Beware-y: Scary and Hairy

Who doesn't love Halloween? Well, me. I like it okay these days (don't tell my family), but about 20 years ago it was by far my favorite day of the year. I'd start thinking about my costume in August and pretty much obsess about it for the next 3 months. It's funny to think that Halloween started as a ritual to celebrate the harvest, but now has just become an excuse to dress like a complete idiot for a night. Please join me for an embarrassing walk down Mummery Lane (I can't believe I'm leaving that in).

It was 1990. My college friend, Amy, and I got invited to a party in Virginia -- one whole state away! I spent the day in the salon turning my hair temporarily red and getting it back-combed to high heaven. We drove an hour to meet up with 2 friends and 200 strangers. Incidentally, Amy went as Marge Simpson and we were swarmed by fans of the Fox network.

In 1992, Eddie and I were celebrating what would be the first of many memorable Halloweens. Our annual costume soiree located in the not-so swanky the Island Club Apartments party room would be the story of legends. At least to us. Prior to making this necklace, I'd only purchased those Styrofoam balls to represent Venus in an elementary school solar system wire hanger project.

Our favorite costume ideas would be ripped from the headlines or at least pop culture. Eddie as a slimy Long Island jackass pedophile mechanic and me as his underage murder-attempting girlfriend was just too much fun. His animal print sweatpants and my pink Suffolk County Jail jumpsuit still crack me up.

In the mid-90s, Pulp Fiction was the hottest movie around and I wasn't going to let this great costume opportunity pass me by. At least a dozen Fell's Point partiers asked to take a picture with me. And later in the night I couldn't have been more excited when I ran into strangers dressed as Vincent Vega and "the Gimp". It was the closest I've ever felt to being a celebrity. 

In 1997, we celebrated our first Halloween in our new digs -- San Francisco. We recruited friends and family to take a 3-hour tour, a 3-hour tour. Skipper's back fat was the talk of the town. I couldn't resist another go at being a redhead (and a movie star, no less) and dyed my head a coppery shade -- permanent this time. 

Flash forward a bunch of years, back in Maryland and pregnant with #3! I can't believe Eddie left the house dressed like this. I was so proud of him.

Taking this stroll down the haunted highway makes me realize I choose red heads 2 out of every 3 costumes. Next year: Carrot top? Ginger Spice? Prince Harry? Not a chance, because I also realize how much work a really excellent costume takes. But it sure was fun revisiting.