Today I suffered the repercussions of too much food. I think Nicole and I are trying to recapitulate our childhoods, but +1. It’s a common malady, I think we need to decide enough is enough and just eat sandwiches.

But since I didn’t do the obligatory Thanksgiving post and because I still feel a little unwell, I’ll give you something short and sweet: a bulleted list. And then maybe a short pontification because that’s what I seem to do.

• I am thankful for my wife and child.
• I am grateful we have enough food to eat.
• I am glad that I can work from home.
• I am appreciative that I am not deathly allergic to bee-stings.
• I am ecstatic that my genitals are not on fire.
• I am likewise relieved that this cat on my lap is not made of corrosive acid.
• I am happy I have beer.
• I am aware this list has turned from thanks into feelings, and also tongue-in-cheek.

My list is both sincere and humorous. Perhaps it’s just me, but sometimes I get the vibe that it’s inappropriate to be both. You can’t be serious and also find humor in something at the same time. I’m not sure why that is. I find a little levity helps to make the point, and being all serious all the time seems really limiting in terms of looking at situations, pros and cons.

The don’t-mix-humor thing feels the same as the don’t-point-out-flaws thing. You know, if someone you disagree with points out flaws with your philosophy, they must hate your entire philosophy and you. You can totally point out flaws with a system and still appreciate the system. For example, pointing out problems with your family or problems with your relationship.

If it’s interpreted as an attack, that’s a red flag that something actually needs to be fixed with the relationship or the system in question. The first rule of Fight Club is you don’t talk about Fight Club. The first rule of a dysfunctional system is you don’t talk about the dysfunctional system. The corollary (and this is not my own, but via my dad): if you are the one who points out that the system is dysfunctional, you are the asshole.

It’s a kind of rule of thumb I follow. If I feel a system is crazy and when I point out that it’s crazy I am supposed to feel like a heel simply because I pointed it out, that’s actually my validation.

So I am also thankful for that knowledge, and I am a happier man for that. Thanks, Dad.

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