October 31, 1996, Halloween night. I was working at a local bar/dance club as a DJ and we were having a big Halloween costume party. I had lined up all the theme music I would be playing, like “Monster Mash”, “Werewolves of London”, “Ghostbusters”, “Thriller”, “Witchy Woman” and others, prepared for the Costume Contest taking place throughout the night and set things up for the karaoke host we had coming in for part of the evening. Karaoke was the club’s call, not mine. To me, karaoke sucks big time (unless Blog Princess is singing) but that’s what they wanted so that’s what we had. Of course, this was the same management that later had the “bright” idea of changing the music format to country (sucks almost as bad as karaoke) which resulted in such a drop in business that the club had to close its doors. Yes sir, they were geniuses.

But that night things were going as planned and there was never any indication that I would meet the woman who would capture my heart and, in true Halloween fashion, cast a spell that made me hers.

A couple of weeks earlier I had just brought home my first computer. There was a group of people who were members of a computer club that came into the bar on Friday or Saturday nights and some of them were there for the Halloween party. I came down from the DJ booth early in the evening to exchange e-mail addresses with some of them. I think all of them were in costume, but one of them stood out and captured my attention. She was dressed as a medieval wench in a long, low cut flowing dress with a laced up corset kind of thing that, shall we say, showed off her feminine charms to their fullest.

Being the shy, retiring, gentleman that I was, I stood behind her chair talking with some of her companions and when she looked up I asked her, “Do you mind if I just stand here all night and look down the front of your dress?” She laughed it off and I thought, “Well, she didn’t get up and slap me, so that’s a good start”.

Later in the evening she came up to the booth and asked me to play a certain slow song for her. “What’s in it for me?” I asked and she replied, “I’ll dance with you during it”. I arched my eyebrow (like The Rock, only better) as if to say, “That’s all?” but later I played the song and we danced. That started one of those special little things that is still with us to this day. The club had 2 walls of floor-to-ceiling video screens and you could either have a video you were playing on them or you could activate the dance floor camera and show the crowd (or in this case, just us) dancing. I nodded toward the screens and said, “We look like Beauty and the Beast dancing” and she pulled me a little closer and said. “I LOVE Beauty and the Beast!” Back them I had long hair and with my size and goatee I could pass for a beast. She still looks like a beauty to this day.

Five months later were married, but tonight marks 10 years since we first met. For the first 3 years we would go downtown to the Olive Garden restaurant that was on Church Street, sit in the dining room that spanned the street and watch costumed revelers walking below us, laughing and pointing out to each other some of the best costumes. Sadly that restaurant closed, but we still go to an Olive Garden somewhere on this night and celebrate our fated meeting on All Hallows’ Eve.

“Witchy Woman” indeed.

Busy, busy weekend.

Friday I got off work early to take Blog Girl and her wares to a festival where she was a vendor. After helping her set up her booth, I met up with my friend Dave, who lives nearby, and we went to dinner at Chevy’s and then to see “Flags of our Fathers“. Clint Eastwood’s latest directorial offering was noteworthy in its portrayal of the true heroism of Iwo Jima, but sometimes disjointed and confusing in its presentation. The movie finished up in time for me to return to help BG close up and secure her booth for the night and we got home around midnight.

Saturday morning I went to work for 4 hours, then returned to the Blog Cave, picked up BG and we drove back over to Winter Garden for the second day of the festival. We finished up there, packed up the booth and returned home around midnight again.

Sunday morning we were up and out to her regular weekly Eola Market gig. After setting up the booth, I left and did some grocery shopping, came back to the Cave and started a load of laundry. Then I drove out to Animal Kingdom to meet ZenGrrl and Rhonda. ZenGrrl graciously gave me the “Batmania” CD, which I will enjoy listening to during the next couple of days. While at Animal Kingdom I did a book release of the “Mayday” book I just finished reading for Bookcrossing. Then it was back to the Cave for about an hour before returning downtown to pick up BG and help tear down her booth.

