Friday, October 15, 2010

Mildred’s Tale

This is sort of Halloween themed… When I was in college I was in a sorority—I won’t name it.  My local sisters all got the Naked ME, but I’m not so sure the national council would see it that way, but anyway… we had a brother fraternity… and the brother fraternity happened to live in the house that was originally OUR house.  Now this fraternity (or rather, the house) had a GHOST.  The ghost went by the name of Mildred.  Mildred was NOT a former Figi (obviously, as she was female), so the story GOES that Mildred was one of US.


I rushed as a sophomore (on a dare, but never mind; and for those of you who have never contemplated it: rush is the process of choosing a Greek house on a college campus--but while you choose them, they also choose you--it can be ugly); the University of Oregon didn’t start school until late September.  Once started, there were often parties on the weekends, paired with a fraternity, but the first BIGGIE was a Halloween party... with out brother Figis—the THEME?  Mildred’s Wake.
You see... according to the social chair (a girl named Meagan who was very tempting to believe because mostly I fell over laughing when she talked) MILDRED NEEDED US! She was in agony and needed this wake to put her at PEACE.

So we all got costumed. To go to the party we walked through Pioneer Cemetery, a detail that freaked out a few of my sisters. Me? Cemeteries are a little cool... in fact a few years later, I had sex in the same cemetery, but don't tell anyone—it's in poor taste. *cough*

But anyway, when we got to the Figi's, a tale was told about Mildred... her depression... suicide... her HAUNTING...

Mildred was picked upon... Sad...

But as a ghost Mildred had a sense of humor... she interrupted at... rather obnoxious times.
She was compassionate: showing up for people needing sympathy.
She was annoying: creating an alternate noise when someone was trying to... be sneaky.
The consensus was... Mildred was a bit strange... Many Fijis SWORE they had had a Mildred experience...

Our wake for Mildred was a GLORIOUS party. It was briefly solemn, stories of her death... but the tales of her haunting changed the tone quickly.  Our Figi brothers were a good match for the quick switch--they really appreciated Mildred. It then became an enjoyable celebration of Mildred's life, an appreciation of her ghostly humor...

Any of you had any 'real ghost' experiences?

I am mostly a skeptic about paranormal, but ghosts are a different matter to me—mostly because of how I see life... as an energy concentration of sorts... I think it is possibly some people are so concentrated they manage to stick around a while... or something... So I'd love to hear evidence for or against ghosts...


Mockingjay

Totally late on a Mockingjay review... I LOVED the book (unlike my poor friend Leigh who wasn't pleased). My thought on the matter is this. War is dark. Love triangles are sticky. I really felt like it was the book it needed to be. I thought what happened to Peeta was exactly right-- realistic, given their reality... and REDEEMING for a skeptic like yours truly who never quite found him a worthy interest before this.

Yes, war is ugly. I admire Collins for not shying away from what was necessary to keep this compelling.

It was just a darned good book.


Movie/Writer Melding

Cheap Therapy is holding a MOVIE Bloghop on the 18th for movies about WRITERS.  Now I know the brainstorming can be a little rough, but there are some great ones, so why not join the fun!?

18 comments:

M.J. Nicholls said...

Fabulousness. I can safely state that ghosts do not exist. Paranormal spooks are a psychological condition. Done.

Why is Susanne mocking Jay? What has Jay done to deserve this mockery?

CA Heaven said...

Right now I can only remember one writer-movie, the nice Italian movie about Pablo Neruda some years back. But I'm sure I must have seen more writer movies than just that one >:)

Cold As Heaven

Mustang Sally said...

I've been lurking for a while now, but you asked for ghost stories and I recently posted mine. If you like you can read it here

Hart Johnson said...

Poo, Mark! Shun the disbeliever! Shun! *snort*

CaH-I remember more than that, but not 10... hopefully though, a little searching reminds me.

Mustang Sally-Welcome! Glad you made yourself known! I will check it out.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Do you plan on telling us about that other venture into the cemetary? Mildred join you?

Old Kitty said...

Awwww yay for Mildred!! She was picked on and had a depressing time when as flesh but as a ghost she's popular and loved - good for her!!! I like Mildred already - long may she haunt Fiji House!

Thanks for the review and info for Mockingjay!

Take care
x

Jen said...

Oh fun with the supernatural! I've had several ghost experiences and sometimes I find it fascinating, other times...not so much. And I just started the Hunger Games series and I'm in love already!
Thanks for the shout out about the Blog Hop. It seems like there aren't even 10 movies about writing but then next thing you know, you have to cut it down to only 10. :)

Anonymous said...

So Fiji is the name of the house, right? It took me a while to figure that, and now I'm feeling all confused as a result. So please tell me more about the Naked You, with photos if possible. I think it might help.

Have a nice day, Boonie

Dawn Ius said...

I always love your posts!
Today, you reminded me to get my butt in gear and read the second book (which I understand is not as compelling as Hunger Games) so that I can read Mockingjay.

Hart Johnson said...

Alex-I could TELL you, but then I'd have to KILL you. BUWAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Besides. I'm never so distasteful around here *shifty*

Jenny--Yup, seems to be the scoop... strange is more popular in death... or maybe it is just being the only girl living in a fraternity...

Jennee-The couple I could THINK OF right off are high on my movie list ANYWAY, so I figured once I started probing I'd end up with a bunch! And you've had a bunch? Lucky!

Bonnie-Fiji is the brother house... so where she lives... not MINE. And I'm not positive Fijis are Fijis everywhere, as the full fraternity has 3 letters... though it is a pretty good hint, I think.

Hart Johnson said...

Dawn! You always sneak in there on me! Yes--read Catching Fire. It is the one I liked least of the three, but I still really liked it. (middle books are tough with a trilogy)

Aleta said...

What a great story about Mildred! Loved it and the celebration of her life and haunting :) I think cemeteries are neat as well. I took pictures of our "Cities of the Dead" in New Orleans. I think they are hauntingly beautiful.

I'm an alumni for AZD sorority - fun Greek life, but we were a community college, so there wasn't much hazing or things or that nature.

Anonymous said...

I like your style! And, uh, the paranormal experiences I've had were varied. In the old house I lived in with my hubby (we were renting in a two family) all of the residents of the house had the same impression of a spirit in the basement. Mind you it was an old stone basement, the house used to be a tavern in the mid 19th century and none of us discussed our impressions of the ghost with each other.

I have yet to read Mockinjay since I haven't read the rest of the trilogy yet. A friend of mine did strongly recommend I read "Hunger Games" so I'm sure I'll get there eventually. :)

Carol Kilgore said...

Mildred the Magnificent. I love fun ghost stories, but have no first-hand information to share. Have a great weekend.

Southpaw said...

All I read was that you had sex in a cemetery.

Jane Kennedy Sutton said...

Our first house was an older home. I’m sure I saw a ghost (female) standing on my side of the bed one night. She looked sad and non-threatening, but I never slept on that side of the bed again!

Hart Johnson said...

Aleta-New Orleans seems like a particularly apt place to check out cemetaries!

Kimberly-YES--read the Hunger Games Trilogy! I actually think it goes well with a lot of your philosophical stuff! (when you need to think of whom... all that)

Carol-you sound like you crave those first hand experiences like I do. I think I may be too young a soul.

Holly *snort* But that was only subliminal!

Jane-so interesting! I think I'd like a ghost--the link above from Mustang Sally was FABULOUS!

Guinevere said...

I don't believe in ghosts, but I love the idea of them. And I looove cemeteries, although I've never had sex in one (I've had it in a library, though... I really love books :p).