Since we're now in October, here I am in the dingy railroad apartment where I spent my first 5 years, dressed up as a witch in a blonde plastic wig and an Irish knit sweater, knitted by my mother. My brother is a ghost. 
I mean, obviously a ghost. Either that or a novitiate.
A railroad track ran right by the back of our house. We were on the wrong side of the tracks - literally. Our house used to shake and pictures would fall off the wall. Down the street was a little deli. I had it in my head it was the "sacred store" from American Pie. Just FYI.
Every time we walked down there to get milk, I'd feel pangs of sadness when there was no music playing, because "I'd heard the music years before." I was 5.
Oh and my brother is also wearing an Irish knit sweater, also knitted by my mother. She was very busy.
And just because it's hilarious to me - even though none of you know these people - here are two of my best friends, Jackie and Mitchell, at a Halloween costume party in college. They are dressed as Jackie's grandparents, Chester and Millie - who were legendary to all of us.
Chester and Millie lived into their 90s. Millie died first and Chester died a month later. They were inseparable for 70 years. Chester was anxious and Millie was always saying, "It's okay Chester." This is what is happening in the photo.
Look at their eyes. They are so deep in character. I can't take it. You haven't lived until you've gone to a Halloween party that is 100% made up of actors.
