Twas a crisp afternoon on February 17th, 2004, as I (14) was roaming my neighborhood with a mischievous stride, up to my usual after-school antics. Itching to plot my next up-to-no-good prank, I was eager to use my brand-new video camera I received for Christmas!

My treasured activity of creating naughty and playful pranks with friends skyrocketed at the thought of capturing them on film! Ideas were flooding my imagination, when one suddenly hit me: going trick-or-treating in full costume, but IN JANUARY… 

My favorite combination of invasive, but not truly harmful. Silly and stupid, but not punishable by law. Annoying and disrespectful but laugh-generating and endearing. It was the perfect idea! Filled with excitement and the full vision in my head, I immediately contacted my best friend for help, as I knew a tripod would not cut it for this.

We assembled, and after chuckling he said, “This would be hilarious, but only a lunatic would risk disturbing someone’s peace for a laugh.”  I responded “That lunatic is me! I will supersede trouble by fully committing to the bit!” 

Excited and persuaded, my friend and I marched forward! I selected the perfect bush for my accomplice to both film from, and hide in. Overflowing with excitement, I joyously sprinted over and knocked ferociously on my neighbor’s front door, then waited patiently in full costume with my pillowcase. I decided to pre-load my pillowcase with a few pieces of candy as a clever way to manipulate the neighbor into believing I had previous success. 

Immediately when he opened the door, I tempestuously shouted, “Trick or Treat!” and began flailing my pillowcase while jumping around. The cocktail of emotions gushing on his face convinced me that regardless of the outcome, it was all worth it! Grappling with confusion, suspicion, excitement, joy, concern, love, and misunderstanding he responded “Hey there! Uh… yeah.. But it’s January?!?” 

I frivolously responded “Yes, it is January! Trick or Treat!”  Stroking his beard with a perplexed look on his face, he suddenly burst into laughter and said “Ok haha this is great, stay right here and I’ll be right back!”  He returned momentarily and rewarded me with a Reese’s peanut butter cup!

With the candy in my hand, I felt elated! It Worked! I euphorically raced back to the bush to ensure my friend captured my victory on film. He said, “I got it, but it will be a little shaky and have me laughing hysterically up in the background.”

This was a monumental moment for me because I achieved what I wanted to create. Through my inquisitiveness and never-ending quest to understand “Why?” I flippantly wanted to use disrespect through humor to expose just how arbitrary this “tradition” was.

Why is it only acceptable on October 31st that you are allowed to knock on your neighbor’s door for candy? Why can’t we dress up with costumes on any given day? Grown-ups wear costumes every day, but instead of candy they do it for a paycheck…

Throughout life, I have only been able to channel this side of me when I am feeling my most free. I feel my most free when I am in a great mood. Hell-bent on constructing a great mood every day, I analyzed my habits and determined that the best recipe for creating a great day, starts with a great morning!  So, start your morning off great with a cup of Irreverent coffee! I hope that energy helps you transform into your best self!