So if you're reading this, it's safe to say you're aware it's Thanksgiving today.  It's a holiday with a  lot of traditions, and a lot of meanings to a lot of people, but while we're out covering football practices and Long Beach State basketball (and hopefully squeezing in dinner at some point), we just wanted to take a moment and say: THANK YOU.

We think we have the greatest jobs in the world—it's very long hours and very hard work, but we wake up every morning knowing we're going to work hard at something we believe in, and as we both come from comparatively more lucrative, soul-crushing jobs, we can certainly say that it's better to do something that matters to you.

So thanks for reading, for pushing our readership numbers to epic new places this year, and for helping to make this so fun—your involvement on this site is one of the most fun things about it, and we hope you stick around.  After another twelve months of crazy up and down Long Beach sports insanity have passed, we can't wait to thank you again in 2010.

Wondering what else we're thankful for?  Here's a few off the top of our heads.

JJ:

10) My friends and family.  Without them, I'm nothing.

09) Long Beach State.  Never knew this degree would come in handy.

08) Phil Jackson.  For making me smile and shake my head every time I see him.  Besides me, does anyone enjoy life more than that guy?

07) Joey Porter on the Tom Brady Rule.  Because we were all thinking the same thing.

06) The fact that I'm alive to see Kobe Bryant and LeBron James play basketball.

05) The fact that I'm alive to see Peyton Manning play quarterback.

04) All our volunteer photographers here at LBPOSTsports.  The best photogs this side of anywhere.

03) This MacBook I'm working on.  Thanks, Hollester.

02) My natural athletic talent.  That's not a joke.

01) The city of Long Beach and her athletes.  You are the best, so I can have the best job in the world.  We couldn't do it in any other city.  Thank you Long Beach!

MIKE:

10) The city: Strong Beach, the City of Champions, Iowa By The Sea, Tha LBC…you've been known by a lot of names, but from the day I was born to the day I die, I'll always call you home.

9) Mike Singletary, for giving me an extra week or two of pretending the Niners will make the playoffs this year

8) The Cleveland Browns, for reminding me things could always be worse

7) My Mom for making me write essays as a punishment when I screwed up as a kid—constructive!

6) My little brother Matt for making it easy to be proud of him

5) My car, my computer, and my phone, for the last twelve months of dependability. Let's keep it going, guys!

4) My bed, for getting me eight hours of rest on four hours of sleep

3) JJ, my brother in arms

2) Jerry Rice, Barry Sanders, and Michael Jordan

1) My wife Shar—this site wouldn't be possible without her patience, her help, and her enthusiasm.  If you're wondering whether or not you should stick with a partner, ask yourself: would this person willingly, and happily, sacrifice for me to pursue a dream? If the answer is yes, you probably don't need to ask yourself any more questions.