Oh How I Miss You Blogfest

Late to the party on this one. Sorry guys. It's been a heck of a week, with a family member that took a bad spill and a friend who gave birth to a little girl a full two months early, I've neglected my blogging. Neglected it greatly, as I missed an IWSG post (my first since I joined the group). So I guess, belatedly, my insecurity for this month is the struggle between life and blogging. But here goes trying to make up for missing this one . . . 

But I made it just it time for the Oh How I Miss You Blogfest. Hosted by Andrew Leon, Alex J. Cavanaugh and Matthew MacNish, this bloghop is to honor the bloggers we really miss, and the ones we would miss if the worst happened and they ceased to grace us with their blogging presence. 

Fortunately for me, few of the bloggers I follow have stopped blogging, so my list here is short. The first would be my good friend Julie at From Pen to Paper. (By the way, she also happens to be the friend of mine that gave birth to a beautiful baby girl that I previously mentioned). Julie's funny and encourage, sharing her journey as a writer in a way that makes me laugh like a lunatic. I miss her posts, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they'll start up again once she's adjusted to life as a mom. 

The other blogger I miss a lot is Sophie Blackall at Missed Connections. Her artistic representations of posts from the Missed Connections section of the newspaper are breathtaking. Fortunately for me, she put a book together of her illustrations, so I can still look at them whenever I need a little beauty in my life. But I sure wish she posted new ones on her blog these days. 

As for the bloggers I'd miss the most if they stopped posting, that's a tough one. There are so many I count on each week, and so many I'd hate to lose. The Ninja Captain himself (aka. Alex J. Cavanaugh) would be a great and terrible loss. He's both encouraging and entertaining, and usually my first stop on the blog-o-sphere. And of course Mina Burrows, who shares my love of classic literature, vampires, and all related television shows. Her blog is one of my absolute favorites!

And last but not least would be a collection of bloggers - the bloggers that make up the Insecure Writers Support Group. Their posts get me through a lot of rough days when I feel like the publication world is against me and I'll never make it as an author. They are wonderful, and without them the blogging world would be a darker place. 

Halloween Howl-Fest: WINNER

With the dawn of Halloween, so too comes the end of this year's Halloween Howl-Fest. It's been a real blast. And now, for the last and final time, here's how the bracket shaped up. Are you interested to know which film was the winner? Take a look . . . 

That's right! The winner was the 1984 hit, Ghostbusters. Surprised? Excited? I know I was. Ghostbusters has long been one of my favorite movies. And after several weeks of voting, has proved itself Halloween Howl-Fest champion. Three cheers (or should I say howls?) for Ghostbusters!

However, I have to admit, as much as I love Ghostbusters (who couldn't love a movie with such sage advice as "When someone asks if you're a god, you say YES."), I have to admit that there was one other movie I really thought would win. And according to your responses, some of you felt the same way. So my friend Andy suggested that I might consider having a Zombie Champion, aka. a movie cut in one of the earlier rounds that "rose from the dead". . . so to speak. 

Needless to say, it's an idea I felt more than appropriate for this event. So I went through all your comments (from ALL the Howl-Fest posts since the very beginning), and found that there were two movies in particular that people felt were unfairly killed off. And how fortuitous, one of them happens to be my absolute favorite Halloween movie. Want to know witch, I mean which, films win the title of Zombie Champion? 

And what a coincidence; both films are about nemeses that rose from the dead. The perfect Halloween Howl Fest: Zombie Champions. 

Well, I hope you've all enjoyed my Halloween Howl-Fest. I certainty have. And a big thank you to EVERYONE who voted, and in particular to those who voted round, after round, after round. I loved hearing your comments and learning more about everyone's spooky movie taste.  

Oh, and one more thing . . . HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Halloween Howl-Fest: The Finals

Well, we've finally made it to the last round in my Halloween Howl-Fest. "This is it. Don't get scared."(Sorry, channeling on of my favorite Christmas movies now. Wrong holiday.) 

Anyway, we've come down to the final two movies. Witches versus ghosts. He Who Must Not Be Named versus Who you gonna call?. And it's time to decide which films is going to go all the way. 

I'll be sad to see the end of this Howl-Fest. It's been a lot of fun. But all good things must come to an end. So cast a spell . . . I mean your vote, and let me know which movie you think deserves to win this year's Halloween Howl-Fest!

P.S. On a separate note, are there any other movies you wish had made it further? I know there are a few I am devastated about. Take one more look at the bracket and let me know if there are any films you think we slashed too soon . . .

Happy Monday!

A Firefly Halloween

I'm taking a moment to briefly interrupt this Halloween Howl-Fest in order to share with you the most epic of Halloween costumes. Two years ago I was Alice from Resident Evil. Last year my friends and I all went as superheroes. But this year. Oh, this year was epic. Because this year we went as . . . 

The Cast of Firefly

Wash, Captain Mal Reynolds, Jayne, Zoe and Kaylee

My Fiance and I as "Mal and Kaylee"

Mark as "Jayne" (and of course, Vera)

Andy as "Wash" (and his dinos)

Tina as "Zoe"

                           

It was without a doubt one of the best Halloween costumes I have ever been apart of. Of course, I wish we'd had Book, Inara, Simon and River as well, but we were awesome as the original crew of the Serenity. We had over thirty people recognize us, and nine people ask to take our photograph. I hope you all had as much fun for Halloween as we did!

[Oh, and don't forget to check back tomorrow for the Finals Round of the Halloween Howl-Fest.]

Halloween Howl-Fest: Semi Finals

I have to admit, I've been secretly rooting for these Top 4 films since the beginning. They're some of my favorite Halloween flicks, and I'm thrilled that they made it to the Semi-Finals. The problem is, now I don't know which two I think should be knocked out. Good thing it's up to you guys! Take a look . . .

So, which movies do you think should move on? Will it be family friendly witches, or one of the greatest horror films of all time? A team of four against an angry hoard, or . . . well, another team of four against a different type of angry hoard? Only you guys can decide! Happy voting.  

Halloween Howl-Fest: Quarter Finals

Well, we finally made it to the Quarter Finals of this year's Halloween Howl-Fest. Are you interested to know which teams . . . I mean films, made it into the Top 8? Take a look at which movies you voted as the most haunted, spooky, terrifying and flat out awesome of this bracket!

So, what do you think? Any surprise dark horses? Movies you wish had made it further? I have to admit, I kind of thought (and hoped) Hocus Pocus would sweep the whole thing. But there are still eight awesome films to vote for, and only YOU can decide which one will go all the way. So cast your vote and let me know which four should make it to the Semi Finals!

Happy voting!

Halloween Howl-Fest: Monstrous (Round 3)

Well, I can't say I'm shocked at the outcome of this one. With the exception of Hellboy and The Mummy (which went back and forth), the votes were pretty well stacked in certain movies' favor. Take a look at the Top 4 Monstrous movies . . . 

These are some pretty great movies you guys have picked - it's going to be tough to narrow it down to just two! Let me know which films should move on. And don't forget to check back MONDAY to see which films from the Magical, Supernatural, Undead and Monstrous conferences made it into the Quarter Finals. 

Have a great weekend!