Vol. 10  No. 4 -  Oct. 31, 2005 Haunted Happenings

Current Standings at a glance as of 10-27-2005   Name W L Pct GB 1 Rob Tringali 64 38 .627 - 2 Jess Ruble 63 39 .618 1 3 James Howell 59 43 .578 5 4 Mikey Joyce 58 44 .569 6 5 Dawn Bunting 57 45 .559 7 5 Kim Bunting 57 45 .559 7 5 Andy Halstead 57 45 .559 7

It's the 8th Annual FBH Halloween Costume Issue !!
(also know as: The Ghosts Of Halloweens Passed)

  Sorry folks, before you get too excited and expect to see a whole new batch of costumes, we've decided to take a break for 2005 and instead take this opportunity to celebrate our past. Which is really just a nice way to say that we can't come up with anything new. For many reasons, this has not been a typical season of FBH. We stumbled out of the blocks and are tripping over hurdles as we go. Still, we persevere and we keep going with a smile on our face, a song in our heart, and a tongue in our cheek.

 In 1998, I thought it might be fun to make costumes for some of the participants in our little community of football prognosticators. It was an instant success. So I did it again the next year and a tradition was born. Looking back thru the years, as we're about to do, you can see how much better I got at the whole process. My creativity grew along with my Photoshop skills. This week, Roy referred to it as "PhotoShupping" which I take as a large compliment.

 After 7 years, and a total of 135 different images, that's right, 135(!), I find myself in 2005 with a blank slate, nothing to fill it with, and no time to try. Call it burn-out if you like, but creatively I'm pretty fried right now. I seriously considered skipping Halloween altogether this year. But Roy reminded me how much everyone loves the costumes and, let's face it, the Halloween issue is easily the most anticipated issue of the FBH season. Not doing anything to celebrate would be like skipping Christmas. I'm sure he didn't intend to make me feel guilty, but it certainly did. I sincerely didn't wish to disappoint anyone who looks forward to our annual "photoshupping" issue. Instead, we compromised and agreed to do a "History Of FBH Halloween" this year. For those of you who may not have been around for all 7 years, and even for those of us who have, I'm sure you'll get a laugh as we take a look back at the best of the best, the cream of the crop, the Ghosts of Halloweens past. Or is it passed? Oh nevermind, let's get on with it...

1998
The one that started it all

 Ouch. Looking back at that first batch of costumes, as well as the page itself [click here], is quite painful. So primitive. Each one could be made so much better these days. Yet, somehow, at the time, some of them were just hilarious. I chose the people who were among the leaders in the standings and used their heads for the original batch of costumes. Mikey Joyce as Superman was a sign of the fine work to come (nevermind the black and white head on the full color body). It was also at this time that I discovered just how much fun it was to embarrass Dave Schwade, a tradition that has continued thru the years.

1998 Winner

1999
A Star Is Born

 Of the 135 different images we've shown over these seven years, I'm personally responsible for about 132 of them. However, there is one photo that not only defined what a costume should look like, but also became a signature of our annual event as well as an FBH Icon. One photo that I wish I could claim as my own. I'm sure I'm not the only one who almost messed their pants when they first saw Tom Schwade as the great entertainer, Tom Jones. Hats off to The Commish, yes, Roy himself, for this creation. Not just a seamless photo job, but Roy completely nailed Tom's personality with this one. Those of us who know and love Tom would agree that if he could be any one celebrity, it would likely be, Tom Jones.

 Since the early days of this newsletter, Roy has come up with "nicknames" for everyone he mentions each week. In the late 90's, Mikey Joyce was a force in this league, a Superman if you will, and was mentioned often. From the start Roy would refer to Mikey as "Almond" Joyce after the candy bar. So dressing Mikey up as an Almond Joy just seemed natural to me. And not having a picture of his then girlfriend and now wife Ardis didn't stop me from completing the gag. Because as you know, Almond Joy's got nuts, Mounds don't. [The addition of cartoon arms and legs helps make this one of my all-time favorites.]

 I thought this one was quite creative. It certainly took the most time to create of all the costumes that year. Taking the Lemonhead box seen below and turning into a Mellenhead box with the Little Pink Girl herself on it also seemed like a natural.

That's his finger in his ear on Bob's head as he played Samuel Adams. I thought he looked rather drunk in this headshot so I went with it in spite of the finger.

The Sexy Boy gorilla was a FBH mascot at the time, and I thought I made a great Sexy Boy myself.

2000
Track and Field and Baseball

 The 2000 edition of our contest was the first in which I began using "themes". It was an Olympic year that year and it seemed fitting to portray people as Olympic athletes. It was also the year that one person took the invitation to "Vote early and Vote often" too seriously as Paul Kessler submitted 32 votes for himself. Not that any could blame him, as the photo of he and his wife Uchi was one of the most popular anyway. In the end, I declared a tie between The Kesslers and the 1969 Mets. Both award worthy entries.

