It’s a remarkably gloooooomy day. The sky is grey and it’s freezing, well for Greek standards of course. And I had to write about the beneficial effects of sun rays against Seasonal Affective Disorder and how the sun brings out the serotonin in our brains, the happy hormone. Apparently some people are treated with light therapy. I didn’t know that. And in the articles I read, I found that in Arctic climates where there is constant lack of light for many months, people go thorough a "seasonal psychosis" which lasts a few days. Is this true? Anyway, I know it’s Halloween for the rest of the world. We don’t celebrate it here, which makes me angry, as I love all spooky things: ghosts, ghouls, vampires, headless horsemen, bats, all that. So happy Halloween to everybody else. Did you dress in costumes? What is your favourite Halloween tradition? If we were celebrating in Greece I would dress as Willy Wonka this year. Corny, I know, but this way, I would get to carry chocolates on my at all times.
Spooktacular
Mon, Oct 31, 2005
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October 31st, 2005 at 11:07 am
happy halloween!
considering the therapy, i think i can probably get it for free as well..bonus.
October 31st, 2005 at 11:16 am
HAPPY HALLOWEEN! It’s my favorite holiday (yes, really) but unfortunately I did not get to dress up this year or carve a pumpkins (yes, we still do this, even though it’s just us grown-ups in our house). I was too busy at work
If I had dressed up, I might’ve been a witch styled after the work of an artist I like. My last-minute costume is always cowgirl because I have a GREAT hat.
I did threaten to re-create The Blair Witch Project in the tent pitched in the store I work in, but they ALREADY think I’m strange enough.
October 31st, 2005 at 11:25 am
Apparently Britain is spending more and more on Halloween now in their latest attempt to copy America…it seems adults love it because it gives them an excuse for a party.
I’ve been to one party afew years ago and went as Hannibal Lecter, except couldn’t get a trolley for somebody to puch him in on…
October 31st, 2005 at 11:39 am
Happy Halloween to you too! I went as a gypsy this year. The best part ab. the holiday has got to be the food…you usually go pick apples and then make caramel apples. We tend to also make popcorn balls & apple cider for the day too. There is a big push here in the states this year to give kids things other than candy–ie small containers of silly putty or play-doh, or boxes of raisins or apple slices. They are all good things, but I still think kids must only get candy to rot out their teeth for the holiday.Afterall, being on a sugar rush for the rest of the night is the best part! ;-)Willy Wonka would be great costume!
About SAD–people just sit in front of the special lights or around 30minutes a day–you can buy them on your own, but it is better to have a doctor “prescribe” them for you so insurance will cover them b/c they are really expensive.
October 31st, 2005 at 1:15 pm
Have a nice halloween! I would dress us as an apprentice witch carrying and not riding the broom..
In countries near the Poles where half the year they have almost no sun, pediatricians suggest to parents to put their children through a sunlight treatment, they stand in front of artificial sun light, because they think it helps bone growth. I’ve read about this in the Scientific American magazine last year.
October 31st, 2005 at 2:39 pm
m
okay! that’s awesome. can i have some please?
Stephanie
My friend Joe and M had recreated the Blair Witch project a few years ago when we went on a picnic in the woods. Nobody thought it was weird. Hmmm…
Finn
Dr Lecter, a favourite character i and out of the Halloween season
Etchen
Thanks for the information, i think i can recreate some of the food traditions, especially the caramel apples.
About SAD, it’s so strange. Here in Greece we have to hide from the sun even during the winter.
Marina
You are a very knowledgeable person. Do you read Scientific American for FUN? Because if you do, i have a friend for you!
October 31st, 2005 at 4:20 pm
a girl at the party i went to last sat. was willy wonka! they really make a big deal of halloween here in juneau.
about SAD, the darkness doesn’t get so bad here as it does up north, but at our university campus, there are special lamps that you can sit next to/around that’s supposed to recreate the effects of real sunlight. also, there are over the counter pills some people take to combat SAD during winter, but i can’t remember what they’re called. not st. john’s wort or anything i’d heard before.
October 31st, 2005 at 4:24 pm
Well happy halloween anyway! What matters is the celebration you have inside. Halloween is not celebrated here in Portugal either except for some kids and stores influenced by american tv. AS for me I’m celebrating the fact that it’s a holiday tomorrow cause I couldn’t bear to go to work again
I think I’m suffering a little from that lack of light thing, I think I’d go nuts if I lived in a northern country. I also read that there’s a village in the Alps where people get really crazy with the lack of light and they’re trying to solve that putting mirrors everywhere (don’t know exactly how that works).
October 31st, 2005 at 4:54 pm
this was the first morning that we had no problem getting Jordan dressed for daycare. he came hopping down stairs screaming, “its Halloween, its Halloween.” he has no clue what Halloween is other than lots of candy and funny clothes. on second thought, he knows exactly what Halloween is. He bounced out the house wearing a tigger costume (think Winnie the Pooh).
you can buy special light bulbs to treat SAD (seasonal affected disorder) called full-spectrum lights or simply Grow Lights. if you use the first label, they will be right expensive. if you choose the second label, you may get a visit from your local police who will think that you are growing marijuana. good luck
October 31st, 2005 at 6:52 pm
this is the best Halloween ever! people are actually wishing me Happy Halloween! I’m certainly dressing up next year!
Valorie
nothing beats kissing booth girl.
about SAD, the article is written and done with now so if anyone suffers from this thing, ask me people, i know everything
Devil mood
i suggest aromatherapy, especially citrus essential oils like bergamont, lemon and orange. Also, aerobic exercise, bicycling is the best of all (apparently it combines aerobic and anaerobic exercise). St John wort, not so keen on that, research raises some doubts especially if you are on other mediacation too! See? I know it by heart!
Morgan
I need to see Jordan as tigger! We also have a carnival time here sometime in spring when we dress up but there isn’t that spooky element.
As for the lamps: I’m the last person who will ever get winter blues. Summer blues? more like it. Winter makes me happy!
October 31st, 2005 at 8:14 pm
We have been building up to the Halloween Event for weeks now. I am so glad it is finally over. My son went as a dragon and we squished and squeezed the babe into an elephant costume. I didn’t wear a costume but at a party last night wore tights with ghosties all over them…very sexy (not)…
Mr. C. wore orange and black to work today….the girls must have had a grand time making fun of him.
November 1st, 2005 at 1:18 am
Happy haloween to ya
Gray skies, that is very depressing. I very strongly believe that the sun has a major part to play in one’s disposition.
I don’t mind living in a cold place as long as I get to see the sun.
Alas in reality, the sun only always shines on TV
cheers
November 1st, 2005 at 1:58 am
Cathy
tights with ghosties ARE sexy. I am curious about Mr C’s outfit. Was it an orange shirt for example and black trousers or…possibly…oh my god, orange trousers and black shirt??
True Blue Guy
A-ha will be in Greece the next few days to play live. How did you remember that song?!
November 1st, 2005 at 6:34 pm
I was in Iceland over a winter and the lack of sunlight (it didn’t even rise over the horizon for over 6 weeks) got me really depressed. I didn’t think it would, but it did. Don’t know about the psychosis, though.
November 2nd, 2005 at 2:10 am
wow Iceland! did you see geysers?
November 2nd, 2005 at 12:36 pm
Ah, I listen to music almost every waking hour, I know my music
If you are going for A-HA enjoy yourself !
November 2nd, 2005 at 1:46 pm
sadly i am not going i am saving up for Cake (i mean Cake not cake)