First, I hope everyone is having a happy New Year. Second, I’d like everyone to know that I’m still alive and well and had a great 2024—my adult kids and I are all healthy, employed, and had plenty of fun experiences. I dropped off the blog this past summer because I didn’t feel like writing. Here are the highlights from the last six months.
Godzilla Festival – I attended G-FEST in Chicago with two of my adult sons, Alex & Luke. Some of the panels we attended were great but the sad fact is that this event has become as unmanageable in their new, expanded Hyatt venue as it was back at the Crowne Plaza across the street. The place was so packed, I couldn’t see the costume contest, and every time I went into the vendor room it felt like I was either being violated or violating someone else. Needless to say, I talked with the boys; if they want to attend future G-Fests, they can go themselves. That will work out fine this year as I’ll be taking a road trip back to the southwest this summer and probably won’t have the resources anyway.
Flashback Weekend – Two weeks after G-FEST, my friend. Jason flew in from Rhode Island to attend Flashback Weekend. As with previous years, I assisted the horror host, Svengoolie. It was a busy event with Sven celebrating his 45th anniversary and there was an excellent panel in his honor. I was pleased to meet Adrianne Barbeau and Tom Atkins again and they both signed my Creepshow (1982) and The Fog (1980) posters.
The whole weekend with Jason was a blast. In addition to the convention, we visited Brookfield Zoo to ride their 90th Anniversary Ferris wheel, watched Deadpool and Wolverine at the theater, and went to the Volo Car Museum to see one of only three Rock-a-Fire Explosion bands in action. Those are the original animatronic animal band members featured at the old Showbiz Pizza places when we were kids.
In October, I challenged myself to watch 100 horror films before Halloween. By November 1st, I had watched 119 movies, 102 of which were from my DVD/Blu-ray/4 K collection. Yes, I’m still going strong with physical media heading into 2025.
The rest of October I spent hosting a horror movie night every weekend and each time one of my guests got to pick the movie. The four chosen were Witchboard (1987), Late Night With the Devil (2024), Pumpkinhead (1988) and Night of the Demons (1088). Despite all those October movies, I also had time to carve pumpkins, put up my Dept. 56 Halloween Village, and read four horror novels by Richard Laymon (a,k,a. ’80s trash).
One thing I did not do in October was assist Svengoolie during his public appearances. Instead of going to the Nightmare on Chicago Street, I made other plans and was not needed at his annual Volo appearance since it was organized differently than in past years and he wasn’t selling merch. The crew did invite me to join them anyway but I didn’t want to be in their way and, as mentioned earlier, I’d just been to Volo a couple months earlier. I’m not sure if they’ll need me this year for anything or not but, either way, I do hope to see as a fan if nothing else.
Most of the time these days, I’ve just been keeping to myself. In April I celebrated a year off of Facebook and X (Twitter) and this past year followed up by closing down my Instagram and Reddit accounts as well. Since then, my concentration has improved leading to better reading experiences as well as the ability to sit through a movie without checking my phone 50 times.
And that about wraps things up. I just don’t want anyone to worry or come up with conspiracy theories as to why I’ve disappeared. This year marks my fifteenth year as a “Terror Dave” and though you’ll probably hear from me again at some point, I consider myself officially retired.
Happy New Year everyone!
Dave
Terror from Beyond the Dave 
Happy New Year to you and your family. You are missed but it makes me happy that you are living your best life. April Sargent
Thanks, April, I really appreciate it. I hope you and your family have a healthy and happy new year, too! The big downside of dropping physical media is losing touch with people like you. In fact, if it weren’t for you, I’d still be saying Smokey ‘the’ Bear. LOL
You deserve it! You had a busy year, no doubt!
Thanks so much!
Greetings, Dave & Happy/Peaceful New Year to you, your family & to all fellow wonderful friends/Super SvenPals/Super readers of “Terror From Beyond the Dave” & Super readers of “Silver Screen Reflections.”
And Happy Fifteenth anniversary on your wonderful “Terror From Beyond the Dave” blog on behalf of all of us, Dave.
I enjoyed reading your recent wonderful “Terror From Beyond the Dave” comeback/2024 highlights article and I’m very glad to hear that you & your family enjoyed the Chicago Gojira/Godzilla G-Fest & Flashback Weekend 2024 with Sven/Rich’s appearance at the festival.
2024 was a very difficult, stressful and sad year for my family and I. On Nov. 9, 2024- the light went out in my life. My Mother died on that day. My Father and I miss her. My Father had serious Heart problems in early December- he had replacement stents including one at Johns Hopkins- along with a built-in defibrillator implant. My Father is doing better with his Heart health improvements since his procedures in December.
I’m hoping to bring back my “Silver Screen Reflections” Sven classic film blog soon. I haven’t brought it back yet due to many circumstances that my Father and I are dealing with at the present moment.
In September 2025, my “Silver Screen Reflections” Sven classic film blog will reach its 10th anniversary milestone.
And speaking of Sven, I noticed a brief glimpse of you near Sven/Rich during Sven’s “On the Road” segment during Sven’s Jan. 4 big broadcast of “Abbott & Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde” (1953) of highlights from Sven’s C2E2 2024 appearance, including a brief glimpse of Sarah/Sarahgoolie & Drew/the Svenards/Menards spokesperson- “Ray Smanzda” in the Sven 45th anniversary cameo group greeting chant at C2E2 2024.
Big, big congratulations to you on your brief cameo appearance with Sven in the Sven/C2E2 2024 “On the Road” highlights, Dave & big, big congratulations to Sarah & Drew’s brief cameo appearance in the Sven/C2E2 2024 “On the Road” highlights/Sven 45th anniversary group greeting chant part- all of us from coast-to-coast are all dancing and jumping for joy for you all.
Again, happy 15th anniversary on your wonderful “Terror From Beyond the Dave” blog, Dave. And here’s to many more- I’m looking forward to reading more of your wonderful “Terror From Beyond the Dave” articles & adventures. Three Cheers/Two Thumbs Up to you, your family, Sven/Rich, Jim, Nanette, Jamie, Sarah, Drew, Warner, Makayla, Chris/Mr. C., Hollow & to all fellow wonderful friends/Super SvenPals/Super readers of “Silver Screen Reflections” throughout the universe, Dave.
-Peace, Take Care, All the Best & Keep in Touch;
Chris Hamby
Thanks, Chris, and happy 10th anniversary to Silver Screen Reflections! I am so sorry for your family’s loss. I know you were close to your mother and this will be a challenging year without her. I do hope you and your father are given support and comfort when grief overcomes you. Thank you again for your kind words and keep up the great work!
Greetings, Dave:
Please forgive me for the delay in replying back. My Father and I highly appreciate your condolences in connection to the loss of my Mother back in November. Though she is gone and we truly miss her, my Mother’s presence is still with us.
And thank you for the 10th anniversary “Silver Screen Reflections” greeting, Dave. I highly appreciate it. Hope you & your family are all doing well, Dave.
-Peace, Take Care, All the Best & Keep in Touch;
Chris Hamby
Greetings, Dave:
Please forgive me for the delay in responding back. My Father and I highly appreciate your condolences in connection to the loss of my Mother back in November. Though she is gone and we truly miss her, my Mother’s presence is still with us.
And thank you for the 10th anniversary “Silver Screen Reflections” greeting, Dave. I highly appreciate it. Hope you & your family are all doing well, Dave.
-Peace, Take Care, All the Best & Keep in Touch;
Chris Hamby
I’ve enjoyed you blog for many years. Thanks for the good times and good luck for the future!
That means a lot and I truly appreciate your taking the time to say so.
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