Find me one American over the ago of 20 who doesn't have at least one disastrous Thanksgiving story.
It WAS my least favorite holiday and after 2016 think celebrating independence from England pretty stupid.
HOWEVER here in Italy it has taken a whole new life. My Italian friends are endlessly fascinated by the idea of ringraziamento. Maybe it's the catholic in them? They tell me they want the American movie moment. And since they have given me more than 1 Italian movie moment I am happy to oblige.
So this ringraziamento I truly am thankful for my chosen Italian family.
When I was in the army (the first three Thanksgivings & Christmases I spent away from home) I actually liked pulling duty on the Tac site, and would try to arrange it. I found "standing a post" (which in my case meant sleeping in a warm workshop and tinkering with the radars on an as-needed basis) far more meaningful and less lonesome than hanging out at the barracks.
Then there's MY Thanksgiving day fire story...
When I was living in Chicago a group of us would celebrate at a friend's condo. It was a pleasant space, but the kitchen barely accommodated one person, and there were four of us. So I retired to the living room, by the bookshelves and the fireplace, to allow the others to fuss over things.
As I mentioned, I was by the fireplace. I was browsing through one of my friend's books when Toni came dashing out of the kitchen, grabbed the fire extinguisher, and ran back into the kitchen. For the record, there were no sounds of distress or alarm coming from the kitchen, and so I watched this little dance a sense more of curiosity than dread. After a moment, I set the book down and walked into the kitchen to see what was up.
The gas line to one of the burners on the stove had broken off, and blue flames were jetting our all around the top of the stove.
Meanwhile, my friend Toni had bollocksed up the handles on the fire extinguisher and couldn't get it to work
So I got to be manly me, took it from her, flipped the handles around to their correct position, and knocked down the fire. We then pulled the stove away from the wall and shut off the gas.
But that's not the funny part.
The funny part is that all of the pots on the stove were covered, the turkey was already done and set aside, so none of the food was ruined by the chemicals. A few things needed to be finished in the microwave, but after that, dinner was served. The next day, the friend who owned the condo purchased a new stove.
BAHAHAHAHAHA! That's like A Towering Inferno three-second rule. Like, it's okay, let's go ahead and eat it. Great story. Kitchen fires that don't end in death are usually pretty funny. I have no idea why.
There's a scene in the movie "The Doors" where Morrison (Val Kilmer in one of his best roles) and girlfriend (I'd have to look the actress up) are having a melt down on Thanksgiving day, the turkey comes out of the oven unfinished, and one of the Roadies is just, "Fuck it, man. Let's eat this bird!")
I used to work for the post office. I loved working Christmas. The postal planes carried express mail into Phoenix, I would drive down to the airport pick it up, take it to my office and then all alone and deliver express mail. I always wore a Santa jacket and cap. I delivered engagement rings, late presents and documents.
I'm so glad you have found a truly healthy and fulfilling relationship. Don't they say the not-so-great moments help us to appreciate the wonderful moments all the more? Happy Thanksgiving!
I had to kiss a lot of toads before I found my prince, that's for sure. Thank you, my friend. And please have a lovely, wonderful, warm, food-filled Thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving, Stacey. Thank you for unknowingly helping to keep me on an even keel. I mean this in the best possible way, but you're like a walking "HOLD MY BEER!" moment. Just when I think I've done some of the dumbest @#$%&*^ things imagineable...well, you know. It's good to know that I have company.
I hope your Thanksgiving with John is relaxing and enjoyable, even though both of you are halfway around the world away from home.
I love your stories, and I admire your willingness to share them. Don't ever change.❤️
BAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I feel so seen! That's exactly who I am!
No, you do not have the market cornered on dumb s**t. I take full responsibility for my portion of it. And the more people try to flex on social media, post shamelessly edited selfies, tell outrageous whoppers about their lives, the more I want to double down on detailing my worst moments. Pretension is odious.
I’m not in your league, not even close. Have absolutely nothing to report. However, I’ll take this opportunity to say that “Home for the Holidays” is maybe the best dysfunctional family film ever, and the lamp bit is pure gold. And now that I’ve said that, I need to see it again, somehow.
