2024 Christmas Calendar

Happy Iron Bowl Saturday!!!!! So no matter who wins today we are all winners cause we can start planning our holiday watch lists as Dec. 1^st is literally tomorrow. How on Earth does that happen every year like literal clockwork but still sneak up on me?! Sigh. I am ahead of the game tho cause I’ve bought several presents already ….. none are wrapped oh no that’s future Marcy’s problem but they are at least purchased and in the house. So go past Marcy !

I may have re-found my mojo … or at least my typical websites that I check were more on the ball this year than last year. Maybe I was in a better mood … or maybe I started it earlier than last year .. who knows…I totes started it earlier than I did last year but the procrastinator in me refuses to believe that was helpful. I’ll be honest. This time last year I didn’t think I’d still be doing this calendar, but it lives, and you know this cause you are reading these words! It was harder this year to find the new stuff that these networks are showing, but I think I captured most if not all of them. It was weird like if they premiered in November they didn’t want to talk about them airing again in December like it was some big secret on when it would air again. It’s not that deep Hallmark why you gotta make everything so difficult, looking at you too Lifetime don’t think you are getting off easy on this one!

This calendar is crammed tight with nostalgia, new offerings, and remixes of old fun family favorites told in what they hope is a new and “interesting” way…spoiler alert it’s usually not. Speaking of “interesting way” if you haven’t seen Red One rush to the theater, grab some popcorn and sit back for a very enjoyable time. I’m not sure it’s child friendly (cause language), but it is a good time and at least it’s an “original” idea for the holidays. Oh, and there’s snarky Chris Evans and The Rock, who is beyond done with the Snarky Chris Evans, which makes for a fun and enjoyable time even without the Crimmus theme. By the way … THAT … is how holiday fun should be, not a shot by shot remake or a word by word remake…. Yeah I’m looking at you Grinch… oh and don’t give the main character a new backstory that’s just lazy.

To prove my point, I present you with this …. there’s Hallmark Channels 2024 “Countdown to Christmas” which I believe started a few days after New Years and is replacing their regular line up of, and I kid you not, Christmas in July or some jazz like that (honestly I can’t make this stuff up guys) …. Then there’s UPtv’s “Uplifting Christmas” with over 600 hours of holiday cheer (yet oddly didn’t really make my calendar cause I don’t get that channel anymore *sad face* and as I have said on numerous occasions this is all about me and I’m just sharing the fun (I think even Hallmark said sit down UPtv that’s too much) …. Then there’s “It’s a Wonderful Lifetime” on well…Lifetime (but ironically they aren’t showing It’s A Wonderful Life .. which is a missed opportunity IMO. I guess NBC said nah but E! and you USA … go nuts! …rolls eyes so hard) …. you can also find the “The Best Christmas Ever” on AMC with an amazing nod to “adultier” holiday fun, “Nickmas” is on Nickelodeon and of course “25 Days of Christmas” on Freeform …the OG of Holiday fun. Not to mention all the streaming stuff cause well you have all heard my rant about that and I don’t think any of us have the energy to go through that again!

So, my point is the calendar is full … but there are days where it’s kind of light on offerings and those are the days you should go look at Crimmus Lights or wrap gifts or put up your tree, hek spend time with your family… maybe meet friends for dinner after work to catch up … I mean I can’t entertain you guys all month … you gotta bring something to the holiday table too. You might need a magnifying glass to read it but that’s why God invented the guy who created ZOOM. Am I right?! Of course I am. I tried to include as many new offerings as I could and yes sometimes a beloved had to go. Sorry Clark, but I mean there are plenty of other opportunities to watch Clark light up the house or read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas as Cousin Eddie comes up the walk with Clark’s boss so that Clark can tell him off for not giving him a Bonus. Really the only time in that movie that I get upset … Clark it’s a bonus not a guarantee it’s not your bosses fault that you overspent on crimmus! Geeze enjoy your fruit of the month and be happy you still have a job!  I always get a little angry when the guy gives in instead of firing him on the spot. Sorry but it’s true.

