Do You Like To Frighten Yourself?
Posted by Michelle Moquin on November 1st, 2008
Good morning…still sleepy…
Umm..I slept late…no excuse really, just felt like it. How was the Halloween evening? Scary? Mine was. No we did not go to some big Halloween party last night – that is tonight. Last night was a lazy rainy night spent cuddling on the couch watching Bravo’s ’100 Scariest Movie Moments’: an amazing assortment of of the best thrillers.
I am not one who is into frightening myself. You? ‘Freddie’ movies, or ‘Hell Boy’, or any of the ‘Friday the Thirteenth’ movies are jut not my scene. Although I did see ‘Scream’, and yes I did scream. Movies that are more realistic, events that could actually happen, are the movies that really scare me, and the ones that I enjoy the most. Did I not just say that I don’t like to frighten myself? What a contradiction I am this morning. Hmm…let me see…maybe what I am trying to say is that I am very choosy about which movie I want to see that’ll scare the crap out of me.
So that being said, I have to say that I really enjoyed the cornucopia of scenes last night. They showed little peaks of everything from the above to ‘Aliens’ and ‘Jaws’, to thrillers such as ‘Seven’ and ‘Silence of the lambs’, ‘Carrie’, ‘The Shining’, The Exorcist’, to classics such as, ‘Wait until dark’ with Audrey Hepburn, ‘The Birds.’, and the very famous shower scene in ‘Psycho’. As well as so many others, from big box office hits to obscure and low budget. I wish I had taken notes.
One that did peak my interest was a film called ‘Audition’ – a sexy sadomasochistic Asian thriller that includes the handling of some pretty interesting ‘tools’. Here’s a peak:
Pretty psycho huh?
So what do you think was the number one scariest movie? Hint: I mentioned it above. And it was actually a surprise to me. Hmm….maybe it deserves a another watch.
What’s your scariest movie? Blog me.
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle
Aka BABE: Your Bad Ass Bitch Editor
For archives dated before January 17, 2008 click on my Blogroll:
or click here: “A Day in the life of…”
All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2008
" Politics, god, Life, News, Music, Family, Personal, Travel, Random, Photography, Religion, Aliens, Art, Entertainment, Food, Books, Thoughts, Media, Culture, Love, Sex, Poetry, Prose, Friends, Technology, Humor, Health, Writing, Events, Movies, Sports, Video, Christianity, Atheist, Blogging, History, Work, Education, Business, Fashion, Barack Obama, People, Internet, Relationships, Faith, Photos, Videos, Hillary Clinton, School, Reviews, God, TV, Philosophy, Fun, Science, Environment, Design, The Page, Rants, Pictures, Church, Blog, Nature, Marketing, Television, Democrats, Parenting, Miscellaneous, Current Events, Film, Spirituality, Obama, Musings, Home, Human Rights, Society, Comedy, Me, Random Thoughts, Research, Government, Election 2008, Baseball, Opinion, Recipes, Children, Iraq, Funny, Women, Economics, America, Misc, Commentary, John McCain, Reflections, All, Celebrities, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Theology, Linux, Kids, Games, World, India, Literature, China, Ramblings, Fitness, Money, Review, War, Articles, Economy, Journal, Quotes, NBA, Crime, Anime, Islam, 2008, Stories, Prayer, Diary, Jesus, Buddha, Muslim, Israel, Europe, Links, Marriage, Fiction, American Idol, Software, Leadership, Pop culture, Rants, Video Games, Republicans, Updates, Political, Football, Healing, Blogs, Shopping, USA, Class, Matrix, Course, Work, Web 2.0, My Life, Psychology, Gay, Happiness, Advertising, Field Hockey, Hip-hop, sex, fucking, ass, Soccer, sox"
November 1st, 2008 at 10:49 am
One of my favs has always been “The Shining” which scored pretty well. Anything Stephen King seems to write that goes to film does huge. The most profit percentage making film of all time was “The Blair Witch Project”, which was made for about $40,000 and pulled in over $150M…Nice return on investment.
