Happy Halloween!

Although I’m far enough east that today is considered little more than the birthdate of Chiang Kai-shek, a general who sought to create a powerful and united China under his control but was unable to mobilize sufficient forces to achieve this aim, the west considers this to be the one time a year when the witching hour stretches into an entire day. And even though the Jack O’Lanterns burning brightly beside Beijing’s be-costumed mall employees – who wore looks of confusion at their predicament even better than the costumes themselves – speak to the fact that tricks and treats are probably just a few years away from the mainstream here in the People’s Republic, I’m making due in the meantime with some All Hallow’s Eve items brought all the way from home. While two of them – surprises from Chels and my fam – are waiting back in my hotel room, the one I had in hand when the clock struck midnight is pictured above. Grim Homer, photographed in front of what may or may not be a small corner of the MUMMY set, is my link to the parties, costumes and things going bump in the night that all of you in North America get to enjoy. So go out and take advantage of the holiday for me – throw on a costume, find a cozy spot to wait for The Great Pumpkin and have a Happy Halloween!