Under-Rated Treasures Blogfest-Freaks

FREAKS-1932



This is my pick for the Under-Rated Treasures Blogfest! hosted by the wonderful Alex J Cavanaugh.
This 1932 film is rarely seen and was banned for many decades due to the nature of this film and the horrific ending which most ended up on the cutting room floor.

It was directed by Todd Browning who shot to fame for Dracula with Bela Lugosi. He was also a favourite director of the great Lon Chaney, The Man of a Thousand Faces. Many people today shun the terms freaks for obvious reasons and shun this film which is a shame. It is a horror film but the horror is not due to the "freaks" but due to the  so-called "beautiful people".  The beautiful High wire gal played by Olga Baklanova decides to marry the midget played by Harry Earles when she finds out he is very wealthy. She concocts a plan with the brutish strong man (her lover) to slowly poison her new husband but she did not plan that the other "freaks" realize what is being done and the ending becomes quite horrific.

The strong man, let's just say can sing falsetto but this scene, how he became, um,..that way was cut  (sorry for the pun) from the film and is considered lost.

The scene shown above has actually been used in different ways in other films so some of you may think this saying, they repeat, is familiar. Todd Browning was very fond of all the people on the set and the "freaks" truly cared for him. Todd Browning wanted to make sure they never felt slighted or used in a bad way and when one watches this film one realizes the care he placed towards the people who suffered from some rare afflictions. Prince Randian (not seen here) was born without arms or legs but you see him take out a match, light it and light his cigarette. Just in case you google him, he had  5 children:)  Harry Earles was in a couple of other films by Todd Browning and the other pretty girl who plays his true love interest is actually his sister in real life, Daisy Earles.

You have quite a few people we never truly knew who existed but they did and had these abnormalities and rose above them. Johnny Eck is amazing since he really has no pelvis or anything else. He would do a skit with a midget (OK I am not politically correct here so..so...sue me:)) where Johnny would be on top of the midget and they would wear a long coat and go on stage looking like one man, He would then jump off  and the people would shriek in horror (I think that is kind of funny). In this film one wonders what strength he must have had in his arms.  Daisy and Violet Hilton were Siamese Twins who, today, would have easily been separated at birth but in those times, it was impossible and where do such people find a kinship? The so-called freak show - better to be paid for being gawked at and have a home than being gawked at, ridiculed and hidden away which happened to so many. Oops I went off topic, anyway, I love the scene where one man proposes marriage to the one, much to the displeasure of her sister, and when she is kissed by her suitor, the other twin smiles and feels the pleasure-pretty dandy for those times.

I don't have this film in my collection but I love it and appreciate it as a testament to their strength, and being a family and sticking up for one another even if that means something very, very bad must happen to the pretty folk.

I did pick the 3 others but it would be too long of a post. For TV Show I picked "This Is The Law"-a game show with a panel of known people(well kind of known) and a host  who shows funny skits about actual laws being broken. These laws are quite obscure and the panel has to figure it out. I think only my brother and I watched this TV Show from the 70's. I really loved the groovy shag carpeting on the walls.

I picked for music, Klaatu. a Canadian band that had a couple of hits back in the 70's. They became more famous for people thinking it was the Beatles behind this band(they weren't). I love their version of Calling Occupants of Intersteller Planetary Craft" better than the Carpenters.

My book is "Hollywood" by Kevin Brownlow about the beginning of film until the silent films ended. It is based on the TV Documentary of the same name that I have in VHS but it has not come out in DVD (major issues with all the estates). To get a real grasp of early Hollywood and the people who lived it, this is an excellent book and you can find snippets of the documentary on Youtube. Viola Dana, an early actress was wonderful and heartbreaking as she lost the man she loved, Ormer Locklear in a stunt he performed. She watched him crash his plane. The camera crew were to take the lights off him so he could get out of the free fall of his airplane(shooting at night) but they didn't take the lights off and he crashed. She was still heart broken all those years later.

OK so this is my pick(s). I will enjoy everyone else's. Now back to organizing my craft room and making some cards!!

Lauren Bacall-Part 3 on my list

Lauren Bacall born Betty Joan Perske on September 16, 1924-died August 12, 2014.

