How do you feel about Halloween?

That's the odd thing about it really, in general society doesn't enjoy talking about death and those kind of themes, but then it gets to Halloween and it's just everywhere. Maybe it's to take the edge off it? Make it something of a talking point? My thoughts can be pretty much summed up by an episode of "The Sarah Jane Adventures", where an alien lands on Earth one episode and is confused at the idea of a ghost/horror ride. "My planet sees great atrocities strike it everyday, I long for a time of peace- yet here in this place you are not at war, nor are you in any notable danger, yet you spend your time artificially creating fear- why would any such creature do this?". I remember something of that ilk being said, but it's been a long time since I saw that episode.

Quite frankly, I think the alien had a point. I've always wondered why we have horror movies. Perhaps simply to create an adrenaline rush? I guess that would make sense, I suppose we have roller-coasters for that as well. Though, I'd much rather get on a roller-coaster than see a full-on horror movie any day. Granted, I have something of an overactive imagination and also have hyper-active senses for the most part, combine that with a fairly strong memory and it equals an individual who finds it hard to move on from fictional events.

When I imagine something, it's like it's really happening to me (even though I know it isn't) so when I witness something gory or otherwise scary, it tends to stick with me for a long time. It really baffles my mind when I see some people who can see or hear about a shocking event and seem to move on from it in the space of several minutes or something. I just...how? Then again, different things affect different people in different ways, but I find it hard to fathom really.

You wouldn't think the word fear and the word holiday would go together. Or at least, I wouldn't. It just seems like an odd combination, when I think of the word holiday I think of relaxation, and having fun. I don't think about being in a terrified state. Personally, I don't find being frightened fun. When I get scared, whatever it is invades my dreams and I end up losing sleep which leads to me making poor decisions in a sleep-deprived state.

The things that scare me, even though they are fictional make my brain wonder "What if that bad thing were to happen, and is it preventable?" at times.

I remember hearing about a book series (and I think it might've been a film as well) that featured a futuristic society that were cannibals, and they were unaware that they were cannibals, because a robot was feeding the dead to the people that were alive. At the time I was quite shook up after hearing about it, and whenever it was dinnertime I found it hard to eat anything because my brain kept replaying images of that scenario in my head even though I ever so desperately didn't want to think about it. I guess it's like the white bears thing (the more you purposefully try not to think of something, the more you think about it).

At the time I was worried that I'd never move on from that, and that food for me would be forever ruined. It didn't matter what I ate, the images replayed in my mind and I tried all sorts to try and keep occupied. For me, horror can make me fall into the trap of creating compulsions. When I first saw the weeping angels (from Doctor who), there was a period of time where I found going to the bathroom at night to be terrifying even though I knew there was no real danger. I kept feeling the need to check over my shoulder and touch my shoulder and an image of a weeping angel would flash through my mind and then I would jump slightly and calm myself down reminding myself it's not real (or if need be, sing a cheerful song quietly).

One time when I was really bad, I kept having to stop and look over my shoulder whilst walking due to thoughts about being murdered. I'd stop and look at nearly each lamp post because for some reason I felt compelled to. It wasn't something that was easy for me to break out of, I realise that might be hard to fathom for some of you, but it became a strong habit of mine and it took a lot of willpower to break such a habit. My life greatly improved after this, and I no longer feel this compulsion.

Yeah, I realise that writing this might make me come across as slightly insane. Some people have suggested I might be OCD, but I digress. I suppose I understand where you are coming from, the majority of holidays are about gushy sentimental stuff, and I suppose things like Halloween and St. Patrick's day offer some variation from this which keeps things interesting.

I don't hate Halloween per say, but I prefer things that are only slightly creepy but are mainly comedic, rather than full on horror because full on horror tends to stick with me (and usually isn't great for me mentally... or physically if it starts to affect my eating and sleeping habits). When I was a kid I never went trick or treating, and I didn't go to any proper Halloween parties with people my age. So...I don't have any memories of Halloween that stand out as being particularly good. These days it's just an average day for me really.