween in 1938 when Des Moines police answered a record 550 calls concerning vandalism. Krieg, along with the Community Chest' group work council, began a campaign to encourage less violent forms of Halloween fun.

They set aside Oct. 30 as Beggars' Night and got the word out to the public that on that night - and only that night - children would be allowed to go from door to door and say the phrase "tricks for eats." The council urged that "eats should be given only if such a 'trick' as a song, a poem, a stunt or a musical number, either solo or in group participation, is presented."

I think my boyfriend would be relieved that the musical option has gone out of style. The last person he'd give candy to is a tiny Ethel Merman or Tommy Tune.

When I lived in a smaller town, the kids were pretty good with the joke-telling. I live in the Des Moines suburbs now, and I think I only got 4 jokes TOTAL last night. Four! That's outrageous! What is wrong with these kids today?

There was a rather interesting assortment of costumes this year. A fairy/butterfly/princess toddler was extremely excited about this whole Halloween thing. A V for Vendetta was one of my first visitors. I think they were around 10 or 11 and female, though that mask covers a lot. I wanted to ask him/her if they were planning on blowing up Parliament tonight, but I restrained myself.

We almost ran out of candy. I had to shut the door before the 8 p.m. cutoff time (yes, they only allow begging from 6-8 p.m.) to keep people away. Sadly, I also gave all the regular and peanut M&M's away, leaving me with the crappy crunchy mini M&M's. Next year, I need to use better strategy.

Oprah's Promos Hurt My Brain

Today's promo on Oprah was for a show about wives and mistresses, and it made my brain hurt. It was not the subject matter that bothered me, it was the editing. I think it could give you an epileptic seizure.

If I can find a clip of it online, I'll post it. I'm guessing it will be airing again tomorrow and might be online on Friday. It's painful.

Update! They've posted it. See for yourself, but take your meds first.

Great Tutorials Online: Knitting in the Round

Knit Picks has a really great page of tutorials on knitting in the round, including Magic Loop, using circular needles, DPNs, or two circulars (useful for knitting two socks or mittens at the same time). The photos are really easy to follow, and the instructions are good, too. Check it out!

Shout Out to BWE.tv

If you found me today from the Best Week Ever blog link, howdy. The place I originally found that weird video can be found here: blurbomat.com . If that sounds familiar at all, it's because he's married to Heather at dooce.com, making him "Mr. Dooce" I suppose. :)

How about that Office episode last night? Anyone want to sign my cast?

Most blogs seem to be talking about The Office, but what about 30 Rock? I think they were on crazy juice last night, in a good way. I have to single out the scenes between Kenneth, Tracy, and his wife. I loved seeing Kenneth pretending to hit on Tracy's wife. Also, Liz Lemmon is starting to remind me of myself sometimes, which is kind of sad. I'm not living alone with a wedding dress that smells like ham or anything, but I have all these unfinished projects, and I thoroughly enjoyed visiting "the Cleve". Also, her reaction to Jack questioning her about eating that entire steak...priceless.

Did anyone notice last night that the three sitcoms usually shared a joke somewhere. I think Al Roker was a punchline in both Earl and The Office, and I think there was something on both 30 Rock and The Office, but I can't remember. I wonder if that was planned.

Another Famous Knitter

ContactMusic.com is reporting that Kimberly Stuart (daughter of rockin' Rod Stewart) is a knitter:

She says, "Yes, it's one of my hobbies... I can knit a good scarf. The last thing I made was a blanket for my baby brother Alastair."

Maybe she can use her influence to get Paris and Lindsey to start knitting and stay out of prison. I would include Britney in that group, but I fear what would happen if you gave her a couple of pointy sticks.

Attack of the Clay Bunnies!

This commercial is amazing, and how they made it is even more amazing. Check it out!

The Wonder Years without V.O.

This is so true...so true. I still love the Wonder Years, however.

Brandon Routh in Iowa City

Brandon Routh in Iowa City
Originally uploaded by Alan Light

Iowa's own Superman. I'm surprised I never heard about him being there. Thee only news from that homecoming parade that I heard was that some kid got hit by a car in the parade because he ran out to get candy. Now officials are considering disallowing folks to throw candy at the parade. Sigh.
This photo was not taken by me, but by an awesome photographer named Alan Light. You owe it to yourself to take a look at his celebrity photos on flicker.