Through the years, Theme Park Adventure has hosted Whispers in the Fog - a Haunt blog before blogs even existed.  And each time we feature Whispers as an aspect of our Scary Farm coverage, more than 30,000 visitors from all walks of life and every corner of the globe read the words that our anonymous Haunt Family members bestow on us night after night.

With that said, turn the lights down kids.  A little bit more.  More.  That's it...

IN THE WEE HOURS OF THE NIGHT... WHEN ONLY YOUR THOUGHTS KEEP YOU COMPANY...

VOICE 1 - THE ONE THAT DWELLS IN GHOST TOWN:

Until the next Whispers entry...

Three more days, and then it begins…

It's finally happened.

I have crossed over from being a fan to being a monster.  My lifelong dream is finally coming true.  I really don't know how I should feel.  I know I will do fine, but I still feel like I really don't know what I have gotten myself into.

In three days, the Veil will lift and I will be thrown into the world of Haunt.  I can't wait to hear that first scream, or to hear a girl laugh when I just made her 6'3" boyfriend fall and get into the fetal position.  And I can't wait to be able to say that I did it at Haunt.

Ever since the first time I stepped through the gates and into Haunt, I was instantly hooked and I knew it was something I wanted to do.  Now, it has overtaken my life.  For the next month I will live, breathe, bleed (hopefully not), and sweat Haunt.  And I look forward to every minute of it.

The talent I am working with are amazing.  They all are just as excited as I am to be part of the maze.  I can picture how it will be in my head, but I know that what I see is only a tiny portion of what I have ahead of me.  So let's do this already!

Haunt Box... check.

Tank full of gas... check.

Ready to terrify a complete stranger... check plus!

The transformation has begun.  See you soon...

It's going to be a great run!

VOICE 1 - THE ONE THAT DWELLS IN GHOST TOWN:

Haunt has definitely arrived... and I couldn't be happier. :)

It was great to get back into the swing of things again.  However, it is now 2:00 A.M. and I need to be up for the day job in three and a half hours so I better get some sleep.  Until tomorrow…

Haunt is everything I knew it would be... and more.

Slow night, but one can't really expect much from an Opening Night on a Thursday, still in September.  The crowd was neither happy nor pissed, so it was kind of just... blah.

I had a nice self-esteem builder as soon as the night kicked off.  My second scare of the evening, I jumped out and made this girl immediately drop straight to the ground.  Guess that shows that I'm doing something right!

Tomorrow will be better, and harder; more people and a later close.  But I'm still looking forward to going back and becoming peoples' worst nightmare!

My muscles hurt.  I'm tired.  And I know that it is only going to get worse from here.  But, no pain, no gain.

Until the sun rises tomorrow and I wake up and realize I can't move...

Minus the emotional meltdowns!

VOICE 1 - THE ONE THAT DWELLS IN GHOST TOWN:

Anyway, I'm having trouble seeing the computer screen because: 1.  I'm exhausted, and 2. My contacts were giving me problems tonight.  So everything is a little blurry.  But I digress... .back to the evening's activities!

I ended up getting a little sick tonight because of something I ate at our horrible little cafe.  So I was kind of off my game toward the end of the evening.  No worries though; I puked and I felt better.  Sorry, was that T.M.I?  Too bad; you guys are the ones that want to read about how a monster's night goes... and, well... sometimes we throw up! *insert puke noise here*

I'm not as sore as I was last night because I actually stretched before getting ready.  So I'm just more achy.  It's going to feel good to sleep in tomorrow, or today because it's technically Saturday.  I'm going to take a nice, hot shower and just pass out and then do it all over again tomorrow.  It's the last day of my prosthetic piece, so I get to do some nasty stuff to it.  My goal is to make a guest vomit tomorrow night.  I've done it before, and I hopefully can do it again.  I'll be sure to inform y'all if it happens.  *crossing fingers*

Good night or good morning... until tomorrow...

That being said, I’m off to shower, then to bed.  I think my complex is having a luau at the pool right outside my window tomorrow early afternoon.  I really hope that doesn’t wake me up if I’m still sleeping... which I probably will be…

Tonight was amazing.  Way better than yesterday.  The crowd was alive and into it, so the scares literally came walking through the door.  I've learned the best scare spots in my area, and also where all of the props are so that I don't accidentally trip and fall when darting at my victim.

I got word that as of last night our maze was in fourth place.  Fourth?  C'mon, what's up with this?  I know we were full-bore yesterday.  Oh well, hopefully I will go in tomorrow and find out that we are in the lead.

Hopefully, the muscles on my hands will start to become stronger, because it hurts REALLY badly when I smack my gloves on a wall.  I had a jolly good time holding my steering wheel on the ride home.  Yay...

Now it's off to bed until I have to be back at Haunt.  I now understand the harsh sleep patterns Haunt brings you.

1. Because I'm good at it.
2. I get the chance to entertain people.
3. I get the chance to be creative.
4. I get to dress like a refugee.
5. It keeps me in shape.

Why I love being a dancer in my show at Knott's:

1. I get make-up and that rocks your first year at Haunt.
2. I get the chance to see old friends and Haunt family daily.
3. I get the chance to make new friends and add on to my Haunt family.
4. Our crew kicks butt (and so do our band guys).
5. The time in between shows can be just as fun as being onstage... or more.
6. The free food (if I ate, but just knowing it's there is pretty cool).

Oh yes, tonight was definitely a better night.  The Traffic Goddess smiled upon me and the Parking Fairy did her magic.  I clocked in and had plenty of time to drop off my Haunt box* at my venue, change into my "special make-up outfit" (sweats and a white tank that I don't mind getting make-up on... exciting and exotic isn't it?), stroll leisurely through Ghost Town and still have time to socialize before sitting in the make-up chair.  Ah, yes, life was good.

After being thoroughly painted and glittered, I had plenty of time to walk back to my venue under the cover of my rag robe.  It made me giggle when some pre-teen girl turned around and ran smack into me.  She screamed, "OH MY GOD!  IT'S A SCARY GIRL!" then proceeded to run the other way.

I just kept my head down and hoped that a monster was waiting around the corner but no... it never works out like that.  I'm not a monster; I leave the scaring to the professionals in that field.  All I wanted was to get to my dressing room.  I finally did, but it was difficult to maneuver through guests.

The first show was amazing; we had a lot of fun and the crowd was really into it.

The second show was just a little more quiet and the third took a little while to warm up to us.

Then there was the fourth.

Yikes!

After three shows, you get a little slap-happy.  Your body starts to give out, the conversations in the green room turn silly and in that same green room, you may bare witness to six or seven people bust out in song.  Tonight's choice was Team America.  I'm sure that the SBMT monsters on their break were wondering what in tar nation was going on in there!  But, it kept me laughing until I had to clock out (I'm even singing it now as I write this).

We have a lot of down time, and are lucky to have a TV and DVD player.  I'm going to start one movie a week.  Maybe some "B" flicks, old horror movies and of course, comedy. 

I have the best crew.  We have all seemed to click almost immediately.  Now, if we could just fill our venue... I'd be a happy girl!

