Time and space

Halloween in America, it has certainly morphed over the centuries. What was, is no longer, at least for most. Houses decorated, haunted hayrides, carved pumpkins and then there’s the costumes. As a child my mother made all of our costumes, from Superman to the tin man. Burning old corks to black out our eyes for that Frankenstein costume.

I think I must have inherited some of her ingenuity, her ability to make something from nothing was epic. She worked as a seamstress most of her life. From drapes to covers for furniture for a well known brand. And of course dresses for my sisters.

What I didn’t inherit it seems is her patience. Don’t get me wrong I have gotten better in recent years, learning the hard way about why you give yourself enough time to accomplish what it is your trying to do. That said what follows is my account of my Halloween costume from several years back.

Well in a near by town they have an annual Halloween 5k, costumes are optional and they give out awards for the best ones. The whole event is for a local charity so it draws several hundred participants. A friend of mine had contacted me, asking if I was going to do it. It didn’t take any convincing on my part saying “sure sounds like fun” This was roughly 6 weeks before the race so I started to think on what I would dress up like. All the usual costumes passed through my head and were discarded. Then it started to coalesce in my thoughts, “I could be the Red Baron”

But how was I to look like the Baron without his plane? Soon the idea came to me, I would have a wearable plane. Well the weeks went by and I did little to further my project. I puttered around with different things but didn’t really move forward very much.

Now with one week left I was in a slight panic, having procrastinated totally. Time to get serious. Gathering up some cardboard from work and all those crafty supplies, glue,scissors, hot melt gun, I started to work things through.

First came the nose piece, it had to be strong enough to support my planned propeller. This part went smoothly but, I was now down to just one or maybe two days to go. I was working on it at work during breaks and into the evenings.

Saturday morning saw me no where close to being done. The body of the plane was good but how to do the wings. The wood glue was taking too long to dry, I was running out of the hot melt and it wasn’t holding anyway. I still lacked paint and what was I going to cover it with? Panic in the streets! The clock was ticking, my wife was just shaking her head, telling me “ No way are you going to make it”

Well by Saturday afternoon the plane was done but for the skin, the poster board I had purchased wasn’t working out, what to do. The race was literally just hours away. It came down to wrapping it with a trash bag and calling it good. It was just a silly costume right? Obviously the Red Baron theme had morphed into the Black Baron, oh well.

I was out of time, I got dressed and put on my fabricated goggles. Now I know I had taken some measurements before adding the wings. Measurements of the cars trunk and I thought I was good. Not even close, it would not fit. I started to freak, I cut the tail section down, trying to make it work. I was now considering strapping it to the roof of the car for transport. Finally I ended up taking the upper wing back off and my sister volunteered to use her station wagon. I brought along my cordless drill and some drywall screws hoping for the best.

We all arrived with little time to spare, I reattached the wing and picked up my number and goody bag. Meeting up with my friend he laughed and questioned “you’re running in that thing?” I replied that not only was I going to run in it but I was “going to fly in it” We both laughed at my joke. Waiting for the start of the race several people complimented me on my costume, some even snapping pictures.

I started the race at the very back and took my time, having fun with it, dipping and going back and forth. Occasionally spinning my propeller.By the second mile it was starting to lose its luster, it was rubbing my sides raw and running with my arms down like that wasn’t fun. I finished the race the same way that I started it, at the back. The post race festivities were in full swing including the prize announcements. I actually won the costume award. Gaining some slight vindication for all my efforts.

Looking back, hind sight being what it is there were a lot of things that I would have done differently. Mostly concerning my procrastination. Overall though I enjoyed the project and was happy with the end product. I also had to show my mom a picture of it the next time I saw her.