Turkey(less) Day

Today is the day before Canadian thanksgiving, a holiday that dates back to 1578 where English settlers gave thanks for surviving the long journey from England over the Atlantic Ocean through monstrous storms and icebergs. French settlers within Nouveau France of the 17^th century on the other hand gave thanks for a successful harvest crop and shared feasts with indigenous people in the area. The true essence of thanksgiving is marginally enrooted in modern day traditions, though seems to diminish each year as it appears increasingly outdated and irrelevant. Now a days people try to one up traditional thanksgiving with “minor” alterations and rather substitute in place something a little more relatable and avant-garde. Though some people may prefer preserving traditional aspects of the holiday, evolution is an inevitable and funny thing. Let me enlighten you with some of these apparent transitional components added to Turkey(less) day.

1)  Feasting and giving thanks for the growth in harvest crops once manifested the elemental aspect of the holiday, which is translated and equivalent in modern day for giving thanks for the new iphone5, satellite cable and the ability to "pvr" breaking bad while one catches up on other deeply committed shows.

2)  Perhaps instead of roasting the entire turkey, families substitute apparently dry and tasteless turkey with pork loin, mincemeat charlotte or even turkeyless feasts that include vegetables, tofu and sugarless cake. The original cranberry sauce, stuffing and steamed greens is substituted with cranberry glazed sweet potatoes or brussel sprouts with pecans. I for one am not a fan of traditional thanksgiving dinners, so these alterations are welcomed in with open arms.

3)  A day where we are not ashamed to eat in excessive amounts requires napping intervals in between each food round. Though one will remain overwhelmed and deprived from rest as the ipod, ipad, iphone and macbook pro is bundled in front of the device holder, taunting them to play bejewelled or check updates on their instagram and twitter every 5 minutes or so. Try letting go of all devices today, but then again I am writing this post and you are reading it.

Furthermore thanksgiving marks the kickoff to my favourite season; fall. Where the lively green outside turns a blended mélange of red, orange and brown. Summer wear is neatly tucked away into a polyethylene container, and the light jackets and knits are worn until expended, or simply altered and fixed. After purchasing a pair of boots at a 50% off fire sale this past summer, you are given the chance to break into them once and for all. Leather pants. My god the leather pants. A climate where it is finally appropriate to slip on a pair of leather pants without feeling heated and slightly light headed. I will wrap up this party as I myself would like to indulge on some thanksgiving foodtivities in my sweats and t-shirt. Tomorrow I will be 5 pounds heavier, I'm willing to live with that.

Photos by: Anil

Knit Sweater- Club Monaco

Plaid Shirt- Wings & Horns

Leather pants- Urban Outfitters

Jean Timberlands