Seattlest Staffers: This is What We're Thankful For

Happy Turkey Day! by Chris Culler from the Seattlest Flickr pool.

Here at Seattlest, we like to think we're pretty blessed. We all get to go about our lives, and sometimes we get to share what's going on in our lives with our readers. And while we're taking the day off today, we still wanted to let everyone know what it is we're being thankful for today.

My dogs, indoor plumbing, and the fact that Rick Perry is not the Governor of my state.
Beer, fall colors, cold weather, and the fact that Seattle has such a thing as Star Trek Improv.
The upcoming return of FX's Archer, and the fact that compared to the lifestyles of the vast majority of humans who have ever existed, modern Americans are mortal gods inhabiting an earthly paradise.
The wonderful people of Seattlest. Without them all, I would have given up my writing career for good. Instead, they've all inspired me every single day to think more deeply, express more clearly, engage more vitally and live more fully. The last twelve months here have been positively rejuvenating. I could never do it without all the support and acceptance everyone has shown me.

Excellent!

I am thankful to the Italian National Tourist Board and the Italian Travel Promotion Council for having invited me to attend their weeklong travel symposium in Puglia (heel of the boot) last week. Gorgeous weather, fabulous scenery, jaw-dropping art and architecture.
I am thankful for Chris Polk, Where's My Water, Revel, Breaking Bad and these Wayne & Garth dogs.
A group by the name of Tape Traders is trying to establish a monthly pro-wrestling tape swap at Re-Bar, with the next installment going down on Monday, December 5th. The event will start with WWE's Monday Night Raw (blech), but will then go on to screen wrestling matches or talking segments brought in by any attendees via VHS, DVD or flash drive. The night also promises trivia, the chance to commentate over classic matches and even a scrappy little swap meet.

Considering Seattle's almost non-existent independent wrestling scene and the flaming trainwrecks that WWE and TNA have become, it's tough being a wrasslin' fan in the Pacific Northwest. That's why I'm thankful for Tape Traders, as well as Re-Bar's stunning track record for not being afraid to experiment with fresh, offbeat programming.

My amazing family, friends, coffee and blue ducks.

My village: family, friends, the unexpected kindnesses of near-strangers, and everyone in between. If it takes a village to raise a child (and I wish that weren't a Hillary book, but...), it's taken a village to keep me going over these last few years.