I’m a bit of a sentimental movie buff. I admit it. Don’t go judging me; not yet, at least. Wait until you get to know me a little better, then have at it.

So let’s get started, with the basis for judgement, that is. Twenty-Seven Dresses was a romantic comedy starring Katherine Heigl that aired back in 2008. It’s a classic story of girl can’t meet boy, and is always a bridesmaid but never a bride. Then, magically, girl meets boy, totally doesn’t like boy, magically falls head over heels in love and lives happily ever after. Get the picture? Perhaps you remember it, perhaps you don’t.

Before you go judging already, no, I’m not into dresses. But, in the words of another famous movie character, the pirate Captain Jack Sparrow, “…we’ve reached a special place here: spiritually, ecumenically, grammatically….nice hat!”

I confess, I collect hats. Each has a story, maybe as good as each brides maid tale possessed by our fictional heroine, maybe not. They remind me of moments of personal history. They take me back to certain places. They reacquaint me with people. Some hats are more special than others. Numbering in excess of 60, not every topper is worthy of a shared backstory, but I could maybe come up with 27?

Let’s say 27, save 1, which I think equates to 26. A hat story, a “tall tale,” if you will, for every couple of weeks in this fairly new year that is 2014. And, maybe a thing or two that I learned from my moments, hours, or days spent donning said headgear and the events and companions of those days gone by?

When it’s all said and done, and I’ve spun words worthy of the yarn comprising the hats, we might know a little more about each other. You will at least know a bit more about me, and my taste in memorabilia.

So let’s get started, with the basis for judgement, that is. The bonus hat, the “Save 1” if you will, pictured at the start of our literary journey is an authentic Alpine wool classic purchased in the beautiful local of Vienna, Austria. It sits in our picture, calmly atop my baggage in a European airport, awaiting the long trip home.

Perhaps this figurative trip will be not quite so long, and the baggage not quite so heavy. Thanks for coming along with me on the journey. I hope we reach “a special place, spiritually, ecumenically, and grammatically!”

*Twenty-seven Dresses and Pirates of the Caribbean photos courtesy of fanpop.com

*Editor’s note:  Jeff Bingham will be posting his “27  Hats” series every other week.  We’re looking forward to reading the tales of his headgear, his life, and how he pulls the two together! ~ RDK