Stay tuned...
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Friday, December 25, 2009
Merry Christmassacre (and Happy Horrordays)!
I originally wasn't sure what I should call this post. Gravedigger's Local 16 strives to be all-inclusive and not promote one holiday over another (save for Halloween), but I already used the title "Happy Horrordays" last year and didn't want to repeat myself. So I decided to do three separate posts devoted to the holidays that get the most focus: Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. Although I came up with pun names like "Killwanzaa" and "Hanukkill" (or should it be "Chanukill?"), I couldn't think of anything horror-related that would properly fit either of those holidays to my satisfaction. Maybe some of you out there in readerland could give me a few suggestions?
Then came the issue of coming up with horror pun names (and content) for holidays like HumanLight, (HumanFright? HumaimLight?) Festivus or any of the other holidays observed in December. In fact, it's became more and more obvious to me why people opt to just stick with "Happy Holidays."
So I just gave up and slapped together something involving clips from some Christmas-themed slasher movies I found on kennethjohnali's Youtube channel:
Those of you who don't get the joke should read this. And since that (reedited) clip from Silent Night, Deadly Night 2 so short, let's follow it up with more clips from the film:
And seeing as I already linked to some clips from that movie in July, here's some stuff from the original Silent Night, Deadly Night:
Happy Horrordays!
Then came the issue of coming up with horror pun names (and content) for holidays like HumanLight, (HumanFright? HumaimLight?) Festivus or any of the other holidays observed in December. In fact, it's became more and more obvious to me why people opt to just stick with "Happy Holidays."
So I just gave up and slapped together something involving clips from some Christmas-themed slasher movies I found on kennethjohnali's Youtube channel:
Those of you who don't get the joke should read this. And since that (reedited) clip from Silent Night, Deadly Night 2 so short, let's follow it up with more clips from the film:
And seeing as I already linked to some clips from that movie in July, here's some stuff from the original Silent Night, Deadly Night:
Saturday, December 19, 2009
'tis the season...FOR HALLOWEEN SHOPPING?
It's well known that November 1st is one of the best times to load up on Halloween goodies at bargain prices. But did you know that after-Christmas sales are also a good way to stock up on stuff for Halloween? Or that some decorations can be used on both holidays? The GdL gang has put their heads together and came up with two handy lists of ideas to help explain it all.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
A Horrorday Gift
Remember how I mentioned Redbox last month? For those not in the know, Redbox is a video rental service where you can rent (and even buy) DVDs from a kiosk located at your local supermarket, convenience store, or even certain fast food establishments. What makes Redbox so interesting is that they regularly give out free rental codes. To use the code, you need to insert your credit card into the machine and press a button labeled "Rent with a Promo Code" before entering in the code.
You can get free codes mailed to you by signing up for their online mailing list. You can also get codes by following them on Twitter or by visiting their blog. Also, one of AMM's friends is also known to give out codes he's gathered on his Twitter account.
For more information on Redbox and their rental service, I recommend visiting their Wikipedia entry.
You can get free codes mailed to you by signing up for their online mailing list. You can also get codes by following them on Twitter or by visiting their blog. Also, one of AMM's friends is also known to give out codes he's gathered on his Twitter account.
For more information on Redbox and their rental service, I recommend visiting their Wikipedia entry.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Cybernetic Ghost of Chanukkah Past from the Future
[fog machine]
THIS IS THE CYBERNETIC GHOST OF CHANUKKAH PAST FROM THE FUTURE AND I HAVE COME FROM THE DISTANT FUTURE TO DELIVER AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO YOU. THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RELEASE OF A CERTAIN HOLIDAY ALBUM, NOR WAS IT SPONSORED BY TURNER BROADCASTING.
WHERE WAS I? OH YES...I WOULD HAVE COME SOONER, BUT MY PROGRESS WAS DELAYED BY THE CHICKENS. WHY ARE THEY IMPORTANT? AS IT IS WRITTEN IN THE CHANUKKAHNOMICON...
THIS IS THE CYBERNETIC GHOST OF CHANUKKAH PAST FROM THE FUTURE AND I HAVE COME FROM THE DISTANT FUTURE TO DELIVER AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO YOU. THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RELEASE OF A CERTAIN HOLIDAY ALBUM, NOR WAS IT SPONSORED BY TURNER BROADCASTING.
WHERE WAS I? OH YES...I WOULD HAVE COME SOONER, BUT MY PROGRESS WAS DELAYED BY THE CHICKENS. WHY ARE THEY IMPORTANT? AS IT IS WRITTEN IN THE CHANUKKAHNOMICON...
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Krampusmas
Many of you probably know of the Krampus from its appearance on The Venture Bros. Christmas special. For those that don't, I'll explain:
The Krampus is a type of legendary creature (some accounts claim it's a type of incubus) that is said to act as a companion or counterpart to Saint Nicholas (aka Santa Claus) during his travels to the Alpine regions of Europe. Instead of being a jolly elf like one might expect to travel with Santa, the Krampus is large hairy monster with massive horns, sharp fangs, and cloven hooves. "Krampus" is derived from "Krampen," the Old High German word for "claw." That's right, "Santa Claws"-style jokes are nothing new. Whereas St. Nicholas would give out presents to well-behaved children, the Krampus would punish naughty boys and girls by beating them with a birch rod. Sometimes the Krampus would even steal away children in the large sack he carries around; a kind of bizarro version of Saint Nicholas bringing and leaving presents from his sack! The threat of being given coal on Christmas for being bad seems quite desirable in comparison to being throttled and carried away by a horrible monster for who-knows-what.