She became a hit with her first film, met and married her co-star Humphrey Bogart and remained married to him until his death from cancer. She was sultry in voice and body and men loved to whistle if that meant she would come to them (You have to see the first film she made). Her nickname was Slim and she preferred to be called Betty in her private life.  Bogie and Bacall made 4 films together and they started the famous rat pack, not Frank Sinatra. After Bogie died, she became involved with Sinatra who promptly dumped her when she mentioned to the press they may get married (nice guy eh?). She married Jason Robards Jnr whom she later divorced. She was strong-willed, sexy, gutsy and spoke her mind. I love it that one her last "roles" was on Family Guy. Now I don't watch that show but I think it is quite funny that this 89 year old Grand Dame lent her voice to this program. Now on to my favourite top 10. Again if there are any you can add, let me know:)

10. The Mirror Has Two Faces-1996- OK I resisted this film for a while because it was produced, directed and stars Barbra Streisand who, at that time, seemed to have a head as big as Cleveland. Don't get me wrong, I love her in "What's Up Doc" and "Funny Girl" and she has a beautiful voice but she can be annoying:) Have you ever tried to sit through "Yentl". OK this film is redeemed by the great acting of Lauren Bacall and when she was nominated for an Oscar (her first!), everyone expected her to win...she didn't (Juliette Binoche won for "The English Patient").

9. Young Man With A Horn-1950- This is supposed to be based on the life of Bix Beiderbecke who did not have a happy ending and this film does but most films gloss things over. It is a good film with solid acting and Lauren plays a woman who is not the most sympathetic.

8. Written On The Wind-1956-A Douglas Sirk film. He directed "Magnificent Obsession" and "Imitation of Life" and is known for great melodramas and that 1950's colour one thinks of in a typical film from that era. It is fun, a bit trashy and all played to the hilt by Bacall and Rock Hudson.

7. The Shootist-1976-This, to me, is one of the saddest films because it shows an ailing John Wayne in his last role as a once great western man, fast with a gun, who is dying of cancer. I cry every time and, if this was a list on John Wayne's films, it would be higher but this is on Lauren Bacall. She plays his one time girlfriend who still harbours feeling for him and vice versa but knows it is of know use. Considering she was an ardent democrat and he was an ardent Republican, they still both got on well and they respected one another off screen.

6. Dark Passage-1947-An interesting camera style as it is shot, mostly, from looking through the eyes of Bogie's character. This is the third pairing of Bogie and Bacall and she does a great job as his love interest.

5. How To Marry a Millionaire-1953- This is quite a fun comedy starring Bacall as a smart gal who doesn't believe in true love but believes in marrying for money...in other words, all the fake T & A gals of today who are marrying old male stars who have one foot in the grave. I digress. It also stars Betty Grable in one of her final roles and Marilyn Monroe who does a great comedic performance as a very blind gal, when not wearing her glasses, looking for money..um...I mean a man. It is fun, and shows 3 different women but all are strong.

4. Key Largo-1948- This is the last pairing of Bogie and Bacall on the big screen. Edward G  Robinson plays another bad man but always great. His gang is holed up in a home with Lionel Barrymore as the patriarch and Bacall plays his daughter. The tension of the people being kept prisoner by the gang really sets the tone. Claire Trevor won an Oscar for her boozy take on a good girl gone a bad way. I always cringe at how Lionel Barrymore is treated in the film as he was really in a wheelchair suffering from Rheumatoid arthritis.

3. To Have And To Have Not-1944- The film that introduced Bacall to the world and also to Bogie her future husband.  "You know how to whistle Steve....you just put your lips together ..and blow". Sultry, sexy, strong and she sings in this film. Not bad for a first start!

2. Murder On The Orient Express- 1974-Agatha Christie novel starring a cast of characters all stuck on the famed train. There are many big stars on this film from Albert Finney, Sean Connery to Ingrid Bergman but Lauren Bacall just about steals the show as a blowsy rich dame who talks up a storm. Ingrid Bergman won an Oscar for her performance but I think it should have been given to Bacall.

