The Legend of the Witch of Wellington (Paranormal)

The Legend of the Wellington Witch 

I use to work a lot in Wellington, Florida and would occasionally see a lady walking dressed like a witch (typical attire included a black dress and black pointed cap with very high platform shoes). I asked several people about the strangely dressed lady and someone told me, "That's the Wellington Witch". Several other people confirmed the Wellington Witch title but knew almost nothing about her. I have not seen her recently and have not worked in that area for a few years. I was reading an article about witches and remembered the Wellington Witch and with the wonders of Google I set out to find who and what the Witch really is.
 It didn't take long to see that other people were interested in the Wellington Witch as well. There is a Wellington Witch sighting page on Facebook with pictures and video of the Lady in Black shopping at Wal-Mart, waiting at a Bus Stop and just walking around the area.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wellington-Witch/210308715676212

The Facebook page has a lot of sightings and pictures but very little information about who she really is and why does she dress's this way, but they did have a name and another alias. She is Susan Strauss a.k.a. the Lava Lady. The Lava Lady really doesn't make much since unless the hat is suppose to be a volcano.  A little more digging on Google came up with an explanation. 

It turns out that Susan Strauss is something of a Los Angeles, California icon. She was quite a unique attraction in L.A. but looked a little different then she does now. This is a photo of Susan near her old home in Los Angeles. It looks like the same style but it is red instead of all black, is this why they called her the Lava Lady? It turns out that is not the answer. Check out the picture of her house in Los Angeles below, Susan earned the name the Lava Lady by covering her whole house in lava rock.

 When she moved to Wellington, Florida and started wearing all black , she was dubbed the Wellington Witch.  Strauss was infamous in L.A., just as she seems to be now in Wellington.  But, anyone who walks the streets daily with their hair wrapped straight up, in doll-like blush, long velvet gowns, and 5-inch platforms is bound to get a bit of attention!

 Some say Strauss was a model for Rudi Gernreich in the 60s, others label her as a long-lost wife of Dr. Seuss, many claim her to be an heir to the Levi Strauss fortune, and a few are positive she was a member of the Manson family.  But, the Lava Lady/Wellington Witch has only admitted to being a retired poet. 

So we now know her name, Susan Strauss. But which of the rumors are true about her past, if any? I once passed her on the sidewalk and said hi to her, she responded in kind and seemed very nice and soft spoken. I didn't get cursed or have a run of bad luck so if she is a witch I think she is definitely a good witch. One day I hope to see her walking my way again, I would love to hear more on her history and style. Just search for Susan Strauss,Wellington Witch, Lava Lady in Google. There are a lot of photos online and a little more information.

******UPDATED 09/28/2016

Confirmed that Susan Strauss Passed away on Sept. 1 2016.

Susan Strauss Obituary
 

Godzilla (Atari 2600)

Godzilla (Atari 2600)

Godzilla is a new game being programmed for the Atari 2600. Godzilla stomps her way into eight different cities destroying every building along the way. This game is being made for an autograph cartridge to be signed by Akira Takarada and  Haruo Nakajima 

Godzilla Atari 2600 cartridge

at Spooky Empire's Mayhem show in Orlando, Florida May 30th through June 1st, 2014.

Akira Takarada (Born on April 29, 1934, in Harbin, China) became one of the most recognizable men associated with the original Godzilla (Gojira) series,   He was navy diver Hideto Ogata in the original Godzilla (1954). He starred in six Godzilla movies but played a different character in each one.

Haruo Nakajima (Born January 1 1929, in Yamagata, Japan) is the man behind the mask. Most famous for portraying Godzilla in twelve films, more than any other actor. He is a black belt in martial arts which explains some of those cool Godzilla moves. He suffered numerous injuries playing Godzilla and other monsters, including burns, electric shocks, and near-suffocation.

Haruo Nakajima

Akira Takarada

 
GAMPLAY -

Godzilla Title Screen

- Clear all blocks that make up the buildings to advance to the next
  city.

