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?

Tim Burton Day

As I've been sitting on my comfy couch with my daughters watching "The Nightmare Before Christmas" for about the 97th time this month, my mind has been a'wandering (I know this isn't an actual word, but it was used on an episode of Friends I watched yesterday and it stuck, so hush).  I think Tim Burton is one of the best directors there has ever been - and not just because he casts Johnny Depp in nearly every film of his - and even though lately he seems to want to put his very odd wife in all of his films. 

Editor's Note:  Although I'm paying tribute to Tim, John Hughes will now and forever be my MOST favorite director.  Just wanted to put that out in the universe.

Since I've deemed today Tim Burton Day, I'm going to share with y'all the best of his films.  In my opinion, of course.   Which is a much better opinion than that stupid Ebert guy.  Seriously.  He should be fired.

Without further ado, here we go:

MARS ATTACKS!

 Even though this movie is utterly ridiculous, I love it! If you've never seen it, pick a day

 when you have absolutely nothing else productive to do and watch it.  You'll thank me, I promise. 

THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Despite having seen it so many times now I know every word (thanks to my girls),  I still think it's awesome. 

BATMAN RETURNS

I still remember being very young and thinking how cool it would be to dress up like

a cat like Michelle Pfeiffer.  In my defense, I was way too young to realize she was crazy. 

 Also, De Vito played Penguin fabulously.

BEETLEJUICE

One of the best films ever made.  Michael Keaton was excellent, and the supporting cast was awesome, too.  

Seriously, who didn't love watching Catherine O'Hara and Jeffrey Jones dancing to the Banana Boat Song?

EDWARD SCISSORHANDS

The film that began an infatuation with Johnny Depp that

would last a very, very long time. In fact, it's still going strong...

ALICE IN WONDERLAND

I think Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter was a genius idea.  This film was brilliant. 

I've liked every film of Mr. Burton's that I've seen.  There are a few of his I've yet to watch, but I'm planning a Burton Movie Marathon Day in the near future!

What films of his do you love?

Movie Delight Monday

Halloween is only two weekends away, which means the next two Movie Delight Mondays will feature horror movies!

Last Monday I chose the Scream Trilogy, and the week before that was Killer Klowns from Outer Space. Today I'm going with a little-known but TERRIFYING film. My older cousins made me watch it once when I was in second or third grade, and it still scares me to this day.  So, it might not actually be all that terrifying, but I'm too chicken to watch it again and find out!

The film I'm referring to is:

Editor's Note:  Again, since this movie terrified me so badly, I have not watched it since that first time, nearly twenty years ago.  As such, this review is based on extremely vivid memories and the help of IMBD for names and a few details.

The film starts out with a family, consisting of a snobbish father, his hateful new wife and his daughter, Judy finding themselves stranded in the middle of nowhere as a storm is moving in.  Judy is a small girl who is quite timid and not too fond of her new stepmother. 

The family realizes they are near a large mansion, so they seek shelter there.  An elderly couple lives in the mansion, and soon another stranded motorist, Randy, arrives with two punk, Madonna-looking chicks he picked up along the way.  The couple invites them all to stay until the storm passes. 

It becomes evident nearly immediately that the old couple is extremely odd, and they reveal that they make dolls and puppets. 

As they all retire to bed for the evening, we learn more about the stranded people, and that all but Randy and Judy are evil, mean or theiving people.  Of course, all bad people must be punished....

The dolls begin coming to life and killing off the people who need punishing.  In grotesque, freaky and horrifying manners they all start to bite the dust, one by one.   We learn more about the old couple and why the dolls are killing everyone, but the information doesn't stop the murders. 

The movie ends with the suggestion of a sequel, as most horror movies do.

If you're brave (which I'm not), below you can watch the original trailer for the film.

Watch it if you dare!

John Hughes lied to me

Before the angry mob forms with pitchforks and torches, let me explain.

I love John Hughes.  I think he was awesomely talented, and his movies in the 80s taught me everything I needed to know about high school. 

However, that being said.....

He completely lied about romance.  By doing so, he set me up to be hugely disappointed throughout the majority of my teen years.  Why do I feel this way?  Well, let me break out the evidence:



Exhibit A:

Sixteen Candles

Thanks to this film, I believed the hottest, richest, most popular boy in school would break up with his hot blonde girlfriend to go out with me - the lowly, awkward sixteen-year-old.

