Musical Monuments or Tombstones

To play this freaky game you will need some straight back chairs. In addition, you will be needing some paint, a paper bag, fake webbing, as well as a collection of Halloween decorations which can simply fix to the false webbing. Now just spin the bags upside down to wherever the opening is at the top as well as adorn that bag like a gravestone. Once you have completed the bags, then you will put them on the backside of the chairs. Afterwards cover with false webbing to create a spooky atmosphere adding it all around that chair.
Implement some of the small decorations that you should have on hand such as fake spiders or bats. When you are actually ready to play the game (as the decorating of the chairs should be completed before the party unless you want the crowd to help), make sure to turn on your creepy Halloween music. Have each adult stand beside a chair. While the creepy music plays, the adults will walk around the chairs that are in a circle. When the music stops, everybody must sit on the “grave”. You will be out of the game instantly if you do not have a grave to sit on. Each turn you must take away one chair and then begin the music again. You may want to have a small gift for the for the individual who will be the winner of the game. This game is like musical chairs but with a Halloween twist.

Bobbling for Spiders

This is a scary as well as spooky game which all adults will enjoy at any Halloween celebration. This game is fairly like bobbling for apples, except you have to bobble for spiders. In fact, you can buy the rubber or plastic spiders, which are generally lingering near the Halloween aisle at any store. Keep in mind that these toys must be a minimum of 3 inches. You should also purchase the small plastic coffins, which are typically on the similar aisle. This is a popular and exciting Halloween game for adults. You will need one that is a minimum of 3 foot long.
When it comes time to take part in this game, just fill up the large coffin with water. If you want to be creative, you can fill it up with Jell-O. Every adult playing should only use their mouths to try to get one of the spiders. In this game, they will get just 15 seconds to do this. The game will go on until all of the spiders have been eradicated from that coffin. The people who regained a spider all obtain a bag of chocolate or other gift. The individual with the biggest amount of retrieved spiders should get a bigger reward for their winning efforts.

Pumpkin Chocolate cake with spiderweb decoration

Halloween does not only have to be celebrated with the use of costumes and decorations. This is a great time to put your culinary skills to use. You do not have to be an expert chef or baker to make creative Halloween cakes. Halloween cake décor can be achieved using basic materials and things that can be found at any grocery or craft store. You can amaze your friends and family with a cake shaped like a pumpkin, a witch, or a cat, or you can employ much gorier imagery like internal body organs or a severed head. If you cannot or do not want to make your own cake, buying one is a perfectly acceptable option.

The cake need not be made from scratch for Halloween cake décor. You can buy box cake mixes for simplicity, or if you prefer you can mix all of the ingredients yourself for a cake. One simple way to make a Halloween cake into any shape you want is to bake numerous cupcakes, then arrange the cupcakes into the desired shape. For example, you can arrange the baked cupcakes into the shape of a witch, then apply a layer of frosting over the arranged cupcakes. You can then add the design for the witch’s face with a frosting squeeze tube. You can make a variety of cakes using this method, including a cat, Frankenstein, bat or even a skull. Just arrange the cupcakes, and add the frosting and design. The cupcake mix can be of the flavor of your choosing.

Ghost and witch theme decorated Halloween cupcakes

Halloween décor cakes can be made assembling basic shapes into the shapes or familiar Halloween imagery. An example of such a cake is a spider cake. Use bunt pans or round metal bowls to bake two cakes. The bowls or pans should be of different sizes, one smaller than the other. One the cakes are baked and cooled, place the cakes flat side down on a platter. Then, frost each cake using the colored frosting of your choice. The legs can be made from any long, thin food, such as licorice sticks or chocolate bars. Be creative with your choice for the eyes; they can be gumdrops, M&M’s or any other circular candy. Drizzle chocolate syrup around the cake in the shape of a web for added effect.

Similar cakes can be made in the same fashion. Just use your imagination to think of a simple cake design, and figure out the materials needed to do it. A rectangular cake made to stand upright and frosted with grey frosting can be made into a tombstone; a round cake can be frosted with orange frosting to resemble a jack-o-lantern. With Halloween cake décor, the possibilities are endless. There is also an endless supply of tutorials online. Take ideas from these tutorials and tweak them to create your own design. However, if you do not feel that you’re very creative, just simply order a cake from a cake decorator. Professional bakers are capable of creating gory and disturbing designs that will surely be a hit at any party.

