Quick Thanking: Gobble, Gobble, Bitches.

America's favorite Hangover Holiday provides the perfect opportunity for starting an annual practice of paying respect to some of the sights, sounds and events that, up to this point, have directly or indirectly shaped yours truly as a person and, in most cases, the psyche-molding magic was achieved unbeknownst even to those providing it.

Let us give thanks.

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Quick Thanking
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-- I'm thankful my Super Bowl kicker's name was Adam Vinatieri and not Scott Norwood.

-- Or Ray Finkle.

-- I'm thankful the judicial system is as imperfect as I am.

-- I'm thankful my nephews realize love is measured by interaction and not purchased gifts.

-- I'm thankful the Joyce Brothers Grimm have atoned for childhood wrongs by providing two sets of children who have kept hope alive in my heart since the day they were born.

-- I think Fencepost Roboto will provide more of the same.

-- Times a million.

-- I'm thankful my gut instinct is right most of the time.

-- I'm also thankful its wrong on occasion.

-- I'm thankful my journey is like no other I've ever heard off.

-- I'm thankful I can "go deep" better than Brett Favre ever will.

-- I'm thankful it wasn't 3 degrees colder the night of January 9th, 2004.

-- Or 3 degrees warmer, for that matter.

-- I'm pretty pumped I wasn't driving my Xterra that night as well.

-- I'm thankful my polarizing personality lets me know where I stand with people at all times.

-- Helps keeps me relaxed.

-- Doesn't do shit for my persistent pit stains, though.

-- I'm thankful my hometown is Central Falls, R.I.

-- Or, rather, The City of Dreams. (It's lesser known moniker.)

-- Based on the current governing body, corruption, cocaine and indictments should be in there somewhere.

-- I'm thankful Victoria has a secret.

-- Especially her "push up" ones.

-- I'm thankful the Zombie Renaissance is happening all around me.

-- I'm also thankful my stellar crossbow skills will keep me safe when the Renaissance evolves into the Apocalypse.

-- I'm thankful The Foundation allows me to be, well, me.

-- I'm thankful the demons in my closet don't visit as much.

-- I do miss "TJ" at times, though.

-- I'm thankful kdb was unapproachable.

-- I'm thankful Common's The Light provided me a musical personification of what love needs to be.

-- I'm thankful the Red Sox won a World Series Championship during my lifetime.

-- And then did it again.

-- I'm thankful v2.0 has challenged my views and sharpened my wits.

-- He also provided THE blueprint for behaviors I need to keep an eye out for when v3.0 arrives.

-- I'm thankful for every girl who broke my heart.

[Editor's Note: The resulting "rebounds" may not share that sentiment.]

-- I'm thankful for musical interludes.

-- If the second verse doesn't give you goosebumps on your goosebumps be sure to check your pulse.

-- I'm thankful the Team Chickenhawk triumvirate -- Yoda, Grandma JoJo & The Illegal Rudder -- took me under their collective wings in '99 and provided support as I discovered independence during my NYC years.

-- I'm thankful "potential" is eternal.

-- Reflection is, too.

-- I'm thankful I've seen 2 different versions of "The Big Three."

-- I'm thankful Shannon protected my youth, Saydie stood post after college and Umi shines her light today.

-- I'm thankful the sins of my father passed along to me.

-- And, now identified, I won't allow my son to be victimized by them.

-- I'm thankful I know what it feels like to dunk a basketball.

-- I'm also thankful I made it through my "career" avoiding being dunk'd on. Had a few in-game scuffles, flagrant fouls and post-game confrontations to keep that streak alive.

-- You know what they say about making an omelet...

-- I'm thankful Big Nick provides a moral standard I'll never obtain.

-- Doesn't mean I can't keep trying.

-- I'm thankful this blog has provided the voice I need to make sense of it all.

-- I'm thankful you take a little time out of your day to read sportsandthoughts.com.

-- Yes, you.

Quick Thinking: Character Flaws

True character is displayed during the valleys - not the peaks - of life, dear readers. So, while I'm dusting myself off for the umteenth time, my focus will be on things I live for.

And writing this blog is one of those things.

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Quick Thinking
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-- The Boston Celtics will run away with the Eastern Conference Title this year.

-- Then roll over Los Angeles in 5 for the franchises' 18th championship.

-- When I eventually have children, I've decided I want to "cut the cord" with the follow caveat: I get to use those big novelty scissors politicians use when a new, upscale hotel is opened in the heart of their city.

-- Hope I make it through hospital security with 'em.

-- Michael Vick's reclamation project is officially complete.

-- Congratulations on debunking all those relationship stereotypes swirling around professional athletes, Mr. Parker. You've squandered the love of a beautiful woman in addition to the privilege that comes along with it.

-- But, on the bright side, at least you'll make Tiger's Christmas card list this year.

-- So you have that going for you...

-- The over/under in the Cowboys/Lions game is wearing the Cement Shoes this weekend.

-- If they don't, I'll be wearing a pair at the bottom of the Blackstone River by Monday morning.

-- I don't remember dating a girl name Karma. But, based on how much the bitch hates me, I must have.

-- She should have realized I wasn't a keeper.

-- Quote of the Week goes to my favorite co-worker who made the following observation while having a post work libation, "Terrence, that girl is special...well, for a Hooters' girl."

-- They're all special, mate.

-- They're all cukin' frazy, too.

-- Beyonce's new commercial supports the age old marketing adage that sex does, in fact, sell.

-- There's no truth to the rumor an assistant falling to his death from a video taping tower is a microcosm of Notre Dame's football program during the post Lou Holtz era.

-- Too soon?

-- Does remembering when microwave popcorn was invented make me old?

-- Really?

-- Next thing you know you'll be telling me eating that same bag of popcorn near the local grade school during recess makes me creepy.

-- Useless Information Award of the Week goes to the New England Patriots for having a player named Zoltan.

-- Don't mess with him.

-- -- Remember, y'all, if you've ever enjoyed a laugh while reading and you have a facebook account, PLEASE CLICK HERE to become a fan.

-- Big ups to Kansas State University professor Mark Haub for changing the perception of my love for Twinkies from a "guilty pleasure" to a "healthy diet option."

-- Emmy Rossum, following in the footsteps of Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Cox, is the latest starlet to fall for Adam Duritz.

-- This is Ms. Rossum.



-- And this is Mr. Duritz.



-- If his pimp prowess continues, Adam will overtake Justin Timberlake atop my "man crush" list.

-- As well as Wilt Chamberlain.

You Can Take the Boy Out of C.F. ...

This blog is a shout out to a childhood friend who, since kindergarten, has navigated the minefield known as friendship with Terrence Joyce. (Think Saving Private Ryan but, rather than having a bunch of Germans shooting at you while you storm the beaches, you have to dodge the mean-spirited quips of my multiple personalities. Oh, and we outnumber the German army by millions.)

My friend, one Mr. Jorge Betancourt, offered an eye opening observation when he said: "I just want to tell you you're slackin' on your blog."

He's right.

The fact of the matter is simple: I'm not writing solely for my own selfish, cathartic needs anymore. As incredible as it may seem I actually have fans. Sure, maybe not enough to fill a school bus to capacity but certainly enough to push that same school bus out of harm's way so long as it was down a steep hill. Either way, regardless of the real number, fans are the personification of accountability which means I need to be, well, more accountable.

If I "expect" friends, strangers and other cyberspace dwellers to consistently read my inane babble than I need to provide a more consistent stream of said babble.

Lesson learned.

Big ups for the reality check, brother. Never be afraid to keep 'em coming.