5 Things That I Am Thankful For: Jeff Bond Edition

Since today is Thanksgiving, I decided to have some of CCD's closest friends & contributors share the 5 things in their lives that they are truely thankful for... not family, or boyfriends/girlfriends/spouses etc.... the real stuff they need to keep them going. With no further ado, I present my partner in crime here at CCD... the man who brought you the greatest Lost Recaps ever & now shows you the amazing world of Lego... the man, the myth, Jeff "Great Odin's Beard!!!" Bond's 5 Things I Am Thankful For!!!

5) Music- There is a constant soundtrack playing in my head that I'd prefer to sync up with my clock radio at home, my car stereo, or Pandora.com at work but, I can do without those for a short period of time as long as there's something on rotation in my head at all moments of the day. Without music, I can't fall asleep at night, drive properly or focus throughout my workday...and I'd probably have gone insane decades ago.


4) Movies- . Sometime after my teens I had forgotten about most TV viewing and spent my time catching up on films from the past 30 years. I broke away from that TV hiatus when, one evening, I came across the first episode of a show called 'LOST' that seemed like it was rooted in EVERYTHING I love about films...and didn't share many qualities with other TV shows I had seen. Since it's been off the air, it hasn't been easily replaced and I find myself, again, delving into a new space adventure, or horror flick, an action thriller or date movie. While others spend their time marathon-ing their favorite TV shows. I'd much rather disappear in to a different 2-hour world once or twice a day. Keep all these TV shows that usually outstay their welcome and run out of ideas. Give me a movie any day, instead.

3) Star Wars- It seems insane but, I don't think that there's a day that goes by that doesn't have some connection to Star Wars in some way. Whether I'm discussing the films, thinking about my old toys, helping to create posts for Cultural Compulsive Disorder, or just having some random conversation with someone in which the force, epic Good vs. Evil feuds, or see a random stranger baring the likeness of REE-YEES...Star Wars plays a role. It is said that every episode of 'Seinfeld' contains Superman in some way shape or form...and 'Star Wars' is my 'Superman' in that way.

2) Food- I literally think about what pleasure my next meal will bring me the second I finish my previous meal. It's Not healthy to seek comfort in food I know but I do it and I can't picture a day without at least one meal that looks and tastes pretty epic. The perfect slice of pizza...a salad piled so enormously high that it cancels out it's nutritional value....a burger complimented just so with my favorite toppings. I'd be an angry man if I suddenly found myself in one of those futuristic societies that served only pills as meal replacements.

1) Yooki (my pup!)- She's usually one of the first things I see or hear when I awake in the morning and one of the last things I see or hear each day before I shut down. Before I owned a puppy, I thought it was strange when people told me their pets kept them centered and calm, now I know I'd probably put my fist through the wall at least once a week if I didn't have a hairy 7 pound child to greet me at the door when I come home each day. This may fall into the category of 'family and friends' but, screw that! On some levels she's even more important to me these days than even those.

5 Things I Am Thankful For: Mike DeVito Edition

Since today is Thanksgiving, I decided to have some of CCD's closest friends & contributors share the 5 things in their lives that they are truly thankful for... not family, or boyfriends/girlfriends/spouses etc.... the real stuff they need to keep them going. With no further ado, I present my own list of the 5 Things I Am Thankful For... shit, it's my site, so I'm going 1st!!!!!

5) My Personal Technology- Lets get one thing straight... I am addicted to tech!!! I am not a hardcore techie in the sense that I know how things work and such, but I am obsessed with the non stop forward movement of technology on a whole. Video Games, TV, Movies, Music... shit, all of these things are made better through technology. My downtime in life revolves around the computer by choice... I love having access to anything I want, when I want it. Not to mention this blog and what it has done to change my life. Press Passes to the NYC Comic Con? Check. Freebies in the mail? Check. Press Screenings for movies? Check. New friends like Cal from The Cave of Cool and Johnny from Freddy In Space? Check!!!! What can I say... I'm the non-tech savvy techie.... and I love it!!!!