-Getting squashed will result in the loss of a life

-Touching Rodan will result in the loss of a life

-Losing all lives will result in a game over.

-Buildings collapse when a brick isn't supported from beneath.

-Press Fire to break a block you are next to.

Time to destroy!

Beware of Rodan

That's a big building

This is a playable prototype that contains eight cities to destroy. The game was made on an extremely tight time deadline to be able to have playable cartridges ready in time for the Spooky Empire show. An expanded version of the game with more cities, more monsters and co-op 2 player games is still being worked on for a possible future cartridge release.

This post will be updated with pictures of the signing in early June 2014. 

Quote: I can't believe that Godzilla was the only surviving member of its species... But if we continue conducting nuclear tests, it's possible that another Godzilla might appear somewhere in the world again.

Godzilla has starred in 31 theatrical release movies counting the new 2014 just released Godzilla. She has made appearances in hundreds of other shows and commercials over the years. 

Godzilla Autograph cartridge

This is the label being used for the autograph cartridges. It has a lot of dark area to allow the autographs to be plainly visible. They will be signed in gold or silver pen.

STRANGELAND (Atari 2600)

STRANGELAND (Atari 2600)

Atari 2600 game based on the movie from 1988, Dee Sniders Strangeland. The movie stars the lead singer (Dee Snider) from Twisted Sister as the psychotic Captain Howdy.

Strangeland Atari 2600 cartridge labels

STRANGELAND

A schizophrenic sadist by the name of Captain Howdy lures teens through the internet into his painful traps. After Captain Howdy captures his daughter, A detective starts pursuing him and eventually catches up with him. Instead of prison Captain Howdy is sent to a mental hospital, the Meistrich Psychiatric Institute.

You must help Captain Howdy battle his personal demons.

Strangeland was made to be signed by Dee Snider at Spooky Empire October 2013 in Orlando Florida. Two prototype cartridges were made and signed.

Dee Snider signing the Strangeland prototype cartridges

 

In early 2014 there will be a LIMITED EDITION release of Strangeland. It will be 20-30 complete with box and an unknown number of cartridge only. The release will be announced here on this page as well as AtariAge.com.

Signed prototype cartridge

    GAMEPLAY: Use Captain Howdy's fist to eliminate his personal demons! If his outstretched hand touches a demon points are awarded. Greater awards are given if the demon is eliminated while the arm matches its color.  

WATCH OUT!

   Demons that touch your arm will do one point of damage to your health. If all six hearts are gone so are you! Only one arm can appear on-screen at a time. Fully retract your arm to enable the opposite appendage. You can change your off-screen arms color by pressing the FIRE button.  Occasionally a star will appear that randomly changes your current arms color and awards bonus points.  At certain intervals the demons will begin to move faster.                

 

Title Screen

Gameplay: Punch the blue demon for big points!

   

 

 

Gameplay: Now the purple demon is worth more.

So much flesh...so little time.

 Strangeland is a true arcade Atari 2600 game that will bring you back to the days when the HIGH SCORE was King.

Prototype Game Box. FRONT

Prototype Game Box. BACK

 The Limited Edition box will be glossy red with a picture of Captain Howdy on the front with the Strangeland title.












The back of the box will contain information about the story with screenshots of the game. The boxes will also be numbered with the number of that specific box along with the total number of games made. For example: 03/20 This would be box number three of a total made of twenty.

The Hidden House (Paranormal)

THE HIDDEN HOUSE

(NEW INFO ADDED 04-28-2013)

The Riddle House

Many of you have heard of the Riddle House located in the Yesteryear Village in West Palm Beach, Florida. Also known as The Painted Lady. The Riddle House was featured in an episode of the first season of Ghost Adventures. But few know of the second haunted location in the Village known as the Civil War Captains House. The Captains House was mentioned very briefly in the same episode of Ghost Adventures. 

It was said that the two houses seemed to feed off of each other and that activity escalated when the Riddle House was moved to the Village. Workers would unlock the buildings in the morning and items in both houses would be moved or broken and tossed around the rooms. Here are two pictures of the Captains House as presented in the Ghost Adventures episode.

