The odd department store has whacked a few pumpkins and a bit of straw around the place and are promoting their 'thriller' genre in the book section or displaying orange and white kitchen ware and pumpkin soup recipes by Donna Hay. The toy shops are playing on its commercialism to convince you that if you're seven year old doesn't dress up like Freddy Kruger and throw a handful of gak at his victims, he's going to miss out this Saturday.
There are even suburban mums, preparing bowls of tooth destroying gooeys for the few optimistics who knock on the door in the hope of a treat rather than a trick but unfortunately, this Halloween celebration thingy generally falls cold down under . . . .
So, for your viewing pleasure and because I am at this very moment constructing a wax effigy of my boss (Thanks Annie for the hot tip with the hat pin). The song by Ween seemed to fit the bill.
For those who love it (Melissa! I know you're all dressing up and pouncing on Pennsylvania!), put on your best and - as they would say in that fabulous movie "Hocus Pocus" run "Amok, amok amok!"
Oh and if you're at home with littlies . .do hire Hocus Pocus . . just the right amount of scare and comedy . .I'm heading out for my copy on Saturday night! The zombie is a cack!
Halloween is a big thing in Ireland, unlike Britain where Guy Fawkes Night is the focus. Strictly an event for the kids if you ask me, all that stuff about ghouls and ghosties and scary masks. Though perhaps if I tried trick or treating, I might pick up a few tasty chocolate bars (or I'd kick their doors in)?
ReplyDeletehave not seen that movie in forever. actually we dont get many children here...maybe about 10, which is 10 more than we ever got at my parents house. when we lived in florida we were over run one year with migrant workers...they were bringing them by the truck load. ah well its all a bit over commercialized...we are hand making our costumes with the boys and then taking them to a safe place with friends.
ReplyDeleteJust make sure the hat pin has been run through some chili or mustard ;)
ReplyDeleteAhhhhh, I love HOCUS POCUS! I don't think my middle kiddos have seen it though...great suggestion for the weekend!
ReplyDeleteHope yours is great!!
Love the videos!
I was shocked to see last weekend that the big department stores here in New York are already all decked out for Christmas! Where are the pumpkin soup recipes? We're already pushing gingerbread!
ReplyDeleteLove that Ween!!
It must be bizzarre doing Halloween with crocus bulbs/daffodils/etc instead of autumn leaves swirling about...
ReplyDeleteBut, I suppose, if you haven't known anything else...
Yet another reason for me to move to Australia - I am not a huge fan of Halloween. I suppose I've become jaded by the teenagers who show up at our house without costume and demand candy through vaguely implied threats of destruction.
ReplyDeleteMy kids, however, are nuts for it. I have one Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, one Pippi Longstocking (if I can figure out how to make her braids), one dinosaur, and one ladybug.
Ha!I remember that movie!
ReplyDeleteI must admit I am not a big fan on this new Halloween craze that seems to be sweeping the UK. having said that, I have a party to go to - which will have a ghostly purpose.
ReplyDeleteGuess I will avoid Australia at Halloweentime! :)
ReplyDeleteI don't technically celebrate Halloween. I do celebrate Samhain, the original celebration that the Church stole and "Christianized". It's a lot more fun and a lot more meaningful than Halloween. I'll be going to a Dumb Supper on Saturday night; some friends lost in the last year to memorialize, toast, and celebrate.
ReplyDeleteI might carve a pumpkin, though. Heh, heh!
My kids always loved Hocus Pocus.
ReplyDeleteLove Bette. Good choice.
ReplyDeleteJust got mine up. Had to wait for the spousal unit to scan and upload photos for me.
Miss my kids being little.
Let me know how it goes w/ that pin.
Actually hadn't heard of Hocus Pocus so I'll be looking that up. I've always liked Halloween for the candy. Now, that I'm a mom I have free range to my kids' stash. Alas, flu has hit us this year so only one kid will be out hunting and gathering.
ReplyDeleteI used to know a joke which pun was Hallo Wien (Vienna). Unfortunately I forgot it.
ReplyDeleteBeing English, Halloween has never been anything spoecial to me. But I can see the upside. I came home yesterday to find a huge bowl of chocolates and other goodies sitting on my coffee table. My husband did try to tell them that they were not for me, but really, how can you possibly put out all those sweets and then expect me not to eat them!?!
ReplyDeleteI'm not crazed over Halloween and as we get no children here, I don't bother much...Have a good weekend!
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize that Halloween was even a thing at all in any other countries! Shows how provincial I am.
ReplyDeleteI love Halloween--I actually think it's meaningful in its own funny way--in NYC it's a rather wild night, all about seizing the moment, and being someone you're not. Quite thrilling really. The whole city is electric.
I also love Samhain, though, as Roy mentioned.
"bowls of tooth-destroying gooeys". Love it. Very apt.