*Yes, I have a Haunt box.  I have a lot of baggage... er... bags, to carry along with my emergency make-up/remedy case.  I learned that it's just easier to roll my stuff through the park rather than drag five different bags.

VOICE 1 - THE ONE THAT DWELLS IN GHOST TOWN:

Tonight’s phrase that pays:

“Look out for those stairs!”

So far, I have managed stumble on those stairs at least once a night.  Last night I had a big spill and tonight I had another as well.  Don’t they know that dancers are horribly uncoordinated?

We can’t maneuver stairs… and they want us to run up and down them?  Yeah right.

Jack Falfas was in the park tonight.  He watched our first show, which made me really nervous.  We still have a few kinks in our show that need to be worked out.  Hopefully, by Wednesday, we will be in better shape and we won’t have to make anymore changes.

It was a long night.  I’m beginning to get exhausted.  I have had very little sleep the past few days (like most everyone else working Haunt) and I have also had next to nothing to eat.

VOICE 1 - THE ONE THAT DWELLS IN GHOST TOWN:

ANYWAY, I'm off to bed.  I have to wake up early for a meeting at my other job.  Yippee!  I promise folks, these entries will get more exciting once Haunt picks up.  This is the slow week.

I’m just now coming down off my sugary Berry Punch high.  I swear they put something in that stuff to make you become addicted to it.  I’ve been very good at avoiding it all week long but the craving proved to be too much today.  After sitting in the make-up chair, I had to give in and filled my sippee cup to the brim with my own special concoction that I have been drinking for years - ¾ berry punch and ¼ sprite.

Always goes down smooth.

Oh, Berry Punch, I love you and vow that I will indulge in your fattening goodness only one night a week.

But I digest…

I made it through my first week of Haunt!  WOO HOO!

And this just in, breaking news from wagon camp:

I DID NOT TRIP DOWN ANY STAIRS TONIGHT!

Hell must have frozen over.

To start off the evening, my partner and I had to re-choreograph (with loving support and cheers from our choreographer) a whole dance.  Oh yes, we did it in the time it took to smoke a cigarette, plus 10 minutes.  Ran it twice with the band during sound check and off we ran to throw on our costumes.  Talk about professionals; we didn’t even miss a damn beat during any shows!  It’s actually cute, and we get to dance a little more.  I’m proud of us; we have been busting our butts every night for a crowd that has been a little lackluster.

I’m just hoping that we can get some more people into our venue.  Each time I look out my peep hole before the show, I pray to the Goddess of the Amphitheatre that there will be more than 30 people.  One day it will happen; I just know it.

But no matter if it’s 300 or three… as dancers, we do it the same.  Always energetic, always full-out and always having a good time; that’s our job and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Sure, there are antics.  Techs in the booth will try to break up the monotony and will constantly try to get a giggle out of us.  I’m usually the one to notice, since I have a habit of looking at the booth, and I’ll admit that I have let a chuckle slip every once in a while.  I just can’t help it.  It’s part of what makes performing fun for me.

And the antics between shows have proven to be just as much fun.  In between shows, we watched Office Space tonight.  Like someone said this evening, “It’s like sitting in a living room with your friends and watching a movie, laughing together and then playing a little music once in awhile.”  And he’s right.  The beauty of it is that I get the pleasure of walking out the door and seeing some of my Haunt family.  I get to catch up, share stories, get the scoop on the crowd and even vent a little if I am having a rough night.

Tonight, however, was not a rough night.  Ok, maybe a little, but I am not complaining about it.

Now, what the hell am I going to do for the next two nights?  Oh yeah… work my other job.  I’m looking forward to Wednesday.  I’ll be rested and ready to go another round. 

The past couple days were a much-needed siesta.  My body needed to recuperate in the worst way.  My ankle isn't swollen anymore, my body has gotten used to the aches and pain, and I've already lost six pounds!  God, I love Haunt!  It's my month-long exercise program. :)  I'm ready to do it all over again tonight!  High five for Jesus! <--- monster inside joke that I'm sure the SBMT monsters will appreciate. :)

It's amazing what a couple nights off of Haunt can do.  I found myself watching the clock on Monday and Tuesday as if I was preparing to rush out of the studio.  I shared pictures with friends, family and coworkers and recalled the past week's events.  And when I woke up this morning, I did feel a little renewed and was definitely ready to get back to the stage.

Although when I did leave work, I was struck, once again, with that all-too-familiar pang of stage fright.  Stressing out over traffic and whether or not I would make it in time puts me in a frenzy.  But I made it with a few minutes to spare.

Things are becoming routine.

"Walk sign is on" = a brisk walk across Western Avenue.

Say hello to the guard while he inspects my belongings.

"Holy crap, HI!" =  a brisk walk to my dressing room dodging friends who could possibly trap me in conversation when I am in a huge hurry.

Say hello to the techs and random monsters backstage.

"This @%&*ing thing is big enough for Andre the Giant" = me cursing the oversized rag robe that I will inevitably trip over on the way to Make-up.

Say hello to Gypsies and some of Ghost Town's finest.

"Just checking in, do I have time for a smoke?" = me letting my artist know that I am here but in no way trying to rush her... I have had good advice to not piss off my make-up artist.

And then after relaxing in the make-up chair, it's back to my dressing room to get dressed and stretched.
 
I am getting ready faster and feeling more prepared for the first show.

Our audience tonight wasn't half bad, considering that it was a slow evening at Haunt.  I am still eagerly anticipating a full house one of these nights.

The energy is different when there are more people out there.  All in all, it was an ok night.

It's starting to get a little cooler, which will make it feel more like Haunt.  And I'm starting to become somewhat of a vampire.  I would rather stay up all night and wake up just in time for work.  My body is becoming used to this schedule.

With that, I am off to bed.  But on a side note, a funny thing happened on the way back to my dressing room this evening.  This guy asked me for directions to "13 Axe Murder Manor."  I giggled and told him to, "Go up there and keep turning left... eventually you'll run into it." (a little inside joke)

He asked what my costume was and my reply, "Huh? What costume?"

Evil I tell ya... just evil!

Love you all.  Good night!

We are beginning to get a little frustrated and pessimistic about the attendance of our show.  I am still having fun on stage, and that is what counts.

I have been told that people have fun watching me because it's obvious that I am loving being on stage.  So, I guess that means that I am doing my job.

It was just a little slow tonight.  Things seemed a little off and a little subdued in the green room.  Although, we did rally together to watch Will Ferrell and the infamous cowbell.

Gotta have more cowbell!

So, I'm crossing my fingers that when Jack [Falfas] comes again to see the show... he likes it at least a little better.

*flutters long lashes and flashes a grin*

Now, lets do it again!

ARE YOU READY TO ROCK!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Apparently, a whole bunch of people were ready and willing last night.  What a difference a few more faces in the crowd makes!  The energy was fantastic and I have hopes of it getting even better.

This show is just something entirely different for Haunt and I have to think that people walk in not really knowing what they are going to get.

A rockabilly band, a huge inflatable rocket (that looks somewhat phallic… hee hee hee)...

