Fifteen Minutes of Scrawl

Happy Halloween!  The Addams Family  (1991) The Addams Family Values  (1993) The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) Corpse Bride  (2005) Goosebumps  (2023) The Raven  by Edgar Allen Poe Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997) Wednesday (2022) The Haunting of Hill House (2018) The Haunting of Bly Manor (2020) Midnight Mass  (2021) Stranger Things (2016) The Twilight Zone (1959) The Simpsons  Treehouse of Horror episodes "The Monster Mash" by Bobby "Boris" Pickett (Prompt by me) "Addams Family Card Game" by Mark Anderson . Attribution 2.0 Generic .

Time for some differing expectations? James, honestly, shush Ingi...this is your first fight with Corona or any serious relationship??? Ingi, Corona sending you photos of engagement rings is a pretty clear sign Ingi...I don't think you should've just left Josh, you were not excited to meet Vivian, be real Josh is finally contributing something to the marriage (to be clear, it is only financial this time as opposed to emotional, but at least it's something) James...could you have asked or done ANY research? Corona, Ingi was never a certainty Angel is apologizing to James and Meitalia...I did not expect that James, are you really filing this on your phone when there is a literal camera crew? Meitalia really does love James I feel like Josh should've told his bank he was traveling Next time Sarper and Shekinah dress up Next time Sarper gets visa approval Next time Sarper doesn't want to go to the US Next time Dempsey and Sarper break up? Next time James tells Meitalia ...

I'm always looking for good ones! Aberrant Chilling Devilish Eerie Eldritch Frightening Ghostly Occult Ominous Preternatural Scary Spinetingling  Supernatural Terrifying Uncanny (Prompt by me) "Spooky Book" by mrskyce . Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic .

Time for some men to kinda suck. Božo should've picked up earlier Vanja will probably be more mad that you lied Božo...don't say you found it in a dumpster I would argue leaving during a war was the most important trip of your lifetime, Vanja Catch that suitcase! Wow Vanja has more energy than I do I...don't think you can call Chidi's faith false, Rayne Rayne, you started attacking the whole family Well Lexie's dad sounds like an asshole Adnan is ridiculous Poor Matilda I don't know if I believe Niles Uh, Brian, in Chicago there is not a lot of corn and soy...that's a lot of the rest of IL Luiza does not like Brian Could also be your age, Brian Did Faith say she left home at 13? Božo...did you say just friends? So we don't like Brian cause he's American? Huh So, Ingrid should be able to travel as she pleases, but she doesn't need another man telling her what to do I want Niles and Matilda to work out but I'm nervous Doesn't him not having...

Twas a graveyard smash!  Put a skeleton on the porch swing Ate free cake Drank spiked cider Colored in a giant coloring sheet Painted a fake hand Made people do trivia Threw a costume contest Hid Jack-o-Lantern Easter eggs Played a Halloween-y playlist Got people to guess how many pieces of candy were in a bucket Gave out prizes Dressed in costume Chatted with friends Only took a few photos Forgot about some of the snacks I had prepared (Prompt by me)

I wrote this piece for a creative writing class in college in fall of 2013. “I would rather die,” the man replied, still holding the rose in his hand.  The beast roared in his face, baring his huge, fang-like teeth.  His breath was hot and smelled of decay as it rushed past the man’s face, but he did not flinch.  Instead, he twirled the rose in his hand.  “I will not give any of my children to you.” “But you could save yourself,” snarled the beast, “Perhaps even save your business.” “That would make me a poor father.  I will gladly die to save any of my children from that fate.”  The man met the wild, yellow eyes of the beast, “Kill me.” “Do you not wish to return home?” Asked the beast in his low, gravelly voice. “To what end?” asked the man.  He brought the rose up to their eye level and twirled it again, “To tell my children that this is why I must return and die?  To tell them that one could save me if they agreed to go in my stead?  Eith...

