Cara Lewis: You fought for us when no one was fighting for us. And for that, I will be forever grateful.

Ben Greenman and Ben Greenberg: Thanks for confusing the ish outta me with your names. Also, for the patience with my tardiness. I appreciate the opportunity, guys.

Keith McPhee

Tina Farris

Dominic Keska

Hope Wilson

Silbert Mani

Nou Ra

Princess

Toya Day

Alexis Rosenzweig

Rachel Ghansa

Sarah Diebel

Efrem Jenkins

Artless Poole

Paul Klimson

Bill Clarke

Jeff Gussen

Munir Nuriddin

Rebecca Proudfoot

Brandon Pankey

Kimyatta Graham

Christian Diaz

Dana Jackson

Julie "Tank" Green

Diamon Dyer

Tierekka "Reek" Walker ... all of the people who have helped me, tirelessly, thanklessly. Thank you.

Team Ahmir: A name so ridiculous it stuck:

Steve: My guru and the only dude who gives me real-life advice without judging. Thanks for being a real friend, man.

Zarah: Vice President of Questlove Industries. I never make a move without your permission first. I'm writing these words even as you dial me to make sure that I'll be in my car at 5 a.m. in time for the airport (note: I missed the plane by a minute, so as of this writing, it's 12:10 p.m. in an Atlanta Delta airport and I'm waiting three hours for my flight to Austin).

Crazy Rebecca Pietri: My favorite robot. Stay crazy. Stay organized. Can't thank you enough.

Dawn Englehart: Started off potential jawn material. Wound up running an empire. Let's make meeeeeeellllllllions more, buahhahahahaha muahahahahahah.

William: You are a human flux capacitor capable of getting to 1955 in record time. Thanks for being a great friend.

Yameen Allworld: I hate the way you spell your name so I'm not thanking you.

Yahmeen Allworld: Keep the jokes coming. One day your designated owner will claim you.

Darryl, Sandy, Therese, Maureen, and Ardenia: You keep me alive.

Maisha: You know and I know you purposely shorten my fro because you never wanna leave my side... and I love you for that.

Maria Scali: OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! xxooo

Carleen Donovan and Katie Leggett and the entire Press Here team: Thanks for publicizing me and putting out some of my many fires.

OK. I was just gonna end it there, but since I got hours to kill, I'mma rattle off line-a.s.sociation games.

This is in NO particular order. Just names of people who helped me get here.

Ginny Suss: Ideas and schemes.

Dan Petruzzi: Keeper of a dream.

dream hampton: My greatest muse.

Mwanamke Jordan: My second love.

Madison McFerrin: How did you wind up 4th Nermal?

FWMJ: You hate everything. I love that.

Alan Leeds: My favorite historian.

John Book: The Wax Poet.

James Poyser: Fi Skeen.