ReplyDeleteHalloween seems fun to me. Wish we had the pumpkin curving thing in my country lol
ReplyDeletexoxo
I should obviously have been born in Oz since as I age I get less and less inclined to participate in the goings on of Halloween. I'm an old stick-in-the-mud, I know. (I don't like fireworks either. *gasp*)
ReplyDeleteIn Dublin the other day I had to press an outfit for a Halloween Party, and today I was warned that a toyboy would be coming to see me tomorrow night - he is all of six years old!
ReplyDeleteNick I didn't realise it was a big deal in Ireland but there you go, learn something every day.
ReplyDeleteHave fun Brian, I know a few American parents who are all decked out and ready to roam!
Hmmm . . Bimbimbie you have an evil mind when you get round to it!
I love it too Jill, been a while since I've seen it!
JGH, welcome over! Yeh, our shops have had Christmas decorations for sale since late September! Crazy.
Crocus bulbs! Gledwood we don't have many of those happening. Just noisy birds, very noisy birds!
That's a bit rude to show up without the effort. Give them Muesli bars, teenagers hate muesli bars! Good luck with the dinosaur!
Do you celebrate Halloween in France Candie?
Wings you wouldn't even know it!
Clever those clergy. They nicked Easter and Christmas too! What's a dumb supper?
RJ Mine too, just the right amount of scariness!
Yeh it's nice to have an excuse to be childish Cali, I guess our childishness comes out at Christmas. . . we go touring the pretty lights that people put up and love it!
Damn that change of season flu Kate . . .too sick for candy? Wow that's serious.
Haha . .that was funny anyway Ropi. I love Wein . . .the city . .
DBM leave some for the children or you'll be left with tricks and no treats!
You too e, but you wait, the one year you're unprepared and a swag of them will turn up at your door!
Nup Leah no big deal here but some are trying to bring in the trick or treat thing. Mainly for little kids. Just some feeble attempts to commercialise it but Aussie's aren't going for it in a big way at all.
We have a thing out here AngelMay called 'mixed lollies' which are the sorts of sweets you put in party bags, all chewey and stick to your teeth kind of things. Horrible, cheap and plentiful!
Marianna what's stopping you! I do have a friend who goes all out with the jack o lanterns! Just for the fun of it.
Kat, hush your mouth . . you don't like fireworks? Who doesn't like fireworks?
Better get that sweetie jar off the shelf Grannymar . . they're wiley these six year olds!
I could enjoy Halloween a little more if it weren't for all the Christmas stuff in the stores now. Sheesh. Hocus Pocus...thanks for the memories. I forgot...
ReplyDeleteLOVE Hocus Pocus! Since Liam has gone over the age of dressing up, I've been doing less and less for Halloween every year - but I do love my memories of it and I REALLY love seeing my little nieces & nephews so excited...
ReplyDeleteIt is so interesting how customs and celebrations are different across the globe. I have learned a lot about different countries from this theme. Hocus Pocus was a great pick!
ReplyDeleteI didn't realise it was a big thing in Ireland either... maybe it's a city thing here then?? Out here in the country, it only means a few midnight fireworks, and somebody somewhere will have a party + bonfire; everyone else brings the beer. Not bad I suppose, but no costumes, tricking/treating etc.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to take my kids to an American Halloween one year I think, with a fancy dress party and trick-or-treating in the neighbourhood. One year I hope.
Now I have some ideas for some fun movies this weekend! :)
ReplyDeletespeaking of Ween, have you heard their song 'Blue Balloon'? If i could figure out how to post videos i would put that one up.
ReplyDeleteKids are all in College now, so not any real interest in Halloween here...if any kids do come by we'll throw them a treat...the little ones are fun to see in their get ups. Hsppy TT!
Great post Baino :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the clips.
What's up with the hat pin?
Sounds scarey :)
take care and sorry to read that life at work is a bummer :(
xx Ribbon
Love Halloween, My little darlings will dress up as the Grim Reaper and Sally from Nightmare Before Christmas! I shall drink and be merry and have a very ghoulish time!
ReplyDeleteOh and I'll pilfer their lollies and pinch some goodies!
They've been pushing Halloween for years in Aus but I thinks its great it hasn't caught on (yet). There's already enough 'special' days like mother's and father's day. The last thing we need is another 'special' day where big business can push more 'must have' products onto us. I think the kids are liking it more though.
ReplyDeleteI will visit you at halloween! I don't fly, but if the plane crashes, then my ghost can stop by!
ReplyDeleteHalloween originated in Ireland and the Irish that came to the US in the early 1800's brought the custom with them.. Instead of carving a turnip and putting a candle in it, they used the more readily available pumpkin. It got to be a really big holiday in NY and grew from there.