And hot alien go-go dancers that chase each other around with various weapons at one point in the show.  Three-inch heels and a chainsaw; damn, I love my job!

Kinda random, but I think the entertainment value is there.  If you aren’t really a fan of the music, then at least our antics onstage should be somewhat entertaining.

That, and the fact that I am sure people are hoping for some kind of “wardrobe malfunction” when we do our whole go-go routine.  If it’s not the leotard riding up our nether regions, then it’s the fact that I am always afraid that I will bounce right out of my top!  Never fear… I am cinched in there real good!

As you can tell, the night went well.  There are always the little flubs that are made.

When the singer mixes up lyrics and totally throws us off… that’s always fun.  Or me totally tripping on the warped wood covering the well (used for the stunt show) and almost falling off into a cactus; that would leave a mark.

A lot of people like watching live theater for the same reason a lot of people like watching NASCAR; it’s the anticipation of the wrecks.

And believe me, we have our share of them.  But my guess is, that the audience would never know it.

I’m just so lucky to have a great partner, a fantastic crew and lots of support from my Haunt family.  I see those monsters peek their heads in to watch us and I see them sneak in during the last show to snap a few pics.  Speaking of monsters:

Last night, a few of SBMT monsters came out to dance for the last song, “Rise of the Undead.”

I didn’t get to watch, because the first thing I do when I get off stage is rip off my wig and bundle up.  Tonight, I’ll just have to have more patience and peak my head out to see them.

I think it’s a great idea… unless they start upstaging me!  Then I’ll have to pull a “diva” and kick them the hell off my stage!  LOL!  Yeah right; like that would ever happen!

So, be prepared to hear some awesome stories tonight!  I've got a lot of energy to expend!

I LOVE THE SMELL OF HAUNT FUNK IN THE EVENING!

I got into my dressing room, opened up my Haunt box and nearly fainted.  It was really quite frightening, and something totally unexpected.  I’m not a monster, so why was that pungent smell emanating from my belongings?  After a thorough inspection (making sure nothing crawled into my Haunt box and died) I found the culprit.

The button-down shirt I cover up with in between shows had become the breeding ground for that ever-so-distinct smell that we like to call “the Haunt funk.”  Yuck; time to do some laundry.

After recovering from my near-fatal brush with the funk, I bee-bopped on over to Make-up to find that my artist wasn’t there.  Uh oh, I don’t deal well with change.  But Denise did my make-up, and that made me feel so much better.  Still, I get into a routine and even small changes can throw me off.

The whole night was a little... ummm… shall we say... “off.”

We actually had a larger audience for all the shows than we have ever had.  That was something that made me feel better.  But, we did hit a few bumps in the road.

I forgot a tiny, itty, bitty piece of choreography which drove me nuts for the whole night.  Oh, I recovered on stage just fine and I am sure that no one noticed, but the fact that I flubbed drove me nuts.  My energy for the last show was so low that I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to make it back up the stairs during one of the songs.  My legs just wouldn’t move like I wanted them too.

And backstage in between shows didn’t have the camaraderie that I have grown accustomed to.  We just had an off evening and that is bound to happen once in awhile.

The one good thing is I feel the show has improved since we started, and I know that it will keep getting better.

My spirits are also renewed with the growing numbers of people who park their butts in the seats each show.

Time to sleep!

Hopefully, I can get this computer stuff resolved in my two days off.

Was this a Saturday or Sunday?  No, it’s not that my nights are running together - okay, maybe they are a little bit, but I couldn’t believe the attendance on the Farm tonight!  I’m going to start with the end of the night and work in reverse.

Getting out of the parking lot was just as bad tonight as it was on Friday or Saturday.  Walking out of the park, I noticed that the line for the Lost Vegas maze was incredible at 12:55 A.M; I feel for the talent in there.

But even when I left wagon camp, I had to do a quick check to make sure that it was really 1:00 A.M.  I almost turned around to ask one of the techs if I left too early!

The energy in the park and amongst those who dwell in Wagon Camp was much better this evening.  Things seemed to flow better and even the mistakes seemed to bring everyone together.

It was, all in all, a fantastic evening.

Our crowd is still steadily growing and even staying in their seats for the whole show!  People are responding with cheering, clapping and whistles (ugh, I can do without the latter); they look like they are here to have a good time.  It makes it so much easier to perform for people who want to see you up there having fun.

The show itself has made one last change; hopefully, it’s the last one.  The band cut out one song which didn’t affect the dancers (me) because we aren’t onstage for that bit.  It was a good decision; the show seemed to keep the energy up for the whole time.

Speaking of “keeping it up...”

We have a gigantic inflatable rocket onstage.  This thing isn’t just gigantic, it’s monstrous.

So, there I am, dancing away and I glance up into the booth.  I see three of the techs laughing their asses off and immediately begin to wonder if I had a booger hanging out my nose or even more probable, an ass cheek hanging out.

Glance down to check… nope; all body parts are covered and I don’t see anything dangling from my nostrils.  I look back up to the booth and one of the techs points her finger in the direction of the rocket.

At that time in the choreography we turn around.  I looked and noticed that our inflatable had lost it’s will to survive.  It was deflating rapidly.

I totally lost it!  It was indescribably funny to see our flaccid rocket.  I made eye contact with our drummer who had a look on his face somewhere between confused, concerned and about to crack up.  In trying to contain my laughter onstage, tears welled up in my eyes and I couldn’t help but let a little chuckle escape a few times.

Thank God that one of the other techs ran down to fix our little “situation.”

In between muffled giggles, I was trying to think of just how we were going to get around that limp rocket and up the stairs to make our exit.  But, thank God that it had been revived in time for us to, once again, drag ourselves up the stairs.  Apparently, the cord to the fan was unplugged.  Who did it and why… I don’t know.

I am beginning to think that maybe we have an entity in our Wagon Camp.  At least it has a sense of humor.

I also had the thrill of scaring someone tonight!  It was while I was walking to get some food with one of the techs.  I had my rag robe on with the hood up so that guests can’t see me in my wig cap and costume (with sweats on to keep my legs somewhat warm).  I always walk with a determined look on my face and I try not to make eye contact with any guest.  I’m not a monster and I don’t want to take the attention away from their scares whenever I am out and about.  So, there I was… walking, when all of a sudden, a boy around 13 years-old turned his head right in time to see me right as I passed him.  He put his hands to his mouth and let out this horrible whimper.  Oh God, it was funny!  It took everything I had not to go after him; what a rush!

But not as good as being onstage.  I’ll leave the whimpering boys to the monsters.  Oh, wait a minute… that didn’t sound good, did it?

Really though, I love my monsters.

So, now I am off to bed.  My legs are so tired, and I don’t get any chance to rest until November.  I have to take advantage of every moment of downtime I have.

It’s gonna be a lonely couple of days without my cast and crew.

AND THEN THERE WERE THREE.

As we get wrapped up in Halloween Haunt, sometimes it can be jarring when "real life" interrupts us.  And sadly, that is what has happened with VOICE 1 - THE ONE THAT DWELLS IN GHOST TOWN.  Due to personal circumstance beyond this individual's control, he/she has had life happen in a negative way - and has had to make the heart breaking decision to leave Knott's Scary Farm and tend to real world issues and challenges.

