Okay, so last year I was Paris Hilton for Halloween and while I had fun putting together the outfit and acting like a total ditz for the evening (I must have said "That’s hot" about 300 times), I didn’t want to go that route this year. I’m not sure why as women we feel that on Halloween we should dress "slutty" but that seems to be the trend – pick a costume and tart it up. So since about the only thing Paris and I have in common is probably a universal love of shoes and handbags, I decided to go with something a little more "me."

A cheerleader.

It’s been a while since I had donned a uniform but it felt good. I had forgotten the way I felt in high school when I would get ready for a game. You see, I was pretty shy but when I put on my pleated skirt, matching sweater and big bow in my hair, I was full of confidence, ready to get out there, yell, scream and do some strange coordinated movements with about 15 other girls. It was great.

So now it’s time for another addition of the Ranting and Ravings of a Former Cheerleader:

Since I was dressed as a Notre Dame cheerleader (Go Irish!), I’d thought I’d kick things off with what was apparently "Ugly Uniform Weekend" in college football. Seriously, did Dr. Brand of the NCAA send out a memo or something? First it started with the Hokies of Virginia Tech on Thursday night, debuting Nike’s latest innovation in football jerseys – one sleeve is a different color. I thought they were pretty ugly. That was until I caught the Florida Gator’s version of the same look on Saturday. Ugh! I mean, isn’t it bad enough that most Gator fans walk around in jean shorts without having to subject us to those heinous jerseys? Can you imagine this crap going on at a Penn St. or Alabama? But I have to give the award for the ugliest uniform of the weekend to the Miami Hurricanes. I really thought that North Carolina was playing Baylor when I flipped by the game. Not really sure why the ‘Canes were wearing throwbacks but please don’t do it again. Again, Nike was involved. And apparently, Southern Cal is slated to wear the alternate colored sleeve look. Come on. Nike should be banned form making college jerseys.

Is it just me or doesn’t seem as if Senator Schumer (D-NY) has a camera crew on call at all times, just so when he is ready to give his opinion, no matter the subject, they are there to get it on tape? Does he ever do any senatorial like work? Seriously – if I was a New York State resident, I’d be like "Stop pontificating and do something!!!"

So here I am again with a bowl of candy staring me in the face. Like the sucker I am, just in case some little person knocks on my door dressed like a fairy princess or an adorable cowboy, I buy a bag of candy to give out on Halloween. Granted, I live in an apartment building and I’m at work all day, but since I was a Girl Scout, I like to be prepared. You never know. And just like every previous year, not one piece of candy has been given out. So it’s just me and bowl full of mini-Twix.

And the Twix are winning.

Speaking of Halloween, this item might have gotten lost in the news shuffle for some of you but an elementary school in Massachusetts canceled Halloween – no costumes, decorations or Halloween related activities. Apparently, a few parents complained that the holiday celebration was offensive to their religious beliefs. UH??? I realize that the origins of the spooky day are based in pagan beliefs but puhleeze! Outside of maybe Christmas, Halloween is the most commercialized and secularized holiday we have. What’s next – Thanksgiving? Valentine’s Day? There is nothing remotely religious about donning a costume and asking for candy. Personally, I think these parents just didn’t want to be bothered with getting costumes for their little ones and decided the easiest way to get around it was having the celebration canceled. I hope some one egged their houses.

Last week, some friends and I attended "Shecky’s Girls Night Out" in the city, which consists of a bunch of vendors pedaling their trendy wears at a supposed discount. But here’s the twist – there is no food and they hand out free alcohol. Champagne and wine and Amstel Lights. So needless to say, you get a bunch of hungry women a little tipsy and they will spend money. Seriously, if say Nordstrom’s or Bloomies handed out free glasses of wine when you walked in, you know you’d end up with a killer wardrobe you couldn’t afford. SWI – Shopping While Intoxicated – a dangerous combination.

Staying with shopping - has anyone flipped through the latest JCrew catalog and noticed anything? Like the prices having increased? I know it can’t be just me that thinks the prices have gone way up. A cashmere jacket for $1,000? I know it’s cashmere but that just seems little much too pay for something at JCrew.

Crap – had another Twix.

Why do pedestrians in Hoboken seem to think they are invincible? I know drivers are required to yield to those on foot but then again, those on foot should also pay attention to the traffic signals and not dart out when the light is green.

Every so often, but not too often, I love an onion bagel, toasted, with vegetable cream cheese. The problem is living on the "west" side of Hoboken on Fourth St. had proven to be problematic. I can’t find a place nearby that has bagels I like. Pizza – check. Nail salon – check. Liquor store – check. Bacon, egg and cheese on a roll – check. Bagel – negative. So if anyone has a suggestion as to where to get a decent bagel on a Saturday morning without having to practically walk to Secaucus, let me know. Seriously.

So if Hoboken-ite Eli ever has to face big brother Peyton in the Super Bowl, who do Mom and Dad Manning root for?

Have to say, not really into The Donald and "The Apprentice" this time around but did happen to watch the Boardroom Bloodbath last week. Wow. Stunning. The best shot was the four fired foes, all cramped in the back seat of a cab, not saying a word. It was unintentional high comedy. But not quite as funny as The Donald’s appearance on "Days of Our Lives" as himself.

Last week I’m listening to Stephen A. Smith’s show on ESPN radio (yes guys – I’m a chick and I listen to sports radio – deal with it.) and they are discussing Sheryl Swoopes, the WNBA MVP and 3-time Olympic gold medalist who decided to reveal that she is a lesbian. So this yahoo calls in asks if this could be a publicity stunt for the WNBA. I almost fell on the floor laughing.

Does anybody really care that Camilla and Prince Charles are coming for a visit? Didn’t think so.

The NBA ushers in a new season this week – who do you think is going to be the first to be fined for a dress code violation – Ron Artest, Allen Iverson, Marcus Camby (because he can’t afford a suit apparently) or Rasheed Wallace? And you know someone is going to break out a suit reminiscent of Jalen Rose’ dreadful red pinstriped draft day ensemble.

Having already mentioned the ubiquitous JCrew catalog, I’m sure most of you have noticed the increase of catalogs in your mailboxes and it’s only going to get worse. But it can only mean one thing – holiday shopping season is here. Remember when that didn’t start till the day after Thanksgiving? Soon to follow: the PC police’s annual assault on Christmas.

And here are some "Thanks!" I want to give out:

To Charlie Weis.

To all those who shared their condolences after USC barely beat my Irish.

To the guy with whom I shared a cab and paid for my fare in the aftermath of the Hunt.

To the Chicago White Sox – congrats and all but thanks for ruining one of my favorite sing-along bar songs.

To the handsome, young gentleman who thought I was in my 20’s – my early 20’s – hope you had a wonderful Halloween.

Tiki Barber - is there a better guy in the NFL?

To my dear friend Christy, for answering the call and returning to active duty in the Army Reserves.

Okay, that’s it. So until next time, keep those pompoms shaking!

Amanda Dwyer is a regular contributor to realhoboken.com. You can contact her at ad94irish@msn.com or post your comments in the message forum - especially if you have any bagel recommendations.