A busy October - Part 1

Last year, I was able to post just about every day, since, y'know, Covid. I didn't have anywhere to be (I work from home), and only went out occasionally. I didn't really have many autumn/Halloween plans.

This year's obviously different, and while it's not exactly back to normal (and what does "normal" even mean, anyway?), I've been pretty damned busy. This trip to Connecticut has been a whirlwind. Which is both good and not-so-good.

The not-so-good things were mainly tech issues, schedule conflicts, work miscommunications, and generally not enough time to do everything I wanted to do. I feel like I barely got to do anything despite being here for over 3 weeks. 

But the stuff I did get to do has been great. 

I got to spend the day in New Bedford & Fall River, MA where I toured the Whaling Museum and experienced a haunted house called the Factory of Terror. 

I had brunch with my Mom a couple of times.

I went for a few walks at some of my favorite spots.

 

Got to spend some quality time with one of my favorite beings.

 

 

Went to Spirit Halloween and Party City with my BFF

 Went to The Big E, for like, 5 minutes.

 

 

Went to a fantastic immersive theater experience, where Beetlejuice was our tour guide.

Celebrated my birthday with a hot buttered lobster roll and a visit to a local autumn craft fair. 

 

Saw about a zillion jack o'lanterns.

 

 

Put up some Halloween decorations.

 

 

Went to a local winery with some friends & fam.

 

Met a friend's new kitty.

Danced at my baby brother's wedding.

 

 

Drove around with the BFF to look at Halloween lights.

 

I leave Connecticut today to return to Washington state, where I will resume my October adventures. See you on the other side!

Old stomping grounds

I'm glad to be back in Connecticut for awhile. One of the things I've missed most is going out for walks in my neighborhood. I must have covered these grounds a zillion times over the years but there's always something a little new to see, changes here and there, taking detours down different side streets occasionally. 

It goes without saying that my favorite time to be out here is during the Fall.

I mean, it's obvious why, right -- around these parts, lots of us take Halloween very seriously.

Great to see some old friends again.

 

 

Can't wait to get back out there!

 

Home Depot Halloween 2021

YouTube knows me well enough that it recommended this video today, and I have to say - I am seriously impressed with Home Depot's animatronic offerings for Halloween for 2021. Here are some of my favorites --

 

This guy is 12 ft tall!

 

Home Depot really seem to be stepping up their game, and honestly these ones rival Spirit Halloween's stuff, which I've found has been pretty ho-hum over the past couple years. 

It looks like many of these are already back ordered! A lot of people are going to have pretty epic home haunts this year, I bet. 

Maybe someday, when I'm not living in an apartment, I will too. A ghoul can dream...

Preview video can be seen in full below!

Sounds to Make You Shiver

     You know those list memes that make their rounds on social media - like, name your top 10 albums that had the biggest influences on your life - that sort of thing?  

    This LP -- Sounds to Make You Shiver, circa 1974 on Pickwick Records -- is one of mine. We had a copy of this exact record for as far back as I can remember as a kid. I loved it so much that I eventually recorded it onto cassette and would listen to it on my Walkman - and in my car. I eventually made CDs of it, now I have the MP3s.

    To this day, I still listen to it regularly, especially during Halloween season. Side 1 is like a story told completely by sound. There's barely any dialog - just at the beginning and end, but as a kid I could just close my eyes and vividly see/feel/smell as well as hear the spooky journey from start to finish. 

    I was and still am fascinated by the cover art. Someday I want to get a tattoo of that skull on the back cover.

    Side 2 was fun for playing haunted house with, both when I was a kid and when I grew up and made some attempts at home haunts. 

(photos found on Pinterest)

    You can listen to the whole album on Youtube. Enjoy the ride!

The Howl of the Werewolf

"And on the night of the full moon, the howl of the werewolf will be heard..."

(click photo for music by Ah-Cama-Sotz)

Photo circa 2001, one of the home haunts I did at my parents' home with the help of family & friends.