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Hobby Thread - October 26, 2024 [TRex]

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Welcome hobbyists! Pull up a chair and sit a spell with the Horde in this little corner of the interweb. This is the mighty, mighty officially sanctioned Ace of Spades Hobby Thread.

We gave the Ace of Spades Wheel of Hobbies(TM) a spin and it landed on a theme of Halloween traditions for this week. Imagine that? What a coincidence with Halloween coming up soon!

Let us talk Halloween traditions. Costumes, decorations for the home, pumpkin carving, trick or treating, candy, haunted houses, pumpkin chunkin,and such. Do you embrace the holiday? Are you a jack o lantern artist? Do you have favorite pumpkin designs or costumes from your past? Have you over engineered decorations, costumes or pumkin carving? Are you planning a great costume this year? Do you remember traditions from your childhood? Have you shared traditions with your kids? How did your manage the candy haul of your kids? Did you impose a parent tax that confiscated some of their candy? Do you go overboard with decorating your house for the little ghosts and goblins? Is your house haunted? I know the Horde is crafty. What have you made, built or bodged for Halloween?

Content below to get the conversation started, but looking for participation from our gray box friends. If meaningful to you, it will be meaningful to the Horde. Time to get spooky!

As per usual Hobby Thread etiquette, keep this thread limited to Halloween traditions. Politics and current events can be scary but can reside in threads elsewhere. Play nice. Do not be a troll and do not feed the trolls. As usual, wearing pants is optional for thread participation.

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Top photo with Ghostbusters trivia: Did you know that the ghost in the Ghostbusters logo has a name? Apparently they named him Mooglie during the filming.

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Looking for a Halloween costume with an AoS theme? I will let the Horde decide whether either of these models is a hordeling.

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An origin story:

The tradition of carving Jack o Lanterns originated in Ireland using turnips instead of pumpkins. It is allegedly based on a legend about a man named Stingy Jack who repeatedly trapped the Devil and only let him go on the condition that Jack would never go to Hell. But when Jack died, he learned that Heaven did not want his soul either, so he was forced to wander the Earth as a ghost for eternity. The Devil gave Jack a burning lump of coal in a carved-out turnip to light his way. Locals eventually began carving scary faces into their own turnips to frighten away evil spirits.

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Comic relief:

Where does a mummy go for vacation? The Dead Sea.

What do vegetarian zombies eat? Graaaains!

What kind of horse does a ghost ride? A night mare.

Why did the skeleton not go to the party? Because he had no body to go with.

Why did the skeleton not cross the road? He did not have the guts.

Why did the ghost need a band aid? He had a boo boo.

What kind of ship does Dracula have? A blood vessel.

What do ghosts eat for breakfast? Scream of Wheat

What do you call a chicken that haunts your house? A poultrygeist.

Why don't witches ever have babies? Because Warlocks have hollow weenies.

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Grim Grinning Ghosts

(Spoken)
When hinges creak in doorless chambers
And strange and frightening sounds echo through the halls
Whenever candle lights flicker where the air is deathly still
That is the time when ghosts are present
Practicing their terror with ghoulish delight

(Sung)
When the crypt doors creak, and the tombstones quake
Spooks come out for a swinging wake
Happy haunts materialize
And begin to vocalize
Grim Grinning Ghosts come out to socialize

Now don't close your eyes and don't try to hide
Or a silly spook may sit by your side
Shrouded in a daft disguise
They pretend to terrorize
Grim Grinning Ghosts come out to socialize

As the moon climbs high o'er the dead oak tree
Spooks arrive for the midnight spree
Creepy creeps with eerie eyes
Start to shriek and harmonize
Grim Grinning Ghosts come out to socialize

When you hear the knell of a requiem bell
Weird glows gleam where spirits dwell
Restless bones etherialize
Rise as spooks of every size
Grim Grinning Ghosts come out to socialize
Mwahahahahahahahaha!

(repeat three times)

If you would like to join our jamboree
There's a simple rule that's compulsory
Mortals pay a token fee
Rest in peace, the haunting's free
So hurry back, we would like your company

Hurry back...hurry back...
Be sure to bring your death certificate
If you decide to join us
Make final arrangements now
We've been...dying...to have you

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COB privilege to temporarily bend the no politics rule:

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Did you miss the Hobby Thread last week with a hiking theme? The comments may be closed, but you can re-live the content.

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Notable comments from last week:

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How about this? A Moron Meetup idea for Bavaria? For 2025 Oktoberfest? What say you, Horde? Ja? Do we have Horde members in or near Bavaria? If you are interested, send me a note.

20241023-Screenshot 2024-10-23 185834.jpg

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Words of wisdom:

"Because despite all our troubles, when things are grim out in that wide round world of ours, that's when it's really important to have a good hobby." Posted by: tankascribe at June 22, 2024 07:41 PM (HWxAD).

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If Halloween traditions are not your thing and you have trouble finding something in the content or comments that resonates with you, hijack the thread for your hobbying as you see fit. We will feature a different hobby next time around. Send thoughts, suggestions and photos of your hobbying to moronhobbies at protonmail dot com. The left lane is for passing. Get out of the left lane if you are not passing. If there is something strange in the neighborhood, who ya gonna call? Call the Ghostbusters. TRex is busy. Dinosaurs are allergic to slime.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 05:30 PM




Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Welcome Hobbiests

Posted by: Skip at October 26, 2024 05:30 PM (fwDg9)

2 black cats

Posted by: Ciampino - eggs are now in short supply again at October 26, 2024 05:31 PM (i0xsb)

3 Yay! Hobby thread!

I'm not a big Halloween fan, so the hobby stuff I've been doing over the last week has mostly revolved around desigining the TX MoMe badge for next year.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at October 26, 2024 05:32 PM (iZEhM)

4 Sadly not in a neighborhood so have no treaters.
I haven't got out my creatures yet but will to at least have the Halloween feeling

Posted by: Skip at October 26, 2024 05:33 PM (fwDg9)

5 Hobby thread? But no tutorials on curing and tanning hobo pelts? I am both confused and disappointed.

Posted by: Walter Freeman at October 26, 2024 05:35 PM (nAAzB)

6 Filled the pipe bowl. Setting out the chair. Tamper and lighter at the ready.

Posted by: mrp at October 26, 2024 05:38 PM (rj6Yv)

7 Favorite Halloween memory is when my dad and my brother and I rigged up a puppet with a stuffed sweater of Dad's for the torso, in a big cardboard box, and a lifesized plastic skull, and we put a stocking over its face to make it look scarier.

We had sewing threads to make it sit up and raise its hands and I worked it from inside the bay window on one side of the front stoop and my dad and brother were on the microphone whose little speaker planted in Wilbur's chest.

So was born Wilbur the Funny Phantom -- and watching the kids interact with this thing was a hoot. We had it behind the boxwood next to the stoop, and I controlled the light in a shoe box and would plug that in to highlight Wilbur and make him sit up as my brother or father would voice the critter. "This is Wilbur the funny Phantom, deep in the heart of the Jungle you hear the doo doo birds cry! Hockey hockey hockey!"

And the kids would talk to this thing like it was a real spook. We never had so much fun.

Posted by: Beverly at October 26, 2024 05:39 PM (Epeb0)

8 A skeleton walks into a bar. Orders a beer and a mop.

Posted by: Tuna at October 26, 2024 05:39 PM (oaGWv)

9 Is anyone a coin collector? Numismatics?

I was given a 1971 New Penny from Britain.

