A MOMENT WITH CHILLER

You may be wondering why it has taken so long to post the next installment. To say that I’ve been to Hell and back would not only not be a cliché, but it would not even be figurative. I left Tampa and headed east with the intent of spending a little time in Miami. This was not meant to be. I stopped in the thriving metropolis of Clewiston for a bite to eat. This was not meant to be. To say that I looked death in the face is an understatement. As I walked across the parking lot of the restaurant, a black, pimped-out hearse screeched to a halt in front of me. A figure looking like a cross between Charon and the murderer in the Scream movies jumped out of the black car and ran toward me. As anyone would do at a time like that, I reached into my pocket, grabbed the first coin I could find, and stuck it under my tongue. It was to no avail, the Ferryman grabbed me, threw me into the back of the hearse where a soft, satin-lined coffin cushioned my landing, and pealed out as fast as he had stopped. The journey felt like days, but I kept my mouth shut—who, after all, would argue with Death or his minions?

Finally, the vehicle began to slow and came to a gentle stop (as if we had run out of gas). I heard my chauffer getting out of the car, and next thing I knew, I was released from my rather morbid captivity. He held out his hand like a bell hop, and I offered him the shiny (and saliva-y) quarter that I had been sucking on. As he pulled away, I could see the neon letters alongside the hearse, seeming to glow in the foggy night: it read “Lost Souls.” As I looked around to get my bearings, I took in the scene. For one split moment, I thought I was in Transylvania. But the friendly sign clearly told me otherwise. It read, “Toronto Necropolis.” It seemed that I was unable to get away from the Land of Canucks.

As my eyes adjusted to the gloomy conditions of a dense 19th-century-London like fog and full moon, I heard one of the eeriest sounds I have ever heard. It was the squeal of stone on stone—somewhat akin to the sound of nails on a chalkboard. As I oriented myself toward the sound, prepared for anything, I saw that the door to the crypt at the end of the lane (by the “dead end” sign) was slowly opening. I braced myself for…I didn’t really know what—zombies, skeletons, Dracula. Nothing, however, could have prepared me for the next thing that happened.

As the door opened, the light of several flickering candles inside the tomb painted preternatural shadows upon the ground. A figure appeared at the door, silhouetted by the dancing candlelight. In that moment, I became Ichabod Crane to this emerging black-cloaked figure’s Headless Horseman, and I shrunk back in fear. From deep within the folds of this Prince of Darkness’ velvet wrap issued a voice as melodious as it was frightening. It said, “Hey bro! Haow’s it gohin’, eh? Haow, aboot thaht pimped-oot Hearse, eh?”

To my great relief, I realized in an instant that I had not been summoned by Beelzebub, but rather by none other than Chiller. Once I had settled my nerves enough to write, I pulled out my pad and pen, sat down on a stone bench with the Chilly One, and began the interview:

JC: So, Chiller, besides “Scary as Shit,” what would you say is the expression that best describes you?

C: I have always believed in the motto, “Everyone has a dark side.” I think it’s true; it’s just that most people are afraid to show it.

JC: Tell us about your username.

C: The name Chiller came to me years ago, while a member of a Halloween forum. A guy I worked with said I was “creepy” because of my fascination with Halloween. He called me Chiller one day, and it has stuck since then.

JC: While we’re talking about usernames, what’s the deal with Ch1ller?

C: I guess I had better tell the truth; I know they are going to read this. Basically, Ch1ller is multiple personalities come to life. They were bottled up inside me, till one day, after an electrical accident at Halloween, the 4 of them came to life and took on my human forum. Now they won’t leave me alone. Sure, we go out and party together sometimes, but most of the time I try to do my own thing. I always have to watch over my shoulder, though, ya know, to see if they are watching over my shoulder too. Click here to see a shot of us foolin’ around one night.

JC: Were you born and raised here in the grave yard?

C: I was born in Scarborough Ontario, Canada, and I have lived here all my life...so far. I’ve always loved living near the Scarborough Bluffs. It can be my world away from the real world sometimes.

JC: And what do you do for a living here in Scarborough Ontario, Canada?

C: I’m a warehouse manager for a large format reprographics company. We do blueprints, sell large format plotters, engineering copiers, and media. We started this company from the ashes of a bankrupt company. It has gone from 4 employees to about 35, with 6 different offices in 5 years.

JC: Sounds like it’s pretty cool, and you seem proud of the company, but if you could have your dream job, what would it be?

C: I’m sure most of the folks on the Forum will assume I’m going to say working in a cemetery, but actually, I have always wanted to get into the movie industry, in the special effects departments. Either building miniatures, or designing sets. I think I have watched Lord of the Rings 5 times, and I still don’t know what most of the movie is about. I get too involved in watching how the movie was made. I have always loved building things, and I guess that is one place where my love for Halloween comes into play. Everything in my home haunt was scratch built. Maybe one day....ya never know, I might be doing my dream job.

