BS: Halloween

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 19 Oct 20 - 05:33 AM

We're not thinking of the ferryman on the Styx are we?

Robin

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Allan Conn
Date: 19 Oct 20 - 11:43 AM

Jos - Halloween didn't need to be promoted throughout Britain as it always has been a tradition in Scotland. In fact I remember watching the likes of Blue Peter as a child and they made a thing about the Scottishness of Halloween. I remember that surprised me as that was the first time I realised it wasn't such a to do in England as it was for us in Scotland. I think it took off more in England in the wake of the movie E.T

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Senoufou
Date: 19 Oct 20 - 11:58 AM

When I lived in Scotland in the sixties, I was enchanted by the 'guisers'. youngsters with blackened faces who came to the door and performed a song, recitation or other little entertainment for money.
And as a Brownie in the early fifties, I was thrilled when our Brown Owl gave us a Halloween party in the church hall. We made costumes out of old sheets with two holes for eyes (ghosts) and did bobbing for apples. Our mothers provided apple pies and other small treats for the buffet. But there was nothing in the way of spending on shop-bought costumes, and no 'trick-or-treating round the doors.
We always made a Guy from father's old shirt/trousers stuffed with newspapers, and propped it up outside the greengrocer's shop with a sign Penny For The Guy. People usually did just give a penny.
Bonfire Night consisted of a bonfire, with potatoes roasting in the embers, and some sparklers, 'golden rain' and 'roman candles'. No bangers allowed.
All very sedate, but no doubt children today would find it far too tame!

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Charmion
Date: 19 Oct 20 - 12:10 PM

This year, I'm pulling the curtains and leaving the lights off. No jack-o'-lantern, or any other decoration. Any black cat in the window is a resident, not a decoration.

I rather doubt that many children will be out in Stratford this year; first, the pandemic has everyone properly scared and, second, it's likely to be cold and wet -- Lord knows it's cold and wet today.

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Mrrzy
Date: 19 Oct 20 - 02:16 PM

Last hint, then I'll tell you: There was a Republican joke about how to get out of New Orleans during the Katrina disaster that might help...

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Jos
Date: 20 Oct 20 - 04:55 AM

Apart from the blackened faces those guisers sound more like traditional carol singers, but perhaps with a better repertoire than the ones I see these days. No threats or tricks, which have come in with the American version.

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Mrrzy
Date: 20 Oct 20 - 11:29 AM

I'm going to be Roe [row, with the oar] v. Wade [with the waders]!

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: keberoxu
Date: 20 Oct 20 - 02:20 PM

Darn, Mrrzy.
I wish I had your smarts.

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Helen
Date: 20 Oct 20 - 02:50 PM

In Oz, fireworks are regulated. Best thing that ever happened re fireworks, IMHO. Mostly fireworks are public displays with proper precautions. We very rarely hear or see anyone misusing fireworks.

Anyone who thinks it's ok to frighten or terrorise other people or animals in the name of "fun" needs an empathy check.

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Mrrzy
Date: 20 Oct 20 - 02:52 PM

And what do fireworks have to do with Halloween?

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Senoufou
Date: 20 Oct 20 - 04:06 PM

The weekend of Halloween (ie Saturday 31st October) will be handy for people to 'do' their Guy Fawkes/Bonfire Night as well (maybe on the Sunday, 1st November) The 5th November is on a Thursday, but the weekend will be favourite.
We have a brand new plastic oil tank containing 800 litres of inflammable kerosene. Luckily it's 'bunded' (has one tank inside another) which protects it a bit from fireworks. But there are always fires around the UK on Guy Fawkes' Night. The poor firemen have all their leave cancelled and get stones hurled at them when they extinguish any out-of-control fires in the streets etc.
It's all excessive in my opinion, and limiting it to public displays would save a lot of accidents, burns and trouble.
Our neighbours have been to Algy's pumpkin farm and come home with lots of massive pumpkins to carve. They always put a giant rope 'cobweb' on a tall bush with ... yes...a horrible hairy spider about three feet across. I can't look out of our front window without shuddering. But it's just fun, and their children get so excited.

