Saturday night the local brewpub (that's just around the corner from where I live - do I live right or what!) hosted a "Krampus Ball" organized by a local group called "The Shadow Art Fair" here in Ypsilanti, MI. For those of you who might not know, The Krampus is a sort of anti-Santa from central European tradition, who comes and punishes bad children shortly before Christmas. There's some impressive parades and the like that can be seen on Youtube if you're inclined to look at such things. At any rate, a couple of friends and I went, and I dressed up in one of my costumes I'd made a couple of years ago and haven't worn in quite a while. It was a great time, and I had to remind myself to stop fooling around and take some pictures, so this is a group of snapshots I took over the course of the evening. If you're interested, I'm in the shot that's bottom row, 2nd from right. The guy in the lower right corner actually made that mask, and the masks above him in the upper right corner. The night was capped by a costume contest I didn't even know they were having. The two Krampuses in the lower left pictures went through the audience and chose a half-dozen people to win prizes (free drinks) and the first prize? That went to me! I ended up with free drinks and a huge impressive santa-beard made from white pipe-cleaners that's nearly as tall as I am. A truly great night, and hopefully something they will host for many years to come!