Day 1

Day 1 of the 2009 build was scorching hot, but there isn't time to wait for cooler temps. I need certain sections up early to make the changes I have planned. I anticipated while pulling down the stacks of walls I might encounter a critter or two- those frames have been sitting outside for nearly a year. Of course I was thinking more along the lines of bugs and spiders. The biggest Day31 scare this year was definitely lifting up a wall frame and discovering a opossum staring up at me from a foot away. It didn't really look viscious like the one in the picture. Actually, it sort of looked cute and cuddly, but it didn't have any interest in sticking around to be my pal. I hope it finds a nice new place to chill at least through October.

Atkins diet about to make a comeback?

Aug 18th 2009 By Michael Rundle

In more bad news for the living today, scientists have determined that humanity would almost certainly perish in the (probably still unlikely) event of a zombie outbreak.Using probability to demonstrate what us "Walking Dead" fans have known for years, a team in Canada has shown that a zombie-like infection -- one that quickly killed its victims and then returned them to life in order to feast on the living -- would spell almost certain doom for us all. Among the issues faced by humanity would be the exponential increase in new zombies created after each human dies, and the sudden shutdown of vital services and resources.The University of Ottawa researchers who worked on the study assumed that the zombies were the classic, slow-moving type seen in the original George A. Romero films, and not the heretical and far-more-deadly ultra-fast zombies as seen in films like "28 Days Later." Even so, their analysis revealed that any attempt to cure or capture the Shuffling Horde would only put off the inevitable. All the more reason to lay back and submit to hot zombie babes.

(So, scientific studies prove what we already knew all along. Now if we can only take this team of geniuses and get them started on the cure to cancer!)

Hauntworld Magazine

A new edition of Hauntworld Magazine hit my mailbox yesterday. It's such a tremendous resource for both the commercial and home haunter. Truly informative articles, eye tickling photography and information that is both useful and practical. I love when a new issue shows up!

http://www.hauntworld.com/haunted_houses.cfm

Halloween Hits Local Retail

Some of you may have heard that Halloween is the largest retail holidays second only to Christmas.

Alas, it is not so....


People like myself notwithstanding, your spending on Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, Easter and Father's Day still beat it out overall. I have read, however, Halloween is 2nd in terms of overall retail sales in decorative merchandise. There is a way you can help Halloween rise some notches on the list, you know. Start buying expensive Halloween presents for your friends and family!


There are plenty of places to start. Check out Big Lots. B.L. is usually the first retailer to usher in the Halloween holiday. Michael's Craft Store and Costco are a couple others. The annual Spirit store has lifted its banner and is visable from the Winchester exit off I-15. It is only the beginning. Target and Wal Mart are dragging their asses, but they are sure to carve out their piece of the Halloween season pie eventually.

To Haunt or not to Haunt? WHEN is the question.

Ok, so the haunt is definitely on this year. I've already made several investments in new props, and all the parts and components for my "big" new scare this year are either sitting in boxes here in my office or are on order from various suppliers. Kiss the new car goodbye this year, baby, I've got a haunted house to build!

So, as stated, the haunt is on the launch pad and ready for lift off. The question I'm faced with this year is when to press the trigger? Last year was the first year I experimented with opening the haunt before Halloween night. We had a handful of early birds walk through the night before for a lights and sounds only event we called the "chicken run". It was meant to give the smaller tots an opportunity to walk through the haunt without any of the impact scares going off on them. I didn't advertise it heavily, so the turnout was pretty small, but I felt the idea was worthwhile, and it helped soothe some of the guilt I was feeling over the smaller children getting left behind as the haunt was evolving into something more teen+ appropriate.

This year Halloween is on a Saturday night (rubbing hands together in anticipation), and this presents the possibility of running a 3 day event. I would like to do a "chicken run" on Thursday, October 29. This would once again be a lights and sounds only event meant to let the tykes and big-scaredy-adults get a taste of the haunted house without anything jumping at them or shocking them. That would leave Friday and Saturday for the main event: 2 solid nights of screeching, nail biting, pants crapping haunted house. (Really, I'm jumping up and down right now flapping my hands up and down with excitement, and I'm still skilled enough to type while doing so!)

The obstacles:

1. We have never had enough volunteers even running one night. Not ever, not once, not even close. Although I add a couple each year, I have never even gotten to the point that I had even half of what I think we could have used. Being safety paranoid means filling key crowd control and lookout positions first, but key actor positions go unfilled each year. I admit that I have not really put a lot of effort into recruiting people, but I do know if you get 30 to swear they'll be there 10 will show up.

2. This is not a commercial venue; this is a residential neighborhood. Would the neighbors tolerate 3 nights of this??? This is clearly a tolerant neigborhood. Seriously, we have a house on the cul de sac with a bunch of teens who when they aren't partying and shouting all night seem to run an industrial metal shop in the driveway. The welding and grinding goes on all day, and I've never seen anyone call the law yet. Yet.

Craigs List Find

For any of you curious neighbors who are wondering why there is a giant fireplace sitting in my driveway, thank Craigs List. I purchased the fireplace and a grandfather clock from a nice couple in Wildomar this week. The items look to be retired stage props, and I think they will fit in beautifully in this year's haunt. They will need a bit of repair and touchup, but almost everything about the look and feel of them seems premade for a haunted mansion.

These items were MUCH larger than I thought they would be based on their pictures. I barely got them in my truck. Like almost everything else I build or buy for Halloween, I shove the storage issue into the back of my mind with the attitude that "where there's a will there's a way". As stated previously these items are big and will take up a good chunk of space in the garage. Halloween is going to eventually force me out of my current and ridiculously small home or into a commercial venue, an idea I have been researching seriously the last couple years.

What's pink and made of foam that I can't get my hands on?

No, I'm not referring to a set of fake breasts....although it would definitely qualify.

Seeking Owens Corning foamular insulation boards to do some facade and tombstone work. I know they are extremely difficult to find in the Southern California market because they are weather rated for cold climates. Anyone know where they can be found locally? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller???