Comments on: Trick-Or-Treating At Malls http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/11/02/trick-or-treating-at-malls/ public domain playground. friendly entities welcome. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:25:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Michael http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/11/02/trick-or-treating-at-malls/comment-page-1/#comment-24478 Michael Sat, 04 Nov 2006 23:51:04 +0000 http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/11/02/trick-or-treating-at-malls/#comment-24478 <blockquote>speaking of “slutty” costumes, I think that’s this years catch phrase. I’m hearing it everywhere …!</blockquote> haha sluttly costumes aren't new, guys.... ...but they sure are great!* <em>*Michael does not advocate the objectification of women. His remark is mearly a stamp of approval on widening the consumer range of halloween costumes to women ages 15-29</em>

speaking of “slutty” costumes, I think that’s this years catch phrase. I’m hearing it everywhere …!

haha sluttly costumes aren’t new, guys….

…but they sure are great!*

*Michael does not advocate the objectification of women. His remark is mearly a stamp of approval on widening the consumer range of halloween costumes to women ages 15-29

]]> By: Tim Boucher http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/11/02/trick-or-treating-at-malls/comment-page-1/#comment-24465 Tim Boucher Sat, 04 Nov 2006 09:50:05 +0000 http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/11/02/trick-or-treating-at-malls/#comment-24465 <blockquote>speaking of “slutty” costumes, I think that’s this years catch phrase. I’m hearing it everywhere …!</blockquote> Holy shit yeah - I heard that everywhere too!

speaking of “slutty” costumes, I think that’s this years catch phrase. I’m hearing it everywhere …!

Holy shit yeah - I heard that everywhere too!

]]> By: whatacharacter http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/11/02/trick-or-treating-at-malls/comment-page-1/#comment-24442 whatacharacter Sat, 04 Nov 2006 00:08:01 +0000 http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/11/02/trick-or-treating-at-malls/#comment-24442 Well .... better late to share than never ... having a hard time keeping up with you! I'm happy to report we had a near record of tykes this year, probably matching the first Halloweeen we had at our house 8 years ago, and following a steady decline. About 7 groups, a few with 4+, and lots of really little kids! My wife was in a bliss-induced tizzy, and we quickly ran out of razorblades!! j/k haha - but seriously, it was great. Also going to a late-costume party this weekend, and had a rockin' one ourselves 2- now 3 - yrs ago. Hope to again! Historically kids have only been a factor for Halloween for about a 100 years. The big boom post WWII, and the house-to-house trickrtreat trust factor, is a neat ltrend of the last 50 years. As you so note, it's that wonderful legacy, probably the biggest lost for today, while PERHAPS returning to the adult realm of "slutty" costumes .... Keep in mind also, that most -if not all- the real, substanciated reports of poison and razor blades, were found to be committed by family members! (according to the History channel) ... speaking of "slutty" costumes, I think that's this years catch phrase. I'm hearing it everywhere ...! Well …. better late to share than never … having a hard time keeping up with you!

I’m happy to report we had a near record of tykes this year, probably matching the first Halloweeen we had at our house 8 years ago, and following a steady decline. About 7 groups, a few with 4+, and lots of really little kids! My wife was in a bliss-induced tizzy, and we quickly ran out of razorblades!! j/k haha - but seriously, it was great. Also going to a late-costume party this weekend, and had a rockin’ one ourselves 2- now 3 - yrs ago. Hope to again!

Historically kids have only been a factor for Halloween for about a 100 years. The big boom post WWII, and the house-to-house trickrtreat trust factor, is a neat ltrend of the last 50 years. As you so note, it’s that wonderful legacy, probably the biggest lost for today, while PERHAPS returning to the adult realm of “slutty” costumes ….

Keep in mind also, that most -if not all- the real, substanciated reports of poison and razor blades, were found to be committed by family members! (according to the History channel)

… speaking of “slutty” costumes, I think that’s this years catch phrase. I’m hearing it everywhere …!

