Again, this year, I've been growing a mustache (or 'Mo') for the month of Movember to raise money for fight prostate cancer. This year it is very personal, as my father-in-law, Tony is fighting prostate cancer and just had his surgery this month. He's doing well, but this is no walk in the park.
As you may know, I had rotator cuff surgery this month, spent only a day in the hospital, and can only imagine how much harder dealing with prostate cancer is for others.
You can visit my Movember page to donate or learn more. I've posted plenty of pictures to see the growth of the Mo. Those that know me in RL, know I can grow a beard in a about a day, so the mustache has come in fully during the month. My wife, Michele, is the artistic designer this year, and guided the shape.
As an avid cyclist, I was happy to see Movember also working with the Livestrong Foundation. This year, I joined up with Team Fatty, the team for fans of the Fat Cyclist, Elden Nelson, who's blog details his passion for cycling and the fight his wife Susan had with cancer.
If you can spare a little money, please consider donating. Every little bit helps. Many thanks to the people that have already donated, you rock!
As I did last year, I will post video of Michele shaving off my mustache. She is quite eager for Movember to end.
I was at a local antique shop, rummaging around with my daughters when I stumbled onto some old science fiction magazines from the 50s and 60s. I like this one because it had an article about what college would be like in the year 2008.
The article touches on various ideas such as early aptitude testing, learning at home, and even the use of smart drugs. I scanned the article in for your enjoyment.
I wonder what an article about the Class of 2058 would predict.
Halloween was yesterday. We gave out full size candy again this year much to the delight of all the trick or treaters. This is the fifth year we have given away full size candy. I still enjoy the look on the kids faces when they realize this. Also, I overhear kids saying things like, "I remember this house, it's the best!" That makes me happy.
I was wearing my Star Trek outfit to hand out candy. After a bit of help in the beginning from the kids and my mother-in-law, the family headed out into the night. Piper, our dog, kept me company and was interested in everyone that stopped by. In between visitors I watch the end of Beverly Hills Chihuahua and then Bruce Lee in Enter the Dragon. Enter the Dragon was better.
Once again, I set up my timelapse photography gear and made video of the door from 6:35PM to 9:07PM as I sat there handing out candy.
I made a second version of the timelapse that is a full five minutes long. If you want even more of me sitting, handing out candy, go watch it.
As I have in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, I asked every person what they were dressed as and wrote down the answers. I am careful to ask what they are, accepting their answers rather than interpreting what I see. I now have five years of data to compare.
Here are the top ten costumes for the last five years compared.
This year, 'witch' rose to the top as the top costume, retaking the crown it had not held since 2006. People not wearing a costume, noted as "nothing", spike this year. Cruft Manor is seriously considering a "No costume, no candy." policy in 2010. Seemed to be less commercial costumes this year and more homemade ones. Overall, it was a busy night.
A few costumes stood out that I liked such as Darth Vader Vampire and Hunter from Left 4 Dead. The Left 4 Dead kid was ecstatic when I knew what his costume was from. He pumped his fist and said "Awesome!"
Here is this year's costume list, with a total of 213 people.
14 Witch
8 "nothing"
7 Fairy
6 Pirate
5 Princess
5 Scream
5 Skeleton
4 Dorothy from Wizard of Oz
4 Spiderman
3 Butterfly
3 Darth Vader
3 Grim Reaper
3 Ladybug
3 Ninja
3 Snow White
3 Vampire
3 Wizard
3 Wrestler
2 "myself"
2 Army Man
2 Bad Sandy from Grease
2 Banana
2 Barbie
2 Boy
2 Bumblebee
2 Bumblebee from Transformers
2 Cat
2 Doctor
2 Dracula
2 Football Player
2 Gangster
2 Gorilla
2 Karate Man
2 Little Red Riding Hood
2 Power Ranger - Red
2 Supergirl
2 Tinkerbell
2 Wolfman
1 Alien in disguise
1 Amy Winehouse
1 Anakin Skywalker
1 Army Girl
1 Ballerina
1 Baseball Player
1 Bee
1 Ben 10
1 Boxer
1 Chicken
1 Chinese Soldier
1 Chuckie (doll)
1 Clone Trooper
1 Cook
1 Cowboy
1 Crossing Guard
1 Darth Vader Vampire
1 Devil
1 Devil Girl
1 Donald Duck
1 Dragon
1 Duke from G.I. Joe
1 Emperor of Evil
1 Erkel
1 Evil Joker
1 Fire Fighter
1 Flower Girl
1 Freddie Krueger
1 Ghoul
1 Glowing Rave Person
1 Go Go Girl
1 Goth Bat
1 Grandpa Mexican
1 Harajuku Girl
1 Harry Potter
1 High School Graduate
1 Hippy
1 Home Depot Guy
1 Homeless Guy
1 Hunter from Left 4 Dead
1 Incredible Hulk
1 Indian Princess
1 Jedi
1 Jigsaw from Saw
1 Joker
1 Ladybug
1 Laker Fan
1 Leopard
1 Mad Cow Disease
1 Mardi Gras Man
1 Mask
1 Max from Wild Things
1 Mermaid
1 Michael Jordan
1 Michael Meyers
1 Minnie Mouse
1 Model
1 Mr. & Mrs. Noodle & Elmo
1 Mrs. Claus
1 Native American
1 Nerd with Mustache
1 Peter Pan
1 Pooka
1 Pumpkin
1 Pumpkin w/ Balloons
1 Race Car Driver
1 Robber with night vision goggles
1 Sailor
1 Scary Clown
1 Sexy Model
1 Skater
1 Skater Nerd
1 Soccer Player
1 Softball Player
1 Spiderella
1 Superman
1 Tara from Teen Titans
1 Tie Dye Person
1 Toxic Avenger
1 Victorian Queen
1 Violin Player
1 Warrior (70s movie)
1 Wig Lady
1 Wolverine
1 Wonder Woman
1 Yellow T-shirt guy
1 Zombie
1 Zombie Punk