8/22/2006 - Trouble with light controller

Well, I had a little trouble with the light controller.  I found out just a little too late that when you are writing macro and don't include delays then the controller will continue to run the program but won't allow you to update the program.  Which really sucks.  So I had to break out another controller that I had, and download the program to it.  This time I put delays in it.  It worked ok.  Needs a little work on some of the fade ins but I think I will get it work.  The other control will have to be sent back to be reprogrammed there.  Here is a short video on my progress on the lights for the witch.

8/21/2006 - Another busy weekend

It was another busy weekend.  While I was waiting for my power cord for my transmitter, I was messing around with some audio tracks that I was going to use to broadcast as a station id.  I am getting help from a professional who does this for Christmas broadcasts, so yes it will cost me a little bit of cast.  But not much.  This is his first attempt at Halloween, but he is doing a fine job.  I got the first one this past week and was adding different effects on it, just to see what it would sound like.  Here is a same of a station ID that I was messing with.  The music is from Virgil’s CD.

www.deathtouchhorrors.com/Welcome2.mp3

As you can see by the picture below, it was a really busy week.  I started working on my Pumpkinrot scarecrow, I got the witch’s hands done; along with part of the body, the motor was modified a little due to mechanical problems, testing my light controller with the cauldron’s lights, making sure the ladle doesn’t hit the witch in the head, and I got done with a corpse seen in the picture below

8/14/2006 - And then there was more work.

So today I got an email that the Transmitter has been shipped.  I am trying to add a few plug-INS to Winamp so it will act like a DJ.  Then I can throw a whole bunch of songs in Winamp and let it be my Halloween Disc Jockey.  It should be cool if I can get it to work.  If not, back to my wireless speaker, which I normally sit out in the yard.

I also started construction of my Pumpkinrot scarecrow.  I bought some wood and I built the stem on the head yesterday.  Still needs painting.  But I am hoping to get this project done soon.

Starting on Friday I started construction of my witch for the cauldron.   Also bought some amber lights from Romans; they now have their Halloween and Christmas stuff up.  So far, I have the main frame up and the motor is part-way working.  It still needs a little more.  My wife even pitched in and helped with the Witch’s face.  She found my stash of clay and went to work on her.  She really looks cool the way she has the face.  Sorry, no pictures.   I was so busy this weekend I didn’t have time to take any.

8/11/2006 - My Halloween Radio

A few years ago I had a Transmitter from Ramsey that would broadcast my Halloween music for people to hear when they were looking at my display.  Well my dog kind of made it not work any more.  If you know what I mean.  I was trying to save up to buy another one but it doesn't look like it is going to work out.  So I did the best next thing.  I bought a Belkin TuneCast II Transmitter.  Now you are thinking that there is no way this tunecast is going to reach out that far, so the passer bys can listen.  Well, that is true if I didn't modify it to work.  There is a hack for the Tunecast that will allow it to broadcast 300-500 feet.  I have a couple of friends who did the same thing and it worked great.  So, now I am going to do the same.  It will be cool to be able to have the radio station again.

8/6/2006 - Cauldron near complete

I did a lot of work on the cauldron Friday, Sat, and Sun.   A lot of painting and detail work.  I also got the motor working with the witche's ladle.  I didn't get to paint all of the ladle yet, but it will be done soon. If you look at the rings on the cauldron notice what is holding them.  Yes, I made hands to hold them.  The look ok.   I also started work on the witch's head, which will look like the Pumpkinrot witch.  You can guess that this witch will be a combo of ScareFX's cauldron and Pumpkinrot's witch.  The best of both worlds.  Here is a photo of what I got done so far.

7/30/2006 - Hearse BBQ

This weekend my wife and I were invited to a hearse BBQ.  I must say it was good eats for all. For hearse drivers they sure can cook.  There were a few haunters there beside me.  That would be the 1st picture below.  Donna.  I forgot her haunt name.  Sorry Donna!  There are also a few links to some pictures I took while I was leaving.

Also this weekend I had time to work on my cauldron some more.  I added hands to the sides which will hold the rings for the chains.  Now, I know the rings are a bit big, but I will fix that.  I also bought a few more foam skulls for the front.  ScareFX is never going to produce another prop after see what I did to his awesome witch prop.  Well, you know me, I can just copy it with messing with it just a bit.  Of course, wait till I get the witch on there.  Then tell me what you think.  LOL.

First Picture

2nd Picture

3rd Picture

4th

5th

6th

Picture of cauldron

7/26/2006 - More Detail on Cauldron

Tonight I started working on the cauldron's base, which is a few 2x8s.  But I ran into a small problem.  The screws that I bought to hold it together were just a little bit small.  It didn't get put together.  I did, on the other hand, put some foam skulls that I bought on the front of the cauldron.  Next I am going to make latex fingers for the cauldron's handles.  I think it might look cool.  Here is a night shot.

