But look closely at Picture #1 and #4.  You see somebody familiar?

Of course, after the practice, I got home and had to try on my make up. You like?

So, mark your calendar for Saturday, October 25 at Hollywood & Highland Center.  The dance will start at 11 a.m. sharp and lasts only 5 minutes so I’d suggest that you guys be there no later than 10:45 to catch all the action.

Erin sent this to me.  That girl knows me too well. 

This a victory week for Thrill the World LA.  As cocky as this might sound, I must toot my own horn here on playing a part in this year’s organization.

First of all, I pitched to Hollywood & Highland as a possible venue for our October 25 performance.  And they agreed! One of our fearless leaders Mahdroo is going to discuss the details with the man in charge this afternoon.

200 Thriller zombies in the middle of H&H in the heart of Boulevard of Dreams.  That’s like WOW.

If we do well, which I’m sure we will, this going to be one hell of a relationship going forward with H&H for next year and beyond.  It’s a good foundation, I tell ya.

Then, I pitched to Kevin & Bean show.  Mahdroo will be on to promote Thrill the World on October 22.

Then I pitched to Torrance Daily Breeze, thanks to Muhammed, and landed the other leader and dance teacher Amanda an interview plus a photographer is coming out to our practice tomorrow in Manhattan Beach at Pollywog Park. 11am-3pm.

We’re going to be EVERYWHERE!

Come on, y’all.  Join us for it’s THRILLER, Thriller now!

Boy, did I gather up a whole bunch of new people!  With Facebook, it’s friends and new activity buddies (like Thrill the World people).  With LinkedIn, some long lost coworkers and recent connections.

I personally haven’t used my LinkedIn to full potential, I’m sure.  The Former DemiBoss is a true goddess when it comes to these things.  She’s a real connector in person and that carries into her life in the social media.

I used to really hate it when people say, “I’m glad we could connect,” or “Let us connect later.”

*shudder*

I like the word.  I like what it does.  Connect.  It’s a good thing.  But when it becomes a buzz word for the business world, it loses a bit of magic.

I like to keep in touch with people.  I like to know what is up to with them.  For example, if I hadn’t been sifting through my list, I wouldn’t have found out a former colleague just had her baby in July, or that a spouse of the lady I befriended while at a training class had won an Emmy.

Knowing that people I know are doing well makes me happy.  It makes me truly appreciate the power of the internet to connect people from all over.  Something I couldn’t have done 10 years ago.

Some folks in the business world work the connections because they want to get something.  They want to “connect” because they want to drop the names.  They want to “connect” so they can ask for what they want.  They want to “connect” to get something.

A former coworker (/wave hi you!)  dropped me a pearl of wisdom that works even out of the context of the conversation we were having.

Two kinds of people in the world, Oakley.  The ones who ask, “What’s in it for me?” and the ones who ask, “What can I do to help?”

Obviously, I’m the “What can I do to help?” kind.  Therefore the “What’s in it for me?” folks bug the crap out of me.

Link me so I can USE you down the road for something.

I hate that.

Is there a point to this post?  Not really.  Just venting, I guess.

Obviously, you also have not learned from the past, my darling Sanchez.  USC has a Quarterback Facial Hair Curse, don’t you know by now?

(Picture from the LA Times)

Last year, John David Booty tried to grow some and we barely escaped.  Previously, it has never been good for either Matt Leinart or Carson Palmer.

Scruff amounts to bad.  All the QBs under Uncle Pete has suffer such fate.  If you’ve studied the history of our team, you might not have pondered the option.

I am sure you’re thinking that we’ve won by a giant landslide.  So what of this so called curse?  But sweetie, is that worth your twisted knee?  Seriously.  I mean, DUDE!

Besides, sweetie, the stereotypical mustache you are trying out doesn’t look good on you.

(Picture from the LA Times)

So please, for the love of Troy, listen to this uberfan…who has since banish her husband from watching ANY and all USC games because everytime he pays attention to it, we lost.  I KNOW what I’m talking about when it comes to supersition.

Fight on and get REALLY healthy soon,

- The OakMonster

MLC told the visitor, “Usually, Nhien has the best view here. But today it’s kind of skanky out.”

We all nodded.

