What I'm Thankful For
Thanksgiving isn’t, y’know, strictly speaking something we celebrate in Australia, but as I’m part of all of these international communities, I think I’ll use this as a good excuse to give “mad props” to a bunch of things.
Tumblr and Twitter for putting me in touch with some utterly divine individuals. Mr. Browne, my ninth-grade English teacher, for being a very honest and helpful critic of my writing, and a mentor at a time when everybody had given up on me (academically). My Mum for busting her ass working to pay the rent (see this song for a pretty accurate depiction of my feelings regarding that). My Dad for having faith in my ability to do something amazing. Whether I actually can remains to be seen, but that blind encouragement is pretty significant to me. My grandparents for the love, the fruitcake on Christmas, and the dollah bills that you surreptitiously slip into my hand when you think nobody’s looking. Luke for being my P.I.C. and an amazing listener. Russell Brand for paving the way for the comfy and stylish leggings I’m wearing right now. Yeezy, for setting a good standard. Tess Lynch for being an inspiring writer, and also putting my dross on the lovely Filmosophy. My own LC. Girl, you’re crazy, but you helped me a lot in getting me to where I am right now. Erika for letting me have conversations that I’ve never had with other people. The Late Show with David Letterman for giving me somewhere to aspire to be. Ned Hepburn, I wish I could explain why but it’s inexplicable. Bonnie for being the brightest, most incredible girl I’ve ever had a platonic relationship with. Christmas for providing the opportunity to get stuff I really want but don’t have the money for. Jesus Christ for dying for our sins (just testing to see if you’re still reading). Spaced, No Heroics, FM and a slew of other British comedies for showing me how a quirky idea can be made into good television. DVD commentaries for a similar reason (I highly recommend the technical commentary of Clerks 2, by the way. I wish more directors would do a technical commentary track, but I’ve got a lot of those thoughts and they belong in a separate post). Sweet Clementiiiiine (bomp bomp bomp), for this, which was like an intravenous shot of liquid happiness during a fairly disappointing day (and those pics via Twitter, because now I have something new to hang on my wall). Scott for never looking at me like I belong in an asylum for the scripts I make you read. Arran for being a good friend, despite my constant insistence that you have the worst fucking taste in music. Russell Brand again for helping me not feel like an alien. Jesse for telling me I’m the greatest guy you’ve ever met. Calum and Alex for raiding Karazhan with me late at night on school nights. Nick Douglas for committing my name to paper and thus providing evidence of my self-worth as a writer. Ross & Erin for being my e-pimps back in the day. Gary Vaynerchuk for being infectiously optimistic. Happiness is one disease I’m glad to get from you, Gary Vee. Ze Frank for The Show, my feelings for which cannot be contained in a sentence. Avery Edison for countless things, from the talks about ambition to the curio propped up on my desk.
And naturally, you, the reader. This will undoubtedly seem cliche to you, but I warn you against dismissing your importance in my life. Ever since I started blogging and writing, I’ve felt the compulsion to do things that’ll make good stories to tell you guys. My life is divided into two parts: Creating anecdotes and re-telling those anecdotes. It’s made for one incredible ride so far, and hopefully I haven’t bored you, or unnecessarily offended you, yet. My goal has always been to inform, educate, and entertain, so if you’re not getting either of those, email me your name and I’ll personally apologise for failing you.
Thankyou all.
Hugs and kisses,
Jake
