10 Things for Which I am Grateful in 2008
1) Firefly, Arrested Development, and now Pushing Daisies. You came into my life, made me love you, and went away. I died a little each time one of you left. But my life is richer having known you. I'll never forget you, canceled TV shows that were way better than anything else on TV but that only me and two of my friends actually watched.
2) No County for Old Men. The Dark Knight. Two movies that examined the very nature of evil and our role in fighting it. Profound to the core. Hold the torch, people, hold the torch.
3) Hot showers. Seriously. King Louis the XIV didn't know luxury so grand as hot water that gushes out the wall. Nor Solomon, Queen Elizabeth, or apparently Amy Winehouse. Add a loofah and you're barely this side of paradise.
4) Steak Supreme Gorditas from Taco Bell. I just don't know how to quit them.
5) WalMart. I know, I know. It's not popular to like WalMart because of their "predatory business practices" and their "kneecapping small stores", but where else can you get your eyes examined, enjoy a McFlurry, buy a two liter soda for 79 cents, and catch up with your kid's teacher's husband, all in one visit?
6) Wine. Nuff said.
7) The drive between, of all things, my house and my in-law's house. It goes up along the California coast above LA, where you look out over the ocean and see the surfers bobbing in the swells. Gazing further out, the sun breaks through the clouds to create mystic patches on the water's surface. North of Santa Barbara, which as far as I can tell is a town made entirely of bougainvillea and sunshine, the road cuts inland a little bit. It leads through golden baked valleys of grass, dotted with oak trees and vineyards. Spectacular.
8) My children and husband, and not just because I'm obligated to be thankful for them. They make it easy. And make me laugh every day. And not always at them. Sometimes with them.
9) The Four Seasons Hotel, which is so laughably ostentatious that I'm shocked they even let me walk through the door. But they do because, against all norms of the universe, I actually work there for press events. And it's very, very nice. It's fun to pretend to be a princess for an afternoon. Even more fun when I'm carrying a bag I bought at WalMart for $4.79.
10) My dear friends in DC who I miss very much. My family in CA who I am glad to see more. And new friends in LA who are too much fun. I've been so blessed.
What are you grateful for?