LIE!

Exhibit B:

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Thanks to this film, I believed I there existed such a teenage boy who was so cool that he and his dorky best friend would skip school, steal friend's dad's car, break me out of school and take me to the city for the day on an adventure filled with museums, baseball, ritzy restaurants, musical numbers, swimming and serious conversation.....but surprisingly all done within school hours.

LIE!

Exhibit C:

Breakfast Club

Thanks to this film, I thought all it took for the social walls in school to be broken down was one day in detention, and it was okay for rich girls to date leather-clad, pierced punks and weird girls to date jocks. 

LIE!

Exhibit D:

Pretty in Pink

Thanks to this film, I believed the popular teenage guy would suddenly develop a conscience, stand up for what's right and not give in to peer pressure from his buds.

LIE!


I rest my case.

Historical Day: Cades Cove

Hey, y'all!  Hope your weeks have all been fantabulous.  My brain is on reserve at the moment, since I just finished (yay) a huge Geography paper due Monday.  Since I'm in school mode, I decided to share with y'all the paper I wrote earlier this semester on my most favorite place in the whole world:  Cades Cove.  It's located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg, Tennessee.  Not to brag (but totally to brag), I made an A++ on this paper.  Yeah, I did.  So anyhoo, since today is usually Fantabulous Friday, and I think Cades Cove is fantabulous, here's y'all a little piece of history:

Located in what is now the Great Smoky Mountain National Park in northeastern Tennessee, Cades Cove is a glimpse into the lives of a community of yesteryear.  Having spent half of my life living in Tennessee, my family took many trips to the cove.  As a child the wildlife was what attracted me the most:  black bears, deer and various other animals that roam the park.  The animals were what drew Native Americans, then later European frontiersmen to settle in this valley tucked safely between the “Smoky Mountains” which create a beautifully wooded view from all directions.  

There isn’t much cultural evidence of the Cherokee Indians’ time spent in the cove, but there is an abundance of evidence from the settlers who came later.  The Indians chose the cove for the bountiful wildlife easily hunted within the valley.  The settlers, who first began moving into the cove in the early 1820s, preferred the cove for many reasons, two of which were the protection offered by the surrounding mountains and the fertile soil of the valley floor. 

Since the land was excellent for farming, the settlers were able to grow multiple crops that could supplement them throughout the entire year.  A few of the barns and storehouses used for farming are still standing. 

As more people moved into the area, homes were built across the valley.  These buildings were small homes, with tiny rooms for sleeping and slightly larger rooms for cooking and eating.  Every home needed a fireplace to warm the people during frigid winters that often brought snowstorms. The settlers created their own road so they could visit one another easily.  The road used now to tour the cove is the same road created by the early settlers.  Eventually two churches were built as well, one Baptist and one Methodist.  The Baptist church later feuded and split, resulting in the building of a second Baptist Church.  

As more people settled in the cove, businesses were built to meet the needs.  Because the nearest town was an entire day’s trip away on horse, Cades Cove became a self-sustaining community.  A general store was built, along with a blacksmith shop, smokehouses and even a boarding house for travelers.

The people of Cades Cove depended greatly upon two crops: corn and chestnuts.  The corn was used to feed the livestock and could be used in various ways as food for the people (cornmeal, grits, cornbread, hominy).   The residents of the cove would take chestnuts into nearby Maryville to sell or trade for other goods, food or medicines.

Once knowledge of water as a power source spread to the cove, a man named John P. Cable, using the water from Mill Creek, created a functioning mill for grains.  Other residents followed suit and eventually Cades Cove had several water-run mills, some for grains (to be turned into flour) and others for molasses.  These advances gave the residents more options for trading, and helped the community to thrive.   A post office was also built later as the rest of the United States began to grow and spread out.

Thanks to the flourishing crops and mills, population nearly exploded in the early years of the community.  In less than fifty years there were an estimated 700 people residing within Cades Cove.  Families were raising children, who would reach their teen years, marry and start their own families.  Children were taught in the small churches by the pastors or at home by educated parents (although most of the adults who originally settled in the cove weren’t very well-educated).  However, the majority of “education” taught to the children was the ins and outs of maintaining the farm (for the boys) and home (for the girls).

Eventually the great Western movement known as “Manifest Destiny” caught wind and many young families moved out of Cades Cove in search of a better life.  A few families remained in the cove, the last of which did not leave until well after the cove was included into the National Park.

