Twisted Memories

It was 1993.  Ya, I'm pretty sure it was early September and we were rich with OSAP money in our pockets.  The bills were hot and holes were being burned in our pockets.  Two weeks into school (maybe) and we had already skipped out on the day to venture downtown Toronto to Queen St. to participate in an episode of Breakfast Television and partake in some shopping and body modification. 

Three new roommates - One girl, two guys.  Two best friends, two strangers and two friends (all sorts of combinations).  Sounds like the plot line for a movie or something like that, it was just missing a love triangle.  An hour and half long bus ride to the centre of Toronto with tickets to the filming of a tv show in our hands. 

We spent the morning at Much Music and even got to participate actively in the show.  I got to compete in a bacon throwing contest (no recollection if I won or not but I did win passes to see a Kevin Bacon/Meryl Steep movie - I never went and still haven't seen the movie.  If I remember though it was the one where they go white water rafting or something.).  Andrew (or me asking Andrew's questions, I can't remember) got to ask a question of the relationship experts.   And I feel like there was one other thing that we were on camera for...maybe my birthday (Dave?  Some insight if you're reading this.).  I'd go back and watch the tape but it burned in a house fire I had in 2000.   

Following the taping we ventured out for some retail therapy and spent way too much of our school money on shit we didn't really need.  I bought a dress that was way too overpriced and not worth the 200+ dollars I spent on it.  Dave probably bought porn.  And Andrew bought a really expensive Twisted Sister vinyl record for 90 some odd dollars.  Ridiculous.  While I know we bought more crap, what I remember the most about that day is that we had fun and we laughed (mostly at Dave's expense - whistling and ogling over some long haired girl across the street who happened to be a dude will do that).

The other day I received a lovely surprise -  Andrew's mom and twin sister show up at my work bearing gifts.  Two types of gifts in fact.  One type was a gift from them simply because when they saw it they immediately thought of me (those are probably my favourite types of gifts... but not this time.  This time they brought me something else I shall covet even more.) They got me a tin wall hanging with Marilyn Monroe on it and a purse/bag with Marilyn on it (I think I'll store my make up in it).  The other gift was something of Andrew's for me to keep.  I was hesitant to go through the bag because I wasn't sure what kind of emotions would surface but it's almost like when I walk through the doors of my work, I'm able to pull my emotions together for the most part.  Andrew's mom keeps telling me to come by her place and we'll go through his things but I just haven't been able to bring myself to do it.  Inside that bag though, sat a brightly coloured vinyl record with a larger than life image of Dee Snyder of Twisted Sister on it.  And immediately my thoughts went back to that day in September in 1993. 

I'm honoured that she has entrusted me with it. I know it's silly and it's only a stinking record, but it was his and he bought it when we were together so it's more than just a record to me.  I'm going to display it in my house even though there is nothing here that compliments Dee Snyder/Twisted Sister.  I love it and I'm so glad to have it. 

Isn't it so hideous and glorious all mixed up into one?!