Sand box

Thanksgiving is the exact opposite of Yom Kippur. Yes, it is a period of forced reflection of the past year, but you get to focus on all the happy events. Plus, God won't smite you at the dinner table for cream-laden mashed potatoes with ham. Here at recess we have a lot to be thankful for:

--Our creepy Uncle Jon will not be joining us at the dinner table this year. Finally, we will no longer have to fear Uncle Jon's awkward come-on's and sexual innuendo. No, we do not want to pay a nickel for mustache rides. Yes, we get that certain private areas have the same name of the piece of turkey you are currently consuming. Luckily for us, Uncle Jon will be spending this thanksgiving on Lasalle street in the back of what used to be known as Railroad Video.

--After a cheap beer tasting, a cheap wine tasting, and one too many recess parties, our faithful co-editor Robert has decided to put down the bottle. Now he will no longer beat Alex in drunken rage like he did last Thanksgiving, when he realized that he was eating sweet potatoes and not yams. He is stepping away from the Maker's Mark and lemon-flavored vodka to pursue a higher calling as Courtney Love's personal crab tamer.

--Slava for being recess's blessing sent from heaven. She is the only one that can hook us up with sexy Eastern European musicians such as the scantily-clad girls from t.A.T.u. and the ab-fabulous boys from O-Zone. We don't care if they "drive on the opposite side of the road," they are still pretty to look at.

--Duke administration for their never-ending construction on the B.C. walkway. Now recess can work off winter weight gain by walking the long way to Alpine for our fat-free Peach Paradise smoothie. A second bonus is the sound of jackhammers at 8:00 AM, ensuring that we will never miss our 100 level Geography of Canada lecture.

--Amazing freshmen like Irem Mertol, Jessica Wirth, and Baishi Wu. The fact they have stuck around after hearing Corinne and Robert duet is a testament to their commitment and passion for the arts. Plus, when recess gets trashed at the Christmas party we'll have someone to hit on.

--Pokie the cute, and loveable cat that brings warmth to our hearts and smiles to our faces. She'll be useful as midnight snack when the turkey is done.