Saturday, December 29, 2012

The End of an Era

It's done. The Mighty Dodge sold yesterday.

Since we've been gone so much, I didn't put it back up for sale until I knew we'd be home for awhile. We got back from L.A. on the 26th, and I listed it on Craigslist the next day. In a day, I had two inquiries for it.

The first people to come see it turned out to be a couple who were looking for a car for their nineteen-year-old son. The father, it turns out, owns a number of older vehicles and maintains them himself. No tire-kicking for him! He went over the Dodge with a fine tooth comb before we even took it out for a drive. After talking it over with his wife and calling his son, he decided to take it. No negotiating or grumbling. Just the feeling of a good deal made on his side, and a feeling of relief on mine that she'd go to someone who could complete her restoration and love her like I do.

Another potential buyer had been on the way over, so I called him to let him know the car had sold. He asked to come by to see it anyway, just for curiosity's sake. When he got there, I was really glad I'd sold the car to the first people. He stalked around the car like he was still going to buy it, mumbling that it needed this or that work done and generally proving to everyone within hearing that he was, in fact, a complete and utter douche bag.

The couple left the car for a little while, saying they'd be back to pick it up. I wrote the new owner a note, telling him I was glad The Mighty Dodge had found such a good home and telling him the story of how she got her name. I hope he appreciated it!

My friends came over to help me drown my sorrows, and what would have been a morose night of tears and depression was made happier with good company and absolutely zero cocktail control.

I'll miss her, and part of me will always regret that she's gone, but I'll always be glad that she was such a huge part of my whole life, and that she went to a good home.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Touching Base

I'm back from L.A. and the annual Christmas visit; we had a great time and I even had a chance to meet up with haunter Derek Young! (Fantastic to talk "shop" with a fellow haunter, and discover that he and a friend are planning great things for 2013!)

I've re-opened the ShellHawk's Creations Etsy Store, so if you need to use a little of that Christmas money, you can. I have only two Jack ornaments left this season, just so you know.

Remember, I also have a few jack-o'lanterns left, if you wish to have one grinning at you in 2013. They're not listed on my Etsy site as of yet; check out the post here to find out what's still available.

We'll get back to our regular programming soon! I just have some catching up to do around the house as I've been gone for most of December!

Friday, December 21, 2012

Halloweentown

Rick Baker's Bride giclee print here.
I've been in L.A. for a couple of days now, catching up with the 'rents and failing to connect with old friends (though meeting new ones has been cool!). While running around yesterday I made a stop over at Halloweentown in Burbank to check out the Tribute to Classic Monsters art show.

Holy cow! It's fantastic! All of the artwork done was wonderful, and I was enormously impressed by the amount of artistic talent gathered under one roof.

It turned out I was extra lucky in my timing, as there was a life-size sculpture of the Bride and the Monster, sitting on a settee, in the very front of the store. The artist had sold it, and came to break it down and deliver it to the buyer later that afternoon, so I was happy I showed up in the morning rather than putting the visit off to the afternoon. It was so beautifully done, I swear I expected to see a pulse in their throats!

By the way, I know it was gone by afternoon because I dragged my dad over to see it then!

If you live anywhere near Burbank, and you don't go see this free show, you lose your horror fan card. Forever!

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Just for Grins

Rot's new and creepy header...

It's great to see such a talented haunter and artist be recognized for his fiendish genius. Way to go, my brother from another mother!


Monday, December 17, 2012

Night of 1,000 Pumpkins

While I would love to see far more pics in the local paper of the pumpkins that were carved, it's good to know that there is a pumpkin celebration in my town. Even Intel (which has offices here in town) donated 500 pumpkins for the occasion! The above pic was taken on historic Sutter Street here in Folsom. 

More pics here and here.

Missing the holiday, already, even though it was so crazy!

Friday, December 14, 2012

I've been madly posting the ornaments you see above in my Etsy store, and many are gone, already! I've already posted my more mainstream ornaments on the site, too, and I'll be posting the jack-o'-lantern one here in a few minutes. I hope to get pics taken of my new bowls and pitchers, etc., so I can post those, too!

Remember that if you're a Hauntcast Minion, you can get a 15% discount at checkout when you buy from my shop.

Happy shopping!

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Dilemma

So I have a bit of a dilemma and I wanted your input.