A few items of note because I don’t want you to miss these and that is the purpose after all…

·       CNN Heroes: An All Star Tribute will air on Dec. 8^th  at 7. It’s always a great reminder that in the doom and gloom of the world there are people attempting to make things better for us and good for them. I’ve always enjoyed this special cause it does seem to reach out to so many different types of people in so many different places just trying to use their time on Earth in a good way. 

·       Kennedy Center Honors will air on CBS Dec. 22^nd at 7:30 it’s another good program to remind you that there are very good humans in this world but this one leans more to the celebrity side while CNN’s version is more for the everyday man. This year’s honorees include Francis Ford Coppola, the Grateful Dead, Bonnie Raitt, Arturo Sandoval, and The Appollo (that’s right even buildings get love at the Kennedy Center Honors) and will be hosted by my Queen …. Dana Owens.

·       CBS is airing the “Nate Bargatze’s Nashville Christmas” on Dec 19^th at 8 (central). They will also air a Josh Groban and Friends go home for the Holidays on Dec. 20^th at 8 (central), right after the National Tree Lighting special (is it not a little late for that CBS?!). Of Course these are all on CBS. Both of which have really stupid long names and thus they didn’t make the calendar but something you all might be interested in…if not keep walking.

·       NEW Shows for the Win! As stated, there are several new items on the calendar, I haven’t watched them, but I am interested in many of them cause well at least they are new. I like new. I like original. Do some research before you put Billy in front of the TV with popcorn or plop little Bailey down in your lap for something that you then decide is inappropriate …that’s not my mess. Take it up with your facebook friends on how horrible it is so they can justify themselves as well by sharing in your fake outrage. Or just take it for what it is .. a lesson learned for both you and your offspring crank up Disney+ and move on with your life. You are welcome!

·       TBS, Hallmark, and TNT started their holiday playlist in November. However, they do have enough classics in their lineups to calm me down some so I’ll let it go and not blacklist them like that other network. I would hate to interrupt their nightly Big Bang Theory marathons for something as silly as Crimmus, no seriously we all need to watch Sheldon explain his spot one more time please and thank you. Don’t worry tho the Christmas Day Marathon of A Christmas Story is still on the schedule for TBS so all is not lost, and as long as they keep doing that I’ll keep a soft spot in my heart for them. But I’m side eyeing them real hard.

·       As always if you are looking for something to throw the littles in front of while you wrap gifts, bake, shop online, drink a glass or three of wine, scroll on your phone, or just need a minute … Freeform is the place for you. Their love for Claymation is admirable and while not all the offerings are eyeball worthy they do have a very impressive lineup again this year. May we all bow to the awesome that is Freeform.

·       I’d like to point out the purpose of this calendar …. Jimmy Fallon’s “5 More Sleeps ‘Til X-mas” no longer comes on … or I couldn’t find it anywhere and I’m real good at this Calendar so I am going to say it’s not coming on. I think it aired what 2 maybe 3 years then poof it was gone! That’s how quick a beloved special goes from must watch TV (cause we are trying to help our Host sell books) to wait what was that? I am not a Jimmy Fallon fan but that was a cute special. Wish it had stuck around. While I’m at it what about Yes Virginia ….. I still can’t believe they took that one down …….. silly CBS….silly ABC…..silly NBC it’s like they just don’t care about Crimmus. I’m sure it’s on a streaming service somewhere….but again we won’t rant about that …again. This is how we save these specials tho by watching when they air. YES most of us have the DVDs and some even still have the DVD players but hit that DVR up when it comes on and let em know we want to see them. As long as we watch they will keep showing them.

·       Incase anyone is keeping score I’m still mad at Food Network so they can keep their holiday specials safely in November cause I’m not participating! PS I love Christmas Cookie Challenge or whatever it is called and it’s on repeat about 97,463,049,730,497,630,943,706 times a day so totally check it out between that and Diners Drive in and Dives. It’s madness what’s going on over there … madness … I tell you …. madness!

Now for …the rules. If you are an OG user of this calendar, feel free to skip ahead. If you are new to the party …. Well, you want to read on or face my wrath. Don’t make me hulk smash you cause I’ve been wanting to Hulk Smash something all year so I’m ready don’t come at me bro!

