Run #764 - Halloween Run

The evening was dark and foreboding. Unusually warm and inviting for this time of year. A perfect evening for a Hash run in full costume. Was the city ready for this event?

The Ghosts, Goblins and Witches had already left their mark on the quiet suburban neighborhoods and they returned home with their booty of chocolate and candy. All was quiet in some quarters, not knowing that the Hash was gathering in preparation for the Halloween ritual run.

An evening where the normally modest, reserved Hash community has an opportunity to come out of its shell. The vivid and eclectic imagination was on full display as the call to "circle up" was heard around the 17^th Avenue location.

Fred (of Flintstone fame) beat his club to take charge of the rabble. Little respect was earned as he was competing for attention with the collection of transvestites, Mardi Gras characters, various religious icons, ginger bread people, chicken people, medical staff, angels, edible chocolate treats, sultans, ball players, middle eastern terrorists, kittens, Milli Vanilli, Plaid people, Nipple divers, devilish folks, Robin Hood, Kilted persons, Tarzan, and other various and sundry characters.

The Hashmaster introduced the new boots, visitors and archived hashers to the group prior to the description of the trail markings. Lakey and P'tooie, disguised as creatures of the Mardi Gras, demonstrated the chalk marking for the evening to the cheers and amazement of the group. There was a din of confusion as the group did not seem the grasp the hidden symbolism of the "cherry" with the extra appendage. Shrewd hashers knew that they were simply trying to confuse the group my misrepresenting the "symbol" of the evening, the pumpkin.

The markings now identified, the group was pointed in a "westerly" direction to begin the trail. The spectacle of 40 hashers, in full attire, romping down 17^th ave. was a sight to be seen. Oblivious to traffic signals, the group took command of the street and proceed to run the cryptic course through the beltline area and lower Mt. Royal.

On more than one occasion, car horns sounded their salute to procession of Hashers. I suspect that they were more taken by Not Too Deep's Cat costume or perhaps, the Devil that Ben Wa Balls was emulating. Both costumes presented a nice tail theme.

Through the apartment section of town, noses were pressed up against windows as the residents tried to get a glimpse of the noise making procession. A group of female hashers claimed they say a naked man in the window of an apartment, but did not seem compelled to move on before they have completed there inspection.

The run continued across 17^th Ave. into lower Mt. Royal. The cunning hares sucked a majority of the pack with a long false trail up past the mansions of Mt. Royal. Up and up the trail went until the summit revealed the pumpkin with the X. This extra exercise was not welcomed by the hash members who were more interested in the next beer stop rather than the neighborhood tour.

Through the lower regions of Mt. Royal, the group could sense that beer was near. The lights of 4^th St. were close by. We had to be close to refreshment time. The trail continued through the tree lined streets of Cliff Bungalow. The markings leading to our first refuge, The Mission Bridge Brew Pub.

The Pub was a happening place, busy with costumed revelers. Cool pitchers of dark Mission Bridge brew were waiting for the thirsty hashers. Eventually, the group of hashers swelled to take over the lower section of the pub. Comes Twice did her best to nurse the group along. Lynette was busy making diagnosis of why she had not been named yet. The group became louder and more unmanageable as the beer continued to flow. Time to move on.

Across 4^th street, the group headed. There was a reluctance to head too far off the 4^th street strip as the group knew there were more pubs to hit. White Balls attempted to transform from a GingerBread man into Ginger Snaps as a crashing noise was heard as we passed a phone booth. Fortunately, the pack did not have to eat him.

Towards the Elbow river, across 2^nd St the pack continued. There was an encounter with a group of late night "nature lovers" who seemed to be doing something in a group along the banks of the river.

Dreary managed to attract the attention of local police force as he felt the need to recharge his "glowing mask" in the headlight of the police van. Luckily the constable had a sense of humour and did not give Dreary a citation. The glowing mask helped the pack on to the next location on 4^th St, to what used to be called the Lucky Duck???.

Another round of thirst quenching refreshments was has by all. The group was well received by the owners who demonstrated their appreciation by providing the group with complementary pizza. Some of the other patrons were getting out of hand, no doubt encouraged by the Hash spirit that had taken over the pub.

Lumberjack was clearly enjoying his role as a South American drug lord priest, but his heavy bleeding was creating quite a mess on his costume as well as others. Comes Twice was attracting a fair bit of unwelcome attention from the local patrons who were obviously taken by her mesmerizing qualities.

After w quick refreshment, the pack was again lead toward the Elbow river. The dark pathways were carefully navigated by the past Lindsay Park where another beer stop was set up (across from St. Mary's church). Cans of Big Rock were waiting the group as they continued toward 17^th Ave.. On-In was concerned that there was one less can of beer in the "empties" than was started with in the "fulls". His concern for a potential littering offence demonstrated a high level of respect for the community.

The run proceeded along 17^th Ave. back toward the Ship and Anchor. The group was confronted with a "line-up" and the pub and it became quite clear that the On-In wasn't going to be at this busy location. Some quick thinking by Pole-Vault redirected us towards Bottlescrew Bill's for the On-In.

The change of location was difficult for some of the Angels in the group. There was some evidence of "Falling Angels" as SQ experienced extreme difficulty in navigating the trip. Luckily, Tarzan was able to sweep down and rescue her from potential harm. Some of the smarter hashers realized that it was driving distance to the On-In and were rewarded by good parking spots. Others enjoyed their Extra Exercise, but this made them more thirsty.

At Bottlescrew Bill's, the waves of Hashers started to stake out their territory at the pub.

The RA got into production and started into the ceremonies. The group decided that this was one of the best runs they have had recently. They truly enjoyed dressing up and going out in public (rather than dressing up and staying at home). The beer was excellent and a good time was has by one and all. No mishaps, not "major" incidents. A fine job was done was done by the Hares and they were duly recognized.

Hares: On-In, Clutch Bag, Lakey, P'tooie

New Boots: Leslie, Susan

Archives: Jane

Namings: Susan "Foul Balls" & Lynette "Long Time Coming"

Other Sinners: Ben Wa Balls, Nice Tail; White Balls, Ginger Snapping; Dreary, Attracting Police attention; Not To Deep, Hash Shit Etiquette; Fuhkawee + Go For Broke, Peanut Butter; SQ, Fallen Angel; Smirk + Wet One, Getting Engaged without permission; On-In, the honour of the Hash Shit (something about making us change On-In locations....

There may have been some other stuff going on, but I had had much too much beer by this point and my memory is a little faulty....

Excellent run that was fun for all of those who participated.

Scribed by Skewbic Hair