Trick or Treat - Or, What Scares You Silly?

Ghost, ghouls, candy, vampires, zombies, candy, witches, wizards, candy, monsters, things that go ‘bump’ in the night, and more candy. About sums up Halloween?
Anyway, just a few fun things to blog about today.
First a short list of my favourite scary books and movies—ones that have scared me silly.
Then some funny, and oh-so-cute Halloween laughs.

Favourite scary books:
The Stand – Stephen King
It – Stephen King *Is why I still won’t walk over drains and I hate clowns.
Pet Sematary – Stephen King
The Silence of the Lambs – Thomas Harris
The Stepford Wives – Ira Levin.
I Am Legend - Richard Matheson
The Fog – James Herbert

Favourite scary movies:
(Confession: there aren’t many as I’m a total wuss when it comes to visual horror—I’d much rather read it that see it!)
The Ring. * Gave me blinkin nightmares for weeks!
Salem’s Lot. *Sneakily watched this at age 12. Bad, bad move.
The Shining.
I am Legend.
Rosemary’s Baby.
Alien.
Jaws. *Still hearing that damn cello music decades later…

I’d love to hear some of your recommendations. :)

And to make you giggle (nothing like a nervous tittering when something half scares the pants off you)...

Don’t go crazy with the Halloween candy!
Tracey

What I’m reading this week: Tangle of Need – Nalini Singh. I love series romances, and it’s so nice to slip back into the world of Changelings and Psy.

What I’m watching this week: The Amazing Race Australia. Love seeing all the different countries the contestants go to, and bragging to my hubby, “Yeah, I could so do that—*insert crazy stunt or gross-food eating challenge*”

This week’s favorite quote: People fear death even more than pain. It's strange that they fear death. Life hurts a lot more than death. At the point of death, the pain is over. Yeah, I guess it is a friend. Jim Morrison 

Hot guy of the week: Will Smith in ‘I am Legend’. Candy? Who needs candy when Will’s around?

Friday I-Wish-I-Were-There (Gorgeous Fall Colours)

Welcome to my Friday I-Wish-I-Were-There Blog.

Today I’m taking a pictorial trip through one of my favorite seasons – fall (or autumn as it’s known here in New Zealand). I’ve been fortunate enough to experience three of North America’s seasons, summer, fall, and winter. I’d have to say fall made the most impact on me—and not just for the stunning tree colours. There was something about the changing of season’s from summer to fall in the U.S that really appealed to me. Suddenly all the stores started stocking gold/red/orange themed products of leaves and pumpkins—and pumpkin suddenly appeared in a lot of menus in restaurants we visited. Cinnamon is the other smell I associate with American fall/winter. Then there was the crunching of leaves underfoot and the tingly nip of cold in the air. Everything felt cosy, and there was a sense of slowing down to get ready for the winter. Love it.

Here in temperate New Zealand, especially Wellington where I live, our season’s aren't quite so dramatic as the northern hemisphere. Wellington doesn't get snow in winter (except for one memorable day last year when it snowed a tiny bit – the first time in 60+ years my dad reckoned) and our other seasons are pretty mild also. Autumn is a little more obvious in our beautiful South Island, so I’ve included some from a little town called Arrowtown. Some parts of the movie ‘The Lord of the Rings’ was shot close by to Arrowtown, and it’s easy to see why—it’s a gorgeous place.

Hope you enjoyed the pretty fall colours,

Tracey

Extroverts vs. Introverts

A couple of weeks ago I took part in an informal mini-seminar based on the Myers-Briggs personality test with my son’s youth group. Some of the results surprised me, some of them not-so-much.

To start with we learned about whether we were introverts or extroverts. This was a no-brainer for me—I know I’m an introvert with a capital ‘I’. However, the definition we were given was a little different that I’d expected. An introvert is someone who ‘recharges’ and gets their energy from spending time alone, while an extrovert ‘recharges’ and gets their energy from spending time with people. And here’s me thinking that my definition of an extrovert—‘A flamboyant person who never stops talking, likes to be the center of attention, and will often interrupt people mid-sentence’—was correct. Turns out that not all extroverts are loud-mouths, and not all introverts are quiet people who hide in corners. Who knew?

