Halloween?

A friend of mine, who we'll just call Ringo, always makes a big deal out of this day. He thinks about his costume months ahead of time and puts together the most intricate designs, often including several friends for award-winning "group costumes." This year, however, he forgot all about it. There are several reasons for this but mostly because he's been really busy. Earlier this week he ran into some friends he hadn't seen in awhile. They invited him to their party on Friday and Ringo replied, "Oh cool, is there a theme to this party? I mean, is it like.. dressy?" His friends just stared at him, concerned. I thought it would have been appropriate if the friends had said, "Yes Ringo, the theme is "Halloween" and you can dress up as anything you'd like!"

The reason I tell this story is because I always forget Halloween. Even if I've been planning it all week and I wake up in the morning and say to myself, "It's Halloween!" I will still be confused when I see Gonzos and Jokers walking up the subway stairwell or a bored, sexy Beelzebub waiting for an appointment in her real estate office. Today I saw a parade of toddlers dressed as cows (with udders), astronauts, Hello Kitties, and my favorite, a tiny African-American boy dressed in a smart, blue suit. He was walking down the street kicking and chopping and a father of another child said, "Oh! You're a karate-chopping Barack Obama!"

My point is, how fabulous is this day!? Who could be unhappy on a day like today? It has nothing to do with paganism and it has nothing to do with worshiping the devil.... it has everything to do with FUN!

p.s. I spoke with Tyler who is in Costa Rica today and I asked him if it is Halloween there too... he said that it is and that so far he's seen hookers, crocodiles, and hummingbirds! Hummingbirds!? Let me tell you - they are A LOT more creative there than they are here!

The Halloween Costumes I Can remember (w a little help from my mother and scanned photos)
1981:---
1982:











1983: Clown










1984: Clown (again!)












1985: Red Crayon



















1986: Ballerina












1987: Indian Warrior

















1988:---
1989: Pioneer Lady (complete w hat!)













1990: Beautiful Genie



















1991: Big Baby (complete w teddy bear)














1992: Hobo
1993: Catholic School Girl





















1994:Elly May Clampett (from The Beverly Hillbillies)


















1995: Homie (w a paper sack that said, "Yo")
1996:---
1997:---
1998:---
1999:---
2000: Farrah Fawcett
2001:---
2002: Another Teenage Dirtbag
2003:---
2004:---
2005:---
2006:---
2007:---
2008:---

Really Interesting

A list of every Halloween costume that I can remember (all home-made):

1981 - nothing
1982 - probably nothing
1983 - don't know
1984 - baseball player
1985 - panda bear mask
1986 - Little Bo Peep
1987 - rock star
1988 - princess
1989 - gypsy
1990 -
1991 -
1992 - Native American
1993 - 50's girl
1994 - mad scientist (I wore a white wig)
1995 - sleeping person (aka a teenager wearing pajamas)
1996 -
1997 -
1998 - Tinkerbell
1999 - 80's girl
2000 -Greek Goddess
2001 -
2002 - Avril Lavigne
2003 - Nothing
2004 - Geisha
2005 - Sexy Republican
2006 - Laverne (of Laverne and Shirely)
2007 - a regular person wearing butterfly wings
2008 - No costume (?)

Dance, Dance the Night Away

This reporter wants to know: what makes dancing so irresistibly fun?

Let's be honest with ourselves and finally admit that dancing is the most fun activity ever invented. Praise Jesus. The only reason I enjoy weddings is for the dancing. The only reason that I'm friends with you is for the dancing. The reason our teenage years were so frustrating is because all we really wanted to do was dance, but we didn't yet know that everybody else felt that way, too. Okay. Time to be honest again; what do weddings, my friendship with you, and dance parties really have in common? Totally awesome beats? Possibly. Joyous party-going-ness? Well, yes! But the hard truth is, though dancing is such a gift on its own, God also bestowed alcohol on us for a little lubrication. The ultimate time of your life is going to be a room full of willing and able-bodied friendly folk, a DJ with the knowledge to drop only the most luscious and glee-inducing sound waves, and of course a trickle of maybe a Brooklyn Lager or a couple gin and tonies. It's actually a recipe that I obtained from the back of a box of Kix when I was ten years old. Sure, everything in moderation, but once the dance party is alive and kicking, I physically can't remove myself from it. You know what I'm talking about. It's 2:30 AM. Your B.F.F for F. leans over mid O.P.P and shouts, "I'm leaving!" You look at them, and they just know: you won't be going anywhere. You're not moving until the bartender forces the DJ to quite literally pull the plug on the sound system. It's at that point that you (and by "you", I mean "me") finally notice that you don't recognize a single soul left on the floor; or the rest of the bar for that matter. I'd call it an addiction, but I don't think I've yet harmed friends or family, and I don't think my work is suffering because of it. If anything, I have a greater appreciation for every soul that exists on this planet. All because of the dancing.

An abbreviated version of this piece can be found in Third Place: the magazine (issue no.1). Let me know if you want to subscribe to this literary gold nugget.