1. The Big Sleep-1946- The plot is so mind bending that if you can figure it out I shall give you a gold star. The great acting from Bogie and Bacall is so classic in the second outing together it is a pleasure to see them spur and bring on the heat especially when they are talking about horse racing but they mean something entirely different. Thank god the censors were too dull-witted to get the true meaning.

So here we are my 3rd outing on 3 greats we lost during the summer. I know all of you have lost a wonderful friend in the blogging world and I would have made a sunflower card in  Tina's honour but my supplies are packed up at the moment. May you all have a wonderful time remembering your friend.

The Liebster Award-My Insecure Writers Support Group Post:)

It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group!  This was created by Mr. Ninja the Great, Alex J. Cavanaugh! Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. I encourage everyone to visit at least a dozen new blogs and leave a comment. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs.

The Liebster Award exists only on the internet, and is given to bloggers by other bloggers. It pays tribute to new blogs, or blogs with a follower count of less than 1,000–including Twitter. The word “liebster” is German in origin and has several definitions, including but not limited to: dearest, sweetest, kindest, pleasant, endearing, lovely, cute, nicest, valued and welcome. 

The rules:

1. Link back to the blog that nominated you. (Elizabeth)
2. Answer questions that your nominator has set for you.
3. Share 11 random facts about yourself.
4. Nominate 5-11 blogs that have less than 1,000 followers to receive this award. (Remember, this includes Twitter.)
5. Create 11 questions for your nominees to answer.
6. Contact your nominees and let them know you have nominated them. 

I have been given this award again and am very touched (in more ways than one...um...sorry:)). Actually this is quite nice and I thought it would be great for the Insecure Writer's Support Group too:). So, without further ado, here we go with the questions I need to answer:

1. Have you ever noticed how JJ Abrams likes the number 47? Or how the answer to life, the universe, and everything is 42? Certain people identify with certain numbers. I already admitted to having an affinity for 11. What is your signature number?

57-why? My husband. It is really weird but he sees this # everywhere. He does not look for it but it comes up repeatedly. When I met him, his exit off the freeway was 57. He was born in 1957, licence plates, TV programs etc... will pop up 57. In fact, yesterday my husband got a painting from his dad and on the back of this old painting, there was the #57. This has now rubbed off on me. I thought I will try to find 64 (I was born in 1964)...nope! It doesn't come up. Very Weird

1. Back in January, TIME magazine published an article on bad passwords. (I managed to find this again to illustrate a point while having a conversation with some juniors at the end of the last school year. They argued that a bad password was great protection as no hacker would try these anymore. I disagreed.) Have you ever used a "bad password"? Did you think it was good, or did you just need something easy? 

I am sick of passwords! Everything needs a password and they are all supposed to be different...my head is going to explode. They are all supposed to have capitals and asterisk and numbers and all have to be different. I amaze myself that I put the same colour socks on in the morning

1. What time did you go to bed last night?  11pm-and this is question #3
2. What's the last movie you went out to see in a movie theater?  For a film lover I am bad-It was "LOTR-Smaug".
3. As you all know, Tuesdays are my "what if" question days. And I'm running a bit low on ideas. What's the best "what if" question you can come up with? (Or come up with a mediocre one. I'm kind of desperate.) Which dead film star would you love to meet? (mine would be Jimmy Stewart)
4. Where are your car keys right now? If I was 22, they would still be in the door since I was having a blast the night before but now, hanging up in the key holder area
5. Donna's New Day links to a random quiz on Sundays, and a couple weeks ago she found a quiz from the Oxford English Dictionary on finding the best new word for you. (They recently added a bunch of words.) Take the quiz (either frivolous or serious, or both if you're feeling adventurous), and give us your new word. Oh, I did this and it was fun. I am  Adorbs and Hyperconnected. Now it's your turn:)
6. Are you right or left-handed? I am not evil so that makes me right-handed. Anyone who dealt with nuns as teachers will know they would use the ruler on your left hand to make you change to right. Lovely nuns eh?
7. Are you with me in the cult of Doctor Who? (Are you watching the new season?) Who's your favorite Doctor? I never got into Doctor Who. I always felt the Daleks looked like salt and pepper shakers.
8. If I were to offer to knit you something (anything) you'd like, what would you request? A cup holder in blue so my fingerprints don't disintegrate from the hot tea or milk I drink (ha- you thought I would mention coffee)
9. Besides blogging, what's your favorite social media outlet (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc.)? Hmmmm....Facebook I guess although I don't put much on there but I love to see other peoples pictures and I am enjoying Pinterest.

