Halloween Week 2009: A More Personal Introduction

We’ve told you what to expect in the upcoming week with a formal introduction–but here’s the more personal skinny on Halloween, what it means to each of us and how (and if) feelings changed since last year.

Ana

It’s been one year since Thea took over the blog with the first Halloween Week. What has changed? Not a lot, to be honest.

I still don’t celebrate Halloween. It is simply not a part of my cultural background, growing up in Brazil and it doesn’t seem to be a huge part of English culture either, at least not where I live. There are a couple of kids that go around my street trick or treating but they are really, really young.

So, it is safe to say that me entire current Halloween Experience consists of submitting to Thea’s torture taking part of the celebrations here in the blog. Last year, I was literally dragged, kicking and screaming into accepting it. I ended up reading books, watching movies that proved to be better than I thought and I can genuinely say that it wasn’t as bad I thought it would be.

Then, there was the Zombie Appreciation Week earlier this year and wouldn’t you know…I ended up having a blast. So much so that now I am the one going around the web searching for Zombie books to read. I can now say that I embrace the Zombie.

Ana embracing her inner zombie

Because of that, I am actually looking forward to at least part of the celebration this year. I am totally cool about the Zombie day and about doing my Twilight Zone marathon. I am however, still downright scared of Aliens, Clowns, Psychological Horror, Creatures (except for Tortured Souled Vampires and the aforementioned Zombie), Blood, Orphans, Demons, Rocking Empty Chairs, Ghost, Saws, Chainsaws, Claws, Torture and Jason.

But hey, BRING IT ON, THEA. Do your worst. This year, I am ready.

Thea:

mmmmmmMMMMWAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAahahahahaha!

(That was my impression of an evil laugh)

Well, not much has changed for me either in terms of how much I love Halloween. I love it. From the horror movies playing on cable nonstop, to the theme parks that transform into monster havens at night, to the fun costumes I get to come up with and put together, to just the feeling of fall chill in the air. I love Halloween.

This year, we’re trying to expand, bringing in more book reviews and making an effort to cover some subgenres in horror that we didn’t get a chance to look at last year. Science Fiction Horror, International Horror, Women Who Kick Ass Horror…you know, the works. Since I’m not really changing much, I’m making it my goal this Halloween season to get Ana to become a full-fledged fan. It is my secret, all-consuming goal to get one thing to happen in particular:

One day, I WILL get Ana to watch The Exorcist.

I’m working on it. She will get there. Maybe not this year…but soon enough. (Hey, I got her to embrace The Zombie. I can get her to give ancient Sumerian demons a try)

That is all.

We invite you to pull up a chair, then sit back, relax, and enjoy. It’s Halloween Week, baby!