2022 Halloween TV Movie Calendar

A few weeks ago a friend of mine asked, now that the boys (aka nephews) are in college are you going to stop the TV/Movie calendars ? I was immediately like no, it’s not about them I enjoy it too. However, I admit that this year’s calendar was way harder than in years past and if Christmas is the same well it might be time to hang up my calendar for good. As you will see the calendar is dominated by a few specific networks. Now I know there’s more to life than Freeform, AMC, and SYFY and yet here we are. I have been unable to find hardly any of the things that I used to find that routinely made the calendar’s of years past. 

Where’s my network TV? Calendars filled with Food Network (More on their insanity in a few), Cartoon Network, ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox breaking their “regularly scheduled programs” for “specials” or “movies” from their respective studios that fit the season. Alas that is either no more or they just aren’t announcing anything yet instead focusing on their regular programing as their new seasons start kicking off. I guess they don’t care about my calendar as much as I do or those of you that have reached out to me in mid-September to ask when it’s coming. Soon was my reply…soon. So many of the sites I used to use to populate this calendar are no longer active, or like me only show the 3 mentioned above, heck one just recreated the Freeform calendar and said ..eh good enough. Are my sources done with this process? Are they just unable to find anything so they put out what they could hoping we’d understand? Are the networks moving away from the fall specials, I mean each is associated with a specific streaming service that can air these things without messing with their precious lineups? So why waste the air waves and the advertising dollars. Has it finally happened, has Digital made this thing …. Obsolete ? Maybe so but let’s do it at least one more time cause well I am not ready to let this thing die, tho I admit it might be on life support.

You may notice that I’m sending this out on the 30^th of September which is of course not October 1^st. I did that for a number of reasons.

1. I’m going to a friend’s house Friday night to watch Hocus Pocus 2 and wanted this to be done before so I didn’t have to worry or think about it could instead focus on the black flame.
2. It allows people to use their respective office printers to print the thing as they move into the weekend, your IT people will thank me for that one.
3. It’s football season down South and I didn’t want this to get lost in the shuffle of traveling to see your respective teams play.
4. I wanted you all to have it before the weekend so as to not miss the first weekend of fun with your family and friends, which is what this thing is all about anyway and why I continue to do it
5. It’s my calendar and I’ll release it when I darn well please. Thank you very much.

For those new to this party, and there are several of you, I will re-state the rules, for those veterans out there please forgive me for giving a short explanation and allow your attention to wander freely if you’d like. (thanks for that line Albus! – 10 pts for your house if you can tell me which Harry Potter book that’s paraphrased from).

So the Rules:

• I live in the central time zone, the times on this calendar reflect that, adjust accordingly for those that have traveled north of the Mason Dixie Line or spread your wings out West. Don’t call me cause you missed your “favorite” show/movie, that’s not my mess. Be a big girl or boy and crank up that DVR and find out when it comes on again cause odds are it will.
• Time Zones are hard and sometimes I screw up the conversion from Eastern Time Zone to Central. See Note above for how I feel about you finding a mistake of time on the calendar.
• Unless otherwise stated the times are PM, this calendar is also geared towards the after work hours of life cause well it’s about me and that’s when I can watch. My office won’t like it if I watch these movies at my desk as I format documents, I mean I do that but they don’t really like it. Feel free to check out these channels and look at the day time viewing for those that are able cause it’s there but I’m at work so it doesn’t exist in my world.
• Lastly this calendar shows things I want to see, movies and specials that take me back to my childhood or that just make me happy. Some are kid themed and some are more adult oriented. PLEASE be mindful of that before you sit down with your little and they can’t sleep cause Freddy might get them. That’s your mess not mine. Seriously don’t be that person and there’s always one. This is supposed to be for fun, if you make it not be for fun well you won’t get it next year. PS if you don’t get this one you don’t get the Christmas one either so be sure that’s what you need/want before firing off that e-mail. This isn’t social media where you can say whatever you want without consequences.  
• I have been doing this calendar since at least 2008, and have learned over the years that saving it to your phone so you can check it on the fly is the best way. I do that either as a JPEG or PDF so I make both available cause I’m awesome like that. When I print it, and I do, I print it 11X17 but 8.5X11 is often good enough, especially this year with so much additional space on it.