JC: So what if you won the lottery and never had to worry about money or work ever again. How would you spend your days?

C: That’s a tough question Cose. I know there are a lot of places I would love to visit. I think I would take the time and actually visit them. On the list are Wales, Greece, DC (again), Australia, and New Zealand.

JC: Let’s move over the real bread and butter of this Forum, shall we? How did you get into photography?

C: I just fell into this hobby. I had no idea how deep I would get into it. A few years ago, I decided to take a cycling trip to Niagara Falls. I had trained for many months to make the 320km [198.8 miles] round trip. All I had packed was a cheap point and shoot film camera. After taking 48 pictures, I ended up with about 6 pics worth keeping. That was when I decided to get a “real” camera, a Canon Rebel film camera. Then I just got addicted to taking pictures.

JC: What type of gear do you have in you camera bag?

C: I have the Canon Digital Rebel, 18-55mm, 28-80mm, 70-300mm, 170-500mm, and a Sigma 28-105. Some accessories are 2Xextender, 250d close up lens, Lensbaby, and 17 assorted filters ( I won’t list them all), Sunpak Flash, wireless remote, and my Canon Rebel film camera which I blow the dust off of every now and then…usually when I forget to charge the batteries for my digital cam.

JC: Wow. That’s a lot of stuff. So, when you go out with that small lens store, what’s your favorite thing to take pictures of?

C: Flowers and Babies…nah, kidding, bro! Cemeteries, actually. I find the models here very cooperative.

JC: Right. Of course. So, what’s the one photographic technique that you have never done that you would love to try?

C: HDR. Sometime over the summer, I’m going to try it.

JC: What is your all-time favorite picture?

C: I have to say this one. I call it “The Uninvited Guest.” Mostly because it makes people laugh. Sometimes the pic does not have to be the best technically, but if it creates an emotion, it has done its job. I captured this shot while wandering through Edwards Gardens. There was some wedding photography going on. This dude comes over the hill, takes his shirt off, cracks open a bottle of water and a chocolate bar and plants himself here. I call it my gift shot.

JC: I remember when you posted it. It is a great shot, and I always get a chuckle out of seeing it. Although it’s your favorite, what is your dream shot? That is, if you could go anywhere in the world to take any shot at all, what would it be of and where?

C: Wales. I gotta see Wales, and wander the castles there. I think my dream shot is waiting someplace near one of those awesome castles.

JC: Who is your favorite photographer?

C: I don’t have a favorite photography. I don’t even know the work of any famous photogs. I’m constantly inspired by the photographers on the forum, no matter what their level of photography. I’m always amazed at how people see things.

JC: So who inspires you the most?

C: I’m inspired by anybody who can see an image and make it work. I have never watched the “professional” photographers, so I’m not really up on the who’s who of photography. All of my inspiration comes from the forum. JonMikal’s visions of the DC are an inspiration to anyone. Sir Ray, and his wildlife images, blow me away. Woody’s imagination in The Darkside and his HDRs are all framers. To be honest , the list can go on and on. Everyone has their own eye for photography, and all can be an inspiration.

JC: Photography is interesting and all, but let’s get back to finding out more about Chiller. Who’s the first girl you ever kissed?

C: Karen…I think…Or maybe it was Susan…Or was it both?

JC: Have you ever made out in a (real) cemetery?

C: Not yet, but I have found the place. I just need a willing combatant.

[I would swear that Chiller winked seductively at me after that last comment. I adjusted myself on the bench, and as nonchalantly as possible, I tried to slide a little further away. Then again, it may have merely been the moonlight flicking across his piercing yellow eyes.]

JC: What other hobbies have you tried in addition to photography?

C: Originally, I wanted to pursue a music career. I started playing drums at 13, and I played in various bands around the Toronto Club scene. I tried my hand at cartooning and illustration as well.

JC: I’ve heard the name Kane here and there. Who exactly is he?

C: I met Kane 10 years ago. I had heard about this dog that was living in an abusive home. I took him away, and Kane and I are best friends, and hiking partners.

JC: So, what’s the deal with all the death motif? How did you get into the macabre?

C: I have always had a fascination for the darker stuff. It pretty much started as a teenager. No, I never listened to my metal albums backwards, but I was more impressed by horror movies, and at that time all the classics were hitting the big screen. The screeeeemer movies: Friday the 13th, Halloween, The Evil Dead. They all came out at that time. I have been doing a haunted house for 11 years, I did dress up my parents house a bit. Yeah...they wondered. I really started to enjoy scaring the pants off people back then. The fact that my house backed onto a funeral home helped. My friend Doug’s parents owned it, so we got to wander around inside quite a bit. Still today, I’m as fascinated as I was years ago.

