I wanted to start this weeks column by wishing a Happy Halloween to all the Maniacs out there. It really is the best time of year. Halloween is the time for all of us that do not participate in Cosplay to dress up for the holiday. There is a common bond between all the Trick or Treaters and the Cosplayers. We dressed up in plastic costumes on Halloween night as children. The makers of these plastic sweat suits were Ben Cooper and Collegeville Costumes. They had unprecedented licensing rights to TV shows, movies, cartoons and video games. These costumes were part fantasy and part advertising. The better ones always delivered the fantasy. They populated the attic for years after their initial debut, crushed under decorations until fate decided one of two things: the trash can or the yard sale. Here is a look at some of the best, worst and what would be the worst last minute (leftover) costumes ever. Sure people always love leftovers when it comes to food but Halloween costumes, not so much. The three I have chosen are the worst leftover costumes for a child from the Eighties (and late Seventies). These costumes were all that was left when all the cool costumes were gone (see gallery). Lt. Ilia from Star Trek the Motion Picture has to be one of the worst. I am not knocking the character from Robert Wises film. However, what boy or girl would want to be a bald girl that gets turned into a probe droid? Now, video games were all the rage in the early Eighties and Asteroids was one of the biggest. This might be the oddest and lamest costume I ever seen from that era. Not an alien, but a space rock. The mask alone gives new meaning to the term crater face. Finally there is Muffy from the original Battlestar Galactica . Would you want to crawl around all night and bark? No. The following are picks for the worst costumes. In actuality they arent even costumes. They are a cheap advertising ploy for toys or a movie in which they are from. After all, it is the kids who will be looking at these costumes. Some ad executives must have come up with this brilliant advertising idea. For this Maniac it cheapens not only Halloween but the characters and shows that they represent. Pictures speak louder than words and these three are a scream of fright.

There are a few from Collegeville and Ben Cooper that outshine even todays ready to wear cloth Halloween costumes. Today many children have the luxury of wearing their Halloween costumes throughout the year because these outfits are sold in the toy aisle. The following are my top three costumes that as a child I would have worn all year. Spider-Man is a given and this costume was as close as you were ever going to get outside of someone sewing you one. Chewbacca may have been the hardest costume to do with all that hair but here is a great costume and the tallest kid in the group could have ruled as the Wookie. The rebel pilot Luke Skywalker flight suit costume is perfect. Wearing this would have made any cardboard box an X-Wing.

The last one I ever got before my parents started making costumes was Darth Vader. I didnt have a costume for my school Halloween parade one day and my Dad made an emergency trip to the store and brought me a new costume. I had no idea what I was going to be until I received this brown paper bag from the schools secretary. When I am opened the bag and saw that my Dad bought me a Darth Vader costume I was ecstatic. To top it all off I was the only Darth Vader at school that day. The numerous Wickets and Admiral Ackbars (see gallery) were pale in comparison to my Dark Lord of the Sith.

If you are looking to pick up any of these great costumes I suggest eBay or a site called the Goblinhaus . These costumes are not only a great window into why people dress up at conventions but what also inspired our imaginations as children. Dawn of the Dead action figures: Do you recognize these toys? That is clearly Flyboy (front left) from George A. Romero's Dawn of the Dead . I need some help because I am having trouble locking down a year and manufacturer for these yard sale gems. When I do a Google search I only get their modern incarnations. Now there is a Tom Savini figure in this lot dressed as Blades (not pictured) but I cant find anything out about who, when and where they came from. The GI Joe DVD Battle Packs:

The good people at Hasbro have finally released some of the greatest GI Joe toys from their animated series. The M.A.S.S. Device and the Weather Dominator are forever entrenched in GI Joe TV mythology. Those two five part episodes were must see TV when I was kid. Surprisingly, they still hold up, outside of the fact that practically no one gets hurt. These Battle Packs also have figures unique to their DVDs. Snake Eyes from the M.A.S.S. Device pack with the radioactive crystals has to be my favorite (lower left hand corner). Yet a Lady Jaye (top left corner) without a baseball cap on is long overdue. RETRO Toy Commercial of the week:

