Gephyrophillia | Watch This Space #93

Originally Posted on 11/26/2003 by Jeff Harris

Ah, Thanksgiving is here once again in the USA. It seems like yesterday, or at least 77 updates ago when we last gave thanks. A time to appreciate what we've got and gorge ourselves on huge feasts while watching bucketheads play a boring sport and preparing ourselves for the incessant AFTER THANKSGIVING PRE-CHRISTMAS EARLY MORNING SALE ads that will filter through our heads reminding all of us that Christmas will be here.

Alright. I guess I'll fill it in with something I think is seasonal. This Thursday, in the United States, we all gather together to give thanks, blah, blah, blah. I already said that. I want to give thanks to a few things this year in a segment I like to call:

Things I'm Thankful For This Year

- I'm thankful that Jamie Kellner no longer has his claws on the Turner networks anymore and that AOL is no longer the majority force behind TimeWarner anymore.

- I'm thankful that Futurama, Family Guy, FLCL, Trigun, and Lupin III got (re)introduced in this country, courtesy of Adult Swim. I'm also thankful that the ratings beat that big-chinned shill of nature and actually got legit press this year. Here's looking forward to next year's new entries.

- I'm thankful that somewhere in the world, there is a Toonami channel, proof that the visions of the block's creators weren't in vain.

- I'm thankful that my family is safe and my house is still standing after Hurricane Isabel. I know a lot of people weren't so lucky, and I pray that things get better for them as well.

- I'm thankful that FUNimation didn't screw up Dragon Ball, still one of the best shows to come out of the Texas-based company. In the same degree, I'm thankful that Cartoon Network reignited my interest in Star Wars. After the two less-than-successful prequels, it was nice to see a production that deserved the name Star Wars.

- I'm thankful for the yams. Daffy Duck taught me that the yams will always do you in! Oh, and my mom's sweet potato pie. Gawd dang!

- I'm thankful that Toonami continues to take over the world, soon to be expanding to Latin America, formerly Talisman domain. It's funny that the block's appreciated and treated as a MAJOR franchise throughout the world, yet it's treated as a second-class citizen at Cartoon Network (loosen up and open up a little you guys!).

- I'm thankful that we got the chance to see Toonami take some chances, like airing the final four episodes of Zoids: Guardian Force, Giant Robot Week, Rurouni Kenshin, and Cyborg 009. Yeah, Toonami didn't take over Saturday nights like I thought it would last year around this time, but it's all good, and to be honest, I'm actually kind of thankful that Saturdays give me action with the crazy things called credits. I'm a little scared about 4Kids' dominance over the network in the coming year, but this too shall pass.

- I'm thankful that I have friends who have my back, even in my lowest moments. Tyler, Zogg, Jon K., Meteo, Code Matrix, Knux Five, Vince, Matthew W., CC, Ash, Dub, Skitz, Daikun, Keith, if I forgot anybody, I don't mean it in slight. Not to mention my Toon Zone family and the countless readers and contributors on the big boards (too many to name, it'll last a while) all these years, and my close inner sanctum (the folks I talk to via IM on a regular basis) sticking with me through thick and thin.

- I'm thankful that I have family and friends watching my back and supporting everything I do in the real world. The real world is complicated, but hey, that's life.

I'm thankful that you found this site and I'm thankful that you've stuck by me in spite of myself. I know I've been silly as of late, and I'm sorry about that. In all honesty, I probably couldn't be here without all of you guys. It's been a strange five years since I began this journey, experiencing many highs and many lows. But you know something? I wouldn't change a thing.

Well, enough of the gushing. Stick around, and have a happy Thanksgiving.

*end transmission*

Jeff Harris,
The X Bridge Creator/Webmaster
November 26, 2003