Hooked For Life

What is “nostalgia”?  The term was actually first used by a Swiss Doctor Johannes Hofer in the 1600’s.  He combined the greek words of nostos (translated as “homecoming”) and algo (“pain”).  I can almost hear the Dad from My Fat Greek Wedding explaining it.  Nevertheless, it seems odd to me that nostalgia should get a bad rap, as I have always had very good thoughts when it comes to nostalgia.  Yet, I may be the “minority report” on that.  For those of you keeping track at home that’s two movie references in just my first paragraph.

So not everyone sees the good old days when looking back.  My Generation (great song by The Who) actually seems to be obsessed with only looking towards the future.  The future is always so bright and the past is well – it’s in the past. We can't change it so if you don’t have very fond memories of the past our advice is to “move on, get over it, let it go.”  But there is always value in learning from the past – good, bad or indifferent as you may be.  You can’t help be who you are today without looking at the experiences you grew up with.

Today with the internet, and something like Facebook (I just got faced!) you can connect with so many people that you haven’t seen or heard from for years!  I’m not just talking a few years here.  I’m talking about childhood friends that you went to grade school with.  It’s all these connections that help you define who you are today.  I can’t tell you what I ate for lunch yesterday but I can tell you the same funny stories over and over again about what my friends and I did when we were twelve.  If you’re like me you’re still laughing just as hard as if it’s the first time you’re telling it.  It’s those laughing until you cry stories that may be one of the best gifts in life.

Recently our family got together to help celebrate our Mom’s 80th birthday.  Nostalgia was celebrated in a big way with many Anne Rooney stories . . . there is now 80 years worth of stories so we had a lot to laugh about.  Happy Birthday, “Mrs. Rooney” – thanks for being born, without you we would have missed a great party!

Hooked For Life Fishing Contest Update.  Just a few weeks left.  The contest awards the heaviest Striped Bass, Fluke and Weakfish.  It costs nothing to enter, and all fish must be weighed in at Jim’s Bait and Tackle (50 Atlantic Avenue, Long Branch, NJ 07740) to qualify.  All fish taken by Rod and Reel by boat or beach are all eligible.  Each winner will receive a Dinner for Two at Rallo’s Restaurante & Bar in Deal (located at the corner of Brighton and Norwood Avenues).  As a grand prize, Jim’s Bait and Tackle will also be awarding a Rod, Reel and Lure combo.    Striped Bass Leader - Travis Skrabel - 38lb, 4 ounce Striper; Fluke Leader - Bill Stubbs’ 7 and ½ pound Fluke; still no weakfish have been weighed in. ***To see ongoing and past columns log onto: www.freewebs.com/hooked_for_life