As TV shows and action figures go you cannot get crazier then the Inhumanoids . Video Games Release This Week: PS3, PS2 and PSP Ben 10 Alien Force by D3 Publisher (PlayStation2) Ben 10 Alien Force by D3 Publisher (Sony PSP) Fallout 3 Collector's Edition by Bethesda (PLAYSTATION 3) Fallout 3 by Bethesda (PLAYSTATION 3) Go, Diego, Go!: Great Dinosaur Rescue by 2K Play (PlayStation2) Goosebumps HorrorLand by Majesco Sales Inc. (PlayStation2) Guitar Hero World Tour - Guitar Kit by Activision (PLAYSTATION 3) Guitar Hero World Tour - Band Kit by Activision Inc. (PLAYSTATION 3) Guitar Hero World Tour by Activision Inc. (PLAYSTATION 3) Guitar Hero World Tour by Activision Inc. (PlayStation2) Guitar Hero World Tour - Guitar Kit by Activision Inc. (PlayStation2) King of Fighters Collection- The Orochi Saga by SNK (PlayStation2) King of Fighters Collection- The Orochi Saga by SNK (Sony PSP) LittleBigPlanet by Sony Computer Entertainment (PLAYSTATION 3) Mana Khemia Alchemists of Al-Revis by NIS America (PlayStation2) Monster Jam: Urban Assault by Activision Inc. (PlayStation2) Monster Jam: Urban Assault by Activision Inc. (Sony PSP) MotoGP 08 by Capcom (PLAYSTATION 3) MotoGP 08 by Capcom (PlayStation2) Motorstorm: Pacific Rift by Sony Computer Entertainment (PLAYSTATION 3) NeverLand Card Battles by Atlus (Sony PSP) PBR: Out of the Chute by Crave Entertainment (PlayStation2) Score International: BAJA 1000 by Activision Inc. (PlayStation2) Score International: BAJA 1000 by Activision Inc. (PLAYSTATION 3) Shrek's Carnival Craze by Activision Inc. (PlayStation2) SingStar Country with microphone by Sony Computer Entertainment (PlayStation2) SingStar Vol. 2 Stand Alone by Sony Computer Entertainment (PLAYSTATION 3) SingStar Country Stand Alone by Sony Computer Entertainment (PlayStation2) SingStar Legends Stand Alone by Sony Computer Entertainment (PlayStation2) Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS All Star Cheer Squad by THQ (Nintendo Wii) Ben 10 Alien Force by D3 Publisher (Nintendo Wii) Ben 10 Alien Force by D3 Publisher (Nintendo DS) Dora the Explorer: Dora Saves the Snow Princess by 2K Play (Nintendo Wii) FIFA Soccer 09 All-Play by Electronic Arts (Nintendo Wii) Go, Diego, Go!: Great Dinosaur Rescue by 2K Play (Nintendo Wii) Goosebumps HorrorLand by Majesco Sales Inc. (Nintendo Wii) Line Rider 2: Unbound by Genius Products (Nintendo Wii) Monster Jam: Urban Assault by Activision Inc. (Nintendo Wii) Monster Jam: Urban Assault by Activision Inc. (Nintendo DS) MySims Kingdom by Electronic Arts (Nintendo Wii) MySims Kingdom by Electronic Arts (Nintendo DS) Nerf-N-Strike Bundle by Electronic Arts (Nintendo Wii) Ninjatown by South Peak Interactive (Nintendo DS) PBR: Out of the Chute by Crave Entertainment (Nintendo Wii) Pirate's: The Hunt For Blackbeard's Booty by Activision Inc. (Nintendo Wii) Score International: BAJA 1000 by Activision Inc. (Nintendo Wii) Shrek's Carnival Craze by Activision Inc. (Nintendo Wii) Shrek's Carnival Craze by Activision Inc. (Nintendo DS) Six Flags Fun Park by Brash Entertainment (Nintendo DS) Theresia by Aksys (Nintendo DS) Think Fast by Disney (Nintendo Wii) Twin Strike: Operation Thunder by Zoo Games (Nintendo Wii) TV Show King Party by UBI Soft (Nintendo Wii) Zenses: Ocean Edition by American Game Factory (Nintendo DS) Zombie Bar-B-Que by Destineer Inc (Nintendo DS) Xbox 360 Fallout 3 by Bethesda (Xbox 360) Fallout 3 Collector's Edition by Bethesda (Xbox 360) Guitar Hero World Tour - Band Kit by Activision Inc. (Xbox 360) Guitar Hero World Tour by Activision Inc. (Xbox 360) Guitar Hero World Tour - Guitar Kit by Activision (Xbox 360) MotoGP 08 by Capcom (Xbox 360) Scene it? Box Office Smash (GameOnly) by Microsoft (Xbox 360) Score International: BAJA 1000 by Activision Inc. (Xbox 360) PC Azada 2 by Activision (Windows Vista / XP) Chopper Pilot by Abacus (Windows 2000 / 98 / Me / XP) Command Conquer: Red Alert 3 by Electronic Arts (Windows Vista / XP) Command Conquer Red Alert 3: Premier Edition by Electronic Arts (Windows Vista / XP) Fallout 3 by Bethesda Softworks (Windows Vista / XP) Fallout 3 Collector's Edition by Bethesda (Windows Vista / XP) Fallout 3: Amazon.com Exclusive Survival Edition by Bethesda (Windows Vista / XP) MotoGP 08 by Capcom USA (Windows Vista / XP) MySims by Electronic Arts (Windows Vista / XP) Operation Mania by Electronic Arts (Windows Vista / XP) Score International: BAJA 1000 by Activision (Windows 2000 / Me / Vista / XP) Shrek's Carnival Craze by Activision (Windows 2000 / Me / Vista / XP)

