I won't bite!

It's Halloween, and everyone is decked out in their costumes and ghouly garb. My original costume idea feel through because of lack of time and finances (doesn't anyone sell a cheap, used wedding dress anymore?), so I'm came to work today as your basic, clad in black with heavy make-up goth. I hate thinking of goth as a costume. Much like punk, if you are one, it's kind of offensive for others to mock you. I'm not mocking it at all as I used to be a semi-goth, so I feel more like I'm putting on an old pair of slippers. However, other people really seemed freaked out by, almost to the point of being outright scared.

I took the train today for the last time this month, and I got on fully dressed and ready to go for the holiday. Luckily the conductors knew who I was or I might have been kicked off. I didn't do anything to scare anybody, didn't say anything, nothing. I got on, took my usual seat and proceeded to do my Sudoku puzzle. Whispers followed me as I passed by other passengers and strange looks met me down the aisle. After about 5 stops (I take the express train), no one was still sitting near me. Usually by Middletown I have at least one, sometimes, two more people crammed into my seat. But not today. Someone finally took the seat across from me at Woodbridge, a mere two stops from NYC Penn Station, and even she hesitated to make eye contact with me. I felt so loved.

I finally get into New York City, and it seemed as though the tables turned. I suddenly became a hooch because I have fishnets on. Catcalls, whistles, "hey baby", you name it, I got it as I walked just four blocks to work. I told my friend, Fee (see links for her blogs), that I felt like playing the full part and taking out any jerk who made a comment. I can see the headlines now: "Mad vigilante goth girl takes out NYC street scum". It's Halloween people! Give it a break! I put up with your rude comments everyday. Today's the day we all dress up to have fun, not to be jerks.

I've been picked on my whole life, from the minute I walked into pre-school to the minute I graduated college (well, maybe even as long as when I quit my job at the college). I have heard every comment, rude remark, filthy statement and racial slur you can think of. I'm 26 years old, and I work in New York City with who you would think would be civilized and sophisticated adults. I can tell, they're just about the farthest thing from sophisticated as they are mature (can you imagine what they're like when they're drunk?).

First of all, it's a costume (technically). I don't dress this way everyday. Second, I'm not a freak and I don't perform weird Satanic rituals on lab rats or your little chi-chi dog if I could get my hands on it. Third, fishnets don't make me a whore. There are plenty of "civilized, sophisticated business women" wearing them everyday. And finally, I WON'T BITE!!! It's make up. It's fake. Like the movies, you know. I don't like blood, and if I did, I wouldn't waste my time with your washed out, mutt blood.

So, in celebration of being different and being proud of it, I'm going to the Village Halloween parade in NYC, where I can join others like me, who enjoy dressing up and having a good time. Look for me on the news. Either I'll be dancing down the street or taking out a suit who had the balls (and I emphasize had) to make the comment that made me snap! And to all those of you who think Halloween is a waste of time and who take pleasure in ruining it for others, I hope you get hit some pretty rotten eggs and that your doormat is so damaged from that flaming bag of dog poop that you'll have to refinish your front porch before your have your Thanksgiving guests over. Happy Samhain to everyone, and to all a good fright!

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