·       NO E-MAILS about taking Christ out of Christmas, it’s just a really long word and using X-Mas allows for more shows on the already full calendar.

§  Thanks for your understanding.

§  For those that don’t understand I’ll be glad to remove you from the list, just let me know.

·       I live in the central time zone, the times on this calendar reflect that, adjust accordingly.

§  That said unless otherwise stated the times are PM

·       Late Hour Focus, but hour round fun. For you work from home people, stay at home mom’s, or employers who have access to good wifi ….  they run these specials all day long, and while my calendar focuses mainly on the after-work hour times since that is when I can watch (again see note about this being about me and my schedule not yours), fire it up as background noise for that meeting that you are totes paying attention to while you are on mute, or while you edit that really long annoying document that you have already edited several other times but it’s fine you’ll do it again. I also don’t list things if they are on at like 3am…. You insomniacs are on your own.

Much like the Halloween one ….. I have been doing this one for over 15 years now …. The goal is to set aside some time for the holiday cheer to enter your soul …. for those shows and stories we all grew up with to fill your heart with happiness … and most importantly to stop…breathe…take a minute … then jump back out there into the madness that is the holiday season. Teach the new generation that our generation was way better by making them watch the hour long Rudolph or watch them spaz out when Ralphie well you know. Then casually say, “hey isn’t that the guy from the Iron Man movies and watch them again think of what a smart person you are for recognizing him. IYKYK.

Merry Christmas to you all …. and I hope you each have a wonderful and safe New Years. Here’s to a fantastic 2025 for us all !

Marcy

2024 Halloween TV Schedule

Look I don't know why this stupid site won't let me post pictures anymore and I'm kind of getting sick of it ...... it just says "sorry we can't upload your picture" with no explanation or anything so if you want this stupid calendar hit me up on twitter (which I refuse to call "X"  here ... sorry it's a pain ... trust me I know .... ARGH! 

BEASLMA on Twitter 

Jumping on my soap box early this season I guess. I don’t understand why Hollywood doesn’t own a calendar. I mean they must right cause they have their fall premiers so they know when fall is….yet there is  Halloween stuff starting in SEPTEMBER.. and CHRISTMAS MOVIES starting in October …. Like what?! How .. Why…. When… I repeat … WHAT?! It boggles my mind honestly. It’s a ready made series of fun and they just dismiss it every year and well that’s just not ok! It’s time we stand up and demand more … or watch what we are given and sit down. I mean you guys do you I’m gonna be over here with Micheal Myers seeing if he finally catches Jamie.  

The point is … once again my Halloween calendar is being over run by the main stays, the OGs if you will. I’m thankful for the networks who not only understand this but embrace it. Looking at you Freeform, Syfy, TMC, AMC, and I appreciate your efforts to keep the fun in Halloween …. Yeah ok fun isn’t in the word Halloween but we all know it’s implied. So just … let me have this ok!

These are networks that understand this time of season and what the viewers want to watch. , I did discover a few new offerings from Hallmark that might have people interested. One in particular called Haunted Wedding that I will admit I have already marked on my calendar cause it sounds … interesting. I’m sure it’s got the same formula as all the other Hallmark movies but I guess I can’t be mad at that. If it aint broke, well make a kabillion of them apparently.

 We don’t want candy canes …. Yet…. we want apple spiced stuff or for some of you pumpkin spiced things. We don’t want presents with pretty ribbons we want candy and in some cases gore. HECK make a scary Halloween Chrismas movie if you must just slow your fraking roll and let us enjoy the holiday please and thank you! I’m looking at the stores too who have already started pushing the Halloween stuff to the smallest possible shelf they can in order to make room for Santa and his gang.

For those new to this party, and there are several of you, I will re-state the rules, for those veterans out there please forgive me for giving a short explanation and allow your attention to wander freely if you’d like. (thanks for that line Albus! – 10 pts for your house if you can tell me which Harry Potter book that’s paraphrased from).

