The Púca Project '05
WHAT IS THE PÚCA PROJECT? ++ WHO ELSE IS DOING IT IN MY AREA? ++ COSTUME IDEAS AND LINKS ++ BANNERS ++ VOLUNTEER YOUR SERVICES
What is the Púca Project?
The Púca Project is... something I came up with just the other day, actually - see here for the original challenge post in my LJ. The response was... a lot bigger than I expected, so, as per the suggestions of several people, here's the Púca Project Community.
The name, suggested by ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
fahye derives from the púca, or pooka - the mischievous Irish spirit, whose capriciousness and unpredictability have earned it something of a dubious reputation. The púca isn't always out to cause harm, though; often, they have been known to help others, do them a kindness. And that's what we aim to do - defy convention, and do some good whilst we're at it.
Last year, Hallowe'en '04, I'd only just recently turned eighteen. The night before All Hallows Eve, I was babysitting some local kids, and all they could talk about was how excited they were to be getting dressed up in costume, how much they were looking forward to going trick-or-treating, how crushed a friend was, whose mother wouldn't let him out because Hallowe'en was on a Sunday night, and he had school the next day.
Do witches really exist?, Youngest Kid asked timorously.
Don't be stupid, his Big Sister sniffed. 'Course they don't.
I was pretty crushed myself - Hallowe'en is my favourite holiday of the year, yet I too had class at 9am the next morning. Stupid university, getting in the way of a girl's social life. Not that I would have been able to go to any of the parties, since the price of alcohol is, frankly, thievery. Plus which, my parents were kind enough to tell me, eighteen is rather too old for this fancy dress business anyway.
So, yeah, pretty bummed.
Until it occurred to me - how many other teenagers feel the exact same way I do? How many kids want to go trick-or-treating, and hunting in the twilight autumn leaf-piles for fairies, but can't, because they have school the next day? How many adults want nothing more than to play make-believe, to play pretend for one night, but can't, because they're All Grown Up, and the magic doesn't belong to them anymore?
Well, bugger that for a lark.
Sophie? asked Youngest Kid, tugging on my sleeve. Do witches really exist?
Don't be stupid, I told him. Of course they do.
So here's what I did: Hallowe'en rolled around the next day, and I got dressed up. And I mean, I got Dressed Up. Breeches, boots, frock coat, poet shirt, waistcoat, bauta mask and tricorner. And I went out, with what little money I had, I bought two big bunches of red carnations, and I spent the evening wandering the streets, handing them out to people.
And you know what? It was amazing. The great big smiles on people's faces, the pictures they ask to take with you, the way an old woman's face just lights up when you give her an elaborate, flourishing bow, offer her a pretty flower, and call her a bella donna. It's such a simple thing, such a simple, little thing, but I don't think I can do justice to the warm fuzzy feeling I got inside - because everyone did feel exactly like me. And I was able to give them a little of the magic back.
So... very heartwarming, and all, but how does this involve me?
You're going to do the same thing. You're going to dress up - and I mean really put in some effort, here, not just slap on a two-dollar plastic zombie mask - and you're going to go out, and you're going to do something nice for people. Hand out flowers, like I did. Sprinkle them with glitter fairy dust. Tap them with your magic wand, say
See a faerie, pucker up,
And all that day, you'll have good luck!
and give them a smacking kiss on the cheek. Find a busy street corner, and put on a show; stage a mock swordfight - or lightsaber duel. Have the monster chase Dr. Frankenstein down the street (It's ALIVE! It's ALIIIIVE!), or swoop down on people with your black cloak and tell them you vant to suck their bluuuuuud. Bring a portable stereo and some Mozart, and show off your waltz - with a partner, or an unsuspecting passer-by. Collect money for a charity. Let people - tourists, especially - have their picture taken with you.
Give them a little of their magic back.
What do I get in return?
Well, the sheer gratification should be enough in itself, but in case it isn't, here's what you get. After Hallowe'en, you can post to this community, and tell me about what you did. If you have photographic evidence, so much the better. I'll make a 'requests' post, and, in the comments, either tell me about what you did, or leave a link to your post, and make a request.
Drabbles, icons, journal headers, friends-only banners, userinfo graphics, colourbars, and journal layouts are all within my means. Do be specific in your requests - as much as you can be. I'm recruiting a team of people to help me, should the response be big enough (if you'd like to volunteer, please go here), so between us, there's a good chance we'll know most popular requested fandoms, for drabbles. If the fandom you'd like a drabble for isn't a big hitter, try leaving a request for something else as well, as a second option, just in case we're unfamiliar with your chosen fandom.
Omfg costumes whut?
Costumes are a lot easier than you'd think - even really good ones. Go here to find just a few ideas, as well as a whole bunch of links. If you have any other ideas for quick'n'easy costumes that look great, or know any good sites, why not leave them in the comments there, too?
What can I do now?
Simple answer: pimp this as hard, as fast, and as far as you can. Link, link, link, link, link. I'm working on some banners, which I'll post ASAP, for you all to link back with.
If you'd like to help out further, why not head over
here, and volunteer to help fill the requests of all the amazing people who decide to give a little magic back?
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif){kind=small}
puca_project,
