Why I Hate Thanksgiving 2018 - by Wal Ozello

Anyone that knows me knows that I loathe Thanksgiving. Hate it. Absolutely hate it.

It’s mainly because I’m forced to eat that damn turkey. Who the heck willingly eats turkey any another day of the year? It’s a nasty bird, folks. There are so many other succulent options.

The other part I hate is the forced get-togethers. Just because it’s the fourth Thursday of November, I must, have to, and am required to go see people. Understand that I don’t hate people, nor do I hate my family. I hate the idea I’m FORCED to see them due to a certain day in the calendar. Add in all the stress with coordinating schedules, time, food, seats, groceries, political opinions… and that damn turkey: well, I’m exhausted before the week even starts.

This year is a little different for me. About a week ago, I got the sad news that my cousin passed away and last Saturday I made the trek up to Cleveland to see my family and pay my respects. She was a wonderful woman, kind person, and great mom. And despite the unfortunate circumstances, it was a blessing to see my extended family together to celebrate her life. As I parted ways with my cousins, many of us talked about planning a day to see each other during the summer. Life is too short and we need to cherish the moments with our loved ones as much as we can. I had lost one my dear friends at the coffee shop earlier in the year and realized you never know when you may not see someone again.

Which got me thinking about this Thanksgiving and what the holiday is really about… and I had my Grinch of Thanksgiving moment where my heart grows three sizes.

Thanksgiving isn’t about turkey.

It’s not about cleaning the house, getting out the fine china, the number of chairs at the table, the food being served, the car ride, the Macy’s Day parade, who’s coming, who’s not, having the perfect meal, which football game to watch or tolerating someone’s political views.

It’s about being grateful for each other.

I think that’s what I hate most about Thanksgiving. The celebration of thanking each other for being in our lives is bundled up and reserved for one day only.

I think we should do that every day.

So, please, forget about the stress of the day and planning for perfection. Just enjoy the moments you have… and keep on enjoying them as long as you can.

From all of us at the Pencilstorm offices, to everyone out there in rock n roll land. We wish you and yours a happy Thanksgiving. We’re grateful to have you as readers.

Wal Ozello is a science fiction techno-thriller novelist and the author of Assignment 1989 ,  Revolution 1990, and Sacrifice 2086. He's the lead singer of the former Columbus rock band Armada. On Thanksgiving morning, you’ll find him at Colin’s Coffee at the counter. During the day he’ll be cooking Beef Tenderloin, Garlicy Artichoke Hearts, Butter Sauteed Mushrooms and Marshmallow Crusted Mashed Sweet Potatoes. No Turkey.

I Hate Thanksgiving by Wal Ozello

I hate Thanksgiving. Hate it. Loathe it. Despise it.

It started as child when I was forced to watch that annoying Macy’s parade. The inflatable balloons of Snoopy and the Red Baron, Kermit, or Papa Smurf looked miniature plastic figures swimming across my TV screen. The singers who showed up lip syncing to musical tracks while dancing on moving floats seemed like dozens of Milli Vanilli’s in a row. And while a marching band always moves me beyond belief in person, experiencing them miles away on my couch was certainly not as awe inspiring.

I could never get away from the Macy’s Day parade as it was on every channel. (We had only three at the time.)

Later in the day, I was forced to watch football. Born and raised in Cleveland, I rarely saw my Browns play on Thanksgiving Day. I was left to watch some other team lose to the Dallas Cowboys that Thursday. I couldn’t even be justifiably disappointed on Thanksgiving.

I was also forced to eat that awful food. Turkey. Yuk. What other time of year do you cook turkey?  You don’t because it’s a nasty tasting bird. It’s full of tough meat that even the richest gravy can’t elevate to the lusciousness of prime rib or fluffiness of sea bass. Mashed potatoes, even with butter, are the equivalent of eating a thick potato milkshake. No texture. No flavor. Stuffing used to be my favorite, until cooking it within the turkey became the standard. Typically, I starve away the day on Thanksgiving sustaining myself on chips, fresh cut vegetables, and coffee.