The Rules:

• I live in the central time zone, the times on this calendar reflect that, adjust accordingly if you have traveled north of the Mason Dixie Line or spread your wings out West. Don’t call me cause you missed your “favorite” show/movie, that’s not my mess. Be a big girl or boy and crank up that DVR and find out when it comes on again cause odds are it will. It is about perspective people!
• Time Zones are hard and sometimes I screw up the conversion from Eastern Time Zone to Central. See Note above for how I feel about you finding a mistake on the calendar.
• Unless otherwise stated the times are PM, this calendar is also geared towards the after work hours cause that’s mostly when I can watch. My office seems to think it’s a distraction if I watch while at work, I mean I still do sometimes. For those WFH peeps or stay at home moms feel free to check out these channels throughout the day for more spooky goodness.
• Lastly this calendar shows things I want to see, movies and specials that take me back to my childhood or that just make me happy. Some are kid themed, and some are more adult oriented. PLEASE be mindful of that before you sit down with your little and they can’t sleep cause Freddy might get them. That’s your mess not mine but Kudos to you for showing them a classic. Seriously don’t be that person and there’s always one. This is supposed to be for fun, if you make it not be for fun well you won’t get it next year. PS if you don’t get this one you don’t get the Christmas one either so be sure that’s what you need/want before firing off that e-mail. This isn’t the internet where you can say whatever you want without consequences. 

If you are a digital user the easiest way is to saving it to your phone so you can check it on the fly, I mean who hasn’t gone to the bar keep at the local restaurant to ask them to switch from the game to Friday the 13th ? Just me …. Yeah, the crowd didn’t think it was a good idea either, but I stand by the request and will likely make it again. When I print it, and I do, I print it 11X17 but 8.5X11 is often good enough, especially if you can use one of those cool work printers … not that I do that.

Now I must warn you … these networks have some kind of dyslexia cause I have noticed that they will show the movies and their sequels but often in not any kind of order that makes sense in any world that we live in.  In the case of Halloween or Friday the 13th or even Nightmare on Elm Street when there are more sequels than the Queen had jewels (RIP Liz) they really got dumb. Like I honestly think they are throwing darts at a board and just showing whatever the heck they want. Which if i think about it is their prerogative. If it’s a full night of say Halloween fun I just put Halloween Marathon and it’s up to you to find what you want to watch, that’s right you don’t get out of doing some work on this thing too. If you pick Halloween Three we can no longer be friends.  

A few shows of note:

• Freeform – is once again bringing their 31 nights of Halloween to the party. Just about every night there is fun and laughter and lots of animation that satisfies both adults and little’s alike. So sit down relax and fall into the fun of your childhood. The joy starts October 1st.
• AMC is where you go for all out gore …. Fear Fest starts October 1st and it is not to be messed with and is to be revered and loved for the wonder that it is. Lots of classics on the list and marathon on top of marathon. Lots of theme nights.
• Hallmark channel is showing up for their “Fall into Love” event with “new” movies to offer which mostly premiered in September but I guess if you haven’t seen it then its new to you. There are likely others on the schedule but I focused on those offered for 2024. I admit I’m interested in Haunted Wedding cause there’s just so many things they could do with hat and I can’t wait.
• SYFY is also having a 31 days of Halloween and I admit I was working on this letter when I realized I had forgotten them completely, and well we can’t have that I mean this channel gives so much love to the leprechaun series, Child’s Play and all the classics and shame on Marcy for forgetting them.  Sadly the SYFY schedule only takes us through mid month … so there’s more out there than what I’m showing. In my defense I’m mad at SYFY for cancelling Reginald the Vampire and they deserve what they get.
• Food Network – for some reason another year has come and Food Network started their Halloween programing in September. So they aren’t on this calendar but the main programs include Halloween Wars, Halloween Baking Championship, Kids Baking Championship, and really the only one you need to be aware of is Outrageous Pumpkins. This year they are having an “all star” cast from previous seasons (who knew they had been on long enough to do that!)
• Disney Channel is once again having a Monstober starting October 1st … which isn’t dumb at all, however the craziest thing about it is that they have very little to offer. As you know this calendar is not about established shows that are having Halloween theme shows and with the entirety of Disney+ at their disposal it’s insane to me how little they have to offer. However They are showing Wizards Beyond Waverly Place which I have featured on the calendar cause I’m intrigued by it.
• Tuner Classic Movies (TCM) is back for an entire October of Horror Films and they are back on the calendar if only cause of the variety they bring to the table. Even though I no longer have this channel which makes me both sad and a little angry. Thanks a lot TED!
• Charlie Brown - Apple TV+ is still the home for all the Peanut’s specials …. Like last year they are opening up free access to non-subscribers so they can watch their favorite holiday specials but only for limited windows of time. This includes:
• It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown   Streaming free on: Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20
• A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Streaming free on: Saturday, November 23 and Sunday, November 24
• A Charlie Brown Christmas   Streaming free on: Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15.
• Fox: The Simpson’s Treehouse of Horrors will air the first Sunday of November cause that’s not dumb at all … between football, baseball, and NASCAR Fox has over extended themselves but they really should keep this special during the month of October.