Now 11 facts about me:

1. I love animals and I would seriously do harm to any bastard who ever harms an animal. I would make sure they could never own an animal and I would send them away...maybe to the cornfield (any Twilight Zone people out there)?

2. I love creating cards, scrapbooks-love love love

3. I love playing board games but play rarely as my hubby is not into them....waaaaayyyy.

4. I love to budget hence why I have the job I have (Credit Counsellor)

5. Blue is my favourite colour, followed by purple.

6. I grew up on a sawmill and still love the smell of sawdust. How Canadian eh?

7. Christmas is my favourite holiday followed by Halloween. It's like the angel on one shoulder and the devil on the other.heheheeeee

8. Sports is not a pastime I enjoy unless it is the Olympics or Tour De France. I could care less about a puck or ball going to a net or in a field. Watching people paint their faces, drink beer and eat heart attack burgers is not my idea of culture.

9. Love art, architecture, culture, travel, history, the occult-there is so much to learn and grow from

10.-Love, Love, Love film and film stars and everything associated with this but not the new people unless they show some acting ability like Jennifer Lawrence

11. I, would never, ever, think never mind do, place a naked or racy photo of myself on any device where it can go viral. Unfortunately no one would care and my picture may end up with the Wal-Mart people but no-never! I just don't get it.

Look I never even mentioned chocolate once:) mmmmmm...chocolate, (shaking head). OK I am now nominating 5 people who I enjoy reading their blogs:

1. Liz Blocker
2.Julie Flanders
3. Suzie Mac
4. Anabel Marsh
5. Robyn Engel

Here are my questions and if anyone wants to answers any of these in my blog here would love it:)

1. What is your favourite colour?

2. What major architectural wonder do you want to see before you die?

3. Which is your favourite animal?

4. What scares the bejeebies out of you?

5. What's your favourite dessert?

6. If you could time travel, where would you go and why?

7. What's your favourite film?

8. What's your favourite book?

9. What do you hate wearing but have to on occasion?

10. Chocolate or vanilla...or tutti frutti?

11. What's your ancestry?

OMG! This is a long one and I hope you read it through-hahahaaaa. Enjoy the day, month and year and happy writing to all of you:)

Robin Williams

Robin Williams-July 21, 1951-August 11, 2014

So much has been said about his passing and his death goes along with many shocking deaths we have experienced when it comes to famous people. He was a true giver and I have yet to hear anything negative about this man. He was a genius in comedy just like his idol, Jonathan Winters (who also suffered from depression). He was Mork from Ork (Nanu, Nanu) (I also loved his latest sitcom but I seemed to have been the only one who watched it). He was great on late night T.V. and any interview as his mind was always going, never stopping. He was intelligent and a deep thinker who went to Julliard. He met his life long friend, Christopher Reeve, there and they were blood brothers. Knowing some other men, in the late 50's and early 60's who went into a deep depression, I wonder if male Menopause is something that should be looked into. It is only in the last 30 years that Doctors talk seriously about female menopause but nobody thinks of Male menopause. I wonder, if some men who already deal with depression, suffer even  more so when their hormones go "out of whack"...just thinking. Anyway, Here are my 10 favourite films. It does not include Aladdin because I have not seen it yet (slapping my hands). When I made this list it was pick just 10 so let me know if you have any others to add.

10.  One Hour Photo-2002- Robin Williams plays one creepy nut in this film. He gave me the heeby jeevys but it goes to show how great an actor he was.

9. Insomnia- 2002- OK, another creepy outing from this man and I was amazed by his range in acting and how he outdid Al Pacino. Worth looking into this film.

