Doppelgangers of Death

Doppelgangers

(Nicholas Cage / Civil War Gentleman)

Do you have a 'Doppelganger'?  And if so, do we all have one, and what the heck are they anyway....evil twins, mutated clones, body snatchers, shape shifters?  Well they're actually quite interesting; but that doesn't necessarily mean you want to have one!  'Doppelgangers' are said to be physical doubles of another living person, not unlike having a twin so to speak.  Only this is not a biological twin from your mama; but rather it's a twin in appearance, that you theoretically aren't related to. 'Doppelganger' is a German word for "Double Walker," a shadow self that is believed to accompany every person. What they truly are, no one can exactly say with definitive proof and evidence.  But many a folk among us, has had the eerie experience of finding theirs.  So is it just an uncanny coincidence that we may look identical to another? Or is there a more paranormal explanation for the resemblance?

(Maggie Gylenhall  /  Rose Wilder Lane, Historical Journalist, Women's Rights)

As interesting as it may appear on the surface, finding your twin or 'Doppelganger' may not be all it's cracked up to be.  In fact, the very thought of it is quite unnerving if the theories and rumors are true. They say that if you see the twin or 'doppelganger' of a friend or relative, it can signal that bad luck will imminently befall you.  But even worse, if you see a 'Doppelganger' of yourself...it can portend your death....YIKES!. Another less frightening theory floating around, says that it's possible you are viewing yourself in another dimension or point in time....either in the future or in the past.

(Justin Timberlake  /  Old Timey Criminal Mug Shot)

'Doppelgangers' have been noted throughout history.  They were known as 'spirit doubles' in ancient Egypt, often sharing the same attributes and feelings.  In Norse mythology they are ghostly spirits that precede a living person, performing their actions in advance. The Breton's viewed them as the personification of death itself.  Even Edgar Allen Poe is said to have described the double with demonic attributes.  But perhaps more frightening to consider if you are currently communing with your evil, or not so evil twin....is the psychiatric diagnosis that seeing one's twin is a hallucination indicating possible schizophrenia....eeegads, that means you're haunted and crazy!

(Hank Azaria  /  Rudolph Stein, Philospher)

Two interesting historical accounts of famous people seeing their 'Doppelgangers' were English poet Percy Blythe Shelley who encountered his 'Doppelganger' in Italy, silently pointing out to the Mediterranean Sea.  Not long after, shortly before Shelley's 30th birthday, he met his demise in a sailing accident....you guessed it, effectively drowning in the Mediterranean Sea!  Damn that cursed 'Doppelganger'!  And it's also rumored that none-other than Queen Elizabeth I of England was shocked to discover her own 'Doppelganger' sprawled out upon her bed.  And yet again....she too, died shorty thereafter!  (shudder)

(Ellen Degeneres  /  Henry David Thoreau)

So theoretically, it's recommended that one NOT make contact with their 'Doppelganger' or 'Double' in order to safeguard oneself from any malevolent outcomes.  But wouldn't it just be all too tempting to get a closer look, or just say hello?  So what's the consensus on 'Doppelgangers'....really creepy or kinda cool?  And have any of you ever chanced to spot your own body double....inquiring minds want to know! 

(Christopher Lloyd  /  John C. Calhoun)

(Alec Baldwin  /  Millard Fillmore)

 (Mark Zuckerberg  /  King Philip IV of Spain)

 (All Images above © Business Insider, YouTube, Puahate)

Spooky MAY-hem in Florida!

Time for some SPOOKY MAY-HEM!

Well it's almost the end of May, and you know what that means right?  It means it's time for Spooky Empire's MAY-hem Convention in Orlando, Florida.  How dreadfully delightful that the Ghoulies have come to town.  They kicked off the 3-day event last night with a Day of the Dead Poolside Opener Party, complete with eats,drinks, music and make-up!  A most frighteningly festive way to get the party rolling and start getting in the mood for the upcoming Halloween season.  The Convention rolls back into O-town in October, just in time for the Halloween happenings, adding a Zombie Walk and Hearse & Creepy Car Show! 

