If he hadn't captured my character so perfectly with this excerpt, I wouldn't have even thought of posting it, but it's just... well, so ME!

---

"What's your name little girl?" Socko asked the child in his gruff bourbon laden voice.

"Shanda" the child answered shyly.

"Shanda?" Socko laughed, "What the hell kind of name is that? You're mom must really hate you."

"Excuse me?" her mother piped in, shocked. "Why would you say something like that to a child?"

"What?" Socko fired back indifferently "You're the one who named her. What did you have against your own kid?"

"That's enough!" the mother replied, as she grabbed onto Shanda's shoulder and started pulling her away. Shanda resisted, intent on getting her balloon animal no matter how mean the clown was.

"Why lie to the kid? Why don't you tell her the truth? That she probably wasn't even wanted, that you probably almost aborted the little brat; that her 'daddy' probably isn't even her real father."

"How dare you!" the mother yelled back, her eyes glazed in furry; the child on the brink of tears.

"Oh, it's okay," Socko continued, diverting his eyes back to the little girl now, gently handing her the balloon poodle and giving her a wink "my mom was a God damned whore as well."

As I continue to adjust to the big changes I've made in my life over the past month or two, I'm rediscovering a few things about myself that I have left behind years ago. One of those things is simply my love of music - exploring it, creating it, *living* it.  I've pretty much replaced all my tv-viewing habits with music related activites, so I'm quite pleased.

Along with that, I've been exploring a lot of music that I have had a love for, but not the time to dedicate to discovery.  Thanks to iTunes (and to some extent, Google), I have three new recommendations for you loyal fans to check out if you ever get the chace.

I hope to do these posts on a regular basis, expect them once or twice a month.  You will not find 'mainstream' stuff here, either, any idiot can turn on the radio and hear that.  I'm interested in expanding my musical horizon, so expect some fun stuff from lots of weird genre's...  Hold on tight kids, this is gonna be a ride!

---

Beenie Man
Back to Basics
iTunes Link

I wanted to explore some Jamacian influenced music that wasn't Marley.  A quick google for 'modern jamacian music' quickly returned Beenie Man.  Probably very popular (mainstream?) in other circles, I haven't heard of it.  A random selection of 'Back to Basics' on iTunes, and a couple of previews later, I knew I had to have this album.

It's a very dance-oriented album, I think Ryan would enjoy it quite a bit.  Beenie Man is quite taleneted, and almost every track on the album delivers a groove that I can really dig.  If you are looking for some high-energy feel good dance grooves, this is for you.  I've owned this album for less than 24 hours, and I've listened to it 4 times now!

The album does have a few issues, there are one or two tracks that just rub me the wrong way, but I hope they grow on me as I continue to listen to it.  The adjustment to the Jamacian rythmn untertones may be the only stumbling block for those songs, I'm not sure yet.

Beenie Man is on my permanent list of artists to continue to watch.

---

Daddy Yankee
Barrio Fino
iTunes Link

I was introduced to Daddy Yankee at a wedding we had to DJ earlier in the summer.  Specifically, I fell in love with a track called 'Gasolina'.  We even played it at Jason ad Shawna's wedding, and it was a huge hit (of course, at that wedding, I don't think we could have killed the groove if we wanted to!).

Daddy Yankee is a spanish artist, so the whole album is predominatly in spanish, so if you care, you might want to brush up on it ;-)  You don't need to speak the language to enjoy it, though.  It is also very high energy and dancable.  It qualifes as 'Reggaeton y Hip-Hop', or just reggaetone to us silly americans.

If nothing else, fetch 'Gasolina', but the entire album is just as awesome, so don't be afraid!

---

Herbie Hancock
Possibilities
iTunes Link

I a huge deviation from the first two-of-the-now, I present the 'Possibilities' album from Herbie Hancock.  In a similar fashion to how Santana partnered with pop artists on the 'Supernatural' album, Herbie is found working with the likes of John Mayer, Christia Aguilera, Paul Simon, Annie Lennox, String, Joss Stone... the list of big names here goes on for quite some time.

The album is very traditional Herbie Hancock (if you think he's a stuffy 'Jazz Standard' musician, you really need to get off your ass and check out his work!) laced with the talents of the featured musicians.  It's quickly becoming one of my favorite 'mellow' albums, it's great when you are less interested in the dancing & grooving, and more interested in just *listening*.

Don't get me wrong, there are some awesome grooves on this album, too! 

Oh, and naturally, Santana does make an appearance.  You can't possibly miss it.