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 20 Oct 20 - 07:52 PM

Well live and let live. By all means restrict fireworks to certain dates, or to licensed displays only, or both. But don't prevent people from having fun. Your bloody dogs, cats and horses are used to hearing thunder and lightning. You don't own the planet just because you own a dog. Fireworks may cause you and you cur tribulations for one or two nights. Your dogshit causes us tribulations 365/7. All you have to do is stop moaning and keep your pet under wraps in your warm sitting room for a few hours. We had cats for 35 years and we just kept them in on bonfire night. Frankly, sanctimonious whingeing about your poor pet being "scared shitless" by fireworks is just tiresome.

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Mrrzy
Date: 20 Oct 20 - 08:15 PM

Steve Shaw, second that notion. Maybe not in those terms, but yeah.

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 21 Oct 20 - 08:14 AM

Absolute uncaring fucking rubbish Steve Shaw. It's not just a few hours, it's at least 4 weeks, and just when we have got our beautiful greyhounds and other dogs used to going out on the dark, it all starts again on New Year's Eve.

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Senoufou
Date: 21 Oct 20 - 09:35 AM

Our village has a beautiful ancient church and an old pub called The Fox. Couples getting married often hold the wedding reception at the pub, and it usually involves blooming fireworks late at night. The explosions are incredibly loud. Not only animals but people's babies and young children are woken and become distressed.
I think such noise-disturbance should be banned.
I saw some really funny carved pumpkins online which were meant to resemble Trump. Very life-like! (Of course, the orange colour gives one a start before carving the facial features)
As I type this, I can hear gunshots. No, the Norfolk Revolution hasn't begun, it's a pheasant-shooting party out in the fields slaughtering innocent birdies. If they're not persuading innocent fish to swallow barbaric sharp hooks they're doing this. They should stay at home sedately embroidering cushion-covers or something else that's quiet!

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 21 Oct 20 - 11:37 AM

Agreed!!

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 21 Oct 20 - 12:14 PM

"Absolute uncaring fucking rubbish Steve Shaw. It's not just a few hours, it's at least 4 weeks..."

Again, for the hard of hearing:

"By all means restrict fireworks to certain dates, or to licensed displays only, or both."

When I was a lad, bonfire night was on Nov 5 only. If Nov 5 was a Sunday we did it on Nov 4. I'd support a return to that.

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 21 Oct 20 - 06:21 PM

So would I, then we could properly zap our grey with adaptil.

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 21 Oct 20 - 07:21 PM

As I said, you own a dog, not the planet.

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Donuel
Date: 21 Oct 20 - 07:57 PM

Would the thundershirt for dogs help your pal Bonzo?

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 22 Oct 20 - 12:46 PM

Fortunately no trick or treaters, and no mass bonfire night celebrations this year.
Wales is in lockdown from tomorrow until 9th November.

Unfortunately it means no church service on Remembrance Sunday though.

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Gallus Moll
Date: 24 Oct 20 - 06:38 AM

Theres a thread on facebook/mudcat requesting information about Violet Jacob poem (also now a song), to which I responded. Then realised that on facebook we don't have mudcat pseudonyms......?!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Jos
Date: 24 Oct 20 - 07:13 AM

"lockdown from tomorrow until 9th November.

Unfortunately it means no church service on Remembrance Sunday though."

Why not have the Remembrance service on Remembrance Day itself?

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 24 Oct 20 - 07:22 AM

Why not have the Remembrance service on Remembrance Day itself?
We may, if Mark Drakeford keeps his promise that the lockdown will end on 9th November.
But traditionally the service is on the Sunday nearest to 11th November so that those who are employed during the week can attend the service.

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Donuel
Date: 24 Oct 20 - 08:05 AM

Halloween decorations here are all about bringing life to death which is totally opposite reality which is in keeping with all the big lies of the seasonal holidays. The other take is in bringing death to life as in graveyard displays. This year we are not participating in any way. Its the respondsible thong to do. If I did participate it would be dressing skeletons in responsible thongs made of masks.

