Handy Halloween hints to remember
By Christopher DaCosta
Catcalls and fleeing the party scene in a purple miniskirt are my only memories of my first college Halloween. That's right; Halle Berry didn't only grace the set of "Monster's Ball" in 2001, she made several cameo appearances at the annual Halloween Havoc soiree. Okay, okay, it was actually me, her doppelganger.
It was a lengthy decision process, but I finally chose to go party in drag. Actually, the girls on my floor coerced me into being the test dummy for their latest Max Factor Lipfiniti purchases. One thing led to another and soon I was wearing a leopard skin bra and responding to " the fabulous Ms. Berry."
Cross-dressing aside, it's rather difficult to decide on a tasteful and elegant costume for the bacchanalian Halloween merriment, which is why I've come across my fair share of masculine nuns and trashy hookers â€" well you know, more than usual.
Approaching my third Halloween at Santa Clara, I feel adequately prepared to dispense some useful knowledge about the evening's festivities.
1. While being herded out of a party upon its police invasion, remember that "revelry" was not all you were in for tonight; armpits in your mouth, pitchforks in your eyes and angel wings tickling your ears are all fair game.
2. Be prepared to spend some time determining the gender of your next bedmate â€" hey, some girls like to pee against fence, too.
3. Don't ask anyone wearing a cowboy hat, "How hard can you ride 'em cowboy?" You still have to see some of these people at Christian Ethics on Monday and besides, pickup lines are so yesterday.
4. Don't claim to Officer Melvin that a bottle and/or can are a part of your costume.
5. Boys, if drag's your thing, learn to run in heels.
6. It might be more than beer talking when that chick hitting on you has hairy legs.
7. At least if you see a dancing skeleton, you know you're not hallucinating.
8. It's the only night you'll see a cowgirl, a Chippendale guy and a Roman goddess in one place.
9. Bring a camera; you never know when you'll need some "evidence."
10. Don't accessorize too much, you'll probably want a free hand to hold a drink.
Tomorrow, fashion rules do not apply; the more garish and outlandish your costume, the more photo opportunities you'll get â€" I got to meet a patriotic Miss America who was clad in nothing more than Old Glory, a tiara and stilettos.
Whoever you are and wherever you go this Halloween, we at the Scene office wish you a ghastly good time. If you aren't being anyone but yourself and not going anywhere but the fridge this Halloween, go see "Texas Chainsaw Massacre," but read our review first. Then get familiar with the Ataris (left), because they're performing at Santa Clara on Sunday November 2.
Contact Christopher DaCosta at (408) 554-4852 or cdacosta@scu.edu.