My review of: Sesame Street - The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular

Hello there...

Just in case you wanted to know what this Spooktacular is all about - this review is for you.

From 09/24 to 10/30 - Sesame Place will be transformed into a not-too-spooky Halloween haven featuring two themed mazes, a character hayride, three Halloween shows and everyone’s favorite Sesame Street friends dressed in their Halloween attire.

Having gone to Sesame Place just a few months ago, I recommend to visit again, during the Spooktacular, because it is not as hot, not as humid(all water attractions have been turned off) and all those who love Elmo and Big Bird, and of course, The Count, will have a lot of fun!

So, we went in because my nephew loves The Count and his bats (who are named Grisha, Misha, Sasha and Tatiana).  The Count usually hangs out on a Main Street, where you can take a picture with him.  We did not see him there last time, but maybe he was rehearsing for the show (see video further below  :-) )

The rides are not scary, and there is a pretty cool maze, as well as trick-or-treating booths all over the park.  You can also paint or carve pumpkins (note: the price for those is not included in the admission ticket)



You know me, I loooove these rides





The winner of the Count's Maze

 As far as dining reservations, you have a choice - you can make reservations at Dine with Me, and Sesame Characters will entertain you while you are eating.  They will also walk around for the meet-and-greet, picture-taking and sing all-time favorites.  (Adults $24.95 and Kids $16.95 including tax)  There are also plenty of places for snacks - hot dogs, chicken nuggets, salads, etc. - so the choice is yours !!!

The main thing is - DO NOT FORGET TO WATCH THE SHOWS:
# 1 (and my personal favorite) Countdown to Halloween Show - you will be treated to a stage performance starring Count von Count, Elmo, Zoe and Abby. In this musical show, Count von Count goes on a journey on his favorite night of the year - Halloween! By the way, The Song of the Count is now my favorite!

All Sesame Street characters are walking around, posing for pictures.  You can catch the Cookie Monster, Oscar the Grouch, Bert and Ernie, and others all over the park. 

And of course, last, but definitely not the least - the Sesame Street Parade !!!
Light Halloween theme is mixed with the old-time favorites, as all characters pass by on colorful floats, dancing, jumping and behaving silly.  Parade time is 4pm (weekends only)

So, with that being said - go to http://www.sesameplace.com/, and makeplans to take a nice trip.  It is not a long drive, and you will definately enjoy it!!!   (For awesome burgers, check out Red Robin at 610 Middletown Blvd. Langhorne, PA 19047)

Signing off,

                     Julie von Count (HA-HA-HA)

Halloween is near...

Howdy there...  According to the nline countdown clock, Halloween is only 41 days away - that's 999 hours away, to be precise... So, have YOU figured out who you are going to be???

I like that holiday - it comes right after my birthday (hint-hint), and it is cool, if you are a free spirit and do not mind getting dressed up in ridiculous outfits.  Especially when there are kids involved, being fun and funky with them - it is like a breath of fresh air.

In any case -  here is a list of the most popular ideas for 2011 Halloween: 

1. Avatar's Neytiri
2 Batgirl
3. Sexy Gangster
4. Lady Ga-Ga
5. Angry Birds

1. Harry Potter
2. Vampire
3. Robert Pattinson (as himself)
4. Mike "the Situation" Sorrentino
5. Smurf

Please note that these are not in any particular order... And so my question to you is:

WHO TICKLES YOUR FANCY THIS HALLOWEEN???

If the #2 pencil is the most popular, why is it still #2?

I would not even research it and write about it, if the DJ on the radio would not ask that question... and now, I cannot stop thinking about it.  Apparently, there are other pencils, # 1, and # 3, and # 5....  Who knew???

Ah, the answer is short and sweet - it is just the best type of lead to use, for electronic exams, because it is not as smudgy and soft (or hard) as others...  Hence rest assured that your tests will be graded correctly :-)

And look, the question is so popular, that it has its own Facebook group, with over 4600 "likes"   http://www.facebook.com/pages/If-the-2-pencil-is-the-most-popular-why-is-it-still-2/10150133503115512

Enjoy your weekend, and the crispy weather we will have,

Signing off,
Yours truly

...To wear or not to wear...

