It's October 31st, and all the little ghosts and goblins will be out tonight, looking for candy. Parents across the world cringe in anticipation of sugar fueled behavior and combative bedtimes, much like dealing with John on a daily basis. Not one to skip 'the next big holiday', SF Signal has scoured the web for Halloween items of interest for our loyal readers. Consider this our sugar free treat to you. (Note the completely gratuitous picture of zombie John Scalzi, because we can.)

I'm assuming most of us here have seen, and really liked, Ghostbusters. Well, CIO online has a neat article covering the technology of paranormal investigations. OK, so not real Ghostbusters, but more like the guys on Sci Fi's Ghost Hunters show. Still, who knew you could hunt ghosts with a mylar blimp? Read on for other interesting uses of technology and how it's used to ascertain the environmental reasons for hauntings. Or does it?

Sticking with 'science', Cracked.com gives us 5 scientific reasons a zombie apocalypse could actually happen. Mmm, brain parasites. Actually, quite an interesting list, and based on actual science, however far fetched the 'human turning into zombie' step may be. So if you see a zombie tonight, you can ask them which of the 5 reasons turned them into a zombie. Don't be surprised if they answer: "Braiiiiiiiiins!" Zombies aren't verbose.

Perhaps you're thinking of taking a vacation to get away from all the door knocking and bell ringing on Halloween. If so, Concierge.com has compiled a list of the world's creepiest places. Sadly (or luckily?), John's house isn't listed. Instead you get more mundane places, such as Easter Island and the Paris Catacombs. Good stuff here.

But let's face it, you're looking for Halloween items you can make. Out of paper. If this is you, then look no further than our link filled list of Halloween items:

• Skull A Day offers us a papercraft skull, with articulated jaw. You could put it on your hand and pretend to be a ventriloquist! "Learn to throw your voice! Fool your friends! Fun at parties!"


• Daniel from Steam Crow Press has several free paper masks for you to download and wear. I like the Frankenstein mask the best, but they are all cool and, well different. Did I mention 'free' as well?


• And a little something something for the Star Wars fans. Now you too can re-create Anakin's tragic descent to the Dark Side with your very own Anakin/Darth Vader pop-up mask. That's right, the only mask that allows you to be either Darth or Anakin with the flick of a wrist. Now you can experiment and see which 'face' gets you the most candy.

And lastly, what's Halloween without pumpkins? Lame, that's what! You could, of course, search yourself and see all the themed pumpkins around, but you'd probably miss the weighted companion cube pumpkin, starring in the best short game of the year, Portal. Oh waited companion cube, your untimely demise was heart breaking, yet mitigated by your selflessness in helping me get past the puzzles. I'll miss you, companion cube.

So, as night falls, we wish you a happy and safe Halloween, whatever you decide to do this evening. Just remember, stay away from John's house and you'll be alright.

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Posted by JP Frantz at Wednesday October 31, 2007 at 7:00 AM
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