Our VOICE 1 will not be replaced by another.  This was something we debated and slept on for several nights.  The journey our readers are on with these individuals begins before Haunt - and hopefully, ends after Haunt.  If we lose someone mid-course, there are always plenty of stand-ins - and we appreciate the outpouring of offers over this past week from various Haunt monsters.  But, it wouldn't be the same.  And so, it is with great sadness that we let VOICE 1 fade into the night, back into the fog that swirls within Ghost Town.  We love this individual and they know that they have our full, unquestionable support.  Much, much love.

This is the first night where I gave in to the healing power of Tiger Balm.  I fear that the perilous bouncing of the stage has begun to take its toll on my joints.  With every step, we must endure the constant reverberation of the sprung floor, meant for the stunt show.  It really takes a toll on our bodies and makes even the most remedial choreography difficult.  Several times, we have almost had show-stopping sprung ankles, but we still keep dancing as best we can.

The crowd tonight was fun, for a Wednesday…

I suffered from the usual Wednesday night stage fright, which is something that I fear I will never get over.

But I am looking forward to the crowds that will be pouring in the gate in the next few days… let alone the next few weeks!

I have to keep reminding myself that I have three weeks left.  And it seems like such an eternity.  But, I know that at the last show, I will be looking back and asking why we can’t have just one more show.

So far, the whole Haunt experience has been pretty fulfilling.

I get my share of monster time when I sneak a peek at the monsters in SBMT.  I try to pull up my hood on my beloved rag robe so that I am entirely unassuming and then I hide in a dark corner and watch them scare the living piss out of guests.

So far, I have laughed myself into cramps several times and even been encouraged to go out and scare guests myself.

“No… no… no….”

Oh, but I really would love to.

I’m just a dancer.  I go out there and shake what my mommy gave me.

I’ll constantly try to do my best.

And one day, the crowd (other than my own fan base) and the band will finally appreciate what I do.

Things in my personal life, being sick, sleeping only a few hours every night, constantly working... I think I'm going to take a day off from my day job tomorrow.  I really need to sleep so I can feel better and relax a little bit.  Tomorrow will be a better day.

My energy was low and matched the energy of the audience.  What I need, is a good night's rest and a massage.

Neither of which will happen any time soon.

But Friday night should be better.  We, as always, are expecting rather large numbers and have some special guests in the venue.

For now... I must rest my weary bones.

You know, I really love the rain.  I wish we got more of it throughout the year.  But not during Haunt...

Oh my; it was my first rainy night at Haunt.  And what an experience it was!

But crappy-ass weather aside, the whole night went to Hell in a hand basket.

We only got the chance to dance for the first show.  It was cold and starting to get a little damp, but we did our thing… and did it well.  Then, the mayhem started.

There was a guest artist in the venue tonight.  I have no friggin' clue who he was; just that he won some game show.  Not only that, but we had a bikini contest that was put on by “Poorman,” who, in case you aren’t familiar with him, was a D.J. in the '80s that was really quite popular.  He also had spent some time as a used car salesmen on Beach Boulevard and now you can find him on local cable access TV.

Times kept getting switched and we ended up in the green room for the whole night.  By the time the whole guest artist and bikini contest (good lord, don’t get me started on that one) was finished, it was raining steadily.  We were let out early and I took the opportunity to wander the park.

It was the first chance I had to explore and say hello to friends.  I was wet, I was cold and I was in a bad mood.

Most people would be happy about being sent home on an evening like this, but I wanted to dance more.  Oh well, I’ll have ample opportunity to get my fill of boas and chainsaws.

Time to take some Ny-Quil and get some real sleep.  I'm setting my alarm for 2:00 P.M!

Here’s a little dancer math for ya:

Still-wet stage + dancers + stairs = DISASTER!!!!

Driving into Knott’s today, I was wondering if we were even going to be allowed to do our show.  Low and behold… the skies cleared, and we danced.  Oh yes… we danced on a cold, wet stage.  Granted, the techs did what they could to dry out our carpet covering the stage, but the stairs were still quite damp.  There is absolutely nothing anyone can do about it.  We just have to be careful and slow down.  But when it’s a busy Saturday night, it’s hard not to go full-bore.

It was really crowded and our numbers are getting better.  Even though I was pumped by the attendance,  I was so preoccupied with slipping and falling that I felt that my performance wasn’t where it normally is.  I tweaked my ankle in the first show and by the time the fourth show rolled around, we (my partner and I) where very cold and aching.  I mentioned before that our bodies are a wreck after trying to maneuver that ever-vibrating stage.  And it gets worse the more shows we have a night.  For some reason, that fourth show is so hard for us to get through.  It could be the time it starts - 1:30 A.M.  Or the fact that it is physically demanding, even though the choreography isn’t the most technical.  Or it could be warming up to a good sweat and then cooling down to shivers several times a night.  Whatever the reason, that fourth show is absolutely grueling to get through.

Unfortunately, during that infamous fourth show, my partner slipped and fell down a whole flight of stairs on her butt.  There was nothing I could do to save her.  Thank goodness that she wasn’t hurt too bad.  A huge raspberry and scrapes, but she’ll be okay.  A little sore and stiff, but as a dancer, she’ll be back tomorrow.  It’s our job.  We don’t have the option of calling in sick or taking time off to enjoy other Halloween events (yes, I’m jealous).  But I’ve made sacrifices my entire life as a dancer, this is no different.

I couldn’t help but think to myself after watching her body flop down those stairs, “Holy crap!  That’s what she sees every time I eat it down those damn things.”

The night, up until the last show, was a good one.  It’s starting to get even colder, and I’m wondering when we will get that first good cold snap.  Anyone have a parka I can borrow until November 1^st?

I'm afraid there's not much else to say about tonight, so I'm going to go to bed, enjoy my "weekend," and I'll be back with more ramblings on Wednesday...

What?!?!?!

Half-way over you say?!?!?!

NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WTF, man… I’m just starting to catch my groove!  I am starting to play with the choreography.  Hell, I’m even taking requests.  The robot was requested on Saturday, and I delivered.  The “swim” was requested early on this evening, and I worked it.  I even fit in the “cabbage patch” because a special someone wanted to see if I could pull it off.

Oh yes, I aim to please.

And now, someone tells me that there are only two more Sundays?

Well, my body is happy about it, but I am already dreading the last night.

I have had so much fun doing this.  All of it so far has been so memorable.  The good, the bad and the ugly; it’s all been worth it.  I took a leap and I am so glad that I did.

From sitting in the make-up chair and begging to be painted different colors (a battle we won this weekend and we got our wish to be pink) to creeping carefully through the park and saying hello to my Haunt family.  Making new connections and adding on to my Haunt family.  Even dragging my ass (with Haunt box nosily bouncing behind) to my car, all the way out to where Christ lost his sandals, plopping my tired body into the seat and grinning all the way home.  I wouldn’t trade one moment so far.

