Where did the summer go?

It’s finally cold(er) here in Atlanta.  The Braves are no longer playing, the Thrashers are back in BlueLand and the Falcons are in the midst of a mediocre season.  It’s the time of year where I break out the flannel and girls start covering-up and going into hibernation.  So why is it my favorite time of the year?

Halloween.  Who knew that Halloween could be more fun for an adult than for a 5-year-old?  We party like usual, except this time I can dress like a ninja and NOT get strange looks.  And let’s not forget the Halloween costumes for girls…. the one night (or couple of nights, depending on how much you’re doing) where it’s socially acceptable for your girlfriend to dress like a slutty Rainbow Brite stripper.  I went to the Halloweeen store the other day and the women’s variety of costumes outnumber the men’s like 24-1.  Sexy nurse, sexy cop, sexy Tinkerbell, sexy Harry Potter character, sexy ladybug, sexy cafeteria worker.  Unless you’re a self-conscious girl… then your choices are significantly limited.

RAWR

Whatever happened to making your own costume??  I did it almost every year as a kid.  Those are the most original costumes!  I appreciate your Optimus Prime costume so much more if it’s made from cardboard boxes and poster paint and you can actually transform into a truck.  I went to a party back in 2006 where the guy who won the $1000 costume contest went as a Pac-Man arcade machine… which actually worked.  I managed to speak to him a bit while he was plugged-in to an outlet to recharge the costume’s batteries.  I went as Batman 3 years in a row back in the early 90s, each year adding to the costume to improve it’s awesomeness and ability to yield a greater supply of candy.

This year I’m dressing in black and red, painting a goatee on my chin, wearing campaign buttons for McCain and Obama and going as the Devil’s Advocate.

RANDOM ALERT:  Ever notice there is a dichotomy when it comes to candy corn?  Either (like myself) you love that shit, or you hate it with a passion and want ever last bit eradicated from the Earth.

So I haven’t made a post since late May.  Been busy.  Went back to working in a pharmacy full-time.  Pay raise and new title/job.  Do a lot of traveling around Atlanta, working in a different store almost every day.  Looking to take evening classes at Ga State and finish up the pre-requisites needed for pharmacy school, just need to find the money to do so.  My budget is tight, as I have much of my income paying down debts with quasi Gazelle-like intensity and contributing to a new emergency cushion just in case I find myself unemployed again.  Haven’t had much time to see my friends or hang out with them, or do too much for entertainment’s sake.  But at least I’m living within my means… except for that Playstation 3 I bought as an early Christmas gift to myself. :)

J and I are still together.  October has been financially devastating for her, but we have faith that things will work out for the best and at least we’ve got each other for support.