Tricks

[GSOgymrat]

We put a large plastic jack-o-lantern on our front stoop and it ended up in the middle of the yard. At first I thought it was a Halloween joke by a mischievous neighborhood kid but when I saw it happen again I realized it was just the wind. Frankly I was mildly disappointed.

Is it just my neighborhood or does it seem like kids played more tricks on Halloween back in the 1970s? I never participated in such antics but I remember yards covered in toilet paper, mailboxes destroyed by baseball bats and M-80s, cars and houses egged, streets covered in the carnage of smashed pumpkins. The flaming bags of cow paddies were stuff of legend, as I never actually saw one. Halloween today seems more about the treats and less about the tricks.

[wolfter]

Sadly, a lot of pranks we did as kids can now gets kids in trouble with the authorities.  They now call it vandalism. 

[GSOgymrat]

Sadly, a lot of pranks we did as kids can now gets kids in trouble with the authorities.  They now call it vandalism.

It was vandalism back then too but it seems like the cultural climate has changed. I'm not sure when it changed or what exactly happened. Our parents never escorted us trick or treating after we were 5 years old and now parents act like every neighbor is a serial killer. 

[wolfter]

True, but now it seems like every offense has to be prosecuted.  In our day, we weren't hauled into court, we were hauled to our parents where we promptly got our asses beat.

Let a teenager have a beer now a days, both of you'll end up in court.  Kids are almost expected to be miniature adults.


WOW, Google Chrome even lets you know when you misspell a word.

Except when you use the wrong word....lol

[GSOgymrat]

WOW, Google Chrome even lets you now when you misspell a word.

LOL!

[Ann]

 Our parents never escorted us trick or treating after we were 5 years old and now parents act like every neighbor is a serial killer. 

I think that's probably what's really behind the change - more parents out and about. Also, you have to remember that those parents are packing mobile phones (cell phones on your side of the pond) and aren't afraid to use them to call the cops on kids playing pranks. Those mobiles also have photo and video capabilities and who wants to get caught in the act of egging a neighbour's house?

Ford, you've been quiet this year on the subject of your annual Halloween costume extravaganza. What are you doing this year? I always eagerly await each year's installment. 

[GSOgymrat]

Ford, you've been quiet this year on the subject of your annual Halloween costume extravaganza. What are you doing this year? I always eagerly await each year's installment.

Unfortunately I will not be going to West Hollywood or getting in costume this year. My employer is installing a completely new computer system and all employees are forbidden to take any time off September through November. I have been designated a "super user" and I am scheduled to work 70 hours this week. I have no formal IT education and I am not management so perhaps I am here in anticipation of panic attacks, anger outbursts and psychotic episodes.


As a consolation here are photos of some of my previous costumes:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36088371@N00/sets/72157631893924653/show/

[Ann]

Aw, that's a bummer Ford. Your employer should have given you a special dispensation. What a party pooper your company is! I hope you get to make up for it next year.

Thanks for the reminder of years gone by. It's hard to pick a favourite, but for me I suppose it's between the SteamPunk and the Viking - but they're all great.

[WillyWump]

Unfortunately I will not be going to West Hollywood or getting in costume this year.
A

BOOOOO!

As a consolation here are photos of some of my previous costumes:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36088371@N00/sets/72157631893924653/show/

YAY!

[intaglio]

True, but now it seems like every offense has to be prosecuted.

Nowadays, there are video cameras and wildlife cameras that can catch the perps in action. Add to that, castle doctrines that homeowners think allow them to indiscriminately shoot trespassers and most kids feel the risks outweigh the rewards.

[mecch]

You never "particpated in such antics"?  Your loss.  It was called mischief night, the 30th, and we had a blast. I grew up in the suburbs so I guess we all felt safe enough, and we went wild with the pranks. There were some hoodlums who did real vandalism, though. Keying cars, smashing windows.