Today is Furnace Monster day. As is terdition at the Garage, the heat is not turned on until Furnace Monster day, November 1st. According to Garage lore:
The Furnace Monster is a vile and foul creature, feared the world round for it's fierce appetite. It is said this monster feeds off the fats of the artificially beautiful—those who paint and bake their skin in an effort to mimic idols that only exist in print or projection. Yet the people's of the Garage Crowd have come to embrace this fearsome beast as an icon of warmth and comfort. The Furnace Monster is revered as almost god-like. Rituals include wrapping one's self in a blanket and camping by the vents that lead to the fiery pits, waiting for burning to occur and enjoying the resulting heat. Legend has it that the Furnace Monster has even produced offspring with one of the Crowd. Each year, the Garage Crowd invokes the Furnace Monster on the first day of November. It is said this includes sacrifices presented to the Furnace Monster by way of the illusive Garage basement. In exchange for these sacrifices, the Furnace Monster provides heat for the Crowd. Furnace Monster Day is one of the most auspicious events of the Crowd, up there with Cinco dé Mustache and Easter Fishing.
Pictured is an ancient portrayal, personifying the Furnace Monster.