Now I must warn you … these networks have some kind of dyslexia cause I have noticed that they will show the movies and their sequels sometimes in order sometimes but often not so much …. I’ve only listed one or the ones I want to try and catch in the idea that if you are watching you will also be alerted that the next show after Halloween Town is well Halloween Town 2.  In the case of Halloween or Friday the 13th or even Nightmare on Elm Street when there are more sequels than the Queen had jewels (RIP Liz) they really got dumb. Like on one day (same network mind you) they show Halloween 6 (1995)…then 4 (1988 ß My favorite BTW) …then 5 (1989)…then resurrection (2002), then H20 (1998), and then end the day with the original from 1978. Like what?! I get it ..show the popular ones when more are watching but that just made my head hurt and now I gotta go lay down.

As always I’ve highlighted shows I hope to catch in purple but also wanted to alert you to a few items of note below, assuming that you are still with me and if so …. Wow congrats!

Freeform - 31 Nights of Halloween – They 100% understand the assignment. I will admit when they went from ABC Family to whatever they were then to Freeform I was nervous. However I think they know what their core audience wants so for the entire Month of October (and for Christmas they do even more (Nov/Dec)) they show seasonal programing all month long. That’s not to say that everything they air is worthy of your time, or that they aren’t re-airing things so much it feels like watching MTV on the weekend, but if you are looking for something the littles can watch, that they will enjoy and you will too grab a chair, get a blanket, and some popcorn and enjoy. This is my go-to when I can’t find anything else to watch that particular evening.  

Syfy - 31 Days of Halloween – SYFY also understands the assignment. If Freeform is where you go with your littles, SYFY is where you go after your littles trot off to bed. It’s truly the greatest place to watch Halloween fun this time of year cause they don’t hold back at all. They show classics and new movies and everything in between. This year they are even showing Rob Zombie’s Halloween 2 (which he had to make after screwing up the Halloween franchise (that’s not just my opinion btw which is law of course, but by his own admission he knew he messed up and had to fix it – seriously don’t watch the first one, after a horrible 15-30 minutes it’s a freaking shot by shot remake of the original Halloween but not even as good if that’s possible. . . but his second one more than made up for it). If you are looking good ole horror … this is the place you need to land nightly. Tho where’s my Texas Chainsaw Massacre, where’s my SAW, where’s My Bloody Valentine, Resident Evil, Leprechaun, BLAIR FREAKING WITCH? At this point I’d even take Jessica Biel in her two tight white t-shirt and low slung pants in my face for 2 hours, or even ……. Candyman……  just to see something different. NOTE: While this calendar is not about series who have a horror type twist, I am going to break this rule to tell you all to checkout Reginald the Vampire when it premier’s on SYFY Oct. 5^th cause it looks like it’s going to be great fun and it’s my rule and I can break it if I wanna!!!!

AMC - Fear Fest starts – AMC is where you go for Classic horror. I admit over the years I’ve had a love hate relationship with Fear Fest over the years cause at one point the Walking Dead took it over and I ranted that it’s not about the Walking Dead or the many spin offs and talk shows it created. However I do admit that they have over 80 shows over the next few weeks that kind of make up for it. This year they appear to be having a Stephen King love fest (Pet Cemetery, Misery, Carrie, etc) instead of Fear Fest but I’m not even mad at that. Thei programing this year includes lots of Friday the 13^th, House of Wax (the original and I believe the Chad Michael Murray/Paris Hilton versions), Thirteen Ghosts, Jeepers Creepers and btw CandyMan makes an appearance (that’s 2) on this channel several times.

Fox – The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror - The Simpson's Halloween special on Fox is going to have 2 specials for their annual "Treehouse of Horror.” Instead of breaking it up into several smaller stories they will have 2 episodes that focus on a singular Halloween themed fun one of which will include a Pennywise spoof! According to their Twitter the It Spoof will air Oct. 23^rd so at least we know when that one will air!

Hallmark – Fall Harvest - Halmark is debuting several “fall” themed movies (not scary but puts you in the mood for that Pumpkin Spiced Latte I guess). Many of these movies debuted in a few months ago and are re-airing now but there are a few “premieres” that will hit the screen that I’ve highlighted on the calendar. If you are looking for Fall but not scary or gory … these are your people. Watch them now before they go into full on Christmas meltdown. These don’t rate high on my list but I like to throw some stuff on there for you guys sometimes too.  

Disney Channel – Monstober - Halloween themed related movies and shows throughout the month and as the faithful to this calendar know ..that’s not what this is about but they do have a few “original movies” that might be worth your time or just fire up Disney Plus and watch Hocus Pocus. The fact they have not embraced Disney+ and re-aired some of their classics is something I will never understand.