Also, Larry from Halloweenforum has started up www.sinisterspace.com.  I had to sign up. It is pretty cool.  Check it out.  My sinisterspace is http://www.sinisterspace.com/Deathtouch

7/24/2006 - New Stuff Again

I have been busy...busy...again/still.

Recently launched http://www.SinisterSpace.com Social Community for the Halloween, Haunt, Goth, etc communities.

Spending time working, dealing with community issues, enhancing things and doing what I can.

My girlfriend makes sure I take a little time for relaxation too.

7/23/2006 - Witchy poo, where are you?

This weekend I worked on my scarecrow for a little bit and my animatronic witch's caldron.   I didn't get an updated picture of my caldron, but here is the start.  You can guess my wife said something about the nice black ring on the patio.  Oppss.  Crap!  The first shows that I had a few gaps in the top foam piece.  Well, as I was at the home hardware store, I found a larger piece.  Oh, goodie.  The piece just about made it all the way around, but I was able to fix that little problem.  You maybe wondering what those little pieces sticking out on the sides of the caldron.  Well, they are from work.  They are a fire detector cap.  They did have larger ones, but I went with the small cap.  I thought it did ok; I might have to make sure they are glued down right.  I also started working on the motor that goes inside.  I almost got it done.  Will have to show you it working some time.

For anyone that noticed, Hauntforum has another contest.  This time the scarecrow contest. Already members have started working on their scarecrows, so I thought I better start on mine.  I kind of ran out of time today, but the picture below show the early workings of my scarecrow.  I know, it doesn't look like a scarecrow.  I am working on that.  It will, I promise.

Update:  Witch Caldron:  I think I need more black paint and I need to fill in gaps on caps before I move on.

7/18/2006 - Creepcast Radio

Yesterday I got an email from a DragonLady Sue about a new Halloween internet broadcast that talks about all things Halloween.  Like making tombstones, home haunters, music and sound effects, and etc.   I was able to tune in last night, and it really was good.  He was talking about how the term Jack-o-latern came to pass and etc.  You will have to check it out if you have time.  You can listen to it on his site or download it free on Itunes.  Check out the site.

CreepCast Radio

7/16/2006 - My new friend Timmy!

Remember the corpse I was making for my tombstone.  Well, I have been working with him a little.  So that he doesn't look as happy.  He is now part sluch latex and paper mache.  He is the only prop I had a chance to work on this week.  I call him Timmy!  From SouthPark.  I know, too much SouthPark.

7/9/2006 - Just too cute

I got a little done this weekend.  I worked on my caldron and my corpse for my tombstone.  The problem with the corpse is that his face is just a little too cute for me.  So after taking this picture I tore part of the upper face off to work on his tude.  If you know what I mean.  He just doesn't have that, "I am going to come over there and get you!" look.  It is more like, "I am coming over there to give you a big kiss."  Which I don't like at all.  I guess it is back to research and dev. for me.  Here is the picture I had at the end of the day.

7/8/2006 - Got 3rd place on contest but still lost

7/6/2006 - Crystal Ball

So I was minding my own business today when all of a sudden my wife appears magically and gives me this gift.  To me, this is the gift of Halloween.  Why?  Because it gives me ideas says I.  This thing is awesome.  It spins around with different colors of LED light.  It is perfect for my new prop.  What prop you say?  I guess you will have to find out later.  Ahahahahahah.

7/6/2006 - Cross to bare

Since I saw a few hauntforum members try to building some crosses, I thought I would do the same.  I just did a quick cross last night.  It still needs a little paint, but it coming out nicely.  I think I will build a few more with out the foam skull on top.  Since I ran out of foam skulls.

7/3/2006 - Corpse in front of tombstone

I have been working on a corpse for the front of my tombstone.  He is starting to look ok.  I am also thinking about using this same method and paper mache to create my ScareFX witch.  Here is a picture as of today.

7/1/2006 - hauntforum Tombstone Contest

Today started the voting for hauntforum's Tombstone contest.  I was able to get mine in, luckily.  If you have time, check it out.  Here.  It has been an uphill battle with it.  I think I spent maybe a few hours on it total, even the painting.  I also updated my website with Ironstock pictures.  I think the website needs a little more sound.  If you know what I mean.

Speaking of sound, I am planning on sending a video of this year's haunt to Hauntforum.com.  They are planning on doing like the Halloween-L video DVD thing.  Everyone will send in his/her video and then people can buy the dvd to help raise money for the forum.  I don't normally believe in helping out like this, but Hauntforum is a very good site.  It kind of makes you feel at home.  That is why I like it so much.  If you have time, check it out.  www.hauntforum.com  So, anyway before I get sidetraked, I talked to Virgil Franklin from http://www.virgilmusic.net/ at Ironstock.  He has some really nice scary music that he sells.  He actualy produces his own music.  Well, we got talking and I was asking him if he had any upbeat dark tracks.  Well, normally dark tracks are not upbeat, but he told me that he would be willing to make me one for the video if I would give him credit on my site and on the movie. Which I told him, Sure!  So I guess I better get cracking on more prop, huh/.

