November 6th, 2024

Greetings and salutations,

Well, here we are...November 6th. Halloween is over and in my case, only some of my Halloween decorations are put away. 

I need to get on it as once Halloween over my house gets decidedly more Christmassy by the minute.

I was very happy to send CDs as Halloween treats to the winners of the contest.

Raven176 got a copy of my Pumpkinland CD.

Caffeinated Joe got a copy of the Rain Station "DARK RIDE" CD. 

I hope your November is treatin' you OK. More treats than tricks. I hope to check in here and there. Drop a comment. Let me know how you're doing. Keep supporting independent artists.

Mark Harvey

The comedown...(November 1st, 2024)

Greetings and salutations,

The month of October has flown by.  As fast as usual...maybe faster. When I look back at the month it doesn't feel complete. October is a busy month for me. A combination of coaching, family obligations and back stopping a lot of things. I try and place Halloween festivities in, but there isn't always time.  There are bedtimes and homework.  There are many non-seasonal things that need tending to. I would object to many of the things I get involved with...in the name of HALLOWEEN, but that isn't the reality of a parent and husband. Or least not my reality.

What's always interesting to me is the favoritism played toward other holidays. Christmas arrived mid-October. Stores ran out of things. I don't know if the retailers are trying to create scarcity, but it seems that they have as it relates to the "hot new prop" or display item. I enjoyed seeing the creativity on social media and I look forward to the day when I can spend some time building my own things.

This year I didn't do my annual post-Halloween shopping. I didn't hit many stores this year (during the season) and those that I did visit didn't have "must have" things to run out early and grab at 50% off. I need to trim down some of the things I own as well. 

I'll leave my things up for another day or two and then pack it all away. Each year I claim I'll start early and bring out all of my things, but as the month wears on I don't. Maybe next year. Hopefully next year.

Until next year...

Happy Haunting,

Mark Harvey

Pumpkins, decorating, trick or treating...fun (October 31st, 2024)

Greetings and salutations,

I'm happy to be "back" blogging during the "31 Days of Halloween". It's a nice chronicle of what has happened during the month. I missed doing it last year. It's nice to have something to look back on.

Today started early getting my kids off to school. The window was small to get lots of things done as my youngest got out of school at noon.

After school pick up we decided to drive into a nearby neighborhood to take some fun photos.

Once home I continued to get things set up and ready for trick or treaters.  As I've said for over 18 years now...I live in the WORST Halloween house ever. Surprisingly, we had one ToT show up as we were returning home. I "think" she was the lone ToT here.

We carved pumpkins, listened to music and I got dinner rolling. We wanted to be out of the house before dark as we knew we would be out for a while.

I got my music rolling and all of the lights on and ready for what the night might bring.

We trick or treated in a nearby neighborhood with friends.  It's always fun to creep around the streets. I brought my skeleton finger puppet and "threatened" people who I felt needed a little holiday cheer (or creeps). It's funny how a little finger puppet (and my intense manner) really freaked folks out.

I enjoy seeing what people do and how they envision the holiday to look.  I enjoyed many of the houses I saw. It was fun to see some of the newer haunt technology in action. I still feel that people need to raise their music/sound effect game. 

Back at home the haul that each kid got was small compared to last year.  I think the houses are giving out less as ToTing is making a comeback in some neighborhoods.

I watched a little TV, took some more photos and enjoyed the ambiance of my home on Halloween night.

Here are some photos I took.

And more.

And more.

Happy Haunting and Happy Halloween,

Mark Harvey

My 20 year wedding anniversary... (October 30th, 2024)

Greetings and salutations,

Twenty years ago today I married my wife.  We both would have preferred to pick a different day for our wedding anniversary since there's always so much to do to get ready for Halloween (if you're like me), but I try to give our anniversary the attention it deserves.

This year we are going to have dinner with our two youngest at one of our favorite restaurants. We have a getaway scheduled in November once things settle down a little. Celebrating 20 years of marriage is a big thing. I have some things for my wife that I hope she loves.

I love you honey, Happy Anniversary.

So since we're talking October brides...have a listen to "October's Bride" off  Rain Station's DARK RIDE CD.

If you've not taken the time to check out the DARK RIDE videos, please do. Visit JackOLantern.org or click the links below....

CANDY

TRICK OR TREATIN'

THINGS

DAY OF THE DEAD

TOMB OF DOOM

HAUNTED MAN
MONSTER HUNTER
DARK RIDE
and the BONUS track 

"IT'S HALLOWEEN"

Happy Anniversary to my lovely wife and Happy 30th of October. TOMORROW is THE day! HALLOWEEN PEOPLE!!!!

Mark Harvey

When they ask you, what will YOU say? (October 29th, 2024)

Happy Haunting,

Mark Harvey

Nightmares...Frankenstein meets the Wolf Man... (October 28th, 2024)

Greetings and salutations,

This past weekend I got to watch the 1943 classic "Frankenstein meets the Wolf Man" with my youngest.  After seeing "The Wolf Man" and knowing there are additional movies in the series he said he wanted to watch them all.  He was surprised to find out that I hadn't watched most of them. I guess he figured I had watched all of the classic  monster movies. 

It's a great story, "The resurrected Wolf Man, seeking a cure for his malady, enlists the aid of a mad scientist, who claims he will not only rid the Wolf Man of his nocturnal metamorphosis, but also revive the frozen body of Frankenstein's inhuman creation". 

A well  made sequel to the first film. We plan to try and see the rest of these movies (if time allows) before Halloween. Of course, I keep telling my kids that we can watch these movies after Halloween. Seriously...Christmas has already overtaken the isles of most of my local stores which is super weird.

I had lots of strange dreams this past weekend. Not sure why. They culminated with one that jarred me out of bed. I hadn't had something hit me that hard in a long time. Here's my favorite track of all of the Pumpkinland series.."Nightmare"

Enjoy these times.  Enjoy these moments.  Enjoy your Halloween. Even the nightmares.

Happy Haunting,

Mark Harvey

What will YOU be listening to on Halloween night? (October 27th, 2024)

Greetings friends, readers, Halloween enthusiasts or whoever you are...

Halloween is quickly approaching and if you're like me you're either decorated OR you'll soon be decorating your house for Halloween night.  I enjoy decking my house out even though I don't get many kids up my steep hill.  One of the most important parts of creating the atmos-fear is sound.  Years ago my Mother-in-law told me that the kids that did come to my house asked her how she could stay in such a scary place.  The music is what led them to believe the place was so scary.  I didn't have too many props out, but I did have my Pumpkinland music blaring out of every window.
Put some time into creating the right atmos-fear not only with your decorations, but with SOUND.
If you are in need - guess what?  I've GOT what you need.  Have a listen - it doesn't cost anything and you can download the music fast and easy.

Pumpkinland is the original "hauntscape" I recorded back in 1999 for my first home haunt

Pumpkinland II followed in 2000 and was recorded due to the incredible success I had with the original "hauntscape".

Pumpkinland III was recorded in 2001 and was recorded to complete the trilogy.

Each Pumpkinland Halloween "Hauntscape" can be downloaded for $10 each.  Money well spent.

Check 'em out!

Mark Harvey