Yesterday, I was at peace with whatever outcome occured in the Face of Halloween Contest. Very Zen. I had gone to bed Thursday night in solid second place, which was out of the required 1st place running. I had given it my best shot. Showed my true colors.
Then Kane Hodder – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kane_Hodder – appeared in my email and instructed some of us contestants to hang tight while decisions were being made. When KH tells you to do something, you do it.
Then some strange refugee from The Masked Singer appeared and told me I made it into the Wildcard playoffs,
Suddenly, my dreams of possibly meeting Jamie Lee Curtis – who Peter Sheridan insightfully suggests would provide a wonderful voice for Claire the Magical Mule – were still a glowing ember.
[BTW, I watched The Lost Bus last night on JLC’s recommendation. AWESOME. And to be honest, given my experiences with Wild Fires these past few years in NoCo, I had a whole new appreciation for the message. And YES, Matthew McConaughey would make an excellent Jimmy Moran. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_McConaughey]
I immediately put the word out on the Old Fogies’ Social Media – FaceBook – that I had been given a second shot at playing back into the competition. It is the closest thing I have to a Bat Signal.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1BE8dbT5JD/
https://www.facebook.com/share/1Att3eDQLm/
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1CCPsJRstf
https://www.facebook.com/share/1AXHzr21fG
But I needed a quick hook to put out on my Face of Halloween Page. Everything is visual. Photos drive the voters.
I was out of tricks. I had used up all of my Druid Home Photos.
So, I went to Claire.
After refusing to wear any mystical garments for a silly photo – she has her brand to protect – she suggested I speak with the gnomes. Brilliant.
Knowing how fond I was of the Ted Lasso series I had just binged – they watch my TV through the window – the Gnomes suggested we recreate a Tao of Ted Lasso theme and – unlike Claire – volunteered to appear in it with me.
They assembled in team formation before The Old Man.
While I scampered around trying to scavenge one of the Grans’ arts and crafts stations from the garage, to use as a white board. Alas, they had removed them all to their home. Probably scoffed the jewelry as well.
Then I came upon a Meet The Author Poster Board stashed way in the back of the garage. I had created it back when The Wise Ass was released, hoping I would get to use it a lot.
That’s Mister Rogers in the foreground. He died shortly after that shot was taken. Loved that creature. Claire’s forever love.
But that wonderful Poster never got a debut. Believe it or not, I have never been invited to read at a bookstore. Sigh.
But the back of the poster was still pristine white, like a White Board. So, I grabbed one of my way under-used book signing Sharpies and went to work trying to come up with something Ted Lasso would say to inspire his unlikely Premier League Champions.
Ted was an enigma. When the crunch time came and his rabid “Football” supporters demanded a “Rah, Rah, Win, Win, Win” at all costs kind of spurring of the troops, he did the unexpected. He removed the pressure. Toned the anxiety down. Zen.
KISS – Keep It Simple Sweetie.
So, I wrote whatever came into my head. Sixty Seconds later, Voila!
Now, you will note there are only 3 Xs on the board. That is because the screenshot I got only had the names of three other 2nd Place competitors. All women –
Angelina, Juliane, and Julia. Now given the photos I’ve seen of the competitors in this competition, I’m willing to bet all of these women are extremely attractive – and if they are wearing form fitting, cleavage bearing CosPlay outfits, I’m a goner. In fact, the drawing may subtly suggest the female form in a Rorschach kind of way (I know you will go back and check it).
I feel like the Wicker Man. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicker_man_(disambiguation)
But given my history, I’ll take my chances with three women one more time. Most likely my last shot.
However, instead of engaging the latex and channeling Jimmy Moran, I’m applying a WWTD philosophy.
- I will be nice.
2. I will have fun.
AND
3. I will BELIEVE.
So, Angelina, Juliane, and Julia, the best of luck to you.
Now, in Ted like fashion I find myself in 4th place, behind all three ladies.
So, you fine, five readers, I need a favor. I need you to reach out to every family member you know on Face Book and ask them to click on the below embedded site –
https://faceofhalloween.org/2025/tom-mccaffrey
And click on VOTE.
Today is 2 for 1 voting, so every free vote is a TWOFER.
And if you happen to be reading this blog through FB, could you please share with your followers. EVERY VOTE COUNTS (TWICE).
But, no matter whate else we get up to, let us make today a great one.
