Boo!

Happy Halloween!!!


I'm usually a major Halloween enthusiast, but not so much this year for some reason. I wore an orange shirt to work today, but that's about. I didn't even remember my Halloween socks! (Which is a shame- Lynn gave me a great pair a year or two ago!)

The one (partial) exception to my Halloween apathy is in regard to Jack O' Lanterns. I say partial because I carved four last year (yes, four- one for my parents, one for my grandparents, one for Mary and Carl and one for myself!) This year I only carved two: my parents' and Mary and Carl's.

So, last year I was on a carving frenzy and wanted to carve more pumpkins than I had front steps, so I spread the love. I carved sailboat silhouettes into a small pumpkin, which I took over to the Olsson's house. I put it on their back porch, lit it, rang the bell, and drove off just as Mary got to the door. The Boat O' Lantern was such a hit (once they figured out who left them a treat) that I decided to do another this year. Again, a hit.

The real work of art this year though was the one for my parents. I used Grandpa P.'s chisels and other random tools from his collection to truly carve (rather than cut out) a design. It took me about six hours from first lid cut to candle light, but it worked out really well! There are only a few very small places where the design is cut all the way through the pumpkin, resulting in a cool translucent effect. Chiseling the design also allowed design elements that regular carving doesn't, such as polka dots.


I guess the reason that I'm not enthused about Halloween (or the day after, for that matter) is that I've just been busy as anything lately. I haven't had time to arrange anything for Halloween or my birthday- it's been all wedding, all the time. Which isn't a bad thing, it just puts other things on standby.

So, I'm not dressing up tonight. Instead, Courtney, Josh and I are going to try for standing room tickets for Company, which is in previews at the Barrymore. We haven't seen a show together for a while, so it should be a fun night. Our client is going to be in the office tomorrow, and we have rehearsal at night, so post-Halloween celebrations will consist of drinks after choir. Festivities will continue for a while, though, so I'm not getting shafted. I'm having dinner with my parents on Friday, then Teresa is taking me to see A Chorus Line on the 8th with J.J. and Mom. My favorite birthday gift will arrive on the 10th- Greg is coming to visit for the first time since starting Nuke School. It will have been six weeks between visits, and I miss him like crazy, so that's what I'm looking forward to most.

Anyway, Happy Halloween to all, and to all a good night!