Dia de los Muertos

It's a Mexican tradition, the "Day of the Dead"- when the dead are not just remembered but death is celebrated and highlighted as a natural part of life's cycle. In honor of the dead, altars are constructed with objects, gifts, and other things that commemorate our loved one's life. It's also believed that the dead 'visit' on this day and many of the effects on display at the altars are meant to welcome visitors from beyond.

Creepy.

Anyway, enjoy the pictures from the U.S.'s largest such festival, the Fruitvale's Dia de los Muertos celebration in Oakland, CA. Although SF's march through the Mission and altars at Garfield Square are also pretty cool, but a little gentrified these days. This is the closest you'll get to an authentic experience outside of Latin America.

Halloween

Tickles and Bubbles have a little champagne before starting the night. Although, we should have taken more pics as the makeup got pretty gnarly as the night wore on.

I'm not known for my love of dressing up for Halloween, but I did manage to come up with a cool concept for this year while in Mexico shopping for ceramic Dia de los Muertos dolls.

We got a late start but had time to kick it at Lisa's in her cute sailor costume to have a little champagne. Next was Jose's place in Russian Hill for the Rock Band party. Hence the photo of Tickles singing some 'Pixie's' song with Sister Chan on guitar and Elmo on drums. Wow. The night ended at El Balazo where not only were we partying with gorillas, devils, superheros, and fairies but my boy Sam got his 3/4 full bottle of tequila snatched by a fake fur wearing wanna be gangsta'. Ha, ha! Was a fun night.