Autumn is not the only feeling in the air—the spectre of Halloween is lurking just around the corner. The Halloween hijinx have begun early in my townhouse in the form of scary movies. Apparently, Kevin Costner’s receding hairline in “Dragonfly” is a truly frightening sight, as I heard screams downstairs every twenty minutes from one of my terrified housemates (ahem, Courtney). Seeing a wonderful opportunity, I crept downstairs quietly, stood behind Courtney’s chair, leaned down and screamed, “OH MY GOD!!” The jump she gave was well worth her empty threat that she would smother me with a pillow while I slept.
A week later, DVD rentals of “Jeepers Creepers” and “The Others” appeared on our TV stand. During “Jeepers Creepers”, a valuable house rule was learned: don’t sit near Courtney’s feet during a scary movie, or she will kick you upside your head during a freak-out. After the showing of “Jeepers Creepers”, the next seven hours were spent trying to convince certain persons that the demon-monster was not hiding in the closet (no, I’m serious-really). “The Others” elicited a few choice gasps and jumps as well. I must point out that I watched none of these films—I learned long ago that there aren’t enough night-lights on the eastern seaboard to get me to fall asleep after watching a truly scary movie. My mother has gone so far as to forbid me from watching “The Exorcist.” Ever.
Despite my high fear factor, I love Halloween, and have for as long as I can remember. It is not the candy that inspires my affection—though anyone who knows me can attest to the fact that I never met a piece of chocolate I didn’t like. Is it a symptom of Peter Pan Syndrome? Partly, but that isn’t where the true appeal lies. The appeal is in the masquerade, the fun of being anyone or anything you want to for a night. Take a walk on the wild side as a saucy French maid (my boyfriend did—please don’t ask), or live out your childhood dream and dress as a fireman. Halloween is an opportunity to celebrate yourself—even if it is a part of you that no one else knows exists.
So make your townhouse (or apartment or dorm) festive. Have a roommate pumpkin carving party (side note: don’t smash pumpkins because that is a really asinine thing to do, especially to little kids). Watch some classic horror films; I recommend “The Shining” and “Creepshow”. Throw a costume party, or forgo “the devil’s water” (read: alcohol) for the month of October. Because really, what is more frightening to a townhouse resident than sobriety?
Happy haunting, kids.
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