Every year, the library has a costume judging contest where they line everyone up on the fifth floor amidst various treats and orange tablecloths. Competition is pretty fierce, especially among some of the librarians. I'm usually arriving too late for the contest, but one year I was dressed as an evil fairy with painted black wings and managed second. Things, however, have gotten a bit more competitive since. I usually try to go with things that aren't too far out of my wardrobe zone--witches, black cats, last year, Lizzie Borden. One year I was Little Red Riding Hood.
So I was staring at my closet this morning, and finally decided on a couple of crème slips, a slightly poofy underskirt, a crimson red satin skirt I never wear (rolled up to be shorter) a lacy camisole, and some black stockings, and tried for the whole can-can dancer thing. I think it'd be better if I'd really had time to do my hair and make-up, but it will do I suppose. Of course, I always feel slightly conspicuous out in the world outside the library. I think it would be a much cooler holiday if EVERYONE dressed up, don't you? All those people in their conservative offices dressed in costumes. But then, maybe I've just never let go of being a kid.
It's always been my favorite holiday, all those years my dad would drive us to a nearby subdivision (we lived on a street sort of in the middle of nowhere, so there wasn't much loot to be had there.) It was always raining or cold it seems, so we'd inevitably have to wear jackets under or over our costumes. I always looked forward to our naighbors across the street who gave out cans of soda, which in a diet-only household was definitely a treat. Then we'd come home, where my mom had been stationed to dole out the stuff for the few kids who did make it round. Then we'd watch bad horror movies and gorge ourselves on candy. It was better than Christmas. Hell, chocolate and horror movies--definitely two of my favorite things even now. Even when I was in college, there were always drunken costume parties (and the theater crowd I hung out with took it very seriously). Nowdays, I'm usually working on Halloween, so I have to make my own fun....