Scavenger Hunt

Well, my blogging bud Tress over at Jumble Mash tagged me in what has apparently become the newest blogging meme:

INTERNET SCAVENGER HUNT

I promised her I'd do this (and she's totally awesome), so here it goes....

How it works:

1. Tell everyone who tagged you.
2. Find and post each item on the list.
3. Tag 7 other blogs.
4. Notify each blogger that was tagged.

Now for the hunt:

1. Favorite YouTube video.

Ever since Nicole over at It's All Random posted this as thanks for a blog award, it's been my favorite! Check out this guy Mitchell's YouTube page, he's hilarious.

2. A photo that will make everyone say "Awwww."

How could you not?!

3. A funny t-shirt.

Sadly, it's true.

4. Something geeky.

Love me some Sheldon.

5. Link or photo of your favorite movie.

This was a really tough one because I love SO many movies....

but since I had to pick one...went with this one. Best romantic comedy ever!

6. Link to the newest blog you've discovered.
World Between the Lines

7. Photo of something on your wishlist.

A day at the spa.....oh how I'd love one!

Well, there you have it.  My scavenger hunt is complete.

I'm not going to tag seven specific people, but instead I'm giving an open invitation to all of my awesome readers!  If you want to take part and take a day off from your regular blogging, join in!  It was fun!

Movie Delight Monday

Happy Monday, y'all!  Hope your weeks start out in fantabulous fashion. 

Since we're well into October, I feel that it's necessary for my Movie Delight Mondays to consist of thriller/horror films.  First, let me inform y'all that I'm the biggest chicken that ever lived.  Seriously, I can't watch scary movies.  I love them, but they freak me out to such an extent that it's hardly worth putting myself through it.  Let me be clear:  I will watch horror movies this month because it's necessary.  However, due to my watching said films, I'll be checking closets, behind shower curtains and the backseat of my car for weeks after this month is over with.

That being said, today I'm covering one of my all-time favorites in the horror movie genre.  I think I can better handle this trilogy because it's sort of.... almost.... kinda like a spoof.  It started out with the intention of  being the horror film that made fun of horror films, but turned into a series of films with a cult following - and a fourth installment in the works.  That's right, I'm talking about

The Scream Trilogy

The first film starts out with the awesome Drew Barrymore sporting an awful platinum-blonde wig, in the stereotypical girl-alone-at-night situation.  Creepy guys calls, starts a conversation, then proceeds to scare the bejeezus out of generic pretty girl.  Just when you think she'll be saved - nope, dead girl hanging from tree. 

The opening scene is more of a mood-setter than anything.  You're aware the film is going to be full of horror movie no-nos, but also a bit scary. 

After this, we're introduced to our main character, Sidney (played by the somewhat-annoying but still lovable Neve Campbell).  Poor Sidney's mother was murdered one year ago, supposedly by Cotton Weary.  Suddenly two students are murdered, bringing attention back on Sidney's mother. Dad has to go out of town (of course), so she's going to be home alone - GASP! - for a few days.  Not to worry, though, because her creepy boyfriend Billy (Skeet Ulrich) had an affection for crawling into her bedroom window at night and pressuring her to have sex.

Sidney is surrounded by Billy and her friends, slutty Tatum (Rose McGowan), her boyfriend Stu (Matthew Lillard, who I LOVE in this film) and film fanatic Randy (Jamie Kennedy).  Randy is the one who's always making references to films, explaining the "rules" to both the characters and the viewers of the film.  Also on hand are Tatum's older brother Dewey (David Arquette), the inept deputy who wants to be a hero, and reporter Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox-Arquette) who's just trying to get to Sidney for a story.

The killer begins stalking Sidney via phone, and suddenly she's under attack by a crazed killer donning a Halloween costume/ghost mask. More people start to die (obviously), most of which have broken a rule of the horror genre.  The film reaches a climax at a house party, full of underage kids drinking and watching Halloween while Randy explains the rules in detail. 

 Eventually the killer is revealed and everyone is shocked by who it is.  Battle royale between killer and Sidney ensues, and the film ends with creepy alternative music playing as police cars arrive on the scene of the mass murders.   

Scream 2 starts out by catching us up with the survivors from the first film.  Sidney and Randy are in college, and slowly moving on with their lives.  Sidney has gotten over her boyfriend issues and is dating a hunky frat boy, Derek (Jerry O'Connell).                      

