I was behind the 8-ball and didn’t prepare a costume to wear to work today. Over the years I’ve come up with some decent costumes, some requiring very little work, others a lot. Here are some of my costumes from Halloweens’ past:

Rorschach (from “The Watchmen“): I am really proud of this costume, and it won me a prize last year. I purchased heat-sensitive powder (really cool stuff, btw), mixed it with glue, and painted a Rorschach design on a white t-shirt. Worn over the head, the heat from my breath caused the pattern to change. A cheap raincoat, hat, and gloves completed the look.

Dryer Sock Monster: This was the simplest, easiest costume I’ve ever made, and it was still very successful. I simply took a black raincoat and safety-pinned one of every sock in my drawer. People looked at me with confusion for a minute, then when the realization hit, pointed at me and shouted, “you’re the one who stole my socks!”

Golf Accident: This took some work. I carefully sawed a golf ball in half with a hacksaw. I stuck it to my forehead with band-aids and tape. I made fake blood mixing creamy peanut butter and green food coloring and smeared it around the golf ball. I then dressed in really tacky golf clothes I found at thrift stores (pink sweater vest, white pants, etc.) and carried a bent golf club.

Biking Accident: (am I sensing a theme here?) I dressed in biking clothes, smeared grease on my bare legs and arms, locked a Kryptonite U-lock around my neck, tied bike tire tubes around my arms, and hung a bike chain over my neck. I believe I also tied some loose bike pedals to my shoelaces. This may have happened within a year of a spectacular bike wreck I had mountain biking that cut and bruised my face, but, extremely fortunately, did no more damage.

Leisure Suit Dating Horror: Purchased some really cheesy 70s clothes at a thriftstore, a fake gold chain necklace, and some fake fur from a fabric store. I hung the fur on my bare chest, and unbuttoned my shirt to my navel, and hung the chain over my neck. Some tinted glasses completed the look.

Phantom of the Opera: I own white tie and tails, which somehow still barely fit. I purchased a half-mask, donned my tails, set up an electronic keyboard at my door, and when the trick-or-treaters arrived, played the opening lines of Bach’s Toccata and Fugue.