]]> By: jp http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/11/02/trick-or-treating-at-malls/comment-page-1/#comment-24440 jp Fri, 03 Nov 2006 23:39:07 +0000 http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/11/02/trick-or-treating-at-malls/#comment-24440 three trick or treaters this year. three. in an ostensibly safe neighborhood right around the corner from a school for chrissakes! the kids who did show up, though, were treated to massive double-handfuls of candy and will definitely be coming back next year. i had a fucking rockin' hallowe'en party, though. we decorated the hell out of our house with all manner of ghosts and ghoulies, borrowed a friend's fog machine and made eyeball-shaped rice crispie treats. it was totally rad. that's another side of this that i think is interesting: hallowe'en is now the third biggest party night of the year (behind new years' and the super bowl). it's a <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0610290255oct29,0,5108089.story?coll=chi-business-hed" rel="nofollow">multi-billion dollar industry</a>. people like me & my wife spend hundreds of dollars on crazy hallowe'en stuff every year (decorations, candy, costumes etc.). it may not be a nigh for trick or treaters anymore, but i think it may be taking on a new form as those of us who knew & loved it as kids are grown up. three trick or treaters this year. three. in an ostensibly safe neighborhood right around the corner from a school for chrissakes! the kids who did show up, though, were treated to massive double-handfuls of candy and will definitely be coming back next year.

i had a fucking rockin’ hallowe’en party, though. we decorated the hell out of our house with all manner of ghosts and ghoulies, borrowed a friend’s fog machine and made eyeball-shaped rice crispie treats. it was totally rad. that’s another side of this that i think is interesting: hallowe’en is now the third biggest party night of the year (behind new years’ and the super bowl). it’s a multi-billion dollar industry. people like me & my wife spend hundreds of dollars on crazy hallowe’en stuff every year (decorations, candy, costumes etc.). it may not be a nigh for trick or treaters anymore, but i think it may be taking on a new form as those of us who knew & loved it as kids are grown up.

]]> By: corky http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/11/02/trick-or-treating-at-malls/comment-page-1/#comment-24426 corky Fri, 03 Nov 2006 19:24:44 +0000 http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/11/02/trick-or-treating-at-malls/#comment-24426 Cross-referencing to a relevant and interesting article: http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2006/11/perceived_risk_1.html Cross-referencing to a relevant and interesting article:

http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2006/11/perceived_risk_1.html

]]> By: SubstanceM http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/11/02/trick-or-treating-at-malls/comment-page-1/#comment-24421 SubstanceM Fri, 03 Nov 2006 15:15:51 +0000 http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/11/02/trick-or-treating-at-malls/#comment-24421 Hey, maybe the kids these days are so overly lavished with chocolate bars in full and bite size, vending machines, pre-packaged crap, meals at McD's twice a week, etc, etc that there is no more thrill at the thought of getting some candy to eat. It's just another day. And walk around the neighborhood? Let's take the car. Or go to the mall. Maybe that plays a part in the decline of Halloween. On a not so bleak note though, my kids had a blast. There weren't tons of kids on the streets but there were some, and the whole adventure of dressing up, being "scary" and trick or treating was a lot of fun for them. Ahh, to be young. Hey, maybe the kids these days are so overly lavished with chocolate bars in full and bite size, vending machines, pre-packaged crap, meals at McD’s twice a week, etc, etc that there is no more thrill at the thought of getting some candy to eat.
It’s just another day. And walk around the neighborhood? Let’s take the car. Or go to the mall. Maybe that plays a part in the decline of Halloween.

On a not so bleak note though, my kids had a blast. There weren’t tons of kids on the streets but there were some, and the whole adventure of dressing up, being “scary” and trick or treating was a lot of fun for them. Ahh, to be young.

]]> By: Linda http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/11/02/trick-or-treating-at-malls/comment-page-1/#comment-24416 Linda Fri, 03 Nov 2006 12:55:52 +0000 http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/11/02/trick-or-treating-at-malls/#comment-24416 The kids in our neighborhood were sparse this year. I assumed it was because recently a huge housing development went in across town and it would have been easier to go door to door in their neighborhood instead of mine. We also don't have a porch light, and I remember as a child we were not allowed to go to the houses without a light. Be that as it may, we still had a couple brave souls venture to our door, and out of their mouths came, Trick or treat, smell my feet", it amused me and my husband so much, those kids got extra chocolate bars for their bags. The kids in our neighborhood were sparse this year. I assumed it was because recently a huge housing development went in across town and it would have been easier to go door to door in their neighborhood instead of mine. We also don’t have a porch light, and I remember as a child we were not allowed to go to the houses without a light. Be that as it may, we still had a couple brave souls venture to our door, and out of their mouths came, Trick or treat, smell my feet”, it amused me and my husband so much, those kids got extra chocolate bars for their bags.