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He allegedly started out with millions of dollars, command of an international drug ring and his own private army. He ends it wearing a wig and a dress.

Jamaican police arrested refuted drug dealer Christopher Dudus Coke on drug trafficking charges Monday after a monthlong standoff that claimed the lives of 76 people, mostly residents of the Kingston slum where Coke had his stronghold. He was reportedly being taken, at his request, to the U.S. Embassy by activist minister Rev. Al Miller to surrender to U.S. authorities.

Acting on a tip, police located the car in which he was traveling and pulled it out of an armed convoy with Coke, riding in drag, alongside Miller. The minister was not detained when Coke was arrested but may be questioned later.

Coke still enjoys monumental support among the poor of Tivoli Gardens, where he had been holed up and is seen as a kind of Robin Hood. Im glad they took him in and I hope they treat him safely and dont hurt him, Marion Powell, a Tivoli resident said in Jamaican patois.

Meanwhile, to avoid the unrest of the standoff, police are promising Coke will not be hurt and are encouraging calm through the indictment process. I would like to appeal to the families, friends and sympathizers of Christopher Coke to remain calm, Police Commissioner Owen Ellington said.

[ Life ] Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have been the talk of the web this week after the release of their Vogue cover, and now that the interview has gotten out, the couples lifestyle is all anyone can focus on.

Kardashian and her fiance were featured in the most recent issue with their daughter, North, and were the center of a photo shoot by Annie Leibovitz. The reality star said she loves to dress up the baby and talked about an average day around the house.

I take pictures of her all the time and dress her up, Kim said . I put Kanyes big chains around her, and I put a little Louis bag and some Jordans, and I was like, What up, Daddy?

Kim and her sisters have had a longtime love of fashion, beginning with their childhood admiration of their mother, Kris Jenner.

[My mom] would always wear really tight [clothes], Kim said. She had an amazing body and was always so in shape. One time Kourtney and I sat in my moms closet and we were like, If Mom dies, were going to write down who gets what. We went through every last piece of her wardrobe. We were so mean then!

Kim Kardashian Talks Dressing Up Baby North March 25, 2014 Share on Facebook Leave a Comment

Women's Issues Articles | August 1, 2006 This step by step guide shows you how to get the best results from your Brazilian bikini wax...

Unlike other types of bikini waxing, a Brazilian bikini wax needs to done at a professional salon. Finding one through word of mouth is best. Ask your friends about their own experiences of bikini waxing: a good technician will be quick and efficient. The best time to for bikini waxing is when you are able to wear loose fitting clothes afterwards. Dont get it done just before a beach holiday, when youll be wearing a thong. Allow 24 hours for any swelling or tenderness to go away.

First, pubic hair will be trimmed short or you may be asked to do this yourself before you arrive. The actual bikini waxing begins with the technician applying warm wax to the pubic hair using a wooden stick. Cloth strips are then placed over the wax. When the wax is hardened the strips are pulled away from the skin, removing pubic hair. This will probably hurt. How much varies but the whole thing should be over within around 15 to 30 minutes. Its a good idea to try to relax during the bikini waxing. Skin will then be relaxed and flat, allowing the wax to get deep into the hair follicles.

If youve opted for a full Brazilian bikini wax, all hair will be removed. Otherwise, a small strip will be left. Make sure you tell the technician exactly what you want as not every salon uses the same definitions.

When its over, go home and put on loose fitting clothes and underwear. The salon should give you some soothing lotion to take home with you and you can also apply Calamine lotion or aloe vera to help with any itching. If you wish , you can also apply a hair inhibitor to try to lessen hair re-growth. A Brazilian bikini wax should last from four to six weeks.

CLARKSDALE, MSIda Mae Dobbs, longtime woman of Willie "Skipbone" Jackson, called a press conference Tuesday to respond to charges levied against her by the legendary Delta blues singer.

Ida Mae Dobbs, woman of blues singer Willie "Skipbone" Jackson (inset).

