Halloween is getting close and in honor of that great day, the day of sending your kids out into the world to beg for food, I would like to take a moment and talk to you all about the most scary and dangerous place on Earth. I am not talking any place you might find on Survivorman - although, I have been watching that show and man is it ever good! One man and a camera, out in the wilderness teaching you how to get on in the wild. I am certain I could make it for days in the wilderness without help. - I am talking about a different scary place. The place I am talking about? The crosswalk. That little flashing white guy (In England, it is a Green Man) who lets you know it is okay to step out into traffic. Some crossings are not cool enough to have a little guy. But they do have this great sign in the middle that says "Stop for Pedestrians in the crosswalk. State law." Or some other intimidating phrase.

You would think things like a big sign in the middle of the painted lines or a shiny, red light that tells you to stop before proceeding would prevent cars from running into people as they cross. It doesn't. In fact, some cars are so busy getting to work or getting home that they run right into pedestrians or cyclists who are just trying to get to the other side. I can't begin to tell you how many times I have almost been clipped by a very busy car as it zipped through the crosswalk. I was in the middle of the crosswalk and according to the sign (and the law) I should be safe as houses. Not true. Because a car was in a hurry and I was not in it's immediate path, I got buzzed by the car with a foot to spare. Zoom! I have started carrying an open water bottle with me when I cross, that way when I get buzzed like that, I can splash a little water on the diver's window. Maybe shock them into seeing I am in the crosswalk. It will probably just get me punched in the chin.

Have you wondered yet why I am rambling about crosswalks? On Sunday evening, on the way to his house, one of our good friends was clipped by a car going 40 + miles an hour through a yellowish/red light. I don't know all the details at this point other than he is now the proud owner of a broken ankle, a fractured lower vertebra, lots of pretty bruises and a mangled bike. He had his helmet on so his pumpkin wasn't smooshed, but he is still messed up pretty good. Not only is Chris a friend, he is our music buyer! He is okay, thank goodness, but I am not certain how long we will be without him. I imagine you are out of work for a bit when you break your ankle and probably more so when you break your back. Get better Callahan! We will hold down the fort until you get back. We might even clean your office up for you. - Oh, and if you let me know the name of the person who hit you, I know a couple of guys. ~Nudge, nudge, wink-wink~

Aside from a busted Callahan, there are some real events going on out there in the world next week. The best of which I will be attending, and you should too. Monday night - keep those groans to your selves - at the lovely and fabulous Crystal City store, I will be hosting an extended Question and Answer session with NPR reporter, author of "The Dead Travel Fast", and long-time vampire hunter - a modern-day Van Helsing - Mr. Eric Nuzum.

I will be interviewing Mr. Nuzum in an attempt to find out why we feel the way we do about Vampires. You may remember Eric from his appearance at the Wonderland Ballroom where lots of alcohol was consumed, confetti was thrown about and a strange recorded phone call between Eric and his Gran was played. (It was a good time.) If you missed Eric at the first of the month and are looking for something fun to do to help you kick off your Halloween week, come out to Crystal City. The nice folks at Bebo Tratoria are providing food, Eric and I will chat, we will take questions from the crowd and you can come dressed as the undead if you like. If you work in that area and are coming from work, you will probably feel that way and that should be close enough.

To recap, Halloween is coming up and we all know how dangerous it is to cross the roads as proven by our own Chris Callahan. Keep an eye out for those vicious automobiles, they can strike at anytime. If you are trick or treating with your kids, keep them close and look both ways. If you are trick or treating with your inebriated friends, keep them close and look both ways. If you are out on Monday night in the Arlington area, swing by Crystal City and try some great food from Bebo and learn why we love Vampires so much direct from the man who has hunted them for so long, Eric Nuzum. (Check the event calendar for the time of this and other events...)

Editor's notes: To be fair, Eric isn't really a Vampire hunter. To our knowledge, he has never staked a Vampire in the chest, doused one with holy water, or even tossed garlic at one. He is more like the Jane Goodall of vampires. He has made an effort to get close to and live among these beautiful creatures in their natural habitats. He is trying to raise the awareness of the Vampire in our culture and to dispel some of the myths that swirl around them. Eric Nuzum is a warrior for the cause of the Vampire. Bless you Eirc Nuzum. Long live the undead!

Please also note, that I never said anything about people in the cars, just the cars. I am a firm believer that people are all sweetness and light and it is the act of putting them inside an auto that corrupts them into vile, red-light-rushing savages, with one hand on the horn and one foot on each pedal. Take them out of the car and they will hold the door for you, smile, say hello and have a nice day. It has to be the car that makes them evil. Has to be. We know the cars make you back in to parking places so other cars can't sneak up on them. Cars must be paranoid sociopaths. Why else would they act the way they do. And why do some of them have such loud exhausts?