Always a satisfying hike out to the Wachovia Center as long as the Sixers win. The game Monday night was over by halftime and I could not be happier. I felt a bit weird walking around the complex though because everyone was focused on raising money for Katrina victims. I was wearing my VooDoo fest black hoodie, but no one commented on it which was fine. I just felt like my presence should be known, that the people that these Philadelphians were supporting was me. Well not directly, but indirectly. I walked around wondering how many folks had a face to put on the tragedy. Before the game began, I ran down to courtside to try to get the attention of Chris Anderson. He really had no reason for recognizing me, but one night four months ago we had played poker at the same table in Harrah's for about two hours. Not only was he one of the tallest men I've ever seen in person, but he was a true celebrity celebrating. He was throwing his cash around, spilling tequila shots on the carpet. It made no sense for him to be sitting at the 3-6 Hold Em' tables but there he was in his glory. During warmup he sidled over to the scorers table and within earshot of me. I yelled, "Hey Chris!" He flashed me a cross between a gang sign and a peace sign. I responded, "Harrah's. Poker. New Orleans. How ya doin'?" He yelled, " Beat up man, beat up." I don't think we connected. For all I know, he just thought that I was a tourist who happened to see him on my visit there. I could have come up with something more genuine or pertinent like: the city's coming back, My refridgerator looks like shit, or I'm not voting for Nagin in February. That might have gotten at least a smile. So it goes.
Finished the graphic novel "V for Vendetta" today. Great read. It has an air of intelligence that I should have expected from Alan Moore. Loaded with poetry and famous quotes. They are making a movie of it that is coming out in March. Hugo Weaving (Matrix) will be playing V and Natalie Portman will play the female lead. I've already seen the poster and it is stellar.
Thanksgiving was a complete success. We had a veritable feast featuring fried turkey, vegetable laced stuffing, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce. The dessert was a homemade apple pie. All of it was delicious even though my mother harped on the fact that the mashed potatoes had way too much garlic and the apple slices in the pie were a bit too thin. Afterwards we played scrabble and my sister beat me for the first time. I even hit a bunch of the triple word scores but to no avail. The following night after a dinner that included my mom, sister, step dad, my step brother, his girlfriend and my step sister we played an amazing game called Apples to Apples. The main gist is you get seven cards that each have a noun on it. The person leading the round picks a card with an adjective on it and you attempt to present the most appropriate noun in your hand. If yours is chosen you win the hand. The game lends itself to hilarity. After the game I went out with Krishna to the Annex, a local bar in Princeton. I found myself overwhelmed by familiar faces of kids from my high school who I hadn't seen in five years. I approached very few in order to escape the awkward conversations that involve catching up. I finally flew back to New Orleans and was pleasantly surprised by the 75 degree weather. School begin again on Monday and I am apprehensive. I need to finish my progress reports and generally organize my classroom. I have a lot of preparation to do tomorrow so I plan on getting some sleep and crack at it in the morning. Much other news to discuss, but I'm feeling tired and uninspired. Sweet dreams and I hope y'all didn't miss me too much.