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Jos
Date: 24 Oct 20 - 08:47 AM

Donuel, you've made my day. I love your image of a skeleton responsibly dressed in a thong made of masks.

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Donuel
Date: 24 Oct 20 - 09:45 AM

I used to be a cartoonist and did a cartoon of Micheal Jackson wearing a mask made of little boys underwear.

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Senoufou
Date: 24 Oct 20 - 11:30 AM

Just a thong at twilight...

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Mrrzy
Date: 24 Oct 20 - 12:10 PM

Snicker, Donuel.

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: keberoxu
Date: 25 Oct 20 - 05:14 PM

Is there ever an intersection of
Halloween
with
Great Highland War Pipes?

I mean, the darned things ARE scary, are they not?
Especially after dark??

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Gallus Moll
Date: 26 Oct 20 - 01:42 PM

Naw! The pipes are heart-warming, bring a tear to the eye of a Scot anywhere mj in the world! Yes they can rouse one to battle, they can also be haunting - but not scarily! (Well, not to Scots.... )

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Senoufou
Date: 26 Oct 20 - 02:10 PM

Aye Gallus Moll! See me? I'd be greeting in nae time at all!

If that song 'Mull of Kintyre' comes on the Now80's TV channel, I'm literally sobbing when the pipes start playing.
And before lockdown, there used to be a piper in full Highland dress outside Norwich M&S, and I was blubbing again (while popping a few quid into his box)
The Edinburgh Tattoo on TV has me in tears when the huge massed pipe band starts marching. (I've been to the Tattoo in real life many a time)
It could be because my paternal ancestors came from Caithness. Or that I lived happily for a decade in Scotland (Edinburgh then Glasgow)
And don't even mention 'O Flower of Scotland'! (Box of tissues at the ready)

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: keberoxu
Date: 26 Oct 20 - 08:19 PM

They're watching a DVD of a spooky movie
and I can hear the orchestral soundtrack
from the computer station:
heavy emphasis on woodwinds and on brasses using mutes.

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: keberoxu
Date: 28 Oct 20 - 05:07 PM

This year,
the 31st of October, Halloween,
is the last day of Daylight Saving Time in the US;
the next day,
Sunday 1 November, goes back to Standard Time.

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: keberoxu
Date: 29 Oct 20 - 07:10 PM

Sunday 1 November
is going to feel like the morning after
for those who overindulge ...

and then it's two days 'til Election Day.

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Mrrzy
Date: 30 Oct 20 - 11:43 AM

This is gonna be a wild weekend. Wish I could drink as much I used to be able to. If ever there was a time to get drunk and stay that way till something is over...

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: keberoxu
Date: 30 Oct 20 - 11:42 PM

I know. I'm keeping my head down, as well.

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Donuel
Date: 31 Oct 20 - 07:12 PM

Halloween universe

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 31 Oct 20 - 07:34 PM

Our greyhound, of the fastest breed of dogs on earth, was shaking for much of this evening in fear of fireworks being let off. I sat with her for much of the time.

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 01 Nov 20 - 04:08 AM

- the rspca think this year will be worse than ever for fireworks because no displays but surely by now these dangerous weapons that cause such distress to so many animals should be banned , I guess all I can do when she gets distressed is offer reassurance and cuddles!!

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Senoufou
Date: 01 Nov 20 - 04:44 AM

Oh poor Dreamy Bonzo! I so wish those blooming fireworks could be banned. So much distress to animals and risks to property and even people getting burned.
Please give Dreamy a little cuddle from me!

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 01 Nov 20 - 04:59 AM

Yes, ban fireworks. Ban traffic. Ban TVs. Ban anything that makes loud noises. Particularly Tories droning on about how bad things would have been under Jeremy Corbyn :-D

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 01 Nov 20 - 05:46 AM

Thank you Senoufou, I will.

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 01 Nov 20 - 07:01 AM

I signed a petition to HMG to ban the sale of fireworks to private individuals, and restrict the use of fireworks to properly-organised ‘official’ displays.