A gal promised to buy the last of my jack-o'-lanterns for this season, which you see pictured above. As yet, she hasn't been able to do so, and has had to push back the purchase date twice. (She truly does have a valid reason.) Before I left on vacation, she had mentioned she'd buy them when I got back, no hurry, they'd just be in storage for the year, anyway.

Today I got a note saying to hold them (again) until the end of the month. I sighed regretfully and said that I'd need to sell the jacks because I need the cash, and I'd touch base with her at the end of the month and let her know what was left over. I got a note back saying it wasn't fair, and that they wouldn't sell in December, anyway.

So here's the dilemma: do I hold onto these for another month, or are there any buyers for these guys? I would need a real commitment to buy them. They'd run around $45 to $50, shipping included, and I'd need to get them shipped out before I leave for L.A. next Tuesday.

Any takers? Please leave a comment with your opinion, if nothing else. If you do want one, let me know which one you want. The one on the far left is already promised, but the others are available (the small red one will run for $28 with shipping.).

UPDATE, 11:06 AM PST:
The third from the left and third from the right are now spoken for, in addition to the one on the far left.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Work in Progress

I've been working hard to get these ornaments done for y'all! (By the way, you'll be able to hang them right-side up!)

Sunday, December 9, 2012

There and Back Again

It's over. Two wonderful weeks in Hawaii are behind us, and it's time to figure out where in the hell that Tiki we bought is supposed to fit in our luggage! (And how we're supposed to get all the chocolate macadamia nut candies into our suitcases, too!)


Be that as it may, I wanted to let you know that I plan to hit the ground running and start glazing some more Christmas ornaments with a certain nightmare-ish skeleton face on them and hope to have them out of the kiln by the beginning of next week at the latest. I'll also be posting some of the other ornaments I have during this week, plus various and sundry bowls and pitchers and other hand made things that will make for great Solstice and Christmas gifts.

So stay tuned! I'll post them here as soon as I can!


Friday, December 7, 2012

Hauntcast 44 - MERRY KRAMPUS!

Yes, my darling Darklings, the newest Hauntcast, Merry Krampus, dropped today, and as a special gift, you can now purchase each episode individually! Give a listen, my fiends!


HAUNTING GURU INTERVIEW:
Dave Dankanyin of Pandemic Cemetery and the Dead with Dave YouTube Show visits the dungeon.GHOULIE GROOVES:
Mike Fox of Verse 13 returns with his new album, Memories from the Grave.THE MARKETING MORGUE:
Dick Terhune opens a fresh drawer for your 2013 haunt marketing strategy.THE BONE PHONE:
Dick, Rev, Ed, Eric and Chris talk about their Haunt seasons.THE BESTIARY:
Revenant reveals the chapter on Spirits and Ghosts.THE CHARMED POT:
The Mistress of Mayhem presents the history and legend of Der Krampus.THE PROP SHOP:
Denhaunt nerds all over the floor for Google’s SketchUp.TERROR TURNPIKE:
Vyster revisits USS Nightmare in Louisville, KY., Dead Acres (a.k.a The Haunted Hoochie) in Pataskala, OH., and Dream Reapers in Melrose Place, IL.SOMETHING WICKED:
Wick-Ed Gannon wraps up this season with more useful info.MAD PROPS FOR PROPS:
Kudos galore for Jennifer Gillan-Keller’s Jack Skellington and Zero prop display.PLUS!…
Congratulations to our winners this month:$250 Web site from Darnknet Designs – Carol Robinson2013 Haunted Halloween Calendar – Vex FX LLL, Raymond Bruels, Julia Roach

Enjoy the show and Happy Holidaze from all of us here at Hauntcast!

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Ape's Dolphin Adventure

"How do you feel about a Banana Daquiri later?"
Christmas Ape, a.k.a. "Chris Aype" on Facebook, practices cross-species diplomacy. 

He says he really likes dolphins, even though they made his butt a little wet, and the wet frizzes his fur...

Monday, December 3, 2012

Rick Baker Art Prints? It IS a Merry Christmas!

"In Memory Of" art print, signed, copyright Rick Baker
If you're a fan of Rick Baker and his makeup effects, you may be surprised to know the man can paint, too.

Halloweentown just had an opening for their "Tribute to Classic Monsters" art show (which will be in their Parlour Art Gallery until the end of December), and boy, this kind of event is one of the few things that makes me want to live in Burbank again!

