Still Waters Run Deep

At least once a year I try to see the fabulous director John Waters in person. I’ve now been fortunate enough to see him at least a dozen times and met him on about six occasions.

Here’s a picture of us from the first time I met him, about 20 years ago (I had him sign the photo last year); we talked about his Comme des Garçons jacket and told me he loved my hair (or, as he referred to it, “your ‘do”) three times.

Earlier in 2017 I caught him at Burger Boogaloo, a garage-punk music festival which he hosts every summer in Oakland’s Mosswood Park. Again, I had the opportunity to see and greet him backstage where I presented him with a Croshame token of appreciation: a crocheted depiction of one of his favorite movie scenes, the baby on fire in Susan Slade.

Baby on fire scene from Susan Slade, 1961

In 2015, I caught John Waters’ Christmas show and made him a Christmas ornament: Divine’s character Dawn Davenport from Female Trouble.The gracious and polite Mr. Waters later sent me a Tom of Finland postcard thanking me for the present. Best mail day ever!

Last month for his 2017 Christmas one-man show I wanted to make him some more ornaments to go with his Divine one, so I whipped up some Raymond and Connie Marble from Pink Flamingos figures.I gave the to him at the meet and greet after the show and he loved them! He said he was sure Mink Stole would love the Connie ornament when he shows it to her at his Christmas party this year, and he also told me he still hangs my Divine ornament on his tree every year!What a guy!