Dammit, Cheryl, now I have to watch it. A recommendation coming from you? You can take that to the bank. I just looked it up, and it seems like a lot of dysfunctional fun. I hope you're having a lovely holiday non-holiday.
But be forewarned that our taste in movies is very different. Sorry, but I despise the Coen brothers’ films. I know, I know. We’ll fight about it over a bottle of wine sometime.
Okay, I gave it a try. Got about an hour into it. Terrific cast (I’m a huge Geraldine Chaplin fan), and I can see why you like Home for the Holidays. Holly Hunter is terrific in everything she does, and Anne Bancroft puts them all to shame. What a talent! Amazing. Ultimately, though, there wasn’t enough narrative momentum for me to stay with it, but that in no way casts aspersions on your tastes.
Ah, but that means you missed Geraldine Chaplin's finest moments! What I like about this movie is simply the the dynamics of the family, the fly-on-the-wall experience of watching them embarrass themselves and say/reveal things they shouldn't and be vulnerable, and the sadness and nostalgia and even grief that comes from watching your loved ones change or finding yourself in a life you never imagined and certainly didn't want. And there's a particular tender humor to it too. So I don't miss the narrative momentum. To me it's the movie equivalent of a quiet novel. By the way, where did you find it? I'd love to see it again.
Okay, so prepare to be shocked. Or possibly thank me. I know it's wrong--I admit it's wrong--but marooned out here in the Italian hinterlands, I would go mad without it. If you have a good ad blocker, go to fmovies dot coffee and you can watch any movies, TV series, or documentary series your heart desires. Even Romanian New Wave, which is my favorite. EVERYTHING. Without downloading or uploading. It's not Pirate Bay.
“Once you’ve actually experienced a loving, mutually respectful relationship, you will never settle for anything less”.
For those of us who had to learn the hard way.
Amen sister!!!
You know it just as well as I do :-) This is the transformation power of love.
Find me one American over the ago of 20 who doesn't have at least one disastrous Thanksgiving story.
It WAS my least favorite holiday and after 2016 think celebrating independence from England pretty stupid.
HOWEVER here in Italy it has taken a whole new life. My Italian friends are endlessly fascinated by the idea of ringraziamento. Maybe it's the catholic in them? They tell me they want the American movie moment. And since they have given me more than 1 Italian movie moment I am happy to oblige.
So this ringraziamento I truly am thankful for my chosen Italian family.
Ooooooh! Do you get a bird and the whole deal? I need to hear about your ringraziamento!
It's happening Sunday. Thursday would be impossible. Most of my friends work so I am having it then. Wi give a report.
When I was in the army (the first three Thanksgivings & Christmases I spent away from home) I actually liked pulling duty on the Tac site, and would try to arrange it. I found "standing a post" (which in my case meant sleeping in a warm workshop and tinkering with the radars on an as-needed basis) far more meaningful and less lonesome than hanging out at the barracks.
Then there's MY Thanksgiving day fire story...
When I was living in Chicago a group of us would celebrate at a friend's condo. It was a pleasant space, but the kitchen barely accommodated one person, and there were four of us. So I retired to the living room, by the bookshelves and the fireplace, to allow the others to fuss over things.
As I mentioned, I was by the fireplace. I was browsing through one of my friend's books when Toni came dashing out of the kitchen, grabbed the fire extinguisher, and ran back into the kitchen. For the record, there were no sounds of distress or alarm coming from the kitchen, and so I watched this little dance a sense more of curiosity than dread. After a moment, I set the book down and walked into the kitchen to see what was up.
The gas line to one of the burners on the stove had broken off, and blue flames were jetting our all around the top of the stove.
Meanwhile, my friend Toni had bollocksed up the handles on the fire extinguisher and couldn't get it to work
So I got to be manly me, took it from her, flipped the handles around to their correct position, and knocked down the fire. We then pulled the stove away from the wall and shut off the gas.
But that's not the funny part.
The funny part is that all of the pots on the stove were covered, the turkey was already done and set aside, so none of the food was ruined by the chemicals. A few things needed to be finished in the microwave, but after that, dinner was served. The next day, the friend who owned the condo purchased a new stove.
