Horrible First Impressions with Future Best Friends #1

Not really sure what compelled me to be such a dick.  Maybe that chapter from Sideways Stories From Wayside School where Paul pulled Leslie's pigtails.

Cleavage and Fracture

Granted, there were many reasons we broke up.  This was just my favorite.

Doggy and Kitty

I didn't know what it meant- though I inferred it wasn't a kind thing to say.  I don't think the 8-year-old girl who said it knew what it meant either.  Doggy and Kitty was an awesome game, though, and I know you wish you played it with us.

Stuffed-Animals are People Too

 

My dad had delightful nicknames for a handful of these guys, for instance Sara was "the French Waitress," and he called Spot "Debbie."  Drawing these led to a memory of this conversation which may have actually occurred on a ferry, but I'm pretty sure the river was the good ol' muddy Mississippi.

 

 

Also, it's Father's Day.  So thank you, Dad, for all the times you did save me.

The Right Tool for the Job

 

True story.

Ceiling Tiles



 

Apparently some people actually do remember being born in some detail.  There are support groups and everything.  I imagine a support group would be necessary.

The Black Rose

I had always thought that this was my first memory.  It represented that first thought that ventured into complexity... and that something so benign actually stuck, meant that my brain was ready to start retaining.  I also liked it because it's a nice memory- walking with my father and taking note of nature in a way that resonates with my adult personality.

 

It wasn't until later that this being my first memory came into any question.  This image is also up for contention:

 

The Little Mermaid came out in November, 1989 and I have a distinct memory of seeing it in theaters and bursting into tears in terror as Ursula was stabbed by the ship.  I would have been three.  The first memory happened when my family lived in a neighborhood in Redding, California.  I was probably also three.  I really have no idea which image represents my first long-term retained memory.  But both are fitting.

Uber-fans of The Little Mermaid will probably notice discrepancies with my image and Ursula's actual death scene.  That is because I drew this from memory.  Frankly, I'm impressed with how close I got.  I forgive myself for the missing trident, as my Ursula obviously just dropped hers, however my weird ship is comically inaccurate and Eric must've jumped overboard.

Preface

In college, I had the opportunity to take a few classes that really stuck with me, that forever changed me and helped me figure out what I really want to do with my life.  Among these classes was Contemporary Memoir, taught by Mikita Brottman, who I just discovered has a wikipedia page.  Way to go!  In this class I was introduced to the works of Charles Bukowski, Alison Bechdel, and Marjane Satrapi to name a few.  Every week, we would be assigned specific moments along with our readings to write brief passages about and then share with the class.  Some of these passages would be very personal and, in sharing, we would be brought closer together.  It had never occurred to me that shared personal non-fiction would be both entertaining to read and therapeutic to write.  Later exposure to the work of David Sedaris and Jeffrey Brown would reinforce this.

Six years later, here I am again.  Memoiring in my spare time.  Enjoy my TMI.