I'm Baaaack!!

Hey! It has been a REALLY long time and for that, I sincerely apologize! Things have been rather crazy over the last several months. I have been spending a lot of time getting life into order and have had little time for writing. (Hopefully this post will lead to more and maybe I can get back to writing the book that I haven't touched in months!) Sooo...on that note, let's get on with the first of hopefully many more posts! Today's topic is one that I cannot believe I haven't discussed yet! One of my favorite writers, Edgar Allen Poe. I first fell in love with his stories in school when I read "The Telltale Heart" which is still my favorite. It is such a creepy story told by a "rational" man who explains why he is not "mad" for murdering an old man and burying him under the floorboards. And, for a moment, you believe that he may actually be sane! Wonderfulness is what it is! And who doesn't love "The Raven"? (I always imagined having a daughter and naming her Lenore but alas, it has not happened yet.) If you haven't ever read Poe, or if you have only read one of the more popular pieces, please go right now and read more! You will not regret it, I promise! He had the most wonderful way of bringing the macabre to the people. Of course, the Victorian era was probably the perfect time for that. As proper as they pretended to be, they were a twisted bunch! So today, Mr. Poe, we salute you and your dark, dark ways!

Dress It Up

Happy Halloween!

I know...I've been gone for a bit but here is a little Halloween tidbit for you. Today's post is dedicated to Halloween costumes.

I have some serious issues with many of the modern Halloween costume trends. And no, I'm not going to get into the culture vs. costume thing! I did see someone dressed as a leprechaun this year. It did not offend me. It's all in good fun kids! Anyway, what I am referring to are three things that I noticed this year in particular. The slutty whatever, the dude dressed as something sexual, and the nothing in particular costume.

The Slutty Whatever:
Ok, so this has been a trend for several years now and I, for one, think it's getting old. I saw everything from slutty strawberry to slutty Eskimo this year! "I know! I'm gonna be a baby for Halloween! Except a slutty baby!" For real, let's move on and maybe get a little bit creative next year!

The Dude Dressed as Something Sexual:
We all know this guy! He thinks he's hilarious! He thinks this because we all laugh. What he doesn't know is we are laughing AT his giant penis costume. We do not find you funny or cool sir! How about dressing like a nice, old-fashioned zombie?

The Nothing in Particular Costume:
This is a new one for me! I saw so many of these this year! I saw a fairy devil which was definitely interesting. I also saw several guys in hazmat suits. Still don't know what they were supposed to be. Then there were just the "Hey I'm just gonna put some fake scars on my face and hope someone thinks I'm something!" A little effort people! I threw together a last minute costume this year and it was CLEAR that I was a devil thank you very much!

So, a challenge for next year! Let's put the scary back in Halloween! Be something super creepy (without making it slutty...you can do it! I know you can!).

Happy Time!

Hello all! I realize it has been awhile again and for that I apologize. But now that I am back it's time to talk about one of my favorite subjects...HALLOWEEN!!!

Halloween is my favorite day of the year and one of the few days when it is perfectly acceptable for adults to act like children (and for women to dress up like hookers...come on, ladies, you know we do). We get to dress up and be something super fun and spooky and eat candy. What is better than that?

I love Halloween so much that I seriously get a little sad when it's over every year. Here is a little Halloween history for your enjoyment:

Several European traditions will claim that they started Halloween, but my favorite is the Celtic tradition (no bias there...haha). The Celts celebrated Samhain which was when it was thought that the dead walked the earth.

Trick or Treating began in Ireland and England when people would dress up in costume and beg neighbors for money or food. If they did not provide this, a nasty trick would be played on them.

I'm skipping a lot here, but I think that the Victorians in America really got it right when they transformed October 31st into the holiday that we all know and love today. They would mash all of the different European traditions and would hold celebrations where they would celebrate the harvest, read fortunes, and tell ghost stories.

Sounds a lot like how we do things today, huh?(well, minus the hooker Dorothys, Red Riding Hoods, and pretty much everything else you can think of).

This is a very shortened version of how Halloween as we know it happened. Want to know more? Check out this website: http://www.history.com/topics/halloween

Thanks for reading! Now don't forget to follow and share with your friends! It only takes a second to post the link to your Facebook page!! : )

What a Dummy!!

Hey all! Sorry for the long hiatus! I have been sick for a bit but not to worry! I am back with your creepy post of the day!

Today's topic? Ventriloquist dummies! They are terrifying, aren't they? I thought you would agree with me! That's why they are in so many horror movies, right?

