So hobo it was — besides, if I was going to be begging for candy, why not look the part? Unfortunately my friends had other ideas. Ones that usually involved a group theme, and we would often wind up touring the neighborhood as a weird version of "The Wizard of Oz" (Dorothy, Lion, Scarecrow, Tin Man ... and a hobo) or some twisted take on "Happy Days" (Richie, Potsie, Joanie, the Fonz ... and the hobo). "And who are you supposed to be?" they'd always ask, eyeing me as they dropped some candy into my pillowcase. "Toto?" "Chachi?"
But that was a small price to pay for free candy. And since back in those days, everyone handed it out, I would arrive home hours later with a serious sack full of treats. Nowadays, kids come back — if they go out at all — with their pathetic plastic pumpkins "filled" with maybe a dozen "fun-size" candy bars — and most of the good stuff already eaten by their flashlight-wielding fathers. But I can just imagine my neighbors' reactions as they greet today's trick-or-treaters: "Oh, who do we have here? A princess. Harry Potter. Spiderman. And ..." eyeing the disgruntled dad at the bottom of the steps, "... a hobo.")
Alas, my hobo days are over. But strangely enough, the older I got, the more creative I became with my costumes. So much so that when I was 22 I spent several days searching the state for a pair of size 16, red, high-heeled shoes to complete my Tina Turner outfit.
And I'm not the only one. It seems we so-called grownups get more excited about Halloween than our kids. Party stores stock more adult costumes than kiddie ones. Invitations to Halloween parties request that kids be left at home. And bars and clubs sponsor costume parties and Halloween-themed evenings that cater to the over 21-crowd.
Unfortunately, Halloween falls on a Monday this year, but if you have enough energy to go out on a weeknight, then head on over to Toad's Place in New Haven for its annual "Kooks and Spooks Convention." There will be a DJ, lots of giveaways, and a contest for the scariest, funniest, sexiest and most original costumes. Prizes include DVD players, private parties and a "silver certificate," which gets you and two friends into Toad's free for a year. Doors open at 8, and there is a $5 cover.
If you can't get out on a Monday night, try the Black Duck on the Saugatuck River in Westport. It's Halloween party is on Saturday night, with a DJ, karaoke contests and drink specials. And while it's always a great time at the Duck, you haven't lived until you've seen a guy dressed as Death singing "Mack the Knife" or witnessed Winnie the Pooh slamming tequila shots — and as far as I know, that only happens there around Halloween.
So whether you're home handing out candy, hanging out at the bar or taking the kids trick-or-treating, I hope you have a safe and happy Halloween — and if you happen to over-indulge, my mom might still have some charcoal tablets for you.