The one with Haunting treats

I find joy in the simplest of things, it's an incurable affliction. So when my office announced that there would be a small Halloween lunch get-together, I naturally started planning out what tricks & treats I would bring to the celebration.

The idea which originally struck me was Disneyworld's Haunted Mansion, & they're quirky-humorous gravestones which line the entryway & leave only traces of a spooky element. Thanks to GoogleChrome, I came up with a slew of ideas within minutes, & happy created the sweets you'll see before you. I find myself often concerned with making consideration for everyone in projects like this, so I made both a vanilla & a devil-food cake. First they got a nice earthen-like frosting of vanilla, next a sprinkle of crumbled oreo cookies (no cream) to continue to communicate the look of earth.

Once I was satisfied with their appearance, I began placing the gravestones (complete with humorous epitaph) into my little cupcake-cemetery. I was wildly excited with how perfectly precious they looked together.

I next did the same with my chocolate frosting..... needless to say they were the talk & enchantment of the office party!

Some of the Epitaphs read as follows:

Barry M. Deep

Real E. Old

I. B. Dead

Yul B. Next

Creek E. Bones

Ted N. Berheed

Hugh Jass

Under A. Rock

Dee Kaying

Justin Peces

M. T. Tomb

Y. Z. Stil-Livin

Les Manly

K.A. Put

Rattle M. Bones

Myra Mains

Bitby A. Snake

Lotta Dust

As for my frosting, which I insist on making from scratch (canned tastes dull & lacking integrity), it is the simplest thing ever! 3 tbsp cold butter, 1 pkg cream cheese, 1 tsp vanilla, 3c. confectioner sugar. Blend very well together & then you can add whatever flavors you want, almond, lemon, orange, strawberry, chocolate, etc. LOVE!

The one with water

Water, I find, is an interesting topic of contemplation when in Italy. There are fountains running without fail, many of which are based on aqueducts which are centuries old -- over a millennia old really -- & they provide a constant supply of one of the most crisp waters you'll ever taste. Simultaneously, while showering & without notable cause the water will slow to no more than a drip for several long & cold seconds. The temperature likewise, seems to change at its own accord. I suppose it's one of those funny quirks about Italy: that while the ancient operates perfectly the modern falters, it seems to be a common theme here.

The one with deception

If there is one thing which makes me laugh without fail, other than people getting hurt, it's when you think sometime is nice, but it's really quite mean. Catching a person off guard or in cruel & situational ironies make me giggle with joy. My newest fav is Samuel L. Jackson's reading of "Go the F*ck to Sleep"

Edwin Whipple, the famous critic of the 1800's, said it best with "Irony is an insult conveyed in the form of a compliment". Another amusing one is from comedic actor Jack Nicholson "My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-bitch".

A movie which I think is generally under-rated & which I enjoy with earnest is Be Cool, it has a montage cast of quality actors, & will keep you laughing. One of my favorite scenes is when The Rock gives a "monologue" but speaks both parts of a dialogue. John Travolta & Uma Thurman are standing there, knowing they have to tell him that he did well, but also break his heart because he doesn't realize his own idiocy: perfectly funny.

Recently, I was at a graduation party, & a small boy was deceived by fate in a way which made me laugh mercilessly. I must prerequisite this by saying that I love children, & sincerely hope that I get a child who cries in an adorably pitiful way like this boy did. He was playing outside with a balloon, which he accidentally let go; the balloon, predictably floated away into the sky becoming a smaller and smaller dot. The little boy, who was preciously dressed in slacks & a polo, has his arms out-stretched into the air, head back, crying with fervor at the balloon he has no hope of getting back. While I'm laughing at his predicament, someone brings him onto the porch where I'm sitting & gives him another balloon. Now, this cannot be made up, the second this little boy steps off the 1st step, the new balloon pops above his head for no reason. I think God just wanted me to laugh, I was in pain laughing as tiny little tears streamed down his face. He eventually got another balloon, but he continued to look into the sky & wonder why -- it was precisely priceless humor.