August 30th is National Frankenstein Day

Mary Wollenstone Shelly who gave us the epic novel, "Frankenstein" in 1818 was born on this day in 1797.

In her honor, let's resurrect something. Reanimating a dead romance is very popular. Your ex has been looking a bit forlorn lately. Or how about that old Irish tradition, resurrecting a good old fashioned grudge? You know what they say, Irish Alzheimer's is when you forget everything except your grudges! There's a reason that the Hatfields and McCoys came from the Emerald Isle.

Maybe making a few extra bucks is your style. Slam together some bits and pieces that never were part of the original vintage jewelry or bakelite radio and you too can create your own Frankenstein. Look out for the angry antiques dealers though-they're the ones converging on you with the lit torches.

Than there's always the every popular Mel Brooks movie, "Young Frankenstein". Who can forget such deathless quotes as:

Igor: You know, I'll never forget my old dad. When these things would happen to him... the things he'd say to me.
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: What did he say?
Igor: "What the hell are you doing in the bathroom day and night? Why don't you get out of there and give someone else a chance?"

or this gem:

Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: You know, I'm a rather brilliant surgeon. Perhaps I can help you with that hump.
Igor: What hump?

Or what about stopping by a theater for a midnight showing of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show?" Dr. Frankenfurter still turns my crank. I wouldn't mind meeting a sweet transvestite from transexual Transylvania right now. Yes, it has been a long dry year. At least he can sing. And dance.

You might even go with the classics and rent the real thing: 1931's horror classic: Frankenstein. I wouldn't though. The banking meltdown is frightening enough. I'm still trying to recover from that Foreclosure debacle.

Who says that old broad Mary Wollenstone Shelly knew what she was talking about? Her novel was subtitled, the Modern Prometheus, and it was about science run amok. She certainly didn't know what she was talking about. Science run amok? Technology becoming our masters? Certainly not, and I hope that that damn technician in India picks up soon. I've been on hold for nearly an hour over this godforsaken computer and my cell phone battery is dying.

So let's raise a toast to Shelly, who certainly seemed to be a lady ahead of her time. And if Frankenstein's drink hasn't been invented yet, have a zombie instead. Close enough.