COMICS CULTURE SHRAPNEL from CBEM 344

Giving Thanks

I've been rather busy these past few weeks, what with me getting actual work at school and worrying about school. So there's been no column obviously. But as I write this it's Thanksgiving and the Macy's Parade is playing on the television. My mother is making brownies and banana bread downstairs. My father is watching "The Messenger" yet again. And I'm here at the computer listening to the Pogues' "Fairytale of New York" and thinking about what I could write about. And I suppose this would be a good time to go over everything I am grateful, in the world of comics and beyond.

In no particular order:

I am grateful for my parents, for being decent people who love and support me. Hopefully love me enough to let me have a cat. Or at least a hamster. ;-)

I am grateful that I actually have money to pay for school next term. No more bitching and moaning about being broke anymore. Thank you Citibank and thanks to the Dean of the New York University School of Education.

On the monetary note, I am thankful that I have a good job, especially given these tough economic times. And anyone out there who needs a good part-time job and lives in New York City, get in touch with me. We're looking for people.

I'd like to thank the New York City Transit Authority, for helping me get to work and school everyday. I admire their efforts to keep the system running as smoothly as possible, especially after September 11.

I'd like to thank the good people at Jim Hanley's Universe, for creating a great place for comics fans. I love going there just to visit, and admit that I've become somewhat of a fanatic for them. If you're in NYC for the holidays, drop by. They're right across from the Empire State Building.

I'd like to thank Warren Ellis, Grant Morrison, Brian Michael Bendis, Judd Winick, David Mack, and John Kovalic for putting out some damn fine comics this past year. I'm sure there are many others you'd like to thank. That's my list.

I'm grateful for some of the web content out there as well, including Sluggy Freelance, Megatokyo, Ain't It Cool News, and LiveJournal. I am especially thankful for the latter, as they have created a wonderful way to communicate and keep in touch with my friends and family.

I'd like to thank Hollywood for turning out some good films this year, and for not making me regret paying $10 for a ticket.

I'd to thank the organizers and staff of all the conventions I've attended. I've enjoyed every single event I've gone to, and all of you hard working people are responsible. I think it's important to get together with other fans, and hope that I'll be seeing everyone again next year. I also hope that I can do a good job as well, since I've joined the staff of Shoujocon.

I'd like to thank several of my professors at New York University, for actually making me enjoy school. I don't mind going to class with some of these fine educators at work, and don't entirely regret the insane amounts of tuition I have to pay.

I'd like to thank every single student who didn't transfer out of NYU and go home after September. You wanted to experience New York, and part of that is sticking through the tough times.

I'd like to thank Rudolph Giuliani for proving himself a decent human being, and doing a great job in handing this crisis. While I am still not a great admirer, I don't loathe him either and that's a start. He's redeemed himself in my eyes for all the mistakes of the past eight years.

In that vein, I also thank President Bush for coming out and being "real" presidential material. I no longer feel the doom and gloom that arose in my when he was elected. I hope he continues to conduct himself with the same grace-under-pressure.

I am especially grateful for all the heroes of September 11. God bless the NYPD, FDNY, EMS workers, and anyone else who helped save lives, recover bodies, clean up the mess, donated supplies and food, or simply comforted those around them. I am so happy and relieved to know that there are people like you in the world, and in my city.

Finally, I'd like to thank the citizens of New York City. For the donations you made, yes. For the volunteer work you did, sure. But most of all, for being New Yorkers. For not running for the suburbs a week later. For going to work or school the next day. For continuing to ride the subways, shop at department stores, eating at restaurants. For being kind and polite one minute, and for just minding your own business other times. For just doing what we always do. For not letting the city change at all. I love New York, and I there are many reasons I love living here. Thank you for keeping those reasons intact, and adding so many more to the list.