When I was a kid I received a ventriloquist dummy as a gift. It was Pee-Wee Herman. I thought it was really cool until the lights went out at bedtime. Then I was sure it was going to come to life and attack me. I eventually decided that I had to hide it in the closet at night(I couldn't bring myself to get rid of the thing because it had been a gift and I felt bad) I know, I know...it makes no sense to be afraid of a doll. You can just tear it apart and throw it away, burn it, etc. But I was and am still creeped out by them!

No, I have not seen "Dead Silence" and I probably won't! Though I am slightly curious so maybe I'll be brave one day.

So, there it is...another creeptastic creature of horror for you to ponder! I have attached a link of several ventriloquist flicks for you to enjoy petrifying yourself with. Let me know if you have seen any of them with a comment! Hey make some suggestions for things you might like to read about that may follow our spooky theme as we enter into my favorite of the seasons...FALL!! Woohooo!!

http://movies.amctv.com/movie-guide/fright-flicks-with-ventriloquists.php

Phantoms and Spectres and Poltergeists! Oh My!

What are we discussing today? That's right kids! Ghosts!

I am what you'd call a believer/skeptic. In other words, I do believe that ghosts, spirits, etc. exist, but I do not think that every little light that turns up in a photo is a ghost. Ghost have always been a topic of fascination for most...adults and children alike.

The Victorians had a tradition of telling ghost stories at Christmas time as evidenced in "A Christmas Carol" which is a personal favorite spooky tale of mine. I fully support and would love to bring back this tradition. This is most likely because I wish that the Halloween season would extend through the end of the year. But I digress...

Who hasn't had the best of times as a child with their silly childhood friends telling ghost stories that were SO not true? As we all tried to beat each other with our bravery at slumber parties playing with the "Ouija" board and standing in front of the mirror chanting "Bloody Mary", we satiated our terror and fascination for a few short hours.

I haven't had too many real experiences myself short of a very personal one with my Grandpa that I will not share here at this time(besides, it's not really a "ghost" story as I don't think he's hanging around). I have had a few, mostly in feeling, sound and dream form.

For example, when I first got the keys to my house I was here alone for the first time and started hearing suspicious noises. I politely told any possible spiritual residents that I would prefer not to see or hear them, and though they were welcome to stay, this is my home now. I never heard anything again. Take that as you will.

In addition, I would like to send a big thank you out to T.A.P.S. for making me ever more aware of EMFs and "house settling" noises. Your guidance helps me sleep better at night!

So whether you are a believer or not (and isn't it more fun to be a believer?) if you have had any spooky experiences, share them in a comment! (And don't forget to hit that pretty little 'follow' button)

Dogs Drool

I know you missed me!

Since my last post was vampire-related, I figured I'd go with the obvious...werewolves! Especially since I just got done catching up on "Teen Wolf" which is my one exception to my MTV boycott! (Because they only play "Jersey Shore" now.)

I dig the cheesiness of the show though I am not normally a werewolf fan. They just seem to be out of control and clumsy! And so ANGRY! Seriously! Give me cold and undead any day!

Now I know that this debate has been going on since the first storyteller decided to place them in the same tale, and I choose to take sides! Perhaps it's because werewolves seem to permanently act like teenage boys which I had quite enough of in high school.

Whatever side you're on (or if you're Switzerland...hehe) comment and let me know where you stand and what led you to that choice. I promise there will be no Team Edward vs. Team Jacob esque fights!

Bloodsucker

Well kids, it's time! You knew it would happen eventually! I'm talking about a vampire post. So here it is.

I have an odd preoccupation with vampires. Many of you might think that it is new as they are ever present in pop culture right now. However, it began long ago in a time called the 1980s with a show called "Sesame Street". That's right! I said "Sesame Street". One Mr. Count Von Count triggered my unhealthy obsession, turned fear, turned back to obsession. I loved the Count. I especially loved his tiny, sparkly, singing bat friends. You can find them on Youtube and refresh your memory. You will not be disappointed. They are ADORABLE!

I then, of course, moved on to "Buffy" and Anne Rice. For a time, I was convinced that vampires were real and therefore, became terrified of them. I'm over it now as most of you know. And, YES, I like "Twilight"! Just putting it out there! I love "Twilight"!

I'm sorry, did you just say "real" vampires don't sparkle? Did you really just say that? Think about that for a minute and then tell me why that statement is a problem...I'll wait...got it? Ok good.

Here's my theory. IT'S FICTION PEOPLE!!! And there is room for everyone. So don't hate! Especially if you're a "Harry Potter" or "LOTR" fanatic because my brain just cannot handle why those pop culture cult phenomenon are more legitimate.

In conclusion, friends, I doubt that this will be the last vampire related post, but I thought I would ease you in with a little background and a few disclaimers.