Happy New Years

 Friday, December 31/21

So here we are at the turning of another year, exchanging the old for the new, raising our glasses in a toast to better things to come.

The last two years have been a strain for so many people, whether it be money problems or emotional issues related to the Covid-19 pandemic. I'm sure I'm not alone in wishing to see this year come to an end and holding out hope that we turn the corner in 2022.

I've got nothing planned other than to maybe watch a movie or quietly read and raise a glass of whiskey to the world around me as the clock strike midnight. One absolute truth will be that regardless of what I'm doing Miko will be either curled up in my lap or snuggled up next to me.

I wish each and every one of you a very Happy New Year and hope the next year brings us peace, health, prosperity, and happiness.

In 2022 I'm hoping to end my bachelorhood, maybe break 90 more than half the rounds I play, enjoy many more smiles and laughs with Miko, and bask in the love that is my grandchildren as each of them grow and develop into amazing kids.

What are your wishes for the new year?

My name is Marcus and these are my observations on dating, golfing, raising a puppy, working from home, and being the best father and friend possible.

Questions or comments can be sent to me at ooasm2018@gmail.com and I promise to respond to each message.

Today's musical suggestion is "In The Air Tonight" by Phil Collins

Merry Christmas & Happy Holiday's

 Friday, December 24/21

I would like to take this moment to wish each of you reading this blog entry a very Merry Christmas and the Happiest of Holidays!

Christmas brings me both joy and sadness as it allows me to spend time watching my ever-expanding family come together under one roof, with all the verbal and visual madness you can imagine that brings and reminds me of yet another year without my mom as she would have been celebrating her 84th birthday tomorrow.

My plans for Christmas Eve are pretty low keyed as I'm just back from taking Miko for her last walk of the night and will be heading down to the family room to light up the tree and snuggle up on the couch as I watch one of my favourite movies - Love Actually.

I know there are a lot of debates around what makes a movie a Christmas movie but in my humble opinion, Love Actually is absolutely a Christmas movie given it is set in the weeks and days leading up to Christmas.

Just as Die Hard is a Christmas movie as there would be no reason for John to be visiting Holly and the Nakatoni Building if it wasn't for Christmas.

It's kind of funny how 3 of my 5 favourite Christmas movies are sort of violent: Die Hard, Lethal Weapon, and Home Alone.

What is the fifth Christmas movie you ask? "Miracle on 34th Street" of course (either version).

Here is a confession that might catch you by surprise given how much I enjoy movies but I've yet to ever see "It's a Wonderful Life".  Shocking I know and I don't really have any plans to remedy that any time soon.

I'm off for the next five days and hope to get some things tidied up around the house and maybe work on a year in review blog entry for New Year's Eve, we'll see that happens between now and the 31st.

I'll end this entry by sending my heartfelt wishes that we are all able to spend time with family and friends, that we rejoice in the little things life offers us, and we remember to be nice to those we come across as this time of year can be hard for some people, this guy included but I've been working on seeing the good in people and situations.

Marcus

Today's musical suggestion seems rather fitting to be "Carol of the Bells". I've included a link to the YouTube video of this song performed by The Bands of HM Royal Marines.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tR0KhfUGQGQ

As always, I can be reached at ooasm2018@gmail.com and respond to all messages.