Is this thing really that rare? I looked on the Intertubes and it could be worth $250 or more.

Posted by: no one of any consequence at October 26, 2024 05:41 PM (+H2BX)

10 My hobby is sucking at golf.

Posted by: Angzarr the Cromulent at October 26, 2024 05:42 PM (XMwZJ)

11 T - 4 mins

https://www.youtube.com/live/UHoPxD-l1qg

Posted by: Ciampino - eggs are now in short supply again at October 26, 2024 05:43 PM (i0xsb)

12 Sadly, we get no little trick or treaters anymore. The neighborhood has changed/aged and most kids' Halloweens involve school or church groups instead of going door to door. Bummer. I liked greeting the kids when they came to the door, especially the tiny ones. The look on their faces when a bulky 6' 5" guy answers is adorable.

Posted by: JTB at October 26, 2024 05:43 PM (yTvNw)

13 Our second best Halloween display got us in trouble. We were then living in an upper middle class neighborhood and Dad decided that he would play The Devil's chords on the piano and put one of my mother's pantyhose over his head. I wore my full length black cloak with a big hood and played the Specter of Death. We also rigged up a life-sized dummy on the stairs with a kitchen butcher knife in it as if it had been stabbed to death.
There was a single candle in the foyer on the entryway table next to the candy. Little kids would come up to the door and I would open it silently with the hood pulled down to my nose and would silently put candy in their bags as Daddy played the devil's chords on the piano and then start to come out of the den into the foyer... and the kids would run away screaming.

This was great fun until one daddy's ire put an end to it. Apparently it was a bit too much for his 3-year-old daughter and he came up to the door and started ranting to Dad that he was a terrible father for scaring this little kid and Dad was so embarrassed that he pulled the stocking off his head and covered it himself with guilt and dirt and apologies. After The Irate dad left, we quit.

Posted by: Beverly at October 26, 2024 05:44 PM (Epeb0)

14 Do you embrace the holiday?

-------

Not so much. I buy a costume for my little daughter, and take her trick or treating. I buy candy and leave the light on so the wife or older kids can poison the other little munchkins with sugar.

But aside from that? Nah, and I don't think I ever will.

I mow my lawn and power wash my siding regularly, and that's about the most I'm willing to do for the visual enjoyment of people who would eat me if they got too hungry.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at October 26, 2024 05:45 PM (7oYYI)

15 Do you remember traditions from your childhood?

Yeah, being able to Trick or Treat for hours, well into the evening. Here in my 'hood in is now just two hours, from 6-8 PM.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at October 26, 2024 05:46 PM (mH6SG)

16 > Is anyone a coin collector? Numismatics?
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I have a modest collection left to me by my father. Many, old 1800's vintage coins, some "half dimes", etc.

And a very old $1 gold coin, about the size of a small button.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at October 26, 2024 05:46 PM (Q4IgG)

17 TRex, I really like the Halloween jokes. Reminds me of "101 Elephant Jokes". That was a great piece of literature.

Posted by: JTB at October 26, 2024 05:47 PM (yTvNw)

18 9 Is anyone a coin collector? Numismatics?

Posted by: no one of any consequence at October 26, 2024 05:41 PM
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Keep that thought handy. This topic is in the queue for an upcoming Hobby Thread.

Posted by: TRex at October 26, 2024 05:47 PM (IQ6Gq)

19 I'm a coin collector. Also known as "a Jew."

I keed, I keed. But I do collect coins and notes. It's fun.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at October 26, 2024 05:48 PM (7oYYI)

20 Hobby Halloween!

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at October 26, 2024 05:48 PM (gDlxJ)

21 I'm not a big Halloween fan, so the hobby stuff I've been doing over the last week has mostly revolved around desigining the TX MoMe badge for next year

Thanks for this years. It was a minor issue keeping it connected to the magnet but soon figured out a thin t-shirt would work best.

The only real issue I had was worrying that trying to read some of the badges would make the ettes think I was staring at their boobs. LOL

Posted by: Wingnutt at October 26, 2024 05:48 PM (nUx92)

22 No, but I betcha it is worth a Penny though.

Posted by: Common Tater at October 26, 2024 05:48 PM (s/z7K)

23 I'm not a big Halloween fan, so the hobby stuff I've been doing over the last week has mostly revolved around desigining the TX MoMe badge for next year.
***********
Cybersmythe, Hrothgar has started a movement that next year be known as TX MoMe X...haven't heard back yet from BH re her approval.

Posted by: Grateful, the range bag lady at October 26, 2024 05:48 PM (IQ6Gq)

24 Halloween was not a thing where I grew up.
We had All Saints & All Souls Days

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at October 26, 2024 05:49 PM (gDlxJ)

25 Not Halloween related, but hobby related: this morning I did what was probably my last SOTA hike of the year. The change in weather signals that it's probably time to switch to POTA or operating from home. At least today was a success; 4 contacts via 20m CW + 2 via 2m FM.

Posted by: PabloD at October 26, 2024 05:49 PM (P+5iz)

26 Good afternoon, hobbyists! Just got my first ever airbrush for modeling. I'm excited and nervous to try it. Currently working on an Italian M13/40 Carro Armato tank from the North African front.

Posted by: PA Dutchman at October 26, 2024 05:50 PM (QyT5w)

27 I thought the ghost from the Ghostbusters' logo was one of Casper's brothers. (I seem to recall that they were not friendly ghosts.)

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at October 26, 2024 05:51 PM (CHHv1)

28 Best Halloween that I remember was during a blizzard in the late '50's in Edmonton's river valley. Most parents kept their kids home ... so I got to collect 3 pillowcases full as folks were dumping their candy bowls in my bag. Think my sugar high last several months.

Posted by: Wingnutt at October 26, 2024 05:53 PM (nUx92)

29 Do you remember traditions from your childhood?
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Absolutely. preschool/kindergarten, 1st thru 3d grades went thru the neighborhoods after school and before dinner. Moms/older kids would walk them and wait at the end of the driveway.
4th grade and above graduated to going in the dark after dinner, sans parents. Great fun, and a rite of passage.
Also, in NY, aduts dressed up to hand out the candy. My father, dressed up, also ventured out into the night to the closest neighbbors - not confirmed, but I believe he was rewarded with an adult beverage or two.

Posted by: Grateful, the range bag lady at October 26, 2024 05:54 PM (IQ6Gq)

30 As a young kid loved Halloween, seems Covid killed Trick or Treat as see Trunk or Treat events all over now whatever they do

Posted by: Skip at October 26, 2024 05:54 PM (fwDg9)

31 adly not in a neighborhood so have no treaters.
I haven't got out my creatures yet but will to at least have the Halloween feeling
Posted by: Skip at October 26, 2024 05:33 PM (fwDg9)

Nothing wrong with decorating inside. September 1 the fall decor outside/inside goes up. October 1 the Halloween decor goes up. November 1 the Thanksgiving decor goes up and Halloween comes down. Day after Thanksgiving, the Christmas decor outside/inside goes up.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at October 26, 2024 05:54 PM (0eaVi)

32 Used to have two bowls, one with fun size candy treats, the other with packets from fast food: ketchup, mustard, hot sauces, Arby's horsey sauce, mayonnaise, as tricks.
But lived where no kids would go, up dark stairs, behind walls etc.

