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Halloween, n., the evening
of October 31; the Eve of All Saints' Day; Allhallows Eve: observed
especially by children in costumes who solicit treats, often by
threatening minor pranks. Or, in the case of Carbondale, major rioting.
Forget Christmas. That holiday is for kids. Remember the excitement you felt when you woke up on Christmas morning, just because it was Christmas? Guess what, kids? We're all grown up now, and this is what Halloween does to us. We spend weeks, some even months, planning our Halloween costumes and parties and decorations. This is the time of year when we actually have the ability to be someone (or something) other than what we are 364 days out of the year. It's actually sanctioning our tendencies to be freaks.
What is it that drives us to such lengths to do what we do on this day? Is it the desire to be a kid again (although some childhoods were bad enough the first time around and aren't worth repeating), or maybe the need to look into a darker persona, to see things for what they really are instead of just seeing what we want to see? Some go to such extremes with their costumes that they don't go out of character, no matter what.
Want to hang a poster of an Ed Gein victim on your wall? You must be criminally insane! It's Halloween? Here, let me help you get that on the wall straight. Want to scare the hell out of your neighbor just for kicks? He's calling the cops on you. It's Halloween? Well, everyone enjoys a good scare now and then. A soccer referee who red cards a step because he tripped on it. A hillbilly who collects body parts (both human and animal) that he "found on the side of the road". Some times you just have to step back and say "wow".
What was my point? Beats the hell out of me. But Lazlow's Halloween party this year was one for the books. Throughout the course of the evening, he (and his bride) estimated around 100 people, and it seems at least half were in a band. It was the "Night of the Living Band Member". Understandably most did not come in costume because they had just played, but hey, the Misfits play in costume, so what's the problem? There were some welcome surprises, such as Taz (what the hell is HE doing here?), and some letdowns (the Good Angel vs. Evil Angel nude wrestling match never materialized). But I can honestly say a good time was had by all if the thickness of the goo on Lazlow's floor is any indicator.
As far as I can remember, Halloween has always been the time I looked forward to with the most anticipation every year, and with the exception of Mikey and Kelly's wedding I have always dressed up. Hey, give me a break. I'm getting old. Hell, I even dressed up when I was in the Marines, and let me tell you, it scares the crap out of Okinawans to have a bunch of Marines running around town dressed like lunatics. And that's every other day but Halloween.
Anyway, it looks like Lazlow is going to have to continue the tradition on an annual basis, as certain members of our clique have - I generally have a holiday party, the Snots do New Years, and Lazlow gets Halloween. Here's looking forward to next year- we've already started planning our costumes.
PS - Happy Anniversary to the Snots.
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