No Children

I recently watched All 3 seasons of Moral Orel. For those who don't know, it's a fairly anti-religious show that aired on Adult Swim. I believe it to be one of the most thought provoking shows I've ever seen.

The first season sets the scene, we're in middle America and everyone is a god fearing Christian. Orel, our hero, parodies Davey and gets himself into all sorts of trouble in the most blasphemous ways possible and at the end of most episodes his father punishes him for the wrong reasons and reinforces bad lessons. This season is simply a lighthearted poke at religion and Christian television in general. Until we reach the season finale "The best Christmas ever" wherein Orel's parents fight and his mom plans to divorce. Orel ends the episode with a little hope "Well God this sure wasn't the best Christmas ever, but it's only 11:57 there's still 3 minutes left. I have faith in you."

Season 2 begins with Orel's dad explaining that him and Orel's mother are staying together for appearances. This is just the beginning of a rocky relationship between Orel's parents. Orel's dad also becomes romantically involved with another man, Orel's Coach at school.
In season 2 we also see:
-Orel's dog get killed by the town because Orel confesses he loves it more than Jesus.
-Orel's best friend has teenagers for parents and his must wait on the front stoop for hours before they let him in.
-Orel isn't allowed to be with a girl because she says the The Lord's Prayer differently.
The season ends with "Nature" in which Orel and his father go on a hunting trip. Orel refuses to shoot any animals and His father is angry with him for it. As the trip continues Orel's dad drinks more and more and as the episode ends he begins to describe his failed relationship and failed life. He begins screaming at Orel and talks about how he will teach Orel to be a man. He picks up his rifle and then the scene zooms out and we hear a gunshot.

I won't spoil too much, but season three is some of the best television I've ever seen. It begins with the song "No Children" by The Mountain Goats. This song sets up Orel's Parent's relationship for the rest of the series. Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVS5rpPW5Pg

I could talk about Moral Orel for hours, I think there's something to be analyzed in every episode of season 3. If you ever have the inclination check the show out from start to finish. It'll give you something to think about.

Ham

I'm out of Ann Arbor and back in SJ. It's nice to be home but it's somewhat depressing at the same time. Not much happens around here, I'd probably go crazy if none of my friends were in town. Perhaps that's just how the Ham life has conditioned me. There's always something to do and always someone to hang out with in A2. So when it's just me, Magic cards, and TV I tend to go a little nuts.

It's sad to think I won't be back in A2 for a while. Iris's birthday is the closest scheduled time. Sometimes I worry when I know I won't see someone for a while, "What if I never see them again?" That's Scary stuff. But this isn't the end for Hamham. Even when September rolls around it won't be the end. 441 Hamilton will be gone but Hamham won't.

Meeting people you can spend 80% of your time with doesn't happen often. So I feel crazy lucky to have found 7 of those people to live with. Thanks Hamham/Packpack for making these last years some of the best of my life.

Imma bee missing that Hamlife.