Well, it’s not as we’re used to.  No adult costumes, not even teenagers.  No pranking, no fireworks…one might say it’s almost civilized with only the little ones dressed up for the evening.  It seems like such a ripe time for throngs of boys in those maturing years to put on a mask and tear up the town, but no.  Maybe we missed that part by coming home early.

And as for those little ones, there just isn’t the same variety in costumes that we’re used to seeing.  No superheros, no Transformers or princesses…just the classic witches, vampires and a smattering of mummies.  Correction, we did see a couple bambinos jumping on park benches with red capes and pitchforks, so maybe a devil or two as well.

We are talking mini-witches by the six pack, all running into a local store together to grab candies from the proprietors manning the place.  If I were a shop owner, I would be a little concerned about a sudden influx of sugar crazed youth and my inventory.  Only a few steps further and it was obvious not every shop was on board, as one stern looking older lady parked in the doorway with a menacing visage reminiscent of an 80’s horror film, was deterring kids rather effectively without moving or saying a thing.  Fluorescent lighting can sometimes be not so flattering, even downright scary.

It’s the lack of adult costumes that have me a little surprised.  I seem to remember Halloween to be one of those stressful party events.  Having to run around town and find those last minute costume bits…or maybe a just a costume.  Borrow some leftover pieces from a friends closet, that were carefully stored under the hockey gear.  Concoct a story as to why the costume isn’t as good as you wanted it to be.  Ensure there have been enough years between costume wearings (or maybe a complete change in the friends circle) to prevent anyone from recognizing your garb.  Restrictions on costume design to also facilitate either staying warm enough, or cool enough for the evening.  Reeducating yourself on how to successfully apply spirit gum so a little beer in that moustache-fumanchu won’t result in a facial hairpiece malfunction.  Need I say more?  When did it stop being just about the kids and the candy?  Did Hallmark have a hand in commercializing this as well?

So we passed on celebrating this year.  We effectively traded in a night typical of too much drinking and sugar for some slow dances to an Italian lounge act at this resort, which is only 5 nights away from closing the doors for the season.  I guess that shouldn’t come as a surprise based on the few pics thus far showing the near isolation we’re in.  No candy here, and no kids… unless you’re counting the two of us.

Let’s hope there’s no flaming bag of dog poop outside the door in the morning.  I don’t wear slippers.