I primarily blame the events surrounding Thanksgiving 1987 for my disdain of this holiday. Getting a long weekend still rocks but spending it with (either) family is equivalent to being a WWII POW for me; as a Nibblonian once said, “There’s nothing to do but eat and crap. It’s like going to my parents’ house!” What about with friends? Those have been pretty cool…when they’re mine. Again my parents’ and grandparents’ friends were alright, it was their kids who were a source of friction.
Fifteen years ago, Thanksgiving moved from being a dreadful week filled with overeating, sleeping and/or working (1982-1994) to being an optimistic resting point before the Christmas-shopping blitz.
My first in Austin was pretty cool as Patricia and I ad libbed our way through the day. I couldn’t enjoy it completely. My relationship and job were on the skids with Doc, Patricia was leaving for France in a couple weeks and not much was open to give my friend the proper experience.
Twelve months later, my world had turned around. The temp gig at Apple solved my financial solvency. I had a greater appreciation of Austin. Most importantly, matters between Doc and me had healed to the point of being similar to our Marquette days. I also had become his go-to part timer with the dorm (I bet I can still give an accurate tour of University Towers!) and not a political liability.
The key thing triggering my reminiscing was our recent acquisition of the entire Toy Story trilogy on Blu-Ray. Before you ask, no, we don’t have a new kick-ass HD TV. Somara’s clever logic drove the purchases. I was happy with the plain DVD on sale at Fry’s for $13. However, my wife won the debate by stating it would be stupid to buy these again once we (ever) get the 47″ Vizio LED-backed LCD set we agree on. We used to have Toy 1 & 2 DVDs but they grew legs or something after we moved into our house in 2001.
Watching Pixar’s first feature movie on our puny TV wasn’t as spectacular as when Doc and me saw it on opening night in 1995. I remember all the anticipation I had. Not much else was living up to its hype that year: Batman Forever (forgotten); Judge Dredd (dreadful); Waterworld (ridiculed too easily); and Strange Days (I loved it, masses hated it). To be fair though, Apollo 13, Goldeneye and Get Shorty rocked. Either way, there was an air of excitement for a feature-length flick using computer-based animation. Before then, Pixar did shorts I recognized at festivals and previous attempts like Tron or The Last Starfighter were mocked. Little did everyone in queue know how much was riding on this; Pixar’s John Lasseter and Steve Jobs gambled the company according to recent things I read, the DVD’s extra features confirms the risks taken.
After we left the theater, I remember Doc and me discussing how amazing it was. The dimensional effects with light and shadow, the articulation of the toys (Pixar had a ways to go on people and animals); and most importantly, what a great execution of the plot. I have always argued that Lasseter could’ve done this through traditional hand-drawn animation with the same result. He proved how much story trumps technology.
The overall good mood the movie provided and my improved situation carried over to Thanksgiving day. Neither of us had plans so we chose to work at Towers, clear out room assignments and other paperwork. We couldn’t have picked a better day. No chances of unscheduled tours, no other staff members to bug us, namely the GM (Gene probably bolted to Wisconsin for the week), no it’s-on-fire emergencies to destroy our momentum. When it comes to assigning freshmen roommates from upper-middle class (and richer) families, doing the New York Times crossword in pen would be an easier puzzle to solve; concentration matters.
Normally having to work would seem lousy. I didn’t mind. As a temp with Adia, I had earned the 440 hours to be paid for the holiday already so this was gravy. I wanted the additional money anyway. I planned on finally coming through with thoughtful gifts to give my family and friends. Then came the flight to Baltimore at year’s end with Jose and the Silders; I owed Hoser a plane ticket so I needed enough to cover a pair.
The time Doc and I spent flew by. We made some decent headway on the rooms/suites. I think we were on the cusp of mailing letters which could actually back the March 1 deadline the contract contained. The satisfaction of a productive day and possibly a less stressful Spring in 1996.
Five PM rolled around so we had a nice Thanksgiving-esque dinner at the Good Eats Cafe on Burnet Road (it’s gone, went under after 2000). We probably would’ve taken in another movie, maybe see Goldeneye again but I had to work at Apple on Black Friday.
It was a low-key, unusual Thanksgiving but it was the first one I completely enjoyed in years.
Do I enjoy it now? Sure since it’s time I spend with Somara and our cats. Would I like to spend it with friends? Yes but they’re busy with their families which is cool. Would I like to spend it with my family? I’ll see what I can do. My brother lives in Chicago which has two of the worst/busiest/overpriced airports in America. Plus Midwestern weather at this time of year, blech! However, I’m willing to swing it since my nephew Nick’s birthday is around the same time. One year we hope to try.
