Good morning, Wednesday. As many of you prepare for turkey and stuffing and extreme food eating, I hope you are feeling thankful for family, friends, health, and the wealth of having food on the table and a roof over your head. After the events of the past few weeks- between Hurricane Sandy and so much unrest in the Middle East, I'm humbled.
But what I'm really thankful for this year is the fact that my country did the right thing and re-elected Obama. As I watched the build-up to the election, I talked to David at length about what it was about Romney and the right in general that felt, well, so wrong. Besides obvious differences in how I perceive my body and life as an American, there's something else. Romney was not a rebel. And Paul Ryan and his "Rage" did not make him a rebel either. I believe in my heart of hearts that what makes this country great is our rebelliousness- sure there's a bit of a swag that some may perceive as arrogant, but we kick it our own way, and there's no Prez more indicative of our love for rebels than Obama. He represents what it means to challenge the odds, overcome, and do things one's own way. And as we all watched and wondered if squeaky clean Romney would take the White House, I realized that this country loves a rebel. That's why we love Chris Christie, too, ps. He's a big mafia don of a man with a big heart and a tell it like it is kind of appeal. He sure doesn't fit the mold of politicians in this day of age, and regardless of what side of the fence you swing on, you gotta love him. Cause he's a bit of a rebel. And he doesn't take no shit from nobody. In this country, we have a long love affair with the rebels, the "mad ones", they ones in everythng from literature (Kerouac) to acting (Dean, Brando) to business (Jobs) that just plain insist on doing int their own way.
And last night I was watching "The Voice", a show I am completely riveted to, and not just because Adam Levine is dreamy (he is). What I am loving about this season's singing challenge is that America is voting for all of the rebellious singers- the guy with the long hair who sounds like Bill Withers and wears oddly shaped vintage suits, the girl with the two tone black and white hair who sings in a bit of a whisper, and the over the top Southern gay boy who sang Beyonce's "Crazy in Love" with great aplomb and camp this week. See, the thing is, mediocre is no longer good enough. Being weird and eccentric and a bit of a kook is what sets a person apart, and America as a country is founded on such values- after all, we left England, did our own thing, and then found our way. And I just love that America is getting all rebellious- states legalizing pot, gays getting married, having a President that listens to Jay Z while he works out. The tide is turning, friends, and the rebels may just save the day.
I for one am thankful that somehow I have clung to my own rebel soul- if you know me you know I go my own way- yea I can tow the line too, but I do things my way for the most part, and always have. And I suppose I'm thankful that people pay me to say and do things my way, because they like my little take on things. So this year as I eat tryptophan laced turkey and way too much stuffing (it's inevitable), I'll be thanking those around me for putting up with my rebelliousness, and also looking forward to celebrating individualism- all the way from 1600 Pennsylvania to my television. Oh and yea, I know Adam Levine is not really a rebel. He's just cute.
And that's what's up this most favorite holiday eve of mine in the beautiful and soon balloon filled city of Manhattan. Give thanks for who you are today, regardless of what others may think, you're better off doing your own thing. XO