{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Waterboarding for Fruit","description":"Hey, it\u2019s Dave\u2014and on this episode of Building a Better Dave, I talk all about the weirdness that is Halloween in my neighborhood lately. As October rolls in, I\u2019ve noticed a crazy escalation in skeleton yard decorations. What used to be simple six-foot skeletons have turned into these massive twelve-foot giants. I can\u2019t help but wonder if this is just the middle-aged version of keeping up with the Joneses. Halloween itself has always struck me as strange, especially when you factor in how expensive candy has gotten (seriously, $15 a bag now?!) and how we\u2019ve all just accepted feeding our kids mountains of sugar as tradition. Confession: If I buy a bunch of candy, I\u2019m probably just going to eat it myself, which is why I might skip handing it out altogether and let myself get "tricked" this year. This episode, I also reminisce about the good old days of Halloween pranks\u2014TPing houses, knocking and running, and my brother\u2019s infamous police escort home after getting caught. My dad was definitely not amused. It feels like those harmless pranks just don\u2019t happen anymore\u2014probably because today\u2019s doorbell cameras have killed the fun. Of course, I have to mention bobbing for apples, which, looking back, is basically waterboarding with fruit. Pump enough apple cider into a kid and you end up with what I like to call the \u201cRuns\u201d (and I list every synonym I can think of\u2014because why not?). And what\u2019s up with every costume needing to be "slutty" these days? Slutty nurse, slutty librarian, even slutty Daffy Duck! Not sure when that trend started, but it seems to get more out there every year. I wrap up by admitting I bought a new Christmas tree\u2014when all I intended was a little four-foot tree, I walked out with a seven-and-a-half foot beauty. Honestly, I think I\u2019m trying to recapture one of my favorite childhood memories: coming in from the snow, curling up in front of the tree with a thick blanket and some hot chocolate from my mom. That feeling of safety just sticks with me, especially as the holidays get closer. Hope you enjoy my holiday ramblings, stories of waterboarding for fruit, and my skepticism about modern Halloween. Until next time, hang in there\u2014it\u2019s going to get better. Highlights: Giant skeletons and the one-upmanship of Halloween decorations The economics\u2014and temptations\u2014of Halloween candy How doorbell cameras ruined classic Halloween pranks Bobbing for apples: my take on this bizarre tradition The rise of \u201cslutty\u201d costumes and my bewilderment Reflecting on the holidays and chasing those cozy, safe memories Did this episode make you laugh,cry, think, or groan? Consider buying Dave a coffee. ","author_name":"Building a Better Dave","author_url":"https:\/\/www.betterdave.com","html":"