As part of the mini-seminar, the extroverts were directed to one side of the room and the introverts to the other. No surprise to me that my husband defected to the extrovert side, while my 15 year old son and I escaped to the quiet, introvert side of the room. Interesting to watch the different group dynamics when we were given ten minutes to discuss the question, ‘What do you wish the other group would understand about you?’ While the extrovert side of the room buzzed with voices all talking at once, and getting louder and louder to be heard over the verbal ruckus, the introverts on my side of the room spoke one at a time, each letting the other finish their opinion before offering their own. I’m not saying either group was more successful at communicating, it was just interesting to see the majorly different styles—and for a writer? Pure gold.

So what did we introverts want the extroverts to know about us? (Because quite honestly, most in that group had no clue to how our minds work). We want to be heard, and we want the opportunity to think and then speak without other people interrupting and/or finishing our sentences for us. We’re not necessarily shy, or slow of thought, or fence-sitters when it comes to voicing an opinion. We just process differently. What did the extroverts want to know about the introverts? What are you thinking when you’re not talking to us? Don’t you find the silence awkward?

So, introvert vs. extrovert, who’s the winner? Quite often this seems to be the way society encourages us to behave. Both personality types are poked fun at in different sit-coms, both are often made out to be ‘better’ than the other, and I disagree. While I’m firmly in the introvert camp and know I’ll always be, many of my closest friends are extroverts and I wouldn’t change them for the world. Just like I hope they wouldn’t want me to change either.

I’ll go think on that. Alone.

Which are you, introvert or extrovert, and what would you like your opposite personality type to know?

Tracey

What I’m reading this week: Instant Gratification – Jill Shalvis. I ration myself on Jill Shalvis’s books, cuz I just love her work so much—and I know I’d never get any writing done if I allowed myself to read one book after the other.

What I’m watching this week: A new series on New Zealand screens, ‘Revolution’. Love the premise and the writers hooked me into the series from the get-go.

This week’s favorite quote: Introverts living under the Extroversion Ideal are like women in a man’s world, discounted because of a trait that goes to the core of who they are. Extroversion is an enormously appealing personality style, but we’ve turned it into an oppressive standard to which most of us feel we must conform. ― Susan Cain.

Hot guy of the week: Star of the new series ‘Revolution’, Billy Burke. Gotta love a guy with a guitar in his hands. 

Friday I-Wish-I-Were-There (West Coast of New Zealand's South Island)

Welcome to my Friday I-Wish-I-Were-There Blog.
Today I’m taking you on a leisurely trip down New Zealand's wild and beautiful South Island West coast. Mountains, rivers, lakes, glaciers, and rugged beaches draw tourists from all around the world, and yet the region feels untamed and unspoilt.

 Highlights.

Sitting by a river with a coffee and the sitting sun. Relaxation in spades.

'New Zealand's Longest Swing Bridge'. According to the sign, anyway. Of course we had to stop for a look. I'm sure the bridge was very safe, but I think I prefer to appreciate the Buller River's gorgeous jade green color from the safety of its banks - or at least not swaying who-knows-how-many meters above it! And as for the crazy people going on the 'Cometline' across the divide...I could totally have done it too if I'd wanted. *cough*

Punakaki Rocks, AKA Pancake Rocks. The West Coast is extraordinarily picturesque, but not primped and preened like some New Zealand coastlines. We hurried around the now concreted track and listened to the muffled boom of the water hitting the rocks below, but unfortunately we saw no waterspouts – but the rocks themselves were amazing.

Shantytown . Shantytown is a reconstructed gold-mining town built near an original gold-mining town ten minutes from the West Coast town of Greymouth. Lots of museum type displays in reconstructed building to explore, and a fun ride on the small steam train (circa late 1800's) was a treat. The kids had great fun panning for gold—we only got a few flakes each, though my son thought he was going to find huge chunks of it! Now for an embarrassing confession. While walking around the park-like grounds which were surrounded by native bush, we discovered what we initially thought was a kiwi (New Zealand’s shy little native and flightless bird) by a river. Proudly we pointed this little brown birdy out to some overseas tourists, but it wasn’t till later, after reading a sign, that we realized it was a Weka—a very cute bird in its own right, but not our national icon!

Franz & Fox Glacier. Two of New Zealand’s most assessable glaciers. Unfortunately while we were here the West Coast lived up to its reputation for being wet. It rained. And rained some more. And the deluge refused to move on, so hence my not very good photo of a mist enshrouded Fox Glacier.

Bruce's Bay. Pure New Zealand roadside art. People had stacked little piles of rocks up for a couple of hundred meters along the shore/road - awesome.

