I haven't bought the turkey yet, but it'll happen. You make these new traditions occasionally, and the last few years a standard Thanksgiving dinner (turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie) with many bottles of good wine have been the order of the day. And, through the miracle of foresight, I've gathered almost everything necessary for the meal later in the week. Except, of course, the main attraction. One thing you can be assured of here in America--there is no shortage of turkeys for Thanksgiving at the grocery store.

So the method is set. But what do I have to be thankful for? The year has not been filled with black riders and doom. Not that the wind doesn't blow at times, but it's been mostly good. And that's why we fill up on comfort food, and wash it down with the blood of life.

Thanks for the year off. Getting laid off on Friday the 13th in January wasn't how I'd envisioned it all going down, but it worked out well enough. I got a check a week from the state for six months. I watched the entire series of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and a great many movies.

I've read tons of books. I don't even know how many, because I haven't been trying to count. I am currently in the middle of the Lord of the Rings, having finished The Hobbit last week and now over half way through Fellowship. I've never read the series before. My interest was piqued by documentaries accompanying the extended versions of the movies. Particularly the sections about how Tolkien developed and wrote the books.

I've lost some weight, although I still have a bit of jelly in the tummy. Not having fast food every weekday lunch helped immensely. Also, I stopped drinking cokes. I think I now average one sugar/carbonated drink a month, down from about five a week with my fast food lunches. I don't have to watch Fast Food Nation to realize what that crap does to you (of course, I already read the book and the reviews haven't been kind to the flick). And, while I haven't been running much, I do get out many days for a walk around the neighborhood.

Old Beans keeps me young. Playing drums have shaped my arms, shoulders and back to an extent. I saw a video of us playing and there was a bit of gorilla in my movements. We continue to confound audiences with our audacious take on rock n' roll. Old Beans may not be the most popular band in the world, but they can't do what we do, baby.

The Albuquerque rock scene is nice. Makes me feel part of a larger whole. I even played a set with another band (with Feels Like Sunday at the Johnny Cash tribute in September), which was a cool perspective to have. And, this weekend, I watched a few of my favorite Albuquerque bands rock out. Romeo Goes To Hell, Unit 7 Drain, the Lowlights and the Hollis Wake. The Wake played an amazing monster set on Saturday night, the longest I'd ever seen them rock. And, watching them all, I remember how much I love playing Old Beans music for people. Even if there's only four or five sitting in the audience. There are good reasons I don't go to many large concerts any more, and it's not all about money. I watch the musicians on stage and it makes me want to be up there rocking. And I'm probably never going to play the big stadiums, arenas or even convention centers. I guess there's a bit of envy there.

There have been extensions to the family this year (marriages of three of my cousins, and a baby to one other), which means gatherings have increased. In fact, there is one more in a couple of weeks. I've only got one grandparent left, and G'ma Heyne is turning 90 in early December. A party (not, y'know a hootenanny, but party nonetheless) will cap a year of family get togethers. It's been good seeing everyone this year. My grandma likes to ask when I'm going to get married, and, secretly, this is my way of keeping her around a little while longer. See, if she's waiting for me to get married, then she'll be around till 100. And getting to know my oldest nephew, as he's getting up there in age (almost five!), has been particularly interesting.

Of course, the extended family of friends. We don't see each other all the time, but it seems as I get older, the rest of the life takes up a big chunk. And the friends are always around, even when I don't seen them. Besides, we have to have stories to tell when we see each other, to accompany the beers and cheers.

I'm glad I don't have a cell phone or any of the myriad gaming systems people seem to covet beyond understanding these days.

I'm thankful for the roadrunners crossing my paths on an almost daily basis. And it's pretty damn nice my brother and roommate of many years hasn't figured out a good reason to leave yet.

Matt Worley just wanted to say thanks.