Adam’s Weekly Blog: Just Having Spooky Times.

Greetings from the Plague House!

Yes, your beloved Adam has been struck with something so diabolical, so horrific that uttering its name gives me shivers…

Man flu…

But don’t worry lovely readers, I may be a ball of mucus, sleeplessness and general grossness, but I’m still kicking and bringing you another Monday blog.

And I thought, what is better than getting you all ready for Halloween?

I know it’s not for another week, but since it’s the last week of the month next week, I plan on sharing my monthly favourites, as I did last week. So I’m doing it now. Why? Because it’s my blog and I can do what I want and you can’t stop me- BWAHAHAHAHAHHH!!

So, this shall be my spooky blog, sharing my take on Halloweeny things.

First of all, I love it.

I’ve always been that weird kid who liked scary stories and wearing a lot of black. I started properly writing horror towards the end of high school, and this spiralled into a jaunt into the terrifying so deep that I would give teachers nightmares and cause people to leave the room while my work was being read out. True stories I tell you. You’ll get a taste of my scary story prowess with next week’s Taletober readings, where although we didn’t get any submissions, I’ll still be reading some of my favourite short horror, thriller and gothic literature, as well as a piece of my own design which is well… still a work in progress. My work is usually filled with swears and gore and a spicy bit of debauchery, so I’m toning it wayyy down for you all! Think on the lines of Goosebumps as opposed to Kafka…

Probably the only thing scarier than my work is people’s reactions to it- anxiety mode is a real thing folks. Still, I have a little faith that y’all won’t roast me too hard for it.

Interestingly enough, I’m not a big fan of real horror/ realistic things. I can watch scary movies about zombies and killer demon clowns all day and fall asleep at night easy, but true crime and any sort of cop show I don’t like. Guess I just prefer the idea that horror is fiction and not ingrained in reality- a sort of weird psycho-optimist view on the world. The only real exception to this is Silence of the Lambs, but how many cannibal doctors do you see on the news? I know a bit far-fetched right? I know theres a play version floating around and I’d love to see it, figuring my days as an actor are pretty much done now that I’ve graduated from Uni.

I have acted in some horrific stuff too- such as my magnum opus playing Alex in A Clockwork Orange.

As such these two are some of my favourite horror/thriller/downright scary not nice texts out there- among others. I’m a pretty big Stephen King fan, and have a pretty big collection of his work, but the classic gothic is where my true passion lies. Frankenstein, Dracula, Carmilla and anything written by Edgar Allen Poe or Lovecraft live close to my heart and I’m constantly revisiting these tales of woe and the terror of man and monster. Frankenstein is a particular favourite of mine, my favourite book of all time actually, wherein I finished it and began crying. The monster in the book is strangely relatable to the tortured artist such as me, or just in general the misunderstood person. I’d recommend it to anyone, and have made it a life goal to someday own an antique edition of it, hardback, leather, yellowing pages etc. I look for it every time I’m at an antique place that sells books. I’ve dressed up as the monster once or twice for trick or treating too-albeit the patchwork inarticulate version you find in Halloween aisles, as opposed to the intelligent beautiful monster penned by Shelley.

My Halloween costumes have been a bit pick and mix- ranging from pretty classic stuff like the aforementioned Frankenstein Monster, a vampire etc etc, to some weird picks like Ash Ketchum from Pokemon, a Jawa from Star Wars, and I remember once me and my friend from college went as Hogwarts students, him Gryffindor, me Ravenclaw. I don’t speak to him as much as I used to but I look back on that memory with a lot of fondness.

My most well received Halloween costume though was probably that time I went as a Teddy Bear to a University Party. I had ears, a tail and a big fluffy jumper- and made a sign that said “Free Hugs” out of an Amazon box- a la those awesome happy people who give free hugs in the middle of Glastonbury (my favourite place in the world fyi). Safe to say I was very popular with all the drunk people that night- and smelled like them too when I got home!!

As stated in a blog a while back, I usually make the effort for Halloween, decorating the house, entertaining Trick or Treaters etc., but with the past three Halloweens I’ve been spotty with my Halloween King record. One year I was in Disneyland, one year I was at said Halloween Party, and of course last year covid banned Trick or Treating. I just ate a bunch of refreshers and watched Frankenweenie in mourning of the holiday that night. But hopefully this year Boris will bless us with the ability to pester strangers for candy this time around!

Before I sign off- I want to thank everyone. The sincere gratitude, praise and love I’ve gotten from people for my blogs have been amazing. From people in the office to client meetings, everyone has been so supportive of my journey and my work. I’m humbled by it all- I’m just a guy on a computer trying to muddle his way through a world that hasn’t always been so kind to him, so having such amazing feedback and support from people means the world. I love this job so much and I can’t wait to show everyone in Skelmersdale and beyond more of what I can do, and more of how great they themselves are; a full circle of good vibes for all.

Next week, as promised, will be my October favourites. I have a few this time around and can’t wait to share and recommend them! Stay tuned, my loves, and have a good week!!