I've felt like crap for a few days. Not sick, but on the cusp of being sick. I feel better today. I'd like to thank my neti pot, a constant diet of Airborne® and a Law & Order: SVU marathon on my Roku for my speedy recovery. I'd be very happy to thank Christopher Meloni in person whenever's he's in Phoenix.

Because this month has been super busy and I've been feeling like sludge this last week, I decided instead of making a new banner, to update a previous one from a couple years ago for the Thanksgiving holiday.

For folks in the Phoenix/Tempe area who would like to donate holiday toys for needy children, please contact Mike. He's looking to get 75 toys donated. Don't hold the fact he dresses his dogs in ugly sweaters against him.

I'm giving audiobooks a try starting with Escape to Witch Mountain by Alexander Key.

This totally cracks me up.

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Permalink | File Under: Banners, Benevolent Blogger, Lists

I was too busy all day to take photos but I managed to take 12 with my phone, mostly when I was doing laundry.

I'm too tired to caption as well. Sowwy.

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Last night was the All Souls Procession in Tucson. This was my fourth year going. It was also the twentieth year for the procession.

It. Was. Pure. Awesome.

I love, love, love this parade. The people. The costumes. The alters. The memorials. The community. Everything about it rocks.

John came with me this year. We had an impromptu photo shoot in Homer's back yard.

Usually Homer & I carry signs about current politics, but this year, I made a sign for Elliott to take.

I saw some friendly, familar faces.

And met some new ones. Meet Jessica.

After I took their picture she asked, "Are you cheap blue guitar?" I don't know why but that always throws me. She was lovely and their costumes were terrific.

I focused more on the people this year. The alters are beautiful and I love the stuff people make, but the people bring such a great energy to this event. People celebrating loved ones who have passed away. Celebrating their community. Celebrating each other. It is truly one of the most beautiful things I experience.

There are tons more pictures on Flickr, or you can see them below.

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Hey! Look what I got today.

Let's take a look inside.

Look familiar?

A few months ago, the kind folks at This Is Why You're Fat emailed me asking me if they could use my photo for their book. I had no idea it was on their site.

When they asked me what I wanted my credit listed as, of course I used it as an opportunity for shameless self promotion.

Guess what everyone's getting for Christmas this year. :)

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Yeah, yeah, yeah. So I'm a little late with this month's banner. I've been a little busy.

Before October I started working on it but I just didn't like what was coming out. What I needed was a little inspiration. That came from my friend Mason. He's a super-duper creative smarty-pants who takes awesome photos and uses his friends and family as models.

A few days ago, he days ago he took these Fever Ray inspired photos of his sister. They were just the inspiration I needed and he kindly gave me permission to use one of them. (Thanks Mason!)

The All Souls Procession is just around the corner. It is absolutely one of my all-time favorite things about living in Arizona.

Bring out your dead, y'all.

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Permalink | File Under: Banners

This is why Facebook is completely evil.

I'll give you a few minutes to stop laughing.

Finished? Good.

Saturday a friend of mine from high school posted a few photos from a band trip we took to Epcot during our junior year. While in France® we watched a performance of Renaissance Street Theater. They pull people out of the audience to be characters in a humorous take on a famous play. The one we watched was Romeo & Juliet. I was picked to be Marcucio.

I blame the shorts. We called them "jams" back in the day.

Hawt, right?

As for the shirt, if I'm remembering correctly, it was an inside joke we had that had something to do with Billy Joel's Piano Man.

I think I could OD on nostalgia on all these. We. Are. So. Young. It was so long ago and yet, in some ways it feels like yesterday.

Good times.

My new printer-scanner is being delivered tomorrow. Photographic revenge will soon be mine.

(You're still laughing aren't you?)

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Permalink | File Under: Nostalgia, Photos

I finally put that label maker to use.

If you look closely, you can see about 20 scissors. WHERE DID THEY ALL COME FROM?

I. Am. Exhausted.

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Permalink | File Under: Life