                            

Cotton Weary, who had been originally charged with Sidney's mother's murder, is out of prison now, and wants to cash in on his personal suffering. Gale has written a story about the Woodsboro murders, which has been turned into a film.  The film promotes a craze, and Dewey joins Sidney at school for fear that she'll need protection.  He's right, because suddenly it seems like a copycat killer is on the loose, and he's after Sidney.  

I like the second installment because it makes use of the college setting to massacre ditzy blonde sorority girls and address the issue of Greek partying in excess.  (If you party, you die.)  Some interesting characters meet unfortunate ends in this film, but it's still a good one.

Scream 3 takes place in California.  Yet another installment of the "Stab" movies is being made, and a series of murders bring up Sidney's mother.  Sidney, who's been in hiding since the nightmare of college, decides to got to Hollywood to find out more about her mother.  Of course, as soon as she hits the movie lot, the killer is after her.  Gale and Dewey join Sidney, and Cotton Weary also shows up in the film, if only for a short time.

Parker Posey plays Jennifer, who will be playing Gale Weathers in Stab 3, and thus begins following Gale around in an effort to learn more about her for acting purposes.  After realizing cast members of the film are being killed in order they are supposed to die in the script, it's decided that Jennifer is the next victim.  Together Sidney, Gale, Dewey and Detective Kincaid (played by the totally hot Patrick Dempsey) set out to find out who the killer is before another murder takes place, and help Sidney solve the mystery of her mother as well.  

Yet again, it's a constant ball of confusion over whodunit, because just when you think you know who the killer is, that person is murdered. 

I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen the films yet, so I won't say who the killers are in any of the films, or what the mystery of Sidney's mother turned out to be.   I will say, though, that if you've never taken the time to watch these films, DO IT NOW.  They're all great!

Also, on a totally awesome side note, a fourth installment of the Scream series just wrapped filming last month, with original stars Neve Campbell, David Arquette and Courteney Cox-Arquette returning.  Joining them are some younger stars such as Emma Roberts and Hayden Panetierre.  Both Kevin Williamson and Wes Craven have supposedly signed on for a three-part series, since originally the Scream movies were intended to be only a trilogy.   I'm so excited about this film, and can't wait to see it (release date is set for April 2011)!

Twitterpated Day

Don't ask me why (because I have no idea), but I woke up in one of those lovey-dovey moods. You know, where you want to cuddle and smooch your hunny bunny and tell him how much you just love his sweet face and all of that nonsense.  We'll call it

Twitterpated Day

Maybe it's due to the date (10-10-10).  I'm not superstitious at all, though.  So probably not. 

Anyhoo, I figured since I'm in such a smitten kitten mood, I'd list for y'all my most favorite celeb couples.  Some of them are no longer together, but I think they should be (and just so y'all know, I'm an excellent relationship judge. If I say you're compatible, then you are!).

Here they are, in no particular order:

Zac Efron & Vanessa Hudgens

I just can't get enough of these kids.  I think they're the cutest!

Brad Pitt & Jennifer Aniston

I know, I know.  I can't help myself.  I think they made a WAY
 hotter couple than he does with Angie (and her with John Mayer. Yuck!).

Kurt Russell & Goldie Hawn

Loved 'em in Overboard, and I still love 'em. 

Their love is a groovy kinda love. Just ask Phil Collins.

Sarah Michelle Gellar & Freddie Prinze, Jr.

They've been adorable since the mid-90s.  So cute!

Justin Timberlake & Britney Spears

You know, back before she got all crazy, shaved her head and stopped wearing underwear. 

Blake Lively & Penn Badgley

I thought they were sweet together even

before I realized how deliciously addictive Gossip Girl is.

Jessica Simpson & Nick Lachey

I'm still angry at her for breaking his heart. 

Brad Paisley & Kimberly Williams-Paisley

They both just seem like the nicest, sweetest people....
and they named their boys Huck and Jasper.  How cute it that?!

Ben Affleck & Jennifer Garner

I just want to hang out with her, and I'm so glad he dropped J-Lo.  Cuteness.

Well there you have it.  I was going to put Ryan Philippe and Reese Witherspoon on the list because I absolutely adored them together, but I really can't stand him since the whole Abbie Cornish fiasco. 

Hope y'all have a great week!