Simple Halloween costume ideas begin with what you might be wearing for this holiday and if you are throwing a Halloween party for the neighbors and friends. For every theme, there is a pet costume available that is both comfortable and very humorous, making your pet the star of the show. Most Halloween themes are generally “scary” in nature where adults dress up like witches, monsters and the like. Your pet can also participate, dressing up as everyone’s favorite vampire “Dogula” or sporting a red Devil outfit with can perfectly compliment your chosen theme.

Dog Dracula costume

If your theme is somewhat lighter, one interesting way to dress up your pet is to transform them into another type of animal. There are a wide variety of animal themed costumes from around the farm such as bunnies and chickens to the insects of the world such as bees, butterflies and cute ladybugs.

Dog butterfly costume

Looking for a more “sophisticated” look? Try dressing your pet out in a fabulous Dapper Dog costume and have Fido looking like the proverbial “dog about town” complete with top hat, tie and jacket. The Old West can also be a great theme with your doggie as the new sheriff in town, complete with hat, star, handkerchief and chaps. Even cavemen loved their pets and showing off your dog with a “cave-dog” outfit sporting a leopard-skin wrap tied off with an old bone is sure to put a smile on everyone’s face.

Dog cowboy costume

Thanks to some interesting new uses of fabrics, you can dress up your dog from a time long ago and have them stomping around the landscape wearing a dinosaur outfit which is sure to brighten up the little ones when they see your dog as a stegosaurus or raptor. Even the deep sea cannot hide the Hammerhead Shark pet costume that is both well made and may put a friendly jolt into anyone who has seen a certain shark movie recently.

Hammerhead Shark Pet Costume

Your pet’s costume can also have practical applications as well. The Dog Beer saddle features an actual saddle your dog can wear that holds up to four beverages for you and your guests to partake during the evening’s festivities.

Pet costumes can also be minimal if your pooch is not comfortable wearing a full outfit. You can choose a simple hat such as a sombrero for a south of the border feel or a mini-Leprechaun hat to top off the evening, perfect for Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day or any costume-themed event. Whatever your choices, be sure to try them on your pet well before the event so they can get used to the costume. Plus, if any problems should arise, you can make the right changes with plenty of time to spare.

Van Helsing

Van Helsing

Van Helsing is played by Hugh Jackman who had recorded great popularity with his role in the X-Men trilogy movies. Here in Van Helsing, his sole mission is to destroy vampires and rid the town of them. The special effects and stunts displayed in this movie are very stunning, and they bring the story to life more than anyone would dare to imagine.

Nosferatu

Nosferatu

Nosferatu was a film in 1922 and it starred Max Schreck as the lead vampire actor. Because of the legendary value of this movie, it was later recreated in Shadow of the Vampire, starring William Dafoe. This movie was filmed as a silent film back in 1922 because the audio technology was just being developed, but then the movie was so amazing and the impact was so great that people just wanted to see it over and over again.

Let the Right One In

Let the Right One In

This is another thriller vampire movie that sets watchers on edge. It delves into the world of vampires as they use bloodsucking to satisfy a sort of addiction to blood. And when a particular character was debarred from taking blood for some time, she experienced very devastating withdrawal symptoms until she had to unleash herself on a victim to satisfy her urge.

Bram Stoker’s Dracula

Bram Stocker's Dracula

This movie is an adaptation of the original book by Bram Stoker, and it was produced in 1992. It tells the story of Count Dracula travelling through London in search of his young wife and the blood trails he leaves behind in his desire to satisfy his cravings for blood.

Blade

Blade

Acted by Wesley Snipes, the film really captures the title in many aspects – blades. It is a real action film where the lead actor, Wesley Snipes fights with blades and swords in his mission against vampires. He later discovers that he is half-human and half-vampire himself, and while this is disheartening to him, it gives him the superhuman leverage to carry through his mission.

From Dusk till Dawn

From Dusk till Dawn

This is a story of two brothers who were thieves and on the run. They later came into a farmhouse where everybody was a vampire, and the vampire in one of the brothers took the better part of him.

Shadow of the Vampire

Shadow of the Vampire

This movie is the sequel to the earlier film Nosferatu released in 1922, but has been updated to star William Dafoe in a vampire thriller that will keep you gaping.

