Freak Show Friday: Tent is Dark

Thank you, dear readers, for your continued interest and enthusiasm for our weekly exhibits. It is our great pleasure to provide you with such displays of exceptionally bizarre personage! However, I regret to inform you that our regularly scheduled Freak Show Friday will be on temporary hiatus. The show will be back soon, rest assured. It might not be presented as often, but we will strive to offer the same caliber of curious cases we know our audience has come to expect.


My apologies,

Anthony
Circus Ringmaster

It's Christmas in July at Santa's Village!

I guess that I should have titled this post, 'It WAS Christmas in July at Santa's Village!' because it is, sadly, no longer there amongst the pines of Skyforest, California. Well, technically, it does still exist. Only, it hasn't been open since 1998 and what's left is falling into total ruins! The parking lot IS being used for a lumber yard, however. I wonder what they call that, Paul Bunyan's Village? It really is heartbreaking that after 43 years of bringing the enchantment of Santa Claus and the wonder of Christmas to life, it all just ended. Closed for business. Will return at... never o'clock! They just walked away and left it sitting there, discarded like some old worn-out shoe. It somehow seems even more depressing that it wasn't torn down, but was instead left for vandals and the elements to slowly devour.

Having been to Santa's Village only twice, once as a child and another as an adult, I am especially grateful for those memories now. The park's Grand Opening took place Memorial Day weekend in 1955, only 6 weeks before Walt opened the gates to Disneyland. But I didn't come along until the 1970s. I can just imagine how fresh and magnificent it all must've looked in the '50s... Still, I thought it was pretty great my first time. I know that somewhere there are old snap shots of me on many of the Christmas-themed rides, and I'm pretty sure that there's at least one shot of me screaming through tears while seated on Santa's lap. I WAS loving absolutely everything, EXCEPT that jolly old elf!

I can remember, as a little boy, thinking the place seemed truly magical. It looked alive with color, and the surrounding mountain air felt charged with an exciting sense of "anything-is-possible". I mean, I was frolicking around the place where Santa LIVED, after all! With all of his elves and reindeer, no less! Not to mention it looked as if you were in a fairytale, what with the storybook architecture of shops and houses populating the village. Also, those gigantic patterned mushrooms... WOW! I don't know how such a park would be perceived by the seemingly jaded young children of today, but back then, it certainly made an impression on me. Quite a happy one, too!





"Well, missy, you've got two choices. You can either hang
out with Blitzen, by that North Pole... Or you can reach
into these velvet pants and visit my SOUTH Pole!"






A couple of elves on their way back from the parking lot,
having just "caned" someone for not buying a souvenir.






This was the Whirling Christmas Tree ride. You hopped
into a giant ornament, and away you went!




Here are just a few random facts about Santa's Village in Skyforest, California:

• The park was created on 15 acres of wooded land.



• It cost $1 million to build.



• In 1955, Children 11 yrs. & under got in FREE, Juniors 11 to 18 yrs. paid 40 cents, and Adults paid $1.00 (Federal Tax included)



• At first, the park was open 364 days a year, and CLOSED on Christmas Day.



• Glenn Holland, the park's creator, insisted that in order to help sustain the theme and illusion of a Christmas fantasy land, money was never to be exchanged inside the park at any of the shops or eateries. Instead, a small passport ticket was used to keep track of the guest's expenses, then checked out and paid for at the end of the visit in the exit shop. He felt strongly that children's belief in the myth was paramount.



• When the park closed in 1998, all movable goods were sold at public auction. Today, the pastel-colored toadstools, Santa's sleigh, giant candy canes and a clock with months instead of numbers decorate homes and stores all around the mountainous area.

Elves communing with precious 'Bim the Burro'. He only
LOOKED harmless...






The Good Witch's Bakery. This was where nice little
children got cookies & donuts, but the ill-behaved ones
got stuffed into an oven! Guess she wasn't always so
"good", after all.






I don't remember seeing any scary clowns. They
probably caused that cute boy to eventually
become a serial killer!






Doesn't this just look like the ideal toy & doll shop?!
Well, this was where you bought 'em...






...but this was where Santa's helpers made 'em! It's
the Mill Wheel Toy Workshop.