Turner Classic Movies - This might be the last time TCM shows up on my calendar cause my cable provider has decided that I don’t deserve Ted’s classic movies (throw back to those old enough to remember how it all started). However, I love the nod to “classic” horror and the shows that can’t be found elsewhere. There is an ap for this one but it is stupid expensive and so I haven’t bit the bullet on that one just yet. So, enjoy it while you can, if you can. It appears Vampires are the name of the game this year Tho they also show things like The Ghost Ship and Spider Baby, Frankenstein, and the 2001 : A Space Odyssey so it’s not all blood suckers this year.

Food Network - Once again Food Network jumped the Halloween gun by airing most of their programing in September, which totally makes sense. Halloween Baking Championship started Sep. 12^th Halloween Wars started Sep. 18^th, Halloween Cookie Challenge started Sep. 26^th …. I’m done with you Food Network … however there are a few bright spots. Outrageous Pumpkins starts Oct. 2^nd    Kids Baking Championship Trick or Treat starts Oct. 17^th if you are interested in that kind of thing.

Let’s talk Digital … since that’s all the rage …

Ok … Digital and Streaming is taking over and thus TV is only interested in keeping their heads above water not special programing no matter the season. Heck my nephews don’t even have cable anymore. So, they use the calendar to look up show names as opposed to setting DVRs. I knew it was coming and this calendar was my way of trying to keep it at bay, but it’s still sad to me that we are in fact here. That you can only see the Great Pumpkin if you have Apple TV+ (unless PBS brokers some deal again – if they are I’m not finding it yet but it’s my sincere belief that they are currently in a room having those talks), or Disney+ is the only place to see Hocus Pocus 2 (available Sep 30^th) , or Peacock is where you go to see the epic conclusion to the Halloween franchise (Halloween Ends available Oct. 14^th) as we know it. While it’s fun having these shows at our fingertips it also takes away from the anticipation of it, at least to me. That I am sorry I can’t do anything that night cause whatever is on and I don’t wanna miss it moments are now a thing of the past. Heck even most network TV will be on Hulu within 24-48 hours, so go have dinner with that friend after work and don’t worry NCIS whatever will be available online tomorrow.

So for my digital folks, of which I admit I am now one, see the links below but I will admit that all of me believes if we calculated up the “subscriptions” for all these services we’d see that Cable had its advantages.

The Best Halloween Movies to Watch on Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, and More in 2022 - TV Guide

Best Halloween TV Shows to Stream in 2022 (people.com)

The Best Halloween TV Show Episodes Ever (movieweb.com)

Peacock October 2022 Movies, TV Series and Sports (vitalthrills.com)

Netflix Launches Its "Streams & Screams" Hub for Halloween Horror (comicbook.com)

In closing, assuming you are still with me and God only know why you would be, the intention of this calendar, is to get you and your loved ones to pause and spend some time making memories. Maybe carve a pumpkin while watching, create some fantastic Halloween Treats from your various Social Media sites while watching, or work on your costume – don’t forget the props - and RELAX  and unwind from the busy work day, work week.

 

So, sit back, scare yourself, and have a GREAT Halloween! It’s fall people enjoy it!

Marcy

Time for a catch up

I’ve been typing this for a few weeks now in my head … so below is fraction of the stuff I’ve written in those hours between sleeping and being awake, or in the car on my way to or from work, or just sitting and starring at nothing (literally) on TV thinking I should be writing on this blog. So .. um… Enjoy!

Dragon Con was in short …. Awesome. As always. Granted there was a lot of great Cosplay and even more amazing food, panels, parties but the best part was spending 6 days uninterrupted with my favorite person on this planet. Golden. In short there was over 65K people for this year’s con and they raised over $95K for their charity (Open Hand ATL) – every year they pick a charity and throughout the Con raise money then Dragon Con matches it so that means they raised over $190K for Open Hand ATL! That my friends is beyond awesome! There was a blood drive and in my sleep deprived state I’m sure I saw the final total of donors but I can’t find it. Needless to say Dragon Con is about more than a big party, cos play, vendors, games and yes alcohol. That being said I enjoyed those things as well. We also did a few things we have never done before like hearing the Georgia Philharmonic which let me tell you was a lot of fun. Apparently a very popular event. It was a very chill vacay and much much needed.

