Five questions asked over a glowing Jack o’Lantern, under an Autumn moon obscured by passing clouds…in between mouthfuls of candy corn…for Day of the Woman’s Brittney-Jade Colangelo, Ms. Horror-Blogosphere 2009, “Horror isn’t just a passion or an obsession; it’s a lifestyle. Horror lovers are this weird sub-species of humanity that can bond together over the love of something so strange to love.”
Why is Halloween important to you?
Halloween is by far my favorite holiday of the year because it brings me back to a comfort zone of my childhood. My mother is a diehard horror nut and my father gets sick pleasure out of terrifying other people. My fondest memories with my parents were setting up haunted houses in the front yard or running the haunted hayride in the community. There was nothing better than leaving Trick Or Treating an hour early just to be home in time to watch Halloween on AMC with my mom as we decided which houses gave crap candy. I can only hope that someday I have the opportunity to spread the love of Halloween to my children.
Describe your ideal Halloween.
The ideal Halloween for me would include copious amounts of liquid courage and a party set to the soundtrack of the very best in horror movie songs/scores. There would be only candy given during trick or treating hours and no children would be covering their costumes with oversize winter coats. Screams and laughter would fill the air and everyone would pass out long after the witching hour to the sight of a horror classic.
What Halloween collectibles do you cherish, or hate, or both?
I absolutely hate overly punned Halloween decor from chain stores. If I never have to see one more decoration with something to do with a “Ghouls Night Out” cheap manicure set, it’ll be too soon. I don’t know why people like this crap. I’d rather have a subtle ghost in the tree or blood stained sidewalk instead of putting a sign in my yard with the word “spooktacular” on it.
When was your very first Halloween, the one where you really knew it was Halloween, and how was it?
My very first Halloween that I was excited for was when I was 6 years old. My parents used to run the haunted hayride around the Halloween season for the community. Every night, dozens of people would hop onto the back of a trailer pulled by a madman on a tractor. As ghosts, zombies, vampires, and werewolves came out of every corner and horrific scenes were put on display to frighten the audience, a tall hockey masked man wielding a chainsaw would hop aboard and horrify everyone in sight. I hid underneath a blanket and screamed as Jason Voorhees held a chainsaw to my face, when suddenly, I burst out into tears uncontrollably. The Jason Voorhees knelt down to me and lifted his mask up and said “Brittney, It’s Daddy. It’s just Daddy”. I glued on to him and he carried me off the trailer. Seeing the mask removed really showed me what Halloween was really about, and I wanted to be a part of it.
What’s the one Halloween question you want to be asked and what’s your answer?
Q: What would I be if I could be anything for Halloween?
A: I’d want to be the 50 Foot Woman. I’d make a little city to hang from my shoulders and stand by my feet so I’d look gigantic. I’ve always wanted to figure out a way to make it without my city getting destroyed.
Nice, that’s totally awesome having parents that did a haunted hayride…I love hayrides, even when they aren’t haunted. I also love rolling in the hay, but that’s a whole different thing.
Those are some great Halloween memories!
I especially like how your Dad was willing to remove his mask and how it revealed the true nature of the festivities.
BTW- A 50 Foot Woman costume would be awesome. I’ve always wanted to be The Incredible Melting Man, though the whole goopey skin thing poses somewhat of a problem.