Welcome back to the Nightmare Cottage. It's October, and you know that that means - Spooky Season is officially here! 

Kicking off the festivities: A gentle reminder regarding the real reason for the season... FEAR! Referencing the book "Nightmare Fuel: The Science of Horror Films" by Nina Nesseth, Nym explains the human fear response in detail, and provides some example anxieties you may be exposed to at the movies.

Scary stuff, to be sure - but is it as horrifying as pure random happenstance or poorly-timed lapses in judgement? Nylene's new series, dubbed "Short stories of what the F**K?!", explores a collection of freak accidents around the world sure to ruin your entire afternoon by reminding you that everything is scary all the time and nobody is ever safe, ever.  

If all that sounds like your cup of screams, then I invite you to tune in and enjoy this week's frightfully festive episode! 

  • ABC News. (2012, August 28). Track and field official killed by Javelin

    Adams, A. (2023, October 13). Giraffe falls on family’s car and smashes windshield in 'Freak accident' at Texas Wildlife Center. People.com

    Fear. (2025, April 21). Psychology Today. 

    Goodreads. (n.d.). Goodreads. 

    McAleer, B. (2025, September 19). Athletics official died after Javelin accident at German track event near Düsseldorf. SPORTbible

    MSc, O. G. (2023, July 20). The Psychology of Fear: Definition, Symptoms, Traits, Causes, treatment. Simply Psychology. 

    Rinke, D. (2024, July 30). Killed by his beard: Hans Steininger. Kingsmen Premium. 

    Scott, K. (2003, May 29). Dishwasher fall kills woman. The Guardian

    Smith, A. (2025, April 29). No criminal charges over death of ice hockey player Adam Johnson

    Smith, R., & Faretra, J. (2024, July 25). California man suffered horror death after diving head-first into Yellowstone hot spring to save dog. The Mirror US. 

    Suter, L. (2022, January 31). Mother of 5 killed after falling from party bus was days away from 30th birthday: “It’s a nightmare.” ABC7 Los Angeles

    Uk, P. (2015, May 22). Girl, 8, orphaned after gas from rotting potatoes killed her entire family. HuffPost UK