Saturday, June 27, 2009

Chicago Must Love Chris

We have had the best weather we've had all year. I think it's because Chris is here.

We haven't don't much in the way of hauntie stuff yet, but, we did go to the Pirate's exhibit at the Field Museum. It was pretty wicked awesome. All kinds of Pirate items salvaged from a pirate ship just off Cape Cod. And, at the end, a fun gift shop with tons of Pirate themed stuff. I could have gone crazy there but managed to reel myself in and buy only two items, both for others. Debbie good girl.

Today, however, we are hitting a couple cemetaries. With the weather an amazing sunny and high of 82 (perfection again!), it should be a perfect day for being outside. I've already posted tons of pictures from one of them, Graceland. This will be my first time at Wunder's, so I'm really looking forward to getting some photos there and posting them here.

Talk at you all later.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Out of town haunter coming into Chicago

My Rhode Island Haunter bud, Chris, will be hitting Chitown this weekend to hang with us. Very excited! We plan going to the Pirates Exhibit at the Field and the Harry Potter Exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry.

Also on the schedule is a trip to the north side to visit Graceland and Wunder's Cemeteries. I've never been inside Wunder's, so this is very exciting for me.

I'll fill everyone in and upload pictures through out the weekend.

Oh, it's very possible we're also going to start work on all The Gathering stuff. . . like fun name tags and the like.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Trade Show Floor

A couple videos of the fun props on the floor. I especially like the door. Check out the dents that happen as she hits it with the axe

Friday, June 5, 2009

We're Number 3! We're Number 3!

The chant for our bus could be heard at every haunt we stopped at. And, we stopped at many!

Unfortunately, at our very first stop, many folks walked away injured. The actors were just a little to energetic with the touchy and the feely. My Halloween partner in crime, Patti, ended up at a medical care facility for a boo-boo leg that, fortunately, turned out to be a deep muscle bruise. But, she did get sidelined for the rest of the night.

Injuries aside, the haunt, Wells Township Haunted House, had some really cool rooms in it. My personal favorite part was when they asked me to comfort a girl in front of a closet wall. (Thus begun the infamous "woo-woo, woo-woo-woo") You totally expect the closet door to open and some one to startle you. That happened with a bit of a twist. They grab the girl, who grabbed the door frame and my leg (I guess to keep me in place) and then the wall completely falls down towards you. It was amazing, unexpected and completely original.

Another room that was unlike other things I've seen before, had a girl quietly reading on a log. She sees us and tells us a story about her perfect sister and how she'd finally had enough and pushed her down the well in the corner. On cue, the strobe starts up, she starts freaking out and a soaking wet girl zombie comes crawling out of the well.

The guide took a real interest in singling me out for torture from our group, so I was put in the middle of many scenes. Another that I got to play the lead in was a tea party. The room was a scary little girl's room and she was having a tea party with her pet zombie. She was such a typical sweet girl all excited for visitors and the zombie was all chained up trying to steal my cup of tea. I think this room had the best effects off all because it was so simple.

After that it was on to the hotel to check in and get a little beer and food. We were running late so our time was cut from an hour and a half to a half hour. So, after power drinking a beer and taking a few more for the road, it was back on the bus.

Next stop, Demon House. This place was beautiful inside and out. We received an abbreviated tour since it was off season and there weren't as many actors. Didn't matter. What we got to see was so good.

It started off with a cue around a fire pit where everyone was just joking around. Then, when your group was called, you got a little background info on the place. (Turns out paranormal investigators have been there and they have caught a lot of strange things on film and recorders.) The tour itself kicks off out doors and a bit of a maze. Then, you make it to the front door and get greeted by a Svengoolie looking host. The actors were few and far between, but very good when they were there. The real star of this haunt was the house. The decoration and detail were insanely good. I think some of my group got some pictures, when I steal them from them, I'll post them.

Our last stop of the night was Hundred Acre Manor were we had dinner and a tour and a lights on tour. I was too tired for lights on, as were most everyone since we were running about two hours late and it was well after midnight by the point. My strongest memory of this haunt was the screaming. And the screaming. And the screaming. Not screams from the visitors, but the actors just screaming in your ear at every turn. It was a little too distracting. OK, a lot distracting. In fact, right now, I don't have a clear recollection of anything else from the haunt. I'll have to pow wow with my fellow haunters and report back to you all about the strong points of this haunt.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Mother Nature Can't Stop Me

Though she is giving it her all. She and I will be having a no rules, bare knuckles throw down if this keeps up. Whatever happens, I have faith I will prevail and will be in Columbus tonight and on the pre-tour bus tomorrow.

I've got my trusty laptop and will do my best to keep everyone up to date on the happenings at Midwest Haunters Convention.

Hope to see some of you there.

***Update*** Mother Nature and either Southwest or Midway must be in cahoots. I've been delayed. WHY!?!?!?!?!?!?