Good chilly Friday morning,

According to UK's The Telegraph, women spend 1 year of their lives deciding what to wear.  " Experts found on average women spend 16 minutes every weekday morning deciding what to wear and around 14 minutes on a Saturday or Sunday morning."  (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/5783991/Women-spend-nearly-one-year-deciding-what-to-wear.html) So, I guess, the guy in a wifebeater and underpants, often looking into my window (in my old apartment) was, in fact, an expert from The Telegraph...  

But, as we've all felt a sudden change in weather, from the 80s+ to 50+ this morning, the question, or more like a statement is  I'VE GOT NOTHING TO WEAR!!!

I am posing a question - what is your favorite item of clothing?  How easy do you switch season wear? Do you have a piece that makes you feel comfortable, sort of like a security blanket from the childhood? What item you can wear with almost anything???   OK, my fashionistas and fashion(ummm)men - do tell, do tell !!!

Until then, as  I dive in the closet, fevereshly thinking that it would be so cool to come to work in a neon velour tracksuit...Nooooot!!!!   :-)

Useless fact - You are getting sleepy....

I realize that Monday came and went, and I did not post my 2nd useless fact.  So, here it is - IT TAKES AN AVERAGE PERSON 7 MINUTES TO FALL ASLEEP!

What I want to know is - who are these people who research that info, and exactly how do they know.  Also, how many people did they test?   How fast do you fall asleep?  What about before an important meeting/trip/presentation?  

And here is another one for you - AN AVERAGE PERSON WILL EAT 35,000 COOKIES in their lifetime... Go figure that out...

Anything you want to share??

...Remembering 9/11...

For all of us, this is going to be an emotional Sunday... There will be numerous memorial events throughout NYC, and a few of them will take place in Brooklyn.

I found this poem, written in 2003, by then-a 13 year old from Ohio, and I want to post it here to remember the tragic events of 09/11/01,and all those, who lost their lives...

On September 11th we woke to a normal morning and got ready for the day.
We never expected the tragedy that was headed our way.
We got ready for school and work; we didn't want to be late,
Not knowing we'd never forget this horrifying date.

 

We started our routines, and planned for a busy time,
Until we got the call through the telephone line.
We turned on the TV just as we were told,
And watched as our hands started to grow very cold.

 

New York was full of smoke like a very foggy morning,
Because a plane had struck a building without a single warning.
We all watched in silence as the second building was hit,
I could not believe it, NO not one bit!

 

As we watched the first tower collapse and saw the people jumping,
We had to look away for our hearts were surely pumping.
When the second tower collapsed, tears fell from my eyes,
I thought of all those people that lost their lives.

© 2/23/03 -Roman Widdig
7th Grade - 13 yrs old
Ohio

Do you remember where you were on 09/11/2001?  I am sure everyone remembers exactly where they were, what they were doing, when this unprecedented tragedy took place.  Feel free to share your thoughts, memories, stories...

And also, wherever you will be this Sunday, take a moment to stop and remember... 

Have a safe weekend !!!

Well... here it comes...

... Bookbags are packed, lunch boxes are labeled, school supply list croseed out and completed... Outfits are selected for the first day of back-to-school, or for some mothers and fathers VERY FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL(or kindergarten)...

To all those, who are doing it for the first time - you are not alone!  There are plenty of first-timers amongst your friends on FB, so you can support and learn from each other.   I also wantef to share this poem I found online - I did not write it, and I think it is beautiful.  Not sure who the author is, so here it goes...

She started school this morning,
And she seemed so very small.
As I walked there beside her
In the Kindergarten hall.

And as she took her place beside
the others in the class,
I realized how all too soon
Those first few years can pass.

Remembering, I saw her as
She first learned how to walk.
The words that we alone made out
When she began to talk.