All the stress about getting there on time is worth it, and now I only have a short time left.

That means I just have to up my game; make every millisecond count.  No matter how tired I am, how hurt I am or how angry (yes, it does happen), I just feel the need to take every advantage to make it worth it.

Tonight was an average night.  I was really tired from the previous night’s extra-curricular activities.  But I’m not complaining.  I knew what I was doing and knew I would pay for it later.  Anyway…

After her bumpy ride down the stairs last night, my partner is okay.  Like I said, sore and stiff, but she showed up with a smile.  We were extra-cautious tonight.  The techs even put grip tape on all the stairs.  Like I mentioned before, my crew is the best in the park.  But they could surround us in bubble wrap and safety harnesses and we would still stumble at least once a night.  In fact, in the first show, down the first flight of stairs one of us (I’m not saying who) tripped.  We then proceeded to laugh our way through the whole show.

If you ever get the chance to see the show and notice us giggling… it’s probably some inside joke that I mutter before we make our entrance.  Most of time, it’s about bodily functions or funny movie quotes.  We’ve got to break up the monotony somehow!

I had a few fans in the audience tonight.  It’s always nice to know that there are a few people who are there just to see you.  And I also appreciate it when I see the occasional monster peak their masked faces in to the venue for a few quick seconds, risking reprimands from their Talent Captains.

I wonder if they know that between shows, I go backstage to smoke and there is a certain hole in the fence where I can watch them scare.  I get my monster fix that way.  And for those short moments, I feel like a guest again.  I cheer and laugh my butt off.  I curse when guests are less than respectful.

I wonder what it’s like to have something different every night at Haunt.  No set routine, no choreography and no staging.

But then I get my 15 minute call.  I go inside to my dressing room, put on my wig and cold, wet costume, stretch for a few brief minutes and make my way up two flights of ladders to my perch.  And wait for my cue to enter.

Tonight was a good night.  Our boots were re-soled with rubber that really grips.  It made it a little hard to turn and I had a couple of almost show-stopping twists of my ankle.  But I recovered gracefully, and I am sure that the only people who noticed were the techs in the booth, who were laughing, but then again, I would too!

I am really starting to have fun with the choreography and trying to let loose a bit.

You never know what you’re gonna get when you watch me.  I stick to the choreography but like sometimes to throw maybe an extra something in.

I’ll admit, there have been a few occasions when I may have stuck my tongue out at the bass player or drummer.  But it’s funny to see them laugh and no one sees me… I’m facing the back of the stage, for crying out loud!

We even had okay crowds this evening.  They were lively, but I know that several audience members were spending a few precious moments in the beer garden.  It’s funny to watch ‘em stumble, even though I am not very supportive of the idea of alcohol at Haunt.

Our beloved rocket had another issue staying at attention this evening.  It really is hilarious to watch that thing slump over and then miraculously spring to life.  It has happened a couple of times and it never gets less funny.  I guess it’s my sick mind that makes it so funny!

These three-show nights are going by faster and faster, which is good because it keeps getting colder and colder!  My partner and I have resorted to a Richard Simmons work out up in our little cove before each show.  Oh dear God, if anyone else saw, it would be a little embarrassing but when your butt is frozen and you’re shivering, you have to resort to the most demeaning  tasks.  We laugh the whole time, and I have to say, it does raise my energy level quite a bit.  At least, it puts the top of the show off to a good start.

That is, until my heel gets caught on the third step and I almost fall face first into next five steps!

Besides the fact that I had a little SNAFU at work that resulted in me almost having a nervous breakdown, I made it to the Farm in plenty of time.

My stress level about being late has subsided just a little bit (apparently not enough if you ask that white Camry I cut off on the 5 Freeway).

I had family in the park tonight and was a little nervous about their reaction to my costume and extreme booty shaking.  Thank God they loved it!

They especially loved the part where the rope got caught between my legs, looking a little vulgar, and as I turned to face upstage started busting up; couldn’t help it!  It made me feel a little funny.  Not only that, but I couldn’t get the damn thing unstuck!  My skirt was trying to eat the rope and there was nothing I could do about it!

Oh, it’s the unexpectedness that makes live “theater” so worth it.  Like not expecting to inhale a wayward feather from your boa and almost choking to death.  But still trying to maintain that, “Oh I’m just having a great time!  And me turning three shades of blue while hacking uncontrollably, is all part of the show folks!”

Obviously, I survived.  And thank Heaven I did, because:

I had a celebrity sighting this evening in Wagon Camp! 

Oh yes!  Dead Elvis made an appearance for our last set!  Talk about distracting… we had just danced off stage and taking our much needed 30-second rest before dancing in our last song.  Usually, we take a step beyond the curtain to catch some fresh air but tonight as I flung open the black drapes I had a shocking surprise.

There he was.  He took my breath away, made my knees weak.  I almost fainted from sheer delight.

Cape, glasses and the biggest belt buckle I have ever seen in my life.

I have seen “The King.”  I can die in peace now.

But suspiciously enough, he kinda looked a little like Dusty Geezer.  Now, maybe it was my tired eyes playing tricks on me, or perhaps lack of oxygen from having to sprint up and down the stairs for a whole show; but Elvis really did look like one of Ghost Town’s beloved monsters!

Tomorrow night, I will NOT be partaking in Monster, since I expect to be well-rested.  Here's to not being completely cracked out at Haunt!

It was a busy night in the park this evening.  I got my first taste of the traffic in the surrounding area and underestimated how long it would take me to get into the parking lot.

It seemed like everything was a little behind tonight.  My make-up time was a little late, no worries; it gave me more time to socialize - something that I enjoy doing, and it gives me the chance to find out how everyone else’s Haunt is going.

It was decided that we would not be dancing in the last set on Friday and Saturday nights.  It gives the band a chance to spread their “rockstar” wings and let loose a bit.  Not only that, but it helps us out a little; no more grueling fourth show for us.

The only downside is making our way out of the park.  We were lucky to have one of the techs from another show escort us out of the Farm.  If it wasn’t for him, we would have never gotten out of there!

It was a little weird getting out of the parking lot with no trouble.  But, I’m happy that I don’t have to sit in the dirt parking lot for an hour waiting to make my long drive home.

The energy was a little weird.  Although the numbers were good, I felt like they just weren’t all that into it.  And one guy threw a dollar bill at us.  I wasn’t too offended.  I just kicked it back to him and muttered under my breath, “Holy crap, one dollar?  Try a twenty next time…”

Oh, and Sparks and I did make it to bowling tonight.  However, we left fairly early due to some kind of gang fight (not Haunt people) in the parking lot, and all sorts of police showing up.  Lots of other people stayed to bowl, but Sparks and I were over it and went home to sleep.  Yeah, we're old, what can I say? :D

I was purple today.  So far, our make-up has been wicked bright bluish silver, blue, pink and purple.  I like being able to switch it up a little.  My favorite, so far, is pink.  While I thought the purple was going to look real cool, it ended up making us look like battered aliens.  I already have enough mystery bruises to cover up and that make-up wasn’t doing much to help.  But, it was fun and I’m glad we tried it.

