Have You Heard of the Ghost of John?

(♥)

Good evening, dear guests!

Have you heard of the contest that the talented Kristen Lawerance is having over on her blog?

She’s given her trick-o’-treaters permission to use her song “The Ghost of John” to make a YouTube vid. There will be three winners who will get signed copies of Ms. Lawerance’s CDs. The contest is all about YT views, not ratings or how fancy the video is, all about the views! The contest ends on the 25th.

And below is my video entry. I had a lot of fun making this video, and yes, I was being a good little procrastinator & putting off writing papers to edit the video ^^’ I used clips from Disney’s dark & largely unknown film The Black Cauldron (1985).

I would appreciate any clicks you give the video, though, considering how much this blog has been neglected, I feel odd asking for your help. You all owe me nothing, I on the other hand…

Or even better, check out Kristen’s website, HalloweenCarols.com or her YouTube channel

Halloween almost being upon us, her music is perfect for this time of year. I simply adore her approach to music:

“In December we pull out our Christmas CDs, but what do we pull out in October? Cheap, “spooky” sound effects and time-weary compilations?

I think Danny Elfman gave us some great stuff with his music for “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and “Corpse Bride,” and I love what he creates. But we need more! And I have my own style to give you.” (♥)

I whole heartedly agree. While there are certain Halloween themed songs I love dearly, there is no real equivalent (at least not that I have heard) to Christmas carols. Kristen is helping to change that *grins* Some of her songs are very cute like Flappy Bat, while others like The Souling Song are about the older Halloween tradition of Samhain.

So here’s my video, featuring “The Ghost of John”, & the lyrics are below

Have you heard of the Ghost of John?
Long, white bones and the rest all gone!
Oooooooh!
Wouldn’t it be chilly with no skin on?

John belongs in a quaint nightmare.
Wobbly jaw and a hollow glare!
Oooooooh!
Wouldn’t things look murky through sockets bare?

John is gone from feet to skull.
Pointy elbows and clavicle!
Oooooooh!
Wouldn’t it be harsh to hug John’s fossil?

John’s not sad; he has had his day.
Smile that’s fixed in a rigid way!
Oooooooh!
Wouldn’t frowning be hard when lips decay?

John once said, “I’ve lost my head!”
Empty thoughts top his spine instead.
Oooooooh!
Isn’t it the truth now that he is dead?

Stay Spooky,

Little Red Riding Hood

Music: George Fenton - The Company of Wolves soundtrack ♬
Mood: Bashful

Little girls, this seems to say, never stop upon your way,
never trust a stranger friend, no-one knows how it will end.
As you're pretty, so be wise. Wolves may lurk in every guise.
Now, as then, it's simple truth, sweetest tongue has sharpest tooth.

Rosaleen, The Company of Wolves (1984)

I’ve seen these photos floating about tumblr for so long; it’s nice to finally know who to give credit to. These come from Rocio Montoya on flickr.

Stay Spooky,

Happy Friday the 13th

Mood: Sad Face
Music: Camille Saint-Saens - Le Carnaval des Animaux ♬


Hello dear guests!

♥

Oh yes, today is the dreaded Friday the 13th!

I can’t say that I’ve ever had anything bad happen to me on Friday the 13th. In particular, I’ve thought of it as being quite the opposite. I remember one such Friday the 13th when I was very young (maybe in grade 7, or even in grade 6), I got to attend a free concert, got late night sundaes from McDonald’s, & had a friend sleep over (which was always a big deal for me, it was not common to have friends sleep over, my mom felt that there needed to be a special occasion for such an event).

More importantly, I’m fascinated by the beliefs held about this day, well beliefs in general really. Notice I said beliefs not superstitions. As one folklore professor said:

“Superstition is a dirty word, don’t use it.”

I ask that you please do the same. The word superstition comes off as being such a negative word. It brings to mind what many would consider silly. & even if what someone believes is silly & irrational to you, it doesn’t matter, it’s still that person’s beliefs, so please, be respectful.

If you want to learn more about the beliefs surrounding this day, I suggest you check out the article on Snopes, Wikipedia as well. There was also this article today in the Vancouver Sun.

Aside from the beliefs about the day, the one thing that comes to mind when I hear Friday the 13th is the films.

♣

Confession time, I’ve never seen the original Friday the 13th films. I did however see the remake, in theatres no less. Funny story that, going to see the film, it was actually a date, a first date, oh yes, it made for a very interesting date night After agreeing to go see the film, it suddenly occurred to me what I had actually agreed to. I kept thinking, “what have I gotten myself into?!” But thanks to a certain gentleman caller, it was very enjoyable & I wasn’t scared at all, well, not too much.

& sorry to those who may not have appreciated the above image of the iconic mask. How do you all feel about Jason? Is he frightening to you? If so, my apologies. Let me make up for it!

♠

Oh come on, that’s cute & you know it!

In other Friday the 13th related spooky-cute-goodness is this clip from Ruby Gloom, showing you how to avoid bad luck:

There’s also a whole Friday the 13th themed episode of Ruby Gloom, Disaster Becomes You:

But if you ask me, the real nasty day of the year would be February, Monday the 13th

♥

Mondays are, well, Mondays, need I say more? & February is such a dreary month. You’ve got the dreaded Singles Awareness Day (also known in some cultures as Valentine’s Day), & then there’s all the snow, except by this time, it’s all slushy & dirty, & the sidewalks aren’t cleared, & well, you get the point...

But luckily, February is very far away, so let’s not think anymore about, shall we?

Stay Spooky,