---

So, that is it for now.  Who wants to go dancing?

I gotta get outta here fast and far!  There is just a little over ONE WEEK left in the calendar season at Frightmare Forest...  Only 6 operation days left!  I can't beleive that all the hard work over the past year has come full circle, and we are *already* beginning the storyline development for next year.  

On a more persoal note (which is a HUGE diversion from this blog), I've been making some serious improvments with myself personally (hey, I've had some good inspiration lately).  One of those things is a daily excersize routine, which typically involves runniung.  I started about 5 weeks ago, with a mere mile and a half run for the first few days..  Within a week, I was logging 3 miles per day, and I'm currently up to 5.  Then, my treadmill broke!  Gaa!!!!

So, while I waited for the old bank account to get padded up a little bit, I was running outside, which is *not* a problem when it's warm out, but it is a problem when it's cold, my throat just cannot take the cold air, and scarves and stuff just make it hard to breathe.  These runs were HARD, I had difficulty pacing myself, and really had to train to keep my 5 mile sessions within the realm of possibility.

Tuesday night this week saw a new treadmill in my house, and after struggling all night to put it together, I finally got to break it in last night.

SEVEN MILES.

Yeah.  I *love* this stupid machine.  It goes the right speed.  It goes fast (10MPH!), the incline works perfectly...  It keeps (better, not perfect) track of miles (my Nike+ shoes are still more accurate), it does not jerk or slip, it's deck is a bit wider (I'm 6'3", damnit!), and the deck is steel, so I think it will take the abuse I give it better than the old one.

I really hope I don't start logging seven miles every day, but maybe it is time to increase the goal a little bit, especially with such a nice machine.  If you are interested, it's the Pro-Form XP 615 Trainer.

So, in total I am down to 235, and none of my clothes fit (yay!).  When I started, I was at *almost* 270, so you do the math.  I'm aiming for 210 by Christmas!  I will keep everyone posted.

-- I

Well, we now have the first weekend under our belt at Frightmare Forest.  It went very well, we were very well staffed on Friday night, and Saturday night was close enough as well.  We had to work out a few glitches in the finale room for the main haunt, but I'm pleased to say that by Saturday night, they were rocking that room hard.  Lots of positive comments, and everyone I have had a chance to talk to said that was a very good show this year.  Thanks to everyone who helped make it happen, I'm quite proud, but we are already looking towards next season.

I actually am acting this year.  It's been a few years since I've been really excited to just do one part for the whole season.  I am 'Socko', a bad-ass clown.  I can be identified as the clown with the black and white costume & makeup, with the white hat.  You might not see me until I drop down on you from above, but that is what I like best!  I am broken and bruised right now, and I've completely lost my voice, but hell, anything to scare the piss out of you people.  ;-)  Just watch out for my clown brother, Rocko, he's a bigger jerk than me!  And Bubbles is a bitch.  All he wants to do is play.  Get a job!

With just 11 days left of the 2007 season, you best make the time to do it, before we are gone. 

Happy Haunting,

-- I

Well, I'm pleased to announce that we have passed our annual inspection!  This means that building is 100% complete, and we are moving on to the final detail work like painting, audio, etc.

The haunt is looking awesome this year, and as more paint goes up on the walls, the more excited I'm getting. 

Along with the attention to the physical haunt, we are focusing a lot more on our cast this year.  These people are the life-blood of the haunt, and our cast can (an do!) make us or break us.  As a result, we are hosting the Haunt Actor Workshop this year and have invited some friends from other area haunts to attend as well.  This should be a fun weekend, and if you have been thinking about getting involved with something like this, NOW is your chance.

Expect the blog postings to increase between now and when we open (September 28th!), and spread the word.

Happy Haunting,

-- I

So shoot me.  It's been busy.  Far too busy.

At the haunt, things are rolling for the 2007 season.  This winter weather is getting us all down, and the extended deep freeze we've had didn't help matters at all.  Prop construction nights have been few and far between, and we just aren't getting much done, yet...  That should change a lot over the next 3 weeks.

That dosen't me we haven't been planning.  And learning.  We've spent a lot of time looking at other attractions, hitting up the tradeshows, watching haunt DVD's, and exploring new ways to scare people.  There's some fun stuff on the horizon ;-)  We've also invented some new technology for us to use, and hope to be expanding our special effects to whole new levels.

This year is very special for us.  We have to do very well, because each year that passes, our home gets a little less stable.  Highway 100 will eventually run right though our parking lot, among other things.  Personally, I hope to get at least 2 more years out of the current "Forest", since we just had a real electric drop installed (on the same year we switch the majority of our systems to 12 volts none-the-less), so there is some incentive for staying put.  But, we still need to prepare for the future.

