Home is Where The Movies Are

Today I wanna talk to you guys about one of the most important things to the general person. That would be our “home” and the perception we have of what home is. A home isn’t necessarily a physical entity but more so a place where one feels the utmost comfort and satisfaction. A “home” might reassemble a favorite memory from the past or be a moment in time where you feel nothing but pure joy.  The common statement “I felt right at home”, serves as a perfect example of this. For me, and the sake of RI-CONIC, two of my all-time favorite “home” experiences are quite common ones that I used to consistently spent with my dad and brother. Pretty much from the moment of my birth, I would be sitting at my dad’s side watching classic movies. Growing up, one of my dad’s favorite movies was the sensational Star Wars “A New Hope”, the first installment of a soon to be groundbreaking franchise. Naturally by the time I was 10 years old, myself along with my brother who would then be 8, had been exposed to the greatness of Star Wars quite a bit. I remember watching any of the first 6 episodes several times a weekend with both my dad and brother and being able to recite the lines of each movie. IT NEVER GOT OLD. 11 years later, the newest installment of Star Wars came out in “Rogue One” just in time for my dad’s birthday so, naturally, I had to get 3 tickets for his birthday gift. As I was sitting in the theatre with my dad and brother loving all the original character cameos along with going crazy at the last scene (if you’ve seen it you know exactly what I’m talking about), I felt exactly the same as I did almost a decade earlier. I felt at home. To me watching Star Wars is home. They may just appear to be 8 really well made sci-fi action movies about an almost never ending intergalactic struggle for peace, but to me Star Wars is my child hood. It is a rainy Saturday afternoon in 2005 with nothing to do but listen to my dad read the intro to each movie as loud and epic as possible, listen to Yoda drop some poorly worded knowledge, and then watch a great lightsaber battle action sequence in pure awe. Star Wars is something I will always be able to share with my dad and brother and for that, I absolutely cherish it. The impact this movie franchise has left on my life is one I will never forget and because of that, every time it comes on, I will always feel at home when I watch it.

Another “home” for me in life has to do with my love for the game of baseball. I played baseball for about 15 years and have always loved the sport. I’m a very passionate Philadelphia Phillies fan and grew up surrounded by the game itself. Playing, watching, or even just reading about baseball has been an oasis for me. I find the game to be very beautiful, testing, and rewarding. One of my favorite all-time movies, The Field of Dreams, is a perfect depiction of the love for the game.

The film uses baseball as an escape from the negative aspects in the characters lives. For many, this is a reality as well in their lives. When playing the game of baseball, everything else seems to slip away and all that remains is the smell of fresh cut grass and dirt. The crack of a bat and the sound of your team mates constantly screaming absurd nonsense at the opposing dugout. For me, this is my home. Baseball is a paradise where only baseball exists. The mental chess game between opposing teams, baserunner and shortstop, pitcher and batter is intoxicating. Being able to cleat up and only focus on getting in the opposing pitchers head for a few hours served as my perfect escape. The feeling of making a game saving play, game winning hit, or shutting down the other teams offense is something that will never leave me. Walking out onto any baseball field will allow for these feelings to return and for me to reminisce on many good and occasionally bad times. Baseball served as my teacher and friend growing up. I learned how to overcome obstacles both mental and physical. I learned how to grow from my mistakes and watch them turn into success. Most importantly, I watched myself become a man. Baseball made me the person I am today. My life has been perfectly reflected in the sport of baseball, therefor whenever I step onto the field, I remember the path I’ve taken and am able to reflect upon it. Baseball reminds me of who I am, baseball is my home.