Scream

For Christmas, my sister gave me this book:

It was a total surprise, I'd never even heard of this book before then. And I have to say, it is one of my new favorites. I LOVED it. Margee Kerr has my dream job. She has a PhD in sociology (not my dream) and works at a haunted house analyzing what scares people, how they react to different types of scares, and how to make the haunt better. How rad is that?! I can't even remember how many times I've said that if a job like that exists I want it. But you know, I think it's a safe observation to make that once you get a PhD, you can do whatever the heck you want. And a PhD has never interested me. I've always said if I'm going to go to school for that long, I might as well go to medical school. Every now and then I have to remind myself that I gave up the nursing route for a reason. And that the closest PA program to me has an acceptance rate of 3%. Sigh.

Anyway! This book was amazing. She talks about different experiences she had while writing Scream, such as ghost hunting at Eastern State Penitentiary and the CN Tower EdgeWalk. She talks about the psychology of fear, and different types of haunts around the world. As a psychology and Halloween/fear junkie, I devoured this book. I can't say enough good about it, but I don't want to simply give an overview of everything Kerr touches on. That's no fun. I'll just say this: if you have ANY interest at all in psychology, or just love Halloween and being scared, read it!!!

(Here's a link to buy it on Amazon if you feel so inclined.)

Happy place

Somewhere in between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I planned an impromptu trip to Disneyland with my in-laws. I don't remember exactly how it all came up, but within the course of maybe 20 minutes we had decided that the four of us were going this spring. When Husband and I went last year, it was his first time going so it was really important to me to get to share my favorite things about Disneyland with him. There's a chance this trip may be the first for my father in law, I'm not sure. So again I really want to be able to share my favorites with the important people in my life. And while simply posting them here isn't the same as actually experiencing them, this is the best I can do right now.
The trip has been on my mind lately as I've been trying to find out if these rides will be closed when we're there or not. Unfortunately, 95% of the information I've been able to find is about what will be closed as they start work on Star Wars Land. None of the rides effected are on my list so I'm not too broken up about them being closed. While it stinks that the railroad will be closed, as it's a great way to get across the park and rest your feet, we'll make it work. Anyway, I can't find information about the standard closures and refurbishments that usually take place throughout the year. Disneyland doesn't post a schedule of when they will work on rides, so the only way to judge this information is to look and see when they have closed things in the past. But I can't even find that information! Things were fine for us last year so it'll probably be fine again, but you never know for sure. And it's stressing me slightly.
Now that I've gotten that out, I'll actually post what my favorites are! There's only three, as I'm only talking rides here. (I could go on and on about food and just the atmosphere itself at Disney, but I won't.)

Pirates of Caribbean

(None of these pictures are my own, as it's virtually impossible to get decent pictures inside dark rides using just your phone.) This is probably my favorite scene in the ride. It was referenced in the first Pirates movie, but I don't know how many people actually picked up on it. I've also always wanted to eat at the restaurant inside the ride, the Blue Bayou. For those who may be unfamiliar, it is right where you enter and exit the boats. It is kind of expensive though. Maybe this year....who knows. 

Haunted Mansion

Madame Leota may be my favorite part of the Haunted Mansion, I don't know. I think the Hatbox Ghost is a great prop, but I've never actually seen him in action. Supposedly they've brought him back so I'm hoping I'll get to see him this go around. I remember going to Disney with my mom probably about 10 years ago (yikes!) in October and the holiday overlay of Nightmare Before Christmas was up instead of the traditional ride. My mom was so mad...since the last time I'd been before that was when I was just little, I didn't remember what the original ride was like so I didn't understand why she was so upset. Now I do. This ride is a classic. I've tried to like Nightmare Before Christmas because I love Tim Burton, but I just can't do it. Sorry.

Indiana Jones

Yes, this one is really bumpy and could probably stand an update, but I just think it's fun. I mean who doesn't love Indiana Jones? "Doctor Jones, Doctor Jones! No time for love!" Haha. That's not in the ride, but I still think it's a good one. 

And there you have it! My three favorite rides at Disneyland. I'm so excited to be going back to my happy place. Cross your fingers that they'll all be up and running for us!