Well, I noticed that I haven't posted anything on my blog in a few months--and according to my friend Shauna, that means you're not a "real" blogger. So, while I'm not committed enough to be a "real" blogger, I thought I might as well put something in so I don't seem like a complete slacker.
I used to do family Halloween parties for my cousins every year--and though it was exhausting, I had alot of fun doing it. I'd plan for months in advance, devise new games each year, hand-draw an elaborate invitation, spend hours decorating the house, usually getting done just in time to hear the first knock at the door (okay, so I often was still finishing after that knock at the door). Inevitably, there were disappointments in the process. Some people would leave early, stating they had to get up early the next morning. I'd arrange a contest or something that required guest participation, and only a few people (or none) would participate. Or I'd just realize it wasn't as big a deal to anyone else as I was to me. Finally it reached the point where I found that I was more and more tired trying to get everything done in time for the party. I started to resent it when people didn't have time or offer to help, and to even resent having to do the preparations period. In short, it became less of a fun hobby, and more of a chore that I didn't feel like I had the time or energy for anymore. Another thing had happened too--in the passing years, my audience had grown up. And like most grown-ups, their tastes, time constraints and interests had changed. It started to feel like people weren't enjoying having the party as much--and since I was starting to feel the same way about planning it, it seemed wise to let it go. I still love Halloween-I happily tell people it's my favorite holiday (yes, including Christmas, though I like Christmas too). But it's sad to me not having anything to get excited about anymore. I still record Halloween specials to watch, or rent scary movies. But I really miss picking out new props & decorations to buy, and decking the house out in black & orange. I miss coming up with new ideas for props I can build, and thinking of something cool I can draw for an invitation. I don't really want to do a yard haunt (some punk kids would probably steal half my props the first night), so I dunno--maybe I need to volunteer for a haunted house or something. *sigh*
This Halloween I went with my friend Shauna to take her son trunk or treating, then we went to a party in the bay area. The party kinda sucked--not a good thing to hang your hopes for your favorite holiday on, ya know? Poor attendance, a DJ who thought excessive bass made up for his cruddy music selection and the fact that half the songs only lasted 30 seconds, and a dearth of really creative costumes (though Shauna got points for a well-researched costume of Ash from Pokemon) made for kind of a bummer event.
It's also a little annoying that Halloween doesn't get its fair share of street cred as a holiday, ya know? We get days off for the birthdays of dead presidents and for....uh, laboring--but the only holiday that allows you to dress up like Abraham Lincoln or Papa Smurf without being carried off by the men in the white coats and we get nuthin.' NOT COOL.
So, to help us all feel a little more Halloween 'love, enjoy the following pic (click to enlarge):
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