Work was great while I was gone. I didn’t really check in like I normally do. I let the guys handle it and they did. We had one or two hick ups but nothing major and nothing that’s going to set the house on fire really. It was nice to know that when I’m not there they can handle it and often don’t just cause I’m there to do so. Now that I know they can I’m going to push for them to do it more often. I usually rush back to work as soon as I return home from Dragon Con. This year I went up a day early (which frankly threw me and Golden way off all freaking week but was nice) and when I came home it was late on Tuesday. Wednesday I was a zonked out mess and Friday we were going out of town for my nephew’s engagement party (that’s right people the oldest nephew popped the question, she said yes and I’ve bought three dresses for the big day (March 2023)). So I didn’t want to come home exhausted, go back to work exhausted, and go to the engagement party exhausted and then come back for a work week like quadruple exhausted (assuming that’s a thing). So for the first time I took 8 days off work. 8 whole work days (granted you’d think I was gone a month the way my co-workers reacted upon my return). I admit … it was nice. My boss told me upon my return he fully thought I’d start working from home and I was like you know I almost did then was like nah. He said he was proud of me for doing it cause he knew I needed it. I said yes yes I did.

While I was gone I celebrated my 19^th anniversary at work. In 2 years, my career can legally drink. I can’t believe it’s been 19 years. That’s just nuts to me. When I think back over the years I never dreamed I’d make it to 10 then I thought ok maybe 15 and now I’m knocking on the door of 20. It’s been a long time of ups, downs, horrible bosses, good bosses and a great boss. I’ve come around the block a few times on hating and loving what I do, being frustrated beyond belief about it and also caring so much I made myself sick. In the last year or so I’ve risen to manager of my department with several employees “under” me, lost 2, (one I’m not sure I ever had and another to a growing family), gained one, almost lost another but fought really hard for her cause she’s more amazing than I think she knows. My current goal is to make her see what I see in herself and try to overcome the horrible crap she’s been through over the years and to get the other to understand she’s here to stay and get over the hump of constantly being in fear that she’s not doing enough or will be let go at the drop of a hat. That’s not how we do things at least in my department.  It’s been very interesting being the boss. I’ve never been in that position before and I’m trying to emulate the ones that showed me what to do, taught me my role and pushed me to be the person I am today, as opposed to that Asshat who can well fuck off, she knows who she is. Ha! 19 is something I’m going to be very proud of and here’s to many more. If most people work say 40 years I’m half way there … kind of.

Golden also got a promotion recently at her job and I’m super proud of both of us. We are finally starting to see the results of decades of hard work and dedication and it’s about damn time!

Tomorrow I’m getting up at the crack of dawn, getting ready for work, and then sitting down with my mom to watch the Queen’s funeral. Mom’s been a huge royal family watcher for years I find them fascinating, but mom knows the names and titles and dates for important things. I figure if it starts at 5 my time it will be over in time for me to get to work on time, plus I don’t really want mom watching it alone. I got up with her to watch Diana but as a teen who really didn’t care fell asleep pretty quickly and woke up to mom crying. I couldn’t understand at the time why I mean she didn’t know that lady or her family, but she was connected to the fact that her two boys were now alone in a sea of well … whatever that is. She said it made me think of my brother and I. She appreciated me watching with her even if I did fall asleep.

With the kids back in school, football season getting underway, and fall weather kind of in the air it’s time to turn my attention to pumpkins and calendars and socks ……. Speaking of which I need to finish my laundry. Until next time….. GOD SAVE THE QUEEN and prayers for King as he steps into his new role.

Marcy

Long time no talk ….. sorry about that

Good lord, is it really August already? It has been a while since I posted something on here. That’s a bad Marcy. I typically strive for a post a month, or every other month, and frankly it sometimes stretches to “oh crap I forgot the blog” post times but that’s typically when life has frankly …. Gotten in the way. That and my lack of having anything useful to post which then leads me to not wanting to waste yall’s time so … I just…. Don’t…post. Then I feel a little bad about it.

                                      

Golden knows this ….. so for my Birthday/Crimmus gift she gave me a book …..  “A 5 Year Question a Day Memory Journal” cause she loves journaling. I guess I consider this blog my journal and I have started several journals over the years but never kept one going, not really anyway. I think of things to write about all damn day until I sit still long enough to actually write then it all flies out of my brain. Sadly however I leafed through this book and like some of the questions are … well like who wrote this thing?!

For clarity here are a few sample questions ….