"Despite what Mr. Jackson would have you believe, I am not an evil-hearted woman who will not let him be," Dobbs told reporters. "I repeat: I am not an evil-hearted woman who will not let him be. To the contrary, my lovin' is so sweet, it tastes just like the apple off the tree."

Dobbs, accused of causing Jackson pain and breaking his heart by calling out another man's name, categorically denied treating him in a low-down manner.

"He says he sends for his baby, but I don't come around," Dobbs, a brownskin woman, said. "He says he sends for his baby, but I don't come around. Well, the truth is, I do come, but he is out messing with every gal in town."

During the press conference, Dobbs also disputed an Aug. 27 statement made by Jackson, who compared her to a dresser because someone is always going through her drawers.

"My drawers have not been gone through by any man but Willie "Skipbone" Jackson," Dobbs said. "Neither Slim McGee nor Melvin Brown has ever been in my drawers. Nor has Sonny 'Spoonthumb' Perkins, nor any of those other no-good jokers down by the railroad tracks. My policy has always been to keep my drawers closed to everyone but Mr. Jackson, as I am his woman and would never treat him so unkind."

In addition to denying Jackson's drawer-opening allegations, Dobbs disputed charges of unrestricted sweet-potato-pie distribution, insisting that her pie is available only to Jackson.

"I do not give out my sweet potato pie arbitrarily, as I am not the sort of no-good doney who engages in such objectionable behavior," Dobbs told reporters. "Only one man can taste my sweet potato pie, and I believe I have made it perfectly clear who that man is." Dobbs noted that the same policy applies to her biscuits, which may be buttered only by Jackson.

While most of the accusations levied against Dobbs relate to her running around town with other men, she does face one far more serious charge, attempted homicide. On May 5, 1998, Jackson was rushed to the hospital and narrowly escaped death after ingesting nearly five ounces of gasoline. Jackson claimed that Dobbs tried to murder him, serving him a glass of the toxic fuel when he requested water. Dobbs dismissed the episode as "an accident."

Dobbs, a short-dress, big-legged woman from Coahoma County, said it is not she but Jackson who should be forced to defend himself. According to Dobbs, Jackson frequently has devilment on his mind, staying up until all hours of the night rolling dice and drinking smokestack lightning.

"Six nights out of seven, he goes off and gets his swerve on while I sit at home by myself. Then he comes knocking on my door at 4 a.m., expecting me to rock him until his back no longer has any bone," Dobbs said. "Is that any way for a man to treat his woman? I don't want to, but if he keeps doing me wrong like this, I am going to take my lovin' and give it to another man."

Added Dobbs: "Skipbone Jackson is going to be the death of me."

Dobbs said that until she receives an apology from Jackson and a full retraction of all accusations, he will not be given any grinding.

"Mr. Jackson says that I stay out all night and that I'm not talking right. He says he has rambling on his mind as a result of my treating him so unkind. He says I want every downtown man I meet and says they shouldn't even let me on the street," Dobbs said. "Well, I refuse to allow my name to be dragged through the mud like this any longer. Unless my man puts an end to these unfair attacks on my character, I will neither rock nor roll him to the break of dawn. I am through with his low-down ways."

Read John 19: 25-27. TEXT: "Woman, behold, your son!" ... "Behold, your mother!" (See John 19:26-27.) The staggering burden of the world's sins crushes Jesus as He bears the punishment we deserve. Beneath that overwhelming pain, grief and sorrow, Jesus has every reason to tune out the bitter enemies who surround Him and turn within Himself. But instead His eyes scan the hostile crowd, pleading with His Father to forgive them, "for they know not what they do." He offers forgiveness and the promise of Paradise to the repentant criminal at His side. Now He scans the crowd again, and His eyes behold two figures standing before Him in shock and grief. One is His mother Mary, her heart pierced by the sword of grief and sorrow (see Luke 2:35). Who will care for her after He has fulfilled His earthly mission and returned to heaven? Mary's husband Joseph has died already. If not, he would have charge of Mary and Jesus would not have the responsibility of providing someone to care for her after His death. Jesus could entrust her to one of His four brothers or His unknown number of sisters (see Matthew 13:55). Several of these will become prominent leaders in the church, but at this time none of them believe He is the promised Christ and Savior (see John 7:5). He sees the second figure-the lone disciple of the Twelve to have the courage to stand at Mary's side under the cross. Who better to entrust with His mother's keeping than His closest, most loyal disciple John? And from this very hour John lovingly takes her into his own house and faithfully provides for her the rest of her life. THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, in the midst of Your bitter suffering and agonizing death You loved Your mother enough to provide John to care for her. Move us in joyful thanksgiving for Your salvation to love and care for one another. Amen. (Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries)

I feel like I haven't shopped in years. Seven, to be exact. Those who know me will just roll their eyes. That's like stating the impossible. But oh. If they only knew.

