Isn’t it strange how we take things and warp their original meaning or significance? I mean, look at Christmas if Thanksgiving isn’t enough proof - Christmas has ceased to be about ‘Christ’ in about 80% of all cases. Whether or not this is bad, of course, is entirely up to you.

Thanksgiving, I think, was originally intended to honor and celebrate the Native Americans’ kindness in helping us found this nation. Although I’m a little less inclined to like our country some than people think I should be, I’m certainly all for Thanksgiving’s patriotic little theme (if only because I’m there for the food, followin’ behind Dad over there). Either way, though, I think our current definition for Thanksgiving, while entirely unrelated to its original, is a little better, a little more realistic and more relevant; it’s a day to remind ourselves that we have so much, and that it can be reduced to so little in a heartbeat. So savor it, and be appreciative!

I am thankful for Asperger’s Syndrome.
This one may sound a little odd, but if someone were to tell me they had a cure for Asperger’s and they wanted to offer it to me, I would raise my eyebrow and decline. Asperger’s isn’t a disorder. It’s not a classification. It’s, at worse, an excuse - but I like to consider it a summary of my differences. And I relish those differences. I would not give them up for anything. For all the pros there are some cons, but I like them. I find the weaknesses to be well worth the strengths. Disorder, hah!

I am thankful for technology and science.
How many times have you opened a can with a leverage can-opener? (How about your hands?) How many times have you walked to work in pouring rain? Have you ever considered what you would do if you didn’t have your computer, your phone, your watch, your clothes, your house, your ANYTHING? If you had to MAKE everything you ever wanted? We take our science for granted, but it truly is our greatest blessing (in general and as a whole) and it is entirely our greatest weakness.

I am thankful for chapstick.
But I’m sure no matter how thankful I can be, my lips will be even more so.

I am thankful for Rush.
Neil Peart, Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee are nothing short of ‘gods’ of inspiration, especially for a musician as myself. When you look at Alex, you may think he had some kind of inborn talent that made him ‘better’ guitarist material than any other - and perhaps he did, but can we prove that? I don’t think he did, or if he did, it wasn’t all too significant. I think what he had was time. Alex Lifeson, when he began playing for Rush, had probably been playing guitar for nine or ten years. I have been playing for about fifteen months and I’ve already memorized and busted my way through one of Alex’ harder (?) solos. Time. Time is all I need. Time and a lot of strings.

Beyond being musical inspiration, Neil Peart is entirely my inspiration for my writing. I cannot claim to write as well as him, nor could I ever hope to write just like him. I wouldn’t even desire to do so. But, his simple poetic ability to describe seemingly anything in just one sentence is a goal that I strive for.

If it weren’t for all three of them - their coordination and orchestry (I’m surprised that’s a word), their ability to evoke images with no more than a few flicks of some fingers - half of the stories I have ever begun to write would never have even been thought of. I know that I, if ever I become a writer, will rely heavily upon their works and the works of similar artists for my ideas.

I am thankful for Kristin Cottle.
You are a goddess, in a way - certainly in my relative world, you are. You are the goddess of the Rant, of Reasonable Logic, and hold the Computer Domain. You look out for your followers and will not tolerate unreasonable difficulty, resistance or unfairness. Tolerance, understanding and assertiveness are your primary teachings. Were it not for you, I firstly would not walk this earth - but perhaps more relevantly, I wouldn’t have the bit of assertiveness I’ve got, I wouldn’t have the willpower to be silly or the self-image to dare. I owe my personality, and all of it you enjoy, entirely to you.

I am thankful for games. In general.
What else are we supposed to do with ourselves in our free time, go outside?

I am thankful for Craig Cottle.
You’re something of a god, too; a god of Many Crafts - the crafting of food, wood, music, and humor. It’s your pleasure to make us some of the most interesting and enjoyable meals we’ve ever stayed home for, or eaten for that matter. I still find it amazing that you can make little wooden toys for your co-workers, and your grandchildren, and all else. For all of your toys there’s a repaired railing, a lighted house, a rehinged door, a homemade patio covering, and who knows what else safely tucked under your belt, works taken for granted or simply appreciated - things we should be more thankful for. In lieu, I thank he who was able to make them.

And then there’s music.

Begin the day with a friendly voice - that plays the song that’s so elusive, and vaporizes the memories freezing a fading past. This moment may be brief, but it can be so bright. Carry all those phantoms, through bitter wind and stormy skies; keep on riding north and west, then circle south and east. You get home at five o’clock; you’ve seen what price, peace of mind.
Wandering the face of the earth - The world weighs on your shoulders - We sometimes drive you crazy, but what am I to do?  The road unwinds before us, and we go riding on.

Seriously, if it were not for you, I wouldn’t know what a guitar was. Let alone be playing one. Moderately well.

And you’re obviously a god of humor, because by the time we realize you made this crack about Cinco de Mayo, it’s been three days since you told it and we suddenly explode into laughter out of nowhere - much to your amusement, I’m sure.

I’m thankful for Stephen King.
This man has given me a religion I can pretend to believe in while truly I try to prove it. This man has given me things to write about and a means to do it. He’s set the bar and given the example; he’s laid out the plans and shown us how it’s done. Neil might be my poetic and descriptive inspiration, but when it comes to plot, plot devices, and creating a story so nightmarishly good you can’t put it down - turn to Stephen King. The idea’s just the candle; you still have to light it… and Stephen King is my example of just how you do it.

I’m thankful for Nintendo.
If not for years of entertainment, then for centuries of ideas.

I’m thankful for the ability to think.
Just thought I should clarify that point.

As much as I don’t like to admit it, I’m thankful I live in the United States of America - or at least was born there.
Because as much as this country might suck from the inside, it’s sure a hell of a lot more attractive once you start looking from the outside. I might not like it here, but I know I won’t like it any better anywhere else. For all of the faults of its society, it’s got rights, liberties and allowances that I couldn’t live without. Maybe there’s some places I can go that are even better - but if it weren’t for America to begin with, I wouldn’t have a shot at getting there.

I’m thankful for Calculus.
Calculus is truly the meaning of life.

I’m thankful for headphones.

I’m thankful for J’Neil.
Goddess of joy, silliness, energy, love, randomness, and cookies. Soon, she’ll be queen of the Stars, in addition to all sorts of other titles I really should remember - she is the one and only Doer of the Indescribable Dance, this I know; I believe she is the Lover of Froggies and Queen of Smilies. There are two people I would bring on a trip to Europe willingly in this world: a girlfriend, if ever I had one serious enough that we’d go together… And said J’Neil. You’re half a sister and nine hundred percent the most awesome person I know. Thanks for existing - specifically, as my sister. Don’t go anywhere, ‘kay?

I think I’m mildly thankful for John. But I don’t know yet. (For those who don’t know, John is J’Neil’s boyfriend.)

I am thankful for Nocturne.
Dreaaaams, temporary madness!
Dreaaaams, a walk in the wilderness!
Dreaaaams, unconscious recreation!
The morning saaays, the answer is yes!
Nocturne is the epitome of kickass, as far as I’m concerned. It negates basically anything that could ever possibly go wrong. I could have the worst day ever, but if you put me in a room alone with Nocturne playing extra-loud, I’ll come out happy. Because Nocturne is just that awesome. That is what I am thankful for.

I am thankful for MP3 players.
Without them, Nocturne is meaningless.

Lastly, I am thankful for the Escalator.
Because I have no idea where I’d land if I fell off. It’s probably not entirely pleasant down there…