Planet Terror opens the occasion (following a fake trailer, directed by Rodriguez, for a film called Machete), and immediately sends the viewer into a realm that looks as though it belongs to John Carpenter, although even that wild auteur would struggle to populate his with such an eclectic mix of creatures.
The friendlies against Germany and Brazil next month are enticing purely because they should be more open occasions, fixtures likelier to have the juices flowing, for all that the calibre of opponent will generate a different kind of problem.
As you might have guessed from the red carpet outside and the omnipresent police officers, this was a special occasion: opening night at the Prudential Center, the gleaming new arena in downtown Newark.
"That's how I met Derrick!" All of this struck a nerve, because on occasion, opening up and exposing myself to someone (and no, I'm not referring to my birthday suit!) can make me a wee bit skittish.
The timing of the season-opening occasion could not have been a clearer admonition, a metaphorical pat on Rose's head.
If you like, you can keep the conversation work-related, just not specific to the current work you are doing: "Tell me about your career path in human resources... ........ or some favorites opening for these occasions: "What keeps you busy outside of work?" or "Tell me about your holiday plans... .......
She also welcomed the controversy as an occasion for opening an important discussion.
Yet this was still a positive and inventive Argentinian side, who through talents such as Gabriel Batistuta, Fernando Redondo and the emerging Ariel Ortega, could take a game to anyone, as they did in the opening stages on this occasion in Pasadena.
But even as some major providers marked the occasion by opening for business on Easter Monday, many pension firms and employers have echoed the government's caution with their own warning that they are not ready for the changes.
The occasion was opening night of Fleetwood Mac Fest, a two-part celebration presented by the Best Fest organization, which has put on similar events honoring classic-rock heroes like Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and the Rolling Stones.
The route of the Wicklow Way has been altered on a number of occasions since opening in 1980, generally as a result of problems with erosion or difficulties with rights of way.
