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http:// --> Ashland, Oregon HOME Valley & State Sports Nation & World Opinion/Editorial Classifieds Business Columnists Local Issues Obituaries Weather Archive Revels Etcetera Backpage Hot Topics Most Viewed Forum Photo Galleries Video Readers Polls O-Zone Online Games Movie Preview Special Sections Real Estate Guide Menu Guide Shakespeare Subscribe Contact Us Rate Card Place an Ad Top Galleries: November 2, 2006 Dressed to kill Lance Pugh Archives Thursday December 28th Thursday January 4th Thursday January 11th Thursday January 18th Thursday February 1st Thursday February 15th By Lance Pugh Tidings Correspondent I am continually amazed at how much effort so many people put into their costumes for Halloween and other days of deception and role-playing. Gone are the days when a ski jacket, bib overalls, hiking boots, cap and mask was considered a game attempt at playing a role in the festivities. That look has always been my favorite. In the kid category some of the big winners were: pirates, action heroes, angels and fairies, witches, devils and ... '60s and '70s hippies sporting tie-died shirts, bell-bottoms, peace symbol medallions and headbands. This last costume crossed the line. While I was protesting against the constant lying and deception (sound familiar?) of Tricky Dick while wearing the uniform of the time, I had no idea that decades later a costume manufacturer would formulate a caricature out of the salient features, have it sewn in prisons in China and sell it for $29.95 as a monstrous joke on society. Oops ... forgot to slip on my thick skin for this article. I'll be right back. The adult costumes are also predictable, except in rare instances. Many females gravitate toward cheerleaders, princesses, dominatrixes, witches, slinky cats, nurses with cleavage, anything with fish net stockings that can handle a lash, flappers, French maids, harem girls and bobby-soxers. The night always holds great promise. Men always like the pirate look, as well as that of a mercenary (contractor?), doctor, samurai, king, NASCAR driver, shill wrestler, policeman, Star Trek character, fireman and victim of any of many serious injuries. Ghouls, goblins, vampires, werewolves, executioners and gravediggers are perennial favorites, though politicians are gaining ground faster than their popularity slides. Cross dresser, gender benders, galactic overlords, gods, goddesses, gladiators, cats, dogs and household items round out the most used costumes. Ashland brings out some unique costume concepts that cannot be purchased or rented. One couple dressed as two sumo wrestlers, each looking to tip the scales at 500 pounds. The head of cheese, chased by mice, was a theme that made my nose twitch while I involuntarily squealed. The Siamese twins appealed to my split personality. My personal favorite was the parrot with the pirate on its shoulder. The Black Sheep held a costume party and judging and the entries were both original and amazing. A wall flower made of faux bricks and a flower face, a guy in a laundry basket, twins from "The Shining," "Space Balls" characters, Happy Campers who sang campfire songs with marshmallows on sticks, Scooby-do, a guy wearing a carved pumpkin on his head, knights, ninjas and geishas. Each and every one of these were hand crafted, as well as the lady in the papier mache dress, who, understandably, could not sit down. Earlier in the evening, after watching the children's parade, I sprinted home to prepare for the torrent of toddlers that annually visit for a taste of sweetness. While watchful parents lurked in the background, costumed kids surged toward the front door in anticipation of a bounty of mellifluous distractions. They were not to be denied. After the assault was assuaged, I closed the door to observe an in-house tornado. Spooky was doing laps inside the house, held up by centrifugal force as he scooted his canine candyass around the walls of the living room, just below the hanging artwork. My favorite buddy, apparently, had fleeced the tots of some of their treasure and was working off the heist by ripping around the house. Dogs, like kids, don't know when to quit eating their treats. After the door knocks subsided I sat down with my wife, Annette, to discuss the happenings of the evening. Then she dropped the bomb: "Why did you hand candy to the pizza delivery boy, then close the door?" "He only wanted dough and looked a little cheesy," was all I could do to cover the fact that dinner would only be a Tootsie Roll. Lance Pugh is the author of "Essentially Ashland ... The Missing Years." Sweet thoughts may reach this writer at: [email protected]. Leave a Comment: Advertisement: Advertisement: Paid Advertising: Debt Help Inkjet Printers Payday Loans Free Ringtones Debt Consolidation Security Systems Debt Relief Advertisement: Copyright © 2007 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers. All Rights Reserved. Del.icio.us