Contest Winnah!

Due to a tie for second place, the voting lasted another day to get some additional votes in, but I was just notified that I won first place in my office's Halloween Costume Contest. Those with congratulatory hugs, smooches, and/or gropes can line up to the left here.

Being a past winner in 2002, I know the honor of being crowned and this time it came with a sash, albeit one of my own making. The prize is a $15 gift certificate. Given that I spent well over $40 for my costume pieces, I can honestly tell you that it was not about money, but bragging rights and the joy of making people laugh out loud when they see you for reasons other than the norm. The fun of having to stand before a new employee class and teach in a skirt all morning was just gravy. Never have so many camera phones been pointed at me at once. I felt like Paris Hilton, only smarter.

Where do I go from here? Who knows. The problem with winning the contest is that you are now expected to somehow top it next year and it always brings out the creative juices of others and the competition can be so fun. Given the often-mentioned magical power of lipstick, I may buy a tube and grow from a petite flower of a brownie scout to VP Candidate for the Republican party.

... 'cause I'm a Mav-er-ick... *wink*

... but I'm sure by then something better will have come along...