TAPS

The temperature is dropping. Leaves are in the early stages of changing colors and falling to the ground. The sun is dropping below the horizon earlier in the day and their is a subtle difference in the way the air smells. Yes, it’s that time of year (my favorite)! Today, midnight, September 23, 2010 marks the first day of Autumn and Halloween is right around the corner!

Along with the approach of the holiday that isn’t a holiday comes a slew of all too familiar questions that I have grown accustomed to answering. The two most frequent questions are: what are you doing for Halloween & what are you dressing up as for Halloween? Both questions usually render the same response of, “I have no idea!”

It is my favorite time of the year with about 500 different things going on! How can I possibly choose one thing to do?? Simple answer, I can’t… or can I? Of course, like all major holidays, it’s not the day that is important but, rather, the eve of the day. But, for the most part, all Halloween activity starts a little over a month prior. So, it’s all about putting together an itinerary and finding those things that interest me the most. First thing that gets scratched off is doing anything that has to do with children. Why? Well, because I don’t have any of my own. I’ll worry about later.

Next, what I do is try and round up the usual “suspects” of things to do which include an array of haunted house attractions. A popular one around my parts is the Headless Horseman Hayride & Haunted Houses which I may be heading out with my wife after putting it off for the past couple of years.  Why don’t I go? Because I’m terrified! No, seriously, because haunted house attractions can barely get me to flinch let alone frighten me. So this year I’ll be going simply for the fun of it all!

Another thing that has become popular with my circle, is a four-hour trek to Salem, Massachusetts. Despite the constant talk of making the journey, I’ve only been there once in the last six years and I think that I may be due for another visit. What I miss the most about Salem is the eerie atmosphere and the feel of the small town;  the history of the town alone is creepy. I mean, c’mon, women being accused of being witches  and burned alive at the stake! Tragic, yes, but also fascinating. Plus, my wife’s never been there and I think she would love it! Place gets a little hectic on Halloween, but well worth the trip!

Then there is the Halloween costume party that everyone just loves to throw! Again, I was never one for partying on a night that is reserved for ghosts, ghouls and the dead. I was more into contacting them/raising them (never worked)! But, this year I hope to sprinkle the fun in with the scary. A little bit of both couldn’t hurt… right? Spirits?

Another thing I always wanted to partake in was a good old fashioned seance. Who wouldn’t want to?? Candle-lit room, surrounded by darkness, table-tipping, possibly unseen forces lurking around you… perfect recipe for Halloween! The mention, even the notion, of doing such a thing frightens those I tell. I can never understand why, but then again, I don’t really believe in things like that. To me, it is mere entertainment and nothing to be afraid of….right? If I can’t find a seance event I guess I may have to resort to the “trusty” OUIJA board that never seems to work anymore! Though it does glow in the dark!

Same thing happens when I tell people that I want to spend a night in a haunted house. No, not an attraction but a real-life, “genuine” place said to be haunted, i.e., any variation of a prison, asylum, orphanage, house, etc. so long as it is abandoned. Spending a night in either of these places would be a treat! Especially if I can replicate the experiences of Jason and Grant on Ghost Hunters! Which seems rather fun than scary!

I have about a month to prepare for that special night that is known as Halloween. So far, I have about two  Zombie walks coming up that I will be attending and a possible costume party. Oh, and then there is the Headless Horseman attraction as well. So, things are starting to look up as my itinerary and calendar is in the process of filling up! I just finished decorating my apartment and it certainly sets the tone for things to come. I’ll leave you with just one itty, bitty question. What are you doing for Halloween???

Here are a couple of ghoulies that are up in my apt: