Just don't store them in your air conditioner.

Dexter lovers looking for a unique Halloween treat, look no further. Edible blood slides. Brilliant, no?

Tonight, it began.

Tonight I officially bought my first Christmas present of 2010. I am that person that marketers are thinking of when they put out the Christmas ornaments in August. I am lured to them like Hollywood Montrose to jelly donuts. Also, it was Kohl's and I had a 30% off and ten bucks in Kohl's cash so I was powerless to stop myself.

It was for Jules and it's pretty and frilly and girly. Whee!

What's going on...

Still a little ill, still dreaming of Christmas.

If today was a fish, I'd have thrown it back.

Horrible, awful day at work. And there's still three more hours!

Am trying to remember that I am a Christian and it is not Christ-like to say to a co-worker, "You are a miserable troll. Go back to your cave."

The only way this day can be rescued is if Jermichael Finley gets at least seven points against Chicago tonight. It would make Jonesy's day decidedly worse, but I have to think about myself right now.

More from the mental institution where I spent last week

This is the building I was in. I never made it to the attic, but the third floor was super creepy.

I kept waiting for ghostly faces to appear at these windows.

Many of the buildings remain abandoned.

The institution had patients with tuberculosis and the prescription for that was fresh air. These porches were covered with fencing and the patients would sit in these little cells in the air. This is what's left of them.

Creepy!

Fire Island Lighthouse

I must be crazy to be in a loony bin like this.

I am on Long Island this week facilitating a training class for work. Our classroom is located at a school that was once a mental institution. Are you imagining something creepy? It is every bit as creepy as you imagine. And more.

We arrived at our imposing building and were directed to the second floor. When the huge (for accommodating patients strapped to stretchers) and slow elevator arrived and the doors creaked open, we peered down a long, wide, really dark hallway. We tried to find our way by the eerie red glow of the exit signs and made it to the end of the hallway. When we found a set of double doors that led to a long, even darker hallway, we gave up and called for the guards to turn on some lights.

Now the floor is lit up and it’s still quite creepy. I’m sitting in a room next to a window. It is dark and stormy. The wind is blowing and the trees outside are casting shadows on the window and hitting against the glass. Every half-hour or so, the wind shudders the window so it sounds like someone is tapping on it. I jump every time. Atmosphere!

Our contact here showed me his office and informed me with glee that this was where they used to do the lobotomies. That’s why there’s a ramp leading to his door. The entire campus is twisty and confusing and designed to keep people in.

If I'm never heard from again, somebody take over my fantasy football team!