It sure makes a difference knowing that we are only dancing in three shows.  I feel like I can expend more energy.  The problem with that is that I seem to get way ahead of myself and overestimate my stamina.

Our drummer had a little issue with his shoulder.  He’s been in some pain and let’s face it… we can’t really have a show missing any of the band members.  Luckily enough, the band had an emergency stand-in.  I was a little unsure of how he would do, but he was wonderful.

While the first song was a little too fast (we felt like our movements were in permanent fast-forward) the rest of the set was fantastic.  We are at the mercy of our drummer.  How ever fast or slow he plays is the tempo that we must obey.  But, I have been known to shoot dirty looks his way when he screws anything up.  It’s the ballerina in me coming out.  For some reason, I think that I am a human metronome.  But none of that matters when I have a partner and we have to stay together.

Besides the drummer swap-out in the last show I danced in, there was really nothing special about tonight.  Our attendance was ok.  I think I had a few friends in some shows but I never know for sure.  When I am announced at the end of the set, I never know if the cat calls are from friends, students or random obnoxious 14 year-olds with raging hormones.

“Whoa!  Look Billy!  I saw part of her butt when she bent over to get that rope!”

Ugh… welcome to my life.

I even thought I saw a ghost wander through Wagon Camp.  He looked like an old guy… with long, grey hair, and he carried a lantern.  He stopped in front of me just long enough to get my attention when I glanced down.  He made some smart-ass comment and then he was gone.

Strangely enough, he looked a little like that Elvis that jumped around onstage with the other monsters the past couple nights.  Whoever he is, his haunting presence was responsible for my lost train of thought, brain fart in choreography, and resulted in a wicked side ache from holding in laughter.

I'm glad it's the end of the week and I have two days to recover before it starts again.  I would really like to have a good last week of Haunt.  I need to try to be more optimistic and not let everything get to me like it did tonight.  I really hope I can manage that.

My lungs feel like I have been mining coal for the past 20 years.  My eyes are sore and red.  And I have a nice coating of ash that is currently sucking all the moisture out of my poor, tired body.

It’s hot, we have winds that rival hurricanes and our state is on fire. 

And I got to dance in it!  Yay!

It was a miserable night here at Haunt.  Everyone’s eyes were in horrible shape.  I am glad that I am not a monster with contacts in.  But, I get to contend with a whole other set of problems.

My wig ended up in my eyes the whole night.  Those fancy fake eyelashes that I wear (with the uber-cool glitter on them) seemed to not only trap the fake hair of the wig but any dust/debris that managed to blow my way. 

And the boa… let’s talk about the feather boa.

It’s difficult to hold on to that damn thing with gloves and funky gauntlets.  It gets wrapped up, knotted up, and it’s hard to tell sometimes if you really have a hold on it.

And that’s on a good night.

Throw in some good gusts of wind, and the whole routine becomes a comedy.  The feather boa gets caught in the wind and takes on a mind of its own.  After a while, I gave up.  I’m good, but I’m not that good.

I found it really hard to be sexy while choking on ash, wig hair and feathers.  Each breath I took burned, and my lungs were starting to revolt against me.  I just hope that these conditions are gone by Wednesday. 

And so the start of the last hoorah begins!  Some will call it Hell Week, and I’m sure that I’ll join in with that train of thought.  But for now, I am looking at the next week with a big twinge of sadness.

I’ve got to get it all out, get it all done and enjoy it all.

Any special requests for odd dance moves anyone?

Tonight was surprisingly busy for a Wednesday.  And I was doubly impressed that people would come out to the Farm braving the smoke and ash.  But fires are nothing new during Haunt.  It was a little easier to breath this evening compared to Sunday because the Santa Ana winds were not blowing.  Yet, I still feel like I need a respirator while dancing on stage.

Despite feeling a little stressed-out over the fires (I have several friends who don’t know if they still have a house left), my energy was super-high today.  And the evening flew by.  Before I knew it, I was ripping my eyelashes off and washing the make-up off my face, then rushing off to meet a few friends before last call to socialize and burn off some steam.

Some of the evening’s highlights:

Wondering why the techs were laughing at me in the booth and worrying that an antenna had flown off my wig (they were really laughing because they thought I forgot a piece of choreography).

A last second change that involved adding one 8-count of choreography so that we could fill up a little more time (oh yeah, I’m that good).

Tripping over a roll in the carpet onstage and pulling it off so that no one noticed at all (just keep smiling and bouncing along).

And last but not least… missing one step on those stairs (I know, I know… you’re not surprised).

Things are going to be a little stressful for the next few days.  My partner has rehearsal in Vista (it was moved from Escondido) for the next week and it doesn’t end until 5:00 P.M.  We switched make-up times which doesn’t really make that much difference to me, as I am always there early.  But I am a little worried that she won’t make it to the park in time.  I’m sure I am just worrying for nothing.  It will be fine.

Tonight was busy!  I forgot that it was Scion Night.  Thank God that I am tucked away in my green room so that I don’t have to put up with nonsense the whole entire night.  Our crowds were big and the last two shows were very vocal.

At the top of the show, we come out of our little perch and I can always tell what kind of show we are going to have by the noise the crowd makes.

Crickets chirping = bad.

Happy, non-alcohol-induced cheering = good!

I never know if the cat calls and the whistles are for the band members making their entrance or if they are for us.  I’ll just keep thinking it’s for us for a much-needed ego boost.

It just never ceases to amaze me what people do when they are watching a show.  I’ve seen pretty much everything the past several weeks.  The make-out sessions, the non-stop cell phone conversations, people who light up like no one is going to notice the smell of bunk weed emanating from their general area.  I’ve seen countless trips and falls from guests leaving during show (karma is a bitch) but tonight was the topper.

Tomorrow night is supposed to be another Power 106 Night.  I think it will be a good crowd though, like tonight.  See, I'm practicing the optimistic attitude!  It's totally working! :D

I had a great night tonight.  Everything ran pretty smooth, even though I was running a little bit behind and traffic on the freeway was awful.  I got there in enough time to say hello and chat with a few people before sitting down in my make-up chair.

I like to think of the make-up artists as therapists.  They hear it all; the good, the bad and the ugly.  Sometimes, they just listen (or maybe they tune us out) and sometimes they’ll offer up words of encouragement or advice.

I know that my artist and I have some pretty funny inside jokes.  Lately, we’ve spent so much time laughing that it’s taken a couple extra minutes to get finished.

I knew it was going to be crowded walking to my venue, so I asked a friend to escort me through Ghost Town.  I have had a couple “incidents” with guests getting a little too touchy-feely and way too close.  I knew it was bound to happen sooner or later, so I have resigned myself to ask any monster I know if they will be my own personal bodyguard for a few moments.  I haven’t had anyone say no yet.  With the help of Tommy, I made it safely backstage and even had a few laughs along the way.  Not as many as last Sunday when Dusty escorted me… I almost peed my pants then.

So, I choked down some fruit and started getting ready.  I’ve gotten so fast at dressing that it only takes me about 8 minutes to get ready.  Sweet; more time to chat backstage with some of my favorite monsters.