• Do you think people really can change?
• Morning person or night owl?
• Describe your worst overreaction.
• My biggest source of stress comes from …..
• How quickly do you get back up when life knocks you down?
• Who was the last person you hurt?
• What is something you would never compromise on?
• What was the last question you asked someone?

Now these are random like I opened a page and wrote down what I saw. Now I’m not saying all the pages are … bad I’m just saying nothing jumped out at me as something to write about or worthy of wasting your eye time with. Then again that’s the point I guess. To get back into the habit of taking a subject, any subject and making it interesting. I’m frankly struggling to find the interesting in anything at the moment. I can’t even call it the can’t help it’s ….. I just have zero desire to do literally a damn thing. I have thought several times about seeking some help and it might come to that but for now I’m trying to get to Dragon Con and hope after a week or so of “chilling” if you can call Dragon Con chilling, that my battery will recharge enough that I reenter society for lack of a better word. Granted I’m not, nor have I ever been, a social butterfly but the idea that someone somewhere might want to do something sends me almost into a blind panic somedays.

A few weeks ago, a coworker said something about not waking up and thus something not getting taken care of and it fell out of my mouth before I even thought it, “I dream about that every night” She was shocked and now “prays” for me and checks on me throughout the day. I really don’t know where that came from but I also realized in that moment I wasn’t wrong. Part of me would love to lay down go to sleep and just call it a day. Hence why I’m thinking I might need to go talk with someone professional.

                                       

It also hasn’t helped that work has just about killed me. I’ve been maxed out on PTO since the first of June but have been unable to take any cause we have had wave after wave of submittals hit us, and you can’t work OT and charge Vacation so on the rare occasions I have taken a long lunch or left early it wasn’t even considered PTO time, plus training a new employee (whose doing an amazing job), it’s just been an onslaught of BS since I’ll say March, and I could likely trace it back further than that if I tried. As a matter of fact when I looked up and realized I missed the “summer” break I was shook. Yet…here we are. August 14^th, just weeks for Dragon Con and yet all of me fears something is going to screw that trip up. Honestly guys at this point I’m not sure that’s something I could handle. That could quite possibly send me right over the edge of this cliff I’m standing on. My boss made a comment about me being gone 2 weeks (it’s just under but who is counting) and when I didn’t respond I think he realized how bad it really is. 

                                            

I’m leaving on a Tuesday to go to Birmingham, then Wed we travel to Dragon Con and I will be coming home from Dragon Con the following Tuesday. However I am taking all that next week off as well cause well damnit I want to. My nephew’s engagement party is that Saturday and I didn’t want to come home exhausted, go back to work exhausted, and jump back in a car to drive up for the party…exhausted. So I’m gonna take a few “me days” to recover from Dragon Con and go back to work that following Monday. It will be by far the longest time I’ve been away from the office and when I tell you I plan to be away from the office I mean it. This is the first weekend in 2 months I haven’t opened my laptop to “get ahead” and all of me both feels guilty about it and also very proud of me. I need this … and damit I’m going to take it. It’s been about 2 years since I had a proper vacation and it’s about damn time!

                                           

So here’s to getting through the next two weeks so that I can enjoy the weeks to follow!

Stay tuned for Dragon Con shenanigans lord knows I need em. 

Marcy

Graduation ….. moving forward …. and words of wisdom

So a few years ago, my oldest nephew was graduating from High School and starting his journey that would lead him to Auburn University and eventually to Pharmacy school, which he is currently in. Now I sit here after a day of celebrating nephew #2 who is about to embark on a similar journey. A week from Tuesday he will walk across that same football field and graduate with his class before heading to Auburn in the fall to study engineering.

I’ve posted on this blog a few times about my college experience, how it led me to find my bestest friend in all the land (@theonlygolden) and how it shaped me into the person I never dreamed I’d be. Back in 2014 I did a post called “college advice” which highlighted some things I wish I had known as a little Tiger for those joining the work force. This time I’ve decided to highlight some things I wish I had known as a little Tiger that were more general words of advice for your college experience. So consider these more advice to make your college experience more enjoyable.  

So here goes ….

Be open to change

Right now my youngest nephew is leaning towards Civil Engineering but who knows what’s in store for him really. I mean when I started at Auburn I was heading for Communications with dreams of being a researcher at CNN. I quickly ended up making a bee line to the left and ended up with a BA in English with no clue of what to do next.  My aforementioned oldest nephew started in Chemical Engineering and is now in his 2^nd year of Pharmacy school. My point is you know the path you’d like to take but don’t be afraid of the exits along the way. Sometimes those unexpected detours take you where you need to be not where you thought you wanted to be.