Aside from some of the giants of the dark art world, such as Eric Pigors, Bob Lizarraga, Queenie, and Chet Zar, Rick Baker contributed a number of paintings to the show, some of which are available to purchase as signed giclees!

Unfortunately for me, I have about run out of wall space, and have nowhere to hang something this cool at the moment. I guess I'll need to put an addition on the house...

Well, back to my vacation! See you later!


Friday, November 30, 2012

Deer Crossing


Wow. Just. Wow.

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Christmas on the Way. Wow.

Christmas ornaments on our kitschy tree at GETty Crafty
I can't believe it's nearly here, already. Christmas and the end of the year are a breath away, and I am completely undone by how fast this year went by! I'm sure all of you feel the same, even if this was a crappy year for you and you're happy to see the back end of it and start on Lucky 2013.
Anyone want some Jack
ornaments? I'll be
making some when I get
back...

That's what I've dubbed it. Lucky 2013! You saw it here first, and I want my residuals if you decide to use it!

Lucky because I'm going to continue to work hard, and am in the process of making plans for the business for the coming year. I'm planning out new pieces, marketing strategies (ha!) and all manner of grown-up things.

And before that, a well-earned vacation!

When I get back, some of these delightful Christmas ornaments will be available for purchase on my Etsy store: 
I had a good time at the GETty Crafty Holiday Bazaar (pic of me in my new Holiday dress below!), though we had a tough time due to a nasty rain storm that blessed us that day (massive eye roll.) Even so, there were some wonderful peeps who turned out for the sale, and we were happy to get a chance to chat.
 No, this is not a real light bulb. It's ceramic, through and through!
 Oh, and this bowl turned out pretty cool! I'll put it on Etsy when I get back from vacation.
Since I'll not be attending to my store until December 10th or 11th, I've decided to put it on vacation 'till I get back. I haven't really  had much of a day off since August, and I am far overdue for a break! I will be touching base with the blog while I'm off, so comments will be posted as they come in.

If you're interested in the Jack ornaments, keep a eye on the store as I'll be making some and posting them after the 16th or so. Since I ship Priority Mail, you should be able to get them in time for Christmas!

In any case, I hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving! Check out the new Hauntcast when it comes out the first Friday of December, and check out the latest Shocktail Hour, 'cause it's seriously cool!

Catch ya later, kids!

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving, All!

I couldn't track down a Trick 'r Treat short for Thanksgiving, but I did find this one:
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! I hope it's a relaxing and warm experience for everybody!

Monday, November 19, 2012

Infographics: Your Way Through the Zombie Apocalypse!

I was recently contacted by Ben Hughes over at MoneySupermarket.com, which is a U.K.-based company that seems to help you save money in your home, etc. Ben was thoughtful enough to work out a plan to zombie proof your house, and another plan to zombie proof your car
As if that weren't enough to get you thinking and planning ahead, the site offers a fun, Hallowe'en themed page that offers:
  • Haunted House Insurance
  • Broom Insurance (for witches with wisdom)
  • Time Travel Insurance and, lastly,
  • Afterlife Insurance

Pop over to the page when you get a minute and explore your options. I don't think you can be over-insured, in this day and age!

Thanks, Ben! You've covered some very important aspects of surviving the Zombie Apocalypse and others of life's little curve balls!

Now, where's my shovel? I need to start digging that escape tunnel...

Thursday, November 15, 2012

GETty Crafty!

The GETty Crafty Holiday Bazaar: it's coming on Saturday, and I've been working my butt off getting ready! (I'm very excited that this show came to me, as well!) My stock was thin from the time up at Abel's, so I've been running my kiln a lot more than usual. (I am so not looking forward to the electric bill this month!)
This will be the first time I will be going to the Tsakopoulos Library Galleria, and I'm really excited! It looks beautiful! This is the first year I've done Christmas ornaments, and from the initial response, I don't expect to have any left.

 If you're local, please come down to the show, as it benefits the Foundation, which raises money for those who suffer from SMA. The admission is only $5.00, going to the charity, of course. There will be goody bags at the door, pics with Santa, a fashion show, live music, and Annie's Naturals is showing up with pizza!

Oh, and regarding my leftover jack-o'-lanterns? A customer decided to buy all six of them. Looks like I have another collector!