 2000 also marked the first appearance of the now-famous "Roy-head". Putting this head on just about anything makes it an instant classic. It's just not Halloween around here without the Roy-head on something. Toss in Roy's hatred of Bobby Valentine and you understand my inspiration for this one. [Also notice the watch being worn by Matt Snell. Reggie Roby would be proud.]

2001
There he is, Miss America

 This was really a breakthrough year for the FBH costume party. We had a lot of great participants and just about any of them could have taken the crown. One of them actually wore a crown but it fell in a close vote to one of my all-time favorites. This years winner also solidified my idea that embarrassing Dave was the way to go. The look on his face in this costume was just priceless and added to the generally ickey feel. It deserved First Place. Finishing a nearby second place was our favorite Miss America Pageant Fan, Roy.

 

There were many other worthy contestants that year, here's a look back at some of the best:
[To see the whole collection that year, click here]

Kimba and Ellen tied for 3rd in 2001

I loved Ken Davis singing at halftime

2002
Bigger, Better, Bob

The 2002 contest was the biggest one to date. I really felt like I hit my peak with this one. I went with a Winter Olympics theme this year with much success. I was able to properly embarrass Dave, who's entry finished in 2nd Place. But the big winner was Bob Shupp, who finished in First Place and also had an entry that finished in Third Place. In fact, Bob was used in 4 different costumes that year. As with Roy and Dave, Bob just makes everything look hilarious. Take a look...

2002 Winner
This one still cracks me up.

 The Bob-sled was just genius on my part. I loved that one. I had to create hair for Will Wong and angle Bob so that it looks like his head was a decoration on the sled itself. But the best part about it was how I snuck my girlfriend Sonya into the crowd in that shot. I had to point her out to herself, she didn't even notice she was there. Check out some more from that year, including one I didn't use, or check out the whole batch [click here]:

2003
Best One Ever?

 You could easily make an argument that 2003's contest was the best one ever. With a record 35 entries, we reached our summit this year. I have no idea how I was able to come up with so many costumes, and so many good ones. I put more effort into each and every one of these, adding little extra touches here and there instead of just the typical cutting and pasting of heads. Yet of those 35, there were a pair that just stood head and shoulders above the crowd. I fulfilled each of my three main goals this year expertly. Do something great with Roy, do something great with Bob, and embarrass Dave. 3 for 3. A Naked Bob, a Gay Roy, and Schwades in their undies, who could ask for anything more? See them all [click here]:

This one should be in the FBH Hall of Fame

Using Chicago's own Will Wong as Bartman was truly inspired

My favorite of the Dada covers

2004
You're Fired!

 They say that Life imitates Art. In 2004's costume issue [click here] this was proven to be absolutely true. When I create these costumes, I rarely consult with anyone. I may ask Roy for some ideas and/or concepts, but I'm completely on my own in almost all these creations. I certainly never tell anyone what I plan to do with their heads. The element of surprise is crucial for the proper response. This year, I was an employee at Business Access and I had Friday's off. I spent that Friday before Halloween Sunday working on the costumes and putting together the website. I had already decided to use Roy as Donald Trump to honor the hit TV show, The Apprentice, and also use Kim and James as Donald's "assistants". I knew it would become another classic [Roy as Trump won the '04 Vote hands down]. What I didn't know was the irony of my actions. Because that very day, Kim, James and Roy were unwillingly firing the entire staff of BA, including me. I posted the page that night, went to bed, then went into the office for work on Saturday morning. James was there to let me know in person that I along with everyone else, was out of a job. My first thought was, oh crap, I'm unemployed again. My second thought was, oh crap, I had just posted these photos on the FBH page:

 I knew they each felt terrible about what they had to do that week, and I didn't want to seem like I was a disgruntled (former) employee. But c'mon, how funny is this? When I asked James if he had seen the FBH Costumes yet, he laughed heartily and said he had. He also understood that I had no idea the firings were coming or had already happened. Feeling guilty, and not meaning to rub it in, I went home and changed the second Apprentice photo. I don't now how many of you saw the original, but now that it's a year later, Business Access is back on it's feet, and I have my job back, we can look back and laugh.

 There was more greatness in 2004, including these:

 Well kids, that's just about it. A complete history of the FBH Halloween Costume Contest. Again, I apologize for the lack of original costumes this year, but with any luck we'll be back next year with a new batch. But for those of you who want more, follow the following links for no-frills groupings of our favorite targets thru the years. Happy Halloween Everyone!