When I moved to Los Angeles four years ago, Patt Morrison was the first voice that made me feel like I could make a home here. Her writing in the Los Angeles Times, combined with her eponymously named radio program on 89.3 KPCC, was like an anchor that allowed a once stalwart New Yorker to stand steady as the waves of newness washed over him.

So imagine my delight when she agreed to answer a few questions…

What do you love about Halloween in Los Angeles?

That by Hallowe’en, the nights are cool and shivery enough for goosebumps. It reminds me of autumn in the Midwest, where I grew up. And I love the West Hollywood Hallowe’en Carnaval. It’s a haunted, campy Mardi Gras – spectacular and spectacularly original. I’m told that a few years back, a couple of people actually costumed themselves as me. I was quite flattered!

What did you dress up as for Halloween when you were a kid?

I loved Classics Illustrated comic books when I was little and one year I insisted on going as – get this — Hamlet! I had a pageboy haircut already, and somehow my mother and grandmother put together a passable doublet to go with the whole black tights look, and I think I had a plastic skull candy basket so I could put my loot in “poor Yorick.’’ Of course I had to explain a jillion times who I was and I’m sure I came off like an obnoxious little git, declaring “To be or not to be … trick or treat!’’ but at the time I thought it was inspired.

Any hints on what your costume will be this year?

It occurs to me that all I’d have to do is go WITHOUT a hat and no one would recognize me!

What’s the scariest thing about LA?

That’s easy – it’s Hallowe’en 365 days a year on the freeway. Driving is the scariest thing in LA!

Patt Morrison’s ongoing love affair with Los Angeles can be glimpsed on PattMorrison.com.

…photo by David Shankbone, used under a Creative Commons license, via Wikipedia…