Posted by: Commissar of Plenty and Lysenkoism in Solidarity with the Struggle at October 26, 2024 05:55 PM (R4Gjb)

33 Words of wisdom above, about hobbies, are so true. If I can get myself into the quilting room and even do a few "baby steps," I feel happier and stronger.

I've designed and made a couple of Halloween quilts. One was a small wall hanging of a haunted house, for a cousin, with different scary prints "fussy-cut" to be looking out all the windows. The other was lap quilt sized, log cabin blocks with a border, in black and orange prints. That one went to a silent auction for my high school reunion. I love buying and playing with Halloween fabrics!

Posted by: skywch at October 26, 2024 05:56 PM (uqhmb)

34 Thanks for this years. It was a minor issue keeping it connected to the magnet but soon figured out a thin t-shirt would work best.

The only real issue I had was worrying that trying to read some of the badges would make the ettes think I was staring at their boobs. LOL
Posted by: Wingnutt at October 26, 2024 05:48 PM


The attachment was a definite fail.

For next year, I'm probably going to just give up and by adhesive attachment thingies.

For those of you who were not at the MoMe, I had the first badge printed and was the first one to lose his badge. Fortunately, my Lady was much better and finding the lost badge than I was.

I haven't started on a design yet. As of now I'm just kicking around ideas.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at October 26, 2024 05:57 PM (iZEhM)

35 I don't believe in ghosts. I would like to see one though. It's rumored there was a prison camp a little up the creek that runs along our yard and it's supposedly haunted, but I've never seen anything up there any more spooky than a giant owl.

Posted by: fd at October 26, 2024 05:57 PM (vFG9F)

36 Halloween was not a thing where I grew up.
We had All Saints & All Souls Days
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at October 26, 2024 05:49 PM (gDlxJ)

Probably is now. Ex's family in Makati decorate their business and do extravagant costumes.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at October 26, 2024 05:58 PM (0eaVi)

37 Do you remember traditions from your childhood?
************
Oh yea... the family get-togethers for Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Opening day at the community pool. 4th of July on the National Mall. The day school pictures were taken. Summer vacations in FL on the Gulf Coast. Halloween. Decorating the Christmas tree.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at October 26, 2024 05:59 PM (Q4IgG)

38 hi

Posted by: Iris at October 26, 2024 05:59 PM (bOJ2I)

39 Long time ago greeted a kid at the door, I was wearing a leather jacket and flipped open a switchblade. His parents gasped and clutched each other. The impressed kid said "Cool!" Good times.

Posted by: Commissar of Plenty and Lysenkoism in Solidarity with the Struggle at October 26, 2024 06:00 PM (R4Gjb)

40 Hi Iris!

Posted by: Grateful, the range bag lady at October 26, 2024 06:01 PM (IQ6Gq)

41 34 For next year, I'm probably going to just give up and by adhesive attachment thingies.

For those of you who were not at the MoMe, I had the first badge printed and was the first one to lose his badge.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at October 26, 2024 05:57 PM
***
Superglue with a pin or a lanyard.

Losing and recovering the badge was a rite of passage. Thanks to Doof for finding mine down the hill on the rifle range.

Posted by: TRex at October 26, 2024 06:01 PM (IQ6Gq)

42 We were in a couple of great neighborhoods when the kids were smalls. When I was brewing beer I pulled a wagon with 5 gal kegs of homebrew and supplied the walking parents with sustenance, by all reports it was appreciated.

We would buy a bale of hay and put one of the bigger kids in it with oversize clothes, cheese cloth over their head and straw sticking out of the sleeves over gloves. Then drape the scarecrow over the bale.
As the older kids walked up the 'scarecrow' would move and talk. Invariably there would be screams and running involved.
One memorable night a mother walked in front of our home while her children were at the last house. She was 'dancing in the moonlight'. Scarecrow said something like "you're a good dancer" followed by creaming and running.
Good fun.
Now the homes are far enough apart we get no tricksters.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at October 26, 2024 06:02 PM (B36zQ)

43 We never get trick or treaters. Maybe it's the long driveway and haunted prison camp rumors.

I used to live in an old haunted farmhouse. Never got trick or treaters there either. Never got anybody. It was near 'bout paradise.

Posted by: fd at October 26, 2024 06:02 PM (vFG9F)

44 I got some coins from my uncle's estate. I haven't gone through them and I don't think there's anything old or valuable. I did get a nice pocket watch to restore. Needs a crystal and an hour hand but the mechanism seems fine.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at October 26, 2024 06:02 PM (gfViB)

45 Best Halloween as far as candy haul was when bro and I went to my cousin's house and we three went all over her neighborhood for hours. Ended up with a big sackful apiece. Of course, back then it was mostly hard candy, Tootsie pops, etc., but we were glad to get that. Those little suckers with a loop of cotton string instead of a stick...cherry...mmm...

Posted by: skywch at October 26, 2024 06:03 PM (uqhmb)

46 42 When I was brewing beer I pulled a wagon with 5 gal kegs of homebrew and supplied the walking parents with sustenance, by all reports it was appreciated.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at October 26, 2024 06:02 PM
***
This is the way. Well done.

Posted by: TRex at October 26, 2024 06:04 PM (IQ6Gq)

47 As I recall (it's been a long time), The tiniest trick or treaters, too little to understand, would get taken around by a parent shortly before sundown. You could tell what was happening because of so many "Awww, how adorable" comments. The parent did not wear a costume. Halloween was for kids. The first grade and older kids went after dark, unaccompanied, partly for the ambience and partly for tradition.

Posted by: JTB at October 26, 2024 06:07 PM (yTvNw)

48 Hobby Folken! Hard to believe, but Ghostbusters is forty frickin' years old! When the film was new I bought one of the ghost logos, a sticker, and put it on my red metal tool chest. Which I've had since 1976 or so, and the sticker has been on there for forty years.

Oh, I did costumes and so forth as a kid, and my mother brought home a pumpkin and we carved it out and decorated it.

What I really miss is the Eighties, when Bennigans and other bars/grills would have a costume night the Saturday before 10/31. You could come out to eat in costume. (I suppose nobody tried to dress as a giant bear or as the Alien from the '79 film.) Mrs. Wolfus No. 2 had her little suede bikini, handmade, after the style Raquel Welch made famous in the dinosaur movie. Funny how every single male waiter made a point of coming over to see if we needed anything. . . .

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at October 26, 2024 06:09 PM (omVj0)

49 5 Hobby thread? But no tutorials on curing and tanning hobo pelts? I am both confused and disappointed.

Posted by: Walter Freeman at October 26, 2024 05:35 PM (nAAzB)
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The EPA now has a monopoly in heavy metals effluents so chromium and such disposal is a problem in a non commercial setting.

Posted by: Ciampino - can you get hobos delivered from Amazon? at October 26, 2024 06:09 PM (i0xsb)

50 Bob’s Burgers always have good Halloween costumes.

My two favorite are Dragon with the Girl Tattoo and Nun of your business ( dressed as a nun with a brief case).

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at October 26, 2024 06:11 PM (D6PGr)

51 The only trick-or-treating I ever did as a kid was when I was ten. My brother and I, me dressed as Batman (my mother had made the costume, believe it or not, and nobody knew who I was because the TV series was two years in the future). My brother did The Invisible Man, with all the bandages. We went around, after dark yet, to houses in the French Quarter, where we lived, and bravely knocked on doors and got our treats. It was fun as I recall. Couldn't do any of that today.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at October 26, 2024 06:12 PM (omVj0)

52 Ok, here's my Halloween story. Me and Joe Mannix' mom was one of those ladies who'd seize our haul like a DEA agent, and dole it out one piece at a time, less the best ones, which went into our parents' unprincipled maws.

