Michael Wojciechowski

Every year at this time, the question is always asked: what are you grateful for?  I never really gave the question much reflection, but when a friend asked yesterday, I found myself lost in a myriad of thoughts.  This year has been a—revealing, trying, hard, interesting—one to say the least.  I’ve experienced my highest highs and my lowest lows over the last 350 days.  But after the dust settles, and I’m left with just my thoughts to keep me company, I’ve learned that no matter how bad I have it, there is always someone else who has it worse, helping me to realize I haven’t really earned the right to feel sorry for myself.  But more importantly, I’ve learned I’ll always find someone who will help me back to my feet.  So to those who have helped me rebound, I thank you, and to those who find themselves lost and alone, know that it will eventually pass, and only through your trials can learn who you really are.            

Every year around this time, there is always a movie trailer I come across that gives me the chills.  This year it's the Jeff Bridges' film, "Crazy Heart."  The song  on the trailer is beautiful, and it looks like this role may finally land Bridges his long-awaited Oscar.  Check out the trailer and song here: http://www.foxsearchlight.com/crazyheart/ 

If life ever worked out the way it was meant to, I would be in L.A. right now waiting to board a plane to Australia.  That was the original plan.  Eight days on the one continent I’ve been waiting my whole life to visit.  Then I got sick.  That pig flu thingy that’s going around that has nothing to do with pigs.  I probably could’ve still made the trip, but I didn’t want to be that guy.  The guy in the small confined public place who’s coughing up phlegm the entire time and he only stops long enough to blow his nose?  You know, that insensitive guy who’s almost as bad as the important guy who answers his phone in a restaurant and talks loud enough for the kitchen to hear?  That guy.

So anyway, I’m pretty bummed about the whole scenario, but, hey, these things happen, and there’s nothing I could’ve done to prevent it.  I mean, sure, I could’ve gotten the H1N1 vaccine, but I’m a fairly healthy guy.  I’m only 28.  I figured I would let those who need it the most have first dibs: pregnant women, young children, the elderly.  Those people need to maintain their health, and they should be vaccinated first.  But I'd be lying if I said I'm not more than a little . . . bothered that the government has vaccinated all detainees at Gitmo. I'm not bothered because I got sick.  Truth is, I wasn't going to get the vaccine anyway; I'm too lazy to take preventative measures seriously.  But it is a little heartbreaking to drive past a grocery store and see women and children waiting in line outside in the cold for the vaccine.  The blame doesn't lie with the prisoners.  It lies, as always, with inept and corrupt government officials who continue to see its citizens as commodities instead of people.