I struggled endlessly to decide what to write about for this post. I started and deleted about 5 different newsletters. As December hits, I find myself in a bit of a head fog, a bit of a daze. I feel burnt out. Burnt out on how to write, how to stack, how to do online talk, how to plot, how to draw - I hate every new doodle I start. I'm absolutely fried. And, no wonder - aren't we all? It's nearly the end of the year, after all. A long year. I had my third baby, went back to work, and sold, wrote and wrapped up a book. I am....feeling it all. And now, as the light fades into winter darkness, everything's warm and cozy and fairy lights twinkling, so here in this post, I don't want to write, worry or stress out.
So for today, lets just relax and have fun with me and my favourite part of the holiday season - the movies!
Specifically, Home Alone. Not that Home Alone is my all time favourite holiday film, but it's up there for sure. We watch it every year. Would you be shocked to learn it's December 4th and I've watched it already? I have. And I want to share with you the experience of it this year. Maybe it's because I've seen Home Alone so many times and my mind was free to wander, but this year, on my 100000000 viewing of Home Alone, something stood out to me.
"He was in the garage again, playing with the glue gun."
"Didn't we talk about that?"
"Did I burn down the joint? I don't think so. I was making ornaments out of fish hooks."
"My new fish hooks?"
"I can't make ornaments out of the old ones, with dried worm guts stuck on 'em"
(excellent dialogue, no notes)
So now that your brain is replaying this delightful exchange at the start of the film, you might remember that it takes place in Kevin's parents’ bedroom. And that's where I saw it - the bust and the materials all over the desk. OMG, said I. Is this what the McCallisters do?! Is Mrs. McCallister some sort of high powered fashion designer!?! Raising 5 kids and absolutely KILLING IT as a creative and business genius out there in the working world?
Yes, I decided. Yes, that is what is happening in this film.
Curious to find out if I was right, I took to the internet because that is where humanity keeps all its important knowledge and it seems I'm not the only one who noticed these delightful world-building details. Because that’s what these are(to bring things back to writing) - worldbuilding details. Here we are diving deep to see the hidden parts of the iceberg that is Home Alone!
A quick search of "What do the McCallisters do for a living" turned up a lot of articles (which, you got me, made me slightly disappointed that I wasn't the first person to get to the bottom of this mystery, not even the second - I’m embarrassingly late to the discussion of the McCallister’s careers, it seems). Many of them were titled some iteration of "What did Kevin's Dad do for a living?"
I'm sure Peter McAllister was great at whatever he did, whether he worked or was a stay at home dad. But, I must argue, it was Kate who brought home the big Paris vacation bucks*.
Exhibit A: "The pizza guy needs a 122.50" Peter looks to Kate to pay the pizza delivery guy, and she pulls a fat wad of cash from her wallet. A pretty solid case.
Exhibit B: She has a HUUUUGE address book. When she pulls out her phone book at the airport so everyone can start calling ANYONE that might help them get to Kevin, she hands her sister-in-law a address book roughly the size and weight of a brick. Perfect for keeping track of all her fancy business contacts much like Miranda Priestly's roladex in the Devil Wears Prada.
Exhibit C: She is impeccably dressed, always. Again, very much like Miranda Priestly.…She... she might also be Miranda Priestly? The second movie does take place in New York.
Anyway, I had to confirm if my sleuthing on this notion that Kate was the breadwinner was correct and, as one must, I looked to the internet to see if our thinking aligned. It did for the most part. I can’t find any mention of the massive address book as an important clue (did everyone just have massive address books in the 90s?!), but oh well.
Anyway, I am all about diving into fan theories for popular films now. If you have a juicy one, I beg you to share it !
* Yes, I know, it was Peter’s brother who paid for the trip, but the point still stands.
Doodle
I ran out of time but here's an oldie!
What I'm Working On
NOTHING! I’ll be taking a run at my middle grade work-in-progress and my graphic novel but for the most part, I'm shutting it all down for the rest of the month as I try to navigate the holiday season. I'm sending you lots of good vibes and warm wishes for December - lots of presents and good food and wonderful reads!:)
Reading anything good?
I watched this the night before you posted this haha! It's fate. Also Catherine O'Hara is perfection.
Loved your drawing and the deep dive. This was the perfect read for this frazzled writer :) We've already watched both too. Looking forward to a rewatch!