I love Halloween. But, call me crazy, I do not love college Halloween. And yes, they are two very different holidays.
Before college, Halloween was a time to get those creative cogs rolling, to think of a unique, clever costume, to understand exactly how you will become somebody else for a night. It is this becoming that enthralls me. In fact, senior year of high school, the first time I dressed as John Bender from "The Breakfast Club," I neglected to take my books out in classes, wore my sunglasses all day, even indoors, and kept my feet propped up on the desk; I became John Bender.
To me, there is nothing better than busting out the best costume on the block and walking through the streets, collecting candy, trading candy, eating so much candy... I kept with this routine all the way through high school, even though a lot of kids my age were starting to bend that practice.
Enter college, birthplace of the famed "Halloweekend," where Halloween lasts not only one night, but two, even three! I loved my John Bender costume so much that I decided it would live on for another year (this year will make three, because that costume is LEGIT). Then, realizing I needed at least one more costume, I put together a Kim Possible ensemble. I'll admit, not the most unique idea, but I did stamp my commitment by purchasing a naked mole rat stuffed animal on Amazon.
Actual Halloween was on a Saturday my freshman year, so on that Friday night, I stepped out with some green pants, a black cropped turtleneck, brown belt, black gloves, and a naked mole rat under my arm, and I was swarmed by what seemed like hundreds of angels and devils, with a fair sprinkling of cowgirls. And by cowgirls, I mean jean shorts and a hat, maybe a bandana if they were feeling adventurous.
Where were all the clever pop culture references? The Disney characters? The awesome I'm-wearing-a-political-puns? Unoriginality aside, nobody was sober enough to even acknowledge my efforts.
For most of you college students reading this, Halloweekend is probably a fantastic time. You may argue, we've got plenty of spirits on Halloween! (That was an alcohol joke.) But I, as a Halloween enthusiast, one who looks forward to conversations about how much we all appreciate everyone's costume efforts, I was not going to be satisfied by a pair of cat ears and a couple shots of vodka.
I went to bed that Friday night with the hope that actual Halloween would bring more holiday spirit.
Long story short, we had a Fall Festival the next day, on freaking, actual Halloween, and I was the only one who showed up in costume. I guess college Halloween is nocturnal.
At this point, I'd like to give a shoutout to Drew Carlton for throwing on a soccer jersey, grabbing a pillow case, and ringing doorbells with me all night last Halloween. Despite the fact that some terrible human turned us away for being "over 12," it was great to see the reaction from those who loved us being there, because they "never get kids from the college."
That is a sad fact: they "never get kids from the college." Sure, drinking may be fun, but ya know what's more fun!? Finding a nearly-full bowl of chocolates on a porch, dragging a line through the middle, and dumping your half into your increasingly-weighted pillowcase. That's fun.
Listen people, the world may force me to get older physically and move on through college and to the "real world," but I will never abandon the things that made my childhood so fun, if I can help it.
And this year, Halloween is on a Monday, which means, yes, I will be in costume in class. All. Day. Long. And this is my suggestion to all of you who I know won't join me anyway: give it a try. Remember what Halloween used to be about, how it was so much fun, and try to keep that magical Halloween spirit alive, even if you think you are too old. You are never too old.
Despite my lack of enthusiasm for the typical "Halloweekend" festivities, I will be going out and partying on Friday and Saturday night, dancing among the female football players, cowgirls, and yes, the angels and devils. I'm thinking of trying out Wilson from "Castaway," or maybe Mia Wallace from "Pulp Fiction." Either way, on Monday, when I become John Bender once again, I will retain that Halloween spirit that seems to be fleeting on my college campus.
And come Monday night, while kids around the country are ringing doorbells, I will be doing the same. I have gone trick-or-treating for 18 years now, and I don't expect to break my streak any time soon.
