Six things I’m thankful for
As November draws to a fat, happy close, I am truly thankful for the following.
The new Watchmen and Star Trek trailers: Holy balls! To say that I’ve been geeking out over these previews would be a vast and appropriate understatement. Zack Snyder, if you successfully adapt the unadaptable-not just my favorite graphic novel, but my favorite book of all time-I will forgive you for the shirtless, sweaty abomination that is “300.”
J.J. Abrams, if you revive my beloved “Star Trek” the way you seem poised to do, with an exciting young cast and absolutely bazonkers special effects, I will forgive you for abandoning your “Lost” baby like a heartless Nebraskan mother, and for “Fringe,” which I haven’t seen but which is reportedly mediocre at best, despite the welcome return of silver-screen prince Joshua Jackson (Pacey Witter).
Everyone should go see “Quantum of Solace,” or at least the first fifteen minutes, before the movie actually starts.
A football season on the verge of climax: In the very near future, we have three NFL games on Thanksgiving Day; granted, no one will see the Eagles play the Cards (thank you, NFL Network)-but watching the winless Lions host the undefeated Titans could be pretty entertaining, miraculously so if Calvin Johnson (and Calvin Johnson alone) wills Detroit to a massive upset.
Next, we have the fantasy playoffs-with a dash of cash and piles of pride on the line-followed by the college bowl games, which determine something, although not necessarily a champion. (Unless your alma mater is currently dominating the FCS, as my James Madison Dukes are; in which case, you get a playoff. More on that in a minute.)
College bowl games are followed immediately by the NFL Playoffs, which culminate in a little thing called the Super Bowl-you might have heard of it. The aforementioned Titans will probably be there, which isn’t a bad thing, considering the wow factor of rookie sensation Chris Johnson, and how fiercely their defense hits.
Finally, President-elect Obama recently pledged to “throw his weight around” (all 150 pounds of it) in an effort to achieve an eight-game playoff to replace the shameful, maddening BCS system. Although this desperately needed change won’t come for several years, just the thought of it makes me want to include Barry O. in the dinner blessing next Thursday night. A college football playoff? Amen to that.
Gas for under $2/gallon: This is one of those rare instances in capitalism when what’s good for the individual is apparently disastrous for the economy as a whole. I’m not saying I’m glad the economic crisis is happening; I just think it’s bizarre that something that has had such a devastating effect globally has also resulted in two giant pluses (Obama’s election, and gas that’s cheaper than milk), at least in my little world. There’s no way these prices will last into 2009, so I feel compelled to fill up my tank every time I leave the house, and I’m almost looking forward to driving eleven hours round-trip next week.
Cooler temperatures: Finally, I can wear hoodies and knit caps without sweating through them, matting my hair and generally feeling like an a**. (Hey, I’m not the only one.) Also, at any given moment when I’m in my apartment, there is about an 85 percent chance I’m wearing my bear slippers.
Crunchy leaves: Go out of your way to step on them; then join the Facebook group. You’ll feel better.
Family: My parents, whom I love very dearly, read my columns.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Nov 21 2008. Filed under Opinion.
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