On Thursday, I was thankful for:

1. The amazing dishes that everyone brought.
2. That my turkey finished (relatively) on time.
3. Baked brie.
4. Heather's ass-kickin' placecards.
5. Our seemingly excessive two tables.
6. Extra wine.
7. People who clean their plates.
8. That I don't have to play Trivial Pursuit very often.
9. That I get to play celebrities all the time.
10. A wonderful fiancé that cooks AND cleans, and 10 wonderful friends who made San Francisco home for the holidays.

On Friday, I was thankful for Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Amazing Race, Friends, and three episodes of "24" on the TiVo.

Four stars for Thanksgiving 2002!

Please note:

1. Snoop Dogg hosts Girls Gone Wild
2. Usher guest stars on 7th Heaven
3. P Diddy produces Making the Band II

Who wins?

This may or may not be a trick question.

Yesterday I went to Trivia Night at a bar in the Haight. I could not help my team by supplying the name of the state that recently ordered four new executions (Texas, of course). I could not help my team by supplying the name of the only president who was part of the confederacy (Jefferson Davis). I could, however, help my team by supplying the first and last name of the Survivor: Australia winner (Tina, and Wesson, respectively).

It's good to know your strengths.

Hey! Helenjane's on Vicodin too.

In other injury-related news: It's fun to limp into the ladies' room and give admonitory looks to coworkers frivolously using the handicapped stall.

Last week in a blogging tragedy, The Minister burned down. I can't even fathom losing all my content. A few of the brave souls have started building new places of worship: Please wish them well.

Together:

Michelle and I got our braces off, had sleepovers, stole our mothers' makeup, attended 8th grade graduation, learned to drive, smoked cigarettes in the woods, tested our parents' liquor cabinets, crank-called the soccer team, snuck into the town beach after midnight, got invited to upperclassmen parties, got left out of upperclassmen parties, cleared tables at a Chinese restaurant, packed groceries, saw U2, went tanning, danced at the prom, cried brokenhearted on each other's shoulder, modeled in the high school fashion show, fell in love, got grounded, stayed out all night, and even put on the finishing touches before joining the party in the dining room.

Last night Michelle and I caught up after more than a year of lost touch. If you have an old friend you've been thinking about calling... I highly recommend it.

I meant to post this earlier, but my injuries impaired my blogability this week. Or, more accurately, my picture post-ability. Or something. Anyway:

4-Bedroom Beach House
+
9 Awesome Friends
+
300 Instances of "Maverick"
+
54 Names in the Hat
+
5 Fabulous Dishes
+
20 Minutes of Glorious Sunset
=
1 Perfect Weekend
-
Allyson Falling Off A Motorscooter Going Really, Really Fast Down a Really Big Hill

Don't worry too much, I only have a broken toe. And sprained knee. And various cuts and bruises. But really, I'm ok. Don't putcherself out on my account. I like hobbling. Please, sit down, I can do it myself. I'll get it. No really, no problem. Thanks.

Did you know that Gwen Stefani is appearing on Dawson's Creek next week?? And you made fun of me.

I've washed my face 5 times since last night, but the last 10% of eyeliner refuses to budge. Cheers to you, L'Oreal.

And cheers to Helenjane for throwing a super-fun Halloween party! I was humbled by her and Hilary's 90210 re-enactment, as well as the mad la-vor-a-tory and the many other revelers' boundless creativity.

Thankfully, my Halloween costume and I found each other just in the nick of time. Though most people didn't get it (I blame it on the expense of HBO), those who did made up for the loss. The toy dog and the press-on nails tie for my favorite prop of the night... I really wish I had more opportunities to wear shimmering purple talons.

Sadly, Bryan/Chris-ta-pha was unable to join me. This makes it all the more amusing/annoying that I had to go to Home Depot and buy 3 feet of rubber tubing for his costume. I skillfully avoided the helpful HD staffer's questions about what I'm using it for ("Halloween costume!") and what exactly do I mean by that ("Well, do you get HBO?") and what show, then, am I referring to ("... The Sopranos?"), nimbly escaping in the nick of time to leave him scratching his chin in the plumbing aisle.

If I have time this weekend (we're taking Game Night on the road!) I want to track down all my Halloween pics from the last 10 years and scan them in. Off the top of my head, I think my collection dates back to UMASS freshman year, when I was Bride of Frankenstein. Amateur, sure, but excellent hair.

Just try and tell me this isn't the best picture ever. I didn't realize until today how much Martha Stewart. Adriana La Cerva, and Purgatory have in common.

If Halloween is any indication, I think SF might be my soul-mate city.