Free candy notwithstanding, Halloween can be a serious pain. Agonizing over a costume is no one's idea of a rip-snorting good time. In the spirit of charity, we've decided to impart a few potential costume ideas. Please feel free to take advantage of the following daring, provocative, and potentially dangerous outfits:
You could always come as a spaceman. Sure, it's an obvious go-to, but this year we think it's gonna be a hot one. First, John Glenn returns to space after 30 years. Second, LIFE Magazine recently came out with "A Giant Leap for Mankind," an interesting chronicle of the Cold War race to be first in space (the very time that made Glenn famous in the first place). With material from the magazine's archives, the site covers everything from Russia's Sputnik victory to the U.S. moon landing. Still not convinced? Visit the Hubble Heritage Project -- a constantly updated archive of the Hubble space telescope's best photographs -- for some really terrific Halloween wall decorations. Space is undoubtedly the place.
Consider the Lindbergh Look: dust-blown jacket, billowing scarf, insectoid goggles, leather noggin cap. It didn't work out for us last year -- categorizing web sites while screaming "DAMMIT! BOGEY! SIX O'CLOCK!" was entertaining for a while, but the joi de vivre soon died. But we were willing to give it another try after perusing our latest confirmed kill, Plane Writing. Featuring quotes from vintage writing about flying and excerpts from early pilots' diaries, the site offers a fascinating glimpse into the nascent era of aviation. Roald Dahl waxes lyrical about his days as a WWII pilot, Charles Lindbergh discusses his famous trans-Atlantic flight, and Russia's infamous WWI ace Ivan Smirnoff talks about novel ways of killing novice pilots in the air -- with chains and grapple hooks.
You could always round up the gang and come as a Mbira Playing Musical Ensemble from Zimbabwe! But you'd better act fast, because the Instrument Encyclopedia was recently revised, and we hear that African percussion groups are going to be very popular this Halloween. Our fave musical instrument dictionary offers info on over 140 musical instruments: everything from Australia's dijeridoo to Europe's hurdy-gurdy to Spain's bandurria. The online effort is part of an amazing network of sites created by the Cultural Heritage Intiative for Community Outreach at the University of Michigan. (Explore 'em all when you can.) If you can't russle up a "mbira" this year, you can always go as a "kissar." Yes, of course we mean "a bowl shaped member of the lyre family" from Western Africa. But watch what happens if you don't mention that.
Go for a Nanook of the North ensemble: whalebone goggles, seal-fur anorak, narwhal chaps, mukluks. But be careful -- we did a practice run three weeks ago. Nibbling on smoked lard snack'ems while lumbering around in fifty pounds of animal matter was a blast, but in our case spearguns and workstations didn't mix. We concluded that it's best to leave Eskimo chic to the experts, and amused ourselves at 360 Alaska, which employs funky new technology to display stunning panoramas of Alaskan wilderness. Feel free to pan right across the snowswept Mount Denali basecamp, track left across the glittering Seward Harbor, or click to zoom in on a surly Alaskan grizzly. The Iditarod slide show is a knockout. Mush!
Remember: It's okay to go as something a little abstract. If Brad Pitt can play Death in his new movie, surely you can pull off something similar. Consider trick-or-treating as "a bad cough" or "scabies" or keep it simple and dress up as "despair." All you'll need is a white button-down shirt, a day planner, and a glazed look of resignation. For additional inspiration, just look to Despair, Inc. for a steamy helping of "demotivators." Make sandwich boards out of a pair of the site's posters ("Procrastination: Hard work often pays off after time, but laziness always pays off now" or "Failure: When your best just isn't good enough") and you'll instantly become the "total bummer" of the party!
Two years ago, we went as characters from the cool 80's TV show, CHiPS, but no-one recognized us! (Okay, maybe we should've picked better characters than "the perps from show #68 who rolled their Camaro 14 times after a high-speed chase but still walked away with only minor injuries.") Still, we're confident that this year you will not only be recognized, but applauded, if you strut your stuff as motorcycle cop Jon Baker. Just research your role at LarryWilcox.com--the official site for the actor who uttered the immortal phrase, "Cuff 'em, Ponch." There, you'll find biographical information, links to CHiPs sites, and a gallery of Wilcox media where you can learn all the words to Larry's 1975 disco song, "Me and My Love." Finally, cap your research by taping the upcoming CHiPs '99 cable movie (on TNT, this Tuesday) and watching it nonstop until Halloween. We're fairly confident you'll get a positive reaction...
Sometimes the best costumes come from obscure occupations: prison cook, waste-site inspector, village crackpot. One year, a friend of a friend dressed up as "the guy on the road crew who drinks a Big Gulp and watches the other guys work." Try something a little offbeat. Take a cue from Tacoma glassblower Dale Chihuly: Wear an eyepatch and paint-splattered shoes, carry around a long metal tube, and act like a world-reknowned artist who has redefined his chosen medium. Just visit his site, read up on his life, get a feel for his amazing glass creations, and let the spirit take you.
Decided on your costume yet? Hopefully we've clued you in to some potential party favorites. Dressing up in silly outfits can be a chore, but it beats other masochistic endeavors. Would you prefer a trick or a treat? Take your pick(s).
If you know of any timely, informative, or wacky web sites, please drop us a note. Also, feel free to send any general thoughts or comments about Picks.