Halloween is an ugly mix of fun and, well, ugliness. Kids love the costumes, of course, and adore the candy. I don’t like the candy – I don’t care for sugar in the first place but the horrendous, chemical-laden packets of sugar/high fructose corn syrup are truly appalling. I like the costumes, but I don’t like what I view as an increasing “horror-ization” of Halloween – trying to add gore to the mix. And honestly (put on the grumpy old man voice in your mind) I hate the final straggling remnants of the door-to-door trick-or-treating ritual. Every year it’s fewer and fewer kids, but you still have to prepare, deal with the intrusion, etc. Can we just declare that dead and gone? Our kids went to two different “hosted” trick-or-treat events, where there were candy stations, music, games, etc. It was much more fun than begging door to door.
Anyway, end the grumpiness. Hope you had a happy Halloween!
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- MBA Programs for Generation Earn: I’m still not convinced MBA’s have the gloss they did 10 to 20 years ago.
- Wealth Building Tips for New College/University Graduates: That’s the time to start. A large portion of the wealth I do have – that wasn’t wiped out in 2008 – came from my early maxed-out 401k contributions when my colleagues were using that money for new cars and expensive clothes.
- Safeway’s Just For U Program Reviewed: Too bad we don’t have anything but Publix – and a few scattered Winn-Dixies – where I live.
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- The Fed’s Magic Money-Printing Machine: I’m not completely sure I agree with the assessment, but the lack of news coverage about QE1 and QE2 (read the article) is disappointing. We (and I include myself in that ‘we’) ought to be paying more attention to these types of extra-governmental shenanigans (which is basically what the Fed’s actions are).
“Bernanke printed over a trillion dollars out of thin air, then used that money to buy, among other things, mortgage-backed securities (MBS) and Treasury Bonds. In other words, the government was printing money to a) lend to itself and b) prop up the housing market, with Wall Street stepping in to take a big cut.” That happened - and it’s happening again, soon. When everyone’s complaining about high taxes they should stop and redirect their anger towards this move, which fundamentally weakens the US economy and makes the dollar worth less - far more dangerous than a 3% tax hike.
Oh, don’t be so grumpy about Halloween. We live in a neighborhood where parents take the kids all over the neighborhood trick-or-treating. It’s great fun for all the parents getting to hang out together for the evening, and for the kids getting to run around in the dark-something they don’t get to do any other night of the year. It’s still lots of fun in many places all over the U.S., I bet. Grown-ups just need to relax and have some fun! Happy Halloween!
Wow, horses for courses I guess because a “hosted hallowe’en event” sounds pretty sanitized and crap to me. I like the energy on the streets, the number of happy people running around, all the neighbours being out on their porches at once, being able to be involved even if you don’t have kids, etc etc. It’s fun ’round here.
Thanks Steve.
I think Halloween depends on the neighbourhood. My street rocks - lots of participation and tons of kids. If you live on a street without many kids then often the few kids will go to a different more active (and profitable) street.
Mike
Maybe it’s just the neighborhoods I’ve lived in. In the past 2 neighborhoods I’ve lived in, Halloween has been half-hearted with minimal participation - most of the parents preferring the parties, simply because it’s easier. We had a quiet night tonight - only a half dozen or so trick-or-treaters. I guess I’d just rather not have to prepare at all, or have a well-organized community Halloween. Even if the community put out a “leave the porch lights on if you want trick-or-treaters” for example.
I do feel quite like the grumpy old man tonight. Get off my yard, you meddling kids!!! 🙂
Boy, you ARE a grump! 🙂 In our neck of the woods (Southern Cal), the trick-or-treat tradition is alive and well. There were kids EVERYWHERE. This is the first year my 3 yr old really “got it” and he had so much fun I thought he’d lose his mind. I’d hate to see the tradition end when it gives him such a thrill, and I know it’s going to be even better when his younger siblings can join in the fun. 🙂
PS The earlier you go out, the less gore you see. At least in my ‘hood.
Our little one is still a little young for Halloween, but I think next year she’ll be just right. Our neighborhood didn’t have any trick-or-treaters this year, so we had to settle for building a fort in the living room with furniture and blankets and ordering pizza. throw in a little football and it turned into a typical fall Sunday afternoon. 🙂