Eventually, once, we found the stash, and took it back one day. The day we were supposed to be cleaning the turtle and fish tanks on the upper floor of the house. We transferred the animals to temporary housing, and began to drain the tanks into buckets, and went to gorge ourselves on contraband, and promptly forgot about those tanks.

So when we got busted, it wasn't only for stealing candy, but also for flooding our living room downstairs with truly foul effluent.

Good times.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at October 26, 2024 06:12 PM (7oYYI)

53 for anyone interested in knitting/crocheting/weaving hats, scarves, or cowls for North Carolina:

They are looking for all sizes, both male and female. Everything has to arrive at the collection site by November 21st. email Gingy (WeirdDave's wife) at gingyknits at gmail dot com for teh address to send the items to.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at October 26, 2024 06:16 PM (s9EYN)

54 There are at least two houses in the Quarter that are supposed to be haunted. One is infamous, the LaLaurie Mansion where the crazy woman was supposed to have kept slaves to torture in the attic, and on certain nights you're supposed to be able to hear screams and chains rattling.

The other is an apartment building a block from where I lived. I forget the legend. Certainly I never heard or saw anything strange when I walked past it. (The filmmakers used the exterior as a location -- not haunted, but as a black hotel -- in the 1965 movie Hotel w/ Rod Taylor.)

You'd think there would be some legend attached to the house where Lee Harvey Oswald lived on Magazine Street; but of course he didn't die there. On a "ghost tour" some years ago, the guide tried to convince us that LHO had gone to the same grammar school as I did years later. (Nope; he wasn't living here then.)

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at October 26, 2024 06:19 PM (omVj0)

55 This one time at work we had Halloween costume day, and I wore a gorilla suit, but I made a little frilly apron and a frilly cap and put that over the gorilla part, and innocently told everyone I was a sexy French maid. You should have seen the looks of horror on some of the guys' faces. I won Best Original Costume though.

Posted by: skywch at October 26, 2024 06:19 PM (uqhmb)

56 Not Halloween but hobby related. I got out some basswood sticks to do some simple, one knife whittling. Got the stropping compound on the strop, found my carving glove (kevlar), and decided which knife to use.

There are a lot of whittling projects using 1 inch square sticks of varying lengths: wizards, owls, gnomes, etc. Doug Linker has a bunch of excellent videos on his YT channel.

I reaffirmed that my whittling skills are modest but I bow to no one at making basswood chips and curls. Also realized I have to get back some hand strength if I want to carve for longer than 15 minutes at a time. But whatever the results, whittling is a very relaxing activity.

Posted by: JTB at October 26, 2024 06:19 PM (yTvNw)

57 Proper Halloween trick or treating is just another thing the 20 somethings probably never experienced as kids.

Now I see mostly it done at the malls , club organization locations, etc or other designated ‘safe zones’.

Of course since I live in an big urban center my observation may be totally wrong.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at October 26, 2024 06:19 PM (D6PGr)

58 My usual Halloween tradition now is to re-read "Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad" by M.R. James and "The Cocoon" by John B.L. Goodwin, two of the scariest stories in literature. And maybe some scenes from King's Salem's Lot for good measure.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at October 26, 2024 06:22 PM (omVj0)

59 Scampywife is a Hallowwen baby. Tons of stories, outfits, etc., over the years. When Littles were around I used to carve a fair amount of semi-intricate pumpkins. Shadow/contrast faces, create the templates, bats, American flag once, etc. Used multiple knives, nails, scalpel, exacto, serrated tools (recip saw blades) for the creations. Once the kids headed along to their next steps the carving and decorating died down. Costume party this evening at the golf course.

Posted by: scampydog at October 26, 2024 06:22 PM (41CYW)

60 Costumes: One of the engineers broke his big RC plane in half just before All Hallows eve. I borrowed the pieces and the controller, made a hanger for the pieces to hang on both sides of the oldest boy and put a bunch of ketchup on his chest and back.
He went door to door asking if anyone had seen his RC plane.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at October 26, 2024 06:23 PM (B36zQ)

61 Ach, Deutschland has taken up a limited observance of Halloween beginning in 1994. It has competition from Rosenmontag, which is roughly the Deutsch equivalent of Mardi Gras or Carnival. Children don costumes and visit houses where Halloween-themed decorations are on display, a signal that Trick-Or-Treating is acceptable there.

But remember, this is Deutschland, so, it's a little....different. The costumed youngsters call it Süßes oder Saures (roughly "sweets or sours"), but more often, they say "Süßes sonst gibt’s Saures," the literal meaning of which is "Give me sweets or there will be sour things." Ja, even among the merriment, there is a threat. Nice Haus you and Lisl have here, Herr Friedrich, shame if something should happen to it if you don't cough up some candy ASAP. At times Werner believes the Mafia might have developed some of their M.O. just by observing every-day German social interactions.

Bitte, if Werner may ask, given that this is a blog military and smart, might someone put him some knowledge on what happened with the Friday ONT? The last I remember taking a look at it, things seemed to be going quite well.

Posted by: Werner Herzog Has Opinions at October 26, 2024 06:23 PM (egn/x)

62 Since the topic is Halloween and scary stuff, I watched Mission Impossible 2 for the first time last night, and the villain, a CEO of a pharmaceutical company, developed a flu virus AND an antidote, so he could make money.

That was scary.

Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at October 26, 2024 06:24 PM (ufFY8)

63 This one time at work we had Halloween costume day, and I wore a gorilla suit, but I made a little frilly apron and a frilly cap and put that over the gorilla part, and innocently told everyone I was a sexy French maid. You should have seen the looks of horror on some of the guys' faces. I won Best Original Costume though.
Posted by: skywch at October 26, 2024


***
For years I've thought of renting a tuxedo and wearing it to work, to see if people decide if I was Cary Grant or James Bond. Not that I resemble either the actor or the character in any major way.

I suppose wearing a blue suit, white shirt, red tie, and a U.S. Flag pin in my lapel would be considered political and a no-no.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at October 26, 2024 06:25 PM (omVj0)

64 Heh...I've done the Oktoberfest in Munich years ago, with a bunch of college friends. We all went over there primarily to visit another college friend who was stationed in the Fulda Gap with the 3rd Armored division.

Things I learned. Don't pass out in any of the tents or they'll shave your head (women from Italy are not exempt...which is where I learned this). Always make time to visit the bier gardens in Munich. The Hoff Brau Haus has a one below street level which is epic. I learned how to parachute in that place with a bunch of US Airborne who were also just visiting (jump tuck and roll...off the long table). Best beer I had over there wasn't even Bavarian. It was Czech (Budvar). There really is a red light district in Munich...and it's cleaner than most places in the US.

Final lesson. Be an extrovert and meet everyone. The Oktoberfest tents are what the UN was supposed to be. People from all over the globe trying to communicate in various languages while enjoying liter mugs of beer. I happened to get there just before the wall came down and E. Germans were slipping through Hungary. Those guys were a treat to behold. They were loving life.

Posted by: Orson at October 26, 2024 06:26 PM (dIske)

65 Since the topic is Halloween and scary stuff, I watched Mission Impossible 2 for the first time last night, and the villain, a CEO of a pharmaceutical company, developed a flu virus AND an antidote, so he could make money.