As such, we will be asking for a lot of help.  Come on out, lend a hand, and help keep Halloween moving!  Even if you've never done this before, have no idea what you are getting into, and may not have much time to offer, every little bit helps.  Even if you can't come out, make sure to stop by the show in October.  It may not be your thing, but you are supporting a local organization, made up of more volunteers than you can imagine.  The haunt is a HUGE production, and by coming out to see the show, you thank each one of us (especially if you enjoy it!).

I'll try to stay on top of updates a bit more, now that things are picking up steam... but there's a lot we can not talk about yet.  So.... stay tuned!

-- I

I'm sorry it's been so long since I did an update.  Things around the haunt have been INSANE.  I've gotta say, though, this show is coming together really well!  The 2006 season will be the best so far!

As of this moment, we are beginning our open casting call! 

Frightmare Forest is looking for the scariest, creepiest, oddest bunch of misfits the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City metro area has to offer!  Do you like to scare the crap out of people?  Do you find yourself hiding behind doors or walls, waiting for your friends so you can make them jump?  If so, it sounds like you fit the bill and you should become involved in the areas largest and best haunted attraction!

To get involved check out the 2006 casting page ( http://www.frightmareforest.com/skeery/2006Casting/boo )for details.  The process is easy, and even if you don't think you will be able to make it all season long, we would still love to talk to you!  I'm sure you will find something at Frightmare Forest to love.

Tell your friends!

-- I

So, it's been a while...  A long while!  Did you miss me?

Yeah, I know you did.

Don't let my lack of updates fool you people!  We've been keeping very busy at Frightmare Forest, and we are really getting our nose to the grindstone now, if you know what I mean.

We have been ramping up the schedule lately, and are at the haunt many times per week.  The nights we aren't out, I'm usually working on stuff at home or meeting with someone somewhere about something!

THIS WEEKEND we are having our 2nd Cast Orientation meeting.  This is for new and existing staff members, so if you want to get hooked up with the areas largest haunted attraction, NOW is your chance!  We will be having a short orientation meeting, followed by a bar-b-que, games, a ghost hunt, and camp-out.  It's a great time to meet everyone and just talk with existing staff to see if helping with the haunt is something you might like to do.

So, stop on out Saturday, July 22nd at the haunt.  We will be getting started around 7pm.  If you have to work late, come on out afterwards!

If you do come, be sure to bring:

- Lawn chairs or blanket
- flashlight(s)
- A friend or two!

We will provide sodas and water, some meat (hot dogs and burgers) to grill, and some chips and snacks.  If you want anything else, bring it along!

You must be at least 16 years old to attend, and if you are under 18, you must get a permission slip signed by them to attend the event.  Contact ian@sitenation.com for more info on this.

See you at the forest!

-- I

Long time no post, eh?

Well, life at Frightmare Forest is moving along.  We are beginning to see the end of room-based construction, and moving into the technical installation.  It's weird to be starting this stuff in June, it's typically August before we get this far.  I don't know what that will mean yet, but I'm willing to bet it will be good.

You can see us in the Freedom festival parade this Saturday, June 24th.  It's downtown Cedar Rapids, and the parade starts around 9am.  Come on down and get some free candy!

We're still looking for good people who like to help build the haunt and scare the hell out of people.  If this sounds like you, contact us via the website, or you can contact me here via the MySpace.

Open auditions will begin in August.  Spread the word.

Happy Haunting!

-- I

Well, it's going to be a busy week around here!

This past week we accomplished quite a bit.  The new ticket booth is standing and has a roof.  We still need to fill in the ends of the building, and sheet the top of the roof.  Also need to build the projector/bell tower for the top of it and get that installed and water tight as well.

Lots more small projects got done, and the haunt is really coming together!  I don't ever want to reveal too much, but I am confident we are well on track.

Friday marks the first of several cast orientation events out at the forest.  We hope to hold these monthly.  We will be feeding everyone, sharing some of the details about this year's event, getting new folks signed up and be playing some games, doing ghost hunting, and whatever else comes to mind!

Beginning next month, we will also be doing camp-outs!  These are fun days at Frightmare Forest.  We spend some time in the early part of the day and get some work done, then spend the rest of the evening cooking out, socializing, and just having a good time.

So, if you can make it, come on out!  Friday @ Frightmare Forest @ 7pm.  Bring a friend!

- I