4) Nikes- Yes, its true. My name is Mike and I am a sneaker-holic. I have a problem. Currently that problem is sitting at around 175 pairs of sneakers that I have to find a place to store. Yup, I said it. And I just got rid of about 10-15 pairs!!! Although I do love New Balance, Adidas, Reebok, Pumas, Converse, and all the rest, lets be honest: They ain't got shit on Nike. Both Nike and Jordan brand sneakers are what make me me... I am the BIGGEST JORDAN/NIKE FAN EVER!!!! There is nothing better then a pair of Air Jordan 3's in the world.... unless there are some Air Jordan 4's behind it!!!

3) Bob Kane & Batman - I am a uber comic nerd... yes, this is true. I love many books, but none like The Dark Knight. Mr. Bob Kane, I owe you 1,000's of hours of gratitude for the 1,000's of hours of joy your creation has given me. I think it has to do with the fact that Batman is the roughest, toughest mofo on the block... kicking ass, taking names... but with no super powers, just hard work. He will kick some aforementioned ass, take some aforementioned names... but never cross the line. He may operate in a black and white world, but he is constantly foraying into the gray area... and that's where I live my life. Thank you Mr. Kane, from the bottom of my heart.

2) Kreecher - I am a dog lover... have been my whole life. Had a few dogs growing up, and I fucking loved them. One thing I never thought I would be: A cat person. That was until my wonderful baby Kreecher came into my life. I got this little Calico bundle of fur when she was a few weeks old, and she was a peanut. I turned her into a wild attack cat by playing with her as if she were a pit bull... she is the coolest cat ever. How many other cats you know eat Mozzarella & Twizzlers? But around 6 months ago, the wild monster known as Kreecher (named after the house elf in Harry Potter & my love of monster movies!) calmed down and became super mellow. No more play biting and scratching... she is cooler then the other side of the pillow. Tara & I refer to her as Kreecher 2.0 now. She is the best snuggler and her freakish appetite makes me laugh. I love my kitteh sooooo much.... look at her, how could you not love that face??? 

1) Movies - I am a movie freak. Kubrick, Tarantino, Scorcese, Gilliam, Stone, Cameron, Speilberg, Edwards & more are the directors that I love to see create magnificent films. Downey Jr, DeNiro, Pesci, Martin, Murphy, Willis, Nicholson, and Sellers are the actors I love to see make magic with their performances. Portman, Hathaway, Streep, Roberts, Loren, Adams, Johanson and Audrey Hepburn are the actresses that have taken my breath away. There are far too many movies to even begin to name that have shaped my life... but 'The Pink Panther Strikes Again' sure does stick out for me as my all time favorite. I have seen 1,000's of movies on the big screen, many more on VHS, DVD, Blu Ray, and my new favorite method Netflix Instant Streaming. It is an activity that I learned to love from my pops, and I have transferred that love of cinema over to my own son. You don't believe me... how many other 7 year old that has the ability to watch  Argento horror and not be afraid but see its aesthetic beauty, or easily identify Empire Strikes Back as head and shoulders the best Star Wars movie of all time (Fuck Return of the Jedi up its Ewok ass...) I teach my boy well... and love every second doing it.

5 Things That I Am Thankful For: Briana Melendez Edition

Since today is Thanksgiving, I decided to have some of CCD's closest friends & contributors share the 5 things in their lives that they are truely thankful for... not family, or boyfriends/girlfriends/spouses etc.... the real stuff they need to keep them going. With no further ado, I present the ever fabulous and super cool Briana Melendez's 5 Things I Am Thankful For!!!

5) Coffee- This java goodness is truly the fuel that gets this machine running. Without it I would be one lazy cranky bitch.


4) XBox 360- Through this wondrous gift from the Gods (AKA Bill Gates) I've have been entertained into idleness and away from productivity through gaming.

