For whatever reason,  the Australian fiscal year goes from July 1 — June 30, with taxes required to be filed by Oct. 31.

So while North Americans were contemplating costumes, I spent the day finishing my taxes.

That’s scary.

So is this drunk pumpkin, and this 1959 goalie mask, the first one ever used in a professional (ice) hockey game by Jacques Plante of the Montreal Canadians. I got one from Canadian Tire in 1968 and it hurt like hell every time I got hit in the head.

I relate these tales to the young goalies I now coach. They think I’m old, weird and scary.

Boo.