Happy Thanksgiving

TEMPE -

Hey guys,

Just wanted to wish everyone out there a wonderful Thanksgiving, full of football, family and mounds upon mounds of stuffing. Anyone who's seen my mugshot knows I definitely am a fan of stuffing.

Also wanted to say thanks to the loyal readers out there who engage in lively - sometimes too lively - conversation, those who share in the joy of college athletics and those who keep me on my toes.

Hard to believe, but I've only been on this beat for about 15 months now, and it has easily been the hardest 15 months of my sportswriting career. I hope you guys know I'm trying my best, and I will continue to do so.

A couple hearty thanks:
To you readers, because without you, there is no me. Trust me, us newspaper folks - and I'm a newspaper guy, not a blogger - know that we are only sustained because of our readership. I appreciate the dialogue on this blog, even though I might get frustrated (easily), and I know that about four billion sportswriters out there would kill for this job.

To the Micah Kias of the world, college athletes who handle adversity and pain and frustration with humility and class.

To my editors, Gene Warnick and Brian Martin, who put up with my primadonna crap and kick my butt when I need it, but more importantly, give me the room to screw up and learn from it.

To my dad, who though not a UCLA fan, still reads this blog every day and remains the best editor I've ever had.

To my girlfriend, Jen, who hear more venting than a A/C repair man. You're way too good to me, and anyone who's seen your picture would absolutely agree. I'm the luckiest guy in the world.

Again, Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.