A Spooktacular Spectacular

The Week in Selfies: 10/5/20 - 10/11/20

Oct 09, 2022

Some of the best business ideas are the least successful.

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P.S. The results of the poll for what I should name all decor in my apartment was a tie between Hocus Pocus and Clue the Movie. I have yet to do any naming but I will.

It’s very officially into October. And I’m primed to make some spooky season recommendations so not only can we survive the season but we can truly thrive like a freshly carved pumpkin.

A quick note before I dive in. I’m not a scary movie and/or horror type person. My poor little anxiety cannot take it. So, this list is not that.

No need to wait for the Great Pumpkin anymore Charlie Brown. Here we go.

Music
Spotify-curated playlists are usually my starting point, particularly around any holiday. Recently, I’ve listened to Halloween Party, Halloween Monster Jams, and Ultimate Halloween. These playlists all sound pretty similar, to be honest, so really any should do you. For something a little different, I like Haunted. And for some softer background music, Autumn Piano is great.

Of course, I made a playlist as well. Check out This’ll Have to Halloween here.

Books
Again, I don’t really do scary things so I tend to stay away from horror novels and/or thrillers for the most part. So, these are a few suggestions of books that feel like they could fit the season.

From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World to Find the Good Death by Caitlin Doughty
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes and Other Lessons from the Crematory by Caitlin Doughty
Ghostland: An American History in Haunted Places by Colin Dickey
American Afterlives: Reinventing Death in the 21st Century by Shannon Lee Dawdy

I am currently working on a play idea about the death/funeral industry so that’s why all these books are quite…erm…deathy.

Visual Entertainments
YouTube
I am not, historically, a cosplayer. That is, of course, with the exception of the queer pirates. And all the undergrad theme parties. And all those happy hours during the pandemic. And Halloweens…hmm.

Ahem…I am, historically, a person who likes relatable, charming, and funny people making costumes or doing DIY or decor. You get all of that with Rachel Maksy. And her autumn vibes are also immaculate and evidenced by this playlist.

TV
There are so many fun Halloween episodes of shows to watch so I’m just going to say my favorite: Superstore, Season 3, Episode 5 (Hulu).

We all know I love my food TV so I will also mention Halloween Baking Championship (Discovery+). Spooky and delicious baking challenges?? Yes please!

Movies
There are so many classics, most of which are definitely on my list, so here are just a small selection of my quintessentials:
Clue The Movie (Rent on Amazon): If someone forced me to pick a favorite movie, it would be this one. Masterfully plotted, very quotable, at least six corpses, three endings, and TIM CURRY.
Rocky Horror Picture Show (Hulu): Since this movie flows through my veins, I could probably talk about it for far too long so I’ll just say TIM CURRY.
Over the Garden Wall (HBOMax): I only watched this mini-series for the first time last year and I don’t know why I waited so long. It’s ten 11-minute episodes of delight. An animated, weird, ethereal, and incredible fable for our times.
Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical (Amazon Prime): I was obsessed with this parody musical of the 1936 anti-cannabis propaganda film for a long long time. Alan Cumming and Ana Gasteyer really run away with the movie. I will say, because it's a parody, it can be a little flippant and, well, gruesome at points so, be forewarned.
Ghostbusters 2016 (Amazon Prime): Some of my favorite ladies? Kate McKinnon being both a queer AND a fashion icon. This movie does not get enough credit (because, you know, sexism) so show these badasses some love for me, will ya?