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General Category => General Talk => Topic started by: Sarah on October 29, 2007, 03:33:58 pm

Title: Halloween!
Post by: Sarah on October 29, 2007, 03:33:58 pm: I'm a little disappointed by the lack of topics with real posting value in General lately, mostly because people think the question forum is a better place for threads, when a lot of them could be going here. But hopefully this topic will get some discussion, and maybe lead people to see what is acceptable in general beyond news threads. (I know there is a thread about this in the question forum, but this will deal with different topics)

Anyway, I want to talk about Halloween! It used to be my favourite Holiday. From trick-or-treating, to dressing up, to just watching Halloween themed cartoons... it was a great time. Everyone really got into it when I was younger, on the days leading up to Halloween there's no way you could forget it was almost October 31st. Heck, it usually started at the BEGINNING of October.

But now it seems like the thrill of the Holiday is wearing off. I want to know why you think that is?

I personally think it's a mix between apathy, cynics (or people who think they're too cool for fun) and religion.

Apathy: I think people are just too lazy to take a couple of hours and deck out their lawn, or to carve a pumpkin. It really doesn't take that long, but it does take effort. People seem to be unwilling to exert that extra bit of effort to make it a joy for children. And I know it can be a little costly, but most decorations can be reused for many years so it's totally worth it.

Cynics: I've noticed a lot of people think that they're too cool for stuff like this. Whether that's because stupid little kids who dress up like it's Halloween every day ruined their view or if it's because they want to be radical and different, or if they truly don't care, I don't know. I wish more people were enthusiastic about it though.

Religion: In Canada, at least, we have a very multicultural society. And because of that, we often have a lot of conflicts surrounding holidays. I completely understand these people not wanting to celebrate, but the fact that they ask us to change our ways for them really bothers me. We're not even allowed to say Merry Christmas anymore because not everyone celebrates it and they find it offensive or something. Our traditions are being put second to those of outsiders. I know that sounds offensive, but I don't understand why we are bowing down to people who came to our country.

I don't want to say much more about religion because it could easily break this topic.

But also, I want to know what you've gone out as in the past, and if you're dressing up this year (whether it's for a party or something else), as what?

When I was younger I went out as batman and superman a few years, and then I started going as zombies, dracula, and a ghoul. Things that I thought were pretty spooky. As I got older it became more of a joke and I began dressing up as a woman, a tennis player, and GUY WEARING MASK.

I'm not going out this year, unfortunately. I will be handing out candy at a friends house I believe. I'm going to count how many kids come. She lives in a fairly populated area, but I want to see how bad it is as far as trick-or-treaters go. Maybe I am wrong and it's still as popular as ever. I really hope so, because I want to take my kid out in a few years and if the trend continues the way I think it is, that may not happen, which upsets me greatly.

Also, Happy Halloween guys. (google image search picture time)

(http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/1769/happyhalloweenssqm3.jpg)
Title: Halloween!
Post by: Carrion Crow on October 29, 2007, 03:48:18 pm: Am throwing a halloween party. Insane robot costume time!
Title: Halloween!
Post by: Dale Gobbler on October 29, 2007, 04:02:50 pm: I never really got into the "spirit" of Halloween, I just see it as another holiday with themed candy.
Title: Halloween!
Post by: Sarah on October 29, 2007, 04:16:35 pm: Quote from: konix on October 29, 2007, 04:04:08 pm
I'm not one to advocate political correctness, but I feel it's necessary here. You said it yourself: canada is a multicultural society, not a christian one. Your beliefs aren't being put second behind others, they're simply being put on equal footing with them. Just like other people aren't happy to see merry christmas everywhere, I'm sure you wouldn't be happy to see fucking salam aleikum or whatever everywhere.
I wouldn't care, in all honesty. I have no problem with others celebrating their beliefs. I wouldn't be happy having to see that while Merry Christmas was stilled BANNED or whatever though.

Quote
As far as halloween is concerned, I think its loss of appeal has more to do with the fact that you're getting older as opposed to there being some WAR ON HALLOWEEN or some shit. It's really more of a little kid's holiday anyway.

I'm not saying there's a war on Halloween, I'm saying the holiday seems to be dying. Most holidays are. It's not just me; I've had my TV on YTV the last few days and where they would normally be airing tons of halloween things, I've seen none. Not even commercials. I took into account the fact that I'm older and the shows and channels I watch are different, but even on channels aimed at children, there's very little, when there used to be lots.

