Forget what you've heard about Louisiana

My awesome BBBF (blogging best bud forever) Tress over at Jumble Mash did a post earlier today about the misconceptions about West Virginia.  She wanted to know if there are any untrue myths/rumors about our home states.  Well, I live in Louisiana, and most of the rest of the world has learned everything they know about Louisiana from Britney Spears, Girls Gone Wild, The Real World and Swamp People.  Oh yes, these have all given us a wonderful reputation. 

So, with the encouragement of Tress, I'm going to set the record straight.

Myth #1:  We all drive around with our children in our laps. (Ahem, Britney.)

Truth:  Of course not.  I was so appalled at her when I saw this photograph a few years ago.  I know she was running from paparazzi, but COME ON!  Car seats are mandatory for a reason.  We have all of the same standard car seat laws as everywhere else.

Myth #2:  We have drive-thru daiquiri shops.

Truth:  We do, in fact, have drive thru daiquiri shops.  We also have open container laws.  The drink is not considered an open container unless you put the straw in.  Seriously.

Myth #3:  We all have swamps and alligators in our backyard.  We also all have a cousin named Bubba who only wears overalls and mumbles when he talks. 

Truth:  Negative.  The closest swamp to me is about 25 miles away, and it's considerably small.  It's also in the state park.  I've only ever seen alligators up close at the Audubon Zoo and at the Alligator Farm where they raise gators to kill for meat, skins and heads.  I also do not - nor do any of my friends -  have a cousin named Bubba.

Myth #4:  All local women take their tops off throughout the entirety of Mardi Gras. 

Truth:  Afraid not, guys.  In fact, about 99% of the women taking it all off during the massive party on Bourbon are tourists.  At other parades in the state, no one does that.  It's very much illegal.  The only place you can get away with it is on Bourbon Street, where pretty much anything goes.....and I do mean anything.  Ugh.

Myth #5:  Louisianians put football before everything else. 

Truth:  Not exactly.  We do have priorities, and they generally go in this order: 
1. Jesus
2. Football
3. Food
I do know people who have scheduled their weddings (and a few funerals) around LSU or Saints football games.  Most of us may have somewhat of an unhealthy obsession with our football teams, but that's okay.  We like it that way.

Myth #6:  We boil and eat those ugly red bug things.  We also suck the juice out of the heads.

Truth:  100% accurate.  Crawfish boils are some of the best times I've ever had:  family, food and fun.
 P.S. You have to suck the heads to get the juice and seasoning out.  Yum.

Hope that cleared up some of the misconceptions about my home state.  Y'all come and visit if you haven't already!

Fantabulous Friday - Halloween Edition

Finally, Friday has arrived.  This week has been entirely too long.  Since Halloween is a mere three days away, and Fridays are typically when I share the fantabulous things of the world, I've decided today to share with y'all the most fantabulous things about Halloween!

CANDY

Seriously, who doesn't love candy? 

HORROR MOVIES

Nothing like scaring the bejeezus out of yourself with all-time greats like Halloween, Friday the 13th, Silence of the Lambs, Se7en, The Shining and many more!

COSTUMES

Aside from the ever-increasing sluttiness that has become Halloween costumes, I love that for a night (or an entire weekend depending upon your stamina) you can be anything you want to be, like maybe Beetlejuice, The Mad Hatter, a giant hotdog, anything at all.

HAY RIDES

This has always been one of the things I most look forward to every year:  crowding onto a hay-filled trailer with a bunch of parents and kids to ride around the neighborhood collecting candy.

TRICK OR TREATING

I've been too old to do this for a while now, but now that I have kids I get to enjoy it all over again!

KID HALLOWEEN MOVIES/TV SPECIALS

I love "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!"  and "Hocus Pocus."  I'm also super-excited to see the new Shrek Halloween special (which I taped last night) "Scared Shrekless"!

What do you love most about Halloween?

Time Traveler decides to make cameo in Chaplin film

I know what you're thinking, and I couldn't agree more. However, this story is top news on MSNBC. (I'm starting to think maybe they're not all that bright....)

So here's the deal: some Charlie Chaplin mega-fan was watching Chaplin's 1928 film "The Circus" one day when he caught a glimpse of something that made him do a double take. He rewound the film and watched the scene again. Then again. And again.

What did he see? Well, he saw someone walking through the shot talking on a cell phone. In 1928. I repeat: A CELL PHONE. In 1928. Yes indeedy. His conclusion: time traveler.

Of course! It's so obvious.

You can see the clip from the film below (Note: There is no sound, so don't freak out and think your speakers are broken.)

Now, what I want to know, is where are Doc and Marty?



Movie Delight Monday - Halloween Edition

Alas, only six more days remain until one of the most fun holidays ever - HALLOWEEN.

 

I was racking my brain trying to think of the best movie for today, but I didn't just want to go with the obvious, super-popular films.  Instead, I'm going to give y'all the horror/suspense films that are hilariously scary (ie:  freaky movies that contain great comic relief).  The Scream trilogy, for example, would be considered "hilariously scary" thanks to Matthew Lillard, Jamie Kennedy and Parker Posey. 



The following are movies that are freaky with some much-appreciated comic relief OR just ridiculously funny, with a bit of scary built in:

13 Ghosts

I first came to really appreciate Matthew Lillard in the first Scream. 

He's so funny I forgot to be scared - for a while, at least - during this movie. 

   

House on Haunted Hill

When it comes to remakes, obviously I'm partial to the originals.  Kris Kattan in this

version, however, is fabulous.  He plays paranoid better than anyone else I've ever seen.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Aside from the all of the other hilarity that goes on in this film, I have only two words: 

Paul Reubens.  The scene where he's slayed is HILARIOUS. 

American Psycho

You'd have to read the novel to fully understand how funny it is. 

 Bateman's thoughts, which cannot properly be portrayed on film, are so abnormal

 and funny that you almost feel sorry for him and can understand his need to kill people.

Tremors

Everyone knows this is one of the best nonsensical "horror" movies ever made,

but I still love it.  Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward's constant bickering cracks me up.

What are some of the movies you find hilariously scary?