Today is the fourth Thursday in November.

Here in the United States, Thanksgiving is traditionally a day for gathering with family and enjoying a large meal together. In our household, one tradition is to go around the dinner table and say what makes us thankful on this holiday. Imagine our table filled with a big turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, turkey gravy, and cranberry sauce, as I start…

This year, I am thankful for being able to make a living doing what I enjoy. Professionally, I am thankful for having good clients and interesting projects, and I am thankful that our company has survived in this tough industry longer than any other employer I have ever had. Personally, I am thankful that my family is healthy, that my wife is still supportive of my career despite the hardships and sacrifices, and that my children are both smart, enjoyable, and generally great kids.

While one is being thankful, it is an excellent time to also spare a thought for those less fortunate. As mentioned (and possibly given short shrift) a couple of days ago, the Child’s Play charity is an initiative within our industry to provide toys and games to kids in Children’s Hospitals in the United States and, now, Canada. It is really easy to support: Simply go to the Child’s Play web site, click a controller representing a hospital, and purchase one or more products from the (Amazon) wish list to be shipped directly to the hospital for distribution to the children. As an alternative, simply click on the PayPal link and just donate cash to the effort. It takes less time and thought but will be just as appreciated.

One more big tradition is gathering around the radio to listen to Arlo Guthrie’s “Alice’s Restaurant“, which is playing right now as I finish this message…

“You can get anything you want, at Alice’s Restaurant (‘cepting Alice).”