More than any holiday season in my memory this one greatly depends on our ability to use whatever surprising opportunities come our way. It’s just not the kind of season where one can leisurely stroll through a store at three in the morning. You gotta get creative and adapt to your surroundings. This strategy helped me out last Monday when, after three hours of raking at a volunteer site, dove into a fairly vacant dollar general in hopes of hunting down the elusive VooDew II. Finding that alongside another notable new treat would be more than enough for an update but I’ve got a little spooky story for you all to top things off.
Let’s kick this off with VooDew II: The Revenge, Electric Buggaloo, Dew Harder (rather like that last one). Whatever subtitle you prefer the important thing is that VooDew returned with a different mystery flavor to tantalize the masses. The packaging is similar in style but with a fresh coat of paint with a grim reaper flashing the peace sign to illustrate we’ve moved on to a second era. While I don’t think this package quite lives up to last years the difference is negligible.
Just like last year there are a few prime guesses about the actual flavor ranging from caramel apple to Skittles (a common guess for VooDew 1). A big problem with guessing flavors like Skittles, Starburst, or Smarties for that matter is that those candies are similar to Mtn. Dew in that they’re like chicken of the snack world. What I mean is no matter what variety of Dew you’re drinking they all have that unifying Dew taste which is sort of like the unified flavor of Skittles and the like.
How does this stuff taste then? I can see points in favor of the different groups. Yes there is a Skittles aspect so maybe that is the real answer this year. Of the two apple groups, candy or caramel, I’m leaning more towards the latter as I swear there’s a light caramel undertone to everything. Whatever the case what really matters is we have another smoothly sweet beverage to sip by the light of a jack-o-lantern. Given the general suck-factor of this year such a small luxury is positively priceless. There’s no denying this is a major delight for this Halloween and I advise anyone who comes across it to grab at least a few bottles. You won’t regret it.
On the chocolaty end of the sugar spectrum we have Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups dressed up as new Franken-Cups. Are they a different flavor? Nope. Different size? Not at all. The only difference is how the lower half of the chocolate is colored green so each cup resembles Frankenstein’s Monster, or Adam if you don’t mind him sounding totally nonthreatening. It may not be revelatory or all that unique but, once again, it’s a small luxury. It’s one thing to watch Frankenstein while eating candy but it’s all the more special when you can pretend that candy is Karloff’s head. Should you find yourself strapped for cash I’d recommend the likes of Vampire Kisses or VooDew II over this, and those with allergies don’t have to worry about missing out on anything all that incredible. Otherwise it’s a nifty treat.
One thing that’s been missing from my October is a good scare. Sure I’ve been watching my horror flicks and taking nighttime walks. It’s just there hasn’t been that big scary moment like you might get at a haunted house, which are a total no-go this year. Wednesday night the universe provided a good hair-raiser to snap me outta my doldrums.
Having yet another walk the other night. A small storm was on its way in which in the meantime meant the weather was windy, wild, and just perfect for this time of year. I’d already felt a few droplets hit my nose and forehead but I couldn’t resist stretching such a wonderful excursion out for as long as possible. I decided to add at least one more block onto my route which took me past the smallest playground in town.
Walking in the road I was still amazed by the fantastic wind sending leaves in all directions. As I looked towards the playground coming up on my right I saw something strange. A large shadow, almost like a person running while hunched over dove quickly through the shadows before disappearing into the deeper darkness near the ground. While this sight worried me I made an attempt to keep my fears in check. After all such weird shadows aren’t all that uncommon during an autumn night. I continued forward making the occasional glance at where the figure had vanished.
Suddenly the shape returned. Whatever it was stood at child height and began moving right towards me full force. My mind raced with notions of fight or flight. Could I outrun this thing? Was it something I could actually fight? Why the hell did I have to add another block to this walk? All the questions waited for answers as I stood in place.
At last the shape emerged into the streetlight giving me mere second to process and react. A garbage bag. A goddamn heavy-duty black garbage bag was flying right at me going the speed of an in-town car. Despite wearing clunky boots I reacted quickly with enough spring in my step to vault over the assaulting bag all while yelling “What the hell!” From then on the remainder of the walk was filled with giggles and the beginning sprinkles of a storm.
If nothing else let tonight’s blog serve as a remainder for you all to get out there. Taking a left turn instead of a right could easily result in some new soda or an assault from flying trash. It’s those tiny moments that are helping to bridge the gap between this Halloween and those of the past. They’ve certainly done a great deal for my mood as I now truly feel like I’m celebrating my favorite season again. With that comes new plans and revelations like an idea for how to safely hand out candy and how mad scientist costumes provide perfect thematic protection. You all stay scary and I’ll try to be back by early next week with something new.
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