I start setting my props and realize that there are cameras and camera equipment everywhere.

Oh crap, this is the night they are taping us for Knott’s!

No worries; they’ll only be there for one show.  Oh yeah, right.

After the first show, one of the camera guys asked if it was ok to get onstage with us for the second show and tape us.  I had a slight hesitation but really didn’t mind.  My worry was that I was going to have to screw up in all the same places for continuity!

Before that second show, I joked with him about how he needed to stay out of this diva’s way or I’d kick the camera.  I didn’t really think it would be a big deal having an extra man with a camera roaming around, until I got onstage.

Not even one minute into the first song, I go to turn and then kick, and guess who’s camera is in the way?

I missed that guy and his camera by no more than an inch.  It totally freaked me out.  There was no way to maneuver around him.  I felt slightly bad until he was practically taping me from crotch-level during one of the faster songs.  There is nothing like shaking your hips and gyrating while some guy has a camera lens-level with your hoo-hah. :)

No one looks good dancing from that angle…  No one.

Besides the camera guy's near brush with death from a dancer's boot and just knowing that I looked awful while he taped the rest of the show from that weird angle... it was a fun night.  I stayed to watch the band in their last set.  I wanted to see what they look like onstage without “the dancing girls.”  I liked it but it felt a little weird not being up there with them. 

I’d much rather be onstage than watching from the booth.  And that’s one thing that will never change.

I'm looking forward to our last Sunday of Haunt tomorrow.  This should be our last potluck, so hopefully I get some of Dad's seven layer Dip!

I don’t have much to say about what happened tonight.  I have some very strong opinions that don’t need to be aired in this portion of TPA’s website.

However, I can write about how disappointed I am that a group of people can have such a lack of respect and self control.  Because of the actions of a rather large group of people, it made the night at Haunt the worst that I have had… ever.

I was ready to enjoy and have fun with my last Saturday night crowd and I got served a big dose of reality.  The reality is that not everyone who comes to Haunt is there to have a good time.  While I don’t understand that mentality… we (all of us who work this event) have no way to control or alter the behavior of people who want to come into the park and cause heaploads of trouble.

But let me jump off my soap box for just a bit.

Our crowds started out a little lackluster and then grew into pretty responsive audience members.  While just about everyone was respectful and looked like they were having fun, my evening ended on a sour note.

We danced our asses off and I guess that is the only thing that should matter.

Oh well, it’s only one night and we’re half way through Hell Week.

The mood was definitely different tonight than last night.  I noticed it as soon as I drove into the parking lot.  It was obvious that people were glad that it was a new day at Haunt.  I’m sure glad it was!

I have been plotting to pull some wonderful practical jokes but I also have been warned that I should most definitely watch my step.  Sure, I’ve done some things that were not choreographed but I know that none of them have been noticeable to the general audience member.  I was hoping to get a couple of funny things in tonight but didn’t have the nerve.  I only have a few more nights to pull some of this stuff, so I better get cracking!

I had major issues with my boa this evening.  It got wrapped up around the heel of my boot.  Instead of panicking, I stepped out of it and managed to swing and grab it without missing more than two counts of choreography.  Unfortunately, I made the mistake of looking up at the booth and saw my lighting goddess pointing and laughing at me.  I’m glad that she’s there to catch all my mishaps.

During our last show I started to feel sick.  I got real dizzy and was afraid that I might faint.  I had to concentrate just to get up the stairs.  It was a little scary, but I think that I didn’t get enough protein.  My partner felt the same way… kind of weird, but with as much running around that we do, it’s easy to see how we need to make sure we have enough fuel for our bodies.  And my gas tank was definitely on empty!

Tomorrow, I’m going to remind myself to eat and drink lots of water.  It’s already been a long week and it’s only going to get longer.

The end is in sight, and it makes me sad to think about it.

It was really weird to be in the park on a Monday.  There was a different vibe in the air compared to the nights before.  Everyone was tired and a little more quiet than usual, including me.

My night started off great.  I actually got a parking space on the pavement instead of the dirt lot.  I thought that the apocalypse was near… I’ve never been able to get close parking.  So, I knew as I pulled into the glorious spot, that it was bound to be a good night.

More laughs shared in the make-up chair, more glitter applied and evil plans to change colors without permission.  I know it doesn’t sound like much of a risk, but I assure you that heads would roll if I showed up bright green and my counterpart was still pink.

I had more time than usual before the first show, which let me goof off for a bit before having to get dressed.  I tumbled on the stage, which is perfect for tumbling (I know dear readers, that you are used to hearing stories of me tumbling down the stairs, but I can actually do acrobatics that are planned).

While presetting my props, the drummer and I played with rhythms, he on the drums and me tapping along.  And during sound check, I got the chance to listen to the vocal styling of our fantastic sound man.  Oh yes, nothing like hearing a white boy try to rap.  My sides hurt from laughing so hard.  I even reenacted the video from Michael Jackson’s “Beat It.”  It’s not the first time I’ve done it this month, and I’m sure that it won’t be the last!  I have to say that I’m going to miss my crew and band members along with their antics the most.

We had “okay” crowds tonight.  I was surprised that for a Monday, it wasn’t a total ghost town.

I only lost my composure once when that mysterious Elvis made an appearance.  It’s really hard to focus when The King is traipsing through the house.  But, I wouldn’t have it any other way!

My body wasn’t as tired and sore as I thought it would be.  I am trying to conserve energy, but it’s really hard to do when you’re up onstage.  For me, it’s either all or nothing.

Only two more nights left, and my usual post-show depression has set in early.  But, I still have six more shows… and a lot can happen in six shows!

Crickets.

That’s pretty much the response we got during and after each show.  The park was really empty, which made our venue really empty.  And those that bothered to show up and watch were really quiet.

For a minute, I thought it was some kind of special event for the deaf.

Nope; just people who aren’t willing to give even a half-assed applause.  That’s ok, we still had fun.

After each show, my partner and I take turns resetting our props.  We have to resituate the rope, put the ray guns back, take the boas down the stairs to their positions and of course, we can’t forget the shot gun or chainsaw.  But then there is the knife.  Usually, when I walk offstage I take it and reset it to it’s starting position.  For some unknown reason, my mind must have been on something else; I totally forgot to put it back after the first show.

So, during the second show when I ran behind the door to grab the knife… NOTHING!

Oh @#$%!  I had to sprint, dodging crash pads and SBMT monsters to the other side of the set to get the knife.  I was laughing so hard that I could barely breathe and we were late for our entrance.

I’m sure people were wondering why the two aliens were cracking up when we were doing out K-I-L-L-I-N-G bit.  I would pay to see the look of terror on my face when I realized that the knife wasn’t set.  I heard some of the monsters laughing.  Thanks for the support, people!

We also had a mishap during the rope routine which resulted in us missing about four eight-counts of choreography.  My partner almost fell off of the “well” (used during the stunt show but covered for us to stand on) and there was no way for her to recover.

