The Big Wicked Online Pageant.

Way back in ought-six, when I was new to all this, I was introduced to a swell group o' bloggers by the lovely Melinda June. Soon after that, the fabulous Beth of A Cup of Coffey, and silken-voiced Canadian Dale co-hosted the Little Miss Sunshine Online Pageant.

It was a roaring success. About 30 participants dug up old pictures of themselves from 3rd or 4th grade and posted them. And, for the record, may I say that in those brainy-cool glasses and knee socks Ms. Beth was anything but a "nottie" as she puts it. My studious and groovy self would've chased her like crazy.

I digress.

The reason I'm telling y'all about this is that Beth and Dale have graciously agreed to co-host a little something I thought up in a fit of whiskey-lubricated nostalgia:

The Big Wicked Online Pageant.

Go click on that link, like now, and read about it and enter. Here's the rules:

• Scan a photo from your Halloween past.

• Post it on your blog Monday evening, October 28.

• Once you post your photo, e-mail Beth at the address on her navbar. If you can, include the URL to that specific post.

• Beth, our hostess, will post a link to every participant’s blog Tuesday morning by 9 a.m..

I will sit around with Dale, snickering and poking each other in the ribs about how we got the girl to do all the work. And then I'll pat myself on the back for having such a swell idea. Dale will undoubtedly provide some wonderful commentary. (Added 10/14/08--you can see some of that commentary from Dale here.)

So, you go now. Find those old yellowed Polaroids. Show us your best hobo, your best gypsy, your best eyeholes-cut-out-in-a-plain-white-sheet ghost. And if you can't find anything that old, just find the best, most mortifying Jaegermeister and draft-beer Halloween party moment from your more recent past and send that instead. I'm just saying.

If you're good, maybe you'll earn the coveted Sprawling Ramshackle Compound Freak of the Week...