Career Student

That said avoid being a career student. That kid who is like a semester away from graduation and freaks out about it so they change their major buying them more time. Eventually you will have to choose and in the time it could have taken you to get multiple degrees you end up with say an Accounting degree you can’t really do anything with in the real world.

Be Social

I’m not saying go to that frat party and get hammered. I’m also not saying stand in the middle of the concourse in the quad and scream at people about religion, what I’m saying is find that happen medium where you can talk to classmates, go to a few parties, attend the get to know you events freshman year. Who knows your bestie could be there and change your life. Or you’ll meet your soul mate or you’ll find out that you want no part of those people what so ever and narrow down the path to finding your tribe. Your friends, your ride or die partners through college. Know that some will be forever friends, some will be blips on the radar that is your college experience, some will be footnotes in the stories you tell after getting out of school and some you won’t even recall when you really try to. They are all important. They all have a meaning and there is a reason they have been sucked into the vortex that is your life. Learn from them, grow with them, grow away from them but they will in some way shape the person you become even if you don’t realize they are shaping you at all.

Drinking …..

I’m not going to tell you not to do it, that will just make you want to do it more. Just learn what you can and can’t handle and learn it quickly. You will likely drink, sometimes you will drink too much, know that you don’t have to drink to have a good time. I know that sounds hard to believe but often you’ll find that not drinking opens your eyes to what’s really going on around you and you will learn just how little fun most of those guys are having. That’s not to say that drinking can’t result in a good time cause it can. It can make you relax and allow you to let loose and enjoy yourself but only when used correctly. It’s going to take time to learn that. Surround yourself with a crew that will take care of you while you figure that out. Every once in a while be that person in your tribe.

Drugs….

I didn’t do them. I knew many who did. I did not. I can’t give you advice on this but I can tell you that most people will be cool with you saying no. Cause that’s more for them. So feel free to be different and say no. If you do partake, have a tribe around you that will take care of you, will lead you when you need to be led and that will make sure you get home safely.

Get Involved

Attend things … sporting events, socials, and special event days at your school. My school has what they call “Hey Day” every fall where you well say hi to each other and there are events throughout campus. I wish I had taken more time to attend more of that. During the first few weeks of the school year there are all kind of welcome events, some specific to your college, others more schoolwide, there are also events like this during finals week. Free food is always a good thing and these events have that and more. Take the time to stop and enjoy these things, even if you are just grabbing a  plate on the way to your next destination.

Stay with your group

I learned this one the hard way. When you go out with your buddies, your friend, be it a frat party, a house party, a sporting event, a night at the movies, whatever. STAY WITH YOUR GROUP! Remember your training from elementary school and keep the buddy system going. If you are at a party and don’t want to be there at the very least find your group and let them know you are heading out. Don’t be woken up 2 hours later with your group frantically banging on your door cause they couldn’t find you and were worried about you. Don’t be that person. Be the worrier not the one that’s making people worry. Most definitely don’t do it twice. The third or fourth time people might not worry and they definitely won’t look for you and that might be the time you really need them to do so.

I’m sure there is more I could tell you and more you could learn from related to my experiences in school but I’ll leave it here. The best piece of advice I can give is ignore the advice from most. Listen to it, take it in but know your experience and theirs are going to be different. Different time, different events even if it’s the same place. You will need to find your path, find your way and you will. Just breathe and most of all enjoy it. On the other side is at least 30-40 years of work. So make the most of your time to make mistakes, to be silly, to be stupid, and to learn from all of that before you hit the real world.

                                     

Congrats class of 2022 …. And good luck!

Marcy  (@beaslma) 

A little …. me time.

I played hooky from Church today, cause I needed a me day. I slept in, got some laundry going, watched some trash TV, reset all out clocks cause of the end of daylight savings time and just kind of … hung out. AT some point today I might do my taxes. Mine are never really that hard it’s just waiting for all the documentation to arrive so I can do it then … procrastination. Eventually however I’ll sit down, download the program and get it done. 