BG did very well at the Winter Garden Music Festival and at Eola Market this week. I imagine she’ll write about it over on her blog.

Yes, it was a very busy weekend. And the thing is…this time of year every spare moment is filled with extra activities; family gatherings, holiday events, extra work, etc. It all keeps going through the end of the year, practically nonstop.

As the song says, “Knee deep in the hoopla, sinking in your fight.” I’m just trying not to sink in the fight.

Back in college I took an extensive test that basically revealed the same thing that this 3 minute quiz does; I’m a loner, recluse and hermit. And those are my good points.

You Have a Melancholic Temperament

Introspective and reflective, you think about everything and anything.You are a soft-hearted daydreamer. You long for your ideal life. You love silence and solitude. Everyday life is usually too chaotic for you. Given enough time alone, it’s easy for you to find inner peace. You tend to be spiritual, having found your own meaning of life. Wise and patient, you can help people through difficult times. At your worst, you brood and sulk. Your negative thoughts can trap you. You are reserved and withdrawn. This makes it hard to connect to others. You tend to over think small things, making decisions difficult.

This month’s issue of Scientific American arrived in my mailbox a couple of days ago and the cover article, of course, jumped off the page grabbing my eyes and my attention. “Mirror Neurons and Autism” is an interesting article, positing the theory that so-called “mirror neurons” of the brain, which help each of us to recognize, mimic and even possibly anticipate behavior or actions in others, may not be functioning in children affected by Autism Spectrum. I haven’t completed reading the article and its supporting sidebar pieces, but the scientists authoring the work present some compelling empirical evidence that this may be a link that deserves further investigation.

If you’re interested in reading about it but don’t want to run out to the newsstand to buy a copy, they’ve kindly posted the entire article online here.

Earlier today I was watching “This Week with George Stephanopoulos” and almost fell off the couch when, during an interview with our excuse for a president, George Bush, the two Georges had this exchange:

STEPHANOPOULOS: James Baker says that he’s looking for something between “cut and run” and “stay the course.”

BUSH: Well, hey, listen, we’ve never been “stay the course,” George. We have been…we will complete the mission, we will do our job, and help achieve the goal, but we’re constantly adjusting to tactics. Constantly.

Is this guy serious??? Is he now lying so damn much he can’t even remember the numerous times he’s mouthed the words, “Stay the course” in reference to Iraq? Is he so stupid that he doesn’t think every previous quote from him with those words is going to be cited over the next few days?

I can’t wait to see what Jon Stewart does with this on his next show! LOL!

Here’s just a few examples of how often the shrub has asserted that we must “stay the course”:

July 10, 2003 - “We’re making steady progress,” he said. “A free Iraq will mean a peaceful world. And it’s very important for us to stay the course, and we will stay the course.”

August 30, 2003 - “We will stay the course, we will help this young Iraqi democracy succeed, and victory in Iraq will be a major ideological triumph in the struggle of the 21st century.”

April 13, 2004 - Three times in the same speech “And, yet, we must stay the course, because the end result is in our nation’s interest.”

“And my message today to those in Iraq is: We’ll stay the course; we’ll complete the job. My message to our troops is: We will stay the course and complete the job and you’ll have what you need.”

August 4, 2005 - “We will stay the course, we will complete the job in Iraq.”

August 30, 2006 - “We will stay the course, we will help this young Iraqi democracy succeed, and victory in Iraq will be a major ideological triumph in the struggle of the 21st century.”

And yet today this doofus stated, “Well, hey, listen, we’ve never been “stay the course“, George.”

Hmmmmm…maybe the shrub has decided to “cut and run” from his “stay the course” mantra of the past 3 years.

This is the kind of thing that always happens when Cheney and Rove pull their hands out of Bush’s ass and let him speak without their puppeteering to control his mouth. Now, Tony Snow will have to figure out a way to spin this so his boss doesn’t look like the biggest moron this side of Kim Jong-il.

