Thread: 2006 Halloween Highlights From JD's House

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Before beginning, just wanted to express sympathy to those whose Halloween night, which should be nothing but a positive experience, was ruined by the unconsiconable, anti-social behaviour of a bunch of lowlifes. Although I'm certain the vast majority of home haunters had a good time, it bothers all of us to hear about the bad experiences.

The 2006 edition here at the JD household was a lot of fun. A few highlights:

Kids really got a kick out of it. We got around 250-300 kids, of all ages. Well behaved and, more often than not, passed on a nice compliment. My older bro, and his friend, who are both very big guys, were again done up with ghoulish makeup and generally mingled. Were in good form, had a few group shots with families, and also enjoyed themselves.

Parents gushing. You can see the twinkle in their eye; i.e., man, I'd love to do this. Some of the dads really slayed me with the way they were giggling and carrying on. They couldn't believe it, like kids getting that long-awaited GI Joe at Christmas (I'm 40. GI Joe was a very important aspect of my childhood). They'd be talking to you, but looking up at the ghoul or staring at the FCG. Lots of picture taking. Looked like a press conference at times. Lots of people taking group shots with my 15' ghoul. One guy asked me who I hired to do the setup. Heh. I suppose it's possible; some homes in the neighbourhood hire professionals to do Christmas decorations. Some of it is over the top, kinda like my haunt. I told him to stop being such a lazy mope and to go out and buy a drill and staple gun. No, that last part isn't true.

Two police cars showed up with their lights flashing. I was thinking something was up. Turns out they had just come by to look and were totally impressed. I guess they felt like turning on their flashers for effect. One of them mentioned I should turn the light out in the garage; i.e., ruining the FCG effect. I had been looking for the glowsticks for my kids and had the light on, you see. I told the cop to mind his own business. No, that last part isn't true, either.

Rain started at 4pm, stopped at 5pm, and didn't come back. Good times, indeed.

New sounds and a proper sound system. I think this was really key. I have historically been focused on props and have tended to ignore light and sound. That changed this year. I read a lot of the lighting wisdom on forums like this and endeavoured to do something about the sound experience. I picked up some used sound equipment, a receiver/amp and a couple of high-end speakers. I then downloaded a bunch of horrific sound patches, gave them to my sound engineer brother who slapped together an amazing 5-minute mp3, and, well, the whole thing was really unbelievable. Not only terrifying, but loud terrifying. Hoowaa!

Deconstruction took 4 hours this morning. Packed, but not yet on the storage shelves. Had to deal with some work stuff that came up. People were still driving by, hoping to catch a glimpse. One woman mentioned she had heard of it on the radio and wanted to get some pictures. Oh well, there's always next year.

Like all of you, I don't know where I find the time to do all this but, in the end, it always feels worthwhile. Again, hopeful that those among you who were robbed of some of the positive spirit of the occasion will nevertheless dust off and go at it again next year.

JD

Jd sounds like you had a wonderful night and very thoughtful in regard to our friends who did not.

Mistress Muffy

JD, I very happy to hear that everything went good for you.
I also appreciate the fact that you feel for us who didnt have such a wondeful halloween.

Honestly, It makes me happy to read that everyone had a great time and kids really enjoyed it. I will say this, I did have some foreign people come to my house and they said that they have made sure to come to my house every single year for the past 3 years. That did make my day somewhat. That and the non stop pictures people were taking in the yard.

Pictures! please!

I am glad your Halloween was a success. I second the motion for photos.

Every year, I run around so much, I never remember to take pictures on Halloween night. I called my wife, she didn't either.

I do, however, have a bunch of day/night pictures taken last Friday.

http://s127.photobucket.com/albums/p141/JaD__/

Man, this is like a flu bug that won't go away. Before dragging the power tools back down to the basement, I'm working on the cemetery fence I couldn't finish in time for this year.

Good times.

JD

cool display JD well done