Day 17 - Pieces of Childhood

Sena and I hit the German School's annual festival today. This is me eating crazy good Bratwurst and Goulash from Urban German ------------------------------->
<----And this is my new friend, Wolfgang. He would prefer you pronounce his name: Volfgäng.

Seeing someones childhood has always been a favorite thing of mine. Admittedly, I didn't like a large chunk of being a scamp. So when I get to see the happy memories that flood onto the faces of those I care about, I take the opportunity to live vicariously through them. Today's was Sena's and a holiday bizarre at her German School. It was so positive and sweet, the whole thing perfectly laid out. Christmas music came on and I smiled (though I would usually feel awkward as it's not even December, but the vibe was right). She told me a few quick stories about people she recognized, and how the whole school worked and we grabbed some souvenirs. It was a great morning.

I didn't like a chunk of my childhood. But one thing I do love, the pieces that I'm first to remember are the holidays. Specifically Thanksgiving with my folks and Christmas. I love this time of year, and operate like a prize mid-lifer when it swings around. Big meals, great friends, my family, amazing and shite holiday TV...oh man, do I ever love holiday TV. Below I've included the holiday episode of my favorite childhood show, Hey Arnold. Enjoy. (it's labeled incorrectly, but it is the right one)

http://www.watchcartoononline.com/hey-arnold-season-1-episode-19-magic-show

That episode is one of my and my Pop's traditions. I love it.

There's just something about the holidays that gets to me. I'm sap, and something of a TV child, growing up. Truth: I could tell time exact time from what TV show was on. "Brother to Brother? Oh, it's 7:30pm." So I really blame most of it on TV, my love for this holiday season. TV was so good when I was a youngin', and having Nick at Night gave me access to even more quality material, so how could I not listen when it told and showed me how peaceful, loving and right this time of year could be? The music knocks me out, the food, sweet boat loads of awe-hell, I love it!

My most recent tradition is for Thanksgiving. It's really simple. I show up at my folks place fairly early, turn on soul music and cook with Mom and Pop, snacking and drinking all day and rarely not laughing or singing. It's how it should be. Last year, I was lucky enough to have my buddy Aaron join in, and it made the holiday better. This year, I hope to have a few more. I have more friends than I do family, so inviting them together has always felt right to do, and wrong to not.

I suppose that's what it all amounts to. I'm an only child with a fairly strange family life all-in-all, who latches on to friends like their siblings. I suppose it is no surprise that this time of year increases that; the time of year that, in my opinion, pushes family togetherness more than any other fest. And beyond that, even the air seems to change; it's smell and even taste. The whole atmosphere, for me at least, feels at peace, one, together, if only for two months.