“Wait. MLC, did you just say the weather is skanky?”

“Yeah. It’s all icky out there.  Why?”

“Sweetie, I don’t think skanky means what you think it means any more these days.”

“It’s not?”

*

MLC and another coworker dude huddled at my cubicle to vent.  We were talking about people who were coming to this meeting the two were setting up.  The dude talked about this one guy being all snobbish about bringing his meeting materials (or something like that).

MLC said, “Oh, Mister Hoohah can bring his own stuff.”

The token dude looked at me, turned red, and laughed.

“You just called him Mister Hoohah…”

“Yeah, Hoohah Doodah Big Kahuna guy.”

“MLC, nowaday hoohah means…you know…” I gestured.

“Mean what? He’s low?”

“No!  It means the…” I guestured again.

MLC was lost.  The dude tried to stifle his laughs.

“You know, the hoohah. The girlie part.  The vajayjay.”

The dude, turning a little purple now, covered his mouth and walked away.

“Oh…”

*

I helped MLC on prettying up a presentation, a tweak here and there.  She sent me a little email in thanks.

“You’re such a great little tweaker!  Thanks for your help.”

Of course, as the pop cultural attache, I must continue to educate.

“But I’m not a meth addict.  And you’re welcome.”

“What?”

“You don’t know what a tweaker is, do you?”

“Good God.  Am I using the wrong word again?”

“Not intentionally, no.”

So far it hasn’t been a cold “fall”.  Heck, it was like 78 when I got to work at 7:30 a.m. this morning!  I think I will survive in my Princess Leia gitup after all.  Then again, I still have the Jedi cloak from last year to keep me warm and still in theme.

October is building up to be a busy one already.  The Bus Party tomorrow is cancelled in lieu of the debate, so that free up a bit of time.  Hopefully my newsletter will go to print on Friday.

Thriller practice this Saturday and of course, the Trojans are on and pissed off.  Watch out Oregon!

DMV Downtown on Monday…that ought to be interesting.  Haven’t been to that DMV since college!  The girls’ monthly dinner on Thursday and it’s our anniversary.  Another Thriller practice on Saturday on the beach followed by the K9 benefit show back in Fullerton.  Too bad I will have to miss the Long Beach Tweet Up!  Thrill the World LA barbecue on Sunday and, thank god, Columbus Day off.

Wednesday early board meeting.  Saturday USC at Washington and “Octoberfest” at a friend’s house who is a brewmaster.  Probably more Thriller practice in there somewhere through out.  A few Tuesdays at the Irvine practice probably.

Thrill the World on October 25 in the morning at USC at Arizona at night.

And finally, Halloween.

And after that, the Big Gala.

And after that, Thailand.

And after that, company’s holiday party I have to throw.

Not to mention my Monday dance classes.

Holy crap.

I’m a busy girl!

According to the ALA, here are the “10 Most Challenged Books of 2007” with the reasons why they were challenged.

1) “And Tango Makes Three,” by Justin Richardson/Peter Parnell
Reasons: Anti-Ethnic, Sexism, Homosexuality, Anti-Family, Religious Viewpoint, Unsuited to Age Group

2) The Chocolate War,” by Robert Cormier
Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Violence

3) “Olive’s Ocean,” by Kevin Henkes
Reasons: Sexually Explicit and Offensive Language

4) “The Golden Compass,” by Philip Pullman
Reasons:  Religious Viewpoint

5) “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” by Mark Twain
Reasons:  Racism

6) “The Color Purple,” by Alice Walker
Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language,

7) “TTYL,” by Lauren Myracle
Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group

8 ) “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” by Maya Angelou
Reasons:  Sexually Explicit

9) “It’s Perfectly Normal,” by Robie Harris
Reasons:  Sex Education, Sexually Explicit

10) “The Perks of Being A Wallflower,” by Stephen Chbosky
Reasons:  Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group

Hmm…all but 2 is challenged because of sexual content.  Gee..doesn’t this sound eerily like the censorship board MPAA and the rating committe? (If you haven’t seen “This Film Is Not Yet Rated”, rent it.)

And after all THESE YEARS, Huck Finn and The Color Purple are still being fought over.  Unbelievable!

ETA: This reminds me of the list of books I should’ve read/did read/planning to read.