]]> By: Gina http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/11/02/trick-or-treating-at-malls/comment-page-1/#comment-24409 Gina Fri, 03 Nov 2006 11:51:29 +0000 http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/11/02/trick-or-treating-at-malls/#comment-24409 This phenomenon is not limited to urban spaces; we've also experienced the same here out in rural America, where things are still perceived as low crime enough for us not to have to lock our doors. Lights on- front gates open- not a sign of a trick or treater. I also have to point out, fewer kids in suburban and rural America seem to be walking. My sister lives in one of those suburban housing developments that seem to permeate the American landscape, and 90% of the children arrive in cars, rather than on foot. What ashame to lose such an essential part of childhood. This phenomenon is not limited to urban spaces; we’ve also experienced the same here out in rural America, where things are still perceived as low crime enough for us not to have to lock our doors. Lights on- front gates open- not a sign of a trick or treater. I also have to point out, fewer kids in suburban and rural America seem to be walking. My sister lives in one of those suburban housing developments that seem to permeate the American landscape, and 90% of the children arrive in cars, rather than on foot. What ashame to lose such an essential part of childhood.

]]> By: Darkshadow http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/11/02/trick-or-treating-at-malls/comment-page-1/#comment-24398 Darkshadow Fri, 03 Nov 2006 06:12:40 +0000 http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/11/02/trick-or-treating-at-malls/#comment-24398 I had one "kid" come by. I put it in quotes because I'm pretty sure he was around 16. He didn't have much of a costume, either - just an ape mask over his head. Otherwise dressed normally. And he only asked me because I happened to be sitting outside at that point; I'm fairly certain he wouldn't have knocked on the door. Trick or treaters aren't the only thing that's disappearing, though. When was the last time any of y'all went to a Halloween party? Or even heard of anyone having one? I had one “kid” come by. I put it in quotes because I’m pretty sure he was around 16. He didn’t have much of a costume, either - just an ape mask over his head. Otherwise dressed normally. And he only asked me because I happened to be sitting outside at that point; I’m fairly certain he wouldn’t have knocked on the door.

Trick or treaters aren’t the only thing that’s disappearing, though. When was the last time any of y’all went to a Halloween party? Or even heard of anyone having one?

]]> By: nico http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/11/02/trick-or-treating-at-malls/comment-page-1/#comment-24392 nico Fri, 03 Nov 2006 03:50:29 +0000 http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/11/02/trick-or-treating-at-malls/#comment-24392 I am so there with you on this one. I had a Jack o'lantern here in the window and my main door OPEN! Not one trick or treater here on Capitol Hill. I was really sad about that. I bought candy and everything (And there are some really cool kids in the hood!) I thought that at least one group would come to the door. Anyhow. I think the sense of community (aka the "village") have gone by the way of the dodo. As a society, anonymity rules. We far more insular and suspicious of everybody and everything. Sterilized, secularized, and marketed beyond belief. Cyclical time? Goddess forbid. That's far too provincial. I am so there with you on this one. I had a Jack o’lantern here in the window and my main door OPEN! Not one trick or treater here on Capitol Hill. I was really sad about that. I bought candy and everything (And there are some really cool kids in the hood!) I thought that at least one group would come to the door. Anyhow. I think the sense of community (aka the “village”) have gone by the way of the dodo. As a society, anonymity rules. We far more insular and suspicious of everybody and everything. Sterilized, secularized, and marketed beyond belief. Cyclical time? Goddess forbid. That’s far too provincial.

]]> By: Tim Boucher http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/11/02/trick-or-treating-at-malls/comment-page-1/#comment-24388 Tim Boucher Fri, 03 Nov 2006 03:30:17 +0000 http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/11/02/trick-or-treating-at-malls/#comment-24388 Sidenote: Speaking of an attack on the family, does anybody have info on a woman, I think a congresswoman (maybe Cynthia McKinney - not sure) who supposedly had some statistic she delivered before Congress about the catastrophic rise in single-parent familes among African-Americans in only like a ten year time span? Sidenote: Speaking of an attack on the family, does anybody have info on a woman, I think a congresswoman (maybe Cynthia McKinney - not sure) who supposedly had some statistic she delivered before Congress about the catastrophic rise in single-parent familes among African-Americans in only like a ten year time span?

