Tryptophan, baby

I have, for as long as I can remember, considered Thanksgiving an overcommercialized slab of purposeless slobber. I thought, "What could possibly be the value in a celebration recognized only by Americans - one of the few days of the year that we all stop bitching and reassess our positions in life, recognizing really how lucky we are." This internal statement was often responded to with the further internal sentiment "fuck that." It takes a serious uprooting, a change in circumstance, to force those such as myself to take inventory of our blessings and give thanks to all those who deserve it. Every year we would go around the dinner table and say what we are thankful for. For me, and I'm sure I'm not alone here, such a practice was more an excercize in convincing bullshittery than anything else. As I've alluded to, however, something about this year is different. And what better a forum for expressing my gratification than to the millions who populate the internet at a given second? So allow me to waste a little more of your time, dear reader, and give credit where credit is due. Maybe this way I'll provide, at least for myself, some substance to what before now has just been a square on the calendar. I am thankful for these things:

Ramapo Friends - While my definition, and indeed the list of those who compile this list is constanly changing, I am nevertheless thankful for all that you have done to/for me. There are times when lonliness can be a big big bitch, adn in these times it's really comforting to have a friend. Someone to sit around and talk about nothing with. Whether we're scouring campus for something resembling a good time or basking in our own snobbery, detailing with great wit our shared discontent with RCNJ's offerings, these are the times and relationships that make people - and I'm happy to be sharing them with you.

High School Friends in College - We are long overdue to have an enormous party. An enormous sloppy get-together. Thank you all so much for the memories and the promise of future glories ahead.

The New Jersey Forensic League - The NJFL is the shit. It was incredible to observe the speech and debate scene from a judge's standpoint, finally becoming "the enemy." Sure I miss competing. Having only done so for a year and a half, I can't help but know that I cheated myself out of quite the experience. But still. Returning and getting to see all the high school kids I competed against, coaches, judges, and the lovely Randolph girls was amazing. And then there's this little team that I'm affiliated with. I couldn't possibly by prouder. I see national competitors in so many of you, including but not limited to Alanna, Joe, Nicole, Priyanka and Big Scott, the freshman LD demigod. Thanks for welcoming me back and giving me something valuable to do with my Saturdays.

The Patriot Players - I type this having just returned from a rehearsal of the aforementioned and anything I said about being welcomed back warmly goes 100x here. Returning to the drama club is like being some hero of war returning to his home country after global conquest. It was so great to see all of you - to notice that you're all growing up but that you haven't changed a bit. Every little dynamic and paradigm is still there. From the moment Joe grabbed my ass I knew that this was the club that I had invested so much in throughout high school. And what's more, you're carrying on everything we've instilled in you with such luster and might. Thank you for that.

Mike Locke/ Eric Branning/ Steve Kropa - The Big 3. There's little I can say here. You dudes are my boys, my best friends, my... dare I say... bros. Thanks for being fuckin' awesome.

The Female Population - Thank you. Just thank you.

That is all for tonight. Hope everyone has a safe holiday. Happy thanksgiving!

Bomb the blogosphere,
Mike

FUCK

Fuck.

After nearly completing the longest blog entry ever (trademark) firefox fucking "quits unexpectedly" and I lost everything.

Fuck you Firefox.

And fuck you Blogger for not having a recovery feature.

Minimalism.

It's raining.

Inside and out.