|
|
Ghouls Terrorize Customers in California
Halloween 2002
|
By
Roger Olson
2002 Halloween Skate in Irvine California
Copyright © Roger Olson
The phone conversation may have been something like this:
IRVINE POLICE DEPT: "Can you describe the Terrorists?"
TARGET STORE MANAGER:
"Yes, there was a White Bunny, Black Beard the Pirate, Capt. Kirk, Sexy
Cat Woman, Car Hop, a Carnivore, a Hippie, Mercury, She Devil, Spider
Woman, Phantom of the Opera, The Riddler, Play Boy Bunny, School Boy,
Surfer Dude, Auntie Sam, Caped Ghoul, Sharkie, Aggressive Pumpkin and
a Really Scary Monster."
IRVINE POLICE DEPT:
"3 Squad Cars have been dispatched."
You think this can not be true... WRONG. It really did happen. Oct 26, 2002 was Virginia and Roooooger's annual Halloween Skate/Bike
BBQ Party. This party has been a absolute blast for Southern California,
US and foreign skaters for the last 4 years. This year's outing, though
numbers were down due to threatening weather over night, was again tons
of fun.
Skaters and cyclists met at 10 AM for greet/meet/snacks before they were
to roll off to Terrorize the Irvine community or at least bring an abundance
of smiles to all they were to meet along their way. 11 AM get skates,
costumes on for group pictures then 1 parade loop in Virginia and Roooooger's
hood. All of their neighbors are quite use to seeing these adults returning
to their childhood qualities over the past 4 years.
Then off the rolling parade of costume skaters (18) and cyclists (2) headed
through beautiful park path (Lion Country), and onto Woodbridge Lakes
bringing HUGE smiles to all they meet. It is a party on wheels that gains
momentum with every stroke of their skates/peddles. They can see that
their excitement and frolic play is becoming contagious within the group
as well as those observing this parade of Goblins and Ghouls pass by.
The Sun was shinning brightly by now and a beautiful afternoon was in
the forecast as they all passed by the Lakes with children, ducks, and
dogs playing along the way. Upon reaching the San Diego River Trail it
was decided to head for the shopping center up the trail. For we had an
appointment for the annual professional photo to be taken at The Picture
People at 1 PM and we most certainly did not want to miss that. The Scary
Monster (Roooooger) leads the rolling Terrorists Riddler (Herb), Sexy
Cat Woman (Susan), The White Rabbit (Donna), Aggressive Pumpkin (Bettina),
Capt. Kirk (Bob H.), Play Boy Bunny (Maryanne), She Devil (Cathy), The
Phantom of the Opera (Bob M.), Auntie Sam (LaNei), Surfer Dude (Bill),
Mercury (John), Sharkie (Barb), Hippie (Pat), Car-Hop (Debi), Carnivore
(Rodney), School Boy (Chris), Spider Woman (Virginia), and Caped Ghoul
(David) into the food court. Children, Moms and Dads all freaked out at
the sight as they tried to show fear.
The Monster then took the freak show to his favorite shop, The Costume
Shop. They all gathered behind their leader as the Scary Monster rolled
stealth up to the door way, stuck his VERY SCARY FACE inside the door
to view his victims. Customers were standing in line with items to purchase
while others were checking out costumes and the likes on the many display
racks. No one had noticed the Scary Monster in the doorway at all. So
as tradition would have it, The Monster took a very big deep breath and
gave out a blood curdling SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMM.
Every one in the store rose at least one foot above the floor and upon
return back down to earth they looked at the doorway to see just who had
been killed. What they found was the Very Scary Monster laughing his bloody
head off. Oh the joys of seeing 20-25 people all rise up above the floor
together as one. For the Scary Monster had once again put the Halloween
spirit of FEAR into so many with one very loud scream. Then smiles and
laughter came across their faces as they realized they had just been had
while in a Halloween Costume Shop. At which the others rolled on into
the store to mingle amongst the customers, to play with them. The shop
owner and employees told all of us just how very much they enjoyed us
again this year scaring them and their customers.