8. The Bird Cage- 1996- Robin Williams plays the "straight" man in this gay comedy. A remake of La Cage Aux Folles. This is just downright funny especially Nathan Lane  and Hank Azaria. One has to see it if only to see Gene Hackman in a dress.

7. Good Morning Vietnam - 1987- This is a comedy-drama and was the first film I remember to put Robin Williams on the map for movies. Yes he made "The World According to Garp" and "Popeye" but this gave him range and one got a sense of his soul from this film which is based on a true story.

6. Happy Feet - 2006- Great animated tale about a dancing penguin and it wouldn't be the same without Robin Williams at one of his best. You have to watch this to laugh at Robin's ad-libs (Like Aladdin)

5. Dead Poet's Society- 1989- A teacher who inspires but there is so much more to this than this small sentence. Robin received his 2nd nod for best actor(first was for Good Morning Vietnam). This film has soul and some may be upset that I have it at #5 but this is my own little list...:)

4. Good Will Hunting - 1997- Robin finally won the Oscar and it was about time. He plays a prof and helps the young Matt Damon in so many more ways than just as a teacher. Robin, talking about his dead wife, left tears in my eyes.

3. Mrs. Doubtfire - 1993- Who hasn't seen this film?? There are so many classic scenes (his breasts catch fire, face in the cake..."helloooooo") but there was so much more to this film. It has heart with a lot of laughter. Creating his Mrs. Doubtfire and going through all the different "women" made me fall off the couch laughing

2. What Dreams May Come- 1998- This is, to me, such an amazing film and very few know about this gem. It is about life and death and the after-life. The imagery is spectacular especially how the film incorporates painting into his version of heaven. It is more sad now considering Robin's death and it still moves me to tears

1. The Fisher King - 1991- Yes this is MY favourite Robin Williams film. I love Terry Gilliam (director) and I love Jeff Bridges. Robin's energetic take on a homeless man who teaches how to live life to the fullest to Jeff Bridges is stellar. It resonates all the more when one finds out how and why Robin Williams' Character becomes homeless. Robin's acting is superb!

Any other films you wish to add?

First of 3 Film Greats Who Recently Passed-James Garner

James Garner- April 7, 1928 to July 19, 2014

This is not like my A to Z challenge but a list of my favourite films from 3 great stars who recently passed away. This took me a while to think about this- should I write about this and what would I say, if anything, and would it sound the least bit interesting since I do not promote myself as a film critic but a lover of films. James Garner is one of my favourites of recent film actors( to me he is a newer star even though he acted in the 1950's onward). He grew up with an abusive step-mother, he was a Korean war Vet and he married the love of his life 2 weeks after meeting her (stayed married too). He also was fond of smoking pot as it helped ease his pain in his knees. He had no problem speaking his mind and according to Julie Andrews and Sally Field was the best kisser they ever experienced (hopefully that excludes their husbands). Anyway here are my 10 favourite films of James Garner.

10. Maverick (1994)- Of course he was the original Maverick along with Jack Kelly who played his brother Bart but I am talking about the Mel Gibson film. This is not a mind bending film that is Oscar worthy but it is a fun movie to watch and I can watch this over and over again. James Garner brings class to this film. If only there could have been a Rockford Files movie but the main star would have had to have been James Garner himself.

9. Move Over, Darling ( 1963)- This was a fun film with Doris Day. Actually he made another film with her called "The Thrill Of It All". I like both so either is actually good for this spot. This was originally with Marilyn Monroe and Dean Martin but when she died, he dropped out so it went to these 2 greats. I love the basic romp and typical early '60's style to it even though, in the other film I mentioned, Doris decides to stay a homemaker...ichhhhh. If you can rent it or watch it on Netflix you will enjoy this merriment.

8. My Fellow Americans (1996) - This co-stars Jack Lemmon and they should have made more films together. Again it is not a film classic but it is a lot of fun. 2 ex-presidents one Democrat (Lemmon) and one Republican (Garner who never wanted to play a Republican:))  and they are marked for assassination. Let the hijinks commence and it is enjoyable once again. In lesser hands it would not be fun but these 2 give it a touch of class.