As an aside, I found a great app for my phone, called "Color Notes." I've been writing down all my product ideas for next season in it, so I won't forget when it's time to start making things. I'm going to be doing a few new things so I have a shot at getting into the "Halloween and Vine" show this year. It seems they jury in more folk art than my style, so I'll have to do a little modification for anything of mine to be considered. I'll be doing more sculptural things for that, and less pottery.

Well, I gotta go and get some more work done for the show. Stop by and say hello if you can!

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

More Haunt Pics and an Update


 It was, all in all, a pretty good Hallowe'en. We got maybe around fifty ToTs or so, many of them seven and under. Spider Rider was telling me he popped by to look at the haunt and admire Mr. Chicken's projection tombstone. Here's his direct quote from Facebook:
I dropped by last night and admired your yard and Mr.Chicken projection. I was rushing to buy more candy so I didn't brave your zombie grabber and come say hi. Looked great and I watched a little girl cry and plead with her father to not make her go to that scary house. Awesome.
Awesome, indeed! 

We were lucky the predicted rain held out until around 9:00 PM, which sent me scurrying around to pull in the fog machines and projector effects, and get Stewie covered up. He's getting to be an old man, in paper mache terms, so I baby him as I can. (He is really going to need some repairs next year, that's for sure. His blue shop towels are starting to show, and he needs re-sealing from the elements, too!)

Big dream for next year (which I know will take a major miracle to make happen) is to get some three-axis skull action going on. I really like what Bob Robertson did with the guys below, and would love to have something like that out in the front yard next year. Click on the pic to watch them in action.
Maybe I can tempt Mr. Chicken out to Folsom for a weekend with promises of exotic things not found out in the Bay Area... (Not likely, but maybe I can drive out there...)

Meanwhile, I'm going to take a little time off from blogging. I have a new show in less than two weeks for which to prepare, called GETty Crafty Holiday Bazaar, being held at the Tsakopoulos Library Galleria in Sacramento, and my stock is looking thin. Fortunately, I've already made some inroads into making some Holiday ornaments, and if all turns out well, there will be some Krampus ornaments available for purchase! I'm also going to whip out some hair fascinators and whatever else I can manage, so if you're in the area, please do stop by. There will be live music, a raffle and all manner of fun things and other crafters with whom to shop for your Christmas gifts, so it should be a great time. Plus the library itself is gorgeous, with many opportunities to take cool photos of architectural details for your haunts, so it's win-win, right?

It's also my last weekend at Abel's Apple Acres this weekend, though if it rains Friday and Saturday, I'm staying home to work. It is supposed to clear up Sunday, so we'll play it by ear...

I will be posting new things in the shop, however, so stick around. I have a few jacks left from the season that I never got around to posting on Etsy, so keep an eye out! They'll make great gifts for those who missed out, and if you're a Hauntcast Minion, you can still get your discount!

See you soon, kids!

Sunday, November 4, 2012

A few More

Not a bunch of new stuff, due to having to be an adult, but the old stuff is still holding up!

Thursday, November 1, 2012

A Few Good Jacks

More pics next week! I've got a film crew coming over for a new home haunter documentary tonight, and I can't squeeze out the time quite yet. So consider this a teaser!


Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Favorite Urban Legends-ShellHawk: The Hitchhiker

Picture via Scary For Kids
Click on the pic to listen to this urban legend as I first heard it. The second part is a fun trip through Transylvania; I couldn't find just "The Hitchhiker," by itself.

There are a few variations of this story. One involves a group of kids on their way to a dance, as on the Scary for Kids website. The missing coat seems to play in many of them, and a tool to let the characters in the story know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that they have been touched by the dead and have, themselves been in a ghost story that plays over and over again, every night.

You'd think her mother would move away...

This is Halloween!

Click on the pic and hit "Play All" for a Great Pumpkin gift!

Happy Hallowe'en, everyone!

Sunday, October 28, 2012

John Carpenter's "Halloween"

I'm so excited about the re-release of the original John Carpenter's Halloween in theaters, but doubly excited that it's going to be shown in my town! I bought my tickets already and am counting down the hours.

For those who, like me, were too young to see Halloween in the theaters, this is your golden opportunity to see it for the first time on the big screen.

I can't wait!

Friday, October 26, 2012

The Legend of Hell House (1973)

Looking for a true gothic-style haunted house movie for Hallowe'en? Look no further.
The Legend of Hell House is it. Click on the pic to watch the trailer, the go here to buy a copy. The DVDs are screamingly cheap these days!

