This is a personal weblog. The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer. My thoughts and opinions change from time to time...I consider this a necessary consequence of having an open mind. This weblog is intended to provide a semi-permanent point in time snapshot and manifestation of the various memes running around my brain, and as such any thoughts and opinions expressed within out-of-date posts may not be the same, nor even similar, to those I may hold today.

Halloween in May

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posted Tuesday, 8 May 2007

In case you are wondering, I have been out of town for a week. Where? Well, on the way back from Dearborn, Michigan airport security stopped me after x-raying my bag several times. They pulled me aside and the guard said, "Sir, what's in your bag?" I looked him in the eye and asked, "Is it something round?" "Maybe a bowl," came the reply. I inquired carefully, "Or a skull." "That's it!" he said.

Why did I have a skull in my bag, you ask? Well, I was returning from HauntCon, a trade show for professional haunters and home haunters. I had taken a class on how to corpse a Bucky skull and had my work with me. After searching through my bag and checking out the skull, I was released to catch my flight. The security guard told me, "There's a first time for everything."

Let this be a warning too all. Do not try to sneak a fake plastic skull past airport security. They will get you every time.

HauntCon was great. I met some wonderful people, toured a number of amazing haunted houses, learned a lot, networked a lot, and even partied a lot. If you love halloween, this is a show for you. Below are some pictures of the highlights of the trip.

Here is the offending skull that had airport security so worried.

This is a photo of Scott's Castle, a house we visited on the pre-show bus tour. It is being built by it's owner to look like a three story castle. Some day he would like to open the dungeon as a haunted dungeon for Halloween.

Some masks on the trade show floor.

This is a coffin that simulates your trip from funeral home to grave when the lid is closed. It's a bit of a bumpy ride and the funeral director has butter fingers, so don't expect your final ride to be smooth sailing.

The entrance to Erebus, the world's largest walk through haunted house. We took the tour, and it was well worth it. The owners of Erebus do a great job with their special effects.