S1,E6: Season 1 Finale - The Hotdish Episode

Hello, Americans.

Did you know Latvians have had a major impact on your culture?

Probably more impactful than any other nation in the world, at least we like to think so.

Without Latvians, your jeans would fall apart at the seams, but thanks to Jacob Davis and his copper rivets, they don’t.

Where would you be without the party jam Shamrocks and Shenanigans, probably listening to Technotronic on repeat.

Scary, right? Leor Dimant, aka DJ Lethal, solved that problem and now you can boom sha lock lock boom to your heart’s content.

Finally, we have Arvids Blumentals. Who the f@#k is that, right?

Well without him, you’d never say, “that’s not a knife.”

This real life Crocodile Dundee allegedly killed 10,000 crocs and inspired the hit movie and its sequel.

Not the third one though. We do not recognize the third one.

So why not come to Latvia? Maybe you’ll meet the inspiration for a Summer blockbuster.

Latvia – We are culture.

[Mom]

[Kid]

Ok, the bus’ll be here in a minute - have you got your shoes packed?

Can I just wear my shoes?

No! There is a foot of snow on the ground!

Ugh, fine, I’ll pack them but….I can only find one.

Awfer Pete’s sake, the other one is under the snowpants you threw on the floor yesterday. Wait! Don’t put your boots on before your snowpants! Heavens to Betsy, we’re going to miss the bus.

Ok pull this boot off mom.

No! I have to get my own snowpants on! Where the heck are my base mittens? Awfer Pete’s sake, I left them in the car. I guess one pair’ll have to be enough. Do you have your balaclava?

Um, I left it at school.

Awfer Pete’s sake, ok take this scarf and these two hats and let’s go. [door opens]

Do you think we’re late? [door shuts]

Yes we’re late, there’s the bus! Run!

[yelled from a distance] Is my coat in my backpack?

Fer cryin out loud!!

[Superhero 1]

[Batman]

[Narrator]

“Hey, Batman…. You going to the Christmas Party Saturday?”

“Ugh, yeah….but I hope Superman doesn’t ask to carpool again.”

“Ha ha, I hear ya - that guy’s a mess after hitting the egg nog.”

Even superheros have office parties, and they’ve all RSVPed. All of them.

“Hey, I guess Black Widow and Spiderman are going together… [scoff] I mean, a little on the nose, right?”

Who will win the ‘least collateral damage’ award? Who will blab all over the place about their secret identity? And who will leave with a tear in their spandex? This December, it gets powerfully awkward. Starring every single one of your favorite superheros: Hellboy, Gambit, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Captain America, Captain Marvel, Black Panther, Wolverine, Deadpool, Antman, Groot, Hulk, The Flash, Storm, Shuri, Green Lantern, Green Arrow, Ironman, Thor, Star Lord, Nick Fury, Professor X, Hawkeye, Nighthawk, Beast, The Thing, Jean Gray, Rocket Racoon, Cyclops, The Wasp, Mirage, Dr. Strange, Shazam, War Machine, Angel, Winter Soldier, Gamora, Mr. Fantastic, Vision, Iceman, Colossus, The Invisible Woman, Okoye, Falcon, Drax the Destroyer, and The Human Torch.

Anoka, MN: The Halloween Capital of the World

That’s right - not the State, not the Country, but the WORLD!

According to americaslibrary.gov, Anoka claims this title because, in 1920, the town began a week-long celebration of Halloween that was focused on the FUN parts of the holiday - the TREATS, if you will - while discouraging the trickery associated with some historical traditions. Namely, the ancient Celtic sacrifices of crops and animals meant to appease the deities, for whom the Celts would build bonfires, dress in costumes, and prophesize. Then the Romans came and it all went the way of every other timeline in the history of white people - appropriation, colonization, commodification.

BUT I DIGRESS. Anoka was just getting on board with the more recent thinking that Halloween should be nothing but a chance to gather the community for some fun times. They put together a parade, a 5k run, and competitions that include a pumpkin bake-off and house decorating.

And as Garfield the cat says: CANDY CANDY CANDY CANDY CANDY.

So now when you approach each house and declare TRICK OR TREAT, think of Anoka, where they’ve made great strides in ensuring that you’ll always receive and treat and never a trick.

You’re Welcome.

Love,

MN