2 years ago, in Scotland, I slacked off celebrating Halloween because I felt it stupid to ‘celebrate’ an American tradition in a non-American country… Oh how arrogant and stupid I was.
Halloween is obviously Irish to begin with anyway, and all in all a fairly non-commercial tradition (at least from where I’m sitting)… And add to that, the fact that it’s all one big excuse for carving pumpkins and watching horror movies… Well, what’s not to like I ask?
The last couple of days, I’ve had to defend the cobwebs and spiders in my office (bought at the local BR, a toy chain) to people who felt it stupid to ‘celebrate’ an American tradition in a non-American country (spurred helpfully along by the animosity felt towards Bush’s US, that’s pervasive in Denmark, and I suppose Europe at large).
Either way, my point being, that I like Halloween. And I wish I hadn’t had to spend every evening over the last week at work, so that I might’ve spent an evening with Rikke, carving pumpkins and watching horror movies. Alas.
Yesterday I came in to work fairly early, worked until 5 o’clock when a Halloween party of sorts was kicked off, went up and got a glass of punch, got ever so slightly tipsy, and went down to continue working (fuelled by ear-drum-wavering NiN) and finally wrapped it up when it was thoroughly dark and rainy outside.
Today I’m off to help with a move, attend a Halloween party with one of Rikke’s colleagues and then tomorrow I’ll be at it again down at work.
Not that I regret it, it’s a great feeling to be making serious progress. But last year I sort of promised myself that I would spend a little more time enjoying Halloween this time around, yet I haven’t had the time, nor will I get it… Too bad as well, since I had plans for dressing up the site and everything, even threw in a few hours last weekend. I suppose it’ll have to wait for next year :)
Such are the woes of fulltime employment.
But this Halloween shall not go entirely uncelebrated, and if nothing else I can dole out some atmosphere, through the use of entirely copyrighted material.
- From Evil Dead by Joseph LoDuca
- From The Shining by Wendy Carlos
- From Bram Stoker’s Dracula by Wojciech Kilar
- And a Bonus Track
- And a Bonus Track (mp4)
Finally, I’ll probably not be posting any entries between now and when I finalize 4. Have a grueling and bloody Halloween!
Thanks for them files. Happy Halloween! Muahahahahaha… fade out
Thanks for the files Michael, have a happy Halloween :). Can’t wait for 4.
Heh.. thanks for the files Michael :)
I’m seriously looking forward to 4. Currently use Kubrick, which rocks. Have a festive and downright fun Halloween.
Beware kids. Michael has some work to do this night.
Laurie screaming
PS:I think “our” Michael is a bit more friendly.Happy halloween with Rikke ;)
unfortunately the whole month of Ramadan is at the same time as Halloween, so no parties here. :(
whole = holy. sorry
you know you can carve pumpkins and watch horror movies year out, thats what I never understood holidays (other than independence day and such).
Why do people feel they can only have that kinda fun ONE day a year?
Now I’m just waiting for Halo-een…
Halloween comes form the Celtic festival of Samhain celebrated throughout the British Isles in pre Christian times. The festival was coopted by Christians, in an if you cant beat ‘em nick their party move, during Roman times..
“>celticspirit.org
wikipedia.org
I’ve heard people having issues with celebrating US holidays, like Halloween or Valentine’s. Sure, origins may not be American, but people everywhere are celebrating both mentioned holidays in a distinctly US fashion. And what’s the problem?!
When I lived in France I was pretty surprised that they went into a Halloween frenzy in October. I mean FRENZY. All the supermarkets (or hypermarkets, as they call them) seemed like they had been dipped in “pumpkin orange” paint. Many people had cool Halloween parties, it was just everywhere.
Then someone told me that this had only been going on for about 5-6 years! Before that the general agreement was that it was unfrench to celebrate an American tradition. But when they discovered it wasn’t American, then it was suddenly ok.
What bullocks. I bet nearly all of “our” traditions come from somewhere else, like, ehm, Christmas, for example.
On a side note: whoever invented Father’s and Mother’s day need a spanking. Not to mention Children’s and, behold, Secretary’s day! (yes, these days actually are celebrated here in Brazil). I can’t decide which has been inflated more in recent years: commercialization or love.
I can’t recall… which day is Blog Day? ::snicker::
I agree with Jens… too many non-traditional commercialized celebrations (note that Mother’s Day is celebrated on different dates in the USA and UK… not sure about anywhere else). But when you have “Brother-in-law’s-half-cousin’s-Pet-Turtle”‘s Day, then you know it has all got terribly out of hand.
Even Christmas is a bit of a slap in the face of other religions and cultures. But going over-board to placate others seems to be a very North American trait. I’ve never been found of political correctness, but found myself crying when in Canada (surprise, surprise) wanted to rename the traditional Christmas Tree to Holiday Tree.
As for Halloween – it’s good for the young kids. I’m not a huge fan for adults, but my wife is a pagan witch, so for her this is the prime celebration in her order. And my kids are 2.5 and 1.5 years old, so they are just getting into this stuff, which is really cool to watch.
We all know that the only true holiday is Talk Like a Pirate Day!
Who needs crummy holidays when you can buy beer every day?
To me the whole idea of holidays (save the one or two i mentioned above) is retarded….
I was gonna make a post about this but then my girlfriend came over and I gess I forgot :D
From the howling winds and the chilly cold arises a vampire with blood-shot eyes and white long teeth… to wish you a happy haloween… ;)
It’s also winter-een-mas – the gaming holiday!
Well… There are a lot of people here, in Russia, celebrating Samhain insted of Halloween and I think this is a good way to have some party an the end of October :)
Happy New Celtic Year! ;)
Next up is Divali. So many cultures, so many parties. ;-)