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I did these on the podcast this week but since they were originally conceived for this blog I figured I might as well post them. These are cultural influences that I truly believe if removed would actually alter my life in some way. They’re in a chronological order.

5. Action Figures. I’m not thinking of one in particular, just action figures in general. I had a bin of them that I used to play with for hours of imaginative cultivation. Every now and then my parents would take me to the mall and we’d go into Toys ‘R Us and I would be allowed to pick out a new one. I had everything from Batman to Ninja Turtles to Earthworm Jim to Reboot; you name it. Those times definitely instilled within me a very powerful and definitive imagination that still exists to this day.

4. The Chronicles Of Narnia. C.S. Lewis’ seven book fantasy masterpiece that I first read during a summer up at my cottage. These books appealed to my previously mentioned imagination and took me to places I still fondly look back upon. The idea of discovering a secret world was about the greatest thing I ever heard and to this day I keep my eyes open just in case. I re-read them almost every year and still enjoy what they have to teach; the guy was one of the smartest men to ever write.

3. Boy Meets World. The symbolism behind the title to this show was certainly true in my experience with it. Corey Matthews’ misadventures (seemingly) taught me more about life than my own limited experience could ever hope to achieve. Of course that’s the irony of watching a show about a character roughly the same age as you learning from everyday life situations; you end up living your life vicariously through them and miss out on your own opportunities. I have certainly never been more concerned with the outcome of any relationship, fictional or not (possibly including my own) than I was with Corey and Topenga’s. To this day I still believe in my heart that those two are still together since I am incapable of separating their existence with reality.

2. The Get Up Kids. Do you ever listen to songs from the past that seem to conjure up old memories and feelings? That was the Get Up Kids for me. They truly were a significant part of my teenage life, though I don’t think I realized it until later looking back. I had love affairs with many bands, referred to several as “my favourite” and yet none stick out quite like the Get Up Kids. They were by no means extraordinary and certainly will not stick out in music history; there were “better” bands by far. However, their music was with me through so many standout points in my life, both happy and sad, that the vault of feelings and memories that are triggered when I listen to them now make them truly the most important band of my life so far. Certain songs such as Anne Arbour, Campfire Kansas, and Valentine and the memories of their live show will probably be with me for the rest of my life. They shaped those important moments and for that reason, they did play a role in my life.

1. High Fidelity. Despite my love for the cinema, few movies have left quite the impact that this one did. I first saw it in high school and have been watching it ever since. I confess I actually own two copies of it, though that is a separate story. Not only is it funny, witty, and thoroughly entertaining, it has taught me more about relationships than any other single source in my life. This is the movie that taught me that settling isn’t a bad word. It taught me about knowing when things are just good enough. I found a strange semblance of familiarity with Rob Gordon’s sad excuse of a life and realized that I always wanted to own an unsuccessful record store and sit around all day making up top five lists and talking about music. Though many have disagreed with me on the “greatness” of this movie, I will still hold it as my favourite and most significant movie of the past 7 years and for that it takes the number one place on my list.