As with many Gen X most of my influences came from mass-media. In my case these were the ones who helped anchor my development. I could've been a fan of shows like MadMen and the Godfather instead, and having worked with people who were I'm very thankful these were mine.
COURTSHIP OF EDDIE'S FATHER:
I had a habit of also trying to find a replacement parent, often inspired by the antics of Eddie from this show. In one instance I asked an OPP officer assigned to crosswalk duty in Kitchener before and after school if he would date my mother and he asked how old she was. I got home that night and asked mom if “29 years old” was too young for her. She was 41 when I was born.
FAMILY AFFAIR:
There was an episode where the twins, Buffy and Jodie did something wrong and one of them couldn't keep it from their guardian Uncle Bill. The reward was that they got the lesser punishment. This instilled in me the idea that I should be able to negotiate smaller punishments if I told on myself, almost the point where I would engage in reckless behaviours to beat someone to my mom to tattle on myself. At the precipice of maturity I actually cashed in that trust with a lie on something I really didn't want to get flack for. I can't remember the thing I avoided but I do remember realizing it was probably the only time I could cash in that card.
BATMAN:
As a child it was Robin I identified with most. The trusted side-kick helping out the role model. I was also introduced to this at a time when the character would do just about anything to avoid using guns or taking lives. That absolute ran in stark contrast to other "heros" such a the Punisher.
STAR TREK:
The ideas and better angel lessons of the original series formed my ethos for life where I grew less concerned for how I ended up after an encounter than I did for whether the right thing was done. This has been counter productive in many ways, but I've never had a crisis of confidence or faith because of it, and more importantly others have come to my defence many times for standing up my way.