BAHAHAHAHAHA! That's like A Towering Inferno three-second rule. Like, it's okay, let's go ahead and eat it. Great story. Kitchen fires that don't end in death are usually pretty funny. I have no idea why.
There's a scene in the movie "The Doors" where Morrison (Val Kilmer in one of his best roles) and girlfriend (I'd have to look the actress up) are having a melt down on Thanksgiving day, the turkey comes out of the oven unfinished, and one of the Roadies is just, "Fuck it, man. Let's eat this bird!")
I used to work for the post office. I loved working Christmas. The postal planes carried express mail into Phoenix, I would drive down to the airport pick it up, take it to my office and then all alone and deliver express mail. I always wore a Santa jacket and cap. I delivered engagement rings, late presents and documents.
People were so grateful. And it was so fun.
You're cool. Seriously. You're just a cool person. Anyone who would wear a Santa jacket and cap to their job is A-okay in my book.
That sense of special purpose -- it is it's own kind of gift.
I'm so glad you have found a truly healthy and fulfilling relationship. Don't they say the not-so-great moments help us to appreciate the wonderful moments all the more? Happy Thanksgiving!
I had to kiss a lot of toads before I found my prince, that's for sure. Thank you, my friend. And please have a lovely, wonderful, warm, food-filled Thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving, Stacey. Thank you for unknowingly helping to keep me on an even keel. I mean this in the best possible way, but you're like a walking "HOLD MY BEER!" moment. Just when I think I've done some of the dumbest @#$%&*^ things imagineable...well, you know. It's good to know that I have company.
I hope your Thanksgiving with John is relaxing and enjoyable, even though both of you are halfway around the world away from home.
I love your stories, and I admire your willingness to share them. Don't ever change.❤️
BAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I feel so seen! That's exactly who I am!
No, you do not have the market cornered on dumb s**t. I take full responsibility for my portion of it. And the more people try to flex on social media, post shamelessly edited selfies, tell outrageous whoppers about their lives, the more I want to double down on detailing my worst moments. Pretension is odious.
Aren’t most Turkey days pablum? Gobble Gobble.🤪
Thinking about you, cuz. Hope all is well. I know Eskelin family gatherings are potentially ... fraught.
Tru dat. On the road for this one at brothers. No cooking or cleaning. Life is Mui Bella! ❤️
I’m not in your league, not even close. Have absolutely nothing to report. However, I’ll take this opportunity to say that “Home for the Holidays” is maybe the best dysfunctional family film ever, and the lamp bit is pure gold. And now that I’ve said that, I need to see it again, somehow.
Dammit, Cheryl, now I have to watch it. A recommendation coming from you? You can take that to the bank. I just looked it up, and it seems like a lot of dysfunctional fun. I hope you're having a lovely holiday non-holiday.
But be forewarned that our taste in movies is very different. Sorry, but I despise the Coen brothers’ films. I know, I know. We’ll fight about it over a bottle of wine sometime.
Okay, I gave it a try. Got about an hour into it. Terrific cast (I’m a huge Geraldine Chaplin fan), and I can see why you like Home for the Holidays. Holly Hunter is terrific in everything she does, and Anne Bancroft puts them all to shame. What a talent! Amazing. Ultimately, though, there wasn’t enough narrative momentum for me to stay with it, but that in no way casts aspersions on your tastes.
Ah, but that means you missed Geraldine Chaplin's finest moments! What I like about this movie is simply the the dynamics of the family, the fly-on-the-wall experience of watching them embarrass themselves and say/reveal things they shouldn't and be vulnerable, and the sadness and nostalgia and even grief that comes from watching your loved ones change or finding yourself in a life you never imagined and certainly didn't want. And there's a particular tender humor to it too. So I don't miss the narrative momentum. To me it's the movie equivalent of a quiet novel. By the way, where did you find it? I'd love to see it again.
Okay, so prepare to be shocked. Or possibly thank me. I know it's wrong--I admit it's wrong--but marooned out here in the Italian hinterlands, I would go mad without it. If you have a good ad blocker, go to fmovies dot coffee and you can watch any movies, TV series, or documentary series your heart desires. Even Romanian New Wave, which is my favorite. EVERYTHING. Without downloading or uploading. It's not Pirate Bay.