 

Captains House as seen on Ghost Adventures

Originally The Captains House was set up as a Civil War Confederate Captains House. It featured Civil War items and had a large Confederate flag on the back wall. This type of house is one big room with a front door and a back door. When it was featured on Ghost Adventures it was set up as a Veterans House showcasing World War I and II items.

So why the change? The Civil War House was run by an elderly man named Rose. He would tell people that would listen that the house was haunted. I have talked to someone that worked at another house that knew Rose well and they told me of an experience that they had one night in the house in the company of Rose.

Captains House as seen on Ghost Adventures

It seems that Rose kept a bottle of whiskey hidden in the house and each night toasted the brave soldiers of the Confederacy before locking up for the night. Rose poured two shots of whiskey handed one to the guest and said, "Watch This".  He toasted the soldiers and pointed to the flag on the wall. The flag began to ripple as if being blown in the wind, But all the windows and both doors were closed.

O.K., So what happened to the original Captains House? Rose was not seeing eye to eye with the management in the Village and one day could not take it anymore. After an argument he walked out of the Village for good and his last words were, "When I die I am going to haunt this place!". Unfortunately for Rose that would be less then thirty days after he walked out.

The house was soon set up as it was shown on the Ghost Adventures episode. It was now the Veterans House. It didn't take long for the problems to begin and this is what was referred to on the Riddle House episode. When the house was unlocked in the morning the American Flag would be knocked down or turned over. Items would be broken and guns would be taking down and lined up on the floor. Eventually no one wanted to deal with it and the house was shut down.

The Captains House as it appears today

Why is it called the Hidden House? The house has been moved to the other side of the property in a location that is out of the flow of guest and as far away as possible from the Riddle House. The house has had all signs and posters removed and has been repainted. The identifying plate that named the house and gave basic information has been removed. And last the house is locked and not open to the public.

Was the house abandoned and locked due to a haunting? Is it the same haunt that Rose mentioned? Or has Rose returned to make good on his threat?

The Captains House as it appears today

If you visit the Yesteryear Village to see the Riddle House don't forget to check out the Captains House. The house is located just East of the main Village entrance. You will have to walk around other buildings to reach it.

 Be sure to say Hi to Rose and if so inclined salute the brave soldiers of the Civil War.

 

****NEW INFORMATION 04-28-2013****

Inside The Captains House. The Pineapple Museum

The Captains House has now been reopened as a museum to the once thriving Pineapple Industry in Florida. And strange things have already happened.

A young man came in and started talking to the guy in the chair at the back of the room, Except the chair was empty. Also a man has been seen walking inside the building after it has been locked up. Could this be the previous caretaker Rose? Or is it one of the Confederate Soldiers shot and killed while hiding in this building?

Blood stains from Civil War Soldiers?

There are several spots along the floor at the back of the room. It is claimed that these are blood stains from the Confederate Soldiers that were killed in this building? Are they really blood stains?

This building was used as workers quarters when it was originally built. Supposedly the younger children of the workers would be locked in this building during the day. There were several deaths of children but the causes are unknown.

The volunteers who run the Pineapple Museum are more then happy to discuss the haunting going on in the Captains House (Unlike the neighboring Riddle House), And like me you will also get to learn about a Florida Industry that I never knew existed. Commercial growing of Pineapples. Be sure to visit the Captains House when you go to Yesteryear Village. It is still tucked away in the corner. Take a chance and sit in the chair and see if anything happens.

Lilys Woods (Atari 2600)

The Sneakers have taken your toys and scattered them thru-out the woods. You must make your way past the sneakers and their gang to rescue all of your toys.

This is a kid-friendly version of Pitfall created for the youngest Atari Fan that I know. I hope Lily enjoys playing the game.



