Ch ch ch...ah ah ah - It's Friday the 13th

I was about to get some work done, but quickly glanced at the Calendar to see that it is my favorite combination of day and date. This entry will definitely be a "Did you know..." section about me, because it's doubtful that anyone is familiar with my pre-teen dark side. There was a time...

In about 5th grade I became obsessed with horror flics. Jason Voorhees was a particular favorite, and Friday The 13th was my brand of humor. The traditional story of good vs. evil with the twist of a hockey mask wearing, machete toting mo-fo, who could run through any defense like Jim Brown in his prime. As a kid, you could only dream of that kind of power. But the true pleasure I took in viewing these flics had to do with the ultimate battle - How they would "kill" Jason, or at least stop him until the next installment.

I used to write additional sequels in the Friday The 13th series, focusing on the 13th installment which I was of the opinion should be the last. My summer after 5th grade, I would make my brother John, and our neighbors Scott and Todd Workman help in the development and pre-production activities of Friday The 13th Part 13, including intense rehearsals with a glow-in-the-dark hockey mask that represented our star. Eventually, we laid Jason to rest by dismembering his body and disposing of the limbs at various locales world-wide...because seriously, why hadn't they thought of that before????

As 6th grade rolled around I had the opportunity to get a little more original with my horrific offerings. We wrote stories that year that were ultimately turned into books. We had the option of illustrating our written word, and there was no doubt as to the direction that I was going. (In 4th grade I had written the incredibly popular "Attack Of The Mechanical Doberman," which was bound and independently published under our class company, "Paper Capers." I still have the original copy.) As an 11 year old, 6th grade student (or Grade 6 student for any Canadians), I launched into my greatest work to date, "Death Camp-out."

Two young men on a camp-out and a madman roaming the woods. It took place on the fictionalized Diamond River, and I'd pay to find the copy of this gem. More so I'd love to see the pictures I drew to accompany what my parents referred to as, "One of the most disturbing things they ever had to deal with." (A quick disclaimer...I was very sneaky with all of these horror movies and stories...no way would my parents let me watch that crap.) My mom immediately considered therapy, thinking she had possibly popped out a young serial criminal. My teacher enjoyed my story, clearly realizing that the heroes were based on myself and a friend, and she was able to alleviate any parental fears...chalking it up to my fearless imagination.

So, don your flannel or your coveralls, and bust out your machete when you head to Harry Potter tonight! It's Friday The 13th............ch ch ch ah ah ah