Hallowe'en Miscellany

[stoutfellow]

1) I relented and went out to get candy late yesterday afternoon. It's a good thing, too; I had 73 visitors last night, if I didn't miscount. I bought four bags, and had only a few bars left by the time I turned out the light. The trick-or-treaters were a mixed bag; some were cute, some surly, some - toddlers in strollers - downright apathetic. Some of them really didn't have the hang of it, like the kid who said nothing but went up on tiptoe trying to see into my candy bowl. (I said, "What do you say?", meaning, "Trick or treat!"; she responded, "Thank you!") I bought another couple of bags for tonight, just in case, but the forecast is for rain, and it's been soggy all afternoon, so I'm not expecting much traffic.

2) I was running a little late for my calculus class this morning, so I sailed in without looking around, set down my stuff, and turned to make some announcements. Halfway through, my eyes swept across the middle of the front row, where sat Darth Vader. Now, I pride myself on my coolth, and I swear I didn't double-take for more than a fraction of a second, but it was enough. I kept talking (at a slightly higher volume) through the laughter. Then I opened the floor for questions. I have never heard the words, "I have a question. Number 33, section 10.8" spoken more ominously... He took off the helmet after that; it was one of the better students. I cast blame on him for every little slip I made at the board during the class.

3) Many years ago, somebody - I have no memory who - ran a commercial featuring Frank and Brooks Robinson, both recently retired from the Baltimore Orioles. At the end, Frank (I think) said, "Oh, yeah. Despite what you may think, Brooks and I are not twins." Brooks continued, "Yeah. I'm at least two inches taller." The joke, of course, is that Frank is black and Brooks white.
neonnurse ran the Hallowe'en party meme, which had me coming as the President of Haiti. They say that you can find out anything on the 'Net (including some things that aren't true), but I can't find out how tall M. Alexandre is. Sad, that.

Comments

[neonnurse.livejournal.com]

I guess you can squinch down a little, if need be. :)

The Darth Vader in math class is a great mental image!

[filkferengi]

Fun Darth story!

You had them *Two* nights? [mind boggles.] We only have them the one night, typically between 35 & 83 [alltime record]. Last night was 39, skewed towards the low end.

I used to complain about the constant interruptions, & my misguided spouse pooh-poohed the bother. So I put him in charge. Funny how, even so, the large crowds of 5 & up descend when he's oh-so-conveniently in the room of rest. When he's actually in the living room, it's nothing for the better part of an hour, then drabs of 2s & 3s. *Every single year*. Some things are just Laws of Nature. ;)

I remember that commercial; it was cool.

[stoutfellow.livejournal.com]

The two-night thing seems to be specific to the town I live in. The department secretary, who lives maybe half an hour away, never heard of it.

[hornedhopper.livejournal.com]

How fun that your student came as Darth Vader! Your response to it made me laugh.

Every year at my law firm, I was the *only* one to wear a costume on Halloween, if it fell on a work day. I loved the double takes (g).