And I am still very interested in it. I have grown out of the trick-or-treat phase, but the celebration is something that still appeals to me. I love seeing creative costumes, and people decorating. These things just don't happen much anymore, that's what I'm saying.
Title: Halloween!
Post by: ase on October 29, 2007, 04:17:39 pm: Halloween has lost its childish appeal to me, because now it simply means that 60% of girls are dressed up in bunny costumes and go whore themselves out for the weekend (even more than usual).

Some "interesting" costumes I've seen this year:

NASA Mission Control Center & Neil Armstrong (2 people)
Tissue Box ("Blow me")

As you can see I am not very excited about Halloween this year.
Title: Halloween!
Post by: Dale Gobbler on October 29, 2007, 04:24:10 pm: Quote from: ASE on October 29, 2007, 04:17:39 pm
Halloween has lost its childish appeal to me, because now it simply means that 60% of girls are dressed up in bunny costumes and go whore themselves out for the weekend (even more than usual).

Exactly, it use to be about people trying to look scary or vastly different, but now it's about people trying to make the holiday sexy.
Title: Halloween!
Post by: Indalecio on October 29, 2007, 05:03:59 pm: I like Halloween for two reasons. One, it's my birthday (21st this year, too...). Two, I've always liked the horror/thriller genre, whether it be movies, books, or games. I'm disappointed that I didn't get to do anything particularly special for Halloween this year. A group of friends and myself were wanting to dress up as the Nazgul and ride around town on our bikes, blaring their theme music from a boombox...but we're all lazy and lack initiative, plus the "designated" trick-or-treating time around here was 3-5pm yesterday. That's another thing; because of some of the dumb fucking retards we have around here, we can't even trick-or-treat at night anymore, or even for an extended period of time. So, I like the idea of Halloween, I guess, but the spirit of Halloween around here is really tame.
Title: Halloween!
Post by: Pepoke on October 29, 2007, 05:13:19 pm: Frik. I just realized Halloween is 2 days away.

I guess the halidays are dying :/

Acctually the only reason I like halloween is because Its my guitar playing anniversary :gwa:
Title: Halloween!
Post by: Bill Murray on October 29, 2007, 05:15:43 pm: I am going to attempt to carve Park Myung Soo (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=HJ-0UvwA23k)'s face onto a pumpkin with no carving experience. Expect photos and a mashed up pumpkin.
Title: Halloween!
Post by: Evangel on October 29, 2007, 06:49:51 pm: Quote from: Esh on October 29, 2007, 05:15:43 pm
I am going to attempt to carve Park Myung Soo (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=HJ-0UvwA23k)'s face onto a pumpkin with no carving experience. Expect photos and a mashed up pumpkin.

what is that tv show, like "wild n out" for japanese people?

even though i dont usually do much for halloween, i think it's a cool holiday. i think it's funny how here in america parents can shelter their kids from violence/frightening imagery, yet on halloween you see their yards with bloody corpses and sacreligious symbols and shit. pretty freaking awesome.
Title: Halloween!
Post by: bick on October 29, 2007, 07:27:08 pm: Halloween isn't very fun in my neighborhood. There's a lot of people who bring their kids from other neighborhoods to trick or treat here so that kinda gets the candy buyers down. Also, last year I gave out candy and only about 10 kids came to my door, it was so depressing. This year I'm going over to a friends house and watching a scary movie or two, nothing too special.
Title: Halloween!
Post by: KK4 on October 29, 2007, 07:30:56 pm: I'm going to release demons from the underworld and then laugh when they eat unsuspecting children. Nothing like that old time religion.
Title: Halloween!
Post by: Pepoke on October 29, 2007, 07:58:14 pm: Quote from: bick on October 29, 2007, 07:27:08 pm
Halloween isn't very fun in my neighborhood. There's a lot of people who bring their kids from other neighborhoods to trick or treat here so that kinda gets the candy buyers down. Also, last year I gave out candy and only about 10 kids came to my door, it was so depressing. This year I'm going over to a friends house and watching a scary movie or two, nothing too special.

Heh. Last halloween[I remeber it like it was yesterday...time flies so fast] my dad forgot to turn the kitchen light on[which ][/which], so no one came to our door. I thought people were like afraid of us, but really they thought no one was home :/ But we did get to keep all the candy...