Whitebait Patties. A New Zealand classic and not to be missed. We stopped for lunch in Haast, at the Fantail Tearooms. I ordered a Whitebait patty sandwich as I have never tried one before. My kids thought it was beyond gross - probably didn't help that I was pulling little whitebaits, complete with teeny-tiny eyes, out of the patty and saying “Fishy, fishy, fishy." Oh and BTW - the sandwich was delicious!

Haast Pass. The Haast Pass was just breathtaking. We followed the Haast River for a long time and seeing it sweep into the distance surrounded by these massive rock faces and mountains - just spectacular. Also plenty of waterfalls, due to all the rain I suspect. We stopped by one waterfall called Thunder Creek falls which was very impressive, but we didn't stay long because of pesky sand flies!

Next time we traverse the West Coast we’ll keep our fingers crossed for some clear weather!

Tracey.

Hand over the Chocolate and no one gets hurt!

Next to coffee, chocolate is my favourite substance that I wouldn't want to be without. Since I've had a hectic week back from the school holidays, I thought I’d post some funny chocolate pictures. Grab your favourite bar and join me. :)

I want this keyboard! I'm sure it'll help me with my writing...

 One of my favourite movies...

Until next time, remember the four main food groups: White chocolate, Milk chocolate, Dark chocolate and Chocolate truffles!

Tracey

What I'm reading this week: Catch of the Day – Kristan Higgins. I laughed, I cried, I cringed with embarrassment for the wonderful heroine. This was a fabulous read and definitely going on my keeper shelf.

What I'm watching this week: New Zealand’s Got Talent. Yes, we have. And a lot of strange wee folk too…but it’s entertaining.

This week’s favourite quote: Friends are the chocolate chips in the cookie of life.

Hot guy of the week: Joe Magliano in a chocolate coloured wet tee-shirt. Goodness, I think my chocolate has melted just from the sight…!

Friday I-Wish-I-Were-There (Amarillo, Texas)

Welcome to my Friday I-Wish-I-Were-There Blog.
Today I’m hitting the endless highways of America, and travelling along the nostalgic Route 66 to Amarillo, Texas.

Highlights:
Columbine Harvester Ranch. A knock-off of the Cadillac Ranch that Amarillo is famous for, which wasn’t quite as impressive as we’d hoped, but still fun.

VW Ranch. Ancient VW Beetles planted upside down in the dirt east of Amarillo by a smallish town called Conway.

Amarillo Route 66. Unfortunately not much remains of Route 66, but we still enjoyed cruising around the old part of the township of Amarillo.

Big Texan Steak Ranch. We were transported to this world famous steakhouse in (kitschy) style in a white limousine with longhorn cow’s horns mounted on the front by a lovely, elderly Texan gentleman, who was very entertaining to talk to. Seated in the main dining hall at the Big Texan, we were right in front of the stage where people brave enough to tackle the infamous 'Eat our 72 ounce steak and all the trimmings in 1 hour and it’s free’ challenge have to sit. When we arrived there were two men going for it on stage, both with about 40 minutes remaining in the challenge. The group of people we were seated next to were friends with one of the guys on stage, a young man called Eric who was down all the way from Wisconsin to give it a go. To give you an idea how big this steak is, have a look at the picture of me with the 8 ounce steak I ordered – I could barely finish it – and the 72 ounce steak is NINE times bigger. Crazy stuff. Both men were unable to finish their steak in that time (and the other one looked distinctly unwell afterwards) and the penalty for not finishing is that you have to pay for your meal – US$72!! 

Cadillac Ranch. Now by highlight, I mean I was really looking forward to visiting this spot after seeing it on Billy Connelly’s Route 66 tour, and on other various documentaries and tourist brochures. Below is a photo of one of the postcards we picked up before our visit. But what a disappointment. We’d expected the graffiti all over the cars (it’s part of its fame, and you are allowed, even encouraged to leave your mark) but not the broken glass, garbage and empty spray cans spread in a huge area around them. It’s a shame people treat such a quirky and cool spot with such disregard. What was even more annoying is that there is a huge dumpster right outside the gates to the 'attraction’.

The people. Best bit about Amarillo was the friendly Texans we encountered, and they more than made up for the niggling disappointments.

Driving along Route 66 is still one of my favorite memories of the U.S.A and one day, I hope my husband and I will do again – this time in a classic car (he’s hoping for a Corvette, I prefer a big-ass Caddy with horns!).

Tracey