3) NetFlix Streaming- In the further advancement to my complete lack of productivity NetFlix has provided me with countless hours of movie & TV show viewing when cable has failed me.

2) 5 Pointz- On my daily ride on the 7 I get to pass by this awesome reflection of the City's great graffiti history. It always helps perk up my morning.

1) Jane Austen- I have an unhealthy obsession with her work. Books, Movies, TV Mini-series, side stories based on her work....I just can't get enough.

5 Things That I Am Thankful For: Sam James Edition

Since today is Thanksgiving, I decided to have some of CCD's closest friends & contributors share the 5 things in their lives that they are truely thankful for... not family, or boyfriends/girlfriends/spouses etc.... the real stuff they need to keep them going. With no further ado, I present my Jamaican brother from another mother Sam James's 5 Things I Am Thankful For!!!

Being CCD's Foreign/Caribbean Correspodant, there's a few things that I need to get me thru the day no matter where I am. So here we go in no particular order:


1. My Alienware m15 laptop: My whole day starts off with this thing! I Skype with my sister and brand new baby niece every morning; my girl when she's in Deutschland with her fam, surf the web for cool shit, check my mail, and occasionally get some work done!

2. Facebook: God bless Mark Zuckerberg and his arrogantly genius ass. FB has become my primary info source! I stay in touch with friends from all over the world (and check out pics of their hot friends.....MING) get news from the stuff most important to me (shouts out to On the Ground News and CCD).

3. My Blackberry: Again, I'm real big on staying in touch with all my peeps globally, and even though I'm iPhone to the core, Blackberrys give you the best service in Jamaica.

4. My iPhone: Aahh yes, the trusty old 3GS has been a faithful companion for quite some time now! Anybody who's been on a plane longer than an hour and ten minutes knows that shits MURDER; so fitting all my music, movies and TV shows in my pocket with enough juices to run for 8-9 hours straight without dying on ya....shhhiiiiiiiittt!!!

5.My shades: Living in the Caribbean means being blessed with beautiful days nearly year around (sorry Joey Esq. Don't be too mad at me son, just come visit!) so being outdoors is an absolute must! And whether you're driving or laying on the beach, "hater blockers" are a necessity!

One Love CCD peeps. Likkle More!

5 Things I Am Thankful For: Kate Jones Edition

Since today is Thanksgiving, I decided to have some of CCD's closest friends & contributors share the 5 things in their lives that they are truely thankful for... not family, or boyfriends/girlfriends/spouses etc.... the real stuff they need to keep them going. With no further ado, I present my favorite sister in law ever, Kate Jones's 5 Things I Am Thankful For!!!

5) my Droid... it's magical


4) DVR... completely necessary with my busy schedule.

3) iPod... when the Droid is out of 3g service.

2) nook... I love being able to read whatever whenever

1) Harry Potter... the Boy Who Lived singlehandedly changed my life.

5 Things That I Am Thankful For: Joe Flesche Edition

Since today is Thanksgiving, I decided to have some of CCD's closest friends & contributors share the 5 things in their lives that they are truly thankful for... not family, or boyfriends/girlfriends/spouses etc.... the real stuff they need to keep them going. With no further ado, I present a life long friend and former college roomate Joe "Fletch" Flesche's 5 Things I Am Thankful For!!!

I got an e-mail yesterday from Mike D asking me write an article for CCD. Man, I was honored. So I immediately starting thinking and writing about the topic, and 13 hours later, we have...



