THANKSGIVING 11/26/09
I just got up and already it’s getting dark. I ache all over and the bed was so comforting. This is the first time I haven't spent the whole holiday weekend in the newsroom since as far back as I can remember. Now that I'm laid off, I have no invitations.
Yesterday, when the cardiologist admonished me to “be careful tomorrow” I though he was talking about driving and the traffic on the roads. But he added, “It’s the most dangerous meal of the year.” He had no idea what I had planned for Thanksgiving.
I finished doing my writing in the afternoon...
...and I was so pleased with myself that I did get up, get dressed and drive the empty streets to see a documentary about my hero, William Kuntsler. There I ran into a posse of left-wing baby-boomers who had devoted the holiday to a virtuous double feature: An End to Poverty in the afternoon, and Disturbing the Universe in the evening.
To assert my red cred, I had to invoke my Thanksgiving with the Wampanoag at Plymouth 25 years ago.
"Since 1970, Native Americans have gathered at noon on Cole’s Hill in Plymouth to commemorate a National Day of Mourning on the US Thanksgiving holiday. Many Native Americans do not celebrate the arrival of the Pilgrims and other European settlers. To them, Thanksgiving Day is a reminder of the genocide of millions of their people, the theft of their lands, and the relentless assault on their culture. Participants in a National Day of Mourning honor Native ancestors and the struggles of Native peoples to survive today. It is a day of remembrance and spiritual connection as well as a protest of the racism and oppression which Native Americans continue to experience.” http://www.kensavage.com/archives/wampanog-native-americans/
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Arturo and the crew came in to clean while I was still sleeping.
They brought me a massive tin of leftover turkey and ham and dressing, and a plate of pumpkin pie and flan. I don't feel bad. They make more money than I do now.
I don't remember too much after that. I took a couple of pain killers (feels like a broken rib but can't be) but the medication has had no effect except to stupefy me. Stupefaction, not so bad on a holiday weekend.
I know I didn't get out of pajamas for two days. And for my birthday on Saturday I just lay in bed watching Masterpiece Mysteries until 4 a.m. I love that British TV. Do you know Rebecca Eaton's been EP'ing that show since before I worked at 'GBH in 1982? I still have no idea what she does but she always gets thanked at the Emmys.
I could have gone to see "A Hard Day's Night" or "The 39 Steps," but that would have taken way too much effort, like taking a shower or putting on shoes. I can watch both of those movies on my 19-inch 1985 tv (with no remote control because that cost more) which I inherited from my parents' estate. I have both movies on tape. Yeah tape. Somewhere.
Sunday 11/29/09
Today is for homework. I woke up from another dream about being pursued by murderers. Fleeing in cars, boats, the open sea. And then I turn around and my books are being taken away, given away, thrown away. What do you think that means?
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