]]> By: Tim Boucher http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/11/02/trick-or-treating-at-malls/comment-page-1/#comment-24387 Tim Boucher Fri, 03 Nov 2006 03:25:01 +0000 http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/11/02/trick-or-treating-at-malls/#comment-24387 One other thing I meant to bring up with regards to this: What's with people scheduling trick-or-treating to happen on a day other than Halloween itself, because it's more "convenient" to do on a weekend? I don't think people understand what the goddamned point of holidays is anymore. They aren't supposed to be "convenient." They are supposed to be cyclical sacred times where we allow for disruption of the mundane schedule. You can't freaking schedule these things where they are more convenient for you. You have to celebrate them where they fall. That's the whole point. One other thing I meant to bring up with regards to this:

What’s with people scheduling trick-or-treating to happen on a day other than Halloween itself, because it’s more “convenient” to do on a weekend?

I don’t think people understand what the goddamned point of holidays is anymore. They aren’t supposed to be “convenient.” They are supposed to be cyclical sacred times where we allow for disruption of the mundane schedule.

You can’t freaking schedule these things where they are more convenient for you. You have to celebrate them where they fall. That’s the whole point.

]]> By: alistair http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/11/02/trick-or-treating-at-malls/comment-page-1/#comment-24386 alistair Fri, 03 Nov 2006 03:12:53 +0000 http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/11/02/trick-or-treating-at-malls/#comment-24386 i was out with my youngest boy who`s seven and we saw a drastic lack of children and people were wondering where all the kids were. they were at the mall. we were out for about an hour and a half in a mixed single family and highrise apartment area where i would have thought there would have been hundreds of kids milling around. an attack on the family and an attack on traditional community activities. where will the holidays be in twenty years............let`s see......a society of experts=regulations and by-laws and licencing. therefore i will suggest certified hallowe`en candy provider certificates, distribution licencing and inspection of candy at points throughout the event by qualified technicians. i was out with my youngest boy who`s seven and we saw a drastic lack of children and people were wondering where all the kids were. they were at the mall. we were out for about an hour and a half in a mixed single family and highrise apartment area where i would have thought there would have been hundreds of kids milling around.
an attack on the family and an attack on traditional community activities.
where will the holidays be in twenty years…………let`s see……a society of experts=regulations and by-laws and licencing. therefore i will suggest certified hallowe`en candy provider certificates, distribution licencing and inspection of candy at points throughout the event by qualified technicians.

]]> By: K. D. B. http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/11/02/trick-or-treating-at-malls/comment-page-1/#comment-24385 K. D. B. Fri, 03 Nov 2006 03:12:23 +0000 http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/11/02/trick-or-treating-at-malls/#comment-24385 It is another example of the death of risk. When everything is nerf plated, round edged, non-toxic, and dishwasher safe, where will the explorers come from? Where will the daring individuals who teach us to fly come from? It is another example of the death of risk. When everything is nerf plated, round edged, non-toxic, and dishwasher safe, where will the explorers come from? Where will the daring individuals who teach us to fly come from?

]]> By: Mattybat http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/11/02/trick-or-treating-at-malls/comment-page-1/#comment-24382 Mattybat Fri, 03 Nov 2006 02:19:12 +0000 http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/11/02/trick-or-treating-at-malls/#comment-24382 Bravo. Brav-bloody-O. I didn't see a single kid out trick-or-treating on Tuesday. Not one! I have to ask myself the same question "what the hell is going on?". Holidays have been commercialized since before I was born and i've always been ok with that, but now I think they're truly dead. If things are this bad now will holiday's even be around twenty years down the road? Or will they just be abolished, or even outlawed? Bravo. Brav-bloody-O. I didn’t see a single kid out trick-or-treating on Tuesday. Not one! I have to ask myself the same question “what the hell is going on?”. Holidays have been commercialized since before I was born and i’ve always been ok with that, but now I think they’re truly dead. If things are this bad now will holiday’s even be around twenty years down the road? Or will they just be abolished, or even outlawed?

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