Photo du jour: Sunset surfers

{Surfers in the distance, off Magic Island, Hawaii}

Just a sun-filled photo to start a new week :)...

~ Have a sun-filled week ahead (at least in spirit)! ~

{Photographed in Honolulu.}

A FEW MORE SCARY PLACES IN THE U.S., IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE IN GHOSTS YOU MAY AFTER THIS SPINE TINGLING ARTICLE!!!

   Have you ever asked yourself where the scariest places in America are?  There are literally thousands of them and here are just a few to entice you.  Visiting these places may cause you to become a believer in ghosts and the supernatural, if you are not already one.



The Jamestown Bridge



   The first place is The Jamestown Bridge located in Piedmont, Triad North Carolina.  This bridge is said to be haunted because at night many tourists and visitors have claimed that they would pick up a little girl who was looking for a ride on the side of the road.  When they picked her up, everything would be going fine and then all of a sudden when they look over at her again, she is gone.  Many ghost hunters find this spot to be intriguing because it leaves so much to the imagination.  It is said that this girl wears a white dress and can be seen at night.



Huntingdon College



   The second place is called the Huntingdon College located in Montgomery, Alabama.  This place will "knock the socks off of you".  It is said that a lady ghost roams the city here.  Here name has been called "The Red Lady of Pratt".  The legend says that the red lady was a lonely, quiet and unpopular student.  She often tried to make friends and she was unable to.  The more that she tried to make friends, the harder it became for her to make them.  The students would often make fun of her because she only wore the color red.  She found no hope to her situation and eventually she hung herself in her room.  The Red Lady of Pratt is often seen when students are picking on other kids.  She has been seen to appear in and through walls. Some students have even experienced a gust of air that comes through the rooms in the middle of the night.  What makes this place even more shocking is that it has a second ghost that roams around in the middle of the night.  His name is called, "Ghost on The Green".  This ghost is said to haunt the campus because he once dated a girl here and she broke up with him because he was too clingy.  He could not take the rejection and so he shot himself in the head.  Several days later, the campus returned back to normal.  Some students claim that they now see him walking the green.  Many students that walk the green at night claim that he often messes up their hair, blows in their ear or even tugs on their clothes.  This indeed is a haunted place that you do not want to miss out on.



Dudleytown



   The third haunted place  is Dudleytown, New England, Connecticut.  Did you know that you are not allowed to enter Dudleytown and if you are caught trying to enter, you will be arrested for trespassing and given a $75 dollar fine or more?  This place is said to have ghosts, hauntings and spirits swarming around.  People that have seen Dudleytown claim that the birds are silent here and you get a spooky feeling here.  The story of Dudleytown actually begins in England.  Edmund Dudley was said to be beheaded for trying to overthrow King Henry the VIII.  It is said that a curse was placed on the Dudley's for treason.  The curse states that all descendants of Edmund Dudley would face horrors for all eternity.  The son of Edmund Dudley also tried to overthrow the crown.  John Dudley's third son Robert Earl, left England to avoid loosing his own head.  The Dudley's settled in what is now called Dudleytown.  You might be able to catch pictures of Dudleytown from ghost hunters.  However, this place is not allowed to be trespassed and you may be surprised that many people have not ever heard of or seen this place.

   These are some of the most haunted places in America.  Many people throughout the world will tell you that these place are chilling to visit and often cause you to believe that ghosts really do exist.

THE FEAR OF CLOWNS IS NO LAUGHING MATTER, ESPECIALLY IF THEY ARE KILLER CLOWNS THAT HAVE ENTERED YOUR DREAMS!!!

   Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right! Here I  am stuck in the middle of them! (a little verse from a Gerry Rafferty song).  Clowns could be a nightmare to someone suffering from Coulrophobia.  It is estimated that as many as 1 out of 7 people suffers from a fear of clowns.

   For those suffering from Courophobia, Bozo and his red-nosed brethren are anything but funny or amusing.  Surprisingly, the fear of clowns is one of the top ten most common phobias.  While it may seem funny that grown men and women alike may shirk in fear from seemingly harmless, albeit doofy characters with over-sized shoes and rainbow suspenders, for them it is no laughing matter. While the cause of Courophobia isn't necessarily known and is different for everyone, one common theory holds that the root cause most likely stems fro a traumatic childhood experience.  Maybe you were squirted by one too many trick flowers while a white faced clown laughed in your face; or perhaps you had a coat rack in your room growing up that resembled an evil menacing bozo-like character when the lights were off.

