10/31/2012: Etched Skeleton

One of those random Halloween items, this etched skeleton is actually out all year. Why? Cause it looks cool. The skeleton is etched (I assume using lasers) inside a block of glass.

See Also: Jack-o-Lanterns

10/30/2012: Big Bowl of Candy

I resent the implication that most of the Reese's peanut butter pumpkins ended up on the bottom of this big bowl of candy so that they won't be passed out to the trick-or-treaters this evening. That's just how they came out of the bag. If I happen to have a lot of them leftover, so be it.

See also: Mixing Bowl

10/29/2012: Blanket

Usually this blanket is just tossed over the chair in the living room... which is why it's called a throw I suppose. But I can't bring myself to call it that. To paraphrase Shakespeare, a rose is a rose is a rose.

10/28/2012: Jack O' Lanterns

One happy and one scary, kind of a comedy and horror thing going with these Jack o' lanterns. Got them after Halloween (and thus 50% off) at Target several years back. Now they make a nice accompaniment to the Grim Reaper.

10/27/2012: Vacuum

I have a vacuum for two reason: because I have an area rug in the living room and because I have Darwin. Aka the Shedmeister. Like most dogs, he doesn't like the vacuum. It's true what they say: nature abhors a vacuum. I had to bribe him with Cheetos to get him this close to it, though he doesn't really mind it until it's turned on.

See Also: Coffee Table

10/26/2012: Knife

First there was Fork. Then there was Spoon. And now the exciting conclusion to the Silverware Trilogy... Knife!

It's like the Return of the King of eating utensils. 

10/25/2012: AVAYA Wireless Headset

The Avaya wireless headset... one of the most hated of my things. Why? Because if I'm using it it means I'm on another effing conference call about such exciting topics as potential compliance issues with HAFA supplemental directive 12.04 implementation or procedural updates and change control requirements to comply with NSS guidelines. These conference calls can go on for hours and accomplish next to nothing. They make me think I may be dead and in hell. It's why I'm jealous of the people on Revolution... they never have to be on a conference call.

10/24/2012: Black Vase

This black vase was a gift from my sister in law, I believe back when I'd just moved into the house. I've intended to get some of those long reed kind of things to put in it... but just can't bring myself to buy them.

See also: Arrow Head Vase, Micah Torchiere Lamp

10/23/2012: Camera Bag

This camera bag also doubled as a carry-on bag for my quick trip to Chicago to watch the Bear's MNF game. It is NOT a a man purse as some may call it. It's a satchel. Indiana Jones wears one.

See also: Red Suitcase

10/22/2012: Bears Tickets

Look for me and Jordan on TV tonight. We'll be the guys in the Bears shirts.

10/21/2012: Toiletry Bag

Clear of course so the the crack team of TSA agents manning our nation's airports can check for bricks of C4 explosives in amongst the travel.size toothpaste and deodorant.

10/20/2012: New Shoes

Got these new shoes yesterday for my trip to Chicago - needing something that isn't falling apart I can walk in and most of my tennies are well beyond their expiration date. Got 10.5 like I usually do... they felt snug in the store but not too bad. Then after wearing them an hour or so realized they were too tight. Back to DSW and exchanged them for 11s. I guess I'm still a growing boy.

10/19/2012: Pen Cup (Work Edition)

It's a cup. On my desk at work. With pens in it. I call it pen cup (work edition).

Not to be confused with: Pen Cup

10/18/2012: Area Rug

The area rug looks OK in this shot, because it isn't covered in dog hair. Normally, when I get around to vacuuming it, I pick up enough dog hair to make roughly two back-up dogs.

See Also: Couch

10/17/2012: Orange Vase

I sometimes tend to buy glass things I don't need cause I think they look neat. Case in point: this orange vase. Don't get a lot of flowers so don't really need a vase. But it looks neat.

See also: Green Vase

10/16/2012: Wall Mounted Shelves

These wall mounted shelves hang in the dining room. Usually this is where I display Holiday Hamster, most so the dog can reach and destroy it.

See Also: Rattlesnake, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

10/15/2012: Mica Torchiere Lamp

I should probably junk this mica torchiere lamp. What with it not actually working and all. But in the back of my mind I think "I can get it fixed someday. Rewire it." Most episodes of Hoarders probably had their inception in similar thoughts 20 years prior to filming.

