Every Thanksgiving I spend the day with friends, and enjoy the usual melange of great food, and time spent in good company. I don't have any family in the US, and people in the UK don't celebrate Thanksgiving, and so I've no reason to fly back home for this uniquely American holiday.

I wrote briefly about Thanksgiving, last year, and I still feel that as holidays go, there's a lot to admire about Thanksgiving. The two days off work, nearly make up for getting no public holiday days at Easter, and piss-poor annual leave standards from US employers.

My admiration for the holiday isn't just about the time off and the chance to gorge on turkey. I love Thanksgiving because it's a (relatively) low-pressure holiday, that remains largely unsullied by the rampant commercialism seen at Christmas.

That said, I have been known to enjoy the culinary side of holiday, and have the greatest admiration for that Texan way of cooking an entire turkey in boiling oil, if only for the sheer engineering brilliance involved. I mean, anyone who's prepared to risk life, limb and 80% third-degree burns, standing over a vat of boiling oil and high-out propane burners, just to be able to cook at 20lb turkey in 90 minutes, gets my vote.

If I hadn't had it explained to me, my inclination would be to avoid such a deep-fried delight, for fear my arteries would solidify on contact with it. However, they use peanut oil, which seals the turkey, and doesn't soak into the meat. A bit like the bumblebee or a well-thrown frozen pizza - it's and idea that in theory shouldn't fly, but does.

This year, my Thanksgiving Day will be slightly different again, because I'll be doing a radio show.

Not that I mind. Thanksgiving is all about togetherness and sharing, and being thankful for what you have. It's an ethic that is so sadly lacking for so many people for the other 364 days of the year, that I think we really need to embrace it on Turkey Day. I'm thankful for the opportunity to be a radio broadcaster, and I'll be sharing, and giving thanks for the superb jazz music I get to play.

Whilst I hope there's no-one alone out there on Thanksgiving Day, apart from those who want to be alone, if there's a chance of brightening someone's day by playing just the right tune, then I'm going to go for it. Perhaps some Charlie "Bird" Parker or The Pilgrims?

Despite the fact that I don't need to cook for myself on Thanksgiving, I have nonetheless, managed to acquire a turkey. No, I'm not talking about a copy of Windows ME, I'm talking about large-scale poultry. It was a present from the CEO of my day-job. I guess, when you're the boss, you can give the bird to your workers!

My plan is to cook it on Sunday, so if you're in the Platt Park neighbourhood and hungry, contact DMfM via the secure email form, and book a seat!

I can be a cynical old sod, I know, but there is something about this American holiday which really brings out the optimist in me. It should bring out the optimistic side of you too. If it doesn't, then perhaps you're taking this unique holiday for granted. I guess that's the potential curse of those people who've had Thanksgiving all their lives. We immigrants still find it novel.

There are some people, who dread Thanksgiving, because of a sense of obligation to be with family members to whom, if they met as strangers, they wouldn't even give the time of day.

If that's you, then perhaps you need to re-examine your Thanksgiving schedule for next year. Tell the folks you've got to work, and you'll see them at Christmas for the annual two days of awkwardness and recrimination, and go do something fun with friends. (Hint: if it's skiing, you don't then need to come and tell me about it.)

Wherever you are, whatever you do, you have a great day. Happy Thanksgiving.