I don't know what it is about Halloween and putting on a costume but this has to be one of my favorite times. I was going to say "even as a child", but I realize it should read "specially as a child" the whole scenario of trick-or-treating, taking too much candy (even the tummy ache is worth it) and to top it all you can actually dress up to be something fabulously impossible, has been something I always look forward to.

Perhaps it is because there was a period between being a child and celebrating Halloween and another during which I have been married and with children (for a time it was like that battery commercial - you know which - that it just went on and on and on - and the kids just came on and on and on, till there were five ... but I ramble), when I didn't celebrate Halloween. I am not sure why, but the end result was that I was chasing after a life that didn't have room for Halloween.

With hindsight I can now state that, for me at least, this is a mistake. Halloween is not just a silly night, it is a moment to share, to have fun, to be with people you love - and yes to get into a costume. Since I am one of those blokes who enjoy creeping up slowly and quietly and shouting out with perfect timing, a great big "Boo", I guess that I was made for Halloween or perhaps Halloween was made for me?

I'll give you two examples and then you can judge for yourself.

Once when I was about 8 years old I went for a week's fishing trip with my father. The highlight of the trip came when I was hiding just outside the dining room quietly but excitedly expecting the waitress (who had become my friend) to walk out. When she did I greeted her with a splendid "Boo" ... unfortunately it was an 80 year old man who started shaking and shivering while staring at me with eyes that couldn't believe a stupid young boy would even dare speak to him, let alone scare the living daylights out of him.

This had two consequences. The first was a right good telling off by my father. The other was that every time this old gentleman and I came face to face, he would lift his hands to try and ward off the evil little creature that I was, I have to admit after all these years that this was an accident - but the memory made me laugh for years.

The other occasion was when I heard my daughter singing to herself as she started to leave her bedroom. I quickly hid behind her door and as she innocently crossed the threshold I gave an again very well timed "Boo". The shock on her face nearly cured me, as nearly did her words "but Daddy can't you see I am little". I have to admit I even felt ashamed of myself, but as I said it "nearly" cured me - I just plan things a little better now.

Anyway, coming back to Halloween, part of the whole scenario is dressing up - for many years my favorite has been a pirate - with a patch over an eye, a pillow round my waist and terribly bad jokes. But the thing is that everyone know that if there is a pirate, its bound to be me.

This year I am dressing up as a Vampire - which will make me look extremely handsome with the help of some make-up (I did stop drag many years ago after a couple of close encounters of the awkward kind). I'll see if I can again entice that beautiful woman, (that when I change into an Italian lover I call "Amore" and on other occasions "Yes, dear"), to again hypnotize me into being her lover.

Well as they say all's fair in love and war - a costume is fair on Halloween.