"Tickets! Get your tickets here!" Eager children line
up for a ride on Santa's Magic Train.






I don't remember seeing this Jack
Pumpkinhead, either. But I do know
that if I had, I would've RUN the
other way!




I'm afraid that my follow-up to this post won't be as fun. In fact, it will be a bit sad as I'll be sharing a few examples of this park's slow deterioration into obscurity. But until that smack of reality, I hope you continue to enjoy this nostalgic look back at a true pop culture classic!


{All images via alamedainfo.com}

Board Games That Don't Bore Me: Monopoly

Some people find Monopoly boring, but I don't. It has always seemed fun to me! Well, for as long as any game I've played has actually lasted. In fact, I don't think I've ever played a game of Monopoly to its very end... Not for lack of trying, mind you. See, I've had the misfortune of being surrounded by people in my life who find it VERY boring and don't have the patience required to play it all the way through. Much to my dismay!





"Let's see... Boardwalk, with 1 house and 1 hotel is...
WAIT! Who let you build both a house AND a hotel
on this property?! You're in violation of Monopoly
building codes, sir!"




Contrary to popular belief, Monopoly was NOT invented by Charles B. Darrow. He only revised and improved upon a much cruder early version of the game, and then managed to strike a deal with Parker Brothers in 1935. It was originally created, and then patented under the name, The Landlord's Game, by a woman named Lizzie J. Magie in 1904. She spent many, many years trying to get it off the ground, but to no avail. Her main intent for the game was for it to become popular as an educational tool, not just a way for her to get rich. So, I don't think it bothered her too much that it didn't make her a millionaire. What DID bother her, was that she felt cast aside and unrecognized as the game's real inventor, convinced it was due to the fact she was a woman. And, back then, she was probably right! Women were the victims of sexism quite often, in those days. Not that it doesn't still exist, today...





If only you could spend this pile of "cash" at the mall...
Then again, in today's economy, it would probably only
get you a sweet roll at Cinnabon and a smoothie drink
at Orange Julius!





A virtual rainbow of real estate!




I think what I like most about this game is all of the accoutrements. There's something about getting a Title Deed card for every property you purchase, and they're fun to keep organized in neat rows of matching colors. Alongside the railroads and utilities, of course! Exchanging the money is quite pleasing, too. The bills are nice colors, and the print design for them is cleverly simple yet functional. Then, once you own a monopoly, it's time to BUILD! I just love those little green houses and red hotels. But let's not forget one of the best things about this game... The player tokens! I prefer the old classic ones over any of the modern replacements. And I always choose either the dog or the race car. I guess that the top hat would come a close third, but neither the wheelbarrow, cannon, flat iron, thimble or horse & rider ever get my selection. There is a train token, too, but not in any of the editions I have. That one would probably trump the whole lot of 'em, if I had the option! All together, I'd say that I find Monopoly to be a very satisfying tactile experience in addition to being a visual delight. I particularly find the game board itself to be a good example of elegant simplicity at its best! That might seem a bit over-the-top to you, but I get excited about these things.





A study in green.
Pretty, but I would arrange all of the houses
in a STRAIGHT line!



As if I wasn't enamored enough with the classic design of this game, I've also recently discovered a couple of excellent reinterpretations that I want to share with you. The first one is a different take on the game board, a Helvetica Revival version by graphic artist Florent Guerlain. And the other one is a beautiful repackaging that was imagined, as well as created, by graphic artist Andy Mangold.






Helvetica Revival Monopoly, by Florent Guerlain






Monopoly Repackage (closed box), by Andy Mangold






Monopoly Repackage (open box), by Andy Mangold






Monopoly Repackage (out of box), by Andy Mangold




Pretty great, huh? I love it when artists mix things up like that. I just wish that I could own one of each of those! They're certainly leagues better than most variations, like Cat-opoly, Wine-opoly, or the dreaded Pink Boutique edition.

Thanks for "playing" along with me! Maybe, someday when we all have a few hours to kill, we can get together and play an entire game, from start to finish?


