Mom, who often plays a significant role in my act, but takes the abuse with a smile and brings her friends to come see me. I love you and I’m thankful for everything you have done for me. Even if I haven’t told you that I have a blog because I don’t want to explain what a blog is.
Brother of Ugarte, who knew what he wanted to do with his career, never wavered from the path and wound up - of all things - a lawyer who loves his job. Who was happier than anyone when I belatedly made the decision to do what I want to do even though we have a mortgage together. Who realizes the added burden that he has because I have fallen for a shiksa. I think it is the responsibility of the bloggers to introduce him to Princess Anonymous so that he can have more to be thankful for.
Rick, for letting me blog at his place - even after realizing that I would never write about the sort of things I said I would write about. And I would write about Cornell Hockey.
Jessica Kirson, Geoff Kole, Steve Marshall, Mike Yard, Poppi Kramer, Buddy Flip, Steve Arons, Pat Dixon, Tommy Amado, Mike Bocchetti, Eugene Mirman, John Morrison and the folks at Gotham, Stand-Up NY, Laugh Factory, Alligator Lounge, and Boudoir Bar for providing advice, encouragement and/or a place to perform. I’m sure that I have inadvertently left people out; I am thankful for them also.
That Leo Bloom brought me into the Churchwarden’s poker game and asphnxma brought me to the A.M. game. Who isn’t thankful for poker?
Microsoft. Microsoft produced Slate. Slate hired Randy Cohen to run the late, lamented News Quiz, where I became a semi-regular contributor. At a News Quiz party I met Daniel Radosh, who invited me to contribute to (the late, lamented) Modern Humorist. At a Modern Humorist party I met fellow News Quizzer Francis Heaney. After quitting my job I “re-met” Francis at the opening of the new facade of the Brooklyn Museum and was introduced to his wife Rose. Rose, upon learning of my newfound freedom, invited me to a party at their house later that week.
At that party I met Zinester. Zinester has made my life so much better I can’t thank the rest of the world enough.
To all my friends, to all the readers, to all the people in the industry whose asses I should be kissing, Thank You.