Thursday, November 23, 2006

The Giving Of The Thanks

Saturday night I'm off to a Thanksgiving free for all thrown by some friends of mine. Rob is a gen-u-ine American and so throws some authenticity into the mix, while for the rest of us it's an excuse to party and eat lots. I like the idea though of considering what it is that you have to be thankful for. I think it's good to do this often, and maybe we should do be able to do this without having to have a holiday occasion, but it serves as a good reminder.

So with this in mind, I'm currently thankful for:
  • My friends. I've met some amazing new people in the past year, who I'm pleased to call friends. I've also treasured the friendship of my older friends, and marvelled at how most of those friendships have withstood the test of time and changing life circumstances.

  • The Internet. That wonderful series of tubes that delivers people and places right to my very computer screen. I can't overstate this. Connecting with people on the internet, here, through other people's blogs, and through Flickr, has really been a highlight of the past year.

  • Having somewhere to have a voice. Here. Sometimes it's therapy, sometimes it's an ego boost, sometimes it's a soapbox and sometimes it's a stand-up stage. It's fun and it lets me feel like I'm connecting with people. It also gives me a spot to express myself, play with language and practice writing.

  • Health and sanity. These days, through my work, I get to see people who have a shaky grasp on both and it's very sobering. When I think I'm having a bad day it always pays to consider the suffering of others. Perspective.

  • Daniel Craig's torso, and similarly, the manufacturers of square cut swimming trunks.

  • Laughter. So many people make me laugh; the friends I hang out with, you guys in the comments, other bloggers, the list is long. Thanks to each and everyone of you.

Care to share. Let's form a Gratitude Circle!

12 comments:

The Other Andrew said...

Awww, thanks Quin. You know that you're in there amongst the things I'm thankful for, don't you?

freakgirl said...

I'm thankful for your sense of humor about the world. And for your lovely photos.

Happy Thanksgiving! I would send you all some cupcakes if I could.

The Other Andrew said...

Awww, thanks FG! That's really sweet.

Mmmmm, cupcakes. But, what they don't have FedEx where you come from?... :)

Michael said...

Better yet, a Gratitude circle jerk!

It is a lovely post. I agree we should reflect on our blessings more often, but beyond the hubbub and commercialism, the holidays do tend inspire the practice.

I, too, am very thankful for the slab that is Daniel Craig's torso. And his accent. And that they've (finally!) introduced ball torture to the Bond series.

I'm only thankful for squarecuts on OTHERS. I'm stubborn, so I'll still pull them out occasionally, but the conformation of my thighs precludes the legs staying down so my hands are always in my pants repositioning.

The Other Andrew said...

...so my hands are always in my pants repositioning.

Any excuse.

freakgirl said...

Good point about FedEx.

Great. Now I have to figure out how to package a frosted cupcake. ;)

Ur-spo said...

happy thanksgiving to you too!

The Other Andrew said...

FG, :) Actually, could you send it UPS because those guys are sometimes kind of hot?

Of course I jest! Could you even imagine a frosted cupcake sent long distance? Eww. Plus summer heat equals recipe for disaster.

Thanks ur-spo, and to you and yours!

Anonymous said...

I think it's spelled "gen-you-whine" :-)

And good point. I tend towards malcontinence (Invented word of the day, like incontinence but for "malcontent", get it?), so it's good to get a reminder of how much there is to be thankful for.

Thanks Andrew

worldpeace and a speedboat said...

just as long as we don't get so touchy-feely as to break out the group hugs, TOA. I think they've broken a few people around here ;-)

Miss Eudoxia said...

We love your blog too sweetie. Whenever I am down (and believe me in this place it happens a lot) I look to your blog to lighten my day....and I'm not being sarky. Have a great Thanksgiving partay and give the mob a big hug from me. I am alas a bit tied up sitting multiple exams on Saturday. There really should be a law against that.

The Other Andrew said...

Miss E, if there was a law against it you'd be the one to enforce it, right? Eh, detective-in-training?

Thanks for the nice words!

Speedy, no group hugs but I wouldn't rule out some tongue kissing with the right folks. Y'all know who you are.

Laubscher, "malcontinence"?! Uncontrollable malcontent. Love it, and eww!, all at the same time.