Here are the Fob kids. Minifob is an Imagination Mover, and the older kids are May and Ash from Pokemon.

(I apologize for the crude doctoring of the step-Fobs' picture--I want to show off their handmade costumes, but I don't necessarily have permission from their mom to go posting them on the intarwebs.)

everyone is so cute!

although . . . as fabulous as the stingray costume is, that's gonna be some major blackmail material later on. Just as well no face is showing!

Great kid pics, Clod! Halloween is so much fun when you've got little ones.

Ever since Selene and I married eleven years ago tonight, Halloween (Samhain, in our neck of the Pagan forest) has been kind of overwhelmingly hectic. The very first open public sabbat we held was on Samhain twelve years ago, a gathering of about a dozen or so people in a dark park. There was little in the way of props - not much of an altar, no corner tables or torches - just an opening of the Western Gate, communion with our departed loved ones, and when it was over, we went to Perkins and chatted as a group.

Now, on the occasion of our ninety-somethingth open sabbat ritual and our eleventh wedding anniversary, we find ourselves sitting in front of our computers after what has been effectively a fifteen hour workday, exhausted but satisfied - unwinding. We've never taken a honeymoon, never had a romantic anniversary weekend or day trip, never spent Halloween evening gazing into one another's eyes. But what we *have* had is an immense sense of satisfaction and fulfillment, and the enormous outpouring of love and mutual respect with our chosen community and friends.

I usually mention during our Samhain ritual which anniversary we are celebrating, but tonight, having run full tilt since getting out of bed this morning, I just relaxed and sailed along through the ceremony, riding the energy, soaking up the lighthearted seriousness. It couldn't have been a more beautiful night in our backyard. The firepit blazed away beside the altar as the attendees spiraled in and tossed their fears, written on flash paper, into the flames to vanish in a puff of light and smoke. As they returned to their places in circle, they took with them positive devotions written on little foam Fall leaves to replace in the coming year that which they had burned. For a short time, we looked inward and hence through the veil, remembering and honoring our ancestors, invoking the God as he begins his trip through the underworld to emerge at Yule reborn. We stood together at the cusp of the long darkness, and anticipated the coming light.

So, all in all, it doesn't really get to be any better than this. This is my favorite day of the year. Crazy busy though it is, much though it limits Selene and I from reinforcing our own love and devotion as normal couples might upon their anniversaries, we reinforce and experience so much more as Priestess and Priest than I ever would have imagined possible in my old life.

Blessed Samhain, my friends. Save some candy for me!

God, I've only just noticed (mustbe the makeup making her look older) how much your eldest looks like you monster!

Dressed up and loving it.

You certainly look pleased with yourself. You look great Sundae!

Everyone looks great! Good job to all you folks who made homemade costumes.

What is that very interesting location you are in, SG? You look hot, BTW!

Glatt, I love the idea of the man walking on his hands ans how cool to still have and reuse such an old costume!

Dana, I can't see me in her at all except for the eyes! but i'm hopeless at that sort of thing.

Very occasionally I see that thor and hebe look a little like me, but not often, and never Hector.

How was the show, SG? You certainly were having fun beforehand -looking great!

Hahaaa! There you are Sundae! You look great!! Did you go out and show off? :)

very cute SG!

anybody want any stretchy frogs or parachuters? I had only two groups of trickortreaters, so I have lots left over.

Good thing I didn't get candy!

Aw, she's hanging out with Jeremy Dyson. We might not hear from her for a week. :D

That looks like her workplace

Wow, you look great Sundae, really good job.

Damn. Just lost a long post about Friday night. Sigh, excuse me if I don't sound as enthusiastic this time round.

I felt like a reality TV star on the way to the cinema. I could see people clocking me out of the corner of their eyes and nudging eachother. When I was going up the escalator on the Tube I was stared at by the people on the other side coming down. I flashed my fangs at a couple of them, which made me laugh to myself. At one point, I got on the train and sat down, then another man in costume sat down next to me. At the next stop another party got on so that one whole side of seats was people dressed up. I was the onyl one to get off at Leicester Square though.

I did manage to speak to Jeremy Dyson. He seemed personally gratified that I had "made an effort" so I recycled the Psychoville comment and made out this was my usual Friday night sitting around gear. Which made him laugh. He was very friendly and put me at my ease, giving the impression he would have loved me to join him for a drink and chat all night. However I'm not delusional and know he's a charming man who has written things I admire, not a personal friend, so we spoke for a couple of minutes and I left him alone!

I won a prize for my costume! In fact I was singled out for one. The organisers had been round taking photos of us, and when the lady reached me she was made up to see I had fangs in, "Fangs as well!" she said in a tone of awe. When we were in our seats they asked people who thought they had great costumes on to stand up. Well, I'm working on American standards now - I was in a borrowed dress, a bought wig and probably not enough eyeliner. I stayed seated.

"Vampire lady! Vampire lady stand up!" called my admirer from earlier that evening. And she rushed over and gave my my prize - a Spanish horror double bill (did you think she was going to kiss me? Well I almost did...)

Sad to say I fell asleep during the films. I got what I came for - spoke to Jeremy, expressed my admiration and was treated very kindly in return. Heard him read an extract from his new book, saw The League of Gentlemen's Christmas Special on the big screen. Then I managed two films before I realised I couldn't stay up any more.

I got the 188 home about 05.00. I'd had a few beers in the bar while waiting for everything to kick off. And I'd put in a full day at work after all. It was all worth it though. I went back to work to kip on the sofa as some buses are 24 hours but no Tubes are (I have to get the Tube across the river to get home).

Now I only have Mark Gatiss (my most revered Gent) to get close to and I have the set! He's currently doing book signings but apparently not in London. Boooooo. Never mind. Lots of excitement still coming up in the next few months, and I'm sure I'll track him down eventually [/stalker]