ETA2: From @dananner, the video by the ALA.

My most impulsive purchase of the year and my first ever full-made costume purchase finally arrived.

Also, probably the most unique wedding present ever bought.

I bought the costume set for my friend.  The groom is a Star Wars fan and the bride is a quite a knock-out.  Somehow, they never thought of dressing her in this.  And I thought of it for them.

A geeky good friend I am!

While at it, I bought me one.  Just in case somebody would invite us to a Halloween party this year, I would have something sexy to wear for a change.  Because, you know, Jedi wasn’t exactly a sexy outfit.

Funny enough, James and Aurora are dressing up Dresden for his first Halloween as Yoda.  At least I’ll be in on their theme!  (Tried to convince Brandon he should be Han Solo, but he didn’t want that.  Instead, he’s been growing his beard out so we’re going to make him Wolverine.)

I also think I’m going to do Thrill The World in this outfit.  A Leia Zombie.  I mean, I might as well maximize the money I spent, right?

James and Aurora came up with a great alternate universe back story for me.  Leia’s attempt to strangle Jabba the Hutt failed and instead he/his cronies strangle her instead!  The other two of my ideas were either that Luke missed the landing and Leia ended up eaten by the sand monster, or Leia showed up on Hoth in this outfit and died of hypothermia.

What’s your vote?  Or do you have an even better idea for a back story?

Now about this lovely gitup.  We will have to do some work on it after all.

I am so extremely grateful that the bottom part is not a thong but booty shorts.  Hooray!  The accessories are all different: they are all silicon rubber, and there is not chain attached to the collar.  The arm band looks a little funny being all rubbery like.

I must admit that the bra part is nothing like the picture.  AND for a small, the bra is fucking HUGE!  I mean, out of proportion to the booty shorts/skirt bottom.  What kind of a body image do these people have?  Sure, I could’ve gone with XS, but I was afraid my booty wouldn’t fit in them booty shorts…which I would’ve been right.

And the best thing about the bra top?  Velcro, baby.  Velcro and halter strings.  On Halloween?

A man must have concocted the assembly of this.  Yeah, let’s put the Velcro on the bra top.  Riiiight!

Brandon and I agreed that I might have to drop a few more bucks in a hunt for a substitute bikini top, farm the silicon rubber adornment off the original and sew/glue that onto it.  Because right now, my top doesn’t look anything like the picture.  It looks more like a faux camouflage granny bra from somebody twice my size with three times the boobs.

I also have to do something to fix the arm band part so it actually stays stiff instead of flopping around, or buy a real one and paint it gold.  Ditto the hair accessories.  The way they are now, I look like a rooster with floppy comb.  And I will need to find me some chains for the collar.

Work to do.  Work to do.

“It’s okay. I’m weird, I know,” I told her.

“Oh, no, no.  You’re not weird,” she sputtered.

“Oh, no.  It’s okay. I’m okay with weird.  I embrace the weird.  You’re not insulting me.”

“No.  I didn’t mean you’re weird.  You’re not weird.”  The girl was still trying.
“Sweetie. It’s okay. I would be offended if you think I’m normal,” I ensured her.  “Because normal is fucking boring.”

I think the cowroker was a little startled at the F bomb, but she’ll get over it.  That’ll teach her to stop patronizing me again when it comes to embracing my quirks.

A while ago I wrote a mini manifesto on coming out of the geek closet.  Since then, I haven’t made an excuse for being a blogger/Tweeter/gamer.  But I found myself having to defend my other choices that Normal People call “weird”.

Like dressing and talking like a pirate.  Like doing Thrill the World.  Like loving chicharone (fried pork skin).  Like knowing there is such a thing as bacon of the month club.

Blogger friend Pond has raised the question on weird recently as well.  I told her I was drafting up a manisfesto on the war on Normal.

I started writing it, and it’s pretty much the same as the Geek’s Declaration of Independence I just wrote.  Substitute geeky for weird and there, you have it.

I must admit it’s a bit sad that I’ve been out of high school 13 years and I just now realized that John Mayer was half right, there is no such thing as the real world.

The “Real World” is actually High School 2.0.

And I’m done being in high school.

Again I will say, fuck Normal.