7. Murphy's Romance (1985) - Sally Field stars in this film with James Garner who received his only Oscar nomination with this film. It is a comedy with depth. It is about love and age and so much more. It is worth checking out for sure besides Sally Field couldn't get enough of his kisses. She said it made her knees weak.

6. Support Your Local Sheriff ( 1969)- Now let's talk comedy and hijinks with a great cast of character actors like Harry Morgan (M.A.S.H. fame), Jack Elam, Joan Hackett, Bruce Dern and Walter Brennan. A comedy western in the best sense which brings us to...

5. Support Your Local Gunfighter (1971)- Yup same hijinks with a similar cast except for Suzanne Pleshette as the love interest and Chuck Connors as the bad guy. Great bar fight, Fun, Fun, Fun and you know the cast must have had fun making this film.

4. The Notebook ( 2004)- You know I never wanted to see this film because I thought it was all about Ryan Reynolds and Rachel McAdams and their soppy romance. I also dislike hype which made me not want to see the movie all the more. One day this past year, I wasn't well and it was on TV so I decided to finally watch it and I was glad I did. The reason-The excellent heart-breaking performances of James Garner and Gena Rowlands.  I had no idea how much screen time they had and they, to me, made the film. The power of love and pain was shown in the simple looks and gestures of these 2 great actors.

3. Victor/Victoria (1982)- This is an all time great comedy and, yes, there is music in this but it goes with the film and brilliantly I might add. Julie Andrews at one of her best teamed a second time with James Garner. Robert Preston as an aging queen who helps Julie Andrews be a gay man in Gay Paris. Lesley Ann Warren almost steals the film and Alex Karras is great as James Garner's bodyguard. A women pretending to be a man pretending to be a woman in the early 1930's with gangsters and mayhem afoot. A remake of the German film Viktor/Viktoria starring Renate Mueller but a great remake.

2. The Great Escape (1963)- All star cast with Steve McQueen, James Coburn, Richard Attenborough and Donald Pleasance (who did survive a POW camp in WW2). It is a rousing war film that, of course, is not accurate in how the 50 died (sorry plot spoiler) but it is accurate in how they dug the tunnels, forged documents, made outfits all to escape. James Garner plays the man who can get all the stuff ( the scrounger). When they do escape it is thrilling and the motorcycle chase is fun to watch.

1. The Americanization of Emily (1964)- This is James Garner's favourite film and he loved working with Julie Andrews. He plays a coward who does not want to go to war but due to the undermining of authority figures he gets in deep and it does play on the social conscience of war and what it means. It is fun to note that Julie Andrews said when they had a kissing scene, he kissed so well that when she walked away her legs gave out and they had to retake the scene...which she didn't mind.

So this is my list of James Garner's films-my favourites. Do you have any? Do you wish to include any in your comments? Let me know. Oh and to all the ladies...isn't it a shame we never had the chance to kiss this man:)

Santa and an Angel

Materials used-Cream, silver and white pearl cardstalk, Angel stamp, Gold embossing dye stamp, Egyptian and African gold embossing powder, Snowflake and border stickers.

Materials used- Drak green and light green cardstalk, scrap paper embossed using cuddlebug, Santa stamped with black dye ink and embossed with clear embossing powder, coloured with tombow markers, glitter in red, brown, purple, yellow and green. Santa fussy cut and placed with raised stickers. snowflakes, corner and border stickers used as well as greeting.

Sparkles Christmas Challenge-Snowflakes

Winter Wonderland- Anything Goes
52 Christmas Card Throwdown-Colour Challenge-White, Cream, Gold, Silver
Crafty Hazelnut Challenge- Anything Goes
Christmas Cards All Year Round- Sparkle and Shine

