October 31st, historically, marks my favorite day of the year. Words cannot describe how much I love Halloween. The various histories of the holiday (according to different cultures), jack-o-lanterns, late nights splurging on candy, and the costumes. The costumes! Without a doubt, my favorite part of All Hallows' Eve is the costumes. I love making them (alas, I was unable to do anything terribly creative this year...) and seeing what others come up with. It's an awesome holiday.
Tonight, however, is not as wonderful as Halloweens of the past.
Why? I came down with a sore throat on Monday, and it just wouldn't go away. It led, on Wednesday, to my voice going out on me (just in time for a Battle of the Bands audition...oi vey...); and today I now suffer a mighty and persistent head cold. Suck.
There's something magical about a sickness as simple as a cold. It didn't seem very intimidating when I woke up this morning. But gradually, it sapped my strength as I loaded boxes onto a conveyor belt at work, leaving me absolutely and completely exhausted after a relatively easy 4-hour shift. Once it had me weak, it caused me to ooze from every orifice in my face, which in turn made me cough and sneeze in sudden, explosive fits every 20 minutes or so. The sniffling still hasn't ended, and as a consequence, I now enjoy the lovely company of a friend I call Angel Soft. There was a ward Halloween party, but I didn't know anyone, and it was stuffy. If you don't know me very well, suffice it so say that I don't really enjoy large social functions. Just not my cup of tea.
...Under normal circumstances, I'd pretty much write tonight off as time not really enjoyed.
But you know what? There are 4 pint-sized Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in my living room, being led around my my older brother (sporting a sweet Casey Jones costume), and his wife (pulling off a great April O'Neil); and they're laughing and enjoying this night of vampires, mummies, ghouls and all that other fun, spooky, thrilling stuff. Not much that could ruin my night now.
Happy Halloween, everyone.