6/29/2006 - Latexing with Deathtouch

Well, I decided to take a wack at the kit that I bought from Ironstock.  It comes with slush latex, batting, brush, and hair.  I got out one of my skull I bought from ACC and gave it a try.  Not to bad.  I might have to add more to it, but not bad for my first night.  I might be able to do something with it.  Maybe my witch or an ash tray.  Who knows?

6/27/2006 - More pics from Ironstock

Since I had so many ask for more pictures, I have uploaded more on photobucket.  I didn't have time to get all 389 of them, but I think this should do.  Check them out here

http://s7.photobucket.com/albums/y260/lovermonkey/Ironstock%202006/

Update:  I noticed that WormyT is starting to put her pictures on line from Ironstock.  Here are those links.  It looks like she hasn't put my picture up yet.  Good!

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v237/Wormyt/IRONSTOCK%202006%20Thursday%20June%2022/

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v237/Wormyt/IRONSTOCK%202006%20Fri%20June%2023/

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v237/Wormyt/Ironstock%20Centerpiece%202006/

Most of the stuff that I bought from Ironstock was T-shirts and such, but I did buy one thing different.  It was a corpsing kit from www.gore-galore.com. It comes with cotton backing, latex, and hair.  I got it for about 30 bucks.  The picture below shows you what it might look like after you are done corpsing.

6/26/2006 - Back from Ironstock

Ironstock was awesome!  If you didn’t go and you do a lot of haunting, you should kick yourself.  It was the best time I have had for a while.  We started out having to drive out to Lockport, Illinois so that we could join DragonLady Sue from the Las Ryds Hearse Club.   It was suppose to be a convoy of 5 hearses, but we only started with 2.  Later on another hearse would join the group.  I brought my walkie talkies on the trip so we could talk to the hearse drivers.  It was a good idea.  We had so many laughs.  One thing about driving in a hearse caravan is that you will notice all the heads turning.  There were times when I couldn’t help but laugh because of someone turning their head really quick to see the hearses.  And one time, while at a gas station, a bunch of Amish came over to check out the hearses.  Now that was funny.

It took us about 9 ½ hrs from Chicago to Tell City, In.  Now, I waited too long to get a hotel in Tell City, so I was forced to get one in the next city; which just happens to be in the state of Kentucky.(Lewisport)  Nice Hotel, but the wi-fi really sucks.  I couldn’t upload my photos.  My wife was really tired from the drive so we didn’t make the meeting that was planned at the Ramanda Inn with WormyT being the host.  But we were ready the next day for Ironstock.  I met a lot of people from the hauntforum and halloweenforum that I knew.  Of course there was Frightners Entertainment.  He was there selling lots of stuff. Then I saw Strange1.  Jeff introduced me to him, just after I had put my underwear up on his ceiling.  That would be another story.  LOL.  I also got to met Bodybagging, which had his own booth.  Then I met WormyT, that most everyone in the haunt community knows.  Then I got to met Merlin(the quite one)  She was giving away prizes in the Ironstock raffle.  Which I didn’t win. 

At one time I thought that I had taken more pictures than wormy, but I found out that she had already taken around 900 pictures; I on the other hand only 389.  I jokily said that I would need 2 cameras to catch up to you wormy, which she said that is how she took the 900 pictures in the first place.  She already had two cameras.  Holly crap.  Now, I need two cameras.  LOL

On Saturday the famous coffin race was held.  This is basically an obstacle course of tombstones.  There are 5 members on your team.  One is the corpse, which you have to pick up and put in a coffin on a gurney.  The coffin is then raced thru the obstacle course with out going over the lines or hitting any tombstones along the way.  You then stop your coffin at the end and take your corpse(team member) out of the coffin and place them on the ground next to the tombstone.  You then have to race back thru and cross the finish line.  Sounds simple, sure it is.  We were suppose to enter but out team chickened out at the last second.  I guess we should practice first.    Of course if I were going to pick teams I would have Zombie-F(Hauntforum.com), Krough(Grimvisons.com), Dr. Morbius(Robbybuilder.com), Myself, and I don’t know who I would pick for the corpse.  I will have to think about that one.  We could get Hella, PeeWee, or maybe Dark Fanged Bat Lady.   John from pumpkinrot.com could be the corpse too.  He needs a good vacation.

On Saturday night there is a costume party at around 9pm.  Everyone was dressed in costume except for a few people.  They also have a few contests.  I know wormy won for the best display.  I have a picture of that too.

I would also like to beg WormyT and Strange1 not to post any pictures of me.  I am wanted in 5 or 6 states and on Americas most wanted.  So don't do it.  LOL.