All images via Google Image Search

Freak Show Friday: Pete Burns

All photos via Google Image Search

Yes, Pete Burns is still technically a man, but I wouldn't blame you for thinking otherwise. In fact, if you knew him back in the 1980s as the lead singer for Dead Or Alive, you might not even recognize him now. He always WAS flamboyant and a bit of a diva, but after he became addicted to plastic surgery, the freak-factor really started to climb! Just LOOK at those lips!

The last several Dead Or Alive albums have seen band members come and go, but Pete has been the one common thread holding the act together. However, in my opinion, nothing they've done since the album 'Mad, Bad, and Dangerous to Know' has been any good. And that's probably because they did not retain the same fun, edgy, slightly goth dance vibe that drew them so much attention and success in the '80s. I know that it's usually better for bands to change or evolve, instead of just continuing to crank out the same sort of material and stagnating... But that applies to the artists who take it seriously, and I think we all know that Dead Or Alive was always pretty much disposable. Plus, it would seem that the ONLY thing Pete has ever taken seriously is his appearance!

See, he's not a woman...

Those are man breasts, baby!

I have to say that 'Youthquake' will always be my favorite Dead Or Alive album, and I certainly think that Pete's dark, and almost spooky look during that time was the best. Here, take a look at the album cover, below.

Their look and sound just seemed so

different than anything else at the time.

And Pete had great hair!

In a dramatic, blue mood...

There's that wild & sexy hair, again!

It's like a lion's mane, and I soooo

wished that MY hair would do that!

Now, I get to be the spooky one and show you something REALLY scary. As perhaps a modern-day cautionary tale, Pete details his truly horrific experience with cosmetic lip surgery gone WAY wrong in his autobiography, 'Freak Unique'. Take a look, below, for just a sampling of what he went through.

WARNING: The following images most assuredly will disturb you and/or make you sick to your stomach. View at your own discretion!

You KNOW that's gotta hurt!
It almost looks like how people used
to stitch a dead person's mouth
closed for burial...

It got so bad that his lips were actually

oozing pus! Now, tell me, is ANYTHING

worth going through this?!

Now, you'd never know that those

plump, voluptuous "mouth pillows"

weren't natural... Yeah, RIGHT!

Here's the book.

Not only does Pete talk about all

of the plastic surgery, he also shares

an intimate behind-the-scenes look

at his life as a pop star.

Tommy was a big Dead Or Alive fan

too, so we're planning to read it

out loud to each other, and giggle a lot!

Well, that about covers it. For a general overview of a man who would become a lady-like man, anyway. Have a great weekend, everybody! And try NOT to think of those scary lip photos the next time you go to kiss your honey...

Show & Tell: Henry

Here is yet another post unrelated to pop culture, but I so enjoyed Heidi's post about her kitty, Dizzy, over at her Gold Country Girls blog, that I felt inspired to share with you MY late Tonkinese cat, Henry.

Gosh, I guess it's been about a decade now, since we lost him to kidney failure. That was very hard. We actually had to have him put to sleep, after he had been through all that the doctors could do for him. And, I think, that was the most DIFFICULT thing I've had to do in my life. If you have ever owned pets, odds are that you probably know what it feels like. I'll never forget how paralyzed I felt when I was trying to sign the release form authorizing Henry's euthanasia...





Henry, in the thick of it all!



In case you aren't sure what a Tonkinese cat is, it's a Siamese/Burmese cross-breed. I much prefer it over a normal Siamese because Henry did not have the typical eyes that they do. His were the same pretty, light blue, but they did not look crossed. I was so glad about that since I've always thought that the cross-eyed ones look really DUMB! (Sorry, if you have one. I'm sure that yours is just lovely.)

I can remember Henry's coat being VERY soft, which made it especially nice whenever you held him. And I miss how you can usually hold a cat in the same manner as you would a baby, cradled in your arms. Every once in a while, I attempt to hold Mr. Scoots that way, but he wants NO part of it! Oh, well...

I asked Tommy what quirky things he remembers about Henry, and he mentioned how, at Christmas time, Henry absolutely loved to lay under the glowing tree for hours in an almost trance-like state. While under there, he also enjoyed selecting one particular hanging ornament (usually something irreplaceable) to bat at, and then eventually squirrel away with to nibble on!





Tommy & Henry, caught playing
their reindeer games!