No cheating! Pumpkins Jack-o-Lanterns Squash The Halloween movies Samhain Candy Corn The horror genre as a whole Universal monsters Popular costumes International Halloween traditions Day of the Dead Popular candies Fall Apples Spooky songs (Prompt by me) "_DSC7054" by sayo ts

I wrote this piece in 2007 I believe for an art class. Log Entry #1 Date: 11/16/92 Today I, Holly Smith cryptologist in training, start my research of a creature that is believed to live around fresh lakes.  I will start with the one closest to me: Lake Michigan.  I leave tonight; I should arrive tomorrow morning at dawn. Log Entry #2 Date: 11/17/92 I have arrived in Chicago and I started my research at one of the public libraries.  I have heard this supposed creature is dangerous, so I decided to do some research before I went looking for it. Research (not in chronological order): There have been 100 spottings of this creature at Lake Michigan in the past twenty-five years. There have been over 10000 spottings of this creature all over the world in the past twenty five years. Over 1800 deaths have been attributed to this creature over the past twenty-five years in the United States alone. Over 9000 deaths have been attributed to this creature through out the entire world...

My party is coming up!  "This is Halloween" composed and written by Danny Elfman "Monster Mash" by Bobby Pickett "Thriller" by Michael Jackson "Superstition" by Stevie Wonder "Season of the Witch" by Donovan "Somebody's Watching Me" by Rockwell "I Put a Spell On You" written by "Screamin' Jay" Hawkins, put performed by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy "Ghostbusters (I'm Not Afraid)" by Fall Out Boy, ft. Missy Elliott "Time Warp" by Nell Campbell, Patricia Quinn, and Richard O'Brien "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" by Blue Oyster Cult "Disturbia" by Rihanna "bad guy" by Billie Eilish "Cannibal" by Kesha "Psycho Killer" by Talking Heads "She Wolf" by Shakira (Prompt by me) "Skeleton Band in Halloween Parade" by JeffChristiansen . Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic .

Time for some family and friends time? "Corona is sperm-whale-penis size" So Ingi broke his penis I guess Corona...these are conversations you should've had BEFORE moving to Iceland Is Ingi not allowed to talk to other women? James, there are going to be ants outside James, I do thin you have to try durian Oof I wonder if James is telling the truth about Angel (he seems to be at the moment) Why aren't we calling Joanne's mom from Sean's place? "We were in a moment" only works for so long, Sean and Joanne...it's been like two years So Jerrod is fixing things between Josh and Lily yet again Vivian, it's not super normal to talk about your mom's sex life Idk James, you don't seem that great Oof Angel, you spread gossip because you don't know him? That's a bit rough I don't think Ingi is outright cheating, but I do think he's less committed than Corona Corona, again, you should've had this conversation with Ingi BEFORE...

It's coming up! Cake from Costco Spooky Spiderweb Deviled Eggs Charcuterie board with cheese cut out with Halloween-y cookie cutters Cheesy Witch Brooms Pillsbury Halloween sugar cookies Vampire Cookies Caramel apples Mummy Brie Dirt pudding Oreo Spiders Banana ghosts Chocolate Pretzel Ghosts Marshmallow ghosts Apple and Peanut Butter MONSTERS Halloween candy (Prompt by me) "Charge d' Affaires MaryKay Carlson Hosts Halloween Reception for Embassy Community - October 29, 2017" by U.S. Embassy New Delhi . Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic .

Time for some tough truths? I like this sister of Brian's Okay I doubted Niles's choice of proposal location, but it's beautiful Matilda's face in response to the maxims is gold Niles...this is just going to make Matilda think you plan on getting married even more I don't think chicken legs is a compliment, Sunny Vanja, the 5 inch heels were your choice Time to really meet Božo! I love Božo's jokes Božo...Vanja is coming to meet you... Faith, this man does not deserve your time Loren, you should count your lucky stars that Faith deigns to be in your presence  Sunny...don't describe things as a "Titanic moment" Oh great, Veah didn't even tell Sunny, he just found out Tigerlily, I'm so sorry, but I'm not invested in your and Adnan's relationship Ingrid, you don't have to give this man another chance Loren feels so manipulative Wow this is beautiful Božo's family really loves him Sunny is making a fair choice to go home Oh god,...