Twilight: New Moon

Twilight: New moon

This is another vampire movie that develops from the first part earlier released. As the second part to the film, it tells the story of a lady who has to decide who she wants to marry.

Twilight

Twilight

This is the one first released before the second part of the New Moon part was done. It explores the love of a woman and how it weaves into a vampire story plot.

Interview with the Vampire

Originally released in 1994, this star-studded vampire movie is fast becoming a classic. It tells of the story of anguish and pain, and the emotions that vampires go through as they are caught between normalcy and demonism.

Heidi Klum Halloween costume

Okay, so it’s true that many people just don’t care to know Halloween’s history, it IS true they have tremendous fun deciding on what to wear that day.  Even President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama handed out Halloween candy at the White House to adorable little trick-or-treaters dressed in a variety of costumes. “Let’s give out some candy,” President Obama said as he walked to the driveway, reports USA Today. “I know it’s cold here, you guys doing alright?”

And talk about creativity; from the sexy and demure come more somber costumes – and it’s interesting, almost shocking, to see such beautiful faces covered with grotesque makeup and realistic macabre getup for this scary holiday.

Take the beautiful supermodel and mother, Heidi Klum, for example, who prides herself in coming up with the most unique and original costume when Halloween rolls around.  The “Queen of Halloween” threw her annual Halloween bashes in Las Vegas and New York City this 2011.  And her costume?  A skinned human which revealed all the muscles and veins of the human anatomy.  She tweeted Kim Kardashan “I think I look sexier than you tonight!! ”

Not to be outdone was Kim’s sexy green outfit choice this year of super hot Poison Ivy from Batman, complete with fiery red hair.

Other celeb choices

Designer Michael Kors went as a “Zombia Mariachi” complete with a sombrero, bolero jacket, and oversized bow tie, plus some spooky zombie make-up.

Hilary Duff and her hockey player husband Mike Comrie went as robbers this Halloween of 2011 wearing matching black and white striped shirts, black pants, skull caps, and eye masks.

Then there was Fergie dressed as a baby pageant queen from the TLC series “Toddlers and Tiaras.”

Nick Lachey and Kelly Ripa dressed up like the little girls from TLC’s “Toddles & Tiaras” too.  Even adding some fake tears for their finishing touches.

Fergie in her Halloween costume

Zachary Quinto, star of “Heroes” and “Star Trek,” dressed as fireworks and tweeted, “wasn’t going out as of ten minutes ago. a little proud of what i threw together. i am fireworks on the fourth of july.”  Talk about last minute imagination!

Lauren Conrad went as a 20s flapper girl this Halloween complete with head gear, white fringe mini dress, and pink feather boa.

Lea Michele went as Natalie Portman’s character from “Black Swan,” the Swan Queen, decked out in all-white ballerina attire, swan head adornments, and powdery white make-up.

Then there were Nicky and Paris Hilton dressed as a leopard and Viking warrior respectively.  This year posing with Derek Blasberg, Harper’s Bazaar Editor and fashion author for the book “Very Classy”.

Jennifer Love Hewitt dressed as a sexy school girl sporting a plunging red varsity sweater and short pleated skirt. She added glasses and pigtails for the “cute” effect which worked!

“Glee” cast members, too, put on their best costumes for a Halloween party at Voyeur Nightclub on October 29, 2011 in West Hollywood, CA. Matthew Morrison went all out with a Roger Rabbit costume while Mark Salling got creative with a Zombie B-Boy costume. Making a quick arrival were Naya Rivera as Baby, and Chris Colfer decked out as a Futuristic Bumble Bee.

So, all-in-all, it looks like the celebrities, at least, had fun.  What about you?

Children going on Trick-or-Treating

Every year on the evening on October 31, your doorbell starts ringing as soon as the sun begins to set and you open the door to little ghosts, witches, pirates, and all sorts of creatures shouting trick-or-treat at you. You then dutifully drop candy into their bags and watch them run off to the next house to repeat the process. It is a tradition and a fun one, but what if you could greet these trick-or-treaters in a different way? What if you could make it just a little more exciting than simply telling them how scary they look as you hand out the candy? Fortunately there are a number of fun and exciting ways to shake things up when greeting trick-or-treaters so let’s take a look.