That was scary.
Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at October 26, 2024 06:24 PM (ufFY

That seems to be a popular plot

Posted by: LASue at October 26, 2024 06:26 PM (lCppi)

66 53 ... "for anyone interested in knitting/crocheting/weaving hats, scarves, or cowls for North Carolina:"

Polliwog,
This is the kind of thing that makes me wish I did knitting or crochet. Thanks for letting folks know about the effort.

Posted by: JTB at October 26, 2024 06:27 PM (yTvNw)

67 64 sounds like an awesome trip Orson!

Posted by: scampydog at October 26, 2024 06:27 PM (41CYW)

68 52
So when we got busted, it wasn't only for stealing candy, but also for flooding our living room downstairs with truly foul effluent.

Good times.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at October 26, 2024 06:12 PM (7oYYI)
----
That's hilarious. As someone who also flooded the main room when converting the bathroom into a skating rink using water and soap, I commiserate as Mom was not amused after she'd spent several hours on her knees applying floor polish (1953 or thereabouts, Jinja Uganda). She got physical when pissed off which, fortunately, wasn't often.

Posted by: Ciampino - no Halloween when I was a kid at October 26, 2024 06:28 PM (i0xsb)

69 My dream is to dress up as Kolchak:The Night Stalker, but I can't find a hideous light blue jacket in any thrift store. I always look when I am in one.

Getting an authentic camera would be difficult, since it is an obscure German model. Not sure about the tape recorder.

Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at October 26, 2024 06:29 PM (ufFY8)

70 Since the topic is Halloween and scary stuff, I watched Mission Impossible 2 for the first time last night, and the villain, a CEO of a pharmaceutical company, developed a flu virus AND an antidote, so he could make money.

That was scary.
Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at October 26, 2024 06:24 PM (ufFY
*
That seems to be a popular plot
Posted by: LASue at October 26, 2024


***
When David Gerrold was working on early drafts of his "Tribbles" script for Trek, one thing Gene Coon told him was that "On American television, Big Business is *never* the villain." Of course that was darn near sixty years ago. . . .

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at October 26, 2024 06:29 PM (omVj0)

71 The AZ heat is death on pumpkins (but with a candle they sure smell good as they heat up!) so the Betterhalf started painting 5gal propane tanks. We lit them (with flashlights!!!) and they were well received.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at October 26, 2024 06:30 PM (B36zQ)

72 I won 3rd prize, and $10 dollars, from the Arlington[VA] Art Council for a costume I put together from my closet.

For some unknown sartorial reason, or maybe gifts from ex-girlfiends, I had some highly dubious mismatched clothes. So I got a shirt with wavy electric green horizontal stripes on an neon blue shirt, with chili peppers printed chefs pants (as seen in the Book Thread). These not only clashed, there was a major fashion war going on.

(Part 1 0f 2)

Posted by: NaCly Dog at October 26, 2024 06:30 PM (u82oZ)

73 LSU vs Texas A&M at 6:30 . Go Tigers !!

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at October 26, 2024 06:31 PM (D6PGr)

74 Halloween TV? Of course there was the Trek episode, "Catspaw." "Halloween" was an early and very important episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, presenting the original idea that on 10/31, vampires stay home instead of roaming free as they do every other night in the year.

Until the late Seventies, I think, nearly every TV show that presented a Halloween-themed episode made a point of clearing it all up at the end, making sure the viewer knew that the ghosts or goblins had all been a hoax by the villain. After Kolchak the Night Stalker, I think, it began to be okay to present the supernatural as real and therefore much scarier.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at October 26, 2024 06:33 PM (omVj0)

75 At least two more airstrikes in Beirut one minute ago, live on Agenda-free TV.

And in my AO, the Demoncrat ads are getting more unhinged.

Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at October 26, 2024 06:35 PM (ufFY8)

76 When David Gerrold was working on early drafts of his "Tribbles" script for Trek, one thing Gene Coon told him was that "On American television, Big Business is *never* the villain." Of course that was darn near sixty years ago. . . .
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at October 26, 2024 06:29 PM (omVj0)

The Barth Corporation sucks.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at October 26, 2024 06:36 PM (0eaVi)

77 Part 2 of 2.

I added my bridge binoculars, 3 single lens reflex cameras, a orienteering compass, and a map of Tokyo's urban area in 1960. I held the map upside down. I had an ugly hat too. I think with a Duck, NC logo.

I would look off in the distance with the binoculars, look at the map, then ask loudly and slowly "Where is the train station?" or "What is the exchange rate in this country?"

I was the most obnoxious ugly American tourist in a tourist infested metro area.

I should have taken pictures of a coworker in a cave girl outfit. Rachel Welch, eat your heart out. She won first prize. Hubba Hubba.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at October 26, 2024 06:36 PM (u82oZ)

78 I should have taken pictures of a coworker in a cave girl outfit. Rachel Welch, eat your heart out. She won first prize. Hubba Hubba.
Posted by: NaCly Dog at October 26, 2024 06:36 PM (u82oZ)

Imprinted in your hippocampus, I'm sure.

Posted by: anchorbabe fashion cop at October 26, 2024 06:38 PM (ufFY8)

79 58 ... "My usual Halloween tradition now is to re-read "Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad" by M.R. James and "The Cocoon" by John B.L. Goodwin, two of the scariest stories in literature."

Wolfus,

The closest I can come to those is "Hound of the Baskervilles". No Halloween connection but one of the first 'spooky' stories I ever read. It's best enjoyed during a cold, stormy night. I have a collection of MR James stories as an ebook. Have to see if the Whistle story is included.

Posted by: JTB at October 26, 2024 06:39 PM (yTvNw)

80 Bitte, if Werner may ask, given that this is a blog military and smart, might someone put him some knowledge on what happened with the Friday ONT? The last I remember taking a look at it, things seemed to be going quite well.
Posted by: Werner Herzog Has Opinions at October 26, 2024 06:23 PM (egn/x)
====
Stelle keine Fragen

Posted by: San Franpsycho at October 26, 2024 06:39 PM (RIvkX)

81 40 Hi Iris!
Posted by: Grateful, the range bag lady at October 26, 2024 06:01 PM (IQ6Gq)

Howdy Grateful!
Halloween was so civilized for those years when the girls walked around together and the adults stayed onthe porch.

Posted by: Iris at October 26, 2024 06:40 PM (bOJ2I)

82
Until the late Seventies, I think, nearly every TV show that presented a Halloween-themed episode made a point of clearing it all up at the end, making sure the viewer knew that the ghosts or goblins had all been a hoax by the villain.

If it weren't for those meddling kids...

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at October 26, 2024 06:40 PM (63Dwl)

83 anchorbabe fashion cop

If only that fur bikini was imprinted on my chest.

Nope. Props were in the way. Alas.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at October 26, 2024 06:41 PM (u82oZ)

84 I always decorate the front yard and house with tons of lights, pumpkins, and a graveyard with a life-size death figure. I also usually have an elaborate costume (Medusa, demon, Viking priestess, vampiress). We live in a great neighborhood for trick or treating as there are no through streets - it's a giant cul-de-sac. One year some asshole dad got worked up and said, "I think you are purposely being scary." I replied, "it's Halloween, not Christmas ["..., cocksucker" was implied]." Funnily enough, I do not consider it a successful Halloween unless I make at least one kid cry. But I give out lots of good candy to reward all the brave kids who make it to the door. And I always get lots of compliments from the kids, especially the ones who have come for several years: they say it's their favorite house.

