A couple of weeks ago, I was visited by an intrepid reporter from the HWC Herald who was working on a photo essay related to Halloween. He asked what my most memorable Halloween was, and I drew a total blank.
I know I have at least three great Halloween stories buried in my head somewhere, but I can’t seem to rummage in the right corner to find them. It has been annoying me for weeks now.
The only “story” I can remember, and it isn’t one of the good ones, is in regard to how much I enjoyed watching Packers destroy the Bears on a Halloween Monday night in 1994. I was working Monday nights at a bar, which was a hit or miss shift, and so pretty excited about the Bears home game (more business, more money), plus I always get excited about those games being a Packers fan, and then it was Halloween on top of it all, so people were festive and drinking (again, more money), and then, the topper was the weather went NUTS and a crazy rain and wind came in meaning that the crowded bar would stay that way despite the turn the game took for Bears fans. We were jammed all night long and the Packers won a laugher. I felt a little sad for Gayle Sayers since he seems like a classy guy and that night was the ceremony intended to honor the retiring of his and Dick Butkus’ numbers, but it didn’t ruin my night or anything.
The best part of the night, though, was around 1:30. Some yahoo, who in order to make his black corvette look like the Batmobile, had mounted some kind of flame thrower on the back of it (no kidding) and driven it downtown. He parked it on the street, right in front of a Suburban or some kind of tall SUV. When he was ready to make his “getaway” he fired up the flames, which shot right into the grill of the truck behind him, setting that truck on fire, leading to his own car being engulfed in flame, too. The cops were bent over laughing while telling the story to each other.
I don’t remember my costume though.
So, I’m hoping that maybe y’all have some stories–your best costume or worst, something memorable you saw or did (or wish you hadn’t)–and that maybe your stories will jar some of my foggy memories. I know they’re in there…
At the very least, will you tell us what you’re going to be for Halloween this year?
My kids are going as “Zombie Hermione” and “Optimus Prime.” I’m undecided, but open to suggestions.
Fire away.
The Harold Lounge 
I had almost forgotten about that game. Then comes your story, opening an old wound and pouring salt, one grain at a time.
Then, you throw in a good Batmobile story that numbs the pain long enough to make me want to be your publisher for your upcoming book to be titled ‘Dave’s Bar-rio: The Prequel to a Successful Teaching Career’
Have your people call my people. It’s just a working title for now. Sounds like you have enough material for more than one book.
BTW, No Halo-weeny stories on my end other than getting on the bus yesterday and being greeted by a regular customer with a “Happy Halloween”. This regular customer is a sweet crossing guard that minds her own business most of the time, but yesterday she had on these goofy red plastic lips and these really big, and goofy, plastic ears while wearing her uniform. Coming from an outgoing person, I would have expected it, but not from this quiet lady. I could only image the fun she was going to have at work that morning.