Note from the Associate Editor: The (ACDIS) Monster Mash

by Carolyn Riel

I was working in the office, late one night
When my eyes beheld an eerie sight
For my coworkers from their cubicles, began to rise
And suddenly to my surprise

They did the mash, they did the monster mash
The monster mash, it was an ACDIS smash

At least, that’s something like how I imagine Halloween would have gone this year if we were in the office instead of working remotely. The ACDIS team loves Halloween and having fun, and last year we created the Mad Hatter’s Tea Cocktail party to celebrate together. We were joined by Alice, the Cheshire Cat, Queen of Hearts, the March Hare, and even the Mad Hatter himself.

This year, we had to do something a little different to celebrate the holiday, so I asked everyone if they were a monster, what would they be?

“The monster rabbit from Monty Python,” said ACDIS Editor Linnea Archibald. “Because then I get to be cute and fuzzy but also be a killer rabbit, which is the best combination.”

“I want to be James P. Sullivan (better known as Sulley) from Monsters Inc. He’s ‘good-natured, hardworking, and confident, and  loves his job’ just like me. Also he loves to scare children and so do I but I also love to make them laugh,” said Associate Editorial Director Melissa Varnavas. One Halloween, she explained, her and her coworkers decorated on a jungle theme. “We gathered all the plants throughout the office and the kids had to navigate through them. I dressed like a lion, sat real quiet behind the plants, and when the kids came by I'd open my eyes and slowly ‘roar’ and reach out for them. It was a riot!”

From the same Pixar monster universe, ACDIS Boot Camp Instructor Sharme Brodie said she’d be Mike Wazowski. “He is the greatest funny monster and so cute to beat!”

Lead Boot Camp Instructor Laurie Prescott had a bit of a different take, choosing something less light-hearted. “I’d be Nurse Ratched from One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” Prescott said. “She was the contrary to everything I wanted to be as a nurse.”

ACDIS Director Brian Murphy chose the classic vampire. “Immortal, living in a gothic castle… what’s not to like?” he said. “I mean have you seen The Lost Boys or Fright Night? I’m in.”

Personally, I think I’d be just a traditional witch; no one in particular. Because I love cats and magic and I’d really like to be able to fly around on a broomstick. Plus, I already have a bit of a bird-like nose.

As for actually dressing up, I think a lot of people are choosing to go costume-less this year without the having of parties or group trick-or-treating although I am looking forward to some spooky cocktails (like a caramel apple sangria) and a game night. My costume? I’ve got a leopard print shirt, flower crown, and miniature stuffed tiger. Can you guess what I’m going to be?

If you’re back in the hospital and your team is doing something fun for Halloween, share your pictures with us! Or if you’re simply dressing up on your own, we’d love to see what creative costumes you can come up with. Even better, if you have some fun CDI related monsters or costumes you’d like to share… we might be able to come up with a prize or two to giveaway…  

Editor’s note: Riel is the associate editor for ACDIS. Contact her at criel@acdis.org.