The first thing you absolutely must do is dress up. Yes, dress up! So many people hand out candy in a ho hum way in their regular everyday clothes. It is much more fun and exciting for both the trick-or-treaters and for you if you dress up in a great costume. Even wearing a mask and funny clothes is better that your regular clothes. You should, of course, also decorate your house and yard. This is the best way to celebrate Halloween. The best place for you to be is outside when trick-or-treaters come a-calling. This way you don’t have to deal with holding the door open and you can spend time chatting. And don’t forget the scary music and creepy Halloween sounds. That is sure to add ambiance to your setting.

Now there are several things you can do to greet trick-or-treaters in a different way. You can wear two masks, a funny one over a scary one. The kids will laugh at the funny mask and then you can watch their expressions change when you take it off and they can see the scary one. An alternative to this is to wear the funny one over your face and the scary one on the back of your head. Make it so you have to turn around to reach the candy bowl and they will get a surprise. You can always tell a spooky Halloween story to the kids, especially the older ones. Just remember to keep it short and sweet as they have plenty of other houses to which they need to go.

There are a number of other ideas that you can use to greet trick-or-treaters. You could dress up as a scarecrow and sit stock still on a rocking chair on the front porch. Kids will think you aren’t real and then you can reach out to them as they walk by. It’ll give them the fright of their lives. You could also have some friends dress up and help you out. They can jump out of bushes and from around corners and scare the kids and they walk up to your door. That is bound to be a hit. Just be sure to give out some really good candy at the end of the spook trail so that you make the scaring worthwhile. You could also dress a pumpkin up as royalty, putting a crown on it and setting it up on a throne. Then you insist that all trick-or-treaters bow before the pumpkin before they are allowed to have their treats.

You need to invite the kids back the following year and they will always remember you. You can also change things up and make things better and more interesting year after year, which will always keep them guessing as to what you will have in store for them when Halloween comes around. Just use your imagination. Ultimately, Halloween is about having fun and getting or giving a good scare and what better way to do that than by handing out candy in a fun way. You will be doing more than filling these kids’ bags with treats; you will be filling their minds with fond memories of Halloween that will last their entire lives.

Michael Myers

Two of the most famous horror movies of all time are Halloween and Friday the 13th and the two scary villains from those movies are incredibly frightening. What makes them so scary? Is it because the way they look and what they do is so disturbing that we are intrigued enough to watch – peaking out between out fingers at times? Is it because these psychos represent the worst of what a human being is capable of and that frightens us to the bone? Regardless, these two monsters of horror have killed hundreds of victims and between them have an amazing 25 movies in which they stalk their prey. The question is, who is the best at being a horror king? Which one is the most disturbing and frightening?

Let’s first take a look at the background stories of these two intimidating monsters. When it comes to a background, Michael doesn’t really have one. This is to say that he is simple, unadulterated pure evil without a soul or anything that remotely makes him human. Jason, on the other hand, was actually a human. Unfortunately he died as a child in a drowning accident and then he came back from the dead and cared for himself as he grew up in the woods around Camp Crystal Lake. He is a horror character that has been killed and resurrected numerous times over the years and he is a complete bloody corpse now. Which of these backgrounds makes for a scarier villain?

When it comes to the debut of each monster in their respective first movies, Michael may have Jason beat simply because Jason hardly appears in the first Friday the 13th movie. He doesn’t really come on screen until the second movie. Michael, on the other hand, was properly introduced in the first Halloween movie and this movie was a horror masterpiece. The music, the pace of the movie, and the cinematography all combined to create an atmosphere that is absolutely perfect. You can recognize each of them by their mask and clothing as well. Michael always wears overalls and a white mask, whereas Jason is well recognized by his hockey mask, plaid shirt, overalls, and jacket.

What about the creativity of each of these bad boys. After all, you don’t want 13 movies that can be described by the phrase “if you’ve seen one you’ve seen them all.” It is fair to say that Michael is fairly conservative in his killing approach. He either stabs or chokes his victims, which means that you know pretty much what is going to happen each time he kills. Jason is far more creative. He will use whatever he has in his immediate vicinity in order to get the job done and if that means using his bare hands or a weed whacker, then that’s what he will use. Even with his hands he is creative. One victim had his head punched right off his shoulders and another was choked so hard his head exploded. Jason definitely keeps us on our toes.