That beats any Tom Cruise film that costs $200M and makes $500M
November 1st, 2008 at 3:11 pm
The Complaining Epidemic
Alice Aspen March
The Attention Factor!
Chronic complainers are all around us. They moan about the weather and the traffic. They insist that the waiter is too slow… gas is too expensive… and nothing today is as good as it used to be. They seem perpetually upset about everything they see in the world. Reality: Most chronic complainers simply feel disconnected and lonely. Complaining is just their way of getting the attention they crave.
Here’s how to help a chronic complainer — someone you know or even yourself — kick the habit…
ATTENTION GETTING
The type of attention complainers receive isn’t the sort they really want, but they usually don’t know how to get any other kind. A chronic complainer often hasn’t learned how to ask for a hug from his/her spouse or find a sympathetic ear for a heartfelt conversation. Complainers don’t realize that their complaining drives away friends and relations, causing them to lose the attention they crave.
Most chronic complainers learned this behavior as children. Either their parents gave them attention when they whined or they witnessed complaining by one or both of their parents.
Other behaviors people use to get attention when they don’t know how to ask for it include feigning or imagining illnesses… having intentional “accidents”… being chronically late for meetings and events that can’t start without them… and endlessly seeking assistance on minor matters.
Example: A nervous flier might buzz the flight attendant repeatedly for pillows and drink refills because he is unwilling to admit that he is afraid of air travel and needs reassurance.
VALID COMPLAINTS
Sometimes we have legitimate reasons to complain. If the phone company overcharges us, of course we’ll call and get the bill corrected. If a waiter delivers the wrong order, we bring it to his attention. If a spouse forgets to do a chore, we might mention the oversight. These are productive complaints. We’re not just harping on a problem — we’re suggesting a specific course of action to remedy the situation.
At times, it’s even useful to voice nonproductive complaints about problems that our listeners can’t fix. Doing so might help relieve stress… provide a group with a topic of conversation… or even bond strangers together.
Example: If you live in an area with chronically bad traffic, sharing traffic horror stories can forge a sense of kinship.
However, we must be extremely careful when we voice these nonproductive complaints that they don’t become a habit.
HELPING OTHERS TO STOP COMPLAINING
If there’s a chronic complainer in your life, try to get to the bottom of what’s really bothering him. Odds are, the complainer is feeling dismissed, invisible, ignored or powerless… unloved, alone or unsupported by friends, family or coworkers… belittled, insulted or criticized. How to help…
If you can’t figure out exactly what’s wrong, ask the complainer directly. This person might be desperate for someone to take an interest. Try to focus the chronic complainer’s wide-ranging complaints by responding with “What do you really need?” or “What’s really bothering you?” Then search for ways to show a complainer that he is loved, supported and valued. Compliment him… give him a hug… offer to help with a difficult task.
Become the complainer’s cheerleader. Provide nonjudgmental support under all circumstances. If you would like to offer the complainer advice, first ask for permission to do so, to reduce the odds that he will view your guidance as criticism.
Don’t get upset if you are on the receiving end of complaints. Chronic complainers tend to complain to whoever makes them feel the most comfortable, even if he/she isn’t the person who’s causing their problems.
Example: People who feel disrespected at work frequently look for any excuse to complain to a spouse, parent or friend. These complainers aren’t comfortable enough at work to complain there.
DO YOU COMPLAIN TOO MUCH?
If you feel that you yourself are a chronic complainer…
Listen to your words. Are you quick to find fault? Do you often sound negative, perhaps without meaning to? Listen to what others say about you. Has anyone ever accused you of complaining too much?
Make an effort to sound more upbeat. Rather than recount your day in a way that makes it seem frustrating and painful, put a positive spin on it.
Example: Simply ending an anecdote about a tough day at the office with “Everything’s so much better now that I’m home with you!” turns a complaint into a compliment for your spouse.
