What's the latest in people's lives?

[RK_Striker_JK_5]

I'm ready for Halloween. *Gets shotgun ready*

[Reliant121]

From what I see around my neighbourhood, Halloween for Brits falls into one of two categories: We like it, although nowhere near to the extend that the US uses it; or we hate it.

My parents have always firmly been in the hate it department, mainly because they believe (and I agree) that it encourages institutionalised begging. Besides, we ourselves have had a case where youths have not had the door answered and they have put a firework through the letterbox. Fortunately they didn't light it properly and it didn't go off.

Then again, many people celebrate it quite strongly.

[RK_Striker_JK_5]

Firework, eh? That's... probably one of the reasons I don't like the holiday too much. Yeah.

[Captain Seafort]

Fireworks are unusual. Keyed cars and tires, nicked gates, etc, on the other hand, are relatively common. Hence the hosepipe.

[Lighthawk]

Seriously? Around here if someone doesn't give out candy the usual response is to just skip the house. Time is candy after all.

[Captain Seafort]

Seriously?

Seriously. Over here (and in most places over there if half the stories are true) the "trick" in "trick or treat" is no joke.

[kostmayer]

A couple of unpleasant oinks have set up camp outside the local shops, with the crappiest Guy ever, demanding money of everyone who passes.

[Reliant121]

Seriously? Around here if someone doesn't give out candy the usual response is to just skip the house. Time is candy after all.

I think a lot of people that are older than you might expect get involved. I live in a statistically poor (as in degenerate, not necessarily financially) neighbourhood which may or may not have something to do with it.

[Mikey]

Hmm. I see my fair share of teenagers out trick-or-treating, but in my experience (including both suburban and inner-city areas in the Northeast metro corridor) the mischief aspect is generally grossly exaggerated. Once in a while a house gets egged, a car soaped, or a tree TP'd; but truly destructive vandalism is rare.

In my current town in particular, Halloween is a big deal. We have a huge Halloween parade, attracting participants from over an hour away - a happening enough that the town generally has trick-or-treating the day before Halloween to accommodate the parade. We have plenty of houses that decorate far more lavishly for Halloween than for Christmas.

[RK_Striker_JK_5]

I'm just not big on candy. I think I have a mild allergy to mint, too. Never been tested but it can make me a bit sick.

[RK_Striker_JK_5]

My mother's cataract surgery went off without a hitch, thank God.

[Mikey]

My mother's cataract surgery went off without a hitch, thank God.

Good looks. My niece got a good report on the follow-up for her spinal surgery, and may even start some light cardio on the elliptical in a few weeks. She should be able to take the field again next season, and might not have to have further surgeries until after college.

[RK_Striker_JK_5]

Great to hear on your end, Mikey.

[Mikey]

Gonna be about 40 degrees F tomorrow for my daughter's soccer game. Hooray.

[RK_Striker_JK_5]

yay for good soccer weather!

They're playing holiday music. Now... I don't mind holiday music, when I can listen to it and then turn it off. As it stands, I want a rifle and line of sight for all the speakers.