But the Krampus tradition involves much more than spooky stories and threats to make children behave. Chase's calendar of events 2009 notes that in countries where the tradition is celebrated, many young men will dress up as Krampuses (Krampi?) and roam the area to scare people and swat at them with sticks. Their costumes are made from various types of fur, hair, or rags topped off with masterfully-carved wooden masks. It is also not unusual for them to carry warning bells or clanking chains as well. Thanks to the magic of Youtube, we can see this tradition in action:
The Wikipedia entry on the Krampus, my source for several of the above facts, has a wonderful gallery of Krampus costume pictures that I encourage you to visit.
There are also other European Christmas traditions involving Krampus-like beings who give out punishments (and sometimes gifts) to children during the Yuletide season, ranging from hairy beings of varying temperament to shabbily-dressed older men.
Although Italy has a tradition involving a hairy creature, it isn't all that comparable to the Krampus since the Badalisc is a good creature that is captured by townspeople and forced to tell gossip. The only similarities are the furry nature of the beasts and the "person in a costume" aspect of both traditions.
In short, Europeans have way cooler Christmas traditions than Americans do. Well, except for the variations on the "Black Peter" companion, whose sooty face and hands are uncomfortably close to racism and blackface...
The Krampus is a type of legendary creature (some accounts claim it's a type of incubus) that is said to act as a companion or counterpart to Saint Nicholas (aka Santa Claus) during his travels to the Alpine regions of Europe. Instead of being a jolly elf like one might expect to travel with Santa, the Krampus is large hairy monster with massive horns, sharp fangs, and cloven hooves. "Krampus" is derived from "Krampen," the Old High German word for "claw." That's right, "Santa Claws"-style jokes are nothing new. Whereas St. Nicholas would give out presents to well-behaved children, the Krampus would punish naughty boys and girls by beating them with a birch rod. Sometimes the Krampus would even steal away children in the large sack he carries around; a kind of bizarro version of Saint Nicholas bringing and leaving presents from his sack! The threat of being given coal on Christmas for being bad seems quite desirable in comparison to being throttled and carried away by a horrible monster for who-knows-what.
But the Krampus tradition involves much more than spooky stories and threats to make children behave. Chase's calendar of events 2009 notes that in countries where the tradition is celebrated, many young men will dress up as Krampuses (Krampi?) and roam the area to scare people and swat at them with sticks. Their costumes are made from various types of fur, hair, or rags topped off with masterfully-carved wooden masks. It is also not unusual for them to carry warning bells or clanking chains as well. Thanks to the magic of Youtube, we can see this tradition in action:
The Wikipedia entry on the Krampus, my source for several of the above facts, has a wonderful gallery of Krampus costume pictures that I encourage you to visit.
There are also other European Christmas traditions involving Krampus-like beings who give out punishments (and sometimes gifts) to children during the Yuletide season, ranging from hairy beings of varying temperament to shabbily-dressed older men.
Although Italy has a tradition involving a hairy creature, it isn't all that comparable to the Krampus since the Badalisc is a good creature that is captured by townspeople and forced to tell gossip. The only similarities are the furry nature of the beasts and the "person in a costume" aspect of both traditions.
In short, Europeans have way cooler Christmas traditions than Americans do. Well, except for the variations on the "Black Peter" companion, whose sooty face and hands are uncomfortably close to racism and blackface...
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Pyggy Twylyte
Here's a little something my younger brother discovered while looking for the now-famous "Muppets sing Bohemian Rhapsody" video:
I like the cut of daretobestupidshow's jib...
Team Doesn't Care
I like the cut of daretobestupidshow's jib...
Friday, December 4, 2009
A Study In Emerald
Since it's December, the traditional Christmas colors of red and green are everywhere. And wouldn't you know it, I figured out a way to capitalize on that without resorting to a "color of blood and gore" joke!
Fans of the great detective will undoubtably be familiar with A Study in Scarlet. But what they might not know is that famed comic book author Neil Gaiman has put up a .PDF version of his short story, A Study In Emerald, on his website. Said story, which originally appeared in the Shadows Over Baker Street anthology, combines elements of Sherlock Holmes stories with the works of H.P. Lovecraft (and is filled with plenty of horror references). So break out Adobe Acrobat and get readin'!
If you want a horror-related Sherlock Holmes story that isn't a fan-created work, then check out The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire. It's best known for a reference to another Holmes case that may or may not have actually been written by Doyle.
Fans of the great detective will undoubtably be familiar with A Study in Scarlet. But what they might not know is that famed comic book author Neil Gaiman has put up a .PDF version of his short story, A Study In Emerald, on his website. Said story, which originally appeared in the Shadows Over Baker Street anthology, combines elements of Sherlock Holmes stories with the works of H.P. Lovecraft (and is filled with plenty of horror references). So break out Adobe Acrobat and get readin'!
If you want a horror-related Sherlock Holmes story that isn't a fan-created work, then check out The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire. It's best known for a reference to another Holmes case that may or may not have actually been written by Doyle.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
