Happy almost October from all of us at TGM – your source for all things pop culture and beyond!

If you’ve been reading our site since the beginning, you’ll know we started as a horror-centered site. That little chapter of time remains one of our favorites as we waded through the depths of the genre. So, with October upon us, we wanted to treat you all to a series of fun, bite-sized Halloween/horror-related articles. But first, a positive lamentation.

I can still remember the feeling I had when I sat down to watch a jolly good horror film or TV special in October. Whether it was a seasonal special or a horror movie, the feeling was simply one of comfort and joy. Can you picture me holding my 64 oz pumpkin spice latte while wearing a cozy sweater with no bottoms? Don’t – that’s a horror movie in itself.

As time went on, that cozy feeling began to fade. I found myself growing up and moving on. Now, I’m not saying Halloween and horror are just for kids. What happened to me was that I became a father to a daughter, and suddenly, the Halloween/horror scene felt stale and uninspiring. The internet is flooded with people writing about vintage nougat bars and bad horror flicks. Plus, becoming a dad made me reconsider my own childhood as a “horror kid.” I didn’t want to expose my daughter to Pinheads, skin suits, or diabolical, dubious dealings like I had. I had to evolve.

Evolving isn’t just for Pokémon – people need to evolve too. It’s tough, this business of change, but it’s always for the best. For example, if you all remember, I used to co-host a spooky horror podcast called It’s Alive! That was a fun moment in time. I got to hang with a friend and be creative. When that ended unexpectedly, it gave me a fresh perspective on collaboration, teamwork, friendship, and, of course, the horror space. That “aha” moment marked the beginning of a new era for this site. TGM evolved from horror to pop culture, and that was just the start of many changes for me.

As I became more distant from horror and Halloween, I realized it wasn’t the Halloween/horror space itself I had an issue with. It was me becoming more specific about what I liked and didn’t like. Why pretend to be a hipster just because something is unique or cute? Why not take a massive step back and enjoy my own personal cup of Halloween and horror? Why promote other people’s slice of the pie instead of my own? Why wear jeans when a cozy pair of sweatpants is what really matters? It all made sense. It’s like a pumpkin: One minute, it’s sitting in a huge cardboard box with its friends, and the next, it’s cut open, chopped up, gutted, and turned into a jack-o’-lantern. The metaphor here is simple – the jack-o’-lantern is still a pumpkin.

Let’s pivot away from that metaphor before it falls apart. The point is, change is good – even the hard changes like losing friends, family, or interest in things. The crunching of leaves under your feet will always hold that special sound, the crisp breeze tickling your turtleneck will still feel a special way.

I know I’m beating a dead ghost here (har har), but the reason change is good is that it offers a fresh perspective and a way back into spaces you once occupied. And with that said, here’s a list of our ten favorite Halloween rubber bats!

Just kidding, folks – we’re not that desperate for content.

So, as we head into October together, let’s embrace the changes, the evolution of our tastes, and the nostalgia that comes with this season as we force you to read what we have to say. Whether you’re sipping on your own overly priced pumpkin spice latte or enjoying a quiet night with your kiddo watching The Munsters, remember that it’s all about finding joy in what makes this time special for you. And even though things may change, the spirit of Halloween – much like that trusty Pumpkin to jack-o’-lantern metaphor – will always remain, glowing brightly in its own way.

Here’s to an evolving October ahead!