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Cooling From the Heat of the Mad Laboratory

Better pics later, maybe. This girl is heading to Abel's with me tomorrow! 

Maybe I'll get the Hallowe'en Tree plate done after Hallows. I seem to have run out of time!

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

The End

Another nice and slightly creepy Hallowe'en scarecrow story! Click on the pic to watch.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Favorite Urban Legends-The Slender Man

Cory is a new playmate to the guest blogger playground, and I'm so glad I thought to ask him! He's a CalHaunts member and has a truly amazing and creative home haunt with a great pool of actors and a constantly evolving story line. He was kind enough to share his favorite urban legend: The Slenderman!

Many characters of horror begin with a folk tale or urban myth. These may spring from campfire tales, and prey upon people’s fears, often times with a moral agenda. Underage sex and parking dates? The Hook Handed Man. Messing with dark forces of the occult? Bloody Mary. Promiscuous sex? The black market kidney thieves and bathtub full of ice. Misbehaving children? The wood tailed mother.

One, spawned from an internet meme competition, rules them all and takes on its own dark life. Who is this creature that preys on fear and innocence? This bane of children? 

The Slenderman.

His sinuous form was birthed on June 10th, 2009 by Victor Surge in response to a Something Awful (SA) Forums Photoshop contest. The contest asked forum members to submit paranormal pictures. Two seemingly simple but hauntingly suburban pictures were submitted.
“We didn’t want to go, we didn’t want to kill them, but its persistent silence and outstretched arms horrified and comforted us at the same time…” – 1983, photographer unknown, presumed dead.
One of two recovered photographs from the Stirling City Library blaze.
Notable for being taken the day which fourteen children vanished and for what
is referred to as “The Slender Man”. Deformities cited as film defects by officials.
Fire at library occurred one week later. Actual photograph confiscated as evidence.
 – 1986, photographer: Mary Thomas, missing since June 13th, 1986.
In both pictures you see the elegantly dressed tentacled man lurking just in view of the picture, a slight distortion to his form, and the children seemingly oblivious to his presence. Chilling images, indeed.
Slender Man (a.k.a Slenderman) is a mythical creature often depicted as a tall, thin figure wearing a black suit and a blank face. According to the legend, he can stretch or shorten his arms at will and has tentacle-like appendages protruding from his back. Depending on the interpretations of the myth, the creature can cause memory loss, insomnia, paranoia, coughing fits (nicknamed “slendersickness”), photograph/video distortions and can teleport at will.”
In this writer's opinion, what makes him truly frightening is his featureless visage. He is out of focus and nebulous while the live children and scenery around him remain in crisp contrast.

The response was astounding. By taking a few pictures and altering them slightly, adding a hint of the creature, and posting them, he birthed a monster so alluring and frighting there are entire forums dedicated to this icon of horror. Other users clamored for more...and thankfully, Victor provided.
5/24/95**
1994: Wilks Estate. One subject reported nothing out of the ordinary before taking photograph. Lower stairs area was said to be very dark. Subject states that after the camera flash she heard a sound like a watermelon being *unable to understand subject*.

5/25/93**
Subject unable to recall events after manor power failure. Unable to question other two identified subjects. Camera and film acquired from Gloria Cready, current resident of Woodview Mental Hospital and Psychological Rehabilitation Clinic. Film mostly uncontaminated despite mass of blood and human tissue present on camera. No positive ID on anomalous tall and slender subject. Facial blur caused by possible contamination.

6/7/93**
Early digital analysis indicates tall subject may have no eyes. Anomalies, previously thought to be film errors and flash artifacts, now thought to be appendages.

6/10/93**
Final identified subject reported missing along with other thirty-three patients and staff of Woodview Mental Hospital and Psychological Rehabilitation Clinic south wing.

6/18/93**
Further inquiry to cease immediately.
(see report No.3339-2)
 An image of an armed man and the creature lurking through the window accompanied a blood spattered police report. The message is clear: Slenderman may prey on children, but even armed adults are sport for him. Pay attention to the date on the police report. December 1, 1955. This menace isn't new; it has been stalking us for decades sliding through our communities like a blackened razor.

Victor even provided some lovely pictures of a child's birthday party, a newspaper clipping and children's drawings that show Slenderman invading their psyche.
 The message was clear: Slenderman could hunt you in plain view, haunt you for weeks in advance and take you in a moment.

Then, more pictures, beautiful stark things,that gave me chills the first time I saw them.
“Steinmen Woods
Both subjects were hunting in the Steinmen woods four hours before sundown. Surviving subject states that while hunting both men grew uneasy as fog levels rapidly increased. A constant murmuring sound accompanied by a low hum eventually became apparent to the two men an hour after the fog increased. An object falling out of tree stuck one of the men in the left shoulder causing him to discharge his weapon. Object said to be the body of a man of unknown age. It was very precisely dissected, with major internal organs still contained within the rib cage in what looked to be clear bags. Surviving subject placed organ bag within backpack. Attack followed several minutes later after a "low children's laugh, like a giggle". Surviving subject ran until he reached his vehicle. Subject then drove to assumed safety.
Backpack destroyed.
Surviving subject is classified as a B7 witness. B7 witness to be placed in quarantine "Blind Box" until resolution.”
“2007: Investigation team discovered twenty-two bodies of both genders and various ages impaled on broken tree branches in a radiating circle pattern with chest mutilation as often noted with Slender Man. Upon confirmation, lead investigator ********* called for an immediate evacuation of investigation team at 1700 hours. Bodies first discovered at 1100 hours. Deadline for safe evacuation of team with only viewed physical evidence of Slender Man approximately 1730. Lost contact of team at 1725. Safety procedures fell well within established protocols. Reason for abnormality is unknown. Second team recovered camera equipment one week later. Slender Man safety procedures require this incident's physical photographic evidence to be disposed of by no later than 10/20.
I honestly don't get what half this poo poo means. I'm done with this Slender Man stuff. It's starting to make me uneasy. It's like reading the GBS ghost story threads before I go to bed. Why do I have to look at this stuff while it's super late?
Luckily, my friend is coming over.”
These postings suggested there had been an investigation, witness statements taken, and the witnesses hidden away by some organization, likely law enforcement. The conspiracy and darkness was suddenly elevated to a new level. No longer was it a creature that was truly hidden, but one that was hiding and being covered up.

And then, this picture and a snippet of phrase like it had been broken off as the victim had been typing.
“My friend is herejus camein barely made up staairs got pictur locked door but it s right there inthe hall dont look at its pictures it dosent want to be known about dont loo”
What strikes me about this is how much the creature looks like an image of “The Scream” by Edvard Munch. It is as if the artist had seen Slenderman in 1892 and had actually captured him in his art. However, researching the background of the famous painting, Munch describes its inception as a moment where the sunset gave him the impression of nature screaming (or shrieking). While this explanation seems fitting, it should also be noted that the area where Munch conceptualized this masterpiece was located near a slaughter house and insane asylum. His sister was committed in this asylum. Wouldn't it stand to reason that his sister could have glimpsed this creature? Normal people didn't even see Slenderman unless accidentally captured on photographs, but perhaps the mad could. Furthermore, the stress that Munch likely had--the psychic assault of an asylum, the slaughterhouse and his sister's affliction--could have opened up his mind just enough that Slenderman would register on his subconscious. Victor Surge may not have intended it, but here is a great little nugget of conspiracy that makes my black little heart quicken.

It was then that other people gifted in Photoshop (or perhaps research) began submitting their photos. Some short movies were made by other folks and posted on YouTube. Forums dedicated to the Slenderman came into existence. Some video games even began using the image.

Doing a search on Deviant Art will reward you with childlike and creepy images that honor this meme made myth. I find myself doing an internet search for new images every few weeks and growing to love this creepy child-snatching adult killer more and more.

Just a week ago I was fortunate to go and play at Heartstoppers Haunted House in Rancho Cordova. Nestled among the trees were Slenderman figures; Easter eggs for the haunter. It warmed my heart, and admittedly, gave me a bit of a chill at first. Some of the workers there had never heard of him until they saw him in their haunt. They told me tales of how “normal folks” (a.k.a. customers) could be heard calling out through the darkness “Look, guys, Slenderman!”

I am not a person who frightens easily, and I have to admit I hold a special place in my heart for the shiver of fear this tall, dark, and creepy elegant thing gives me. But what I really love, is that in a world with so much real darkness, the Slenderman has slipped unseen into the fears of a large population. He did this without an ice cream truck, a hook, a bathtub, or a mirror. He did it with electrons and fear.

And that should scare you.