Unprecedented weather

It's not looking like a threat to anyone, but it's out there. Tropical depression Alpha is churning up the middle of the Atlantic. For the first time since we started naming hurricanes, we've had to go to the fall-back identification system.

And prayers for those in southern Florida and the keys.

EDIT: Alpha has killed at least three people. I should say it is not looking like a major threat to life and property, but it is not without impact.

In which I suck

This morning's confession: I am terrible at thinking up Halloween costumes.

This is important this year because I actually have costume events to attend. The last time I needed a costume, I just pulled together stuff from the closet and went as a gypsy. At this point, however, none of my gypsy clothes would stay on my body, and frankly it isn't very imaginative anyway. Ferrett was much more clever. He went as Oz from Buffy, going to Buffy's Halloween party as God. He shaved his beard, dyed his hair red, got a brown suit jacket like the one Oz wore and a "Hello, My Name Is..." sticker on which he wrote "God." It was definitely a costume that only Buffy fans would get, but since we were going to a party hosted by the local scifi club, it was perfect.

I never come up with ideas that great. I'm the person who, at the last minute, cuts holes in a sheet and goes as a ghost. Sometimes a floral ghost, because who has white sheets these days? I could cut holes in our current sheets and go as a black hole. But that isn't really my idea of a fun costume experience.

No, the fact is that on a limited budget and very limited time, I need to come up with a costume by Friday - Thursday, if I want to attend the law school Halloween party. I'm too old to do sexy without being scary, and not willing to go with just dumpy and boring. I'm also bereft of ideas.

Where are those scissors, anyway?