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Fair warning, this is another Halloween and random storm inspired post.
The fall season is upon us, y'all. More and more stores are loading up their aisles with the cinnamon scented broomsticks, autumn runners for the tables (in the shape of leaves), orange and brown colors are coordinating themselves with the bite sized candy bars that need to be handed out to tiny human beings.
I had gone to Kohl's the other day and they had a giant display by the registers of various spooky related decorations. One in particular, caught my eye.
It's small enough to sit on a table, but can also be hung on the wall. "LIVED LAUGHED LOVED" sign, on what looks like it could be a tombstone. Kohl's price is $11.99 currently; yes, I left the price tag on in the picture. I didn't cover it up; I wanted to show what stores are selling things for out in the real world.
Due to it being a Kohl's collaboration with a design group, I couldn't even find it on the store's website. I think it must be an in person purchase only, as the sku and article numbers, according to Google, state it's a drop ship product. Meaning, there's no record of it online anywhere. The numbers are for internal use only, done by whatever business to business set up the companies have going.
I couldn't find the specific artwork on Amazon, but I found other related items (kind of). It's not completely the same, but some of them are rather funny and cute, but disturbing at the same time. See link below.
Later on, I was in a completely different store. this place had the room / space for the giant scarers. The items reliant on constant air being pushed in, props the size of real people (or bigger), signs that basically say "you're not invited but still come over!".
I guess it's the year of the cowboy, based on how many wild west themed decorations I saw.
The benches are pretty neat though, I must admit. I keep seeing them pop up in different stores and they're rather sturdy looking. I haven't tried sitting on one (most stores don't let you test the product), so I can't say how great it is. One of these times I'll attempt to touch it and see how it feels and goes.
Providing I don't get squirreled into seeing something else.
This week we also had to pick up a friend at the airport. They had to come at the last minute due to some issues going on in their house (they're snowbirds). The day we picked them up, the rain was coming in fast and furious. It was "so bad", they heard a giant bang of thunder in the airport, and thought it was part of the construction happening, since there are major renovations going on in the local terminals.
But alas, the whole thing passed by the time we got our friend home, and they had a reprieve for a few hours before the sky opened up again.
Welcome to summer! It's still rainy season!
I had a pickup request at the library, and every time I walk in, it seems like they've got a totally new display going on.
This time, it's Halloween adjacent; all the cryptids going on. I didn't get a photo of the books and movies they had on the bookshelf, because I was too amused by the decals.
I even said to one of the librarians "I love the stickers" and she laughed, saying she does too. I don't know if she was being honest, but she does seem to be like someone who would internally appreciate the decorations.
I couldn't find the exact ones on Amazon, but I found others. I don't know where the library orders their decorations from, or if they have someone who works there, that does everything. Considering one of the signs had the library system logo on it, I think it's all printed in house; so anything is possible with the decals.
If you're wondering what I picked up, it was a 1959 move, "On The Beach" starring Gregory Peck, Anthony Perkins, Ava Gardner and Fred Astaire.
The synopsis (via Google) is:
"After World War III, Australia is the only remaining haven for mankind. However, wind currents carrying lingering radiation all but condemn those on the continent to the same fate suffered by the rest of the world. When the survivors receive a strange signal from San Diego, Cmdr. Dwight Towers (Gregory Peck) must undertake a mission with Lt. Peter Holmes (Anthony Perkins) to see if there is hope for humanity -- leaving behind Moira (Ava Gardner) and Mary (Donna Anderson), the women they love"
I intend on watching it later. When the storms arrive this afternoon (like clockwork. Haha).
Speaking of library, I've got another pickup request there today, so I supposed I should get myself in gear and go pick it up. It's the "book on cd" version of "Zoo 2" by James Patterson. I read the first book, but want to be able to see how the second book continues the story. I've already started a new book, so maybe a CD might help in the car. Who knows.
Until more things pop up in stores and in my feed, stay healthy and hydrated; safe and sound. Don't be afraid of things that go bump in the night.
Cheers;
All photos taken on an iPhone 17 and edited in Photoshop
I've got a few different places to be in this post, so stick with me.
All of this has happened in the span of 5 days, give or take.
1. A Halloween related decoration I found at a random store
2. A big old gecko on a tree that I saw while waiting for the air conditioning company to come service the house
3. A random thunderstorm we had.
4. Another gecko I saw while walking to my house after checking the mail.
5. An audio book I took out from the library because the synopsis looked interesting.
6. Cool Super Hero decals at the library
Alright; so in order of things I'd like to accomplish:
One -
At this point, I don't remember what store I was in, however, I saw a random Pennywise related Halloween decoration. As all stores are gearing up for Spooky Season, this particular store was filled with the scary items.