JC: Let’s move to something a little happier, eh? Why don’t you tell us your favorite joke?

C: A horse walks into a bar and steps up to order a drink. The bartender approaches him and says, “hay. Why the long face?”

JC: Er…yea, I’d probably stick with that gig at the warehouse. OK, so moving on. Let’s comment on that unique Chiller look. Have you ever had short hair?

C: Many moons ago. I have had long hair since I was 17. I just can’t cut it. Even my friends and family say I would not be me if I cut my hair. I wish I had a pic I could share. That was before the digital world, and those shots are safely stashed away at my Momma’s place.

JC: If you were given the opportunity to write a chapter in a book on anything you think you are an expert on, what would it be about?

C: Probably creating a Halloween home haunt.

JC: If you could invite anyone, alive or (un)dead, real or fictional, to dinner who would it be?

C: My Dad. I never spent enough time with him when I was younger. I would love to sit and have a chat with him over dinner, and most of all apologize for not spending the time I should have spent with him. I was too busy being cool in a rock band and forgot what you can learn from your father.

JC: Who is the one person who has had the most profound impact in your life?

C: Neil Peart the drummer from RUSH. I spent many an hour learning how to play drums like him. Not only his drumming, but also his way of writing lyrics has always inspired me when it came to music. If it was not for his drumming, I would never have played drums

JC: Let’s play everyone’s favorite: Word Association: Black.

C: Let’s hope I do this right. All those years on the forums, and never once played Word Association. OK, Black…let’s see, how about car.

JC: Card.

C: Spade.

JC: Poker.

C: Chip.

JC: Computer.

C: Internet.

JC: Canon.

C: Rocks!

JC: Nikon.

C: Doesn’t.

JC: Death.

C: Morgue.

JC: Casket.

C: Bury.

JC: Crypt.

C: Cemetery.

JC: Canadian.

C: eh?

JC: Toque.

C: Toboggan.

JC: Hoser.

C: Prime Minister.

JC: Alberta.

C: Prairies.

JC: You did great. Let’s move on to Choices. I begin with Black and White or Color?

C: Black.

JC: Er…OK. How about Video or Cinema?

C: Video.

JC: Nikon or Canon?

C: Canon...I’m not sure what that other one is.

JC: Digital or Analog?

C: Digital.

JC: O or OU?

C: O.

JC: Eh? or Y’all?

C: Eh?

JC: Clearly Canadian or Sprite?

C: Sprite.

JC: Coffee or Tea?

C: Tea.

JC: Rap or Rock?

C: Rock/Metal.

JC: Shoes or Sandals?

C: Shoes.

JC: For the ladies: Boxers or Briefs?

C: Briefs (grey).

JC: How about some Favorites: Movie?

C: The Exorcist.

JC: Song?

C: “2112,” by RUSH.

JC: TV Show?

C: “Trailer Park Boys.”

JC: Radio Station?

C: The Rock 94.9 FM.

JC: Vacation Spot?

C: My backyard.

JC: Canadian Province?

C: Ontario.

JC: US City?

C: Washington, DC.

JC: Country?

C: Canada.

JC: Historical era?

C: WWII era.

JC: Planet?

C: Earth.

JC: Drink?

C: Coke.

JC: Great. Let’s move back to photography. How did you find your way to YPF?

C: The Coven hexed me.

JC: I know that you, like many of us, have found your way to YPF via several other photography forums. You have been a very active member of all of them, but never in a leadership position. What makes this forum different?

C: I think with YPF it is the people, and the fresh start. I have always believed that you respect the person first. Everyone has their own visions, and a photograph is a reflection of what that person has seen at a specific moment in time. With YPF, I hope we can make everyone feel comfortable, and no one should be afraid to post his or her images.

JC: If you could share one vital thing with everyone reading this, one pearl of Chiller Wisdom, what would it be?

C: Enjoy life every day. Always hug your loved ones, especially your kids, and always love your pets. They are just as precious. All they want is your love. Treat others as you would want to be treated. Your friends are your friends for a reason. Always love them too. We are on this planet for a short time, try to make it the best you can. Love what you have, cause there are people who have less. Never listen to Ch1ller. They think they know everything.

With that, he flipped his cowl over his head, buried his hands deep within his sleeves, looking more like a Prince of the Church than the Earl of Hell. As his cloaked figured glided over the grounds and back to the crypt, I was left to ponder how I had gotten here, what we had talked about, and more importantly, how I was going to get home.