Yesterday, I griped about things that annoyed me in the past year. Today, things that made 2008 worth experiencing. I know I'm forgetting things.

Lance, Inc's Christmas Giftcards to the 300 workers of Archway. When Lance, Inc. bought Archway at auction earlier this month, they didn't just buy the name.  Not that you can find it on their website, but they've given $1500 gift cards to all 300 people who lost their jobs and their insurance, even though they weren't responsible.  Why? Because it was the right thing to do.  Not only that, 60 people are back on the job, with hopes of most of the workers being back when the bakery is brought back up to full operations within the year.

Go Local Austin Card.  There's all sorts of goodies with this card, but getting a free drink at the Alamo is pretty sweet. Especially their great lemonade.  I'm looking forward to experience the other deals. Support local businesses and get rewarded for it. I'm good with that. 

Eddie the Mailman.  I have the best mailman. Seriously.  He's nice, efficient, and never in over two years mixed up my mail with the other Jennifer Brown in the complex. He is so good, that when a unit at another complex was occupied by someone with the exact same name and middle initial as the previous tenant, he worked out a system to make sure both parties got their mail.  Eddie's picture needs to be by the definition of "customer service".  After having had mail service that involves repeated "returned as not known" at address I'd lived at for years with my precise ZIP+4, Eddie vindicates the United States Postal System .
Sunset Valley Farmers Market. Fresh, locally grown food where you get to know the growers. Or makers.  It's nationally recognized, which is pretty impressive. I haven't gone in months, but not because of the quality of the food.  I do enjoy the walk, and I can get just about anything.

Central Market.  While not "local" per se, it's a Texas based subsidiary of HEB, and they feature lots of local produce, and other local products. They also have a great selection of international foods, and a great mix of less-refined foods (and I don't mean patrician.  Plus, their staff is generally very helpful.  In the last month, I found out when they have fish bones that can be purchased to make your own fish stock and why there were no scallops (stuck in Boston because of the storms).  When I bought my shrimp and lobster for Christmas' seafood newburg, the fishmonger also informed me lobster is going to be on sale 12/28-30.  I'm thinking another batch of lobster, and maybe those scallops if they arrive, to make a Moroccan flavored seafood soup.

The Alamo Drafthouse.  I've been learning more and more about the Alamo and how it's run, and the more I learn, the more I want to support a business that not only really loves what it does, and celebrates film, but treats it's employees so well.  You know they must be good when you see the same faces year in and year out. They also champion films that might not get the marketing machines behind them, but film geeks love.  Between the special programs, and partnering with the local film festivals, and the way their employees stay with them, they put their money where their mouth is.

Plunkett and Macleane.  My year-old, feral-born cats. Always entertaining. Who can resist the SlackerCat version of rockem sockem kitties, which usually has three or four lazy reach and smacks that rarely connect, followed by a quick tussle, ending in a marathon grooming session?  They save their energy for Thunderpaws 5000, erratically run 2-3 times a day, for 5-45 minutes, often between 1-6am, and on my bed when I'm in it.  Or playing dance dance revolution with leaves on the window.  Or grabbing my wrist to get belly rubs when they sit beside me on the couch.