My mother made me a ET costume in fourth grade to wear at Halloween. She always believed in making costumes rather than buying rubber masks or store bought versions of characters. By sewing and stuffing the squatty lovable alien with the glowing heart, my mom taught me how much fun it could be to create my own Halloween characters.

Some Halloweens, I didn't try very hard. I'd put on a Chiefs shirt and hat, explaining to everyone that I dressed up as a football fan. No one was impressed. Other times, my costumes reflected my mood. For three consecutive years in college, I was Blue Man. I donned blue clothes and face paint, and everyone gave me credit for being something. Last year, I was Slightly Dead. Dressing in funeral clothes with stiff hair and a rigor mortis face. A girl far too young to be seen cavorting with the dead (as deemed by law and the general public) was immensely affected. Good thing Slightly Dead wasn't a hard core pervert like Humbert Humbert, but he still gave her a ride home.

This year, I received the most praise for a costume since ET. I was Captain New Mexico. Super hero hair, a red mask, a yellow shirt with a spray painted zia symbol, black long johns, hiking boots and a New Mexico flag for a cape. A makeshift costume, to be sure, but it got the job done.

I was well received by the drunken folks at the party I attended. I complimented everyone for being upstanding citizens in a powerful, protecting voice and shared laughs with people I will never see again.

Many wanted to know my super powers. I explained that I had the ability to thrive in extreme poverty, drive home drunk without getting caught most of the time and sit in sedentary position for years without realizing it. And of course, I could kick Captain Colorado's ass any day of the week. The drunks liked the drunken special power the most. Go figure.

One of my friends described Captain New Mexico as "the gayest costume he had ever seen," and he was probably right. A man in long johns is announcing more than necessary, but many a masked lady came up and chatted with the super hero. None with the dreamy intentions of the nymphet Slightly Dead met, but one damsel did say Captain New Mexico could light her luminaries come Christmas time. If she only didn't have three men-in-waiting already. Super heroes don't wait in line.

Occasionally, people asked who was on the flip-side of Captain New Mexico's identity. I, of course, replied Chris Jungle. Everyone accepted this, not realizing that I am, in fact, the super hero status of yet another character. Super hero within super hero. Alias within alias. It's part of a pyramid scheme although it's difficult to tell who's at the top. Somewhere, there's probably the real me, but I think I'll keep dabbling in all of the many characters. A doctor once suggested that I may suffer from schizophrenic tendencies, but I got a second opinion. What good is the medicated life if it keeps you from being Captain New Mexico?

All in all, Captain New Mexico will ultimately be lumped in with Blue Man, Slightly Dead, Chiefs fan, ET and the rest. Another brief moment in life when I was allowed not to be myself. That's just fine with me. Because, let's face it. We all get a little boring with the way we are.

Captain New Mexico tips:
1. Always use side roads when coming home from a party.
2. Sit outside when the weather is nice.
3. Stop worrying about what time it is.
4. Add green chile to your main dish.
5. Choose relaxation over extra pay.

Chris Jungle sold off his Captain New Mexico comic book collection for half its face value.