Wednesday, November 26, 2003
I know I'm not the only one who will speak on the irony of Thanksgiving this week. But here I go:
Thanksgiving, How Ironic
an essay.
There are few holidays as all-American as Thanksgiving. Sure, this d-day for our feather friends has spread globally as a day of feast, and feasts celebrating the fall are commonplace in cultures since the dawn of civilization. But Thanksgiving is red, white and blue through and through.
In 1798, George Washington (the first dubya) proclaimed the third Thursday in November to be a national day of thanks. Honoring our Pilgrim predecessors for infusing our culture with an annoying puritan sensibility, it wasn't until after the Civil War (and a change to the fourth Thursday) that the nation truly celebrated this holiday. And as every school child who has made a hat out of black construction paper can attest, we remember a feast shared by Pilgrims and Native American some 400 years back. Strangely enough, the fruitcake from that first feast is still making the rounds.
So why the irony, you may ask? Because in a world where 1/5 of all children go to bed hungry, we in the US of A have a holiday whose only purpose is to stuff ourselves with decadent food. Because that original Thanksgiving was really those aforementioned Native Americans preventing mass starvation from happening up in Massachusetts by the unknowledgable Pilgrims. Because you know at least one guy leaned over to the head of his tribe and said, "Just let 'em starve." And that same guy has been 'I told you so'-ing in the afterlife for 400 years. Because Ben Franklin wanted the National Bird to be the Turkey. Because if it weren't for this day and Christmas, there would be no Turkey industry in this country. Because inappreciative Americans think that one day of 'giving thanks' will make up for the silver spoons we all have shoved up our butts.
OK, I'm getting worked up here. Thank god there is football on Thanksgiving or I would have nothing positive to say.
Oh, me and my wife, by the way, are roasting a duck. Take that, Pilgrim!
Thanksgiving, How Ironic
an essay.
There are few holidays as all-American as Thanksgiving. Sure, this d-day for our feather friends has spread globally as a day of feast, and feasts celebrating the fall are commonplace in cultures since the dawn of civilization. But Thanksgiving is red, white and blue through and through.
In 1798, George Washington (the first dubya) proclaimed the third Thursday in November to be a national day of thanks. Honoring our Pilgrim predecessors for infusing our culture with an annoying puritan sensibility, it wasn't until after the Civil War (and a change to the fourth Thursday) that the nation truly celebrated this holiday. And as every school child who has made a hat out of black construction paper can attest, we remember a feast shared by Pilgrims and Native American some 400 years back. Strangely enough, the fruitcake from that first feast is still making the rounds.
So why the irony, you may ask? Because in a world where 1/5 of all children go to bed hungry, we in the US of A have a holiday whose only purpose is to stuff ourselves with decadent food. Because that original Thanksgiving was really those aforementioned Native Americans preventing mass starvation from happening up in Massachusetts by the unknowledgable Pilgrims. Because you know at least one guy leaned over to the head of his tribe and said, "Just let 'em starve." And that same guy has been 'I told you so'-ing in the afterlife for 400 years. Because Ben Franklin wanted the National Bird to be the Turkey. Because if it weren't for this day and Christmas, there would be no Turkey industry in this country. Because inappreciative Americans think that one day of 'giving thanks' will make up for the silver spoons we all have shoved up our butts.
OK, I'm getting worked up here. Thank god there is football on Thanksgiving or I would have nothing positive to say.
Oh, me and my wife, by the way, are roasting a duck. Take that, Pilgrim!
Monday, November 24, 2003
Well, I asked for it. I have a new job.
It's amazing how quickly my, "God, I hate my job" attitude has transitioned into, "God, do I know what I'm doing?"
But this is a good thing. My current job, while safe and friendly and populated with people I love, gives me no satisfaction. At all. My new job will be in the industry I love, and full of responsibility and other interesting things. It will probably be harder.
But are we simply here just to play it safe and be comfortable? Was I born to slack? I think not!! (With that last sentence, Eric is officialy no longer an Austinite)
I'm a Libra, which means the one thing I desire and fear most is change. Well, bring it on world, I'm ready for ya!
It's amazing how quickly my, "God, I hate my job" attitude has transitioned into, "God, do I know what I'm doing?"
But this is a good thing. My current job, while safe and friendly and populated with people I love, gives me no satisfaction. At all. My new job will be in the industry I love, and full of responsibility and other interesting things. It will probably be harder.
But are we simply here just to play it safe and be comfortable? Was I born to slack? I think not!! (With that last sentence, Eric is officialy no longer an Austinite)
I'm a Libra, which means the one thing I desire and fear most is change. Well, bring it on world, I'm ready for ya!
Oh, and another thing.
My brother (I won't reveal which one) is a regional finalist for "Nashville Star", the country music version of American Idol on the USA Network. Just out of the blue he let us know he'd auditioned and was one of the two picked out of his area.
I just hope he can get me Ruben's autograph.
My brother (I won't reveal which one) is a regional finalist for "Nashville Star", the country music version of American Idol on the USA Network. Just out of the blue he let us know he'd auditioned and was one of the two picked out of his area.
I just hope he can get me Ruben's autograph.
What a weird and wacky world we live in.
Last night, as my wife is connected with the 'cool' people, we attended the opening party for the new big play in NYC. Trust me, it will be the next big thing. And as I brushed past celebrity and quasi-celebrities all around, the only thought I kept having was, "damn it's crowded in here!"
I think I have become an old man before my time. Crowds, loud parties, smoke-filled rooms: these things which used to draw me like a moth to a flame now repel me like cheap aftershave. I mean, I used to live in moshpits, smell constantly of smoke and have serious ear problems from camping out in front of the speakers at all the shows I went to.
Now, I just want to get home in time to watch the 11 o'clock news.
I mean, my wife held the door open for Star Jones on the way out, and all I could think of was, "alright, let's go, no need to dilly-dally." I actually did think the words 'dilly-dally' to myself.
Oh well, I guess I'm old now.
So, get off my lawn before I call the cops you crazy kids!
Last night, as my wife is connected with the 'cool' people, we attended the opening party for the new big play in NYC. Trust me, it will be the next big thing. And as I brushed past celebrity and quasi-celebrities all around, the only thought I kept having was, "damn it's crowded in here!"
I think I have become an old man before my time. Crowds, loud parties, smoke-filled rooms: these things which used to draw me like a moth to a flame now repel me like cheap aftershave. I mean, I used to live in moshpits, smell constantly of smoke and have serious ear problems from camping out in front of the speakers at all the shows I went to.
Now, I just want to get home in time to watch the 11 o'clock news.
I mean, my wife held the door open for Star Jones on the way out, and all I could think of was, "alright, let's go, no need to dilly-dally." I actually did think the words 'dilly-dally' to myself.
Oh well, I guess I'm old now.
So, get off my lawn before I call the cops you crazy kids!