We're getting so close! Carving a swamp monster pumpkin (second from right in the photo below) Wearing a costume with my dog (did it at least twice!) Going trick-or-treating with friends (especially when I was Bellatrix Lestrange) Carving pumpkins at Swat freshman year (we kept them way too long) Throwing a Halloween party last year (I had so much fun with the snacks) Watching a friend sing at a Halloween party in Ireland (I don't remember what, just that it was lovely) One guy getting my carb costume (he even knew which carb!) Seeing political decorations around my neighborhood (I expect more this year) Sitting on the porch of my first apartment and handing out candy Taking in the epic Halloween decoration street in my neighborhood (I hope they still go all out) Decorating the yard with my brother (we even made a vampire ostrich collage thing) Watching The Nightmare Before Christmas  (too many years to count) Setting up all of the Halloween decorations that had been mailed to ...

I recently purchased  The Ultimate RPG Game Master's Worldbuilding Guide: Prompts and Activities to Create and Customize Your Own Game World  by James D'Amato  and it, and going whale watching, inspired me to create a new D&D world. So here we go! I'm going to use prompts from the book to begin crafting this world, but not all posts will be from there. You can  read part 1 of my planning here ,  read part 2 of my planning here ,  read part 3 of my planning here ,  read part 4 of my planning here ,  read part 5 of my planning here ,  read part 6 of my planning here ,  read part 7 of my planning here ,  read part 8 of my planning here ,  read part 9 of my planning here ,  read part 10 of my planning here , read part 11 of my planning here , and read part 12 of my planning here .  These are the gods of the world, modified from the list on page 57. I will try and describe all that I selected. Note though that I organi...

Just the ones I can remember! Headless Horseman A carb (probably my top costume) Witch Black cat Pig Bellatrix Lestrange Zoe from Firefly Barbie Mike Wazowski Ginger Spice Pumpkin Dinosaur A Cards Against Humanity Card (What is Batman's Guilty Pleasure?) Ravenclaw student Carol from The Walking Dead (Prompt by Emily Kleeman)

Time for some tough conversations?  I feel like Statler should've tested the Wi-Fi earlier Shekinah, it's been like 30 minutes Meitalia's dad does have expensive taste Don't say nasty, James James, goddamn, use a translator app Rolex is a feisty dog Yeah Josh should do SOMETHING JOSH! YOU LIED ABOUT SOMEONE DYING? Statler and Dempsey did not think things through enough Josh, you do seem bad Okay, Lily, you are already married to Josh Next time we meet Meitalia's sister who doesn't like James Next time Sean finally video calls Joanne's mom Next time Lily talks to her daughter about sex Next time Ingi's friends say he wasn't exclusive when he said he was (Prompt by me) 90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way , TLC Promotional image source

Yeah, this year's is on a Thursday.  Dress as Halloweeny as your job allows (this may just be orange haha) Decorate your space (cubicle, office, living room, whatever you have!) Hand out candy (if you don't live in a place with a lot of kids, go visit a friend who does) Go trick-or-treating with the kids in your life (if you're able to time-wise) Watch something Halloweeny (after work) Listen to a Halloweeny podcast (whenever!) Find time to dance to a Halloweeny playlist (I'm sure Spotify has tons) Offer to organize an office Halloween party (note that I said organize  and not pay for ) Buy yourself some Halloween candy (though maybe do this the day after haha) Read a ghost story (or listen to one as an audio performance) Bake something with pumpkin (pumpkin bread perhaps?) Draw something Halloweeny (find the time to at least doodle a skull) Tell people Happy Halloween (they'll likely say it back) Enjoy a fall or Halloweeny drink (up to you to define) Take the day o...

Time for some tough conversations? Petra does look really cool Adnan, you are not the best husband "An intruder in your pants," is an amazing quote, Rayne How is Chidi's sister an intruder in her own home? "I don't like you because you treat my brother poorly," is actually a really good reason Oh I thought Niles and Matilda did have sex "I am a man, but that doesn't mean I have to be stupid,"--Niles Hello, Vanja! Wow Vanja does a lot Aw, I'm sorry Vanja Božo does seem fun (this was before I heard he dumped Vanja suddenly for someone else) Brian, Ingrid is not digging these stories of you being a player FAITH DO NOT TAKE THIS TRASH PERSON BACK SIGH "The sex camel," does not seem flattering, Vanja Oh, Vanja, I'm so sorry NILES! YOU HAVE TO TELL MATILDA THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO GET MARRIED YET! They don't seem vibrant, Shay. They seem tired Adnan, Shay is just doing what the producers tell her Why are we here for Brian mass...

