My toys, my pets and my best friend Michelle were the great joys in my life growing up. I had a fierce imagination and played endlessly with my toys, for far longer than any child should. One year I received this giant Panda for Christmas. I think I was around 10 years old. That particular year, my brother and I discovered where Santa was hiding the presents- in the old wardrobe in the garage. It was there I discovered this huge Panda wedged in tight. It felt like all my Christmases had come out once. I used to sneak down regularly to take a peek in the weeks leading up to Christmas. On Christmas morning, it was easy to feign surprise as I was so excited to finally get to meet Big Panda properly. I loved that bear so much.

Despite its huge size, I used to take him to bed. I suffered night terrors and was always afraid someone was breaking into the house to murder me. I imagined I could hear footsteps constantly. By placing Big Panda on the side of the bed facing out, I felt safe, thinking if someone was going to stab me, panda would lay down his life for me and they would stab him instead (Pleasant I know but that is how my mind worked).

In year 10 at High School, I was selected for the role of Marty in the school production of Grease. One of the best experiences of my high school years. I brought in Big Panda to use as a prop in the bedroom scene. By the end of the play, someone had stolen him. I was distraught. I knew people must have known who took him, after all, a bear of that size wouldn’t be easy to steal but I never found out and he was never returned.

This is one of two photos I have of him. I recognise my great Aunts home in the background where my grandad also lived. I imagine this is the Christmas I got him and I took him there to show him off. It must have been a special day as I can see I am wearing bright orange socks with a frill around the top-and possibly sandals. How mortifying. I suppose I thought it was very fashionable. Either that or my mother did!

Tags:   old Polaroid polaroid old photo child toy

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I thought I’d upload this collage of-the scene of the crime where yesterday’s upload took place and add in an additional “crime”.

The image to the right is me, dressed as Marty Maraschino, nervously waiting in the change rooms before going out for our first performance.

The second is the Kissing Scene between Marty and Vince Fontaine who judges the dance contest. Marty had a penchant for older men and Vince Fontaine is clearly a creep who targets younger women.

"Vince: Hi. (removes shades) I'm Vince Fontaine. Hey, do your folks know I come into your room every night?

Marty felt uncomfortable.

Vince: Over KZAZ, that is.

She then chuckled, getting the joke"

As a 15 y.o. this was the scene I was most worried about and where another "crime" was committed. During this scene, Vince was supposed to put his hand over my mouth and kiss his own hand. However, on the last night of our performance, unbeknown to me, he had made a bet with his friends that he would not use his hand and kiss me on the mouth. Which he did, much to my horror. Nothing I could do about it on stage in front of a live audience.

I have some recollection of slapping him across the face at one point. I then told him that I should receive any proceeds he made from the bet.

The letter behind is a letter I wrote on stage while lying on the bed as Sandy sings “Hopelessly Devoted to you”
Clearly these posts are just for me and my devoted Flickr family and I hope you don’t mind me posting these recollections.
I will resume normal programming now.

Tags:   Grease

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