They actually asked us to return and do it again, which we did 1 hour later
with the same exact results. Just two stores away from the costume shop was
another favorite of the
scary rolling skaters, the Happy Nails Shop. What is so great about this
store is that there are windows from ceiling to floor the entire front
and side of the shop. So we all are in full view of every chair in the
place, customers and manicurists alike. We all lined up along the windows
and watched all of the various reactions as they noticed us. Heads turned,
smile abounded, fingers pointed and comments "Look at that one." Then
it was time for us to invade them for a more up close and personal look,
so in we skated taking over the place. The Riddler was passing out riddles
to customers for their inquiring minds. Car-Hop was serving up lunch
to the big guy getting his nails done while Carnivore was surveying his
choice for lunch. The Play Boy Bunny and Scary Monster were trying to
get a quick touch up, the Bunny was seated immediately while the manicurists
ran fleeing for their lives from the Scary Monster. The Phantom was moving
swiftly through out the store giving a grand performance. Black Beard
was check out the jewels, rings and watches as Capt. Kirk was sitting
in the wonderfully comfortable captain's chair. Auntie Sam was hitting
them up for campaign contributions as White Rabbit and Sexy Cat Woman
were asking for an appointment. She-Devil was putting her pitchfork to
good use prodding the customers to move out of their chairs. Surfer Dude
was in need of some Hang-Ten work and The Hippie was giving the peace
sign to all. I think he was using two fingers. Mercury moved at the speed
of light from row to row asking if they would have time to do Spider Woman,
Caped Ghoul, SchoolBoy and Sharkie. Aggressive Pumpkin was going around,
over, under the desks and chairs like a maniac pumpkin out of control.
Yes once again we had invaded the nail shop with great success for all
were laughing loudly and had HUGE smiles upon their faces as we departed.
Then we were off to the Picture People for our photo sitting. Wow, what
a colorful bunch we were, a photographers dream come true, shooting multiple
pictures of such a varied group of subjects. Telling the Carnivore not
to nibble on the Car-Hop's head, Black Beard the Pirate not to cut Capt.
Kirk's head or shoot the Aggressive Pumpkin and the Scary Monster to stop
scaring the White Rabbit. Order, order in the court (Studio). I'll have
a burger, fries and coke please. Finally everyone was in place and snap,
snap, snap went the camera shutter. Yes, it was history now. We would
have proofs to view in 30 minutes. So out of the shop we rolled seeking
out our next victims. In past years we have tried to enter Target in full costume on skates
with out much success, only a handful would venture forth and we were
turned back by security and or employees quickly. This year was to be
different for we had almost 100% of the skaters willing to go in this
time. We also opted to enter the store not through front doors as previously
but the side entrance. Passing by the McDonalds then down the isle we
skated slowly, orderly to the rear of the store. Customers could not believe
their eyes as we wished them a Happy Halloween. We rolled by employees
some said that we could not be inside the store on our skates, all smiled
as we continued to roll from one Halloween display to another taking pictures
as we stopped momentarily. The Phantom and Monster were checking out some
great looking Halloween boxer shorts. Customers were laughing at the sight
of them holding the shorts in front of themselves. Off we rolled, again
employees reminded us
We continued skating to the far side at the back of the store where we
found the "Kooky Spooky" Halloween display of pumpkins and the straw people..
So Scary Monster, Riddler, Sharkie, Car-Hop and Red Devil blended into
the display for pictures. Then up the isle we rolled past the toys and
headed for the front of the store and checkout line. More fun, more pictures.
Yes, we where a frightening sight to see. As we approached the front of
the store we were confronted by the store manger and a security guard
that asked us to leave their fine store. Some had items to purchase and
got into the checkout lines while the others continued out the front door
and then became the new Target Halloween UNOFFICIAL meet and greet skaters.
This appeared to be going over very well with all of the customers as
they entered the store with smiles upon their faces. Maybe we should send
corporate our new idea as a one ups-man-ship to the Wal-Mart greeters.
For we really did have a very positive effect on customers by brightening
up their day with laughter as they entered the store to shop.