The government’s response was that there’s no problem, everybody uses fireworks correctly and in a socially-responsible manner, so no change in the regulations is necessary.

They were still going off near me at 1:25am today.

Proud of your Eton-Boys, Bonzo?

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 01 Nov 20 - 07:20 AM

John, with respect your complaint about fireworks being used irresponsibly is just about in the same league as my complaints about dog-owners leaving dogshit on the streets. Neither complaint adds up to an argument for banning said nuisances. My view on fireworks is that they should be used in organised, licensed displays only and on not many dates. There should be a charge for the licence to reflect the costs of clearing up and for the costs to the fire service and health service of standing by or dealing with accidents. My view on dogs is that they should be licensed via a fee that reflects what it costs councils to clear up the mess and empty those horrid dog bins and should include a contribution to the NHS which has to treat infections picked up from dog faeces. The problem as I see it in both cases is that we have allowed an ethos to exist of freedom to do what you bloody well like instead of an ethos of consideration and responsibility to others. Both fireworks and dogs are voluntary and both impact others. Paying up for the privilege of having these things seems only fair.

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 01 Nov 20 - 08:35 AM

Steve, I agree with you about fireworks, which is precisely what we petitioned for, so no argument there.

On dogs, I agree there should be a licence fee, and I’d have no objection to it being applied to fund the emptying of dog-bins. I also believe cyclists should be required to pay a licence fee for their use of roads and footpaths, and to have insurance to cover them and their victims in the case of accidents.

I’m happy to consider a contribution to the NHS, provided cat-owners are required to make the same contribution to cover the treatment of infections picked up from the cat-faeces which they bury in other people’s borders for them to put their hands in while gardening or, in my case, leave on the lawn outside my front door.

Throughout my life, I’ve owned both dogs and cats and, despite your oft-repeated claims to ‘know’ that I only pick up after my dog if ‘someone is watching me’ (which of course is nonsense because you’ve never even met me, let alone followed me on my many dog-walks) been unfailing in my social duty in that regard - even picking up dog-shit left lying around by other, less responsible owners, or stepping in it hidden in the grass while picking my own dog’s shit. I’m absolutely with you that pet owners should take full and complete responsibility for their pets, whatever type of pets they may be.

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 01 Nov 20 - 09:11 AM

And I agree too, I would extend it to e scooter riders, where many of the riders show a complete disregard of the Highway Code - racing with motor bikes, riding against a one-way flow while texting, riding with no lights, ignoring traffic lights - generally it seems, having a death wish!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 01 Nov 20 - 09:45 AM

Well I've never owned a dog and it's eight years since we stopped keeping a cat. The law regards cats differently to dogs because of their solitary, independent and wanderlust nature, and the fact that they don't physically threaten people. They have the right to roam, unlike dogs. Argue that point all you like but that's the way it is. Generally, cats don't defaecate in the street so there's no clearing-up cost or a need for catshit bins. If a cat that isn't yours fouls your garden, the owner is liable under nuisance laws, but you'd have a fair bit of proving to do. The same applies to dogshit in the street: very few prosecutions are made. There could be cost implications for the NHS, true, but infectious cat material isn't anywhere near as all-over-the-place as that coming from dogs. The nuisance in your garden bed is just that, a nuisance, but there's little or no cost involved. You have every right in law to go after the bastard whose cat did it, but good luck with that. As for picking up the dogshit, you are still leaving behind a potentially infected piece of ground which is now far harder to see. There are plenty of grey areas here but at least I don't have a dog (or cat) in the fight. So good to get off boring old Halloween now that All Saints' Day is here and get back to something light 'n' easy... ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 01 Nov 20 - 09:48 AM

What you describe regarding e-scooter riders are breaches of the law. There may well be good arguments for licensing the scooters but the fact that a few nutters are using them illegally isn't one of them.

Subject: RE: BS: Halloween
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 01 Nov 20 - 10:42 AM

I can see "accidents" happening to e scooters before too long in the dark!!