Since the magazines I edit are monthly, my brain often thinks that I’m one to two months ahead of the actual date (for instance, until I looked at the calendar this morning, I thought it was already November). This is both a good and a bad thing; good: I’m able to keep on top of my schedule and plan far ahead; bad: once my plans actually arrive, I’ve usually forgotten about them and I’m surprised all over again that I made them in the first place.
Fall is my favorite time of year, even in New Orleans where it stays warmer later than in most areas of the country. The leaves begin to turn; it’s time to wear boots, tights and coats; outdoor concerts are plentiful and comfortable to attend; pumpkin everything is available; you have your pick of galas (sometimes as many as four a night); and Hot. Mulled. Alcoholic. Cider.
Oh, and my three favorite holidays in a row: Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Since my brain was in November, I completely forgot about Halloween this year. While I, like most people who live in New Orleans, have a costume section in my closet, I haven’t planned for anything new. And as for plans, there’s so much going on in the city (see this article from New Orleans Magazine’s October issue), but I’m not really in the mood for a haunted house this year and I don’t have children so I’m not going to go trick-or-treating, but I can’t imagine not putting on a costume and going out to see all of the incredible costumes that other New Orleanians and visitors have created.|
That’s my favorite part of the New Orleans costuming tradition: the creativity. Walking the French Quarter and Frenchmen Street and figuring out everyone’s costume is like the adult version of playing that hidden objects game in Highlights magazine as a kid. And there’s nothing better than wearing an esoteric costume (say from “Full Metal Alchemist”) seeing someone across the street – also in an esoteric costume, say as the Princess Leia pregnant with a Death Star from Star Wars – and calling out each other’s costumed title at full volume.
Fall in our city is different – and that’s a good thing. So enjoy the cool weather, the new clothes, the galas, the warming drinks and the holidays. And don’t forget your costume!
