What is your fascination with the forbidden closet of mystery ?
Yes, it's Hallow E'en , and yes, it's impossible to avoid the cliches , the faux horror ,the dodgy decorations and the very , very corny photographs :
I'm not entirelty sure what the big kid at the back is dressed up as , but he terrified everyone except the pumpkin.
The title from today's blog comes from an episode of the Simpsons where Bart and Ralph are playing in Police Chief Wiggum's bedroom and explore his closet , finding, Taser's ,riot shields, body armour and ammunition. Chief Wiggum arrives home to find the boys beating each other and wearing the armour and exclaims : "You know you're not supposed to go in there. What is your fascination with my forbidden closet of mystery?".
We can't help ourselves. We go to horror movies knowing we'll be scared. Well , other people do. I have a downright fear of horror movies that is almost certifiable. We love the slightly dangerous , we view fear as another form of excitement.
I remember one HallowE'en when I was 10 and during the day Dad was telling me old ghost stories that I found almost comical...in the light of day. One particular story stays with me even now. It concerned a HallowE'en night many. many years ago and in a public house outside of Dundalk three men were playing cards when a well dressed stranger entered the bar and asked if he could join them. The men eagerly welcomed this wealthy visitor to their game thinking they would easily take advantage of him.
As the evening wore on the visitor gradually won all of their money and in a final round he offered the men a chance to win their money back. " All or nothing gentlemen. I will stake all of the money on the next round in exchange for your souls." Two of the players did not take him seriously and willingly accepted the bet. The third man did not want to go home having lost everything and reluctantly accepted the bet. As the visitor dealt the final hand of cards one card fell to the floor.The reluctant player bent down to pick it up and with horror saw that the visitor had cloven feet. As he sat back up he took a cross from his necklace and brandished it in front of the visitor saying " Only God will get my Soul."
The visitor ran away into the night and was never seen again. The three men never played cards again. To this day their are two hoof marks on the floor of Curley's bar.
Not a great story.
Even as a 10 year old I thought it was a bit lame. But that night, when it was dark and Mam asked me to go outside and fill the coal bucket all the images from that smokey tavern and the stranger came flooding back. There was no light in the coal shed , the torch was flickering and the wind was howling. The coal shed was only 5 metres from the back door but it felt like it was on another continent and I would never reach home again. I just about half filled the bucket and lacerated my shins as I ran swinging the bucket wildly in order to get back into the safety of the house and hug my mother one more time.
So , what is your HallowE'en story , or scariest memory ?
Best or funniest answer will win a beautiful Jack Wolfskin jacket of your choice.
Questions are :
1. What reassuringly expensive price is the Jack Wolfskin Topaz jacket ?
2. What is your best/funniest/scariest HallowE'en story ?
Cheers,
Paul
P.S. If you do nothing else today you must listen to this hauntingly brilliant track from Lana del Ray, Video Games
P.P.S - BOO!