I wish I got the full name and price of the piece, because it's hard to find online, unless you're checking after market websites (Mercari, Poshmark, etc). The tag I did take a photo of, says this little statue is by "Authentique Spooky Night" and is an "LED Lighted Decor". Unfortunately, I didn't get a photo of the bottom, which has the on/off switch and more information. Plus, one of the eyes is a bit broken (burnt out?).
It's rather Shakespearean level creepy and really cool at the same time. I wish both eyes could light up and that I got more information from it. Being a fan of the original "IT", this is a new concept for marketing. I'm sure it's not supposed to be Stephen King related but someone made damn sure that people would automatically recognize the red hair and jester outfit.
Searching online for it, again, it's third party websites. They're naming it things like ""Halloween LED Skeleton", "Creepy IT Skeleton Clown", "New Spooky Night IT Pennywise Skeleton Bust LED Light-Up Halloween Decor"; you get the idea. Amazon doesn't have anything remotely close. I tried "pennywise clown skeleton bust pedestal" and got various clowns that weren't Pennywise, but when they were, it was the Bill Skarsgård version. I tried "creepy it skeleton clown" and came back with nothing related to the movie.. at all.
It's literally a dead end for the A to Z seller unless you want to go after market somewhere else. Buyer beware because they're all different prices have different shipping costs. If I could remember where I saw this, I'd honestly say "or go to the store and see if they have it".
Two - the gecko that kept me company while waiting for the AC technician:
This was one of those situations where I needed to be outside in the driveway waiting because every time we get "an outsider" (aka a service technician or a delivery), the person always missing the apartment. We end up watching them drive to the other end of the street before they turn around and drive to our direction. It's an easy oops but first instinct says they take a right instead of a left.
It was at least 95° out and I wasn't feeling like standing completely in the sun, so I waited closer to the door. It was shady enough, where I felt I could keep an eye out for the van and stay somewhat cool at the same time.
I also uploaded a video because he looked like he was doing pushups at one point:
It seems like the geckos are getting bigger and bigger these days. Every time we look outside, there's a monster of a lizard hanging out on the bricks. The plop plops are going to have a run for their food source at some point, if these smaller ones get any bigger.
Three - we had a random thunderstorm.
Welcome to summer in Florida!
Now that we're having more steady rain, we're kind of back on schedule for our daily (afternoon) flooding.
The downside to all of this, besides the fact the water comes so fast and furious with no where to go, is that it leaves just as soon as it arrives. The temperature drops for the duration of the wet, but once it's over, it gets back to being hot and humid and most of the quickly made ponds dry back up.
The only difference between my street and backyard flooding and the main roads gaining too much water, is, the main roads can't dry up as quick as my community. Therefore, the water stays for too long and makes traveling a little difficult in some areas.
Trust me; I've gotten stuck on some of the main roads when there's been too much water around and larger cars (aka pickups) speed past you and create tidal waves on to your car. It's scary and not necessary - the way the people speed through the streets, especially during heavy storms. You don't know what you could run over and how you're going to effect the person in the lane next to you. Everyone is in a rush and no one wants to take their time through this. It's like being stuck in a snow storm; ice and sleet can bring the same amount of trouble.
Ask me how I know. Haha.
Four - Ants go marching one by one while a gecko hangs out on the gutter.
I happened to go get the mail today and looked at a neighbor's front driveway. As we have brightly neutral colored houses, any dark shadow will stick out.
I saw another big gecko on the drain pipe and felt the need to explore.
Sorry if you thought I was looking in your house, dear neighbor. I wasn't snooping; I was visiting your visitor.
This is another decent sized gecko, and he happened to have ants crawling around him. Unless the insects were his traveling companions of the eating kind, I've never seen the two together before. It was interesting.
The not so interesting part was when he fanned his chin out. According to Google, it's called a "dewlap" and it's only done by males because they're trying to impress females. Either it was hitting on me or there was a girl lizard hiding somewhere. 😂
I've seen the fan before, not just in Jurassic Park (like we're all used to), but I've seen it in the geckos too. If you stand still enough and let them do their thing, they do pop the chin thing out in hope that a friend will come visit. It's the oddest thing to see but also pretty neat. #Natureyo
Five - I went to the library and took out a 26 disc audiobook.
I happened to be perusing the audiobook on CD section of my local library and saw something new.
They had a 2016 biography on Paul McCartney, titled "Paul McCartney: The Life" by Phillip Norman.
This is an "official" Macca biography, according to the synopsis:
"Since the age of 21, Paul McCartney has lived one of the ultimate rock 'n' roll lives, played out on the most public of stages. Now Paul's story is told by rock music's foremost biographer, with McCartney's consent and access to family members and close friends who have never spoken on the record before.
Paul McCartney: The Life reveals the complex character behind the façade and sheds new light on his childhood - blighted by his mother's death but redeemed by the father who introduced him to music. This is the first definitive account of Paul's often troubled partnership with John Lennon, his personal trauma after the Beatles' breakup, and his subsequent struggle to get back to the top with Wings - which nearly got him murdered in Africa and brought him nine days in a Tokyo jail.
Listeners will learn about his marriage to Linda, including their much-criticized musical collaboration, and a moving account of her death. Packed with new information and critical insights, Paul McCartney: The Life will be the definitive biography of a musical legend.
Which, if you've read my past posts about a rabbit hole conspiracy called "Paul Is Dead", this book will be totally different and perhaps not all correct, seeing how 'Faul' has his own story out.
There is a 2009 biography from Thomas E. Uharriet titled "The Memoirs of Billy Shears: The Nine After 9-09 Edition", which my friend Tay had given me a copy of. The Billy Shears version is allegedly the real story behind the tin foil hat speculation of how James Paul really "vanished" and William Shepherd / Billy Shears came to be.
The synopsis of the Billy Shears edition (via Amazon) states:
"In 1969, a rumor erupted that Paul McCartney, “the cute Beatle”, had been replaced. Generations later, we see that the Beatles spent hundreds of hours making “Paul is Dead” clues but were required to deny it. What if “Billy Shears” really had replaced Paul and still plays that role today? How would he explain taking over the band?
The memoirs, from Billy Shears’ perspective, reveals his conflict with John but also his delight in working with “Fifth Beatle” George Martin. With a shared commitment to quality, innovation, and a global agenda, their work transformed the planet, leading us through a psychedelic revolution that changed how we see ourselves.
In July 2018 (28 months after George Martin passed away), his eldest son, Gregory Paul Martin, received an advance copy of the Nine After 9-09 Edition of the Memoirs of Billy Shears. He had known the Beatles’ original Paul since 1962 and still has dealings with “Sir Paul” today. Gregory generously found time in his overbooked schedule for this performance.
To record this significant book, he thought it fitting to use the original recording equipment that his father, George Martin, had used with the Beatles. Sitting at that same historic equipment to record the memoirs, Gregory sometimes felt that he, too, had become Paul. It felt uncanny.
Special thanks to sound engineers: William Shinker (British Grove Studios), Andy Cook (Red Planet Records), and Clint Ramon Harrigan (Ranch Trailing Post-Production).
The Memoirs of Billy Shears: Nine After 9-09 Edition is also available in hardcover, paperback, and as an e-book. Printed versions have footnotes, word-stacking, and the world’s longest acrostic. In the US, get the hardcover from www.BillyShears.com. Elsewhere, find the paperback via Amazon. Whatever you believe about Paul, let this performance take you on the Beatles fantasy of a lifetime. It is your ultimate magical mystery. With this view of the Beatles’ inner-workings, you, and their songs, may never be the same."
I'm looking forward to listening to the Phillip Norman version, to see how it parallels the Thomas E. Uharriet copy. Makes me wonder what may be different and if there are any similarities. I know I have spoken of length about the PID theory and when Tay was telling me his opinions on it, the things I learned do make sense to what I originally remember from when I first stumbled on it, decades ago.
I know this is going to take some time to get through since it's 26 discs, running a total of 30.5 hours. The way I've been listening to things lately, I'm glad it's not due back until September.
Last but not least, six: I found some super heroes in the young adult section of the library!
Yes, I go into the young adult section because I occasionally pick up a Disney movie or one of the comic book movies. Strangely, Marvel and DC are put in the kids section rather than the adult section.
Plus, I pick up random educational coloring pages for my cousins' kids (Hi Brady, Levi, Stevie, Marla, Lana and Daisy).
I couldn't find the exact Iron Man decal, but I linked to some variations below. The same goes for the Batman decal. However, I think I found the Captain America one, or close to it.
I know a few people who would love the Iron Man and Captain America on their wall (Hi Cat), while I wouldn't necessarily use this specific Batman, I used to work with someone who would 100% want it in his office and at his house (Hi Travis, if you're still reading these pages).
It is pretty rad to see the comic icons up and around; it gets the kids asking questions and reading something new, yet old. It is a good win for everyone.
I think that's about it for now with the rest of the updates. Maybe I will have more over the weekend, but until I can sort some more things out and not put everything in one section, I should wrap this up.
Go on and listen to something new and read something wild. Take in a nature show and don't bother the animals if they're busy with whatever life has them doing.
Videos edited in Pinnacle Studio 18 Ultimate. There's an upgrade to this program, as linked. The third video, or second gecko, uses Pinnacle stock audio: "Film/TV" | "Dreamscape" | "The Visitor", which is aptly fitting.
As I'm using a Windows 8.1 laptop and Pinnacle 18, I do apologize for the way the videos saved. the error arrows are due to software fighting itself.
