Thanks!

It's been a while, but I didn't want Thanksgiving to pass without at least a small shout out to everyone who follows this space and listens to the radio shows. I'm sitting in an empty house getting ready to grill a beautiful Rib Eye for my Thanksgiving dinner. I don't mean for that to sound depressing. Far from it. "Wife" and "Daughter" made the trip to Michigan last night to spend the holiday with "Wife's" mom and family. "Why didn't you go, Brian? Don't you want to share your Thanksgiving with, as Clark Griswold would say, "kith and kin"? Sure I would, but I'm giving thanks for the fact that I'm filling in for Steve and Johnnie from 11-5 on WGN tonight. I've also got the two big shows Friday and Saturday, so besides sleeping and working I wouldn't have been much company, so I'm thankful that "wife" and "Daughter" were able to spen Thaksgiving with that side of the family. I'm going to get my turkey fix Monday when I cook the whole spread and enjoy it with "Wife", "Daughter" and a few close friends. I think the sentient is more important than the timing. That and the fact that I can't go without all those terrific leftovers.

Despite having a year like most of you that was full of ups and downs, I have a lot to be thankful for. I have a wife and daughter that love and tolerate me, or vice versa. I've got a number of good friends that I can count on. Wow, this looks like the beginning of a list. Let's go with that then.

Cliched (but true) List of Things I'm Thankful For (including the above):

- A warm place to live and the greatest mattress ever to lay my hulking frame on.

- Enough scratch to buy food to keep said frame hulking.

- Relatively good health. (This year has seen more health issues than all the previous ones combined.)

- My dogs. (Ain't that sweet? Pet owners can relate.)

- A job that despite sometimes being frustrating is one I've dreamed of.

- The people who listen to and appreciate the job I do.

- Direct TV and my HD DVR. What would I be without you?

- The "Comfort King" from which I watch my 64" TV.

- My Captain America coffee mug. I like to feel like a super hero in the morning.

- A lot of sappy stuff that I'm not going to write down lest you think I'm some sort of soft girly man, despite the fact that sometimes I am.

OK, that's enough for now. I've got a steak to grill and dogs to pet. I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving, whether you are surrounded by the ones you love, or by yourself. Take a second and make your own list. I also hope you finally get to move up from the "kid's table."

If you're up doing some crazy shopping or sneaking a sandwich, tune into the shows tonight and this weekend. We have a lot planned and it's a great way to help you digest. Happy Thanksgiving! Later...Brian

Let's Move Along Folks

What a week! I've spent so much time digesting all that's happened that I found no time to put thoughts to screen. Where to begin? We'll talk about the election in a minute, but let's get the most important story of the week out of the way first. We finally know the identity of "Mr. Man" the pudgy guy who's shoulder was the recipient of so many of Oprah's sweet tears during Barack Obama's coronation, I mean rally, Tuesday night. This was a bigger mystery than "who shot JR", "where's the beef" or "where's Waldo". The nation held it's collective breath as the bushes were beaten and every stone in America was turned over. Who cared that we had just held a historic election? We needed to know who Oprah had attached herself to like an overly emotional barnacle. Turns out, the guy's name is Sam Perry and he's an Obama fund raiser from California. He claims he didn't mind having a weeping Oprahtross hanging off his back the entire night. He was on her show today, but despite having shared their body heat and her fluids, Queen Oprah didn't offer him any of her favorite things. She probably figured that since her tears can heal the sick, she had given him enough.

I was very excited by the election results. I must admit to getting a little misty watching some of the interviews with people who had worked with Dr. Martin Luther King during the Civil Rights movement. I won't pretend to have even the slightest idea of what it means to them and to all African Americans to have Obama as President. I did see a lot of hopeful faces while I was watching the rally. That's great. I'm hopeful too. It was wonderful being able to share the moment with "Daughter" who had become quite the political wonk over the last few weeks. Now though, it's time to get on with things.

The election is over and by all accounts, there are no challenges like there were in 2000. That means the die is cast, the deed is done, and the race is over. Hear that America? It's over. If you voted for Obama, congrats, we won, but stop gloating. (Unless you're African American, then you get to show your pride a little longer.) Quit trying to get a rise out of McCain supporters. They're upset enough. Try to be as gracious in victory as John McCain was during his concession speech. If you're a McCain supporter, deal with it. Your guy didn't get enough votes. That's the way things go. If you're concerned about the future of the country, guess what, join the club, but stop with the crazy rumors about Obama's birth certificate, terrorist ties and inability to protect us. He's going to be President no matter how many conspiratorial e-mails you get or send, so why not wait until he actually makes a mistake to criticize. I have a feeling that's what you would be telling obama supporters to do if the shoe were on the other foot. Oh and while I'm at it, stop trying to trivialize the historic nature of the election results with this tired chestnut "You know he's half white too. Why don't they make a big deal about that." If you really need that clarified, then you probably can't read this anyway. If you're a Palin supporter.....really? There's nothing I can write that would get us any closer together on that one. Trust this though, it has nothing to do with her being a woman, so stop beating that drum.

That being said, I think it's time for everyone put hurt feelings aside and try to move on. I know, easier said than done. I'll take the first step. I won't mock Sarah Palin in this space unless she really brings it on herself. I won't even bring up the latest stories, despite them being quite juicy. It doesn't matter any more. The campaign is over and she went home.

Now for the really important stuff. Don't forget the two big WGN Overnight shows this weekend. Tonight/ tomorrow morning from 2-5 and Sat. night/Sunday morning from 1-5. the shows will be politics free for the first time in a while so we can focus on what's really importantt....who are the Jonas brothers dating? Have a great weekend. Later...Brian