Of course, there is streaming but even I can’t get up the energy for that rant tonight …. You know what to do …. Huluween, MAX, Prime, Disney+, and of course the almighty Netflix, to only name a few, will have various offerings of Halloween fun. Just so you know HULU does have the Garfield Halloween Adventure and it’s well not as good as my childhood remembers but it’s better than some of the junk out there and I can’t wait to watch it again and again.

So enjoy a scare, carve a pumpkin, eat all the good candy and buy some more for the little beggers who grace your front door just do whatever you need to in order to keep Mariah at bay a little bit longer. IYKYK.

Marcy

Nerdcation is Over

***STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE PICTURE THING REGARDING THIS BLOG
 ...... .IT'S REALLY ANNOYING!***

As loyal readers to this blog are aware the end of August and Early part of September mark the time for Dragon Con in Atlanta. It always starts the Thursday before Labor Day which makes it easy to remember. As the clock resets and starts counting down to the 2025 Dragon Con I thought I’d document this Nerdcation (as Golden has pinned it) as it was a very nice break for me at least, I hope Golden can say the same.

We did all the things we had planned to do …… stopped by the cool bookstore that we found just north of Atlanta (in Jones Creek, GA) called Kinokuniya Bookstore which has all the anime and art supplies it’s really cool. Golden found it for us last year. We have started going up on Wednesdays which allows us the luxury of an easy drive to Atlanta from her house without the fear of if we get there too late we’ll stand in the badge line forever. It’s a really cool store unlike any other near where either of us live so it’s worth the extra drive. If they don’t have it you likely don’t really need it. Golden is learning Japanese and found a cool book to help her on that journey. I bought a paralympic inspired anime which I admit I haven’t started yet but did flip through a few times during our “Con downtime.” We did stay there a little longer than anticipated which got us to our hotel during rush hour. That I do not recommend. The bumper-to-bumper traffic reminded me of why I could never LIVE in Atlanta. I can visit, I can even go there for work purposes (and have on several occasions) but I need to know that I will soon be leaving Atlanta behind soon … for it to work.

Upon arrival to our hotel, the mecca that is the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, the holy grail for Dragon Con goers we were in the thick of everyone trying to check in, valet park cars, and get luggage assistance. This is where I failed in our Dragon Con quest this year. I packed like an insane human being. I didn’t consolidate or pack my bags with any kind of planning for forethought and thus ended up being to spread out. My goal for next year … 2 bags and a backpack. I’m 98% sure I can do it. We heart this hotel, and the staff is very lovely but the queue just to “check in” was wrapped around like a snake. They had three people not even helping people cause they were in the “suer exclusive line” … aka Gold and Platinum status people, I myself only recently made Silver Status. I mean yeah ok … if they have those people in line fine, that’s why they have the perk afterall, but if they don’t maybe help out the normals also trying to check in ? Golden stayed with our bags (cause the dude just took off with the cart like he knew who we were – we are regulars to the Con for sure but not that well known ya know what I mean) and I jumped in line to check in. I tried checking in on my phone but it said you’d still need to see the front desk to get your room key and number. Basically, I’d just be telling them that I was in fact there, so I stood in line and texted with Golden about how she was doing. I finally made it to the front, got our keys headed to find Golden, grabbed a few essential bags off the cart, gave the luggage guy our room number and proceeded to the elevators and found the hottest room to ever exist on earth. Some MFER put the air on 85 degrees. In Atlanta. In August. May that person have boils on their but popp and explode and they not be able to reach them. That’s just … I mean of all the insane things a human can do that borders on just evil. We cranked the air down as low as it would go, propped open the door and tried to relax as we waited on our luggage, which didn’t take long at all actually.

