Hanksgiving

This year marked the second annual Hanksgiving celebration. Every year, I take it upon myself to honor the great American actor, Tom Hanks. His contribution to American Cinema has had a most positive impact on the lives of millions. Hanksgiving typically involves a Hanksian Movie Marathon, drinking Hanks soda products, and the incessant yammering of Hanks quotes and songs. The films of Hanksgiving '09 were Dragnet and Big, a generous sampling of Tom's Sophomore major motion features. The first annual Hanksgiving included The SNL Best of Tom and The Burbs.

A Nightmare on Cypress Circle

I drove by my childhood home the other day. It's always amusing how you hold onto this perfect image in your head about the way things were. Seeing how the home I grew up in had transformed was a little bit startling.

Backstory: After my dad passed away in 2004, we moved into an apartment in Philadelphia. It was a fresh beginning for my family and an easier commute for my brother to get to High School (20 some mins vs. an hr. +). Our house was purchased by a married couple in their late 40's. I believe they had one child. Well, rumor had it that their marriage ended about a year ago. A month or two after the news of their split, my old house went on sale. I mused about purchasing it with Monopoly Money (I don't believe student debt can be consolidated with a mortgage?) but I had a nagging feeling that it would never be the same as it was, I should quit desiring to live in the past, etc. Now here is where the creepiness ensues. So my father passed away in the house at the young age of 52, due to a heart attack. Well, after his marriage ended, the new owner of the house called it quits and hung himself. So that's 2 early deaths in the house that also contains my childhood. Bogus. Screw re-purchasing THAT place.

Present: When I drove through my old neighborhood last weekend, I swung by my old house. It was the only house on the street without a manicured lawn. The brick walkway was hidden amidst the overgrown shrubbery that was once kept so neatly each season. The roof of the house was stained with moss. Nobody had purchased it and it now resembles only a shell of what it once was. Memories are so much more darling than reality. I can only imagine how it'll look the next time I swing by...

Permanent Scowl

I'm not quite sure what's up with it, but I've been noticing more and more that my facial features have been finding comfort in a strong and resilient scowl. The source of this new-found appearance might be directly related to the fact Don Draper scowls and so must I. Yes, I have a passion for the show Mad Men and everything Draper. Scowling definitely makes one feel a bit more in control, and I can see why Jon Hamm, the actor portraying Draper, uses it so effectively. My scowl's dialogue may sound like "How DARE you walk within my gaze? Out of the way!" It's fun, I highly suggest taking it for a whirl. My scowl typically takes shape on Market St. between Noon and 3 pm. There are no attractive people on this street. There are few attractive people in Philadelphia period. My scowl seems to add about 5 yrs to my life as well. There is a 30% increase in the likely hood that I will be referred to as Sir, when I am wearing my scowl. Wearing a scowl...has a funny ring to it. It almost sounds like wearing an angry scarf. Alas...I have devolved into stream of consciousness writing. ::Scowl::

Ichiban!!!!

I dedicate my first blog to the word 'first', and my fondest memory of the word. Many a doyobi (saturday) ago, around 10:30 am, I was teaching my least favorite class as a Practical English Teacher in Yonago, Japan. I had a class of 3 misbehaved, 5 year-old boys who always managed to sap me of all my energy before noon. The troublemakers in question were Yuta, Yuichi and Hikaru. Yuta was the smartest, and therefore the biggest wiseass of the crew. Hikaru was shy and short. He was a nice kid when not growing distracted and causing mini-classroom riots. He had this sorta cute sorta hilarious squeal of delight that he'd frequently give off when a popular game was played or something made him happy. And Yuichi...Yuichi had black teeth. I kid you not. When I recall Yuichi, I immediately think of a Dentist being punished. He also had a raspy voice for a 5 year old. I think the probable cause for both his teeth and voice was a stint of binge smoking while watching Pokemon. Alright...I apologize for being mean. These were cute kids, who just required a lot of patience. So the story goes, that on one fine Saturday morning, we were all playing a game of Race to the Board and say the English Phrase (It was more fun than it sounds). Yuta came in first place and turned to the others, pointer finger raised high, and announced "ICHIBAN" (I'm first/I'm Number 1). Yuichi and Hikaru looked on in contempt. IT was ON. Yuichi won the next race and, finger held high, shouted "ICHIBAN" in Yuta's face. Before I knew it, a scuffle had unfolded before me and I had to break it up. And that's my story. Yeah, sorta anti-climactic. But when I wake up now, on Saturday mornings, and walk to the bathroom mirror, I can smile to myself knowing that I'm not breaking up fights between 5 year-old Japanese children. With a sleepy grin, I think to myself "Ichiban" as I begin to brush my teeth and start the shower...