Halloween ‘05
by Leah Brubaker
A vertical photograph of my sister and I was taken a few moments before we left for our friend Jess’ party. My sister in her black nurses’ outfit and myself as pregnant Britney Spears on tour, posed side by side. Behind us is a patio door with its blinds pulled back and the beginnings of the corner wall. There forever trapped in time is my sister and I smiling for the camera in what looks like a calm fun environment; however calm was not the situation.
As always with my friends I get elected to do hair and makeup when it comes to special events. Though traditionally Halloween is not that special but for me it is. I get to go and visit with all of my friends that I left in Tucson when I moved to Flagstaff. The group consists of eight people. The five of us at my friends Heather and Jay’s house trying frantically to get ready. My sister waiting to get in her lace up thigh high boots until the last moment, which took two people to get her into. Christine sitting patiently in the bathroom waiting for me to come up the stairs to finish her hair and Heather waiting on the crimper to warm up so I could crimp her hair in an 80’s fashion.
Meanwhile somewhere between all the requests I had to get ready as well. So I quickly stole my sister’s blush and went to work on creating the look of my outfit. Conversations were going on and Jay asked how I came about to my outfit. I was walking around my old work and I spotted a little headset microphone and within a moment I had my idea. Then later I had to come up with my sister’s outfit because she is lazy when it comes to things that require creativity.
The night progressed and everyone was ready to leave, however I was not. Jay screams up from the downstairs to hurry up because they were leaving. I was not even in my full costume. I screamed back telling him to give me ten minutes. When I came down to leave it was picture time, and that is when this photo was taken. The night however continued on. The party was held at a place called Blade World. Jess rented it out and the crowd was already going strong. When we came into the party everyone was getting a kick out of my outfit. Some people thought I was actually pregnant and drinking.
Somewhere towards the end of the party I got tired of being pregnant and took out my pillow. Jess on the other hand was going around and asking people who their favorite costume of the night was. When she came up to me for my vote she slyly told me to vote for myself because it was between me and her boyfriend. So I obliged and won the costume contest. Now every year when I go back people wait to see what I have come up for this year. I seem unable to top the pregnant Britney Spears on tour, but I think this year I may do it.
The photo sits in a frame on my dresser and the same photo sits at my sister’s house. So it is a constant reminder of how much fun we had that year. It just goes to show how just a snap shot in time could mean more than just a smile.