 

On Saturday and Sunday, there will be a variety of spooky events happening, including horror movie film festivals, live shows and events, costume contest, horror art, and lots of macabre merchandise to procure for this year's Halloween Yard Haunts.  There will also be autograph signings and photo ops with some of your horror movie favorites, such as "Halloween" Director John Carpenter, Robert Englund aka Freddy Kreuger, Lana Parrilla the Evil 'Snow White' Queen from TV's "Once Upon a Time", Pat Carroll, the voice of Ursula in Disney's "Little Mermaid", and Nick Castle aka Michael Meyers from "Halloween"....just to name a few. You can check out the full list of attendees here!

The event looks to be a virtual Spook Fest full of all things Creepy and Cool.  For any of you Halloween-Heads living in Florida, or just visiting here on vacation.....be sure to check it out this weekend Friday-Sunday, tickets available at the door.  And be sure to catch the video below of Pat Carroll (aka Ursula) doing a reading of the famous intro dialogue from Disney's Haunted Mansion ride...you know, the one you hear when you are in the elevator waiting to go inside and the walls start stretching!!  She has one of the the best 'evil laughs' in the business!  Love her!
(All images © Spooky Empire, Halloween Extreme image © Ricky Brigante)

"The Good Witch" gets a TV Series

 

There appears to be some new hocus pocus brewing for fans of the "The Good Witch" specials on the Hallmark Channel.   First up will be the newest installment; "The Good Witch's Wonder," airing just in time for a Special Halloween Treat on October 25th at 9:00pm.  And if that's not exciting enough, no worries; as there appears to be even more magic in store. 

The crew at Hallmark have finally inked a deal to turn the popular and much loved "Good Witch" franchise into an enchanting new "Good Witch" TV Series, set to air early in 2015!  Yes, it appears that Cassie Nightingale will soon be serving up even more witchy charm at her Bell, Book and Candle shoppe in Middleton.  Hallmark has signed on for a run of 10 weekly television episodes; something they've wanted to do for a long time, and can finally bring to fruition now that Catherine Bell (Cassie) has finished up her stint on "Army Wives". 

Personally, I'll admit that the shows are a bit cheesy; and I do prefer Cassi's hair long over short....but the shows are wholesome and whimsical; and they are one of the few takes on modern day witches that portray them in a positive and healing manner, rather than evil and destructive.  Not that I mind a little of both for entertainment purposes; but "The Good Witch" is as the name implies, Good!  And I'm looking forward to the casting of her magical spell on next year's TV lineup!

Macabre Music Box

I am totally digging on this limited edition Danny Elfman & Tim Burton 25th Anniversary Music Box that was made in celebration of the dynamic duo’s 25th anniversary of working together. This collector's chest includes Burton’s artwork, a DVD and 16 CDs featuring 19 hours of music, including 13 of Danny Elfman's original scores that have musically haunted many of Burton's best films. This is a collector edition, custom designed, working Zoetrope music box featuring Burton's macabre art. Among many other included goodies, it comes with a Skeleton Key USB flash drive. Now there were some Limited Numbered Collector Editions, but those are already sold out. And the box is now in it's final pressing, so after those are gone, there will be no more sold. This is a lovely piece of art, but it doesn't come cheap at $499.00. But then again, this is no 'small' music box. No sir...for as Burton (almost too eerily happy) denotes...."this box is big enough to fit a HUMAN HEAD!" Really? Wow...great information to have, and yet I'm left to wonder WHY??
Anyway...you can hear a sample of the haunting music, and purchase yours here at The Danny Elfman & Tim Burton 25th Anniversary Music Box website. And you can view a video below of the pair 'unboxing' this marvelous monstrosity....if you dare!
(All images © Tim Burton / Danny Elfman) www.burtonelfman.com

BONE-afide Suit

I am a big fan of Jack White, and his band The Dead Weather. But I'm an even bigger fan of his 'BONEafide' suit! (Har Har) This is the photo of he and his wife that was on their 'Divorce Party' invitation. Yep, you read that right....D I V O R C E, just as Tammy Wynette crooned about back in the day. Seems they have figured out how to part ways amicably, and decided to throw a bash for their closest friends in honor of the impending implosion of their marriage. But who really cares to linger on that nonsense once you feast your eyes on that mondo-cool skeleton suit of his. I'm loving the ribcage detail on the matching vest. Perfect for Halloween, Divorces and other such festive occasions....like Funerals perhaps?! :o)