Random Memory set off by comments elsewhere

[johno]

On a costume mailing list there is current war stories swapping thread and in a friend's LJ she wrote about waking up from a nap, jumping to her baby and dealing with the issue, before she fully realized there was a problem.

These 2 threads brought back this memory....

As many folks know, I work back stage at the Masquerade Costume Competitions that many SF Cons hold.

A few years back, during the technical run through. I was watching a entry block out their presentation. Young girl comes out, looks lost and peers around looking for someone. Out of the wings comes a Alien (as in the movies) who sneaks up on her.

They did a couple of run troughs, working on their blocking and pacing and such. "Great costume" I thought, "but boring presentation." So I turned and began talking with some of the other tech folks about something or other.

Suddenly there was a blood curdling scream of a child in danger.

***bamf***

I was suddenly half way down the aisle, running at full tilt with 3 other guys from the group towards the girl in the clutches of a monster.

It was part of the entry.

Fore brain kicks in, I stop running, the other guys stop running. We look at each other somewhat sheepishly, but also in wonder. Looking back at the confused folks we left behind, someone commented "Guess we know who in this group has kids."

That night, the audience flipped out when the scream hit.

Newt and the Alien was not such a boring entry after all.

Comments

[beki.livejournal.com]

Was that Dave Tackett and Alena (I forgot her last name)?

Dave Lives in Tacoma, and I think Nena lvies on Capitol Hill in Seattle somewhere. I know sue is one of the owners of Beyond the Edge restaurant. Just curious.

[johno.livejournal.com]

Dave Tackett rings bells, but not the other names.

[beki.livejournal.com]

Allena (I know her as Nena) played the part of Ripley. Long dark curly hair, Shapely assets. She hasn't done cons in years. She used to be heavily involved with the SCA in Tacoma, but she hasnt done that in year either. Last I heard, she was more involved with the alternative lifestyle crowd. Her restaurant has gone so far and sponsored free mammograms. They also have little classes from time to time on various issues.

Dave Tackett made his alien costume out of vacuum hose, latex and condoms. It premiered at Norwescon the same year my husband and some of his friends did the dancing dinosaur barbershop quartet. Dave has since done a kick ass Edward Scissor hands, and IIRC, he did a huge praying mantis. Dave has won several master level awards. I think he has also done a costume con or two.

[wldrose.livejournal.com]

Dont have kids (but you knew that) but I would have been with the group heading for the sound, being Cosmic Mommy kinda dose that.

I am in awe and a bit disconcerted by people who can not react to children in trouble. I have allways thought it was hard wired in to the code, and you had to work to get it out.

It takes all kinds I just wish that I had a bettr understanding of the others.

Ash

[cellio]

I think I react equally to people in trouble, regardless of age. I'm not wired for kids in particular; a fit, healthy 30-year-old is also capable of being in trouble that requires outside help, after all, and is actually more likely than a kid to be able to assess the situation accurately. (Kids sound false alarms more than adults do, because they haven't yet learned that judgement.)

I'm not a parent.

*nods*

[kyburg.livejournal.com]

And stuff used to wake me up in the middle of night - but don't ask me what it was, but I always woke up just when I really needed to be when Cliff was in trouble.

Then there was the time I found myself vaulting a couch at Cedars-Sinai with silverkun at my shoulder....

Re: *nods*

[johno.livejournal.com]

I've taken a few falls with a kid in arms and I've always hit the floor with the kid high, no matter which bit of me it took to hit first.

I found a few months ago, I still have some of the reactions, but that's yet another story. ;)