Pierre & Pippi

Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays, despite the fact that my mom always hated having to help come up with costume ideas for us. As a child, I was a clown, a gypsy or a hobo for many years in a row because those were easy costumes.

I really enjoy the creativity that goes into coming up with new costumes each year. It's not very often that adults get permission to channel such creativity and enthusiasm. It's so much fun to see kids and adults dressed up. It's such a playful holiday.

I like that Troy shares my enthusiasm for dressing up for Halloween. Unfortunately, he always has to pick costumes that are elaborate. And he puts them together at the last minute. He usually arrives to the Halloween party several hours late because he's putting on the finishing touches (this year that involved soldering some LED lights into a mask). But he always makes a dramatic entrance!

This year, I went as Pippi Longstocking (no wig needed!) and Troy went as Pierre the Pantsless Voyageur of Two Harbors, MN.

The statue of Pierre was recently renovated and moved to the Earthwood Bar, Grill and Motel (where BradFest takes place). Pierre is a really strange roadside attraction. Nobody seems to know why he's not wearing any pants. His head turns very slowly (so slowly that you wonder if you are imagining it). Future renovations will enable Pierre to talk and I think he'll be getting a new paddle for his outstretched hand. Oh, and he has these blue, LED lights in his eyes that are incredibly creepy at night. Check out Troy's rendition, he's got the creepy factor down. ;)

A picture of Pierre during BradFest.

Boo!

I didn't have the money or creativity to come up with a great costume this year for Halloween. Luckily, I was able to borrow this incredible, handmade costume from my friend Lisa. She invited me over to look through two Rubbermaid bins full of wonderful costumes, mostly hand sewn by her. Medusa won out over the others because of the scare factor (Wonder Woman was my second choice). Lisa's masterpiece for this year was a fantastic mermaid costume. 

Unfortunately, Troy didn't make it out with me this year to celebrate (too busy with academic/robot stuff). But I made sure to enjoy the holiday for the both of us. 

I went out with Lisa and some other friends on both Friday and Saturday nights. We were a little disappointed not to win any costume contests. On Saturday, it was actually a bit sickening. The judge clearly picked some cheap, store-bought costumes (one was Princess Leah) because the women that were wearing them were well endowed. Blech.

Mother Nature, Mermaid, Little Red Riding Hood, Medusa and Lady Gaga

In any case, I had fun with this creative group of girls. On Friday, we went to the nearby casino, Fortune Bay, to see Hairball. The band put on a good show. They cover the songs of Guns n' Roses, AC/DC, Motley Crue, Prince and more. The two lead singers take turns singing and dressing up like the front men of the bands they cover. It was pretty entertaining!

In Honor of Halloween

We weren't able to celebrate Halloween in Belgium last year. Although it's slowly catching on as a holiday, we didn't have costumes or friends to enjoy it with at the time. Maybe that's why I have extra anticipation about the holiday this year.

As a kid, I grew up wearing the same costumes year after year since my mom hated Halloween. I can't even tell you how many times I've been a clown, hobo or gypsy. Those were the costumes that were easy and cheap to throw together.

Despite my mom's lack of enthusiasm for the holiday, in my adult years I've always enjoyed finding fun new costumes. Troy and I have hosted lots of dress up parties over the years too. Something about the creativity that goes into it just makes themed parties that much more fun. One of Troy's birthdays featured a surprise robot theme and we've thrown a number of "sophisticates" parties where everyone has to dress up and act fancy.

In honor of Halloween, and getting into the playful spirit of the holiday, here are some pictures of our costumes over the years. If you have some more good ones, please share!

This updated, x-mas lighted version of Captain 82 featured cardboard and tinfoil to prevent heat blisters.

The Log Lady and Laura Palmer (wrapped in plastic) from Twin Peaks

From our friends' pirate-themed Halloween party. Troy was the Jolly Rogers, appropriately enough.

Party-bot

Lil (another Twin Peaks reference) from Fire Walk With Me

Wasn't sure what to do for the Prog Rock party so I improvised

The Green Fairy bearing a bottle of absinthe

Troy at the end of our friend Loren's Halloween party, decked out in a Dutch Hazmat suit (among other things)

Troy's birthday. The theme (made up by Troy for selfish reasons) was "dress as your favorite bunny bearing bourbon."