10/14/2012: Grim Reaper

Got the Grim Reaper up in front this weekend in preparation for Halloween. Really he's just a foam head, plastic hands and some billowing cloth, stands 8 or 9 feet tall. The first year I put it up the dog barked incessantly out the front window at it. I decided that was a good thing. After all, if the house is ever attacked by evil 9 foot tall skeletons, I'd like a little heads up before they reach the front door. Of course now he's used to it and doesn't give the Grim Reaper a second thought. Which leaves me vulnerable to skeleton attacks.

See Also: Jeep

10/13/2012: Verona Bookcase

Got this Verona bookcase recently as a replacement for the cheaper shelves that were once in this spot in the living room. (Those shelves are in the basement now.) Got two actually, once is next to my bed acting as a nightstand.

See also: Gear, Wooden Turtle

10/12/2012: Dog Brush

As much fur as this dog brush takes out of Darwin's coat I'm shocked that he isn't bald when I'm done.

10/11/2012: Safari Wall Art

Previously I had these pictures "decoratively" leaning in the corner of the dining room. In reality, there was nothing decorative about it, I'd just never got around to hanging them. From the time I moved into the house. Four years ago. Yes, things take me a while to get to. But after getting the coat hooks hung last weekend I went ahead and hung this safari wall art. Since I already had the cordless drill out already and wouldn't have to go all the way down to the basement to get it.

10/10/2012: Shorts

Bought these shorts at Target this evening. Why would I buy an article of clothing that I likely won't get a chance to wear for 5 or 6 months? Two words... well, one number, one symbol and two words: 70% off clearance. The few pair of gym shorts I have are pretty ragged so these will come in handy. Not for going to the gym of course.

10/9/2012: Brady Bunch Shelves

This is the story of these bookshelves, or as I refer to them my Brady Bunch shelves. Imagine Alice in the center and you'll get the why. Another relegated to the basement item. They used to be where I kept my clothes, once folded and stacked, since I'm not a dresser person. That was back when I had an apartment with a walk-in closet. People in the 40s (when my house was built) must not have had clothes. Or they were much much smaller and could walk into what I have for closets.

10/8/2012: Big Green Chair

My big green chair is ugly and faded now and even though it's been relegated to the basement it may be the world's most comfortable chair. Let's see The Tick get out of this one.

10/7/2012: Darth Vader Gift Bag

This Darth Vader gift bag won't be mine much longer. Traditionally a friend of mine trade this bag back and forth on birthdays and for Christmas. I've gotten it half a dozen times now, maybe more. Whoever has the bag puts the others gift in it. And her birthday is today. Happy birthday Jill! I'll expect this back at Christmas. Or maybe next July.

Confession: The gift bag is on top of the shelves in the spare bedroom. The first pic I took showed how rarely (as in never) the top of the shelves had been dusted. So I dusted and retook the pic. 

See Also: Chicago Bears Helmet

10/6/2012: Coat Hooks

Installing this rack of coat hooks was my Sunday project last weekend. On the wall just inside the front door. This will hopefully keep my from just piling up my coats and sweatshirts on the living room chair.

See Also: Wall Hooks

10/5/2012: Tetris Shelves

In case you hadn't noticed (and you probably didn't as i doubt there's actually very many of you even looking) all the stuff I've posted for nearly the last two weeks (plus several things previously posted) had something in common. They're all in the dining room and they're all displayed on these Tetris shelves. I call them that because the shelves are two separate L-shaped pieces that can be fit together in different ways.

10/4/2012: Ladybug Appetizer Plate

This ladybug appetizer plate combined two things I like. First there was the vintage style of the print, like an illustration from an old guide book to identifying insects. And second it was on clearance crazy cheap at Target. I think it was $0.24. I figure there were other prints and styles at one time, but this one was the only leftover.

Note: I've never actually eaten appetizers off this plate.

10/3/2012: Carved Panel

I got this carved panel on a trip to India several years ago. That statement is completely 100% true. Once you replace the word "India" with the word "Target."

See Also: Philodendron

10/2/2012: Carved Elephant

Another carved elephant... I may have a problem.

See also: Wooden Elephant

10/1/2012: Spotted Bowl

This spotted bowl is merely another random decorative item and has become a repository for a random assortment of small items such as extra screws/brackets, Tic Tacs, packing tape and for some reason a folded chart torn out of an issue of EW showing where all the passengers were sitting on Lost's Oceanic flight 815 when the plane went down.