   The image of the evil clown has become a cliche' in today's society.  From Bart Simpson's "Can't sleep clowns will eat me" to The Joker of Batman fame, clowns are not always the picture of fun.  Whatever the case, I'm sure the release of "It", The Steven King novel and movie that had a clown named Pennywise in it.  He had razor sharp teeth and drug children into the sewer.

   John Wayne Gacy, an American serial killer, convicted and executed for the rape and murder of 33 boys and men, between 1972 and the time of his arrest in 1978, was known as the "Killer Clown" because he attended many block parties dressed in a clown suit and makeup under the name of Pogo the Clown.  Koko the Killer Clown appears in a sideshow at Coney Island.  Homey D. Clown from the comedy show "In Living Color", was an ex-con drug addict with a penchant for violence.  Not to mention the 1988 movie "Killer Clowns from Outer Space", and the nasty clown doll in the movie "Poltergeist".

    As phobias are no laughing matter, the same with all mental health problems, it is worth noting that there are steps for overcoming such aversions if you are one of the poor people facing such a crippling and debilitating fear that it impedes your life.  There are sufferers who are so petrified of clowns that they are sent into panic attacks at the mere sight of an outfitted clown.  There are treatment methods that include hypnotherapy, medications, and immersion therapy; where the patient is forced to face the very crux of their phobia.  Luckily, as it isn't everyday that the circus comes to town and you're forced to be faced with those bizarre polka-dot painted clowns everyday, most people re likely to simply avoid them when they can and get on with their perfectly productive lives!

  Still, it leads one to question what a particularly evil posse of clowns could be capable of and what sort of havoc they could incur.  Hollywood has given us a few possible ideas, and if you aren't a Courophobic yet, you may be after viewing one of these clown horror movies!

• Fear of Clowns
• IT
• The Clown Murders
• Secrets of the Clown
• Dead Clowns
• We All Scream for Ice Cream
• Final Draft
• Killer Clowns From Outer Space

   You don't have to be a kid to be sent crawling under your bedsheets for safety.  If the creepy little clown mobile hanging in your room sends you crying to mama, you may want to switch that nightlight on for safety!!!



GHOST AND MONSTER TALES FROM THE ASIAN PART OF THE WORLD!!

   Each country has their own ghost-tales.  Each one of them consists of a surprising story beyond the human mind.  Asia also has a lot of ghost stories.  Most of them are folklore and urban-legends.  They are very popular not only in Asia also all around the world.  Here are some of the most popular ghost legends in Asia.  You know some of them from movies and folklore.  Now you know them, personally.



Kuntilanak



   This entity is very well-known in Asia, especially in Melayu's ethnics.  In Malaysia, they called it Pontianak, Matianak, or Buntianak.  Meanwhile in Indonesia, people called it as Kuntilanak.  Her name itself means "undead women who died during childbirth and seeking revenge".  According to villager's stories,a long time ago there was a pregnant woman who died after being raped by some of the village people.  Then her body was buried when she was still alive.  After she raised from the grave, the woman seeked revenge and killed everybody who had raped her.  Not only the rapers, she also aimed her terror towards every man who liked to cheat on women.

   Kuntilanak often appears as a beautiful and seductive woman, usually accompanied by the strong scent of jasmine or frangipani.  She wore a long white robe.  Sometimes she is seen sliding on the ground and sometimes flying from tree to tree.  People believe Kuntilanak lives in banana trees.

   Some people believe that they can kill Kuntilanak by plunging a nail in the back of Kuntilanak, or where her head meets the neck region.  When the nail is plunged, she will turn into a beautiful woman, and will turn back to her true form after the nail is pulled out.

   If you want to know more about this entity, there is a movie called Dead End (came out in 2003).  This movie was adapted from the stories  of Kuntilanak, and is pretty true to the stories about her.



Langsuir



   This is an entity that is very famous in Malaysia.  Similar to Kuntilanak, but it has a very ugly appearance.  It likes to suck its victim's blood from the inside, causing the fatal end of its victim.  People believe Langsuir came from a woman who had complcations during labor, as a result of  the death of her unborn child and who themselves died because of childbirth.  Langsuir has red eyes, sharp claws, long hair, a white (sometimes green)robe, and has a rotten or decaying face and long fangs for teeth.



