hollywood halloween.

scary.

You know what's weird? I never got into Halloween much until I was 40. Now I can't get enough of it.

Which is good, because I swear to God, Halloween is freaking huge in L.A. It's bigger than Christmas. Swear to God on that one, too.

There are events throughout the city weeks before the big night arrives. I even bought a costume this year. This one. Bought my dog a costume, too. This one.

My neighborhood of Toluca Lake is completely off the hook. People go nuts, turning their houses into haunted houses and their yards into graveyards.

The other night, I was walking the dog and we passed this giant mechanical spider with a slowly moving head in someone's yard. The dog went insane, barking at the creature. I had to drag her for two blocks before she finally stopped.


But I feel like the holiday has gotten much more popular over the last decade, and not just here in L.A. Is it a big deal in other cities and parts of the country? Has anyone noticed it's popularity grow? Or do I just like in Crazy Town?

mystery.

Can someone tell me what this flower is? Or what the tree it blossoms on is? It's so cool, and I swear I've just started seeing it this fall. They are everywhere. Have I been missing them all this time? Seriously, what is this?