Here’s a fun site. The Official Seal Generator has a wealth of images, a variety of borders and colors and an easy interface that allow you to create an official looking seal for your business, hobby, website or …even your blog. Here’s one I made for The Masked Blogger site:

Go give the Official Seal Generator a try and if you design a seal for yourself, I hope you’ll share it in the comments.

Last Monday night Blog Girl and I met up with ZenGrrl and Rhonda for dinner at what will now be my favorite Mexican restaurant, Frontera Mexican Cuisine, located at 848 Sand Lake Road near the Florida Mall. The food was some of the very best and tastiest fare from south of the border that I have ever eaten. I think ZenGrrl might be writing a review of Frontera, so I’ll stop there and link to her excellent write-up on it when its posted.

I wanted to write about something different. Rhonda brought a gift to me Monday night that I was very grateful to receive. I am a huge fan of comic book writer Alan Moore and have been since I picked up the first issue of Watchmen 20 years ago when it was still a 12 issue series (I later picked up the graphic novel that compiled all the issues in one piece). Moore had been writing many comics before that, first for UK comics such as Marveleman (later renamed Miracleman) and Captain Britain, then for U.S. comic books such as Swamp Thing and various superhero titles. My absolute favorite story of his from that genre was the two-part “What Ever Happened To The Man Of Tomorrow?”, a sort of fond farewell to the Silver Age Superman before John Byrne’s revamp of the character in 1986. That story captured every bit of the childhood wonder and imagination I had experienced when reading Superman comics as I was growing up. A few years ago the wonderful Blog Girl bought the 2 original comics for me as a birthday gift (thanks again, baby).

“V For Vendetta” was published by DC Comics in 1988, but its first few chapters were written by Moore between 1982 and 1985 for the UK anthology publication Warrior, and were originally illustrated in black and white. Moore completed the story and the art was colorized and released by DC as a 10 issue series. The story involved a future Great Britain under a totalitarian government and a freedom fighter who was battling fascism with anarchy. I had enjoyed Watchmen very much and everything else of Moore’s that I had read to that point, so I was looking forward to this latest series. However, when I picked up the first issue I was extremely disappointed in the art by David Lloyd, so much so that I lost any desire to continue reading the series or to get any farther into the story.

A couple of years later I read reviews of the series and wished that I had completed reading it, but I never bothered to go buy the other issues in the back-issues bins at comic book stores I frequented. Then, when the theatrical version of the story was released earlier this year I thought again of reading the series, which DC had released as a graphic novel. I’m the type who likes to read the book a movie is based on before seeing the movie, but since I never went and actually bought the book, I never made it to see the movie either. Monday night, Rhonda very graciously gifted me the “V For Vendetta” graphic novel. I took it home and started reading it that night and finished it the next day. I still didn’t care for the art, but the story was wildly engrossing and perhaps prophetic for the U.S., in light of things such as the so-called Patriot Act and the recently enacted Military Commissions Act of 2006.

Thank you Rhon, very, very much.

Now I have to see the movie.

Long-time readers know that The Masked Blogger is a fan of professional wrestling. It’s #7 on my “100 Things About Me” list, over on the right. A select few even know that The Masked Blogger used to wrestle for a while himself. So when I saw that IGN had posted a Top 10 list of professional wresters who had become (or in the case of some, tried to become) actors, I had to look at it.

After looking it over I thought I’d post MY list of Top 10 Wrestlers Turned Actors (which is kind of funny, considering that all professional wrestlers are already acting when they’re cutting promos or performing in the ring). First up is the IGN list, followed by mine. Also, you might want to go read their list yourself as they provide some background material on each entry.

The IGN List:

#10 Triple H
#9 Goldberg
#8 Kevin Nash
#7 Kane
#6 Hulk Hogan
#5 Rowdy Roddy Piper
#4 Jesse Ventura
#3 Tor Johnson
#2 Andre the Giant
#1 The Rock

My List:

#10 Triple H
#9 George “The Animal” Steele
#8 Mil Mascaras
#7 Steve Austin
#6 Hulk Hogan
#5 Bret Hart
#4 Jesse Ventura
#3 Andre the Giant
#2 Rowdy Roddy Piper
#1 The Rock

If you’re a fan of wrestling and movies, I’d be interested in seeing your lists.