Posted by: Brunnhilde at October 26, 2024 06:42 PM (3AwA+)

85 Herr Orson, you are on target regarding Oktoberfest. Werner would only add that one should be aware of the "Hill of Shame," and if a fellow in Bavarian Trachen stands with one foot resting atop one of the many tables with a flagon of absurd length, know that both tradition and his intent is to down it at one go. It is not wise to imitate this, no matter how well one feels one can hold one's beer. Especially since that Bavarian fellow likely feels the same way, and will awake with die Mutter of all headaches on the Hill of Shame the next day.

Posted by: Werner Herzog Has Opinions at October 26, 2024 06:43 PM (egn/x)

86 OT: This TCU/TTU game is pretty damn good. 35-34, TCU and they were down a few TDs.

I will argue that TCU has the hottest majorettes and cheerleaders in college football.

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at October 26, 2024 06:45 PM (iNUL3)

87 The spiders in the barn have done an excellent job of hanging cobwebs for Halloween.

Posted by: Ben Had at October 26, 2024 06:45 PM (t8vHj)

88 Neptunous Lex (the late Naval Aviator) would always have a dinner for his daughter's friends on Halloween.

He would sneak outside at some point, put on a mask, and put his face next to the dining room windows. And wait until he was noticed by the girls. IDK if he had a survival knife with him. But the screaming was very loud.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at October 26, 2024 06:46 PM (u82oZ)

89 87 The spiders in the barn have done an excellent job of hanging cobwebs for Halloween.

Posted by: Ben Had at October 26, 2024 06:45 PM
***
Howdy! There was a monster spider and web on the trailer for the rifle range during the MoMe. We left it alone. Spooky!

How did the rest of the competition go for CHQ?

Posted by: TRex at October 26, 2024 06:47 PM (IQ6Gq)

90 TRex, waiting to hear the outcome.

Posted by: Ben Had at October 26, 2024 06:48 PM (t8vHj)

91 I used to take the wolfhounds and an empty glass trick or treating around the neighborhood.

Posted by: Ben Had at October 26, 2024 06:50 PM (t8vHj)

92 My neighbors have aged and the family with the bar in the garage moved away, so a great tradition died. We used to drink beer and share one with the occasional parent.

I never know how many kids will come.

One tradition I have is to clean the porch at 8pm, when tricke-or-treating is done.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at October 26, 2024 06:50 PM (mwQMI)

93 Time for Big 12 football preps.

Have a great night, everyone.

May your team win with no injuries.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at October 26, 2024 06:51 PM (u82oZ)

94 For the last few years I only get one trick or treater. Literally one. Most of the neighborhood. kids go downtown because they've done the math and the homes are much closer together and the haul is bigger.

But I get one little girl who is brought around by her mom and she comes every year and I am ready for her. Makes my night.

Posted by: JackStraw at October 26, 2024 06:54 PM (LkLld)

95 Halloween used to be candied apples and popcorn balls.

Posted by: Ben Had at October 26, 2024 06:55 PM (t8vHj)

96 Stelle keine Fragen
Posted by: San Franpsycho

That bad, then? Werner thinks he would probably feel better not knowing the Antwort. I remember the Labor Day thread (or was it the Memorial Day thread, or some other altogether?) and how Laura W. had to come in on the morning after to give everyone a Come-To-Jesus session. If Friday's dwarfed that, then...mein Gott.

Posted by: Werner Herzog Has Opinions at October 26, 2024 06:56 PM (egn/x)

97 FROGS!

Posted by: nurse ratched at October 26, 2024 06:56 PM (ZzUF8)

98 JackStraw, what a sweet story.

Posted by: Ben Had at October 26, 2024 06:57 PM (t8vHj)

99 My favorite candy to get was brach caramel cubes and pixie sticks.

I also liked the wax soda bottles with a bit of flavored liquid in it.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at October 26, 2024 06:58 PM (D6PGr)

100 100

Posted by: TRex at October 26, 2024 06:59 PM (IQ6Gq)

101 Werner, it was Khan. He made Ace do it!

Posted by: Ciampino - at least it wasn't Ahmed at October 26, 2024 06:59 PM (i0xsb)

102 On Halloween story
My niece got married weekend before Halloween and so had a Halloween theme wedding, most everyone dressed accordingly

Posted by: Skip at October 26, 2024 07:00 PM (fwDg9)

103 When I was married, the wifey and I used to offer a cold brew to Trick or Treat parents who seemed to be flagging. More than a few gratefully accepted.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at October 26, 2024 07:01 PM (mH6SG)

104 I have been listening to Classic Ghosts Stories read by Tony Walker on YouTube to set the mood.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at October 26, 2024 07:01 PM (mwQMI)

105 It is not wise to imitate this, no matter how well one feels one can hold one's beer.

_____________________

Questions not to be asked in the Lowenbrau Beer Garden restroom. "Why is there a bidet in here?"

Answer: "You Americans are heathens (slap on the back). That my American friend is a Speibecken, or for the less learned...a puke basin."

Posted by: Orson at October 26, 2024 07:04 PM (dIske)

106 Late 70s after a news grabbing McDonald's shoot up, knew a woman, credentialed therapist, got a real McDonald's outfit and put pistol shots into it close up for powder burns, and went as a zombie..

Posted by: Commissar of Plenty and Lysenkoism in Solidarity with the Struggle at October 26, 2024 07:06 PM (QOVfC)

107 Werner, it was Khan. He made Ace do it!
Posted by: Ciampino - at least it wasn't Ahmed

Khan? Khannnnnnnnn!!!!!!

I wonder how long Ace waited before he startled Kirstie Alley by having Spock beam them all up. I'm sure he knew that Khan's deficiency in three-dimensional tactics was his weak point.

Posted by: Werner Herzog Has Opinions at October 26, 2024 07:07 PM (egn/x)

108 Halloween was the most fun for me when I was in college. Insane crazy parties. Everyone was dressed up and having a great time and the music was live and it was loud.

Posted by: nurse ratched at October 26, 2024 07:07 PM (YfhM1)

109 It's a highlight for me, Ben Had. In other places I lived it felt like I was Trump working the window at McD's. Here I get my one customer so I get to spoil her. Probably more fun for me.

Posted by: JackStraw at October 26, 2024 07:07 PM (LkLld)

110 JackStraw, just think of the memories you are giving her...one day, many years from now, when someone asks her about Halloween memories.....

Posted by: Grateful, the range bag lady at October 26, 2024 07:10 PM (IQ6Gq)

111 Purple Horney Frogs!!!!

Posted by: nurse ratched at October 26, 2024 07:10 PM (YfhM1)

112 I've really been getting into 3D Printing, one of the great utilities of a 3D printer is the random things you can print to solve a problem.

I had a duplex outlet that because of the way the back box was installed and how it was mudded, there was an annoying gap between the wall and cover plate.

Well, measured the gaps and created a shim plate in the modeler, printed it up in less than 15 minutes, and voila, annoying gap is gone.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at October 26, 2024 07:10 PM (XV/Pl)

113 Purple Horney Frogs!!!!

Don't take the brown acid.

Posted by: Commissar of Plenty and Lysenkoism in Solidarity with the Struggle at October 26, 2024 07:11 PM (QOVfC)

114 112 I've really been getting into 3D Printing, one of the great utilities of a 3D printer is the random things you can print to solve a problem.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at October 26, 2024 07:10 PM
***
Keep this thought. 3D printing is in the queue for an upcoming Hobby Thread.

