A Spooky Rehash...

I'm about to do something I've never done before. Excited? Then brace yourselves. But first up, let me give you the context...

I'm away in a few days for a jaunt. Get me! The thing is, there's so much to do before I go. Obviously packing. That's a given. There there're the personal grooming procedures I personally desire before a holiday - eradicated roots, freshly shaven legs, and topped up lashes. And don't forget work deadlines. I plan to finish to the end of Chapter 6 before I leave. That's keeping me busy between all the shaving and packing. 

Not so much round my gaff.

But there's another demand on my time this week. We've almost arrived at Halloween. And as everyone with a pulse in the UK can attest, this is now a thing. When I was growing up, it was a semi-thing. Everyone knew 31st October was a date for the diary. Everyone knew it was a time for spooky fun. But beyond a few local children knocking on the door, that was about it. A girl in my primary school class had a Halloween party once. That year I dressed up with a pointy hat and a black bin liner cloak. But it was only once. Other years, there might be an art activity in school where we'd draw ghosts and goblins, and we'd have the annual duck apple fun at home, but that'd be the extent of the shenanigans. It was all quite low key. As is often the case, I question whether I had a full grasp on the sitch. Was Halloween really low key in 1980s UK, or was it just the 'we're not spending money on that sort of nonsense' vibes of my family? I'm never entirely sure. 

Just doing my bit.

Now, as a fully grown childfree adult, with very few child-age neighbours, I continue to downplay the seasonal highjacks. Except... except... except I get excited about all the spooky film fun. Scary films for the win! Not proper horror, you understand. No actual peril. Just the tingly thrill of a jump scare, in a thriller or mystery. And now for the thing I've never done before. Ready? Well, I'm about to rehash a previous blog. Handle it! And before you say it, this is not a sign of me running out of ideas, or not being appropriately arsed to write afresh. Not at all. It's merely that the spooky films I've signposted you towards in the past, remain my must watches for this time of year. If you want the blog post of yesteryear in full, click here. Otherwise, consider the rest of this post - the Long Read for October 2024 - a tribute to previously-expressed, yet still brilliant thoughts. Right, on you go, and happy Halloween.

Scream

My absolute favourite. A high school setting, a killer on the loose, satire, sass, a small town, a cast of suspects, meta references and smart dialogue. This will always be my favourite scary movie. And once you've watched the first one, you've got Scream 2, Scream 3, Scream 4, Scream 5, and Scream 6 to keep you going. All excellent riffs on a theme.

Clue

The epitome of daft, camp, fun. Based on the boardgames Cluedo (Clue in the US) this involves a country mansion, a collection of dinner guests, a dead body, and utter farce. If you watch it today, the film offers three alternate endings. When it came out in the cinema, different screenings had different final scenes. Can you imagine? There's some casual bigotry that doesn't hold up so well but the concept remains strong. 

Twilight

Not intentionally funny, this high school vampire lark still manages to cause me amusement with its intense earnestness. And high school romances are a favourite trope of mine. Who says vampires can't find love over their science projects?

Fright Night

There's an original that I saw once but I prefer the remake. Young teen, Charley, becomes convinced his next door neighbour is a vampire. And whaddaya know? He is! I love how it shows the isolation of Las Vegas living, away from the strip. And David Tennant's cameo as a Vegas vampire-hunter showman, is glorious. 

Bodies Bodies Bodies

Another house full of people to be killed/be suspected of killing. This one is a recent release and satirises Gen Z as the story unfolds. Quite gruesome in parts, with some actual peril for the characters but the edge is taken off by the humour. 

The Lost Boys

There's something cosy about this amidst all the creep. A move to their Grandad's small town means brothers Michael and Sam run into the local gang. Except there's something a bit undead about them. Cracking music and pure 80s vibes, this is one of my faves.

Ghostbusters

I only saw the original Ghostbuster quite late in the day - I was 38! - so the 2016 remake was a big win for me. Filled with funny woman, special effects, and Chris Helmsworth being ridiculous, it's a big screen shebang with lots of kapow.

