Glitch

What happens when Halloween and Sunday Night Football intersect?

The AI transcriber glitches.

(Announcer Al Michaels said "forced fumble".)

Halloween, 2020

(Image by Willow Glen merchants)

Two years ago we had a record 132 kids show up at our door. This year the neighborhood--in fact the entire Foster City--was blacked out; the air wardens of my parents' childhood would have approved.

Our candy expenditure was near-zero. (It was not zero because I had bought a package a few weeks ago as a precautionary measure; well, the candy won't eat itself, you know.)

In 2020 we have discovered that a lot of necessary things weren't, and some frivolities were more important than we had thought.

Here's hoping Halloween will be back next year.

Prices Squashed

There are three identical boxes to the right.

For a few bucks I could buy out the lot, cornering the pumpkin market in our suburban town. Unfortunately that monopoly would last only a few days, because the Cucurbita Maxima are looking a bit ragged.

The store's buyer overestimated demand. Eight days after Halloween the remaining inventory easily weighs over a ton.

At 25 cents each, there's little downside to trying out a few pumpkin recipes. I'll likely pick one up on Saturday.

Halloween, 2018

Two bags were needed.

I had a feeling we needed more, so I bought two 150-piece bags of candy from Costco. 132 (!) trick-o-treaters showed up tonight, more than double the typical turnout. About a hundred were pre-teen, and half were Asian, reflecting the changing demographics of Foster City. We overheard some goblins and witches tell new arrivals, "That's a good house." Praise from business colleagues is one thing, but that's a good house from a kid? It doesn't get better.

Unnecessary Purchase

That's a lot of sugar.

After getting off the plane, I went to the supermarket to pick up snacks, toiletries, and other items that I knew Mom and Dad wouldn't have.

I also bought a bag of candy to give to the Halloween hordes that I used to be a part of in the old neighborhood. Not one kid showed up. You can go home again, but home looks very different.

Just As Well

Church members were multitasking this weekend. While some were feeding the masses---okay, about 60---in Redwood City there were pumpkin carving and haunted-house-building for the kids.

When we returned from Redwood City the Halloween party was winding down. Just as well--the doc says I don't need any more sugar.

Halloween 2016

Even allowing for an increase in trick o'treaters from last year's thirty-four (34), the bulk bag of 120 wrapped candies should have been more than enough. The door bell began ringing at 6 p.m.. I dispensed three pieces to each ghost and goblin, but quickly cut back to two apiece as I was answering the door every 5 minutes.

By the end of the evening we had 65 visitors and all the candy was gone. Well, better them than me. (Scientists now claim that sugar is "toxic." Like tackle football, Halloween candy for kids will likely be severely restricted in a few years.)

Halloween 2015: Bouncing Back

As is our wont, we keep track of the number of trick-or-treaters who come to our door.

20 years ago the numbers were much higher. One can speculate about why they dwindled---fewer kids, safety concerns, publicity about the dangers of sugar---but lately the turnout has been bouncing back. I know if I had a young child or grandchild that I would want her to turn off her electronic devices and mingle with friends and neighbors.

Tonight we greeted 34 kids, a five-year high. True, Halloween was on Saturday, and there is an extra hour of sleep tonight (we're reverting to Pacific Standard Time tomorrow morning), so we'll wait till next year before declaring a trend.

Happy Hallowe'en

When we're desperate....(history.com photo)

Before the goblins came to the door, we sorted the bags of candy into those we like (e.g., Milky Way and Kit Kat bars), those which trigger our nut allergy (e.g., Snickers and Peanut M&M's), and those which we'll consume when we're desperate for a sugar fix (e.g., Kandy Korn).

Foot traffic recently has numbered about 40 creatures of the night, but this Halloween fell on Friday; we greeted double the average. After 8 p.m. older trick-or-treaters continued to ring the doorbell, and by 9:30 they were done.

Our eyes gleamed, as they did over 50 years ago, at the sight of candy piled on the table. Some aspects of human nature will never change.

Happy Halloween! © 2014 Stephen Yuen

Halloween, 2013: Less is Good

15 minutes before it starts

Recently the number of trick o' treaters has been tailing off, but not this year. The nearby martial arts studio threw a Halloween party, and after it was over most of the kids decided that they weren't done yet.

Over 50 ghosts, goblins, witches, sorcerers, and super-heroes came to our door. Fortunately, we had the foresight to buy a 150-piece bag of assorted chocolate bars, and we only have a few pieces left that we'll be "forced" to eat in the next few days.

Less is good.

Halloween, 2008

Taekwondo Instructor

The rains came on Halloween--and none too soon—because this year’s precipitation has been well below normal. I switched off the sprinklers for the weekend and waited for the showers to stop.

We joined the line of ghosts, goblins, and princesses snaking over the Beach Park bridge. Despite the inclement weather trick-or-treating in Foster City’s safe neighborhood attracted hundreds of kids this year.

We stopped at Master Perez’ booth. (Herb Perez was an Olympic gold medalist in taekwondo and has built a popular martial arts studio in Foster City.) Everyone who walked by was greeted with a balloon and a friendly word from Master Perez. With his young family, new house, and prosperous business, he’s often remarked how lucky his life has been. I think that we’re the lucky ones.

Hospitable Couple

We exited Farragut Park to check out the decorations. Some homeowners went through elaborate efforts in setting up audio-visual equipment and re-doing their whole front yard. Others just passed out candy, while a nice couple poured hot coffee and apple juice for all comers.

The youngster greeted a number of acquaintances and gabbed with other teenagers. Most teens didn’t really care about the candy. What drew them out was the primal urge to see and be seen and maybe to get away from their parents. My guy still likes having me around, but I have to maintain a discreet distance when he’s talking with his friends.

Foster City Halloween 2008

Despite having lived in Foster City over two decades, I lose my sense of direction when wandering the safe neighborhood; the streets curve into dead-end cul-de-sacs and I often have to turn around. This year, though, there’s the magical iPhone with GPS! The flashing blue dot marked our position on the map and we found our way back without any trouble.

Soon he’ll be too old to go trick-or-treating. In my second childhood I’ve found that I enjoy mingling with other parents and seeing familiar faces out and about. Maybe Master Perez can use a helping hand next year. © 2008 Stephen Yuen

Worthy Cause

On lunchtime on Tuesday I organized a poker contest at my company. My motives were entirely benign because this was part of the annual fall fundraiser that benefits local charities. Nevertheless, we encouraged criticism and mockery in order to spark competitiveness, impulsive donations, and side bets. All proceeds will go to La Casa de las Madres, a shelter for victims of domestic violence.

The fact that the contest fell on Halloween was even better. The players got extra chips for coming in costume, while the dealers got into the spirit, too.