God dammit. Just lost my post.

Short version: Halloween, good. I didn't dress up, but did hand out candy to the very few trick-or-treaters who came to the door. Some of the kids in this neighborhood kind of stretch the trick-or-treating thing by not wearing discernable costumes. I tell them either to come back dressed up or tell me what their costume is. I like to think I'm forcing them to exercise their creativity and thinking-on-their-feet skills. (I'm sure they just think "Hell, I can tell this white chick I'm any damn thing and she'll give me chocolate! What an idiot!") This year, I had one girl say she was "the color blue" and a guy say he was a thug. Plus there was a pimp -- he didn't have the fabulous purple hat or suit or anything, but he did have some impressive gold chains. I let it go. A couple of years ago, I stumped a kid and he ran away. He came back an hour later with his face painted like a cat (I think with his mother's makeup). I gave him a double helping of chocolate.

This year it was all worthwhile when an absolutely adorable little boy in a pony costume came to the door. Awwwwww.

Now we just have to get rid of all the chocolate. Thank god Despain still works in an office -- otherwise, we'd be doomed.