Thanksgiving

"Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful."--Buddha

"The next time you feel like complaining, remember that your garbage disposal probably eats better than 30 percent of the people in the world."--Robert Orben, comedy writer

There are terrible things going on in the world right now. Many Americans and Britons are being held hostage in Mumbai, India, and many have been killed. There is a threat of a terrorist attack on NYC's subway system, and it makes me nervous even though I take the bus. I know lots of people who take the subway.

Tonight, I have been intermittently trying to prepare for tomorrow's dinner. I got home early from my job, went shopping for last-minute things, and put up with New Yorker rudeness. I dished out some of my own rudeness, too. I have struggled to keep my wife and my cats out of the way. It's also been irritating having my mom and my brother call every few minutes. I have felt overwhelmed by dinner for what will probably be 16 and could be more than 20. I tested some of these dishes on some of our guests while we watched the Homestead race a couple weeks ago. They liked what they tasted, but I worry that some of the specialness wore off. I like cooking to country music, and I'm sick of the country CDs I've got, and CMT doesn't seem to play music at night, and anyway, L'Ailee wanted to watch NCIS. I can't believe she and a couple of our friends want me to make that disgusting green bean casserole that basically involves opening three cans and heating the contents--it's even grosser that L'Ailee primarily thinks of that stuff as a condiment for leftover-turkey sandwiches.. And stuffing with chicken broth! I have no business making that--I'm allergic to the stuff! Why did I volunteer myself for that...?

Tonight, I remembered that even my problems are pretty good. I have a wife, cats, friends, a mother, a brother. I have a job. I have CDs and cable TV and ears that hear. I can buy food, even "last-minute" things. I can make all kinds of food, and there are people who would cherish even that icky green-bean casserole. It's good to pause and remember these things. You don't have to be a Christian or even any kind of religious to do that. You just have to look a little past yourself, just a millimeter or so, and think.

Happy Thanksgiving to the Americans reading this. For those who are not Americans, a happy day anyway. And for those of you who wouldn't wish the problems you've got on anyone else, may you be here next year and thankful to be past all that.

Links to snack on while you wait:

This is something I am really thankful for! The Roots, my favorite hip-hop group, survived a tour bus crash in Paris. ?uestlove, the drummer, blogged from the ambulance! "We are soooo alive right now," he wrote.

Why food writers secretly hate Thanksgiving This will explain every dumbassed recipe idea you've seen in websites, newspapers, and magazines this month!

Sara Robinson has some help if you might end up debating right-leaning relatives tomorrow. I'm gonna need this at Christmas. Oh, and you can read more of her work at the Orcinus blog.

In Germany, a professional hockey goalie with an incurable form of brain cancer is going on with the game anyway.

The economy's making New York's next Fashion Week much less fabulous.

Finally, race fans, don't forget to vote for your favorite highlights of the 2008 season in the Speed TV Performance Awards and Tony Stewart's second annual Stewie Awards! I get to stalk see him around NYC next week--yay!