Worse, yet, is the abundance of leftovers.  Every Thanksgiving feast I’ve been at has been cooked for twice as many people as are in attendance.  Each guest could go home with their own Tupperware containers of turkey meat and my refrigerator is still stocked with dozens of zip lock bags of turkey.  I’m forced to eat it for the next week.

Last year, my wife finally let me cook the Thanksgiving dinner.  I made Prime Rib, sea salted steamed broccoli, marshmallow crusted sweet potatoes, and butter sautéed mushrooms. Done in less than 90 minutes. Best Thanksgiving meal ever.

I think what annoys me most about Thanksgiving is I’m forced to be thankful. Why do we need a holiday to commemorate thankfulness?  Being grateful shouldn’t be a forced requirement every fourth Thursday in November. As human beings, and especially as Americans, we should be grateful every day of the year. Grateful that when I turn on my faucet, water comes out. That the street I live on is paved. When it gets cold I can turn on the heat and when it gets hot I can cool down with central air. I can buy Star Wars tickets weeks in advance and use free wi-fi just about where ever I go. I can choose to like Donald Trump or I can hate him. And when it comes times to vote… everybody can. It doesn’t matter what genitalia you have or what your skin color is.

We should give thanks every day.

Even though Thanksgiving is my least favor holiday of the year, I’ll be grateful that day. But not because I’m forced to, but because I want to. But when my wife passes me the plate of turkey meat, I’ll politely say, “No, thanks.”

Wal Ozello is a science fiction techno-thriller novelist and the author of Assignment 1989 ,  Revolution 1990, and Sacrifice 2086. He's a resident of Upper Arlington, Ohio and a frequent customer at Colin's Coffee.

Thanksgiving Couldn't Have Come At A Better Time by Wal Ozello

Let's be honest. The world is really messed up right now.

Ferguson. Immigration. Healthcare. All polarizing events that are splitting the country in half. You're either for the decisions that have been made by those leading the government or against them. The emotion behind everyone's conversation seems to rise to a boil instantly.

ISIS. Ebola. Crisis that are affecting the whole world. Sure, they are over-sensationalized by the media but they are very real and a threat to all of our livelihoods.

These big issues shadow other stories that would have been big news otherwise: Bill Cosby's rape allegations, the 12 year old that was killed by policeman for brandishing a BB gun, the fraternities suspended for gang rape at the University of Virginia.

Oh... and by the way... the Nigerian school girls that were kidnapped back in April? Still missing.

Personally, this hasn't been a great year for the world around me. I've got friends who are sick with cancer, friends who have died, and several friends that have recently lost their jobs.

2014 is one depressing year.

So with racism, rape, death, and terrorism flooding the headlines, what in the world can we be thankful for?

A lot.

As you sit down to enjoy your Thanksgiving meal, here are some "Thanks-Starters":

1) You have food in front of you. (obvious one)

2) You're surrounded by family and friends. (Even if you're uncle's a douchbag)

3) We live in a country where there is due process and a trial system. (We also have the ability to protest without repercussions in the event we believe justice isn't served.)

4) We have easy access to the world's best healthcare. (If we can't afford it, the government's going to end up footing the bill from the ER.)

5) The media is really good at punishing those that have sinned in the public eye. (Cosby may never face trial for his accused rape charges, but his legacy has flipped from the jello pudding man to rapist.)

6) By comparison to the rest of the world, we're really rich.

This is just the beginning of things we can be grateful for. I believe there's still good in this world. It's there to be found. Sometimes you have to pull up every stone that's been thrown and check under it.

From everyone here at Pencilstorm, we wish you, your families, and your friends, a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Wal Ozello is  a science fiction techno-thriller novelist and the author of Assignment 1989: The Time Travel Wars  and Revolution 1990. He's a resident of Upper Arlington, Ohio and a frequent customer at Colin's Coffee.

Learn more about Wal Ozello and other Pencilstorm contributors by clicking here