Hercule Poirot - Halloween Party

If you're wanting more of a small screen scare, this is one of my favourite David Suchet Poirot episodes. With a screenplay by Mark Gatiss, it offers enough spooky fun to fit the season whilst keeping within the format of the show. It's also what Kenneth Branagh's recent cinema release, A Haunting in Venice, was based on. I'd say, very loosely based, is more accurate. 

Dawson's Creek

Let's end with another small screen offering. Dawson's Creek's screenwriter - Kevin Williamson - also wrote Scream. Smart teens dealing with horror? He's got this. Series 1, Episode 11 takes place on Friday 13th, with Dawson trying to scare his friends whilst a real serial killer is on the loose. Then in Series 3, Episode 7, the gang find themselves trapped on Witch Island overnight. It's a rip off/homage to the Blair Witch Project and is as spooky as it sounds. Everyone's fine in the end and the characters live to see a few more series. It's a lovely spooky blip in the midst of relationship angst. No real harm done.

So there you go. What do you reckon? Are you already full of the joy of Halloween films or has this whetted your appetite? There are some obvious omissions of course. If you Google 'Halloween Movies' the one that comes up over and over is Hocus Pocus. I saw it once and I liked it. Or Death Become Her? Or Halloween? Or... I could go on. Like, forever. There's loads of them out there. But it's time to wrap this up. However you spend Tuesday* evening, may it be as spooky or non-spooky as your heart desires. 

Have a lovely week, folks.

*Obvs this year it's Thursday. For your records.

Non-Sweaty Activities Only...

'Don't sweat and don't get wet.' 

That's what's written in my diary for today. For the next week and a bit, to be exact. And why? Well, I've just had my eyebrows re-microbladed. Yep, these perfectly arched frames to my face are not a gift from God. They're a gift from Colette, the legend that worked her magic on me last week. (Actually, they're not a gift, they were paid for, obviously, but you get my drift.) So for the foreseeable future I'm showering with a taped piece of plastic over my forehead, I'm gingerly cleansing my face with a cotton wool pad instead of scrubbing freely in the shower, and I'm avoiding sweat under any circumstances. Happily, the current temperatures mean my morning walks keep exposed skin to a cool chill, I'm continuing in my life-long mission to avoid the gym, and thank frig for the joy of HRT and the reduction in hot flushes. I shall continue to not sweat and keep my brows dry as we head into a new week. But please, don't mind me. Enjoy all the wet-faced sweating that you yourselves have free reign to experience.

May does have a chapter plan
but it will be 'looked at.'

Writing News

I'm still on Chapter 5. It's the May chapter of the next Leeza McAuliffe book and it's not coming so easily. April flew by, and I'm looking forward to writing June, but May? I think the problem is that nothing much happens. And there it is. BAM. What a useful thing to note at this stage. Nothing much happens in this chapter and it's boring to write. Well D'UH! Ya think it's going to be any better to read, Nicky, you dickhead? Point noted. Thank you, Inner Voice. The May chapter will be looked at and enlivened, ASAP.

Any excuse for a gif of 
these two lovelies.
Nick and Charlie from Heartstopper.

Culture

Jilly Copper's Rivals has just dropped on Disney+ and I'm here for it. A colleague leant me the book about fifteen years ago, and despite initial snobby misgivings on my part, I absolutely DEVOURED it. The show's had a load of positive write-ups since its arrival on Friday and I'm giddy to jump in. Meanwhile, I'm in the middle of my second full rewatch of Heartstopper - the show that teaches Sex and Relationship Education infinitely better than any scheme of work ever could, and in news that surprises even me, I've been watching some old Marvel movies. Captain America and the first Avengers film were seen off last week.

This was celery, onion, carrot,
fake chorizo, stock, wine, 
passata, Italian herbs, spinach,
paprika, and tortellini. 

