The Considerable Setbacks Thanksgiving Special (Or: 6 Things for Which I'm Thankful)

I know I'm a little late for this, but I got tagged in one of those little number game posts on Facebook (the kind where you list facts about yourself), so I've decided to finally participate through this blog post. I got the number six. However, simply listing interesting facts is far too mainstream, I say over the sound of a Black Keys record and PBR swirling in the can. Instead, I'm putting a little holiday spin on this game by writing down six things I'm thankful for this year, in no particular order.

"I liked stuffing back when it was called 'dressing'."

Six Things for Which I'm Thankful (notice how I didn't end that with a preposition? NOTICE IT!):

1. My new pixie haircut. Back in August, I finally took the plunge and got a good chunk of my hair whacked off (enough to fill two buckets, actually). For the first time in my life, I have a look that really feels like "me." And now Jennifer Lawrence and Kristin Chenoweth are copying me, because they wanna be cool too. 

2. The fact that I've really grown a pair this year--as much as a lady can, anyway. I can drive a car decently without feeling like Death is giving me a wedgie every time I leave the driveway. I took a huge risk by accepting a production assistant job in Raleigh on a show for the DIY network; this involved putting my minimum wage job on the line, getting up at 4 a.m. for the long drive to Raleigh, braving the storm of Bon Jovi concert traffic on my steel horse, and working for two twelve-hour days on four hours of sleep as the only female on set. While on my period. Basically, I wanted something, and instead of giving up and letting it go, I stood up and ran it down.

3. Speaking of jobs, next week I will no longer be a lowly deli associate, but an associate producer for an Emmy-winning TV series. I'm especially grateful for this job because it came from a situation that I thought was bad at first, but turned out to be good. Last summer, I wanted to do an internship in film or television, but it had to be within commuting distance since I couldn't afford a car or an apartment, and I also couldn't afford to pay summer tuition, which many internships require (you pay to work instead of getting paid. I know, it's screwed up). Because of this, UNC-TV's internship was literally the only one I could do. Not only did they let me work for them, but they also introduced me to David Hardy, co-producer of Our State and my new boss, whose faith in my abilities has given me more confidence as a media professional than I've had in a long time. I'm also grateful to Morgan Potts, my other new producer-boss, for also trusting me enough with their beautiful program to hire me.
4. Parents who use words like "fortuitous" in everyday conversation. Seriously though, they're the ones who read to me as a kid and insisted on talking to me as if I were an adult, and I don't think I'd be as good a writer without them.
5. I know I say this every year, but, my friends. Every time I write one of these little tributes I sound like a drunk person (I love you guys...just...so much...you are the BEST *laughs and sloshes wine on someone's shirt*). But really, you guys are the best. Everywhere I ramble, I seem to have the good fortune of always befriending the most interesting, intelligent, hilarious, and nicest people around.
6. Anybody who does nice things for people. I love seeing even small justices done in a world full of injustice. Also, in a world of lies and ulterior motives, I'm grateful for anyone who does these things with honesty and genuine kindness. Really, any kind of self-sacrifice is something to be thankful for.