Trick or teat!

Ah, Halloween. My third favorite holiday as a child. Not only because of the candy but because of it’s role in ringing in the season of “holidays where Grrrbear gets stuff!”. After Halloween came thanksgiving (food), xmas (presents), my birthday (presents), valentines day (faked tokens of affection from classmates and more candy), and easter (candy!). My mom was way into decorating for each one so I was always terribly excited when she broke out the pumpkins and mini-ears of corn. We have a picture of me (at age three) at the annual Grrrbear household pumpkin carving day – I’m trying to eat a piece of pumpkin and obviously having the best time ever.

When I was a kid though, it was recognized that Halloween was a kid’s holiday, and people who went out trick-or-treating after the age of 12 were considered wierdos. I went out with a bang, with my 5th grade costume being a homemade Optimus Prime costume (designed by yours truly) that would allow me to actually transform into a somewhat semi-like shape that was remarkably recognizeable as a vehicle. These days however, Halloween is slowly being co-opted by adults of my age who refuse to let kids have all the fun. And it’s also starting to serve as a pseudo-mardi-gras for those of us who don’t live in New Orleans. Complete with boobage.

Seriously, when did a celebration of the spooky become about porno? I recently received a flyer promoting a “5th Annual Pimp and Ho Halloween Party” at a local club. Looking at the pictures inside, it was easy to see why guys would want to go – all the women were hot and were wearing costumes constructed of dental floss and corks. The guys in the pictures however, were wearing full pimp suits and big floppy hats. They looked pretty silly, whereas the women looked hot, but a little skanky.

And then, as if the promise of pseudo-skanky ladies wasn’t enough by itself the party was going to be hosted by three pornstars (“Stormy”, “Shane”, and “Nina Hartley”) with big prize giveaways to include trips for 2 to the AVN awards in Las Vegas. In addition, there were going to be "100+" of the "sexiest adult dancers in Chicago" in attendance.

By this time, I was really confused. I am a guy; I have friends that are guys. It’s easy to see why we would all want to go to this. My question falls on my significantly female population of readers – why would you ladies want to go to this? Is it all about being allowed to dress like a ‘ho for one evening and not have your “street cred” (as a lawyer, investment banker, or nun) ruined forever? Or is it more evidence of the “enough alcohol will make us crazy” phenomenon so often practiced by the Girls Gone Wild crowd? Is a trip to the AVN awards something that would interest most women? Are you just looking for a place to bring your crappy boyfriend so you can "pass him off" to some stripper and go find someone better without going through his breakup whineyness?

Help a brother out ladies, I don’t get it…

Comments

KC said…
I have absolutely no insight for you. I'm just as confused by the porn Halloween thing as you are. Maybe someone will comment here and explain it for the both of us.
ThatIsMeWhat said…
Perhaps these women want a chance to dress up in a way they normally wouldn't, who knows? It can't be held against you: "Did you SEE (insert name)'s costume?! Mmmhmmm! Skank!" They'd just think she may have a wild side, though I can't see any reason to dress up as a pimp's property. As for me? Well I'm going to wear a dress, which is something one usually has to marry me to get me to do. :)
J.Po said…
I'm going to dress like Princess Leia when she was chained to Jabba the Hut. Totally porn!
grrrbear said…
J.Po - you *do* realize that is the hottest costume ever invented, don't you? Are you prepared for the rush of male "attention" you'll receive when you go out in public? You remember the episode of Friends when Rachel dressed up in that costume? Every guy in our generation sure does, even Jiggity...oh...wait...I get it.
Unknown said…
Will Jiggity be going as Jabba the Hutt or hero-to-the-rescue Han Solo? Wait - maybe she rescued herself. Will he be going as hero-the-the-rescue also-Princess Leia?
Nobody said…
People watching... duh?! Give me a room of hoochie mamas any day. Entertained for DAYS...
J.Po said…
Okay, the truth...I'm actually going as Princess Leia in long flowy white dress and Jiggity as Han Solo (pre-carbon freeze). But I'll keep the Jabba slave idea for a potential costume change.
towwas said…
I hate that porn costume thing. I think if you want to dress like a ho, you should dress like a ho, and not pretend it's a "costume." Which is why I was so happy to read this AP story http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/10/AR2005101000821.html on Monday.
Annie said…
Did any of you see "Mean Girls"? It was explained that Halloween is really a chance for a girl to dress up in a surreally slutty outfit, put on some kind of animal ears and tail, and call it a costume. Halloween made a heck of a lot more sense to me after that.

Here in San Francisco, Halloween is the only real holiday. Lots of people go nude with capes and walk around the Castro drunk.
towwas said…
Yes, that part of Mean Girls resonated deeply with me. Where Lindsay Lohan shows up in a scary costume and everyone's like, eugh, freak.