To Treasure, Forever

on Dec 31, 2011  

Like most of the posters here, I've not been very inspired to add to this blog lately. I did, however, became a little thoughtful after I read an on-line article on Rocky Horror's endurance, which seemed to be aimed at those who have up until this point, missed the experience. While the conclusions are all obvious, I had to laugh at myself while reading it, as it reminded me of some thoughts I had back in the late '70s when a friend was writing a term paper, and chose Rocky Horror as the subject. Since quotes were required for the paper, she interviewed me, and asked why I thought it was so popular, and if I saw an end in sight. I was still a teenager at the time and the mayhem was in full swing globally, so it's not surprising (to me, anyway) that I said something along the lines of "I don't think it will ever go away. It's too much fun!"

I didn't know how right I was. I did go on to elaborate that I knew I'd get tired of going all the time, but I thought I'd always be curious about what was going on and would probably be drawn back in over and over. This turned out to be 100% correct for me as well as the countless other lifetime enthusiasts here and elsewhere.

Although each of us has our own reasons and unique experience, I find it comforting to know that so many have felt the same way I did. Of course, most of us have other interests and effects (pop-culture and otherwise) that we have carried with us our entire lives, but Rocky Horror certainly burns the brightest and longest.

All of the reasons for the enduring love have been discussed before, but I think, aside from the generic interactive experience, Rocky Horror has always provided more than just an entertaining home away from home; it's a special community where there are equal amounts of creativity mixed with comfort in repetitiveness. Not popular (or comfortable) in school or work? You can "be it" at TRHPS. Not so much a "rite of passage" for those drawn to return (as touted in so many articles) but more like Cheers in drag. You can bring as much to Rocky's table as you want, or just sit back and watch. Furthermore (If your experience is/was anything like mine) some of the closest and most important friendships of my life grew out of that community. It's hard to put that kind of emotion into a short article or blog. There is so much more.

30+ years later for me, I find I still think the same way, though now I KNOW it will never go away (for any of "us," anyway.) The viewings become fewer and farther between, but the memories linger on... to treasure, forever.