All Hallows Eve

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Been meaning to post this for a few days, but only just got these photos online. Riley did a reprise of his bat costume from last year, since it still fits him just fine. Lydia went as a jack-o’lantern.

We kicked off the day with a party at Riley’s school. Both kids were a little intimidated by the din when we got there, but got into the swing of things pretty quick. Riley and I ran hopped a sack race, and decorated little picture frames with foam stickers, but he was really all about the bounce house. (It’s funny, all those times at Little Gym he never trusted the big air mat, he’d grow extra arms to hold onto me rather than bounce around on it with the other kids. But he could not get enough of this bounce house. Man, what a year will do.) Poor Lydia got pretty worn out exploring the party, she passed out almost as soon as I started the van.

We carved the pumpkins in the afternoon. I got a little round white one from Home Depot, with the idea of doing it as a skull. I drew the face with a sharpie, and it turned out pretty cool, then I couldn’t bring myself to carve it out. I am curious how it would look carved, but it would be rather time consuming to try it with all the teeth.

Some of our neighbors had a cookout in their driveway, so that was our first stop trick-or-treating. The kids had a great time playing there. Eventually we visited all the lit houses on our block, by which time both kids were exhausted.

We had a few handfuls of trick-or-treaters come to our door over the course of the evening, most of whom were delightful. There were a few teens with no apparent costume, some of those weren’t even accompanying little siblings or anything. I gave them candy anyway — I mean at least they’re out doing this instead of drugs or whatever — but it always feels kinda like extortion. Which got me thinking that trick-or-treating really started out that way anyway, so there’s no point resenting them for it.

Vote Cast!

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Apparently I left the van on all night (i.e. the key in the ignition, turned to ACC, though the engine wasn’t running of course), and so this morning it wouldn’t turn over. I called AAA for a jump, and while I was waiting I put the kids in the two-seat stroller and walked them around our street. One of our neighbors was able to give us a jump on his way to work. Got Riley to school, albeit almost an hour late. Then Lydia and I went on a little drive to recharge the battery.

After that I went to my nearest polling place, and though I wasn’t 100% sure I was assigned there, I knew my wife was, and I figured even if I wasn’t they could help me find where to go. There was no significant line at all, which was great. But my registration never got processed, which was not. Apparently I wasn’t the only new — hmm, what would you call it, applicant? — to fall through the cracks. I turned in my registration form at the DMV when I got my Georgia driver’s license on October 3. Nobody at the polling place today could tell me whether that was past the deadline or not, but it didn’t matter, they made many calls and eventually got me my voter card. I cast my ballot and was very grateful for all the assistance. Lydia was a big hit there while we were waiting, she charmed everybody. :)

I left feeling really good. It didn’t hurt that it’s a gorgeous day here today, sunny and clear. But given the trouble with the van this morning, and then the bureaucratic slog, I was a little surprised to find myself so at peace with the world.

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Recent studies here at the BryceLand Institute of Culinosophy indicate that wasabi peas and pumpkin ale are not best friends in your mouth. The origin of the pairing has yet to be ascertained, but scientists have concluded that it was not divine inspiration.

New Town, New Band

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We moved to Fayetteville, GA this week. The house is bigger and nicer than our last one, though it too is a rental. Lots of storage, a screened-in back porch, and access to community perks like a swimming pool and tennis courts. The only downsides are an increase in yard maintenance, and an allegedly fascist neighborhood association which is ever vigilant for infractions of yard maintenance guidelines. But our kitchen sink alone is probably worth this sacrifice.

We got here Sunday night, and spent a couple days camping here and getting the essentials in place. Movers brought the rest of our stuff on Wednesday. It was the easiest move I’ve had by far.

There was a newspaper in our driveway that evening, and I brought it into the house and looked through it. In it I found a classified ad seeking a keyboard player for “an established southern rock/blues band.” I called them yesterday, having finally gotten the boxes down to ankle level. I figured even if nothing else came of it, I could pick their brains about resources for musicians down here. They invited me and the family out to the lead singer’s house this evening for band practice and a cookout.

It was great fun, even though I wasn’t yet able to play along with most of their songs. And even though I have a lot of practicing to do before I know the songs as well as they do, they’re willing to give me the chance to get up to speed. Everything they played tonight is a cover, but the songs are good and fun to play. They get some gigs but aren’t very aggressive about it — they all have day jobs — which suits me and my Dad-of-young-kids schedule just fine. The band’s name is Remedy. They play pretty well together, I’d say.

Downtown Fayetteville seems to be precisely one major intersection. Most of the rest of it is tucked away behind the trees, off little roads; the vibe is a bit isolating. I’m glad to be making some friends already.