Tis The Season For Giving Nerdy Thanks - East Idaho News
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Tis The Season For Giving Nerdy Thanks

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Retailers have been telling us that the holiday season has been here for what feels like six months already, but it actually officially arrives this week. As families gather together to give thanks, it feels appropriate to reflect on what life has given me. And although I’m not where I really want to be in life, I have an awful lot for which to be grateful. Check it out:

    • I’m thankful for George Lucas. – It’s become fashionable to bash Lucas for ruining “Star Wars” with the Prequel Trilogy of his endless tinkering with the original movies. But without Lucas’s space opera, I would be a very different person. I probably wouldn’t have any desire to tell stories, a desire that was sparked by seeing “Star Wars” as a kid. I wouldn’t be writing or doing anything creative. I’d probably be an office drone, and though I’m dissatisfied with my life, I’d much rather be where I am now than where I’d be without “Star Wars”.

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  • I’m thankful for NaNoWriMo. – Participating in National Novel Writing Month the first time back in 2010 was a revelation. I realized I loved writing fiction, and it felt like a natural part of who I am. I’ve learned so much about telling stories, writing, and even about myself from doing NaNoWriMo. Plus, it gives me an excuse to do something on Thanksgiving besides watching football and stuffing my face.
  • I’m thankful for good friends. – I have a good group of cool people who support me in my efforts. They say lovely things about my columns and make me feel like I need to keep trying to be a writer.
  • I’m thankful for the haters. – They help keep me humble.
  • I’m thankful for my cousin Neil. – Neil was the guy who introduced me to heavy metal music. He helped open a whole new world to my young and inexperienced ears. If not for him, I’d probably become a fan of Adele. Or worse, The Eagles. That’s a fate worse than death.
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  • I’m thankful for Wal-Mart. – More specifically, I’m thankful that I live within reasonable driving distance of a 24-hour Wal-Mart, so that when I have a late-night urge to play with Legos or pick up the latest season of “Supernatural”, that urge can be satisfied in a relatively timely manner.
  • I’m thankful for the Sons of Metal podcast. – This show, hosted by two funny, articulate metalheads, is not only entertaining and hilarious, but a great way to discover awesome new metal. Seriously, I have been turned on to so many cool metal bands because of this podcast, most of whom I probably would never have heard of otherwise. Thanks guys!
  • I’m thankful for Netflix. – I’m grateful I have something to syphon up my free time. If not for Netflix, I’d probably spend too much time cow tipping or looking for Sasquatch.
  • I’m thankful for movie theaters. – Thanks to digital and streaming services, brick and mortar theaters are probably going the way of the dinosaurs. But, sitting in a darkened theater, having a communal experience with fellow moviegoers while having a personal experience at the same time is still one of my favorite things ever.
  • I’m thankful for the guitar. – I don’t know who invented the instrument, but I owe them so much more than I can possibly pay. Thank you so much for creating my favorite companion, noise maker, and therapy device.
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  • I’m thankful for my ability to think for myself. – Of all the blessings I’ve received, I think I treasure the ability to think for myself the most. I love that I can make up my own mind about things. I can decide for myself what I believe about God, creation or politics. I don’t need to follow the crowd. I can think for myself. Thinking for yourself can cause you to be lonely, but I’d rather be a lone wolf than just another sheep.

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