My Life of Things

Since the age of 10, I have had many fedoras. If that seems like an odd thing for a child to frequently purchase or be gifted, I’ll help with some simple math. I was 10 years old in in 1981. Raiders of the Lost Ark came out that summer. 1 + 1 = Indiana Jones fixation.

Unsurprisingly, it started that Halloween when I needed it for my costume. I was able to piece most of the outfit together with items found or borrowed with the exception of two critical, iconic items.

The whip.* And the hat.

From felt to pleather to leather and more, I have probably gone through a dozen over the decades. This is the most recent one but, as with the others, it came time to part ways. This one had a pretty good run, possibly the longest. I had picked it up in San Francisco’s Chinatown circa 2002. I was there with my then girlfriend (now wife), my sister and her then boyfriend (now douchebag.) I had been in need of a new one for a bit, so made a habit to pop into hat stores to see if I could find the right one. And I did though it was a little too large, truth be told. (That was easily fixed with some discretely placed masking tape on the inside.)

This latest one served me well, especially on Halloween. Much like that fall of ’81, Dr. Jones was a costume well I have returned to often. It’s comfortable, recognizable, fun and, on two occasions, award winning. (Runners up for my most repeated costumes are BeetleJuice and war-paint Braveheart/William Wallace.)

And now, the search begins a new. After all, Harrison played Indy into his 80s, so I guess I can as well.

*I’ve also had a bunch of those with my recent one on display in my office.