The leaves have fallen, the brisk air is here; it is definitely Halloween. Halloween offers a great time of celebration for us as students, as there is almost nothing more hilarious than dressing up in ridiculous costumes and parading around to all your friends. Make some time to celebrate this year, as college only lasts four (or five) years! There is a lot to do in the Capital Region, from tasting some of Rachel Ray’s famous apple doughnuts near Lake George, to exploring the Howe Caverns, to watching a newly released horror movie—there is something for everyone.
But if you don’t plan on heading out of town, at least spend some time on a good costume and wear it on the upcoming weekend, if you haven’t already worn it yet. If you are struggling to find a good costume, I have always found that picking an entertainer with an over-the-top personality usually makes a great impact. A little creativity usually goes a long way as well, and it generally keeps the cost down for making an A+ costume. I am always shocked by what I see every year, and likewise, I try to be shocking myself. With all this excitement happening, however, it can be easy to get carried away.
I am saddened by the recent news of the beach house that burnt down, and for each affected student. While I do not know the cause of the fire, nor will I try to hypothesize, I am skeptical of the precautions that the students may or may not have taken. If you are out partying, do so in the presence of your friends, and make sure you can rely on your peers to help you out if something unexpected arises. If you are drinking, do so in moderation and do it responsibly. If you are having a party, make sure have some type of “sober security” or someone who can respond to the unexpected.
The event that happened in North Carolina hits particularly close to home, as not only did this event occur with members of the same fraternity as me, but until last week, our fire alarm system was faulty and barely worked. We hear time and time again from all these tragedies, “I didn’t expect it to happen to me,” but often it does. If you live off campus, take a couple minutes and check your smoke detectors—a small amount of preparation could prevent a disaster. I don’t want this article to come off as being either pessimistic or negative, but with the current events, I felt as though I needed to say something. Enjoy your Halloween, dress up and have some fun, socialize with those you wouldn’t normally socialize with, and be safe.