Oh, to be a cat... Wouldn't that be nice?



I'd like to have a cat again, someday. I love Mr. Scoots, but there's just something about having a cat for a pet that is sooo different from a dog. And vice versa, of course! Even if we did get another cat, I doubt that we'd ever find another one as SPECIAL as our Henry was!

Freak Show Friday: Marilyn Manson

Photo via Google Image Search

O.K., this guy WANTS us to think he's a freak. That's his whole shtick. And, clearly, it IS working for him. But I, for one, am not buying it! It all just seems soooo forced to me. I guess that on some level I do appreciate his theatrics. I mean, there is no denying that he's a pretty dynamic performer, albeit a little disturbing at times... But I find him coming across as way too desperate, like he's always saying "Look at ME, I'm f*ckin' CRAY-ZEE and sh*t!" He just proves that you gotta have a gimmick.




Photo via Google Image Search

Umm, Marilyn? Do you know where those

fingers have been?




'The Golden Age 1' photo by Gottfried Helnwein

Mommy, I don't like Mickey Mouse

anymore... He scares me!

As far as Mr. Manson's talent as a singer, I'm NOT that impressed. The only real exposure to it that I get is when my husband Tommy plays one of his CDs. I certainly don't CHOOSE to listen to it! And most every time, I bark at him like an old biddy to "turn down that racket!"

Photo via Google Image Search

Well, what do we have here?! It looks like yet
another ringmaster wants to conduct my circus...

Have a nice weekend, everyone! I hope you can "get your FREAK on"! Or, at least have fun trying!

Freak Show Friday: Lady Gaga

All photos via Google Image Search

Where DO I start with Lady Gaga? Well, I should probably start out by reluctantly admitting that I do (err...), I mean DID, have a small sort of fascination with the Lady. Just a tad "gaga" over the lady, if you will. But I think that I'm OVER it, now. Then again, maybe NOT, if I'm doing this post...

I know that she isn't a "freak" compared to the likes of Michael Jackson, however she IS one on a whole other level. One would almost have to agree that she's a bit of a fashion-freak, at the very least! Anyway, for the TWO of you who aren't familiar, continue below for a little background.

"Umm, Gaga? When we said

you could bring your beau,

this wasn't what we meant..."

(Lady evidently improvised when she ran out

of normal hair bows.)

"I'm out-of-this-world!"

(Guest appearing on 'Ellen', sharing what

looks like an interactive science project...)

Born Stefani Joanne Germanotta to an Italian New York family, she assumed the stage name Lady Gaga, at the age of 19, as an homage to Queen's song 'Radio Gaga'. She first broke onto the Lower East Side club scene with the dance-pop song 'Beautiful Dirty Rich' while also gaining attention for her very theatrical "shock art" performances. Dressed in her own hand-made costumes, she would strip down to just hot pants and a bikini top, light cans of hairspray on fire and strike a pose as a disco ball lowered from the ceiling to the orchestral sounds of 'A Clockwork Orange'. Wish I could've seen THAT!

She went on to become signed with Streamline/Interscope Records by her 20th birthday and wrote songs for other artists, such as the Pussycat Dolls, before her debut album 'The Fame' was even released. Gaga, now 23, describes her sound on 'The Fame' as being "two parts dance-pop, one part electro-pop, and one part rock with a splash of disco and burlesque generously poured in."

Watch the music video for her latest single, 'Love Game', below...

"Tiny bubbles... tiny bubbles,

make me feel fine... make me feel fine"

(Lady must've stepped out of the bath just in

time for this performance!)

"Bitch, where you at? You were

supposed to meet me here at

the mall, right by Orange Julius!"

(Lady, out shopping for a new D&G jet-pack

to match her dress.)

"I'm a little teapot,

short and stout..."

(On stage, performing with the Pet Shop Boys.)

"What? This wasn't supposed to be

a MASQUERADE pool party?!"

(Lately, she's dripping with success.)

Now, do you see what I was talking about when I called her a "fashion-freak"?! She's ALL over the place! And a bit skanky, too! There are even MORE skanky fashion oddities where these came from, so maybe I will share those with you at another time...

Have a great weekend, everyone!

"My future's so bright, I've gotta wear shades!"