Fiendish Fun

If you aren't already acquainted with her, let me introduce you to Katy Towell, author and animator extraordinaire. She is the genius behind the stories and short films on skary.net.

Katy used to be a preschool teacher. I imagine this is where she draws most of her inspiration from. Her protagonists are small children facing life's miseries, usually under macabre circumstances.

My personal favourite, The Little Girl Who Was Forgotten By Absolutely Everyone (Even The Postman), is about a young girl who just wants someone to notice her. She wishes for a companion. While her plea does not go unheard, the results are unexpected.

Visit her website and be sure to watch the collection of short animations in the theatre and browse the images in the gallery.

Dear Santa,

I realize you don't have much room on your sleigh, but would you consider bringing me a couch from coffincouches.com for Christmas? I've been a good ghoul all year.

You don't even have to bring me this particular one. Use your own discretion and choose from the many different colours in their online catalogue. You see, Santa, not only would you be making me happy, you would also be helping the environment as most of the 18 gauge steel coffins used to make these couches are collected from funeral homes local to the company.

I realize that going all the way down to Southern California and then straight up to Southern Ontario might be a bit out of your way in regards to your usual route, but think about it, please?

Or work it into your plans for next Christmas.

Love, Ghoul Friday

While Santa Claus is an easily identifiable figure, this horned creature might leave North Americans scratching their head (or fleeing for their life).

Meet Krampus (derived from the old German word for 'claw'), Santa's dark sidekick. While naughty children here can expect a lump of coal in their stocking if they have been particularly bad, misbehaving children in some European countries are destined to face Krampus: a goat-like, horned and hoofed demon wielding a switch (often a birch rod).

Here's a little info on Krampus, who has his own holiday on Dec. 5th each year. Since pre-Christian times, local folk have dressed up as Krampus and stormed through the streets, the bell around their waist signalling their arrival before they've even come into view. Some sources claim the march of Krampus (and Perchten, the female equivalent) helped to scare away winter, but mainly the purpose was to scare straight any misbehaving children.

Recently, I've spent most of my time ranting and raving about the current political situation in Canada. I'm finally at the point where I think I can blog without boring my readers with my views on politics, since that's not what this website is about.

For example, I wouldn't want to get off track and complain that many Canadians don't seem to understand the basic structure of their own parliamentary system, and what the real implications are for what's happening. No sir. I wouldn't want to do that.

Instead, I will promote Playdead Cult's Christmas sale happening this Saturday December 6th from Noon to 7pm, and Sunday December 7th Noon to 5pm. They are promising new affordable art pieces of varying sizes and lots of great discounts (10% - 65% off selected items). As well, you can enjoy complimentary snacks and beverages, music, live art and screen printing and "Playdead style gift wrapping"!

And don't forget to ask Santa for a new Prime Minister. I'm asking for Don Newman.

Reluctantly, I realize it's time to embrace the cheerier holiday of Christmas. I'm still not ready to bring out the decorations, but today was my first day of Christmas shopping (online, of course). Now that I have the gifts ordered, I need some wrapping paper.

Gift Shrouds (Eclectic by Design) promises 'Dark designs for wicked wrapping. Helping bats and ghouls celebrate in style'. And they deliver. Customers can choose from critters to cleavers, to lovely Victorian patterns for their holiday wrappings.

For me, the problem is I don't have many friends who would truly appreciate the paper adorning their gift as much as I would. Perhaps I'll send Santa the link.

After watching a bit of Hannibal on television last night (I like Julianne Moore, but she just isn't a substitute for Jodi Foster), I remembered an item I've been meaning to blog about for ages.

Thanks to Natalie at Bake and Destroy, you now know what to get your favourite cannibal or undead friend for Christmas. As part of her - and I kid you not - Zombies in Popular Media Class, she wrote The Joy of Cooking Humans for all flesh eaters to enjoy.

The premise came after musing about the evolution of Zombies over the years (especially throughout the filmography of George Romero):

Looking for something to do in the city? Might I suggest
Nightmare on Queen St.

Playdead Cult and Darkside have once again created "two levels of terror" in a haunt running until Nov 1st.

For the low price of $10, you can experience thrills, chills and live music at The Playdead Mansion - 1233 Queen St W, Toronto (west of Dufferin. Be sure to use the back entrance located off Gwynne Ave).

Haunt hours are between 8-11pm tonight and Saturday (may extend to accommodate existing line-ups); 7pm-11pm Halloween Night.

After a peek at the trailer (posted below), I don't think it's for the timid.

Before you attend the Toronto Zombie Walk on Sunday, take a stroll over to 6 Noble St (Dufferin and Queen) for the Bazaar of the Bizarre.

The Royal Sarcophagus Society has gathered all the local artistic ghouls and gals to participate in a sinister shopping experience.

Our first Halloween & Holiday Marketplace! Over 40 artists, clothing designers, craft-folk, publishers and other independent makers of all things exotic and macabre will assemble for this eccentric emporium of curious crafts.

Have you missed me, my little monsters? Things have been busy, so I'm sorry if you've been neglected.

Tomorrow marks the start of the Toronto After Dark Film Festival. I don't have time to ramble on in my usual rotten way, so I'll just quote the source:

8 Nights of New Horror, Sci-Fi, Action and Cult Movies! And we just can't wait to share with you some of the most amazing movies we've discovered over the last year!

Starting from tomorrow, Friday, Oct 17 to next Friday, Oct 24, we are at the Bloor Cinema, 506 Bloor St. W, Toronto screening 16 thrilling new feature film premieres and a host of kick-ass short films.

Check out their website for more details.

Excuse the quiet website. We ended up staying out from 7 pm until sometime past 5 am for Nuit Blanche. I was worn out enough to allow a cold lurking just below the surface to finally strike. I've been saving my energy for getting the house ready for Halloween.

Our first stop was to Playdead Cult (website currently under construction) at 1233 Queen St West. You have to love a place that has a hearse out front waiting to greet you. Normally, you can find everything from hand painted guitars to t-shirts here, but on this night it was all about celebrating Dia de los Muertos.