Days of the Dead Horror Convention in Atlanta, Georgia

So this morning I wake up, do my daily routine which in part consists of a cigarette and a cup of coffee (always in a halloween inspired mug). I take my nifty iphone out on my porch and review all my emails, texts and whatever social networking notifications I receive. Low and behold on Facebook the first post I see is from Days of The Dead and it reads “Peachtree City, Georgia”. I do a double take, click on the link and realize that this is literally right next door to my home.

Now mind you, I knew this event was coming here to Atlanta since last year, but assumed it was in the city. Nothing this cool EVER happens in the burbs. With pure joy I immediately sent a text to The Undertaker and one to my ghoul friend who is coming into town for this event. Spooky enough they both write back about wearing costumes for the ball on Friday night and the contest on Saturday night. Which got me thinking Vampira again??? I think so! So off goes an email to my makeup artist to set the date.

Anyway, I’m totally stoked about this event, it's just a little over a month away and only down the street from my home. Also first to hit Atlanta, Georgia. Usually haunt cons tend to be in the northern states. By the way if you check out the site (linked above), it appears as though this convention will be going to Indianapolis as well as Chicago, too. So if your out in those areas check it out. I’ll write about my experience after the event, as I do with the DragonCon each year.

Hope everyone is hauntingly well!
Stay spooky,

Madame Jen

DragonCon 2011

So I hit up DragonCon twice this weekend. Seriously most amazing convention to come through Atlanta. As I arrive on Friday afternoon, I get to the Sheridan Hotel and blasting on the speakers is "This is Halloween" and as I consume everything around me and all the people in the most amazing costumes. I smiled and thought to myself... I am at the best place on earth right now!

I look forward to DragonCon every year. This is my 2nd year in attendance. Besides waiting on line for 2 hours for my ticket(s), and only catching the tail end of the parade, you learn something new every year. Note to self, pre-purchase my tickets online ahead of time.

The one thing I was looking forward to was possibly meeting Elvira. Unfortunately, Elvira was scheduled to come out at 8 p.m. on Saturday, at which time I was at the Erasure show. Hopefully she makes an appearance next year.

Other highlights included... Seeing my favorite fellow local haunter The Undertaker. Always a pleasure!

At the Netherworld booth I got some great photo ops with the guys. Even scored some coupons for this year. Netherworld is considered #1 haunt attraction in the US and it's right next door. How lucky am I?

This zombie was hard to resist. Quite the charmer.

Below are just some random shots. I only posted the monsters and left out the superheros. After all this blog is about halloween...

Final thoughts, if I plan correctly next year I would really like to get a 3 or 4 day pass, rent a room for a night or two, and go dressed as Vampira.

Love,

Madame Jen

Happy Birthday Madonna

I know Madonna has nothing to do with halloween. So I hope I don't loose any of my fellow haunters for posting this, BUT I wanted to wish Madonna a very happy birthday today. 53 years young! She means the world to me. Hence the name of my blog "Live to Tell". I even named a candle "Lucky Star" after her.

I recall Halloween 1984, I was 9 years old. Just at that ripe age with an attitude "I'm independent" and I don't need no stinking plastic mask with the plastic outfit. Well, I got a fucking Care Bear costume. *insert sad face* I ditched the plastic mask, turned the plastic outfit inside out, got a belt, grabbed my gummy bracelets, teased up my hair, gathered up some lace and wa-la! I was Madonna for halloween that year. *turned that frown upside down*

Below are some pictures of Madonna on halloween. In the time allotted, I could only find these three...

Halloween Night 2010

Good afternoon once again...

Below are some pictures taken from my cemetary last year on Halloween night. I appologize as my really nice photography machine wasn't being very cooperative, maybe a ghoul was playing tricks on me. The very first picture is of my Lovah and the last is the two of us... enjoy!

Haunted House

So my ghoul-friends and I went and checked out Netherworld. Claimed to be the best thing on the planet or something? We did have a lot of fun though. We all had lil bottles of Jack Daniels, and I brought everyone these strawberry cream shots. Taken from Netherworld FAQ page: Do you serve alcoholic beverages? NO! And they are not allowed on the property, so please do not bring any.

Jessica brought glow necklaces for all of us, she also brought some Lays Chip chasers for the JD. I made some sugar cookies shaped as bats, pumpkins and ghosts. Jessica totally knew I made them with the help of Pillsbury. Haaa This all made the lines tolerable.

Lots of laughs and lots of screams later, I loved the real haunted house "look" inside. I particularly didn't care for the spinning room and that room that caved in and looked like poo. I about had a conniption fit when I saw the walls closing in and I see Lorraine on the other side. Rebbecca made a great tour guide with her devil pitch fork glow stick. The second haunted house was short lived. Thought I had more fun in the 2nd one. That may have been because I was in front and not seeing what to expect, as I was towards being in the middle the first time around.

I got some great ideas on decorating because of course I sucked all of that into my brain. I finally realized what those web sling glue guns are and decided I really need one. ;)

I had a great time with the girls and hopefully will make this a tradition amongst the bitches & betches, and go again next year.

In the meantime I am pretty much finished outside decorating, minus the strobe lights and fog machines. Added a lil fresh live moss, thanks to my co-worker. I used them around the hands and zombies coming out of the ground.

Finishing up the loose ends on planning the halloween party. Don't think I'll be able to do a kid party on Friday. :( this saddens me - but I've just got too much on my plate with my own party - it's called my brain! *cackles* We'll see...

Kids got their costumes this weekend. Jade is a Spider Countess and Dylan is a Wolf. On Sunday night the whole family dressed in our costumes and watched Halloween shows on TV after dinner. - A day in the life of the McGrath home. ;)

This weekend I would like to take the kids to the Haunted Hill and check that place out.

Until then my fellow ghouls, there's only 10 more days left till Halloween!