Manananggal



   One of the most well  known spirits from the Philippine's.  It comes from Tagalog, tanggal, means "the one who separated itself from its lower body". 

  Slightly similar to  the western version of the vampire.  It's described as an older, beautiful woman, capable of severing its upper torso in order to fly into the night with its huge wings (almost like bat wings) to prey on pregnant women in their homes.  Usually they killed their prey and used their elongated proboscis-like tongue, to suck the heart of unborn babies.

  Manannggal only can be killed by a person sprinkling salt or smearing crushed garlic or ash on the top of the standing torso of the creature.  The upper torso will not be able to rejoin and will die at the break of dawn.  Beside the Philippines, Manananggal is also a well-known creature in other countries in Asia.  In Malaysia, its called Penanggal.  Meanwhile in Bali, it's been known as Leak.  Different from the other Asian countries, Leak is a mythological figure in the form of a flying head with entrails ( such as lungs, the heart and the liver) still attached.  People believe Leaks are humans who are practicing black magic.  Leaks have the ability to transform themselves into animals and appear as ordinary humans during the daytime.

ATTENTION!!!ATTENTION!!! CROP CIRCES HAVE BEEN REPORTEDLY SEEN POPPING UP IN MANY FARMS AROUND THE COUNTRY!! OH, I'M SORRY, THOSE ARE CORN MAZES!!

   Corn mazes are a popular attraction in rural America.  People come from miles around to try their luck at correctly navigating the endless turns, small hills and miles of path to find their way to the exit,  some  being more adapt at navigating than others are. 



   Labyrinths or mazes go back for thousands of years.  The pyramids in Egypt have tunnels that are in the form of a maze or labyrinth.  The design of mazes can also be see in archaeological digs, and as designs on many of the old pottery, walls, and jewelry.  Romans designed a lot of their floors and streets with puzzle patterns.  In fact, in some towns, the pattern of the streets can be laid out in such a way that there is a center circle and then all roads are similar to a maze that lead into it and out of it.  If you don't follow the traffic pattern correctly, one can keep going in circles!

   Growing a maze didn't really become popular until the 15th Century, originating in Europe among it's nobility.  To help entertain the artistocrat's, garden mazes (made of hedges) were grown.  The idea was to find your way in out. England  was well-known for it's maze hedges.  Britain's oldest garden maze is more that 300 years old. It s the maze at Hampton Court Royal Palace in West London and was planted during the reign of King William III.  This maze is 1/3 of an acre in size with winding paths nearly 1/2 mile in length.  But, Britain's love mazes so much, due to their popularity, they now have mazes made up of bricks, dirt, water, stones, wood, and paving tiles, as well as glass and mirrors.

 

   Adrian Fisher of Dorset, England is considered the worlds leading maze designer.  He's been designing different types of mazes since 1979, achieving 6 Guinness World Records, winning 12 design and expert award and creating over 400 mazes in 23 countries.  His company is call Maize Maze in which farmers can get one of his designs.

 

   The first modern corn maze was called "The Amazing Maize Maze" and at the time was the world's largest corn maze.  It was designed by Adrian Fisher and Don Frantz.

 

   When planning a corn maze, the first thing that is needed is the plan.  How many acres do you want to use? What type of corn? Will you have other structures inside the maze, such as towers? Do you want your corn maze to be based on a theme, notable place or memorable person?

 

   The next step is the corn mazes' design.  Many places that have a corn maze tend to go with a theme.  Some may choose a more natural theme such as a vase of flowers, a grove of trees, or a mountain range.  The bust of a well-known person is also a favorite design.  This is where the human aspect and technology start to interact.  Once a picture is decided on, a person who designs corn mazes, will input the design into a computer, which will lay out the paths.  While the design is being taken care of, the farmer is busy tilling the ground and planting the corn.  He will plant the corn in two directions to create a denser crop of corn stalks.  When the corn reaches about a foot high, the corn maze designer will use a special tractor equipped with a GPS tracking system to cut the design through the corn field using a plow.  The tractor and GPS allows the maze designer to cut an accurate path through the field according to the design layout. 

   Once the paths have been plowed, there only needs to be basic upkeep of weed removal and widening of paths as the summer progresses and the corn grows tall.  This is also the time for placement of path markers and tower installation. 

   Once the corn reaches approximately 10 feet tall, you can open the fields to the maze wanderers.