Food and Drink

It's soup season! My Insta algorithm won't stop pushing soup on me right now. I know it only shows you what you're interested in, but who knew there were so many soup recipes in existence. Last week I made a bolognesey one and then a smoky tomato one. Rather than a thin, watery broth, they were packed full of veg, veggie meat, and pasta. On reflection, the title soup really is a broad church. If you're on Insta, this account is your one-stop shop for all things soup.

I took this photo last week
because it reminded me of
the When Harry Met Sally
poster of Central Park. But
then I Google-image searched, 
and realised it was nothing like it.

Out and About

Microblading and flu jabs aside, the past week has been fairly routine. There were the usual morning walks, writing hours, Wednesday brunch and Thursday Costa as standard, with a Liverpool Women's match thrown in yesterday. How marvellous that fairly routine is still jam-packed full of events. 

Whether you're simmering soup, blading brows, or simply sweating to your heart's content, have a marvellous time whilst doing it.

Have a lovely week, folks.

Relax, Conserve Juices...

Well, well, well. Isn't the Tory leadership race exciting! 

What's that? It's not? Not even a little bit? Not even the teeniest, tiniest bit exciting? No? Fair enough, you've convinced me. To be honest, I only brought it up because I was looking for something newsy to riff on for this opening paragraph. Aside from horrific wars, and gossipy sideswipes at the new UK government, that's about it. Of course there's the US election, or the awful hurricanes that seem to be regular fixtures these days. Lots of people enjoyed the Northern Lights last week, and some Nobel Prizes were announced. Can I riff on that? Nah, I'm just not feeling it. Maybe all my creative juices have been spent on my book. Why don't you read the next paragraph to see if that's true.

A still from
 last week's vid

Writing News

I've finished the first draft of Chapter 4 and started Chapter 5. Hurrah! If you follow me on TikTok, Insta, or YouTube (and why would you not?) you'll have seen me talk about my self-imposed deadlines for this draft. By the end of October I'm aiming to have finished to the end of Chapter 6. If I keep up my skej, I'll be done with draft one by the end of February 2025. This is massively quicker than my usual writing rate and I'm properly proud that I've stuck to the plan so far. Let's see how it goes over Christmas. That's the time when whatever wheels I have, truly come off. I'll need to conserve the juices wherever possible, and write my ass off the rest of the time.

Culture

A real life museum exhibit for you this week. You know, like, PROPER culture, not just me banging on about the TV I've watched? Last Sunday I went to the Holly Johnson Story exhibit at the Liverpool Museum. It was marvellous - filled with  art, costumes, album covers, and with Frankie Goes To Hollywood's tunes blasting throughout. Scarily, Holly - icon of my childhood - is now 64 and having a bit of a resurgence. I've got tickets booked for his tour next year and now I've immersed myself in the exhibition, I'm well up for it.

It's not bad, 
ya know

Food and Drink

In a vague bid to be a touch healthier, I've been investigating non-alcoholic wines for use on an odd evening, now and then. I've tried this before. Several years ago, I turned up at a house party that I was driving home from, with a bottle of non-boozy red wine. It was gross. I drank it because I'd bought it and that was the plan, but urgh! It was like the warmest, weirdest berry juice you've ever tasted. I assumed that was to be my first and last foray into non-alcoholic beverages. UNTIL NOW. Kylie's only gone and done it. Minogue not Jenner's fizzy pink non-wine wine is actually pretty good. Would I mistake it for the real thing in a blind taste test? No, course not. Have I had several bottles over the past few weeks and enjoyed them regardless? Hell yeah! In related news, Guinness Zero is actually delish. For real. Taste testing would be genuinely interesting because I'm not convinced I'd spot it.

Widnes looking good

Out and About

The recent weather has been OPTIMUM for morning walks - where I'm located, at least. Bitingly cold but with bright sun emerging mid-route. Some mornings require a scarf as well as the hoody, and these days we're at the point of wearing T shirts underneath. It's a thrill to get out of bed right now, so long may it continue.