Now besides the killing, what is there to the story lines of these movies? What else is there that might add a twist and make them more exciting? They certainly have experimented and in more recent movies Michael has done some reality television and that is scary in and of itself. However, Jason has certainly ventured farther as he has gone all the way to outer space. How’s that for cool? These guys both have gone beyond the movies and have been franchised into toys and video games.

All in all, Michael and Jason are both beyond evil creations that will make your blood curdle and the hair on the back of your neck stand up on end. Is one scarier and more evil than the other? Who can say? That is a matter of personal opinion and when it comes to the popularity of the movies, it is hard to see a clear winner. These are two scary guys and no matter which one was coming after you, you would be running the other way as fast as possible and that makes them both kings of horror.

Pooh's Heffalump Halloween movie

Children who are quite young will easily enjoy It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween movie. These are very easy going movies and the best part is older kids and even adults love them, too. Another great movie for the younger crowd is Caspar. After all, he is the friendly ghost and he will give your kids a ghostly time without scaring their wits out of them. Monsters, Inc is another very cute and funny monster movie that kids will love at Halloween, or any other time of year.

Scooby Doo is a great choice for young kids who want special movies on Halloween. The movie is based on the television show that was out in the late 1970s and early 1980s and it is super to watch Scooby and the gang catch the villain. Another fantastic movie that is based on an old television show is the Addams Family. What better way to celebrate Halloween than with this kooky and eccentric family full of oddities. Halloweentown is another movie that, while it did not start as a television series, was a made-for-television movie. It is a Disney movie and therefore as tame a “scary” movie as you are going to get. It is about three kids who follow their grandmother into Halloweentown and while there they learn witchcraft and defeat the bad guy.

So what about movies that are suitable for older children, but are still not terribly scary? Well, there is the old classic E.T., which might be too scary for young children, but it great for preteens and teens. It’s a movie about an alien and it is even taken up at Halloween, which is perfect for the haunting season. Another whole series of movies that are great for Halloween is the Harry Potter series of movies. These are oh so popular and children and adults love them immensely. While people watch them any time of the year, they particularly suit Halloween.

Tim Burton has never steered us wrong and he created one of the classic movies from the 1980s that is ideal for Halloween and that is his movie Beetlejuice. Beetlejuice is a creepy dead guy trying to get out of the world of the dead and the Maitlands are the couple stuck with people they don’t like for a hundred years. Tim Burton has also given us the wonderful and dark Nightmare Before Christmas and Jack the Pumpkinhead is the perfect companion on Halloween. Another Tim Burton classic is the Corpse Bride, which is the story of a shy young man who practices his wedding vows in the presence of a corpse and she thinks he has married her.

As you can see, there are plenty of movies for young children, preteens, and teens to see that don’t involve slasher characters and blood flying everywhere. These are movies that don’t have scary horror and fear around every corner and they won’t have your children running to your room in the middle of the night with nightmares that someone is going to get them in – well, their nightmares. The movies listed above are movies that are age-appropriate and will have your child smiling and having a good time, with just the right level of scariness to suit his or her age. And that is what is truly important about Halloween – having fun!

How about the origins of Halloween. Did you know that October 31 is the last day of the Celtic calendar? Other names for Halloween include All Hallows Eve, Samhain, All Saints Eve, All Hallowtide, The Feast of The Dead, and the Day of the Dead. The day after Halloween is known as All Saints Day. In fact, if you are have a fear of Halloween, then you have Samhainophobia.

The colors of Halloween are orange, which represents the harvest, and black, which represents death and darkness. The modern North American concept of Halloween took hold in the 1930s, which is also when costume manufacturing and sales really took off. And did you know that trick-or-treating was a concept invented to stop kids from playing really nasty tricks and pranks on their neighbors? Traditional costumes were ghosts, vampires, witches, and devils. These days the most popular Halloween costumes are those that are inspired by the movies, television, cartoons, and pop culture. For adults the most popular costumes are: witch, pirate, vampire, cat, and clown.

Candy corn - one of the most popular Halloween sweets in US

How about the specifics about Halloween? For instance, Candy corn, first made in the 1880s, is the most popular candy sold in the United States on Halloween. The most popular chocolate bar in the United States on Halloween are Snickers bars, which were first made in the 1930s. Candy sales at Halloween total more than $2 billion and are responsible for 25% of the total candy sales for the US for the year. What about costumes? Well, costume sales total more than $6 million and maybe the most surprising part of all this is that 62% of those sales are due to the sale of adult costumes! Adults dress up more than kids. The day itself is the second most successful commercially, topped only by Christmas, and it comes in third place as a party day, behind New Years Eve and the Super Bowl.

Halloween superstitions are another area of crazy and fun facts. For instance, you might know that black cats crossing your path are considered bad luck, but did you know that in England they consider the white cat to be bad luck? Of course, black cats got their bad reputation because they were thought to be creatures that would help witches. If you see a spider on Halloween, then it is said it is the spirit of a loved one that is watching over you so don’t squash any spiders you see this Halloween! If you want to meet a witch on Halloween night you need to put your clothes on inside out and walk backwards.

As you can see, there are a lot of things about Halloween that most people may not know. There are all kinds of neat little facts about the origins and traditions of this great time of year that bring about expressions of complete surprise and inspire us to live up to all that Halloween has been, is, and can be. So this Halloween remember that Halloween is a very unique and incredible holiday that has more to it than meets the eye and share these fun facts with your family and friends. They will enjoy hearing them and you can even play a little trivia game to entertain at your costume party.

Adam and Eve couple costume

Dressing up for Halloween is a fantastic way to express yourself and it’s great fun, too. Dressing up with someone else is even more fun, especially when that someone is your significant other. That’s right. Couples can have a very good time dressing up in costumes that compliment each other and you might be surprised at the options that exist for couples who want to dress up together. Whether you want to dress up as famous people, characters from a movie, or everyday household items, there is a wide array of costumes from which to choose. Let’s explore these.

When you have decided to dress up as a couple you will need to decide what type of theme or look you are going for. Do you want to be scary, historical, or just plain funny? This is important and capturing the mood you want in your costume is of the utmost importance in order to start your night off on the right foot. First there is the idea of dressing up as famous people or characters and for this type of costume there are plenty from which to choose. You could dress up as George and Martha Washington, Adam and Eve, Abbott and Costello, Frankenstein and his bride, Lucy and Ricky, Fred and Wilma Flintstone, Beauty and the Beast, Sonny and Cher, and more. The fun never stops and neither do the ideas.

Perhaps a sexy look is something in which you are interested. Uniforms are dashing on any man and on a woman they are downright sexy. A sailor uniform for him and a sailorette for her would be a great choice and can certainly be very sexy. Other uniforms include his and her police officers and firefighters. How about Gothic his and her vampire costumes? These would be to die for and are a great example of a couples costume that is general and does not represent anyone specific. Another example of a great his and her costume would be a witch and a wizard, which you could make sexy or genuinely scary if you wish.

Dressing up as superheroes would also be ideal for a couple as they often come in pairs. There is Batman and Robin or Batman and Bat Girl. There is also Superman and Supergirl, Captain America and Miss Captain America, Mr. and Mrs. Incredible, and Spiderman and Spider Girl. You will have a great time dressing up as any of these superheroes and you might just get to save the night, even if it is just by livening up the party.

Plug & Socket Couple Costume

What about some more wacky ideas? You would be surprised at the costumes that are available for couples. Perhaps you might need to electrify the night as a plug and electrical socket. That is always good for a laugh. How about bacon and eggs? This is a great costume and is sure to get people laughing. You could also dress up as salt and pepper or ketchup and mustard, both of which would be fabulous. You can also go as a hot dog with mustard, instead of ketchup, or vice versa. Other examples of funny costumes are the king and queen of hearts and a rabbit and a carrot, and male and female Twister costumes. Just watch out or the party guests might just try to play Twister on the two of you.

Just remember that this is your night and you want it to be special. You need to capture your mood and that of your partner and go with it. There would be no point in dressing up as a salt and pepper shaker if you feel inclined to dress up as a cool couple, such as Popeye and Olive Oyl. If you are feeling sexy, then don’t dress up as a funny bowling ball and bowling pin. Most importantly, have fun. This is one of the funnest nights of the year and you and your partner can dress up together and attend your costume party in style and your costume just might be so cool that you will be one of the topics of conversation that evening.