Every year, the Parkview massive get very excited about Halloween. You think it would be about seeing the kids running around in their costumes collecting candy! Hmmm, well that’s certainly part of the excitement but the major driver for the countdown is the chance to dress-up and go crazy with all you can drink Karaoke night in the Parkview Karaoke rooms.
It’s quite amazing how much effort people make… especially Cassie – who simply loves Halloween. This year we even had dry ice in the Karaoke room. Skulls for skulling beer. A wicked punch (recipe here) in a caldron and decorations that would put Dracula’s castle to shame.
I also get quite into the event, and over the last few years I have gotten more into the ‘dressing up part’ (Should I be worried?). In 2008 I came as ‘Over-the-hill-Superman’. Basically grey hair, fat stomach, walking stick and wearing the famous Superman outfit (a little ripped in places). It was a hit. In 2009, I featured as a mummy. Doesn’t sound that creative right? – but I made a coffin and my initial entrance to the Karaoke room was a coffin by the bar! That was great fun.. I could lock myself away and have a drink or pop out when I need to sing! 
It was a little uncomfortable when my ‘friends’ started pushing me around in the coffin. However it was all good laugh and we ended up going down to Lan Kwai Fong carrying the coffin and with my bandages dripping off my body.
And so this year, my friends had pretty high expectations. And as per usual I had no idea of what to wear until 2 days before. I did buy a mankini to go as Borat -but when I tried that on I realised that only 1 ‘bollock’ (excuse the language) fit into the mankini and there was no way I was going to be that brave. Emma had already bought her devil’s outfit and so I thought I’ll go as a Devil as well. But of course with a difference. I will go as the Devil from Tenancious D’s video – Tribute. As a side note the Devil was played by Dave Grohl – and my brother reckons that I look like Dave Grohl. My brother also thinks I should carry on the Dave Grohl tribute and go as the guy out of the Foofighter’s video Low next year – let me know what you think below.
So how did I transform myself? After much research I knew I had to get a upper body wax. Holy cow.. that hurt and I am still not used to my arms having zero hair. I then found liquid latex – after loads of google surfing found this very cute shop in Prince Edward that does make up for movie sars etc… I also bought some ‘horse hair’ and had my tailor make some horse leg trousers! Nice hey?
And on the night I mixed in the Red Acrylic (I think I probably added too much… I’ll come on to that later) and proceeded to paint my body with this stuff. It was incredibly sticky at first and I was still drying as I entered the restaurant. (Note to self… if ever I do this again, start painting about 4 hours before the event). My outfit got the desired effect and my friends couldn’t quite believe it - it’s not every day I walk into a restauarnt with no top on and my bare newly waxed chest on show. Maybe having one bollock showing may have been less offensive (hmmmm). The restaurant staff were great but they did not want me to sit on the nice seats.. so quickly found some old chair so I could enjoy dinner. Thank goodness we were the only ones in the restaurant… and only one wedding going on next door. I think the bride felt a little jinxed to see a Devil turn up near to her beautiful wedding.. oops
So we had an amazing night as always. Marc was dress as a guy from Glee… absolutely hilarious. There was Ghostbusters dude. Little Red Riding hood, with a wolf’s head in her basket. The full cast of the Flintstones. Kick Ass and Hit Girl. And more.. all just brilliant
As the evening drew to a close, Emma and Cassie got to work on me – trying to peel off the Liquid Latex… oops that took a little longer than I expected and had dried a little tighter than I thought. Well I was pretty damn drunk and tired so ended up going to bed at about 3am with half of the stuff still on me. Waking up with a serious headache and jumping in the bath and have Emma scrub me for about 3 hours until all of the latex was off me. Wow.. not something I’d like to do again – but I would say it’s one of the best body scrubs and exfoliations I have experienced!
So the Halloween time certainly helped me enjoy some new experiences.. my first ever chest wax, finding cool little shops in Prince Edward, first time my tailor has made ‘horse trousers’, first time wearing liquid latex, first time in a (non beach) restaurant with my nipples uncovered, first time being scrubbed for 3 hours to become normal again.
If you ever think about Liquid Latex for a costume, let me know – I’d be happy to share some of my experiences and things I would and wouldn’t do again.
And lastly… what did you do for Halloween… anything quite this extravagant?
