Tuesday, January 15, 2008

The other day our friend and fellow blogger Earl made a comment about a monster hiding under the bed.

Got me to thinking... (UHOH)

When I was a kid I was absolutely convinced that there WAS indeed such a monster that had taken up residence in that very place. So sure, in fact, that I took a running leap into my bed for many years. When I say many years... I mean many years. I was nearly a teenager when this phenomenon stopped haunting my mind... and perhaps stopping me from becoming the next Olympian medal winning pole vaulter.

How, you may wonder, did I get to the point where I could get into the bed without the flying squirrel approach?

It began with logic dictating that they could not in actuality be anything under there except a few socks and the odd skittle. I proved this theory by turning on ALL of the lights, clutching a flashlight and LOOKING beneath the bed (and eating some skittles)... and then forcing myself to stand there with my toes under the bed for a long period of time. Though this filled me with irrational terror initially, eventually it worked. Logic overrode the fear and I was able to get into bed like normal people.

Though I have to admit that on occasion (ie, after watching the Grudge) I am still tempted to take a little hop...

18 comments:

Slyde said...

ok, now you've done it. I will be blogging tonight about what i used to think was under MY bed as a kid..

Verdant Earl said...

I never really had that fear, although I went through a period of being afraid of the dark. Miscellaneous shapes would become wolves or something in my imagination.

But I did used to leap into bed. Not out of fear...its just a fun thing to do! I still try it on occasion. Just launch myself into the air and sail into bed like I was a kid. It's fun!

elizabeth said...

Slyde - oooh. Can't wait. Was it Earl?

Earl - NOW it's fun. (especially when I land on Spartan *wicked grin*)

Kat said...

I still have this fear. And you realize that the monsters turn invisible when they catch you trying to spy them under the bed.

Mermaid Melanie said...

me too. jumped into bed! i eventually got too tired to care if he was going to get me or not.

elizabeth said...

Kat - I renounce our friendship. (actually I would never do that, lol)

Mel - LMAO

i am the diva said...

oh man... childhood fears eh?? mirrors at night scare me....

elizabeth said...

mirrors

Ruby said...

childhood fears.....mmmmh...i had a couple of interesting ones. I actually use to force myself to go look in dark places fi i think i heard something...simply because i knew it was my imagination.

However...if i'm home alone i still close all the doors to the rooms i'm not using. I just hate those dark holes at night..they scare the crap outa me!

Anonymous said...

My bogeyman under the bed largely decided to leave me alone after I made the inspired choice of a bed with drawers under it. Revenge is sweet.

Unfortunately, he called in his mate the clarty (sticky and icky) fluff monster as a replacement. That bogeyman is a realy humdinger bastard lol.

elizabeth said...

ruby - I am like then when I walk past a basement door in the dark that just happens to be open. Mostly basements - but closets are better off closed too ;-)

hullaballoo - funny that! I was thinking as I was writing this post that clearly my son wouldn't develop the same fear - since he has drawers under his bed.

The fluff monster is a bit stubborn - keep catching him but the damn thing keeps coming back...

Ookami Snow said...

I never really had a problem with monsters in my room or under my bed, however I did get freaked out leaving my basement and so I would always run up the stairs as fast as I could... even if I had been fine just moments ago alone in the basement.

elizabeth said...

Kind of like exiting the pool at the speed of light because you start imagining jaws while you are in there. I get that. Totally.

Kaylee said...

LOL I should so a post like that how are you???? YOu are a sweetie!!!! :P

Unknown said...

I am the Cookie Monster! Grrrrrr.

elizabeth said...

Really? Good. I hope you have some with you - I'm feeling a bit peckish...

elizabeth said...

Kaylee - please do! I'd love to see. Never knew so many people had such quirky childhood fears! (I'M a sweetie?! Why thanks cutie!)

elizabeth said...

Kaylee - where the heck did your profile go? Or am I just having a very slow day?