I am thankful for…

Thanksgiving - even though I think it’s a stupid holiday, and I pretty much hate all the food associated with it - for giving me the opportunity to spend the day with family that I love and actually enjoy being around.

I am thankful every day that I am able to make a living being creative and doing something I love. (Except for when I’m on strike)

I am thankful that I am allowed to be a part of the incredible community of people that make up LAist, and I am thankful that they let stink up their blog with my blather.

I am thankful to live in a great city that continuously inspires me.

Driving down the coast, MOCA, Booze Clues at Rudolpho’s, Friday nights at Hollywood Park, County Fair, rooting against the Dodgers, RACE LA, bingo at Hamburger Mary’s, live music at Mr. T’s Bowl, driving up the Angeles Crest Highway, Magic Castle, and Amoeba Records.

2am carne asada burritos from La Estrella, spicy Schezwan in Monterey Park, breakfast at The Pantry, Korean BBQ at Soot Bull Jeep, pizza at Tony’s Bella Vista, sushi in Little Tokyo, pastrami at Langer’s, dumplings in Baldwin Park, burgers at 25 Degrees, Fish & Chips at Buchannan’s, and brunch at the Smoke House.

Cadillac Margaritas at Don Cucos, whisky at Seven Grand, martinis at Liquid Kitty, Bloody Mary’s at Taix, Jack & Cokes at Mixville, champagne brunch anywhere, wine tasting at the Colorado Wine Company, after-dinner Frangelico at Taylor’s, the summer beer garden at the New Otani, checking off my beer passport at Crown City Brewery, Dunkel at Red Lion, Boddington’s at Cat N’ Fiddle, whatever’s on tap at Johnnies, Golden Gopher, The Cave, Footsies, Broadway Bar, Red Bar, La Cita, The Shortstop, The Bounty, The Cave, The Edison, The Griffin, or whichever place is the closest.

X, The Clash, Big Star, Television, David Bowie, The Minutemen, Guided By Voices, Black Flag, Black Sabbath, Frank Black, Kim Deal, The Ramones, PJ Harvey, Wire, Neil Young, Bad Brains, Elvis Costello, Wilco, Richard Hell, The Who, The Replacements, The Stooges, The Jam, KISS, and any of the hundreds of artists who make up my music collection, and who gave meaning to my life when I felt like there was none.

I am thankful for late nights in my living room, surrounded by friends, playing acoustic guitars and singing like lunatics.

I am thankful for my puppy, Daisy, and for my kickass wife, who shares my passion for all things Los Angeles and who lets me be me.

I am thankful for stream of consciousness lists.