Here are the changes made from the original Pitfall:

Full Graphic changes(Based on the Alien Planet Hack)
Reduced number of Sneakers(Logs) that appear
Non-Lethal enemies
  Chomps(Gators) are harmless. When mouth is open they knock you into the Pit.
   All other enemies just take away points.
Pits are now harmless. You just fall into the underground.
Removed walls in the underground.
Pit warning indicator. Allows you to see when a pit is opening/closing

Only ten copies of the game were made. It has a special pink cartridge and a full color instruction manual.

Doctor Who (Atari 2600)

DOCTOR WHO
Rise Of The Cybermen



The Doctor murmurs, "It's happening again. CYBERMEN!"

The Cybermen crash through the windows surrounding the Doctor. They tell him that they have been upgraded to "Human.2", the next level of mankind. Every citizen will receive a compulsory free upgrade and become like them. The Doctor asks what would happen if he refused. A Cyberman replies that if he would not be made compatible, he will be deleted, and reaches for the Doctor.

The Cybermen surround the Doctor and he raises his hands, fists clenched. He tells the Cybermen that he surrenders and will submit to the upgrade, but the Cybermen ignore him. A Cyberman declares the Doctor as incompatible and inferior: Man will be reborn as Cyberman but the Doctor will perish under "maximum deletion."





I have been playing a lot of Malagai lately. It is a really good Atari 2600 game that a lot of people don't even know about. You should give it a try. You are trapped in a maze with some really weird Aliens and the only way out is thru 3 locked gates/airlocks. Guess who has the keys?



As I play games I usually come up with a few ideas about making changes and Malagai was no different. The first thing that I wanted to change was the enemies. The original Aliens were just too similar and the game is hard enough without chasing the wrong keyholder. So I changed them all to Robots that each had a distinctive look. Next I wanted to change the player sprite. In Malagai you are a floating spaceman with a jetpack. It is a cool looking sprite but doesn't really fit the maze theme. I changed it to a running man sprite. As I was play-testing the changes I noticed that the original sprite sizes overlapped the mazes so I clipped them by a few pixels to square them between the maze walls. At this stage I already enjoyed the game more then the original.

So, That's it then. Another finished hack. Not quite. Why leave things alone when you can change them? I decided to change the three maze level colors. I prefer primary colors so the new maze colors are Blue, Red, Bright Green. Next up the Title screen. I think the name Malagai actually hurts a game like this. What does Malagai mean? Malagai is actually the name of the race of Aliens in the original game. Malagai is a good name for Aliens but a bad name for a game. Most people don't know what a Malagai is or how to pronounce it. How do you tell your friends about this great new game when you can't even say the name? So lets see, We have a game with Robots in a maze and the Robots can go into an attack mode. A few titles I came up with:
Robot War
Robot Maze
Robot Riot
They are all OK but they don't quite do it. Then I started thinking about movies with Robot type enemies:
Borg
Cylons
Daleks
Daleks?? Hmmmm. Always wanted a Doctor Who game for the Atari 2600. So Daleks it is. After a few minutes of trying to make three distinctive Daleks I decided not to use them. Wait a minute, Doctor Who also has CYBERMEN!!! That's it. And it just so happens that there was a revival of the Cybermen on the new Doctor Who show on SciFI Channel. So now  I have the name of the hack, RISE of the CYBERMEN!

I use Hack-O-Matic for most of my hacks and in the description of how I made this hack I leave out a lot of the tedious trial and error of searching for code that controls graphics, colors, etc.. Sometimes the smallest detail can take the longest to add or change. I am amazed at how a few changes and a tie-in to a show I like really increases the enjoyment I have playing the game. So there you have a rough overview of how I hack a game. I usually don't have a plan other then to make a few changes and it just evolves into something. Give it a try with one of your favorites.

Space Invaders Vector (Atari 2600)

Vector Graphics are basically line drawings from point A to B. Several Arcade Games have used this method, Tempest, Asteroids, Etc...
Here is a quick Space Invaders hack that I made in about 15 mins. I have always loved the vector graphic look and Space Invaders was perfect!





How about a vector Donkey Kong?