RULES AND TIPS TO SURVIVE A CLASSIC HORROR MOVIE MONSTER ATTACK!!!

   I love to watch old horror movies.  The new one are most of the times a little on the gory side, but the old ones are still fun to watch.  The people in these movies have no common sense.  If they had, they would all survive their little escapades  with hitchhikers, vampires, zombies and any monster in the local vicinity.  So, I submit for your reading pleasure: Rules To Survive Scary Encounters.

1. When the old lady or gentleman in the inn or tavern tells you to avoid a certain place, DO IT!  The locals generally know what they are talking about.
2. Despite how late it is, drive on through.  Ignore your travelling partner's yawns, snores, and protests of fatigue and keep on going.
3. NEVER! stay at Mom and Pop hotels.  The kids have been known to harbor homicidal tendencies. 
4. If, for some unforeseen reason, the car inexplicably breaks down in the middle of the night, DO NOT leave it's shelter.  Stay put!  Lock the doors, and if one is available, put our cell phone to good use.  But then, if you had a cell phone.....well,  that's another story.
5. DO NOT attempt to hide away in deserted mansions, castles, shacks, inns, caves, or anywhere else that looks like familiar monster grounds. (Sub-rule A: Ignore that person who insists such questionable places are surely safe.)
6. If, for some unforeseen reason, you find yourself in one of the aforementioned mansions, castles, shacks, inns, caves, etc., resist the urge to wander off on your own to explore.  Camp out in an open place, and stick together!  Better yet, STAY IN YOUR CAR!!!
7. The man in the tux with the sharp teeth is a vampire.  Do not look him in the eyes. (I wear my sunglasses at night!).  You will become a member of the living dead shortly after.  For preparedness, see Rule 10.
8. Should you happen to run into a man in a hockey mask with a chainsaw, axe, household butcher knife.  DO NOT lock yourself into the farthest room down the hallway, and stand next to the opposite wall.  He, she, or it will still find you eventually.  They, are not, after all, THAT STUPID!!!
9. Learn to recognize the signs of a zombie; vacant eyes, drool, indistinct groans.  Should one of your friends show these signs, back away and find the sharpest implement available to put him down!!
10. Carry an assortment of implements designed to fend off the so called "monsters".  Garlic, crucifixes, wooden stakes, sharp swords, and guns loaded with silver bullets are very useful.  It is advisable to wear the garlic and carry a concealed weapon of some sort.

   I hope these rules, whilenot complete, will give you some guidelines on the common sense you should employ when on an adventure.  Use common sense! (or if you want to use uncommon sense instead)  Stay safe!  And be sure to laugh loudly at the people in these movies making these errors in judgement.



Mango mousse

{Image via Cookie Shutter - this mousse uses optional saffron sauce}

I used to eat mangoes off trees as a kid, but it's fiendishly hard to find good mangoes outside Hawaii. A few times, desperate, I had supermarket mangoes - but only after they were made into this intensely-flavoured mousse (to take the edge off. :))

~ Have a wonderful, flavourful weekend! ~

***

MANGO MOUSSE (serves 4)

Adapted slightly (with my extra notes) from New York Magazine's 1996 food issue, featuring recipes by top NYC chefs - this one's by Marcio Araujo at Circus 

• 4 large mangoes, peeled (plus 1 extra for garnish if you like)
• 2-1/2 tablespoons unflavored gelatin powder (a tad less is okay - makes the mango flavour slightly more intense)
• 7 ounces sweetened condensed milk
• 2 cups (~500ml) heavy cream (double cream)
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• Optional garnishes: fresh mint sprigs, diced mango, chopped pistachios, or saffron sauce to deepen the delicate mousse colour

Cut 4 mangoes into medium-size pieces. Puree in a blender until smooth. Strain (this is the most time-consuming part) through a fine sieve. Place 1/2 cup mango puree and gelatin in a small saucepan over low heat; stir until gelatin dissolves (~5 minutes).

In large bowl, combine both purees with condensed milk. Refrigerate 15 minutes. Whip heavy cream with sugar until stiff; fold into mango mixture. Pour into containers and refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving (or freeze for 20 minutes).

Little extras:

You can garnish with mint and diced mango, chopped pistachios, or top with an optional saffron sauce that will give the pale mousse a richer orange colour (saffron recipe here)...though I love the original delicate colour too.