Phetasy News - Trick or Treat!?!

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Artwork by Lara Cullen - Info below

Greetings from the Phetaverse!

I’m a Grinch about Halloween. I wasn’t into the holiday much as a child. We were the “after school special” generation, so there was a heavy emphasis placed on not taking candy from strangers. This was drilled into us, until once a year, we would dress up and walk door-to-door and…take candy from strangers. It made me uncomfortable. The strange ritual or waiting for them to either hand you something—or determine if you were supposed to reach in the bowl and grab it yourself. The questions about what you were. The older, single dudes who were just a little too excited about kids in costumes.

No city goes off for Halloween quite like Los Angeles. It is their national holiday. I came to appreciate the creativity that goes into it with all the costume and set designers living there—you got some truly spectacular events, houses, and parties. Yet I still never enjoyed dressing up like a Slutty Nurse or whatever. Even though I would partake in the festivities in my twenties, it was begrudgingly.

Now I have a child and although she isn’t quite old enough to understand what Halloween is—the grandparents want pics of her in costume. My husband probably hates Halloween more than me. “It’s a holiday for children that has been co-opted by adults.” But it’s time to hang up our bad attitude and put on a pair of devil horns and angel wings. We will lean into the excitement of going door-to-door gathering goodies for the love of our child, even though she has no idea what candy is. Besides, is there anything more adorable than a kid dressed like an avocado? No. No there is not.

Be safe out there!

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Thumbnail artwork by Lara Cullen.

Email laracullenstudio@gmail.com to inquire or contact her.