In this and every November, I am most thankful that Thanksgiving means a four-day weekend. Sure, there's my family and the annual smorgasboard. But this year, it's all about the rest.

I've been working hard, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. I take these few days off when I can, and try to enjoy them. And boy, am I enjoying the heck out of them!

This month, I took my mom to a screening of "Morning Glory," a story about a young, career-driven woman whose so focused on her job that she can't get a date. Or something like that. All these rom-coms seem the same to me. Although Rachel McAdams and Patrick Wilson are the young couple at the center of the story, I really enjoyed seeing Diane Keaton and Harrison Ford on the big screen.

Actually, let me rephrase that: Keaton was a joy. She stole every scene she was in. Ford's Mike Pomeroy was a curmudgeonly man, and I hated his character so much that every time his face filled up the screen I was most drawn to the scar on his chin.

My favorite part of this movie was actually its setting. Every time I caught a glimpse of a New York City street, it only served as a reminder that I haven't been there in more than two years, and I really miss it. I must go back in 2011!

The biggest thrill this month was watching on the big screen the 25th anniversary concert of "Les Miserables," which took place at London's 02 Arena on Oct. 3. I did not go, so this was the next best thing. Alfie Boe and Norm Lewis were fantastic as Valjean and Javert. Lea Salonga, who played Eponine for the 10th anniversary concert, returned as Fantine, a role she played in the recent Broadway revival. Former Gavroche Nick Jonas was an interesting Marius, but I guess they had to throw one in for the teenyboppers. (It still boggles my mind that he was born three years after I first saw the show.)

The whole production was amazing. It was staged so beautifully that it made the 10th anniversary event (at London's Royal Albert Hall) look light a high school musical. For the encore, the London, touring and original 1985 casts were brought out. So much talent on one stage! Producer Cameron Mackintosh made a statement, as did the musical's writers, and then a parade of students who had performed the show streamed in. The finale's highlight was watching a quartet of Jean Valjeans, including the original, Colm Wilkinson, sing "Bring Him Home." I know I was in tears, and I wasn't the only one.

Also: As the credits rolled, there was a note that a movie musical is in the works! That was probably the best news yet. Apparently, Universal Pictures has the rights, and they are working on it. And that is what I am most thankful for this year.