Those who play chess may be interested to know that there is not only a Halloween gambit in the four knights game, but also a Frankenstein-Dracula variation of the Vienna game.
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The annual fall orchid show is next weekend at the botanical garden. Perhaps this year someone will bring in a Dracula orchid or two. Most are native to the Andean cloud forests. They need both cool temperatures and high humidity to thrive, which is probably why one rarely sees them in Kansas shows. Species include D. diabola, D. vampira and D. vlad-tepes.
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Various people are recommending their favorite Halloween anime. There have been a number of series and movies mentioned, but they ultimately all fall into two categories: Mononoke, and everything else.12
Notes
- Serial Experiments Lain, which turns up on many such lists, is an excellent show with many creepy moments, but it’s not particularly Halloweenish.
- The Vampire Princess Miyu OVA is worth your time if you can find it, though it’s not in the same class as Mononoke.