So, I was left holding the rope and resigned myself to undulating while using my best acting skills.  Then, when I went to swing the rope it got all tangled in my gauntlet; not the first time that has happened, but it couldn’t have happened at a worse time tonight.

Oh man, that whole show was a crapfest!  It happens, and thankfully, we were able to laugh it off.

Between the shows, I was able to run over and take pictures at the photo booth in Ghost Town.  It seems like everyone else decided to take advantage of it at the same time!  It’s funny how my friends who haven’t seen the show don’t realize it’s me in my make-up and wig.

I was able to take a picture with my drummer (we all know he’s my favorite) and my all time favorite Ghost Town monster, Dusty Geezer.

And now, I am left with only one more night.  Three more shows and it’s all done.

I gotta go get some Kleenex…

HALLOWEEN

AFTER OUR LONG JOURNEY, THIS IS THE END OF THE ROAD.

- Missy the Imp

Fake eyelashses – 5 pair

Fishnet tights – 4 pair

Number of times I tripped on the stairs - 21

Number of times I flat-out fell down the stairs - 5

The grand total amount of stairs traversed during Haunt - 11,862

I am one tired girl!

I sit here early in the morning on November the 1st; drinking a glass of Asti champagne given to me by my lighting technician extraordinaire and reflecting on all that has happened to me during the last month and a half.

My Haunt began in August with my auditions, then came rehearsals, and then I finally got the chance to experience life as an entertainer at the world-famous Knott’s Halloween Haunt.  I have spent the last month (plus a few days) in pin curls, and now I finally get the chance to let my hair down and get it all out.  One of the make-up artists has lovingly referred to me as “Calamari” since that is what my hair looks like in pin curls.  But I won’t be switching my nickname from Tiny Dancer to Calamari anytime soon!

My excitement about working Haunt has never waned.  Every time I sped over the 5 and 91 interchange and saw the park in the distance, I still got the same chills.  Every time I saw an advertisement or heard one on the radio, I was once again dancing in my seat.  And now sadly, it has all come to an end.

I was dreading this day since I got the news that I was going to be dancing in the show.

From the moment I woke up this morning, I have been in tears.  I am way too sentimental and emotional when it comes to the end of a run, no matter what show it is.  People in the entertainment industry are a rare breed.  It’s a small world where we come from and we are lucky to get a lot of bonding time during a show.  But in the end, it hurts to say goodbye.

No more rush to get there on time.  No more licking the back of my ID card and sticking it to my forehead while I drive in the parking lot talking on the phone (one time I even left it there while rolling the Haunt box through Security and did a handstand because the little crony said I had it upside down).

The special moments I had walking to my dressing room and saying hi to The Hanging cast/crew are now in the past.

All the nervousness and anxiety I had walking through Ghost Town and reliving past memories as a guest and former Haunt widow are behind me now.

The socializing outside of the Chamber waiting to get in the make-up chair, smoking cigarettes and every now and then indulging in my Berry Punch euphoria.

Sitting in Alisha’s chair and getting the chance to let her work her magic on me.  “Can I have angry eyebrows tonight?”  “I’m tired of this blue, I wanna be PINK!”  “More glitter, please… I SAID MORE GLITTER!!!”  We had some great conversations and shared a lot of laughs.  I’m glad that she was a part of my experience; it wouldn’t have been the same without her.

Gone are fun antics of the green room and backstage with the SBMT monsters.  Perhaps these are the things I will miss the most.

All the inside jokes the cast and crew shared, the movie quotes that started from the very first day of rehearsal (I’m not even mad… I’m impressed).

Getting to share break time with monsters; some who I’ve known for several years and some who I have had the great pleasure to meet this year.

The relentless flirting.  And even a tirade or two from yours truly.  “Did you just say that you would totally “do us?”  Oh Hell no!  If you ever say that again, I will break your arms off and beat you with them!”

And twenty minutes later… it was funny.

All the screw-ups, the stumbles and the great recoveries.  All the times that Tony forgot the words to his own songs, all the times that Andy missed a beat (ok… it wasn’t that many.  He’s the best.) and all the times that I tried to get our bass player, T-Mac, to give some sort of facial expression; I want to remember them all.

The dropped boas, the awful part of the rope dance on “the well” that we finally mastered and yes, even my first fall EVER in front of an audience… it all made this worth while.

I tried my best to soak it all in, but I know that in time, there will be pieces that I will forget.  Hopefully, not the techs in the booth dancing along with us (Mark and the flashlight was my favorite) and even holding up gigantic signs containing score cards similar to those at the Olympics or funny phrases.  They knew from day one that I was the girl they could get a response out of and they took full advantage of it!  And even though it’s a little gross, I never want to forget our other performers on stage.

Oh yes, the SBMT monsters know all about these “extra” entertainers.

The cockroaches.

They would come in droves.  I would catch either Andy (the drummer) or T-Mac's eye, and we would lose it.  I would joke around backstage with everyone that:

“I swear, they were so big, I saw a couple of them roaches smokin' cigars and drinking martinis!  They were starting a kick line of their own!  One of them threw a Twenty at me and yelled higher lady, LIFT THAT SKIRT HIGHER!”

The twisted ankles and sore knees, I most definitely will not miss.  Or the fear that my wig will go flying off into the audience; thank Goddess it never happened.  I won’t miss the cold, wet costume or the butterflies in my stomach.  But that’s about all I won’t miss.

We’ve seen fire and rain.  Cold, damp nights and hot-tempered guests.  I’ve had the sheer pleasure of seeing Dusty in my venue, either as Elvis or himself dancing around onstage.  What a legend.

During the last show of the night, we even got to see one of the roadies get onstage and dance behind me, causing me to almost pee my pants.  I’ve been lucky enough to witness the show from behind Andy, trying to get as close as I could to him just to see if my bosom would throw his rhythm off.  It never did. :(

I danced my ass off, literally.  I have lost about 15 pounds during this run.  I’m going to have to start running stadium stairs now!  My costume at the end was too big for me; if we had gone another week, I’m sure that they would have to make a new one.

But when it’s all said and done, I wouldn’t change one damn thing.

It’s now 4:30 A.M.  The last par can is being taken down, the band’s equipment has all been packed away and hauled out of the park, the humungous rocket is somewhere in Tony Slash’s possession and the carpeting covering the stage has been rolled up.  My dressing room is clean, but still stinks of the Haunt funk.  And for the last time this year, I have shoved my Haunt box in my little red convertible.

I enjoyed the local bar just one more time this season with my Haunt family.  Took many pictures, and drove to my best friend/supporter’s apartment to write this last Whisper (tripping on one of the stairs, I might add… some things will never change).

Tonight, I shook it just one last time in Wagon Camp.  I shook it hard, I shook it well, and damn it, I shook with all my might!  This has been the one of the most rewarding and memorable experiences of my life.  Thank you, Rick, for giving me the chance to share, and thank you, readers, for supporting Haunt.

And for all those people who asked if I was the Whisper… yes; yes, I am.

Tiny Dancer has lost her voice.  Her whisper has been replaced with tears.

Thank you all for a wonderful season.  And, for you, Andy… AYE!!!

- Tiny Dancer

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