O O Ø O O O O
Giving Thanks
Some days, I’m not completely bitter.
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately about how I am turning into a really crusty old bastard as time goes on. I don’t like my job too much, most days I feel I’m pretty much destined to be single for the rest of my life, and I bitch and complain about every little thing to anyone who will listen. The truth of the matter is, life’s really not that bad when I compare it to a lot of other situations I could be in, and I should remember that a little more than I do.
With some of my past posts you’d think I was being whipped raw, dipped in bactine, and handed over to an industrial meat cutter on a daily basis. I’m not. Life’s not that bad, I just make it out to be that way because it makes me feel better, which I suspect has something to do with human nature and genetics. We all like to bitch about things, it’s a pressure reliever, and if other people can be entertained by it so much the better. But sometimes it gets really old, and the past week has been one of those times.
I don’t want to rant this week, especially about Christmas. Been there, done that. Instead, I am going to rip off an idea from one of the guys I play fantasy football against, and subject you to what I am thankful for. I’d apologize for posting this here, but I wouldn’t mean it.
In no particular order, I am thankful for:
- A dinner of General Tao’s Chicken, Fried Noodle with Beef in Black Bean Sauce, steamed rice, and spring rolls from Pe-nan Wok
- My brother Derek, his wife Jen, and their kids for always being there no questions asked, all the time, any time, never asking for anything back and always making me a part of their home.
- IRC and IM, which allows me to “hang out” with my friends every day and most evenings.
- My former employer (indirectly, of course), for continuing to host my box for me. I’ll get it out of there someday - no, really.
- Dating services/singles events, for reinforcing my feeling that it should be left to fate, because god knows there are some really bitter people with an awful lot of baggage who scare the living shit out of me out there.
- Dave, for hiring me, even though I sometimes wish I had taken the job in Portland or stayed in Minne-fucking-apolis.
- Derek and Angie, for having the socially redeeming jobs. It makes me feel better about saying “I play with computers for a living” in the same breath as “My sister’s a doctor and my brother’s a cop and firefighter”. Thanks guys!
- Living back in Ottawa, in my favorite neighborhood, within crawling distance of no less than four pubs (although I could probably make it to three or four others on my knees if necessary).
- Red wine, for keeping Lee sane and Walt alive.
- Tracy, for explaining how to stretch my hip flexors and I-band so I could run pain-free.
- The power failure this summer, for a few days of reflection on just how fragile the environment we’ve created for ourselves really is.
- kj, for getting me hooked on running, the Running Room, and setting me on my way to participating in my first 10k this New Year’s Eve.
- ev, for correcting my grammar and markup without bitching me out every week when I fail to follow our guide to publishing
- The Ottawa Renegades, for at least making it interesting this year.
- Priior, for being the butt end of some really tasteless jokes, shameless teasing, and an endless stream of insults. That said, he gives at least as good as he gets, and you should never, ever follow a link to a pic if he sends you one.
- My TV.
- Donna and Catherine, for explaining how to get things done at work without going completely insane, killing someone, or driving penny nails under my fingernails to quiet the voices that speak to me in my cubicle.
- Kim, for asking me out over a year after I asked her out.
- Paul Martin, for beating out a liar and a dullard to ascend to the throne. Dear Paul, please don’t fuck it up - we’re really tired of that.
- Storm, for making me think about my actions and their repercussions on everything.
- Employment, because as bad as having a job can be, not having one can be a lot worse.
- My sister Angie and her husband Matt, for being really cool people who still call me when I forget to call back within two weeks. Come home soon, or find me a job in Calgary.
- Games that are so tight they are almost unbearable to watch.
- Jennie, for being there all these years. I wish I could help now.
- Canada, for still being the coolest country in the world to live in. Someday people will figure out what we’re all about.
- Walt and Lee, for reaching out and alternatively hugging and shaking me as required. Thanks guys, I owe you big.
- Zoe, for making us all laugh and feel good about the world. “What sound does mommy make?” “Grrr!!!”
- Ann, for hooking me up with the TurfToads for a truly excellent season of fall Ultimate. I can’t wait for spring to start collecting my Bonehead of the Game awards again. I promise I’ll learn to pivot before we start next year.
- Mr. and Mrs. Heginbottom, for treating me like family.
- Dried apricots, for several reasons, although outlining them here would probably be way TMI.
- Knockando single malt, Guinness, and Creemore Springs Ale
- James, Kev, Mark, Barb, Dave, Nancy, Sam, Coop, Kristina, Sylvie, Josh, Geeta, Amanda, Tony, Alayne, Amit, Jeea, Kerri, Racgek, Eric, Poopy, Ed, Tricia, Colin, Robin, Irish, Stevo, Terina, Shannon, your kids, and all of my other friends who make my life the rich experience it is, while kicking my ass when I forget how good we’ve got it.
- EA Games Big, for the masterful work that is SSX 3 and Bungie, for the equally masterful Halo. (now hurry up and get Halo 2 out the door!)
- My dad, for continuing to support and advise me (whether I want it or not) while going through a very tough time of his own. Sometimes you drive me nuts pop, but I know where your heart is, and I thank you for it.
- Dorrie, for laughing at my jokes.
- All the staff (except for the twit who bartends on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays) at Patty’s Pub. A friendlier bunch you will not find anywhere else.
- My mom, for being a big part of what I am today.
Thanks for putting up with my self-indulgence, and I’ll see ya ’round Christmas.
Tuesday, Dec 2, 2003
PD DCXXVIII