Joe F's list of '5 items in my life that I need daily & are thankful for'

1. Commuting - Crazy right? So let me explain (I'll make it short). I went to school for chemical engineering (I was roomies with Mike D for a year. Yeah son!), and my plan was to work for a pharmaceutical company after getting out of school. Well that was a great idea except for the fact that I could not work in the New York / Long Island area since there is little to no manufacturing facilities in the area. Don't get me wrong, I love the work I do for my company, but I have to commute in order to make the family happy. So, when I commute to work, I get to catch up on things that I normally don't have time for at home. When I was taking public transportation (2 hours each way), I was able to read a ton of books and listen to music. But now I get to drive 50 miles each way to work! Awesome! I have plenty of time to listen to the radio and get agravated on the way home (about 1.5 hours each way). So I am thankful that I have time during the days I commute to work to listen to Cipha Sounds and Rosenburg, NPR, 710AM, 770AM, 1010AM, various mixtapes and hip-hop/rap albums. (Please note that commuting sucks. I'm just trying to make myself feel better about what I have to do. Did I convince you?)
2. Working from home - I am lucky that I have a job that allows me to work from home. And any day that I don't have to commute to work is a great day. Yeah I don't get to listen to the radio, but I am thankful that I can work from home and have a bit less stress, more sleep, and more time for me and my family.
3. Google - I'm not just talking about http://www.blogger.com/www.google.com as a search engine. I'm specifically talking about the Google suite of software; Google Mail, Google Calendar (with Tasks), Google Reader, Blogspot/Blogger, Documents, Picasa, Chrome, etc. I am so very thankful every day for Google having a fantastic product line that is absolutely free. The product that I use most is the Google Calendar. We use it as a family to scheduling everything; there is never a question when there's a doctor appointment or a family party. I also use Google Reader to keep track of all of my websites that I frequent (CCD!). If you don't use the Google products, you're missing out!
4. Hair - I have the uncanny ability to grow hair at a rapid rate. This could be looked at as a curse (the need for frequent haircuts, excessive chest hair, back hair, the need for grooming, etc.) or as a blessing (for obvious top of the head reasons, beards, mustaches or because I could pass as a werewolf). But I am thankful every day that I have a full mane of hair!
5. Getting my crap together - I have been lifting and running inconsistantly since college, without much to show for it. I could never get my act together. Within the past month, I have been thinking of some things that 2 important people in my life have said. The two most important things are...
   • Stop being a pussy. JoeyESQ
   • Its hard for life to get in the way at 5AM. George M
   So now I've got myself a reasonable lifting and running plan thanks to these two guys (and for that, we thank you).

Pretty lame list huh? I'm old...

-Joe F

5 Things That I Am Thankful For: James West Edition

Since today is Thanksgiving, I decided to have some of CCD's closest friends & contributors share the 5 things in their lives that they are truly thankful for... not family, or boyfriends/girlfriends/spouses etc.... the real stuff they need to keep them going. With no further ado, I present the comic book kid himself... Cousin James West's 5 Things That I Am Thankful For!!!

5) My iPod Touch - Oh, iPod. Whatever would I do without you? Whether it’s the entertainment of downloading music in order to fill you up, or to drown out whatever noises may be annoying me in the outside world, you always come in handy. For that, I thank you. (Currently listening to: Passin’ Me By- Pharcyde, and the Thanksgiving Song- Adam Sandler).

4) Indoor Plumbing - Self explanatory. Where would we be without it?

3) Comic Books - Oh, you joyous bundles of entertainment. Thank you, thank you, for teaching me how to read, providing me with an imagination that spans an entire universe separate from our own, showing me characters that I can relate to in times of need and look up to in times of aspiration, and just for being good fun since 1938.

2) Harry Potter - I recently saw the latest film at the midnight opening- I must say, it truly reawakened by love for Harry. I started reading the first book around 98/99, pretty much before everyone (something I brag about often- also the fact that I dressed up like him in third grade and no one knew who he was). However, I have only read each of the books once- so the last time I read anything was about 3 years ago. Seeing everything in the newest movie spark memories of Harry that I had forgotten (something the sixth movie failed to do) reminded me of two things- One, that I need to reread all the books, and two, how important Harry has been, as I have essentially grown up with the character for over half my life (our ages pretty much coincided with all the books). So thank you, Harry Potter.

1) The Christmas Season - Always starts the day after Thanksgiving in my household, and what a happy time it is. Easily my favorite part of the year. Can’t wait to carry out all the festivities this year…

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!