Vampires Exist

Interestingly enough, there are diseases and physical conditions that can cause people to have “vampiric” traits. Given the lack of medical knowledge and understanding, as well as cultures based in superstition, it’s not surprising that vampire sightings have occurred throughout history. Add to that the later practice of grave robbing for money, jewelry and scientific research and it just adds to the hysteria and mystery of vampires. The conditions we can identify now surely existed then. Any odd behavior associated with them would definitely have caused suspicion and fear. These are the main medical possibilites that might explain why people have always believed vampires exist:

Porphyria
Anemia
Rabies
Catalepsy

Porphyria is a disease of the blood and it has numerous, unfortunate symptoms. Depending upon the specific “strain” of the disease, people afflicted are extremely sensitive to sunlight – to the point of not being able to walk past a sunny window without blistering and peeling their skin. Because the red blood cells don’t live as long in people with porphyria, there is a tendency towards anemia.

Anemia causes individuals to become extremely pale and lose most of the coloring around their lips, eyelids, gums and even hands and palms. It also makes the skin feel very cold. Anemia is a far more common condition and associated with many more things than something as rare as porphyria.

Recent studies have been published that discuss the symptoms of rabies in humans and linking them to vampirism. Interestingly, rabies tends to increase saliva (causing drooling), cause hypersensitivity to light and sound, biting and a strange fear of water (holy water??). There were several massive European outbreaks of rabies among animals in the 1700s (probably before and after, too) and no doubt people were also attacked and infected. Imagine meeting a rabid man, frothing at the mouth and having strange aversions to seemingly normal things. It would terrify the village and create an irrational fear that a vampire was on the loose. Excellent!

Lastly, catalepsy is similar to being in a trance – and having no muscle control or reaction to stimuli. Catalepsy can be caused by mental disorders such as Schizophrenia or diseases like Parkinson’s. We’re foolish if we don’t think people have always suffered from mental delusions - far earlier than we could ever know, understand, name or diagnose.

Being Socreepy, I don’t ever want to burst the horror bubble. Of COURSE vampires exist! I just wanted to point out why vampires seem to have such specific behaviors associated with them.

The History of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

What is the real story behind The Texas Chainsaw Massacre? Pretty much anyone that has seen the Texas Chainsaw Massacre makes the assumption that it really happened. Between the marketing spin masters and director Tobe Hooper, we’ve all been led to believe that the history of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Leatherface and all the grisly events that happened - were true.

Well, the film is some fiction and some fact. Ever been in a crowded department store during the holidays? Ever wanted to just grab a chainsaw and plow your way through the crowds? That sounded a little morbid, didn’t it? My point is that Tobe Hooper was tossing around an idea for a movie - one based on the isolation someone feels in the dark and creepy woods in the middle of nowhere. So, that spark of an idea was in his mind as he went to the crowded mall that day and stood in front of the chainsaws. What a beautiful way to cut down the masses and get through the checkout line quicker! The “history” of The Texas Chainsaw massacre and its legend was starting to come together.

Infamous sick bastard and serial killer Ed Gein served as another inspiration for The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Most people know or have heard of the legend of Gein, a recluse that lived in a small Wisconsin town in the 50s. He got his kicks wearing the skins of his victims - on his face, on his body, as his underwear. He made lampshades and decorative items out of them. He was a cannibal - and he was the first to hit mainstream America. Perhaps that’s why he has influenced the silver screen in ways other than The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Gein also inspired “Psycho” and the character Buffalo Bill in “Silence of the Lambs”. Precious.

Hooper took the actions and strange habits of Gein and created Leatherface and his sadistic, face chomping family. He also sold the bill of goods as “based on real events” on the back of the videos when they were released years later. Long story short is that an actual Texas Chainsaw Massacre did not happen, but it was influenced by many grisly things that did.

History of Pumpkin Carving & Jack O’Lanterns

The history of jack-o-lanterns and pumpkin carving begins with a little fable.

The Irish told a story of a drinking chap who was a little on the shall we say, cheap side. In fact, he was notorious for not wanting pay for his ale and trying to trick others into buying, so he was nicknamed Stingy Jack.

Stingy Jack met the Devil one cold night and invited him along for drinks. It didn’t matter to Stingy Jack whether this was the Devil or not, he wasn’t going to pay. He actually convinced the Devil to become a coin so that Jack had money for their drinks. Unfortunately, Stingy Jack just decided to keep the money and not free the Devil. Supposedly, he thought better of the situation and agreed to release old Scratch on the condition that the Devil not seek any kind of revenge for a year and that if Stingy Jack died, the Devil wouldn’t keep his soul.

Oddly enough, Stingy Jack and the Devil had a couple more encounters and each time, Jack got the better end of the deal. Of course there is a reason for the term “there will be Hell to pay”. When Jack finally died, God wasn’t too keen on taking such a swindler into Heaven. The Devil didn’t want him in hell either because he was angry at being tricked.

The Devil got his revenge by forcing Stingy Jack to wander the earth forever in the dark. He was given a burning piece of coal as his only light. Jack carved out a turnip and put the coal in it to guide his path. It was Jack’s lantern. If you see Jack some lonely night or this Halloween, ask him if he’d like a beer.

FUN FACTS:The first jack-o-lanterns were actually carved turnips with candles lit inside. They were placed outside to ward off evil spirits, particulary at the time of Halloween.

Pumpkins and pumpkins seeds used to be used to cure snake bites.

PUMPKIN CARVING SITES
I found some really cool pumpkin carving sites for you to check out:
Zombie Pumpkins
Extreme Pumpkins
Spookmaster