ION, I saw a woman on the train today with a tattoo behind and somewhat below her ear. It was a skull-and-crossbones design, only instead of a skull it was Bert's head. (Yes, Bert of Ernie and Bert.)

Goatse pumpkin!

No one's said anything about costumes at the new gig, and I ain't wearing even a shred of one. At the last place I made excuses real by scheduling meetings--for a change it was good--we couldn't wear jeans to meetings, we certainly couldn't wear costumes.

What kind of telescope, Liese?

I asked about costumes at the new gig, adn got little response (though there's a party in teh afternoon) so I think I'll just wear my devil horns, and black.

That's so classic. "What? I said terrorist -- it's on them if they heard tourist!"

Hee! That is seriously crazy, though, Kevin. Damn.

I miss carving pumpkins. I'm not enough of a holidayer to do one myself, but I have very fond memories of getting together with other families and having a pumpkin carving-fest. Honestly, my two big holidays are TG and Xmas. For family reasons, both kinds. It's been really important to create it with my new family and still keep the originals. I'd never have predicted that. And share 'em both with each other. Due to geographical constraints, it'd be nice to have third to celebrate stress-free with my brother. In the meantime, I'll just carve out time for him.

And I WILL make biscochos this year.

But I won't do a costume. This year. It's been years since I wore one. Last was Elphaba in greenface, a witch hat, leather pants and camo gear.

No one got it.

Oh, I missed the telescope talk. Liese, my dad has a nice spare that he might be willing to part with someday. If you ever end up in that area and know a good home for it, let me know. Actually, that goes for anyone.

Consultant in the midwest has been sending us pix he's taken through his. They are really cool.

And I've been looking up at the light-bright sky and sighing.

I miss being able to see stars. Yet one more point against New Jersey.

I have an Edmund Scientific Astroscan, which is simple and sturdy and easy to use. It's good for exploring the Moon and showing people the rings of Saturn and the major moons of Jupiter.

What kind of telescope, Liese?

Oh, just a cheapo. Lemme go see...it's a Tasco 305028. A quick google indicates it's mostly junk, but can be fixed up, upgrading eyepiece, etc. The SO bought it for me on a whim for ten bucks. He just bought a studio desk off a guy on Craigslist, and the guy had the telescope lying around. The SO knows I've always wanted one, so he picked it up for me. I don't really know how to work it yet, and it's missing a screw off the tripod.

Liese, my dad has a nice spare that he might be willing to part with someday. If you ever end up in that area and know a good home for it, let me know.

Really? We're that direction every once in a great while, but that's an offer I'd love to take you up on, if he can be persuaded to let it go. I'm a rank amateur, I don't know the first thing about it, but I'm fascinated. I can pretty much find the Dippers and Orion and Cassiopeia and that's it. But I want to learn.

We have pretty dark skies, even here in town, but right now the neighbor is all decked out with Halloween lights strung all over the place, so it's pretty bright out.

I didn't see the comet, 'cause of all the Ponderosa pines, but I did see a meteor! When we get to the new house, it'll be much better; much much darker and the trees are all juniper and pinon so they're much lower.

That reminds me, though, I need to make sure our exterior lighting is all dark sky friendly.

I think we'll have pretty dark skies once we move, or be a short drive from dark skies, anyway. I'm more of a binocular stargazer, on account that I don't know much of anything, but DH has made telescope getting noises.