Have A Happy Halloween From Ghost Lounge

Day Of The Dead, Mexico

Don't get me wrong. But, our Halloween is just orange and black. With a black cat and witch. Basically, dark. But, in some of the countries south of the border. What a beautiful pretty day. Flowers of marigolds, candy, cakes, candles, sugar skulls, breads, and just the wonderment of colors. They don't make it scary at all for children. They make the celebrating of the dead. Fun! And, cheerful. We do too. But, not as vibrant.
November 1st is for the celebration of the dead children. November 2nd for the adults. It's mainly a holiday that is based with the Olmec, Zapotec, Mixtec, Mexican or Aztec, Maya, P'urhépecha, and Totonac Indians. The reason we know about it is more for the sugar skulls called Calavera. And, most of all the figurines called La Calavera Catrina.
And, for my Ghost Lounge friends. Here's a recipe, enjoy!

Pan de Muerto, "Bread of the Dead"

In celebration of Mexico's Day of the Dead, this bread is often shaped into skulls or round loaves with strips of dough rolled out and attached to resemble bones.

Ingredients:

* 1/2 cup butter
* 1/2 cup milk
* 1/2 cup water
* 5 to 5-1/2 cups flour
* 2 packages dry yeast
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 tablespoon whole anise seed
* 1/2 cup sugar
* 4 eggs

In a saucepan over medium flame, heat the butter, milk and water until very warm but not boiling.

Meanwhile, measure out 1-1/2 cups flour and set the rest aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine the 1-1/2 cups flour, yeast, salt, anise seed and sugar. Beat in the warm liquid until well combined. Add the eggs and beat in another 1 cup of flour. Continue adding more flour until dough is soft but not sticky. Knead on lightly floured board for ten minutes until smooth and elastic.

Lightly grease a bowl and place dough in it, cover with plastic wrap and let rise in warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1-1/2 hours. Punch the dough down and shape into loaves resembling skulls, skeletons or round loaves with "bones" placed ornamentally around the top. Let these loaves rise for 1 hour.

Bake in a preheated 350 F degree oven for 40 minutes. Remove from oven and paint on glaze.
Glaze

* 1/2 cup sugar
* 1/3 cup fresh orange juice
* 2 tablespoons grated orange zest

Bring to a boil for 2 minutes, then apply to bread with a pastry brush.

If desired, sprinkle on colored sugar while glaze is still damp.

Himuro Mansion, Japan

There's a popular video game called "Fatal Frame". But, did you know that the game is based on a actual place on the outskirts of Tokyo called Himuro Mansion (or Himikyru Mansion).
Now, I love Japanese and Korean ghost films. And, anyone that loved The Ring or The Grudge are probably wondering, "Is there actual places like the story?". Well, this one has one problem off the bat. We don't know if this is just an Urban Legend. But, it's an interesting story just the same.
It's believed that Bad Karma would emerge at the end of the year from a portal that is located on the mansion grounds. And, because of this they must perform the Shinto Ritual or "The Strangling Ritual". Now, I don't want to get gory here so I'll break it down. It seems they need a young maiden. That is sheltered from the world until she is needed for the ritual. Which is the bottom line tied up and dragged until her death. And, the bloody rope is place in front of the mansion to stop the Bad Karma coming in. Where the Urban Legend comes in. It's believe one year a maiden fell in love. And, the Landowner killed his family to avoid the Bad Karma. This is believed to have happened about 80 years ago.
As for ghost hauntings? People say they see the family dressed in white preparing for the ritual. Bloody hand prints on the walls. People visiting will have rope burns on the wrists. And, if you take a photograph, during the day. You will see a young ghost girl in the photo.

What Is It With All The Newfangled Paranormal Equipment?

The only thing the Ghost Hunters done that was "different" was trying to be scientific. That was their catch. It's true, at the time, nobody was really going that direction in paranormal investigations. But, now! Everybody and their Momma is on the band wagon. Which brings me to this. They really don't know how the equipment "really" works. And, almost a good portion of it is mainly "prototypes". I have a little of an inside track on this (not the paranormal equipment). So, I do have an understanding that some of this equipment is really useless. Nobody really knows what a "ghost" is made of. It's all speculative. Now, if "ghosts" are of another dimension? Then all this equipment is as good as nothing. So, I think? The closest thing is a portal. But, getting back to the point. The equipment they are using is for electrical use. In a lab study they would use some sort of a "clean room". Meaning, nothing else can penetrate or contaminate the atmosphere. Believe it not. A clean room can be put up anywhere. Even in the middle of a living room for example. Or, even outside. That can be done. If they do this. Then they are cooking with gas. But, you need the right professional personnel to run this. And, that would never happen. It's a huge expense.

2nd TV Review: Extreme Paranormal. Oh, Boy!

What can I say? I'm glad it's over. I hope for good. First of all let me play Devil's Advocate for a second. Many of these shows that are out they use a lot of "editing". Which leaves us where? We don't really know if what we are watching is the real deal. For instance, they were at the bayou cemetary performing the voodoo ritual and burial. Now, I know they showed us the cemetery with the wooden crosses. But, how do we know if after that shot they filmed. They moved up or down stream to another location. Do we really know? Because that what they did (burial) would have been a desecration of the dead. Even for an Occultist that would have been a bit much. And, who's filming? Again, we never see how many people are really out there with them. Could be as many as 20 people. Such as the hand print they found on the tree. Which was reading "cold" on the thermal. How do we know if it wasn't them earlier that caused it? Only "they" know.
Now, my take on all these shows. I'm personally getting tried of watching them. Love the paranormal. But, not crazy about these shows. Something, somewhere has to give. Even Most Haunted on the recent Live (which is now on Youtube) people on their forums are complaining. But, what are we all complaining about? I think I know. We all beginning to realize we are all being taken for a ride. Hard to swallow, huh? I know I feel the same way. By next year don't be surprised all of a sudden there all gone.

For A Fright Ride, Drive Clinton Road, NJ. If You Dare!

This is one strange road. No towns, stores, houses. Located around West Milford, Passaic County, NJ. Runs North to South directions beginning around Route 23 near Newfoundland Running 10 miles to Upper Greenwood Lakes. I have no clue why this road was even built? But, for years many, many stories about paranormal, strange creatures, witches, Satanists, KKK and also professional hit men.
A book was written called "Convergence: When the Living Clash with the Dead".
The road is very foreboding due to the lack of life around it. Ruins of buildings past. Just the loneliness can make your mind wander. It's unique. So, because of this is why you have all the endless stories. But, some stand out more then others.
The story about the Ghost Boy at the Bridge is the one that stands out the most. It's believed if you throw a coin over the bridge side, which is pretty far down. Wait. Your coin will come right back to you. It's said you can 'mark' your coin however you wish. It will be the same coin. Pretty creepy isn't it.

Mutter Museum. What A Creepy Place!

Due to the fact that Halloween falls on a Saturday this year. It's worth for some of you guys (that are close) to come to Philly. Not just to visit Eastern State Penn. But, for the Mutter Museum. This is the most bizarre and intense place you can go to. The oddness and creepiness is more then a 100 haunted houses put together. You have to remember, these were once human beings. There just not buried in a cemetery. Do I believe some "spirits" follow their bones to their final resting place? You better believe it! I felt sick and dizzy in the place. Almost to the point of passing out. The strange thing about the place is: Why is this open to the public? I understand med students. But, why us? Even the curator of late passed away. I wouldn't be surprised she haunting the place. So, come on down. And, bring your KII meter, take some EVP's, and your digital camera. I'll bet you'll find something.

Please check their website. Tons of info.
http://www.collphyphil.org/mutter.asp