And Then I Ate My Weight In Turkey…

Happy Thanksgiving, Modern Philosophers!

This has always been a complicated holiday for me.  It is linked to so many memories, both good and bad, usually associated with past relationships.

As a result, I tend to be moody on Turkey Day.  It’s probably for the best that I spend it alone at The House on the Hill, eating my weight in turkey.

Of course, since I’ve been on a running kick and dropped so many pounds, I won’t have to eat as much of the gobbler this year.  Silver linings and all…

I am working on being more positive, so it is my intention to not dwell on the past this year.  I usually just sit around in sweats and a tee shirt, which can be discarded once the day is done since that’s easier than trying to get out all the gravy stains.

This year, however, I’ve put on something nice, and I plan to enjoy the Harry Potter Marathon on cable until kickoff.  Once the pigskin starts flying, I can break out the pepperoni and cheese, which means the Thanksgiving feasting has officially begun!

If you recall, that particular appetizer is a Thanksgiving tradition, done in honor of my Dear Old Dad.  That’s a link to the past I do not mind acknowledging on this holiday.

I’m not exactly a fan of spending the holidays alone, but it doesn’t bother me like it once did.  To be honest, I look forward to Thanksgiving for two reasons: the yummy food and the day off from work.

I see Turkey Thursday as an opportunity to recharge my batteries and get some writing done.

Aside from this rambling blog post, I hope to work on my TV series and jot down some notes on my novel while I watch Harry and his pals navigate life at Hogwarts.

Speaking of the TV series, I finally heard from my producer this week.  He’s busy working on a series for Funny or Die, but promised to give my series his full attention once that project is done.

I had grown frustrated from not hearing for him, so this conversation improved my mood and gave my self-confidence a much needed boost.  And now I have one more thing for which to be thankful today.

Hope of a writing future is a powerful emotion that can power me through any lonely holiday.  Well, hope and lots of turkey, stuffing, and gravy.

Did I mention it is absolutely frigid outside?  The temperature is in the single digits, but with the wind chill, it is double digit negative.  This makes me think the Pilgrims didn’t really put much thought into the holiday.  Couldn’t they have scheduled it for early fall when there’s beautiful fall foliage, rather than snow, and your fingers and toes won’t fall off when you leave the house to visit friends and family?

This is why the Pilgrims never rose to power, and their unique sense of fashion never caught on with trendy teens.

And that reminds me of another beloved Thanksgiving tradition: picking on Pilgrims in my blog posts.  I’m not sure why I do it, but I have to assume that the Pilgrims pissed me off in a previous life.

I’m pretty sure I had something in mind when I sat down to write this post, but my thoughts keep wandering to my impending Thanksgiving feast.  As a result, this is more of a mish mash of various ideas swimming in my head, much like I fantasize about swimming in a giant bowl of gravy.  Mmmm….so warm and delicious!

I guess one point I intended to make was that a holiday is what you make it.  There’s nothing wrong with celebrating it alone if that’s what you want to do.  Sure, I’d rather spend it with that amazing girlfriend, who I know is out there looking for me, but I’m totally cool with relaxing, writing, stuffing my face, and watching TV.

The goal is to have a Happy Thanksgiving.  Do what makes you happy.  Maybe take some time to reflect on why you’re thankful.  But don’t sweat it if your version of the holiday doesn’t match up with the Norman Rockwell portrait of Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends!  Thanks for taking time out of your day to visit my blog.  Enjoy your day, and don’t be afraid to take that extra portion of stuffing…