Think twice about voicing a complaint about something that your listener can’t correct. There’s an old joke about the mother who gives her son two ties for Christmas. When he puts one on, she asks, “What’s the matter? Don’t you like the other one?” When we put friends and loved ones in no-win situations, we damage our relationships.
Phrase a complaint so that it sounds like a shared problem, not an accusation, when you absolutely must complain about the behavior of someone close to you.
Example: Rather than “I’ve told you a million times to pick up your laundry and you still don’t do it,” try “If you pick up your laundry, we can get started on the wash so that we won’t have to be bothered with it this weekend.”
Never complain to family members the minute they get home. They will start to dread walking through the door, and because their minds might still be elsewhere when they first get home, such complaints are more likely to be ignored. Give your loved ones at least 15 minutes to relax, then ask if there is anything you can do for them before raising the problem.
Consider the cause of your chronic complaining. Could it stem from a need for attention or to feel more useful or loved? If so, consider volunteering your time to a charity… adopting a pet… or offering to babysit a neighbor’s children. All of these can help you feel needed and loved.
interviewed Alice Aspen March, creator of The Attention Factor! workshops, which help participants get and give life-enhancing attention, 12320 Montana Ave., Los Angeles 90049.
November 1st, 2008 at 3:18 pm
I’ve always liked american horror movies. Italian ones seem so silly.
Toni
November 1st, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Sometimes I absolutely hate this blog. It is so crazy and frustrating trying to get on. I tried all day yesterday. and here we go again. I hate writing my heart out and having it not get on. What’s the use? Don’t tell me that someone isn’t behind all this frustration. I hope the election will bring some normalcy to this site.
Barbara
November 1st, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Halloween is the best holiday for me. I love dressing up. My mother still after 34 years can’t understand why I dress up as a woman every year. Whew, Obama hurry up and win. People like my mother who hates gays need to see that god loves dems too.
Paul
November 1st, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Talk about horror. I get a shock on the first of each month when I look at my mortgage payment.
Lucy
November 1st, 2008 at 8:07 pm
I’ll be Halloween all day long for 4 years if McShit wins. Go Vote!
Hey Madaline, promised us a LANDSLIDE. Prove you are a powerful bitch. Just Do It!
P.S. fire her ass if she fails
Craig
November 2nd, 2008 at 7:28 am
HOMEOPATHIC FIRST AID
I find it interesting that homeopathic medicine draws on exactly the same principles as vaccines and allergy treatments, though it is usually considered “alternative.” All three are based on the principle that “like cures like,” where exposure to a small amount of a substance, disease or allergen provokes a reaction in the patient that then serves to protect against it. This concept is at the core of homeopathy, a medical tradition growing increasingly popular, including among many of my closest friends and coworkers. One big supporter of homeopathy is Mark Stengler, ND, author. He regularly talks about the value of these remedies in his practice, so I asked him to tell me about some of his favorites.
THE BASIC PRINCIPLE: LIKE CURES LIKE
In homeopathy, pain or symptoms of an illness are understood to be how the body tries to heal itself. This approach to medicine seeks in the short term to stimulate — not discourage — natural healing mechanisms, such as fever and inflammation. Using the “law of similars,” the tiny remedy pellets incite many of the symptoms that characterize the illness the body is battling in order to stimulate the healing process. This is very different from conventional medicine, which instead acts to suppress symptoms.
Homeopathic remedies are made from plants, minerals and animal products. The usual homeopathic dosage is two pellets of a 12C or 30C potency (“C” potency is a 1/100 dilution) two to four times a day — but it’s important to carefully follow package directions or the dosing instructions of a trained homeopath. Remedies are dissolved under the tongue. Avoid touching the pills with your hands, since contact with dirt or oil on the skin may inactivate the material — instead try pouring them into the plastic lid of the container and from there, into your mouth. Once symptoms begin to respond, stop taking the remedy and see if an improvement settles in. If some symptoms remain, you may then clear them altogether by taking the remedy a little longer — for acute attacks look for improvement within minutes to an hour… for chronic disease it may take one to two weeks to notice improvement.