Since I wrote about my wonderful adventure when I was a dumb ass 21 year old hitchhiking with Santa and being picked up by a Cowboy trucker from Quebec I thought these cards were in keeping with my Insecure Writer's Support Group post.:) I believe I have gained a few brain cells since then (knowing I also have equally killed a few as well by imbibing in my favourite liquid of past-OJ and Vodka) so I will never do anything that crazy again. An angel has definitely been by my side on a few occasions and thankfully my parents never knew my antics. Like parents know anyway! Yup I am certain some of my fellow readers can relate to this and also pray their children will never do anything nutty either.  I love sparkly things since I believe I was a magpie in a prior life and I finally was able to create a card for 52 Christmas and CCAYR and have it under the wire! Now since I really did hitchhike with Santa (albeit a drunken skinny assed one) it is only fitting to have Santa here and all sparkly:) In heaven above the angels are now laughing and if it is raining, it is their tears of laughter from embracing Robin Williams-A wonderful man

Santa, a Cowboy and a Blond = stupid...for the IWSG

Here is my little story of my youth for the Insecure Writer's Support Group:)

Now this is a tale that leaves one wondering if it actually happened or did I smoke something really funky. 
Many moons ago, I, a fresh faced dumb ass 21 yr old, decided to meet some friends in a downtown bar/restaurant. I was just getting over a very bad case of the flu and decided that I needed to become even more sick by going out and having some fun so I left my brains at the door and decided to do just that. 

There I am at the bar/restaurant with my best friend, her then fiancee and someone else that I can no longer remember or maybe that is the hazy amount of meds, fever and alcohol that permeated my brain, liver and other vital organs, that make me not remember. Doug, the slug, my best friend's former fiancee owned his parent's home and this home was recently in a fire. Now Doug was more upset that his home-made wine in the basement  was in a bad way after said fire than he was upset by the home being in a shambles so he asked all of us to go check out his still. What was I to do? Should I be sensible and call home to get more rest? Puleassseeee! We all sauntered down the street to his shell of a home, went through the yellow tape (yup dumb kid with matches) and went down to the basement to have a taste of his new wine that incurred a smoky palette. Of course, going down rickety stairs  and being under a floor that could possibly give way at any moment was not in our thoughts but rather having a taste of said smoky wine seemed more on our minds. From my state of altered consciousness, I decided the wine was still salvageable and was quite good. Now I was 21, sick, dizzy (see above meds and alcohol) and thought Spumante Bambino was the best wine ever. 

After having said smoky wine and believing we were all going to be the next young adults offered to go to Mensa, my best friend and the man with no name left to go home ( they still had some brain cells lurking in their heads). Doug the Slug and I decided to get back to St. Catharines. How???  We knew better than to drive so we decided to hitchhike. Yup that stupid crazy thing I swore I would never ever do.....well I did with Doug the Slug who weighed in at 55 lbs when wet and had a voice so high it could shatter glass and make Boy George's heart go pitter-patter. So we we started walking...and walking...and walking. Nobody had the sense to pick us up at 1am. I wonder why? Doug the Slug just happened to have his Santa Claus suit on him in his duffel bag and thought nobody will decline Santa Claus. He was wrong! Santa and the dumb ass blond still kept walking. So there I was with a skinny drunken Santa at 2am at a lonely intersection in the middle of no-where-ville and Friday the 13th when a big semi-truck pulls over. Doug..er, Santa opens the door first to see a man saying he will take us. We get in and now it gets more interesting.....

This trucker looks like he would walk like John Wayne, talk like Clint Eastwood, smoke like the Marlboro man but loved to listen to Conway Twitty in French! Yup It was a cowboy trucker from Quebec! He had a big hat on with a cig. hanging from his mouth talking in a Quebequer accent while listening to country twang. He felt sorry for us and brought us all the way to St. Catharines. I finally was home around 3am or so.I was happy that no roof caved in, no Quebec Cowboy turning into Jason, and my flu no worse for wear. 

A couple of weeks later my boyfriend was talking with his friend and his friend mentioned how his dad said, one night after leaving the legion he had seen Santa and some blond hitch-hiking on the road. My boyfriend's friend didn't believe his dad. I naturally said "Oh no that was me". My boyfriend laughed and fell off his chair and his friend just figured of all people it would be me. 

This is lengthy, but hope you liked to read it even if the grammar is not correct. Is this story true?? I shall make you wait.........Yup it is true!!! I really believe I have a guardian angel somewhere with all the things I got myself into, but I guess very few people can say they hitch-hiked with Santa and a Cowboy from Quebec gave them a lift:)