It's really getting close now! Moo Deng That shooting contestant from Turkey Very demure, very mindful (could be couple's costume) Duo owl (yes, not 2024 specific, but I think it'd be very funny to go up to people and constantly ask them about their language journey--how frightening!) A stressed-out meteorologist (too much?) Maggie Smith's famous roles (couple's costume for her two most prominent or group costume to include more) Chicago rat hole J. K. Rowling (she's so terrible and thus scary now--well has been for a while) Characters from Dune A nepo baby Kelce and Swift (yes they started dating last year, but still) Skibidi Toilet (yes, it started last year, but oh well) Red-eyed cicada Cowboy Carter Australian breakdancer (Prompt by me) "Halloween 2018" by Ayuntamiento Roquetas de Mar

Don't read if you're on my Halloween card list! I'm going to be including some creative pieces in each card. Remember this poem style I came up with? The Ouija planchette prowls for ghosts. Carromancy makes omens. Tarot predicts futures. Those that seek answers may find spirits too willing to share their curses. So beware hunters of the otherworldly signs, for some beyond the veil would rather pull you through it than give you a peek behind it. (Prompt by me) "Ouija board box cover c 1915-1918" by William Creswell

Don't read if you're on my Halloween card list! I'm going to be including some creative pieces in each card.  The birds! Oh God, the birds! Now, her third head quite disagreed. Thankfully, the recording stopped just short. Oriental rugs carry quite the body. Interment wasn't her major concern anymore. The beast's stomach slowly dissolved him. Even blessed silver bullets weren't enough. She dug into the bite vigorously. Boogiemen rarely stay under the bed. Jack-o-lanterns cackled, spewing sparks and smoke. The Hell beast devoured angel flesh. Her belly swelled with the parasite. Then the sacrifice called the cops. Candles foretold the blood that'd spill. Shaking, she said he was imaginary. (Prompt by me) "Saturday morning walk around the abbey pond and back." by abbeyprivate

Don't read if you're on my Halloween card list! I'm going to be including some creative pieces in each card. Remember this poem style I came up with? The sun sets and trick-or-treaters stream out onto spooky streets. Donning cute or creepy or funny costumes, they seek their sweets. They ring bells, knock on doors and find joy in all that is given. Soon their sugar-filled bellies will invite sleep. Tomorrow, they will trade for the morsels they find as elite. (Prompt by me) "food pr0n: "Paper Bag of Halloween Candy" ii" by Terry Bain

Don't read if you're on my Halloween card list! I'm going to be including some creative pieces in each card. These are shortened versions of  "15 first lines to a scary story" . Brittle bones contained her undead marrow. Screams mingled delicately with autumn breezes. Surely the door was there before. The children deliberately were no more. Darkness gobbled her into its maw. She awoke to burrowing in her ear. Eerily quickly, her body wasn't hers. One by one lights flickered dark. Spiders frothed from her crooked jaw. Otherworldly lights and inhabitants drew closer. Expecting soft flesh, she found scales. The lit building oozed vile bile. Whistling to his comfort, she shuddered. Ghost observed their corpses and murderers. Red eyes blinked open, surrounding her. (Prompt by me) "Amsterdam to Budapest. Dürnstein (Austria). Graveyard. A huge pile of human bones under the church." by Anne and David

Time for some family time?  How does Shekinah have money for a nose job?  Sarper, you are not a doctor Joanne, have you looked into visa rules etc.? Josh is such a jerk I think the Javanese stuff looks great so shut up, James Okay, James, yes, but you should be contributing James, Meitalia is asking you to TRY Okay, James, how is doing nothing helping you and Meitalia make money? Ah so Sarper doesn't like Shekinah having surgery because he can't control it...cool James, honestly, you're being a jerk Wow it's almost like you two should've made a plan before moving (maybe even marrying) Next time Dempsey and Statler didn't plan for Wi-Fi Next time Meitalia's money want the most expensive options Next time Lily's daughter (?) confronts Josh Can't wait! (Prompt by me) 90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way , TLC Promotional image source

