TODAY’S THE DAY

 

Halloween itself. It has been so horribly commercialized and monetized, very much with the consent and participation of Americans. The day seems to allow people to let out something that is otherwise repressed, and that’s a good thing. The over-the-top home decorations, some more elaborate than Christmas, well, that’s something else. Mrs. C and I don’t get into holidays much.                     

GLAM

There is strong competition to stand out at the Central West End Halloween party, and I think this couple was particularly successful. Lots of effort went into these ensembles. On the other hand, when I’m shooting at an event like this I dress in black. I want to notice them but I don’t want them to notice me.                   

FALL COLORS

 

One of the more creative costume ensembles at the Central West End Halloween party. Our temperatures have gotten much cooler and we’ve had some rain, so maybe we will get more natural versions of this. Note, though, what is in the hand pf the person on the left. Someone was selling cocktails in IV fluid bags, with the liquid tube to use as a straw. Medicinal purposes only.        

ROUND IN CIRCLES

Pre-party entertainment in Maryland Plaza before the Central West End’s main Halloween festivities. This person is there every year, doing tricks that are hard to photograph. He fully rotates, twists and spirals, somehow not squashing his hands. Where do you learn this?              

GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN

I was trained to ask permission before taking a picture of an individual or small group on the street. (I may have occasionally sinned.) When wandering around at an event like the Central West End Halloween party, I’ll raise my lens, nod and say “may I?’. In all the years I’ve been going there, I’ve never been turned down. People want to be seen.     

IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR

 

Halloween isn’t until Friday but The Lou’s biggest party was last night. On the Saturday before the official date, our trendy Central West End neighborhood sponsors a huge street party. The costumes range from the mundane (who needs more Super Mario brothers?) to people like this. Not sure what’s going on with this couple, she dressed as Lady Liberty with wings and he, wearing a bishop’s mitre, symbolizing something more sinister.                

PATRIOT

 

The president and his sycophants claim that the people at the No Kings rallies in every state were left wing loonies [sic], Hamas agitators, Antifa operatives (as if such an organization exists, while we are reminded that every American soldier who fought in World War II was antifa) or cranky, out of touch geezers (like me). All lies, and yet more lies.