Pink
Current mood: sad

After a valiant eight-month battle with chronic renal failure, Pink passed away on Father's Day. As deaths go, it was the kind we all wish for, for ourselves and everyone we love: He just fell asleep and never woke up again. No seizures, no convulsions, and most importantly, no pain. I'd said from the start that I would keep him going as long as he wanted to continue, and he "told me" last week that it was time to go. I could see him fading despite the daily oral meds and sub-Q fluids; I knew that no amount of medication would bring him back even part of the way. I'm so thankful that he didn't linger for long. He stopped eating Friday night, went to sleep Saturday afternoon and was gone Sunday. I had a vet appointment standing by in case I saw signs of pain or discomfort, but we were blessedly spared that drama. Pink lived his life on his own terms and he died the same way.

I miss him terribly, but I take solace in knowing that he lived a good long life and was dearly-loved. I know he's with my mom now, and with my former furry, scaly and feathered companions. I know I'll see him again.

9:55 AM - 22 Comments - 5 Kudos - Add Comment

Feh

I don't know if anyone has noticed, but my website, GhoulNextDoor.com, hasn't been updated since late in 2006. It's not for lack of trying, believe me, but there have been some server problems that I can't seem to get straightened out, no matter how hard I try. So, until those issues are resolved, I've rebuilt the site (and updated it!) and it can be reached at KyraSchon.com and/or KyraSchon.net. I hope to reattach the domain name GhoulNextDoor.com to it eventually as well, but for the time being that's out of my control. I've changed the links on my MySpace page to reach the new urls, so if you want to go there, feel free. It's finally current and doesn't have Christmas wallpaper up anymore.
~xo

7:11 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

I never knew...
Current mood: confused

I've been seeing these insipid ads on MySpace that say, "It's boyfriend season!" What the hell does that mean, exactly? I never realized that boyfriends were seasonal commodities, though it really might explain a lot... Are we allowed to wear white shoes during Boyfriend Season, or would that be considered a fashion faux pas? What about straw hats? Where is Mr. Blackwell when you need him?

8:04 PM - 14 Comments - 14 Kudos - Add Comment

Midnight Premiere
Current mood: ecstatic
Category: Writing and Poetry

A couple of years ago, horror author Mark McLaughlin and I collaborated on a short story for a Cemetery Dance anthology called Midnight Premiere. It's finally available for pre-orders at Cemetery Dance. I'm thrilled that I'll finally be able to see this puppy in print! This will be the must-have book of 2007! Check the Cemetery Dance site and pre-order your copy today!

10:24 AM - 3 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

Spiffy's TV Debut
Current mood: excited
Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities

For those of you who missed Spiffy's TV debut on Pittsburgh's The It's Alive Show last night, here it is online! The movie is "Killers From Space" and her two "interview" segments can be found at 01:01:15 and around 01:14:40. Enjoy!

All Hail Spiffy, The Spotted Queen of Many Media!

mms://mms.nauticom.net/rzm/itsalive.wmv

xo,
Kyra

10:13 AM - 4 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Conventions and Sick Cats

I want to apologize for my lack of attention to messages people have sent me through MySpace or my regular e-mail address. I'm not ignoring you -- I just haven't had any time to sit down and read and reply. Rest assured that I will, but it may be a little while.

In the last month, I've attended three great conventions and met oodles of really cool people. Fans of the horror genre are definitely the best people on the planet!

I was pretty well caught up with messages and mail after my various trips out of town, and then one of my cats (Pink) went into chronic renal failure (along with a heart murmur to complicate matters). After five days in the hospital, he's back home with me and being treated with meds at various times of the day, a special diet (which he hates) and lots of love (which he tolerates). As a result, I haven't been logging too much time on the computer. Spiffy (Dawg of the Dead), Rusty (The Chainsaw) and my other kitty Linnie are royally pissed off that Pink is receiving so much attention, but they'll get over it. He's in pretty dire straits at this moment and I'm trying to get him to eat and drink to keep up his strength. He despises the kidney diet that's being forced on him, and the phosphorus binder is making him constipated, so I'm giving him canned pumpkin to alleviate that problem. If anyone has been down the FCRF road, and has any tips, let me know. If you're the praying kind, please mention Pink in your prayers. If not, just send some good thoughts his way. He needs all the help he can get.

xo,
Kyra

6:44 PM - 14 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

Zombie Walk Aftermath
Current mood: bouncy

Pittsburgh's first Zombie Walk went off without a hitch and was attended by hundreds of enthusiastic, undead participants. Gawkers lined the street and cars stopped to watch the zombie parade. Diners in upscale restaurants along Carson Street were surprised, horrified and/or entertained by overzealous zombies pressing their gory faces to the windows. (I'm really glad I didn't have to clean those windows the next day.) Luckily, the rain held off and the night was reasonably warm. We made our way to The Rex Theater where The It's Alive Show taped their Halloween episode. Everyone agreed that the night was a huge success and we all hope to do it again soon!






















The Forbidden Five




Professor Emcee Square of The It's Alive Show takes the stage:




Pointy presents the Professor with his favorite instrument of torture...
The rubber chicken:




The Professor threatens to beat Fritz with the rubber chicken:




DEATHMOBILE

8:05 PM - 17 Comments - 19 Kudos - Add Comment

Horror-Wood's "Renfield"
Current mood: sad

I just heard tonight that Joe "Renfield" Meadows passed away last week. For those who didn't know him, Joe ran Horror-Wood.com for nearly ten years. His website was one of the first (and best) I found when I began surfing the net all those years ago, and one of the first online interviews I did was for his site. He was passionate about classic horror and volunteered as a staff member at the Monster Bash convention every year. Seeing him there was always a pleasure. He was smart and gracious and a real gentleman. My deepest sympathies go out to all who knew and loved him.
R.I.P., Renfield. You will be dearly missed.

8:01 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Zombie Walk!
Current mood: giddy

Pittsburgh's first-ever Zombie Walk will commence Friday, September 22 at 7:30PM at The Town Tavern on the South Side. At 8:00PM or thereabouts, zombies will begin shuffling, staggering and shlepping to The Rex Theater (about four blocks) for a night of fun and BRAINZZZ! The festivities will include music by DEATHMOBILE and The Forbidden Five, comedy by Stiffy the Dead Clown (don't worry, kids -- dead clowns aren't nearly as creepy as live ones), and a classic zombie movie! I wonder which one it will be.



The Zombie Walk is being organized by none other than Pittsburgh's hottest horror hosts Professor Emcee Square, Pointy, Fritz and Stiffy, of The It's Alive Show. Dress up, come out and show some love for ZOMBIES and for It's Alive!

(Click the banner for more info.)

5:17 PM - 4 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

VLAD ROK 5
Current mood: jubilant

Hosted By: ErikVonErik Amanda Kill
When: Saturday Aug 19, 2006
at 6:00 PM
Where: The Thunderbird Cafe
4023 Butler St.
Pittsburgh, AL 15201
US
Description:
ErikVonErik Amanda Kill

Click Here To View Event

1:50 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment