Diamond Dan and my exceptional driving

Side note: Driving back from the airport tonight there was a moment where I signaled to change lanes one lane to the left. At the same time, a van two lanes over signaled right to move to the same spot I was headed. Both vehicles waited for a moment, waiting for the other to make the more aggressive move. After that moment, both vehicles unblinkered and the van sped up and I slowed down and then proceeded to change lanes. I though to myself first, how great that cars have this built-in system of protection against collision; second, I'm glad we were both actually using it; and third, my handlebar mustachioed driver's ed instructor Dan (we called him Diamond Dan, named after the Driver's Ed School he ran [rhyme not on purpose]) and the chain-smoking drive-along supervisor, Margarita would be proud of me today.

**I have so much to do this week. Update on Thanksgiving and Brent's wedding are stewing**

pretty tree

There's a tree outside my window that is in all ways possible, perfect- just as tall as our house and wide enough at my second story level that I can't quite see how broad it stretches. I appreciated the tree when I moved in and it was green, mostly because it blocks the view of any potential pervs across the street from seeing into our bedroom. This means I can keep the blinds open and the room as light as I like it without worry of a peeping Tom. My appreciation of the tree has now sky-rocketed because it is not just a functional privacy-keeper, but because it is just beautiful. Fall changes have turned it deep red and at the risk of sounding cheesy, it really is comment-on-its-beauty-out-loud-to-no-one (and on a blog) breath-taking. All I've got is a camera-phone picture. It does it no justice, but it'll have to do now that winter has taken over.

H - A - Double L - O - W - Double E - N

I usually have high expectations for Halloween and I'll be honest, they are rarely met. It's a holiday, like New Year's Eve, that I imagine is way more fun with just a little bit of alcohol. This year though, I figured out that my problem isn't a lack of liquor but a lack of proper holiday spirit. When you grab leftover clothes from the back of your closet you feel like you're dressed up as a Goodwill grab bag, regardless of how much that bathrobe looks like a ninja robe or how much puff paint you add to your eye mask. So, in the spirit of Halloween- and to keep me on the sobriety wagon- this year I decided to put some effort into my costume.

The inspiration for my 80's rocker outfit was the badass pouf ponytail I've been dreaming about for months (think Rihanna big on a runway, but longer and 20 years ago). Throw in massive amounts of eyeliner, bright red lipstick that made it through two showers before it finally faded and some rockin wear (Thank you Forever 21 for still selling black and gold stretch pants in 2009) and voila! I'm a rockstar.

Brooke channeled Joan Jett in a Stones tee, Mary had a black and gold tutu and Dallas was in a one-piece racer costume and denim vest. My math tells me that that much spandex in one car makes a rock band.

I even look mean!
There are 2 curlers, 2 bent up toilet paper rolls and a half a can of hairspray keeping that volume

Less mean, but still hard core.

Oddly enough, the music playing in my head while dressing up was was less Heart and Pat Benatar and more Scissor Sisters, Music is the Victim and a lot of rockin Beck.

Happy Halloween.

And PS. I can't adequately describe how happy I am that it's not snowing yet.