Posted by: TRex at October 26, 2024 07:12 PM (IQ6Gq)

115 FROGS!
Posted by: nurse ratched at October 26, 2024 06:56 PM (ZzUF


"I like frogs" said the kid to Kiteman in that really odd Pacific Power commercial . . .

Posted by: Kindltot at October 26, 2024 07:14 PM (D7oie)

116
Her Majesty and I washed six dogs today, with four left until tomorrow. This first batch included all the puppies, who are unaccustomed to baths. Both of us hurt.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at October 26, 2024 07:15 PM (EsZUh)

117 TCU hangs on! Good for them.

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at October 26, 2024 07:15 PM (iNUL3)

118 My son loves Nightmare Before Christmas, I just showed him the video, and he was grinning ear to ear.

I'm taking a break from packing, including MOST of my card collection. Damn, those boxes have gotten heavy.

Posted by: BurtTC at October 26, 2024 07:16 PM (GtZ7X)

119 When Vivek was out campaigning his bus stopped at a college campus around Halloween. Junior got a picture of he and Vivek, junior wearing a giant banana costume.

Posted by: scampydog at October 26, 2024 07:16 PM (41CYW)

120 >>JackStraw, just think of the memories you are giving her...one day, many years from now, when someone asks her about Halloween memories.....

That would be nice but honestly I do it for me. Halloween is for kids and it makes me happy to see her all dressed up so it's all good.

Posted by: JackStraw at October 26, 2024 07:17 PM (LkLld)

121 JackStraw, just think of the memories you are giving her...one day, many years from now, when someone asks her about Halloween memories.....
Posted by: Grateful, the range bag lady at October 26, 2024 07:10 PM (IQ6Gq)

Ah, that one house on the block, he would give out $50 bill. And then we'd go downtown and get a candy haul!

- That Little Girl Was Not Me!

Posted by: BurtTC at October 26, 2024 07:18 PM (GtZ7X)

122 Her Majesty and I washed six dogs today, with four left until tomorrow.

They're washing the dogs! They're washing the cats!

Posted by: PDT at October 26, 2024 07:18 PM (mH6SG)

123 Next week is Fall In miniature war gaming, very possibly vendors doing 3D printing

Posted by: Skip at October 26, 2024 07:19 PM (fwDg9)

124 I love Halloween. I have a skeleton who is featured prominently on the studio’s instagram working out with people (Skelly P. Barray), and my whole wrap around porch is covered in skeletons Mardi Gras -ing it up. They are throwing beads, wearing feathered masks, etc. It’s probably the tamest display in a long time, normally I have the whole yard turned into a graveyard, complete with old iron fence. But I had no one who would help get the fence out of the attic, so went lower key.

Posted by: Piper at October 26, 2024 07:20 PM (pZEOD)

125 The scariest Halloween decoration I ever made was a jack-o-lantern.

I got the idea that it would be fun and interesting instead of trying to carve a face out, but would be fun to smash out the face design using a hammer.

It came out really groovy and grotesque looking dimly lit with a candle, and almost all of the littler kids would stop and stare and not come any closer until Mom or Dad brought them.

No real effort but excellent result.

Posted by: naturalfake at October 26, 2024 07:22 PM (eDfFs)

126 120

Mister JackStraw, you may not remember me but as a little girl I used to come to your house every Halloween for treats. Those occasions are some of the fondest memories of my childhood.


..... or something like that.

Posted by: Ciampino - at least it wasn't Ahmed, right? at October 26, 2024 07:22 PM (i0xsb)

127 People at his last speech thought Biden was dressed up as a zombie for Halloween .

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at October 26, 2024 07:23 PM (ndoNK)

128 118 My son loves Nightmare Before Christmas, I just showed him the video, and he was grinning ear to ear.

I'm taking a break from packing, including MOST of my card collection. Damn, those boxes have gotten heavy.
Posted by: BurtTC at October

This is my favorite movie. It’s a Halloween movie, a Christmas movie, a love story all in one.

Posted by: Piper at October 26, 2024 07:23 PM (p4NUW)

129 groovy = grody

Thx AC!!!

Posted by: naturalfake at October 26, 2024 07:24 PM (eDfFs)

130 In Los Angeles, Halloween is THE biggest holiday. There is a long street in Sierra Madre, where every house decorates, and when I say decorates, I mean lighted hand carved pumpkins, anywhere from 50-300! Other houses have displays with mechanicals and projection screeen, etc. It is wild - and a perfect representation of the fruts, nuts and flakes in that area.

Posted by: Grateful, the range bag lady at October 26, 2024 07:25 PM (IQ6Gq)

131 Bitte, if Werner may ask, given that this is a blog military and smart, might someone put him some knowledge on what happened with the Friday ONT? The last I remember taking a look at it, things seemed to be going quite well.
Posted by: Werner Herzog Has Opinions at October 26, 2024 06:23 PM (egn/x)

Werner, there was a lame troll who started to move into Stormfront territory. Shortly after that, I left for the night. I guess one of the Cobs took it down. Weird Dave was not moderating that evening.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at October 26, 2024 07:26 PM (EOLxR)

132 This is my favorite movie. It’s a Halloween movie, a Christmas movie, a love story all in one.
Posted by: Piper at October 26, 2024 07:23 PM (p4NUW)

And not smarmy at all. I know Burton didn't direct it, but it's a Burton movie, probably his best.

Posted by: BurtTC at October 26, 2024 07:27 PM (GtZ7X)

133 Need to say thank you and good night before the next Ace of Spaces act takes the stage. As always, thanks for being here (or thanks for reading if you're lurking or catching up later).

Posted by: TRex at October 26, 2024 07:30 PM (IQ6Gq)

134 TRex, thank you.

Posted by: Ben Had at October 26, 2024 07:30 PM (t8vHj)

135 Thanks much, TRex.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at October 26, 2024 07:31 PM (mH6SG)

136 Frogs?

Wasn't that by Aristophanes?

Posted by: Anna Puma at October 26, 2024 07:31 PM (VN3OX)

137 Used to be able to mail order incredible fireworks making supplies. Six inch long one inch diameter sturdy cardboard tubes and end caps, a two bag powder to mix, one white one silver (don't know what), water proof cannon fuse. Many Halloween pumpkins were demolished. Those were serious shit for a kid!!
Think M80 on steroids.

Posted by: Commissar of Plenty and Lysenkoism in Solidarity with the Struggle at October 26, 2024 07:32 PM (QOVfC)

138 @114

>>Keep this thought. 3D printing is in the queue for an upcoming Hobby Thread.

I can probably send you some pics of the stuff me and my grandson are printing.

He loves Transformers, I've printed a number of Transformers and Decepticons.

Right now I'm finishing up a 2 ft tall Devastator, I ran out of green filament, ordered some up, I should be complete by next week.

A Voltron is next on the agenda, but the model is so big and complex, and the finishes that can be selected are staggering, so that might be a whole winter and fall project.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at October 26, 2024 07:34 PM (XV/Pl)

139 138 I can probably send you some pics of the stuff me and my grandson are printing.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at October 26, 2024 07:34 PM
***
The Hobby Thread emailbox is open.

