Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  As we all get ready to cook mountains of food, watch hours of football, and prepare for our tryptophan-induced comas, I wanted to take a step back and reflect on what we as a community are thankful for, both in our passion for all things Disney and are lives as a whole.  As you know, I asked people to send in what they are most thankful for this Thanksgiving, and this was there response . . .

Our first entry came to us from our very own Peter, aka “Snuggie's Pal” – a regular on the Studioscentral boards:

This year, I am thankful that I have a job to go to every weekday for the last six and a half years and counting, surpassing my previous employment.  It is because of this job that I have met some of the more interesting people that I can share part of my life with. Speaking of people, I am thankful that I have made friends from the museum that I had volunteered with, and that I continue to keep these friends with a monthly gathering that I call Pie Day.  What better way to celebrate great friendship than with pie?

Finally, I am thankful to be living independently in my Manhattan apartment.  It took me fifteen years to get to where I am right now, but I made it.  Though affordable, it still takes a large chunk out of my bank account, but I couldn't ask for a better home base than what I have now.  I've nearly gotten used to city living, and I'm still learning how to budget my money to survive, especially in these tough economic times.

Happy Thanksgiving, StudiosCentral!

Next, Jeanne, aka PixieDust, Studioscentral’s very own moderator extraordinaire had this to say about Thanksgiving:

What I am thankful for...

Well it may sound silly, but I'm thankful for inner strength and for the quest for happiness and actually finding it.  A lot of people don't have the strength to find true happiness or true love, but I'm thankful that somehow I found the strength to. It's amazing how long people can go through life unhappy, afraid to make that big move or that big chance, but I am thankful for happiness and true love.  I love the fact that I am happy for once, and for that I am eternally thankful for, and I wasn't afraid to go after it.  I am also thankful for the support from amazing friends and family that supported me and helped make my quest easier.

Oh, and I'm thankful for Mickey Mouse... because you know. He's cool.

Aaron, otherwise known as ADP, had this great response to contribute about the Disney Internet Community...

I sometimes think of aspects of my life I take for granted when thinking of what I’m thankful for.  Over the past 10 years I’ve been a part of a pretty dynamic community.  Most people I know would think I’m crazy for saying this; although some would understand, but the Disney Internet community is what I’ve grown to become thankful for. 

We turn our computers on during the day or at night and there it is; many people who share the same passion as we do.  We have our choice of many unofficial Disney sites to visit, but we tend to visit ones that appeal to us more directly than others.  The Disney Internet Community has been available to us for 10-plus years now.  Each year new sites have joined the community and we’ve been invited to visit or join them with open arms.  Over the years we’ve met new people and made new friends and shared our common bond of all things Disney. 

As we near Mousefest we are reminded how large the Disney Internet community has become.  Let us not only be thankful for the Disney community, or the friends we’ve made along the way, but also for the Disney enthusiasts who work behind the scenes to make the Disney community a reality.  You see, websites and discussion forums don’t just maintain and run themselves.  It takes time, effort and support to keep them running.  So, I’m thankful for those Webmasters, Columnists, and Podcasters who put in their time and effort daily so we can connect and share our Disney passion.  Without them the Disney community would not be a strong as it is today.

And, last, but certainly not least, Kim, aka Figaro as she’s known on our forums, adds this to our list of things to be thankful for:

I am most thankful for all the friends I have made through a few Disney fan sites!  My interest in Disney World has led me to meet some of the greatest people from all over the place that I wouldn't have met otherwise.  The bonus is when we get to meet in Disney World and share some of the Disney magic in person.

So there you have it – some of what our special Studioscentral community has to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.  As for me, well – I am simply thankful for the fact that I have had this amazing opportunity to meet some very special people.  We come here because of our love of everything Disney, but we often find out that is only one of many things we enjoy and have in common.

Before I sign off this week, I want to congratulate Jeanne and Aaron for winning either a $25 Disney gift card or a fancy Studioscentral t-shirt!  I will email you this week to ask for your preference and mailing address.  I also want to thank everyone who participated and shared with us what they are most thankful for.  I hope everyone has a memorable and safe Thanksgiving this year.  

Until next time!

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