DR. STENGLER’S FAVORITE REMEDIES
Among Dr. Stengler’s favorite homeopathic remedies are…
APIS — FOR SKIN REACTIONS
Derived from the venom of the honeybee, Dr. Stengler prescribes Apis for stinging, burning, swelling and itching. It may be useful for bee stings, arthritis, urinary tract infections, herpes, sore throat, hives and other allergic reactions. This is an example of how a remedy can sometimes work for disparate ailments, since similar biochemical processes are at root. Note: Apis does not replace conventional medical treatment for severe allergic reactions.
ARNICA — FOR BRUISES AND MUSCLE ACHES
Dr. Stengler said if he had to choose just one homeopathic medicine to use, it would be Arnica. This anti-inflammatory preparation made from the mountain daisy is excellent at soothing bruises, aches, pains, swelling and other physical trauma. It also may provide relief for muscle soreness, such as from exercise. A recent study showed that Arnica helps recovery from plastic surgery. Arnica is also available as a topical cream or gel.
CANTHARIS — FOR BURNS
This preparation from the blister beetle is used for burns and urinary tract infections. The beetle contains the chemical cantharidin, which when concentrated causes blisters and skin inflammation. Based on the homeopathic principle of “like cures like,” this makes cantharis the ideal remedy for burns.
GELSEMIUM — FOR THE FLU
A classic flu remedy that was used to reduce duration and soothe symptoms during the devastating 1918 flu epidemic, Gelsemium is particularly beneficial for flu sufferers who experience fatigue, lethargy and shakiness. Dr. Stengler also prescribes it more generally for fatigue and headaches.
IGNATIA — FOR ANXIETY
Dr. Stengler frequently prescribes this medicine to relieve emotional distress and anxiety. In his opinion, many stressed-out type A’s would benefit from taking Ignatia amara… in addition to trying other stress management techniques such as prayer, exercise and deep breathing. Ignatia may be especially helpful taken daily during stressful periods such as a divorce or the loss of a loved one. It does not take away all of the emotional pain, but it reduces the intensity.
NUX VOMICA — FOR NAUSEA AND HEARTBURN
Derived from an East Indian plant we call Quaker’s buttons, Nux vomica is most commonly used for stomach cramps, nausea and heartburn. Many people also find it helpful for anxiety and irritability, and as a hangover remedy.
RHUS TOXICODENDRON — FOR POISON IVY
Rhus toxicodendron, often shortened to Rhus tox., consists of the homeopathic dilution of poison ivy, which with direct contact causes a blistering rash. Again recalling the principle of “like cures like,” the salve form is one of the best skin remedies for poison ivy. You can also use it for arthritis, back strain and cold sores.
SULPHUR — FOR SKIN AILMENTS
Dr. Stengler considers this one of the most profound and long-lasting of all homeopathic remedies. He prescribes it for skin ailments such as rashes, eczema and psoriasis. Additionally, sulphur can be taken for digestive disturbances, insomnia and headaches.
FINDING A HOMEOPATHIC PHYSICIAN
Remedies are economically priced, readily available at health food stores and drugstores and — because they have few side effects — lend themselves easily to self-care for uncomplicated problems such as muscle soreness or a stomachache. For overall guidance and to treat more complex health problems — and most especially if you are pregnant or suffer from a chronic medical problem such as diabetes or heart disease — it’s best to consult a medical practitioner trained in homeopathy. Homeopathic physicians carefully calibrate treatment to suit each individual, taking into account not only symptoms but also a person’s emotional state, lifestyle and other factors. To learn more about homeopathy and/or locate a practitioner in your area, visit the Web site of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians at.. or the National Center for Homeopathy
Source(s): ??Mark Stengler, ND,