Yesterday me and my coworkers participated in a chili cook off that ended up being a very long day. We have been doing this for several years, skipping last year cause of Covid (in 2020 it was the last thing we did before everything shut down). It was pretty cool cause they moved it this year to an area that we are helping revamp and so it was like our project was literally on display. At one point the project manager of that project was talking to someone else when a huge 18 wheeler went through the Roundabout that we designed and everything stopped in our tent as we watched this huge truck make its way through it. One of the big deals of that part of the project was that Mardi Gras Floats had to be able to navigate it (successfully done a few weeks ago btw) and big 18-wheelers that often used the route needed to be able to navigate it as well. After what we saw on Saturday … mission accomplished. We were all quite proud.

I got there at 8:30 but the guys doing the actual cooking got there at 5AM. It was stupid cold. Like in the low 30s cold and windy. The cold wasn’t so bad cause you could put on layers but that wind just cut you in half. When I got there at 8:30 it was still pretty bad but overall it was a good team building day of fun, laughter, selling our chili to people, and raising money for the American Cancer Society. I get there around 9ish cause by then the table is clear of all the “food prep” and I can put out the tablecloth with our name on the font of course and the give a way items and make the booth “pretty.” Every year once we are there, I think damn we could have done more to decorate but our focus is always on the chili not the extras around it. We are hearing that our chili came in 2^nd … but no official results yet. Everyone that tried it said it was good and that’s good enough for us. So all in all a great day.

However, I decided to take today as a me day. I’m doing what I want when I want and how I want. Which includes updating everyone on this blog. I am now some 13 days into Lent. I have not had caffeine, nor been on social media since Mardi Gras (March 1^st). The lack of caffeine has nearly done me in. The headache was unbareable for the first 3 or 4 days. At one point it hurt to even touch my head let alone brushing my hair. At one point I almost downed a coke just to make it go away. My SIL said “you can take a break on Sundays” but I thought one coke would end it all so I refrained. I have had more water than I think I have ever drank in my life. I have also used the bathroom more than I have ever in my life. Which I guess is a good thing. I can see inches falling away, slowly but surely. Plus I feel better. I’m also sleeping more than I ever have. I seem to be overly exhausted either due to lack of caffeine or the last few months of non-stop insanity. Either way it’s been nice getting some actual rest. I guess that’s what the lack of being on my phone will do for a person.

Golden is also doing some self care during these 40 days, she’s doing her 40 acts of kindness as usual but has also started a vow of silence on Sundays. No using her phone for social media, no texting or talking just her working in her art therapy books, journals, reading, and just playing with her dog. I’m glad she’s doing that cause I think she really needs a day to recharge and chill.

There’s a lot to look forward to in the next few weeks, the SEC Gymnastics Championships, the NCAA Regionals, National Tournament, the Final 4, Invictus Games, French Open, Indianapolis 500, Wimbledon, all kinds of fun athletics on display. So it should be an interesting few months!

Hope you guys are having a great Lent!

Marcy

Happy 2022 … wait what it’s already March ?!

                                      

If 2020 was a literal blur and 2021 and was kinda blur the first 3 months of 2022 have been just nonexistent for me hence my first posting of the year coming in March. Between working getting insanely stupid in January to Golden finally getting Covid (with her job it wasn’t when it was if and if finally caught up with her) and the stress of losing my grandma on my fraking birthday, working non stop on a proposal in the middle of burring my grandmother, and then Golden getting pneumonia in February and work continuing to blow up hard for me, plus two new employees to train and get up to speed it’s just been a hot minute since I could breathe. 

This past weekend my bestie took me to Auburn for some much needed R&R … we got to watch Gymnastics, and Softball and even squeezed in some Tom Holland via Uncharted and ate some great food. Got to hang with the nephew and his better half which was a lot of fun and it was just a great relaxing weekend. I didn't realize how much I needed it until we were on our way home and I realized for the first time in MONTHS I was fully relaxed. 

Today is Mardi Gras so I’m off of work, I took yesterday off too but ended up working about half a day. I have a submittal due on Friday so they are hopefully reviewing the “final draft” now and the work I ended up doing on Monday will make Wednesday a little easier ….. I’m also waiting on a subconsultant to get back with me …. One that I’ve not communicated with but my Project Manager has. I hate that. Make the connection then let me and their marketing person get together and handle the rest. Sigh …… I am trying to treat my vacation (PTO) time with the respect they deserve. I have neglected it far too long. So today, I spent my time preparing for my next trip. DRAGON CON !!!!!! I have secured the hotel, I have secured the membership, Golden is making her plans and guys ….. I have a Care Bear suit. I’m gonna be Tenderheart!!! I had Birthday monies in my pocket and a drink in my hand when I purchased it but damn if it's not cute. :D If I have the courage to wear it in the Atlanta August heat that is. Stay tuned for that. 

