Attaching the electrodes of knowledge to the nipples of ignorance.

This year, the Witches Gathering was held on Friday, October 26th, at Barrymore’s Music Hall. I shot about thirty minutes of video on “Tracey’s” camera (an HP Photosmart M425) and chopped it down to less than three minutes. The video is also available for viewing on video.ca

We pretty much copped-out for our costumes – mainly because I was indecisive up to the (nearly) last minute. Tracey went a-la Gypsy, and I went as “a dark version of myself” – somewhat due to the theme of the evening – “Dancing with the Dark”. We were judges, so it didn’t matter *that* much that we didn’t go all crazy on the costumes.

We arrived earlier than in past years so Tracey could take part in the Samhain ritual, which was lead by Michelle Hrynyk. I chose to observe the ritual, rather than participate, because I guess I am more of a pseudo-pagan (a non-believing, non-religious, pagan-friendly type – but that is its own blog post), and out of respect thought I should stand aside. This was the first “real” pagan ritual I had ever attended, and I have to say, it was really wonderful. Being reminded of the honoured dead once in a while to remember their names and think about the effect they had on our lives sounds like a mighty fine idea to me.

This year categories: Best Theme Costume, Best Group or Couple, Funniest Costume, Best Female, Sexiest Female, Best Male, Sexiest Male, as well as Judges Favourite, and Crowd favourite (of which, it turns out, there were two crowd favourite prizes this year).

Every year, it happens – I (finally) finish handing out my cards when a great costume blows in, usually minutes before judging starts, but for a twist, this year it was a friend of ours (Gailene) with a well done Queen Elizabeth costume. Other costumed friends; Lindsay as Cherry Darling from Planet Terror (yay!), Julia as a character from Tetes a Claques, Shade (and her boyfriend) as what we determined to be Zombie Mimes (awesome!), Kim as Candy, the phone-sex worker in her PJs and hair curlers (priceless!).

Judging is fun and hard, with a dash of near-panicked rushing, and it makes you pay attention of the work that some people put into a costume (unlike us this year).

An aside, if you will – one of the people I gave a judging card to came to talk to me a few times afterwards, but I was always either talking with some long-lost friend or otherwise distracted – on the remote, off chance you read this – I am sorry – it was not my intention to be rude or ignore you – I’m just bad at splitting my attention.

Once the judging was over, we hit the dance floor, I grabbed a Guinness, we danced with our group of friends for a while and then decided it was time to head home – well after midnight. We said our goodbyes, goodnights and stepped outside into the light October rain. We pondered taking a taxi home, and then decided to walk home in the cool rain together. A wonderful night out, if I do say so.