I mentioned in an earlier post that we were going totally wireless here in the Blog Cave. This past Monday morning the land line was turned off (just in time to avoid those intrusive campaign calls before the election in 3 weeks) and I collected all the wired phones from around the Cave and placed them in a box to go in the attic. Although I’m glad to have them gone, it turns out some habits are hard to break. For instance, I still walk into the Cave and instinctively look to where the answering machine used to be to see if any messages came in while we were out.

When Blog Girl called to tell BellSouth we wanted to turn off the land line, I was mildly surprised to hear from her at the conclusion of that call that there was no effort to try and talk us into retaining the line. Family, friends and acquaintances have reported to us in the past that when making similar calls they have been offered rebates, chances to hold their number for 60 days in case they changed their minds, or at the least to have a recording on the line to direct callers to any new number. Not that we would have used them, but Blog Girl received none of those offers.

I came across an interesting piece of information that may explain that lack of effort.

Current Analysis, Inc., a company that, according to their website, “provides competitive response solutions that enable companies to effectively anticipate and counter competitive threats, and win more business.” released statistics that showed as customers continue to trade in land lines for voice-over-Internet-protocol phones, cellphones and cable-enabled phone service, 20 million phone lines have fallen out of use in the past six years in the U.S.. 20 million! That’s a little over 9,000 each and every day of those 6 years.

No wonder they gave up trying to talk customers into retaining their home land lines.

This post will be longer than usual, but we’re dealing with some time-sensitive issues and events so please bear with me and settle in for a while or come back soon when you can devote a little more time.

Most people who know The Masked Blogger in my everyday life know that my grandson is affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder. It’s termed “Spectrum” because their are many, many levels of severity, ranging from the “low” end typified by Asperger’s Syndrome to the “high” end which is usually an almost total turning inward of the individual, resulting in very little interaction beyond the basics with the “outside” world. In between are several different levels. That is just a layman’s overview of the disorder; for a more exact definition you should check out sites such as the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the Autism Society of America, the Center for the Study of Autism and Autism Resources. Current observations express a possible diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome in my grandson, but we will have to wait another year or two for a more precise diagnosis.

I don’t think I’ve ever written about Autism or of its connection to The Masked Blogger in any of my blogs because Blog Princess expresses a much greater knowledge of its effects and brings with her an everyday experience with it that I could never adequately express. She doesn’t like for anyone to paint her as a great parent for simply doing what any loving parent would do; the very best that they could for their child. I understand that. But as I said to Blog Girl today, being a good parent is in and of itself difficult when all things are equal. Throw in the exceptional challenges that Autism brings and that difficulty factor is multiplied exponentially. Blog Princess and my son-in-law consistently rise to that challenge and more often than not they overcome or deal with the difficulty in an exemplary fashion.

It’s funny. I always wanted to be her hero, but in the last 5 years she has become mine.

Autism Spectrum Disorder currently affects every 1 in every 166 children in the United States alone. Efforts to identify the causative factors are taking place on several fronts. Is it environmental, genetic, chemical, hormonal or caused by certain vaccinations, diet or other agents as yet unknown? There are a lot of possibilities, but as yet no one has been able to say with any certainty, “This is the definite cause of Autism Spectrum Disorder”. The obvious course of action is to continue to increase research and testing, but that costs money. I want to take a few moments to address 2 aspects of that need. One is the giving aspect, one is the taking aspect.

