Thanksgiving is quickly approaching. Yee-haw.
Since most of us have spent a significant part of the past year living in a town now primarily known for killer mosquitoes, serial killers, snipers, mad-scientist anthrax development and incarcerated politicians, finding the traditional “things to be thankful for” could be a daunting task.
Could be, in the hands of mere mortals, perhaps — but in the hands of the students at a world-class University such as ours, it’s a breeze. Let’s Go.
Geography we’re most thankful for: Regardless of the outcome of any football game, we still don’t crawl into bed each night somewhere in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Baton Rouge club we’re most thankful for: Save a little extra time during the blessing for this one, because several names are worth mentioning.
Chelsea’s gets top billing, consistently pulling in the funkiest and best groove music to Baton Rouge. Ichabod’s willingness to book countless local musicians playing original music deserves a mention, and the Varsity has brought in some kings of Texas country, Jerry Jeff, Pat Green and Robert Earl, time and time again.
We also need to give the Caterie a nod for its consistent booking of Movin’ Weight, a relatively fresh face in the Baton Rouge band scene. The band equally is comfortable with climatic jams or slow grooves, and the Caterie lets them “turn it up to eleven.”
Chemical contained in turkey we’re most thankful for: Tryptophan. This rare amino acid is found in hardly any food we eat, but there’s loads of it in turkey. It’s the stuff that makes you want to sit on the couch and sleep for at least four days. Love it, because it’ll get you no matter what you do.
Comeback album we’re most thankful for (assuming we like good music): Phish’s “Round Room.” This will be the first studio album from the boys since “Farmhouse,” which was followed by brief touring and then a lengthy hiatus. The band was in the process of rehearsing for its New Year’s run of shows, and recorded a full-length album in four days. Phish kicked out more than 70 minutes of music in the same amount of time you’ll be sleeping after Thanksgiving day. Not bad.
Scheduled for release Dec. 10, it will make a great stocking stuffer for all the phishheads in your life.
And when you’re running out of time and ready to eat, a few rapid fire “thankful things” to top it all off:
Person we’re most thankful isn’t our football coach: (tie) Jackie Sherill, Henry Winkler
Person we’re most thankful isn’t our chancellor: Carrot Top
Furry, loveable 80s sitcom star we’re most thankful for: Alf
Chunky, loveable 80s sitcom star we’re most thankful for: Mr. Belvadere
Thing about the direction our federal government is heading we’re thankful for:
And on a personal note, the friend I’m most thankful for: Ed*.
Ed and I hung out almost every day, but then times changed, and we didn’t really see each other much. These last couple of weeks I saw Ed a few times, and I remembered how great of a guy he was. And how strange — because he never talks.
It’s so rare to know anyone like that, someone who remains silent whether the TV is on, the radio is blaring or there’s a heated discussion — or maybe all three. Ed took it all in stride and never said a word. It took me a while away from Ed to recognize the true genius that sometimes hides inside of silence. Now I’m thankful I did.
Happy Thanksgiving, even though it’s not until next week.
*Ed — not his real name? Maybe it’s been changed. Maybe not. You tell me.