Random Thoughts From a Thoughtless Mind: October 2009

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Answers to Tricky Halloween Questions

1. What phobia are you suffering from if you have an intense fear of Halloween?
B. Samhainophobia
(Halloween is the witches' New Year and is called Samhain)

2. What does the name Dracula mean?
C. Devil's Son
(The name "Dracula" is Romanian for Devil's son)

3. In the Medieval times, what was commonly used as a cure for leprosy?
C. A spider
(A spider was rolled in butter and then used as cure for diseases such as leprosy and the plague)

4. Bobbing for apple began as a party game in the 20th Century?
B. False
(This tradition didn't begin in the 20th Century. However, unmarried people would try to bite into an apple floating in water or hanging from a string. The first person to bite into the apple would be the next one to marry.)

5. When did the UNICEF for Halloween program begin?
C. 1955
(The United Nations Children Fund was encouraged to start a trick-or-treat program in the 1950s which it finally did in 1955.)

6. Which U.S. city banned all Halloween celebrations from its schools in 1995?
D. Los Altos, CA
(The Los Altos, Ca., school system banned all Halloween celebrations due to the holiday's roots in "unwholesome traditions.")

7. What does the word "witch" mean?
D. Wise one
(The word "witch" comes from the word "wicca" which means wise one.)

8. Why did a witch commonly appear with a black cat?
B. For Protection
(Black cats were originally believed to protect a witch's powers from negative forces.)

9. In what year did the Halloween novelty song "Monster Mash" reach number one on the Billboard charts?
B. 1962
(This great song written by Bobby "Boris" Pickett and Lenny Capizzi reached number one on the Billboard Charts for two weeks in 1962, and then returned to the charts in 1970 and 1973.)

10. In modern times Halloween is celebrated on Oct. 31st?
A. True
(Have a Happy Halloween everyone!)

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Tricky Halloween Questions

Instructions: Leave a comment with your answers/guesses to this "Tricky Halloween" survey. Then check my blog for the correct answers when they are posted.

Please use only your brain, and no other additional resources, to answer the following Halloween related questions...

1. What phobia are you suffering from if you have an intense fear of Halloween?
A. Halloweenophobia
B. Samhainophobia
C. Ghostophobia
D. Shamanphobia

2. What does the name Dracula mean?
A. Evil One
B. Blood Drinker
C. Devil's Son
D. Vampire Bat

3. In the Medieval times, what was commonly used as a cure for leprosy?
A. An apple
B. A pumpkin
C. A spider
D. A broom bristle

4. Bobbing for apple began as a party game in the 20th Century?
A. True
B. False

5. When did the UNICEF for Halloween program begin?
A. 1958
B. 1956
C. 1955
D. 1957

6. Which U.S. city banned all Halloween celebrations from its schools in 1995?
A. Philadelphia, PA
B. Salt Lake City, UT
C. Santa Fe, NM
D. Los Altos, CA

7. What does the word "witch" mean?
A. Evil one
B. Ugly one
C. Wicked one
D. Wise one

8. Why did a witch commonly appear with a black cat?
A. For Companionship
B. For Protection
C. For No Particular Reason
D. For Casting Spells

9. In what year did the Halloween novelty song "Monster Mash" reach number one on the Billboard charts?
A. 1967
B. 1962
C. 1965
D. Monster Mash never did reach #1 on the Billboard charts

10. In modern times Halloween is celebrated on Oct. 31st?
A. True
B. False

Friday, October 23, 2009

NBA Predictions

West
1. Lakers
2. Denver
3. San Antonio
4. Portland
5. New Orleans
6. Dallas
7. Utah
8. Houston

Western Conference Finals: Lakers vs. San Antonio

East
1. Cleveland
2. Boston
3. Orlando
4. Atlanta
5. Philadelphia
6. Chicago
7. Toronto
8. Washington

Eastern Conference Finals: Cleveland vs. Boston

NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Boston... Lakers win in 6 games.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Happy Birthday Sheila

Today is my younger sister, Sheila's, birthday. I'm very glad she was able to go on vacation with me to California recently, because it wouldn't have been nearly as enjoyable or memorable of a trip without her being there. This vacation brought back a lot of good memories of the vacations we took when we were younger, particularly our trip to Disneyland, and I've really enjoyed having opportunities to visit more of the world with her especially as we were growing up together.

I usually say that Betsy and Camie were my first best friends, but obviously Sheila was actually the first best friend I ever had. I'm very thankful to have a sister that I always want to have included in whatever I have going on in my life. I also really appreciate her support whenever I've struggled or needed it the most.

Sheila's always had a lot of potential, she's very intelligent, and being able to watch her succeed has brought quite a bit of joy into my life. I admire how much effort she's willing to put into everything that she does to be successful. I'm very proud of the person that Sheila's become and I couldn't have asked for a better sister than she's been to me. I hope that Sheila has a very happy birthday today and that life will keep getting better for her in the upcoming years.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Best Friends Forever Survey

Instructions: Pick 8 of your very best friends, in no particular order, and fill out the survey below.

Friend one: Katie

Friend two: Kara

Friend three: Betsy

Friend four: Sheila

Friend five: Kim

Friend six: Teddy

Friend seven: Jamie

Friend eight: Camie

What are two things one and two have in common.
Katie and Kara are consistently, genuinely kind to people at a higher level than I’ve ever seen before. Both of them are very selfless as well.

What was the last thing you did with number four when you hung out?
I watched the BYU and Utah State football game at Sheila's house for awhile coming home from my vacation to San Diego.

What was the last thing you did with number six when you hung out?
I heard Teddy sing and talked to her for a few minutes which, according to whoever is writing my blog, is always an enjoyable experience for me.

Has number one ever met number five? Yes. Katie and Kim have met each other.

Which of them have been to your home? Betsy, Camie, Katie, Sheila.

When was the last time you verbally communicated with number eight?
August.

How many of these friends have you hugged?
I’ll say 5 of them. I assume that I’ve hugged Betsy and Camie at some point, but can’t seem to remember for sure at the moment.

Who was the last friend that you hugged?
Kara

What sport does four love the most? I don’t think Sheila had much choice other than to like basketball the most with me as her brother. ;)

Describe number 7 in 3 words.
Fabulous, extraordinary, impressive.

Which one of your friends reading this do you think will fill out the survey next?
I think Tara will probably fill this out next. She'll need something to help pass the time when the Dodgers lose in the Major League Baseball playoffs.