Posted by: TRex at October 26, 2024 07:39 PM (IQ6Gq)

140 Keep this thought. 3D printing is in the queue for an upcoming Hobby Thread.
Posted by: TRex at October 26, 2024 07:12 PM (IQ6Gq)



Well, this is next-stage 3d printing. He designed and printed a lathe, and filled it with concrete for stability and strength


youtu.be/6Js8erWbsDQ

Posted by: Kindltot at October 26, 2024 07:41 PM (D7oie)

141 Halloween never was much fun when I was a kid because I grew up on a farm. The nearest neighbors were half a mile away. Trick-or-treating meant get into the car, and our parents would drive ny sister and me to that house, then Grandma and Grandpa A, and finally Grandma and Grandpa B. The school and church had Halloween parties, but that only meant that Dad had trouble driving home because kids had soaped the windshield.

In addition, I wore glasses, which made it cumbersome to wear a character mask. By the time I got contact lenses, I was too old for costumes (for a few years, anyway).

Our kids and I did the usual routine -- with one twist. My wife is a helluva seamstress, and she made many of the kids' costumes, particularly for our daughter, who has quite an imagination. I will always remember her jellyfish outfit.

As a comics fan, I have sometimes handed out comics to go with the candy. That's harder than it sounds because there are no comics for little kids anymore.

I hit the cheapo shelves at the FLCS today but found nothing appropriate. So I ended up paying cover price for a dozen Disney reprint issues, featuring Mickey or Donald.

Harvey and Gold Key, I miss you.

Posted by: Weak Geek at October 26, 2024 07:42 PM (p/isN)

142 Thank you TRex.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at October 26, 2024 07:42 PM (B36zQ)

143 Werner, there was a lame troll who started to move into Stormfront territory. Shortly after that, I left for the night. I guess one of the Cobs took it down. Weird Dave was not moderating that evening.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon

Thanks, AOP. I thought it might have been something rather nasty like that. These Neo-Nazi idiots are not even worthy of contempt - they are too despicable even for that.

Posted by: Werner Herzog Has Opinions at October 26, 2024 07:42 PM (egn/x)

144 Well, working on vehicles is a hobby for me, even if the work involved is necessary or routine. Today I was messing with wheel alignment on my 99 3/4 ton Suburban. Set caster and camber on the left side, bringing it into spec (I think, LOL). Steering wheel had been off-center to the right, so I shortened one tie rod by a half-turn on the sleeve, and lengthened the other by the same amount. Steering wheel is now off-center to the left by about half as much.

Road-tested it. Better than it was, now has a very slight pull to the right on pavement, slightly more on gravel. Have it back on the hoist, will attempt to tweak camber and caster on right side. I could happily drive it the way it is, but want to make it as good as I can get it.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at October 26, 2024 07:43 PM (nezN1)

145 what really got me interested in reading were the Tintin comics. Those are still available.

Posted by: Kindltot at October 26, 2024 07:44 PM (D7oie)

146 Anyone else remember the first CD they bought?

I liked the one song so I got The Spin Doctors Pocket full of Kryptonite when I bought my first CD player.
Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at October 26, 2024 07:40 PM (ndoNK)


Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols

I bought it, and by the time I got a cd player, it was too scratched to play.

Posted by: Kindltot at October 26, 2024 07:49 PM (D7oie)

147 141 I hit the cheapo shelves at the FLCS today but found nothing appropriate. So I ended up paying cover price for a dozen Disney reprint issues, featuring Mickey or Donald.

Posted by: Weak Geek at October 26, 2024 07:42 PM (p/isN)
***
Missed talking with you at the MoMe. Will remedy next year.

Posted by: TRex at October 26, 2024 07:50 PM (IQ6Gq)

148 what really got me interested in reading were the 8 page Tijuana bibles.

Posted by: Commissar of Plenty and Lysenkoism in Solidarity with the Struggle at October 26, 2024 07:50 PM (QOVfC)

149 I did get kids here last Halloween. I'm not working now, so will be easier to deal with. I did go buy some good candy. Might pick up one more bag to be safe. I put any leftovers in the freezer for later.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at October 26, 2024 07:51 PM (gfViB)

150 Trick-or-treating with the kids in the early years was usually a flop because we all would leave the house at the same time as the other young families. Therefore, nobody home to hand out candy. Once we got home, all the little ones had gone home, too.

In later years, one parent would stay home. That worked out better.

This year I'm doing a solo stint because my wife will be out of state. Don't tell her, but I bought small bags of chips to go with the chocolate and comics.

Posted by: Weak Geek at October 26, 2024 07:55 PM (p/isN)

151 Tijuana bibles have words?

Posted by: Weak Geek at October 26, 2024 07:57 PM (p/isN)

152 Tijuana bibles have words?

"Me want fuck".

Posted by: Commissar of Plenty and Lysenkoism in Solidarity with the Struggle at October 26, 2024 08:03 PM (QOVfC)

153 A story from many years ago at Apple Computer: Husband tells me that once upon a time, an interviewee was interviewed by Zippy The Pinhead, and a pirate.

My fantasy costume: Carmen San Diego. (Already have the red fedora and red high heels. Don't have the red trenchcoat.)

A fantasy for my nieces: All 6 of them could dress as Rosie the Riveter. (I know they could pull off the look.)

A fantasy I hope somebody out there can fulfill by posting pix of this event somewhere on Ace: How about getting dressed as Opus the penguin in that "Billy and the Boingers" outfit, and go to a music rental place, and persuade them to rent you a tuba!

Posted by: Pat* at October 26, 2024 08:58 PM (bQqDd)

154 Vegetable carving originated in the British Isles, not just Ireland, and every area has its own traditions stretching back millennia.
Like most ancient traditions we have retained the practice but forgotten the reason.
Interestingly, everywhere has different names for the lanterns but the oldest reference to 'Jack O' Lanterns' comes from the east coast of England. It's another name for Will O' the Wisps, atmospheric lights that you sometimes see out on the broads or above peat.

Posted by: stv at October 26, 2024 09:40 PM (R9gNI)

155 Over the past decade the Germans have increasingly adopted Halloween. Two decades ago "Trick-or-treating" was something that only existed at military installations or in neighborhoods near them in which a good number of Americans lived. Nowadays a kid can stroll through a neighborhood and collect a decent haul. I'd say participation is maybe around 5% in some neighborhoods, but the population density makes a full bag eminently possible within easy walking distance.

Thanks for the fun thread, TRex and Horde!


P.S. The abacus is ready to start counting for next year's Oktoberfest. . . .

Posted by: SPinRH_F-16 at October 27, 2024 05:17 AM (5CEo8)

156 >9 Is anyone a coin collector? Numismatics?

From https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces665.html it looks like its worth at least $0.05 if it's in good condition.

I did see the listings for nearly $300, but I sort of wonder if those were among the 18 strikes that Elizabeth, Philip, or Charles made to initiate the series at the mint in Glamorgan.

I'm looking forward to the numismatics thread already.

Posted by: SPinRH_F-16 at October 27, 2024 05:51 AM (5CEo8)

157 >51 Werner - apologies, I didn't see that you'd posted that before I posted above.

>64 Orson - Fulda moved over one country to Suwalki. It seems that NATO needs to have a gap somewhere between it and Russia.

>69 Deplorable Ian Galt - Let me know what type of camera and I'll keep an eye out for it over here or on the *.de interwebs.

Posted by: SPinRH_F-16 at October 27, 2024 05:55 AM (5CEo8)

158 Ι think this is among the most vital info for
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Posted by: numbly at October 31, 2024 06:20 PM (W/8Lg)

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