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, whoever you're doing it with, remember what Frankie said? Relax!

Have a lovely week, folks.

Spotlight on Boston...

Last week my brother was in Boston for work, and it drove me mad. Honest to God! His Insta output and regular photo dumps on the family WhatsApp were making me DESPERATE to visit. And why? Well, judging by his pics (and his flatmate's excellent vlogs) there's an overwhelming amount of pumpkins, orange floral wreaths, and general autumnal cosiness going on in Boston right now. 

And what have I got here? Well, I rewatched Spotlight in the week, to try and feel the Boston vibe. It's an excellent film but more focused on the investigation into the Catholic abuses scandal than seasonal autumnal cosiness. And I've also learnt that the character of Ray Donovan is from Boston. I've seen a few episodes but never felt the need to dive in. That left only one option. I hotfooted it to Tesco and The Range to buy 'Cosy Autumnal Tat'. I've made a feature of the fireplace, you see. What with an actual fire being uncool due to gas prices and climate change, I've repurposed the space. It may not be Boston but it's cheered up my cosy-vibes-needing heart, no end.

Aiming for autumnal
cosiness and not a KS1
nature table.

Writing News

It's been a slower week than I'd planned. Maybe if I'd been less preoccupied with recreating an homage to American fall in my home, I'd have got more work done. But let's reframe this. I've had a few days space from the draft so I've been able to let the story brew. It's always a good sign that my characters stay in my head when I have a break. It means I'm excited to get back to them. And that's exactly what I'll be doing this week.

Jackson Lamb in Slow Horses

Culture

I TOLD you the telly was going to get good, didn't I? Is anyone watching Ludwig? It's a BBC series with David Mitchell, being nerdy and introverted but solving murders with his puzzle-setting mind skills. It's GREAT. All on the iPlayer now for your amusement. Then on Netflix there's Nobody Wants This. It'd be a perfectly standard rom-com without the casting, because the two leads have chemistry. That's chemistry with a capital C. Kristin Bell and Adam Brody are great together. Fans of the OC will particularly enjoy lovely Seth Cohen all grown up and sexy. I've absolutely devoured the new series of Heartstopper, and once again lamented the fact it didn't exist when I was at high school. It tells a compelling narrative of high school friendships whilst providing essential information about eating disorders, mental health, teen sex and sexuality. It's surreptitiously educational and I'm here for it. And then there's Slow Horses. It received nine Emmy nominations recently (winning one) and I'd never heard of it. Now, I'm two series in and have also started the books by Mick Herron. All marvellous. Finally, I finished Richard Osman's latest book. I thought it was great.

Food and Drink

What I'm about to write will make me sound smug and ridiculous but here goes. Last week I ordered my Christmas turkey. I KNOW. I'm an absolute dick. The thing is, by the time I usually get around to ordering it (the end of October in previous years) the size I need is sold out. I have to order a smaller one and come Boxing Day, make various family members promise not to help themselves to meat until it's obvious there's enough. I don't need the stress. So this time, I've got in early. I've ordered the Marksies turkey that feeds 12-14 people and I won't have that particular worry this year. In related news, if you're into festive food porn, the Marks and Spencers food brochure is a cracking read. 

Out and About

Inspired by my brother's mate's Boston vlogs, I tried to make my own. My plan was to film bits and pieces of my day last Thursday, with a view to putting them together in a video. It didn't work. Mainly because quite early on, I forgot. I've got footage of a train pulling away from the station (not even the train I was on, but I filmed it for effect) and I've got a sweeping view of the pub, with the disembodied head of my friend flashing past at the bottom of the shot. My final clip was quite nice. It was of me, drinking my pint, in the red glow of a bar. I quite liked the way my face looked, so in a moment of self-confidence, I put it on my Insta feed. I won't be making a vlog of my Thursday any time soon, but I did have a good night out.

Have a lovely week, folks.