Since it’s Mardi Gras you know what that means. It’s nearly time for Lent. 4 ways to observe Lent are below if you are looking for ways to participate. I know Lent isn’t only about giving up things it can also be about adding things to the plate but to me erasing something for 40 days is easier than adding as no two days are ever the same. This year's Lent is gonna be hard yall …. Not only am I giving up social media … which frankly I’m looking forward to at the moment, but I’m also giving up Caffeine. No soda’s, no tea, just water and juice moving forward for the next 40 days. Lord help the people I live, work, and are around on the daily.

 

Why do I post my lent plans here …. It’s to keep me in check. I feel that my body is begging for me to do something, literally anything to get myself back in check. I recently did  a health care screening for my work (something about our health care BS) and well let’s just say I’ve never seen numbers so far off. Like it was all so far off I’ve thought about making a visit to my regular GP to just see what’s up. My BP is always high … always … even when I’m taking my medication as prescribed but this time it was like off the charts did it 4 times to make sure high. That’s not good. My weight has been a constant journey since I stopped playing sports and well it’s weird I don’t “feel” huge but lord knows that scale sure felt it. DAMN…. So I am reaching the point where it’s now or never and starting is always the hardest part. I know you are supposed to look at inches not weight but damn I still can’t get over that number. So I’m going to spend the next 40 days trying to retain my body to not crave the crap that I eat and drink. It’s not that I eat badly, hell most of the time I’m not even finishing the meal in front of me but I do like soda, I do like chips, I like to “snack” I just need to make better choices and that’s going to start with me and with Lent. I feel like if I can do it for 40 days … maybe I can make it last.

 As always you guys hold the world together while I am away and for the love of GOD someone please check on Golden every once in a while for me! 

Wish me luck!

 Marcy

RIP Betty White

I have always made fun of people for doing numerous amounts of things.

But one thing in particular is having a family member who is damn near pushing 100 years old and then when they start to wind down, their family members are astonished...

“What's wrong with great gran, why isn't she getting up and sticking to her routine?”

“I can't believe that PeePaw just lays around all day, he used to be so active!”

“Well MawMaw is getting to be so stubborn and won't eat.”

“It's so depressing the way PopsPop has already picked out his burial suit and pallbearers!”

And then the day arrives when our loved ones pass and everyone is so sad. The arrangements are made and it's finally time for the homegoing ceremony and all the family members come with their family made t-shirts with a picture of Maws or Peepaws or Great Aunt Alma May and in bold ass letters the shirt reads “GONE TOO SOON” with the years of birth and death.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm only addressing the people that pass who are tripping towards a century's worth of living on this plane. There are absolutely people that pass too soon, and that is NOT who I am addressing. But regardless, yes I'm willing to admit this makes me look like an asshole. But I can't help it. Think how much a person could experience in 90+ years. 100 years ago, most people didn't own cars and the cars that were available maxed out at 20-28mph. And although I am definitely pissed that we don't have flying cars, we do now have cars that park and drive themselves. The first broadcasting channel in America began in 1928 in less than 100 years we went from nothing to live streaming anywhere and everywhere (Well unless you are in the back of a walmart, then you are screwed.)

Oh the things you will see....in 100 years. 

BUT... My exception to this rule is the lovely Ms. Betty White.   She passed away Dec 31st just 18 days shy of her 100th birthday. And as of yesterday this woman was still making headlines. No matter how many years we could have been afforded this angel of a woman, I'm sure she still could have continued to teach us and lead us right up to the end, even if it was an additional 100years later.

She taught me many things including

• Care for the animals and love the doggos
• Never let others judge your value based on the superficial. She was told that she was not photogenic enough to work with movie studios, thus why she worked her way thru radio.
• She was a woman in a mans world, who ended up carving out a place for herself in front of the camera and behind it. Both the Talent and the Boss.
• She bucked racial and societal norms
• She demonstrated that you are never too old to become a household name or to enjoy a good lap dance
• She proved you can grow, but still not take yourself so seriously that you grow up.
• And always remember to feed the gators

All that being said, I will be getting a GONE TOO SOON (Jan 17, 1922 – Dec 31, 2021) shirt made in her honor. Because just this once I believe it. And from one Golden Girl to another, Thank you Betty for being all our friends!

-golden

(@theonlygolden)