I dunno, I guess the best prank I can think of is to fake a death. But one that Im thinking about would take a while to play out, so its a little late to prepare for it.
Anyone know any good pranks?
Title: Halloween!
Post by: bonzi_buddy on October 29, 2007, 08:26:51 pm: edit HEH EDITING MESSAGE BEFORE POSTING but uh, i was about to rant about my disapointing culinarist exprience about pumpkin but apparently you americans prepare it first and not eat it raw as i did! Thanks to Izekeal and Allsop at irc for the valuable information.
So uh yeah, you guys are forgiven. ~ Hooray Halloween! I'll definitely try that pumpkin pie if i ever happen to encounter such anywhere.
Title: Halloween!
Post by: Bill Murray on October 29, 2007, 08:41:23 pm: Quote from: Evangel on October 29, 2007, 06:49:51 pm
what is that tv show, like "wild n out" for japanese people?
It's a Korean show called Xman. And yeah, I guess it's similar to that (although I've never seen it).
Title: Halloween!
Post by: james_the_composer on October 29, 2007, 09:21:11 pm: As an artist I love Halloween. Absolutely love it. Imagine a dark space with a bright shining orange light. Just amazing. No I'm serious I'm not drugged out. ;-)

Halloween and the color orange always remind me of the friends I would hang out with. The nice chill of the fresh thick air running through the fields as me and my friend would walk around town.

And you could urge the possiblity of these fuzzy feelings starting when I was a kid. The memory lodged in the back of my sub-concious mind.

Even though it's a fake holliday with loads of commercialism, there is still a warm spot in my heart for the day and always will be.

That's what halloween truly means to me.
Title: Halloween!
Post by: Wash Cycle on October 29, 2007, 09:26:04 pm: the last couple years I've either had to work or have had loads of school work on halloween, so I never did get around to dressing up

halloween was absolutely one of my favorite holidays as a kid, but I am not very creative at dressing up and buying costumes is expensive (unless you put together shit from thrift) so I just.. dont really do it I guess

though my dad has a bunch of friends over and they get really drunk and pass out candy to the neighborhood kids, so that will be interesting at least
Title: Halloween!
Post by: Ragnar on October 29, 2007, 10:05:58 pm: Quote from: Wash Cycle on October 29, 2007, 09:26:04 pm
though my dad has a bunch of friends over and they get really drunk and pass out
Title: Halloween!
Post by: Rone Rivendale on October 29, 2007, 10:14:05 pm: I work at a grocery store and we were allowed to dress up on Saturday so I decided to go as a Goth. You can see a few pictures I took that night on my myspace page. You gotta be logged into myspace to see the pictures. (You can add me too if you wish but send me a message along with the request so I know you aren't a spammer).

http://www.myspace.com/ronerivendale
Title: Halloween!
Post by: Intellectualdiot on October 29, 2007, 11:10:43 pm: Last year, I dressed as a Hobo. I got the oddest looks while working the front counter at work with the last remnants of my charcoal stick scrubbed over my face and appendages, my filthy and tattered shirt and my piecemeal blue jeans. I enjoyed myself quite a bit.

This year? There's supposed to be a speakeasy themed party on campus, which I believe is a brilliant idea. I'm pretty tempted to dress up as a flapper, but I'm not willing to shave for the part. If I was going for era authenticity though, my costume might consist solely of a noose ha.

Also, one might be weary of unnecessarily condemning American culture based upon the puritanical polemics ubiquitous in our purported liberal media. Admittedly, being from the south, I've experienced my fair share of trivial vilification towards Halloween, but most seem to view this as a neutral rite. The younger the individual, the more healthy the skepticism tends to be.
Title: Halloween!
Post by: Bill Murray on October 29, 2007, 11:16:07 pm: Quote from: Rone Rivendale on October 29, 2007, 10:14:05 pm
I work at a grocery store and we were allowed to dress up on Saturday so I decided to go as a Goth. You can see a few pictures I took that night on my myspace page. You gotta be logged into myspace to see the pictures. (You can add me too if you wish but send me a message along with the request so I know you aren't a spammer).

http://www.myspace.com/ronerivendale
Man, if that wasn't Myspace that would so be an advertising post.
Title: Halloween!
Post by: XaviarCraig on October 29, 2007, 11:16:56 pm: I sadly will not be going out or to any party, because the most important test in my calculus class is at 9;30-12 midnight. And you bet yo ass I am gonna be studying the entire next 48 hours for it! (I am on my 10 minute break so :P )

