Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Coming out of the closet


Hey there,

I am being an indolent, idle, sluggish, apathetic, loafing, slothful, and lethargic bum! (Those are all the words listed in my thesaurus for Lazy - I knew that book would be good for something!) Actually, I've spent the last couple of days with my face burried in the computer monitor. Kate would be SO proud ! I really am having a good time, but I know that it must end soon. (sniff-sniff)

It all started on Sunday, when the rain was falling. I began looking for inspiration, on line, for my Halloween Production. Surprisingly, I found a ton of sites. I bookmarked them, and began sorting through them Monday evening. I ended up staying up until 4AM Tuesday morning.
I slept until noon this morning, and intentionally avoided the computer chair until this evening. (it wasn't easy) Last night's discoveries have left me all a twitter. After I tended to my duties and got a healthy dose of fresh air and sunshine, I called my family together at dinner time because I couldn't wait to share the news.

Apparently, we (our family) are a part of a small, but growing, group of . . . freaks, known as "Home Haunters!" I'm so excited !! There is actually a NAME for people with my condition !! People who get overly excited, and intensely creative, about October 31st, Halloween, are known as Home Haunters! And we have a mission ! To bring fun, and spookiness, and a feeling of community back to the celebration of Halloween. (okay, I just made that part up) Of course, it's ALL for the kids . . . Bless their little hearts! (Ah-hem, cough, cough.) I have always known that there were others out there, but they're few and far between. Now, thanks to the internet, we can all glory in our sickness. We can ban together and change the world - or at least Halloween. I can finally come out of the closet and hold my head up high. I don't have to be ashamed anymore!

In fact, over the past couple of days, I've discovered that home haunters are wonderful people. There are sites that have been put together so that they can all share their knowledge, wisdom, and expertise. Also, so that they can show off their awesomely cool front yards and garages, and brag about how much candy they gave out, and how many people they scared the crap out of . It's SO cool !! Many of the home haunters who have been doing it for years have Home Haunting Blogs that are almost as cool as their yards.

I'm discovering all the things that go into a really spooky Halloween home haunt. There are pages, upon pages, of detailed intructions (with photos, of course) on how to pull off some of the coolest things. I wish I had known about this last year, there are alot of tricks and devices that I could have used for our Insane Asylum. I am planning to use alot of the ideas that I found, this year, on our Hotel Transylvania. When I showed some of these sites and photos to Roy and the kids, we all agreed that we need to start planning and working on next year's Home haunt shortly after New Years. They are totally into all this. Well, mostly the kids and I - Roy was in one of his grumpy moods, but he'll be into it because, he's good at stuff like this, and also, because he can't say no to either me or the kids. (he, he) We've pretty much got him wrapped around our little fingers.

Okay, I need to get myself to bed at a decent hour tonight. I've got lots to plan, lots to do.

Good night all.
Love,
Susan

5 howled back:

Anonymous said...

Dear Home Haunter,

So when are you setting up your Halloween celebration blog?!! Just fit it in between everything else you do for our enjoyment, ok? !

Yes I am ALWAYS proud and relieved to know I am not the only sloth in the village who is glued to their internet when they should be engaging in more productive pursuits. Argh, bugger it, sometimes loafing is fun.

I am glad you found some other Halloweenies. And it's fun to have a project..I hope one of these years you make it on the news!

Wait. What? said...

Oh now that sounds like a ton of fun! You know you must take pictures of the event and post them for our viewing pleasure now - pretty please?! Cat

Willow said...

I'm so jealous. Halloween here is just not a big deal. Ah well, I'll have to live vicariously through you!

Auburn~haired~artist said...

Kate: I do plan on putting together a home haunt blog, so that all the photos are together. Probably after this year's event.
I just wish I was more computer savy so that I could figure out how to make it look really cool. I may need to call in some help from some friends on that project. One way or another, I'll get it done.

Cat: I promise.

Willow: Kate says the same thing about Halloween in AU. Halloween has always been my favorite holiday, I have such wonderful memories of trick or treating as a child. Over the past 20 years, here in the US, the media have has made such an issue of "staying safe" on Halloween that people have all but quit sending their kids out to celebrate the old fashioned way.
(dressing up and trick or treating door to door in their own neighborhoods)
Instead, people have opted for parties and trick or treating events sponsored by malls, and other commercial organizations. (which really kills the spirit of a holiday because, it becomes all about making money and gaining new customers, rather than FUN.)
Don't even get me started about the churches and organized religion !!!
People have just become too paranoid and suspicious to let their kids have fun any more!

Unknown said...

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm... sounds as if you've been having fun. Good!