Tomorrow (Sunday) night the Comedy Channel will hold its first live, on-air and online special event, Night of Too Many Stars: An Overbooked Benefit for Autism Education. This event will be held at New York City’s Beacon Theatre beginning at 8pm EST and will feature top comedians and performers. One of the funniest show hosts ever, Jon Stewart, will be hosting. Here’s a lineup of the comedians and performers who will be appearing:

Will Arnett
Jack Black
Steve Carell
Kristin Chenoweth
Stephen Colbert
Elvis Costello
Jimmy Fallon
Will Ferrell
Will Forte
Fred Armisen
Ricky Gervais
Norm Macdonald
Christopher Meloni
Moby
Oscar Nunez
Mike Myers
Bob Odenkirk & David Cross
Amy Poehler
Paul Rudd
Borat Sagdiyev
Adam Sandler
Amy Sedaris
Martin Short
Tony Sirico
Ben Stiller
Triumph the Insult Comic Dog
Brian Williams

I imagine that during the course of the show there will be an opportunity to donate to the efforts to raise more money for research, testing and education. That’s the giving aspect I mentioned earlier.

The taking aspect comes from, of all places (surprise, surprise) a U.S. congressman.

Last Sunday I was watching This Week with George Stephanopoulos when they ran a clip of actress Patricia Heaton (Everybody Loves Raymond) asking people to contact Texas congressman Joe Barton regarding the use of his position as Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee to hold up the Combatting Autism Act 2006 that has been already been unanimously approved by the U.S. Senate back on August 3rd.

Here are some high points of the CAA 2006 bill:

* Allocates approximately $900 million in spending on autism over the
next five years. This is approximately double what would have been
spent with straight-line continuation of existing programs.

* Authorizes a 50% increase in spending for biomedical research in autism
from the $100 million which the NIH currently claims to be spending.

* Creates a legal requirement for Centers of Excellence in Environmental
Health and Autism, to research “a broad array of environmental factors
that may have a possible role in autism spectrum disorders.” These
Centers are authorized with funding of $45 million over the five-year
life of the bill.

* Requires the director of NIH to develop and implement a strategic plan
for autism research and a budget to fund this plan, taking into account
recommendations of a public/private committee (the Interagency Autism
Coordinating Committee) which it requires to include at least one-third
public members, including a person with autism and a person who is the
parent of a child with autism. This new authority and accountability
makes the director, in effect, the “autism czar.”

* Provides grant programs for states to develop autism screening, early
diagnosis and intervention programs for children — perhaps the most
important thing that could happen, short of a cure.

The CAA 2006 bill has already been co-sponsored by a multitude of representatives in the House and already has a majority of representatives ready to approve it once it is brought to the floor for a vote. However, the bill must first pass through the House Energy and Commerce Committee and Chairman Barton has stated to CNN that he will not consider the CAA 2006 until and unless the Senate passes his NIH Reform bill (watch this first part of a 3 part video, then click on the links to the other 2 parts). He is, in effect, holding the CAA 2006 bill hostage until his own bill is passed over in the Senate. What a totally selfish, self-serving act by a man who was elected to represent people! Chairman Barton is one of those Republicans who, as Barney Frank said, believes in a right to life that begins at conception and ends at birth.

I don’t have any argument with Chairman Barton’s own NIH bill and there is a need to move the larger NIH reform bill, but autism needs special attention and funding that is not handled in the Chairman’s bill. You have to wonder at the morals and ethics of a man who would deny our children the assistance they need for his own ego. On his website Barton tries to say his NIH bill must come first so that politics are removed from the process, yet he himself is politicizing the issue with his unreasonable demand.

If you’re so inclined, might I suggest a call, e-mail or fax to Joe Barton’s office, Speaker Hastert’s office or Majority Leader John Boehner’s office demanding that the CAA 2006 bill be released to the floor for a vote. I generally tend to think that politicians will ignore comments by non-constituents, but in this case a groundswell of indignation from across the country might just move these men to do what is right for a change. It can’t hurt to try. You might also contact your own representative (if he or she is Republican) and urge them to make the same calls to the men above and to prove it, expressing that if your representative can’t support children and families affected by autism then you won’t be able to support them in the next election.

Watch the Night of Too Many Stars: An Overbooked Benefit for Autism Education tomorrow night if you’re able and contact the politicians noted above if you’re so inclined. More Comedy and less of a certain Congressman. An autistic child or a family affected by autism will thank you. And I thank you.