This little girl so much absorbed
In learning how to write.
It seems as though she must have grown
To girlhood overnight.

My eyes were blurred by hastily
I brushed the tears away
Lest by some word or sign of mine
I mar her first big day.

Oh how I longed to stay with her
And keep her by the hand
To lead her through the places
That she couldn’t understand.

And something closely kin to fear
Was mingled with my pride.
I knew she would no longer be
A baby by my side.

But she must have her chance to live,
To work her problems out,
The privilege to grow and learn
What life is all about.

And I must share my little girl
With friends and work and play;
She’s not a baby anymore –
She’s in Kindergarten today.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL !!!  

MAY THIS BE A DAY TO REMEMBER !!!

Oh, green crayon, where art thou???

Good rainy morning,

On one hand it is good that today is Tuesday already - that means that the weekend is one day closer... On the other hand, it is rainy, cold, and as I was on my way to work, the morning DJ on the local radio station said that "today was a perfect day to curl up with a good book"... What the devil?  Do they not know that phrases like that automatically switch off the "work mode" in your head, and immediately implant images of fluffy pillow, cup of coffee and a good Alan Jacobson thriller...

In other, non-related news - i bought a box of Crayola Crayons in a local "variety store" the other day...  You know, the ones that are called "99 cents" stores, even though there is not a single item that costs $0.99 there...  So, when i opened the box, there were 4 orange crayons and no green... at all...  Now, how can anyone survive without a green crayon? 

Somewhere out there in the world is my missing green crayon.  It looks a little like this....

Arghhhh.... I think i feeling moody because it is rainy, overcast, the summer is over, etc... 


So, to change the subject, I will pose a question to ya'll - read a good book lately?  I've gone gung-ho on Alan Jacobson - and read ALL of his books (if you like the FBI, and crime novels).   What is the book YOU are reading now???

Useless Fact: A game of Twister, anyone?

"An average of 76 people a year die playing "Twister", and about 23 them die by playing the nude version!"

This is what I've decided - every Monday, I will post an important useless fact and discuss it with all who want to join in the conversation.  My question is - where does this statistics come from, who actually gathers and process this info - and what people have to say about it.

So, if there is a fatality (God forbid) during the game of Twister, do all parties involved admit to playing in the nude, after they untangle themselves and dial 9-1-1?  

Opinions?   Please.....

Kids say the cutest things... and boost your morale..

Good Sunday Morning,

... so I am making breakfast for my nephew and we are discussing an important topic - who will be who on Halloween...  Since he is into all things Super Mario - he wants to be all of them - the good guys and the villains, at the same time.  But as I explained that he can only have 1 costume, he said he will be Yoshi,  The he asked me who I will be, and I said, I might be Wario - the bad chunky dude...  "Oh, no - said my nephew - you are waaaay to pretty - you have to be Princess Peach..."

... and it is with these words that I turned into a mush...

Anyway, to all of you - enjoy the rest of Labor Day weekend and hopefully the weather will accommodate your family activities !!!

is this required?

... So I am standing in line to buy cold cuts and other low-calorie items (smirk-smirk), and as I am about to post something on Facebook, I see a girl, buying tomatoes, wearing at least 6" steel spiked shoes, that, in the days of my youth (don't count back by 10s) were called "f***-me shoes, and were worn indoor, and behind closed doors only...
My question is - was that really necessary?  Is it for show? Should you not be comfortably dressed while shopping for food and other necessary items?  I don't want to sound like a prude, but this was a bit over the top, especially that every person in the store was looking down at her... ummm.. shoes...

Honestly I tried to hide behind the shelves to take a picture...  but, at the risk of being discovered and kicked out of the store I had to stop, so I am posting a shoe-look-alike picture...

Hello world!

So, I've decided to give this whole blogging experience a try... Sorta like a diary, only for everyone to read, and comment.  Don't worry, your comments need not to be anonymous, and I would appreciate your honesty.  Let's make this interesting, shall we?