It might be my best kept secret. And style segments, blog entries and numerous consultations aside, it couldn't be more true.

Now, don't get me wrong. I would hate to mislead. I've certainly done my fair share of shopping over these last seven years. Yet diapers, bouncy chairs, new sneakers, back to school clothes and underwear for my husband just doesn't cut it. Not in my book. And not in the book of any well-seasoned, savvy, materialistic gal who appreciates a good lipstick and knows her Milly from her Missoni and values a good Target knock-off.

If there is one thing I've learned over the last seven years, it's how to be an effective editor and become significantly more discerning when spending a hard-earned dollar. That's why when a pal mentioned Nordstrom Rack was coming to town, I felt a little tinge of excitement. Of hope. Of the feeling that maybe, just maybe, my time had come again.

So when May 15th came around and the other fabulous moms at the bus stop mentioned a caravan departing the moment the school bus pulled away, I was on board. In line. Ready to go. With my only rational ~ an impending wedding and no suitable dress ~ tucked squarely in my back pocket, I decided today was my day to go shopping.

As I pulled into the parking lot that used to be barren back in the days of Old Navy, I couldn't help but crack a smile. At the wee small hour of 9 a.m., there were cars as far as the eye could see, droves of ladies coming and going, and the thumping of DJ music emanating across the lot sealed the deal. For a fleeting moment, I resisted. I'm a pro after all. I know all the tricks. But then I relented. I gave in. To the fun. To the energy. To the possibilities.

I took a deep breath and threw my shoulders back. Nordstrom Rack, take me away.

A nautical look, weathered denim by Tory Burch. If only I were a size 2.

When a Nordstrom gal strolled by with a basket full of bottled water and mints and asked how my shopping was going, and by the way, would I like a refreshment? Well...I swooned. It was almost too much to bear.

The line was long but the anticipation was palpable. There were practically no fitting room limits, after all. Rumor had it you could bring 15 items in at a time. Did I mention they have a tailor on site? Ladies, they have all the bases covered...

As seen in my fitting room. This is my vernacular. They are speaking my language. It must be kismet.

I found the clearance racks to be the holders of great bounty and worthy of a little extra time and attention.

My parting parcel, in a recycled shopping bag. Mission accomplished. Feeling, and perhaps even looking, simply divine.

They say the honeymoon period is the most blissful part of married life. But it didn't appear that way for newlyweds Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz, yesterday. The couple could barely raise a smile despite the fact they were enjoying a day out shopping at the exclusive designer shop Maxfield in Los Angeles. Wedded bliss? Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz could barely raise a smile despite the fact they were enjoying a day out shopping at the exclusive designer shop Maxfield in Los Angeles The James Bond star looked fit in a dressed down look of blue jeans, tennis shirt and trainers, while Rachel wore a a pretty black dress day dress. The pair surprised the world when they got married in a low key ceremony in New York. Fans were stunned as both parties had been in long-standing relationships before they said 'I do'. The Mummy actress Rachel, 41, had just recently split from partner, Black Swan director Darren Aronofsky, with whom she has a five-year-old son and spent a decade with. She had also previously had a relationship with respected Boon actor Neil Morrissey. Downcast: Despite their glum appearances, the James Bond star looked fit in a dressed down look of blue jeans, tennis shirt and trainers, while Rachel wore a a pretty black dress day dress Daniel, 43, ended his relationship with film producer Satsuki Mitchell in 2010 after a six-year romance. However the couple's sizzling chemistry was captured on screen, as the real life lovers star in a series of romantic scenes in Dream House. The couple grew close during filming in Canada last year, while playing a husband and wife in the psychological thriller. The story follows a married couple who move into their dream home with their two young daughters, but the dream is shattered when they are haunted by former inhabitants who were murdered. Distracted: Daniel played on his iPhone as the couple made their way into the shops Security: Rachel Weisz later went to Los Angeles Airport with her bodyguard, who got a bit over protective of her . Pink Wind Fantasy Weaved Luxury Push Up Bikini Halter Top+ String Tie Bottom on  https://www.amazon.com/Pink-Fantasy-Weaved-Luxury-Bikini/dp/B00JTOQV5Q/ref=sr_1_11?m=A28P2L8EANPN5H&s=merchant-items&ie=UTF8&qid=1401501256&sr=1-11&keywords=pink+wind

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