Don't read if you're on my Halloween card list! I'm going to be including some creative pieces in each card. Topical outfits, spooky and sexy dresses, how I love costumes. Orange and purple evoke such spooky feelings and joyful mem'ries. Tombstones, crypts, graveyards clutter the neighborhood's lawns, offering candy. Horror shows and films send shivers up my weak spine, I shan't watch alone. Eldritch creatures crawl, moon beams electrify beasts, magic awakens. (Prompt by me) "Blockparty (422 of 454)" by Guide Live

Time for some misrepresentation and dislike.  Oooh I do want to see Petra Adnan and Tigerlily are so incompatible  Adnan's brother is being rude Oh Chidi, I hope you get at least some answers on what caused your visual impairment LOREN! YOU KNEW IT DIDN'T TRANSLATE PROPERLY Loren, how do you know Faith is your "other half"? LOREN! YOU DON'T SLEEP AROUND SAFELY! HOW COULD FAITH TRUST YOU? Matilda is so pretty Oh Chidi, I'm sorry Brian, have you told Ingrid about your several marriages and engagements? Veah, maybe this is why you shouldn't have brought Rory Okay, sorry to be harsh Veah, but has 777 helped prevent the tragedies in your life? Rory, why did you agree to this? Yes, what the f are you doing, Rory? You are starting the relationship with a lie, Veah Rayne, why would Victoria trust you right away? Omg Rayne, lie Rayne, plenty of people in the US cook RAYNE! YOU CAN'T SAY THAT! Ho boy I guess Matilda and Niles are giving up on that "not til ...

Don't read if you're on my Halloween card list! I'm going to be including some creative pieces in each card. Pumpkins become lamps, casting light into dark night, with their carved faces. Witches, zombies, cats, and, mummies, oh my! Outfits donned for Halloween. Candy Corn, Dum-Dums, and more fill my pumpkin bag, soon to be enjoyed. Dance the Danse Macabre, for now the veil is thinner and we are all one. Dark omens abound in candle wax and tea leaves foretelling futures. (Prompt by me) "Jack-O-Lantern" by Alabama Extension

Don't read if you're on my Halloween card list! I'm going to be including some creative pieces in each card.  A full moon rises, as do the dead ones, lurching, fingernails congealed with grave dirt. Where they are headed is to consume tons of flesh, innards, and blood that will soon spurt. They desert their interred crypts to bask in ghostly illumination. They pillage and call out to inhospitable djinn, reveling and ravaging the village Welcomed are they all for it is Hallow's Eve. All dance the Danse Macabre together, relishing in humor of the gallows. Souls one and all are light as a feather. The corpses shuffle back to graveyards soon, taking fresh ones as their ghastly new boon. (Prompt by me) "ZOMBIE QUEEN" by J.R. Libby

Don't read if you're on my Halloween card list! I'm going to be including some creative pieces in each card. Tomfoolery Rollicks Instead Candy Karma - Option Reverberates - Tantalizing Richness Even Ate The Envelope Round Sweets (Prompt by me) "Children trick-or-treating in Tallahassee- Tallahassee" by Florida Memory

Time for some terrible times.  Dempsey, I know you're well-intentioned, but you can't just good-intention someone out of a panic attack Shekinah, you shouldn't live with this man Wow Sarper, couldn't even keep up the lie for like ten minutes This isn't a white lie, Sarper Josh's brother seems nice Corona is hilarious with this super cold water Corona and Ingi are just not compatible Okay, this photo-shoot thing Sarper has brought Shekinah to feels like a tourist trap...but one I'd enjoy lol Please don't lick Sarper while I'm here, Shekinah Statler, you need to know the difference between the Notre Dame cathedral and Notre Dame the school It's nice to see Statler and Dempsey laughing Oop I feel bad for Josh's brother Next time Sarper crafts Shekinah a nose Next time Sarper wants to be in on the actual surgery??? Next time James and Meitalia are dressed up Next time James and Meitalia should break up Next time Joanne's kids make good points...

Don't read if you're on my Halloween card list! I'm going to be including some creative pieces in each card. Haunting Along Lonely Lowly Obscurity Wailing Eerily Every Night Gnashing Harmful Oblong Spiked Teeth Spookily (Prompt by me) "Hop-tu-naa turnip with ghost (Maughold 2016)" by Culture Vannin