How come I've still got so much to be thankful for this year?
gobble, gobble.
While the history of Thanksgiving in the United States is mostly a lie and rather dark, I think it’s still a good practice to take the time to be thankful. I move too fast and can’t see more than 10 feet in front of me most days. So, on a day like this, it’s nice to slow down, drink cheap wine with family, and watch the Detroit Lions dominate. (I’m writing this before kickoff – if they lose then that’s my bad.)
Was 2024 a perfect year? Far from it, you know what I’m talking about. Honestly, tough decade so far, all things considered. But it’s probably up from here, right?
So, as we gather around the dinner table, or hide in the bathroom to avoid in-laws or that one uncle who is way too happy about the election, let’s all reflect on the things we are thankful for this year. I’ll start. Here are 11 plus 1 I’m looking forward to in 2025. Why not do 24 for ’24? Don’t get greedy.
Alamo Drafthouse – Raleigh
Do I love living in Raleigh, North Carolina? No comment. Do I even love the business model of the Alamo Drafthouse? It’s honestly 50/50. Sometimes I can’t believe my luck to live in a city with a combination VHS store/bar, and an 11-screen movie theater. Just this year the theater gave me the chance to watch Days of Heaven, Alien, Streetwise, Love Streams, and Real Life all on the big screen. Total cinema baby. Sometimes this theater gives you a magical experience. Other times you sit down to see David Fincher’s The Killer next to a guy who ordered buffalo wings and a pot of hot coffee. The Drafthouse is kind of like life in that way. It’s filled with both the highs and lows.
Mikey Madison in Anora
Speaking of movies I saw at the Alamo, Sean Baker’s Anora is almost perfect. But his star Mikey Madison is perfect in the role. I don’t need to spill too much digital ink over the performance, there is great criticism out there on the film and Mikey’s performance. Read Alissa Wilkinson in The Times for more. Na Zdorovie.
Sonic and Knuckles (Jahmyr Gibbs & David Montgomery)
Not the hedgehog and echidna, but the Detroit Lions running back duo. I’m so ready for the Lions to break my heart this winter in the playoffs, I can already taste it. But until then, I’ll keep watching these dudes score touchdowns and give great wordless interviews.
The Libby App
Books are great, but free books? Incredible. I know I’m way behind on the Libby trend, but as I sit in this airport ready to board this flight with my Kindle all loaded up with books, I’m feeling thankful. Tax the rich and build more libraries.
If you want to help people around the world, get access to books, check out Book Aid International.
Coors Banquet
Turns out, if we had stopped making beer in 1873, I would have been just fine.
BelGioioso Parmesan Power-Full Snacking Cheese
Again, I only learned about this weeks ago, but if you want 7 grams of protein in a lil’ cube of parm, this is worth the price. Find them near you here.
The salad and the oysters I ate in Charleston, South Carolina
Last food pick I swear. But c’mon. Cucumber, watermelon, feta, chilis? Check out 167 Raw Oyster Bar next time you’re in Charleston.
A little book light
It’s like being a kid again hiding under a blanket with a flashlight and book. Order it from Jeff here.
Wrigley Field
I took my first trip to the friendly confines this year while I was in Chicago for a wedding. I almost feel like I was shortchanged on my experience because I ended up attending the seventh-fastest game in baseball history. Still lived up to the hype, especially after a few Bud Heavies.
Amtrak
Trains were not new to me this year. I even took a couple in different countries. But the ride from Holland, Michigan, into the Windy City, was a reminder of just how few public transportation options we have in the United States. Bring on trains, bring on high-speed rails, and, for the love of Christ, build wider bike lanes!
Din Fart
If you’re Danish or know the language, I don’t want to know what it means. But discovering all the speed limit signs with this phrase was maybe the highlight of my trip to Denmark this spring. Is it juvenile? Sure. But don’t act like you didn’t laugh when you saw it. You’re not better than Din Fart. I’m thankful for everyone in this photo and everyone else in my life who isn’t in this photo. 2024 was good because of all of you.
Next year – we get more time.
More time for what? That’s up to you, but I’m looking forward to having more of it. How I use it or how I waste it will be up to me.
Cheers, I’ll see you Thursday.