Halloween was always one of the holidays I never really understood. I think its pretty fun when I am not busy, 'cause I get to make "trick-or-treat"ers shit their pants when I fire blank rounds at them! But other than that I am kinda oblivious to everything else that goes on during the holiday!
Title: Halloween!
Post by: Frankie on October 29, 2007, 11:50:51 pm: Here at my college its customary that students come disguised on the 31rst. Lots of people don't, but many do, and I'm part of em!
Im dressing up as HOAGIE from Day of tentacle. I shaved my beard and mustache, and stencyled his shirts' FLAMING SKULL design on an old black t-shirt. Ill stuff it with a pillow to make me look comically obese, complete it all with a blue cap put on backwards, and here I am!!

(http://namuri.it/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/day_of_tentacle_screenshot.jpg)

I dont TRICK OR TREAT no more though naturally. But I like how halloween is a good excuse do dress up ridiculously and be more wacky than usual.

Im hoping some other people will somehow come dressed as Bernard and Laverne, or possibly the tentacles or the prof. That would be nerdily awesome.

(my avatar is outdated a little, My hair is longer now, almost comparable to Hoagies'. IT WORKS I TELL YOU)
Title: Halloween!
Post by: Cheesy Doritos on October 30, 2007, 12:06:54 am: I still go trick-or-treating, actually. There's never homework on Halloween so me and my friends walk around the houses and have fun basically. Also I can get a couple pounds of candy each Halloween. (I take everything from the bowls :( ) This year i'm PROFESSOR SCIENCE.

from Qwantz dinosaur comics (Click to reveal)
(https://legacy.gamingw.net/etc/www.qwantz.com/shirt_science.png)

I'm wearing this (my favorite shirt) with a lab coat and a cane. In the past years, in decreasing order of what I remember: Civilian / Zorro, Old Man (me with a cane), Old Man, Hobo (ripped old shirt, wooden cane, fake beard), and some other things I don't remember until when I was like 4 and I was a KARATE KID.
Title: Halloween!
Post by: The Dude on October 30, 2007, 01:30:28 am: I like Halloween for the Simpson's specials. I don't eat candy anymore, as a general rule... and besides which, this year I'm working during Halloween, then going home to continue plugging away at Take Down Legacy Episode 2.
When I was living with my parents though, I would dress up in a fully-covered costrume, and pretend to be a statue. Then when kids least suspect it, jump or do something sudden.

One year, I had the statue thing going, and when I moved it scared them, and I pretended to be animatronic...haha they fell for it, until I stood up and went BOO! :) Halloween is really fun.
Title: Halloween!
Post by: Kaempfer on October 30, 2007, 03:40:14 am: I used to go trick or treating, and I've had some pretty badass costumes. I've been a skeleton, a vampire, a pirate (complete with fake-ass moustache), uh, and some other shit. My best costume was, by far, my Crusader outfit, though. Anyone who has seen my picture where I am wearing a helmet knows that is from my outfit! I also had a crown made out of tinfoil (because I was King Richard) and people assumed I was in the KKK for some reason (apparently white garb with a giant red cross on it and a crown with a cross on it made of tinfoil is fuckin' racist, I'm not even a Christian).

I really wanted to go as the guys from Beastie Boys - Intergalatic (me and my two friends as engineers, my other, large friend as the robot) but I didn't think of it early enough. Maybe next year I'll go as Miami Vice or something. Hell, I might not even wait until Halloween. I would seriously wear a costume every day if I had the wherewithall to go out and buy one.
Title: Halloween!
Post by: Ratt on October 30, 2007, 12:08:18 pm: I'm going as Carmen SanDiego. I found her entire uniform at a Salvation Army store.
Title: Halloween!
Post by: the_hoodie on October 30, 2007, 12:45:35 pm: One quick question:
What religious significance does Halloween serve? I've never heard it being called religious before.
Title: Halloween!
Post by: Drule on October 30, 2007, 02:33:57 pm: http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery?s=halloween&gwp=13
Title: Halloween!
Post by: Blitzen on October 30, 2007, 03:13:36 pm: What is really scary about Halloween is how much of the candy they give out just barely qualifies as food.

Also ghosts.