Sock Monkeying Around

This is my friend, Lara. We celebrated her birthday on Saturday night at the Cheesecake Factory where I was forced to eat a Southwestern egg roll, bread, garlic noodles, some of my friend's entree, and Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake - all washed down with a cafe latte. The sacrifices we make for our friends - what can I say?

You want to know a very important fact about Lara? She does not like sock monkeys. They creep her out. Now, I've never had bad feelings toward sock monkeys; however, after Lara brought this to my attention I am reconsidering the sock monkey.

I did a little research and have found that there are no moderates when it comes to the sock monkey. It seems like folks either love'em or hate'em. Some people have sock monkey-themed nurseries.

And then there's the whole group on Facebook that is devoted to hating sock monkeys. Lara's not alone.

So what is it about sock monkeys that is so creepy?

Are their limbs too long? Mouths to wedge-of-orange wide? Or is it their coal black lifeless eyes that follow you around everywhere you go? Shudder... How did I not see this before?

Next year for Lara's birthday I know exactly what to get her:

Which sock monkey camp are you in: friend or foe?

P.S. Don't even get me started on clowns...or Teddy Ruxpin...