We all re-grouped and skated through the parking lot, some of us weaving
in /out around the cars as we made our way over to the Tropical Smoothie
Cafe, our next victim shop of fun. Once again many, many smiling faces
as we entertained them with our feats of skating ability while in full
costumes. At the Tropical Smoothie Cafe lunch/snack stop, Riddler skates
behind the counter to give the young kids a break from serving customers,
"Next in line." The rolling Goblins and Ghouls once again have taken
over still another shop with their merry mania. After the fun we sat down
outside for smoothies and snacks, we were joined by Mother Nature (Audrey
W.) who was unable to skate this year due to injuries. The owner of the
shop drives up and gets her young son out of the car, they laugh at the
sight of us and enter the store. The Riddler is still working the customers
as she enters. She talks with Riddler and asks if we could get all of
us to come back into the store after we ate for she would like a picture
to send to her corporate office of the invasion of Goblins and Ghouls
into her fine establishment. Riddler agrees to amass the group for the
pictures of which many were taken.
Scary Monster sits up to take notice that an ambulance pulled into a parking
space near by and the 2 paramedics where eating lunch as they were parked.
Now Monster is not one to miss not having to give chase to an ambulance
for a victim so he skates over to the guys to see what is in the back.
"Hey guys, having some lunch are you? Well I am looking for a fresh one
myself, so who is in the back?" They just laughed me off. Oh well, a photo
opportunity then. So taking some self-portrait of Monster as a hood ornament
of an ambulance with laughing paramedic inside is good. Aggressive Pumpkin
skates over to see what Monster is up to and offers to take some pictures
of Scary Monster in front, drooling over the hood. Just then, Two IRVINE
POLICE CARS dart into the parking lot next to us, get out and come over
to Scary Monster. "We received a call that skaters were
TERRORIZING CUSTOMERS in the shops and parking lots."
Stated the officer. Scary Monster said, "We are Terrorizing customers?"
still with his mask on. The officer asks, "And there is a BUNNY?" "Yes,
there is a Bunny." Monster says still in full costume. Unknown to the
police officers is that who is under the Scary Monster costume is actually
Roooooger Olson who just turned 60 years young in June. I believe they
were expecting to find skaters 4ft tall.
Roger Olson Terrorizing an Ambulance
Copyright © Roger Olson
A third Irvine Police Car pulled up into the parking lot an officer gets
out and walks over to the other 2 officers.
Monster is telling the 1st officer, that they are a skating Halloween
party and are waiting for their pictures to be developed then they will
be moving the party on. The 1st officer appears to be holding back a smile
and a chuckle as she asks Scary Monster to behave while in the shopping
center for she does not want to receive another call about skating terrorists.
So I guess I do not get to ride in a police car today, Monster thinks.
The police drive off, Pumpkin and Monster head back to the others to relate
the truly inspiring story about what had just happened. All laughed and
wished that they had noticed what was just happening 100 ft away so they
too could have come over for the officers to view the Skating Terrorists.
All skated off laughing about the police being called by Target because
of the threat they all posed. At no time did we see fear upon any one's
face. After picking which photo we all loved for printing we rolled off
in search of more to scare. Down the river trail we continued till we
were at Wayne Gretzky's Roller Hockey Rinks. This has always been a delight
for all who see us invade the hockey center skating around all of the
young hockey players, parents and coaches. Some of the youths give chase
for they wish to do harm to Scary Monster, Riddler, Carnivore, Aggressive
Pumpkin, Red Devil and Black Beard. Though they are very quick they are
no match for the skating Villains. The White Rabbit, Play Boy Bunny and
others are all safe from the crazed hockey players. Carnivore grabs a
youth and skates off holding him. His mother is terrified, NOT. The kid
is screaming with fear, NOT. Carnivore sets the kid down and starts to
give some hockey tips to a group of hockey players and their families.
Wow, how we love the spirit of the kids. They just feed on us all as we
skate around all 3 of the rinks. This year there were games in progress
on all rinks so we were not able to invade the rinks as in years past,
creating a frenzy of hockey skaters trying to catch us goblins and ghouls
on speed skates as we darted about playing with them. Well we all regrouped
and off we skated down the river trail heading back home for the BBQ feast.
What a feast we had, for all brought wonderful delights to share. Joining
us for the BBQ Feast was our very special guests, Sharon and Ozzie Osborne
(Nancy and Gary W.) We all had many stories to tell each other of that
wonderful fun filled day. Oh how we skaters love to let that kid that
lives inside us all come out to play. HAPPY HALLOOOOOWEEN
|
Roooooger Olson AKA Scary Monster
|
Roooooooooger and Virginia Olson
Copyright © Roger Olson
More Articles by Roger Olson
|
|
Kathie Fry, SkateLog Editor
|
