Answering the Bat Phone

Ephemerist as Great Pumpkin or Living Abstract Painting.....

I was offered Devils tickets for tonight

I passed.

I was offered tickets to see the Police in concert tonight.

Sorry, thanks- got something to do.

It was Halloween night and I had a hot date- showing my favorite 32" high guy the Halloween parade and anticipating the absolute glee of a little fella up way past his bed time. Except..

The little guy had other plans that involved his favorite DVD and a blanky with his mom. I didn't take it personally, after all award winning (1st prize in the school costume contest- way to go kiddo!) pre-k's have every right to choose how they spend their Halloweens. We'd catch up later.

But it left me thinking. There have been a LOT of loooooong days in my life lately. Last night- fab Italian Dinner and a wee bit late out for a "school night" (the conversation more than made up for it- but that's another story) and tomorrow- tickets for August: Osage County. My whole being said- oh for the love of MIKE go HOME.I did Halloween on Sunday. I didn't miss it- just did it a couple of days early.

The city had other plans. I dragged my tired self to the train contemplating a bubble bath and an early night and walked onto the V train. If I wasn't happy, I was at least serene in the notion that this was the sensible thing to do. But sensible and I have never been on easy terms. Then... the bat phone rang and on the train I saw (all in ONE subway car, mind you)


Elvis and Marilyn


A witch took a picture of me- taking a picture of her... how Dali- or How Norman Rockwell- not sure which.


A swarm of Japanese Beetles (and a token Sailor Moon) I wanted to explain to the ladies that Halloween was not sponsored by Victoria's Secret but who am I to spoil EVERYONE'S fun?

It seemed WASTEFUL to take the train directly home so I jumped off at the turning point for the parade- 6th avenue and 14th Street. It was only 6:20 and the parade was at least 40 minutes off. It was a scant 5 block walk to the PATH at 9th Street- how crowded could it be?


QUITE crowded....


Spook Central- 11th Street and the Jefferson Market Library. This building originally housed (in the early part of the 19th century) an indoor market, a police station, a jail AND was the site of a famous trial where Mae West was tried for "public indecency" (Bless her, she was YEARS ahead of the times in Greenwich Village)


A covey of pirates and wenches


Mom answers the call...

This is the very best part of life here. Close your ears to this siren's song and still it rises up to meet you. Tendrils of its energy and excitement twine themselves around you. The ultimate seduction- be a part of all this. Just stand amidst it and even if you do not move a muscle you are in the moment- and it is a part of you. The evening and the sights and the sounds reach for you- drags you by your starched white shirt front into an irresistable embrace, presses its sensual lips- traces of bitter and the ale of the night, to yours. And you are revived. The breath of life.

The scariest moment of all this Halloween?

The freakin' CHRISTMAS trees decorating the counter at a tony department store nearly obscuring the cashier's Halloween costume. It's OCTOBER 31st dang it- is NOTHING sacred??