ReplyDeleteThe Ween song was unique, to say the least! :-)
That was a trip! I never saw the flick, but I've been a Bette Midler fan since her fans numbered in the hundreds. Nice to see her version of the classic that's been done by Screamin' Jay Hawkins, CCR, and others. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI don't get trick or treaters at my place, one of the bonuses of living at the back end of the block. I don't mind Halloween parties if people want to "do" halloween, but I'm very firmly against sending kids out to knock on doors and accept candy from strangers. Especially after we drill into them all year NOT to.
ReplyDeletegood choices sandy
ReplyDelete@ Roy; why is it called a "dumb" supper?
ReplyDeleteHeh! VE know what you mean!
ReplyDeleteWe downloaded it tonight (therefore no Friday Fuckwit)
True Rhonda,I didn't realise it was so big in Ireland but apparently so. . then theyre a little on the odd side and take their Celtic background very seriously.
Suze really? And you live there! Must be although I know a Cavan friend who bought a party outfit for Saturday night. Take them before they're too old to be cynical.
Betsy I know, so many have popped up! We watched Hocus Pocus tonight and it's still great.
Oh yes Tom . .they're very . . .Ween . . .it's available on You Tube . .Thank you for the Party is even weirder I thought it was a spoof when I first heard it!
Ah the hat pin was a suggestion from one of my darling Aussie Bloggers to cure my current work ills with the Boss from the Bog!
Hey Lou, good for you . we just watched hocus pocus.
TMATP yeah not really a big deal here . . .and I agree, it's just commercial bullshit
OH Otin . . cruise over . .you like boats yeh?
Pat, welcome and good point and much as I love the Irish, and I do, they are not the only Celts on the planet. Halloween started further east as a Druid festival trust me. Go visit Roy, he explains it very well. The Celts covered half the known globe at one stage. The Irish just keep it going.
Foxy, I met Bette in Tahiti of all places, she's tiny! Ran into her in a hotel.
Nah me either River, it's a burgeoning industry here. I don't trust the strangers frankly and sending your kids out 'begging' doesn't sit well with me.
Thanks chook
River go over to Roy's he explains it I had no idea.
halloween is ho-hum, other than for wee ones... but i hear some 'adults' have wicked parties :O lol
ReplyDeleteyour weens down there sound much like ours growing up--nothing much. but here, a totally differnt story. Its 2nd only to Xmas! Crazy. Im ok with it bu tnot mush into the gore stuff.
ReplyDeleteAnway, speaking of something enterely different do come to my xmas tea in a abou ta month. I am presently taking votes on where to have for the week.
Well, lookit that! A funny/scary movie that I've missed, and it looks fun! Thanks for the Hocus Pocus clip - I may have to look that one up! :)
ReplyDeleteNot seen Hocuc pocus- looks quite good, thanks for the recommendation. We don't 'do' Halloween, never could understand the fuss!
ReplyDeleteAnd the best thing of all is that your children as young adults still know how to have fun with each other.
ReplyDeleteLove Renee xoxo
Hocus Pocus is one of my favorite Halloween movies. I not happy about anything that preys on children, but they certainly get theirs in the end. I like dressing up as much as the kids. Happy Halloween or Samhain
ReplyDeleteI've tried so damn hard to ignore it's increasing popularity here in Oz, but Sapphire keeps getting invited to Halloween parties (2006, 2007, 2008 and yes, tonight as well) that I've even got a box of chup-a-chups waiting by the front door for tonight. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteThat's right - chup-a-chups. Never my chocolate stash - NEVER!
well begging to differ with nick, I hardly ever hear mention of Guy Fawkes these days.... though Nov. 5th is still Fireworks night.
ReplyDeleteit all seems a bit quiet over here with halloween this year though, less going on than usual.
tonnes of cheap pumpkins in the supermarket though - i see pumpkin soup in the near future
No Friday Fuckwit!
ReplyDeleteYou're right about guinea swines making all that noise. I'd forgotten to mention that, but found a really entertaining video I posted up of a black one making a hell of a guinea-pig-sized commotion....
Did you know the females can (apparently) hold on to a male's sperm for several weeks and use it when they will to "mysteriously" become pregnant...! Inconvenient but apparently true!
PS I heard hamsters are ILLEGAL in Australia in case they escape and become wild vermin ~ is that right?
baino, you gotta love bette as the perfect witch of all time.
ReplyDeletehalloween was hopping in my town tonight--more adults in costume than kids. not me though--too busy, but maybe next year.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
and LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE!
My youngest loves Hocus Pocus!
ReplyDeleteWe went out last night, six little ones and moi, all the sprogs were dressed out up to the nines. We called at a few houses (by prior arrangement) and then I agree to let them knock on a few extra doors (with me loitering behind them). Only a couple of houses, who also had youngsters understood what "trick or treat" was all about. The kiddies enjoyed it anyway - I think the thrill for them is dressing up and being out in the dark :)
Hope you enjoyed your weekend x