Once we were properly settled and no longer living in satan’s armpit we proceeded to walk around downstairs and see what was up. We grabbed some food and did some people watching. It was crazy to us the amount of people who rolled up to the hotel in full cosplay ready to get the party started. I was like wow slow your roll this is a marathon not a sprint. We ate dinner at High Velocity (a restaurant in the hotel) and walked around a bit, people watched and were safe and snuggled into our beds long before the midnight countdown. That my friends was Day1. 

Thursday Day 2 started with getting gout badges for the Con which required that we walk … outside. One of the advantages of being at the Marriott is that there are sky bridges to two of the other hotel hotels. However the 4^th host hotel is down the street and that’s where badges are picked up. We used to drive in on this day, pay to park near the hotel get our badges then would proceed to our hotel and check in and chill for the day, killing off the first official day of the Convention. Hence why we started coming in on Wed. The line was supposed to start moving at 10 am. We got in line around 11 and started the long trek around the building. I swear people need to learn how to quee up in a line. At one point there were huge gaps where I guess people didn’t realize the line had moved or I don’t even really know and Golden looked and me and said screw this. We jumped the gap and I’d do it again if asked. Off we went. We were still in the cattle call (as I call it) inside the ballroom to get our badges when I saw the lady previously in front of us walk in so we didn’t jump too far in the line or she did the same thing we did just a little later. Either way we were both much better for it. Once again someone had forgotten to adjust the air and it was quite hot in there. I was glad when we made our way to the front for our badges so we could officially get going on our day. The next order of business was lunch. There were food trucks sat up at the badge hotel but I frankly didn’t want to sit outside. So we walked back towards our hotel and found the little concession shop to grab food and take it back to the room. Where we hung out until dinner time. By now Satan’s armpit was feeling more like a polar bear exhibit but neither of us adjusted a damn thing. Golden wore a hoodie most of the time in the room and I longed for a long sleeve shirt. She is truly my smart friend. We finally dragged ourselves out of bed, into “outside of the room clothes” and proceeded to the Trader Joe’s in the nearby Hilton. Did you know you need a reservation for that restaurant. We did not either. However, they accommodated us and while I enjoyed by porkchop and fried rice Golden’s dish was stone cold by the time it got to her and she didn’t enjoy hers nearly as much. Some more people watching and walking around then back to bed. That was day 2 .. which was officially Day 1 of Dragon Con. Which is confusing I know but it’s important to note that.

Friday day 3 … or Day 2 of Dragon Con was set aside for me to give blood. I like to do it early so if I want to participate in the adult beverage I can without it affecting my donation. Golden comes with me but as previously stated she can no longer give blood, the blood bank would have to destroy it so it seems a wasted effort for all parties involved. After that it was time to feed Marcy so she didn’t take another dirt nap in the middle of the street .. so we proceeded to Peachtree Center and hit up the food court. Got some nurishments and then proceeded to the America’s Mart so we could do our annual Paint and Take. We then hit up the arcade and got our game on, Golden fell in love with a Godzilla pinball machine, which I admit was pretty fun. More people watching and relaxation as we headed back to our hotel. I must have crashed cause I honestly don’t remember the rest of the night.

Saturday, day 4…. Or Dragon Con Day 3 … is set aside for the Vendor Hall. It’s typically an all-day affair. As I think I have said before it’s 4 floors of just things to purchase, people to talk to, things to look at and just …. Stuff. I often call it a game or do I like it enough to carry it the rest of the day? I did end up buying a book which I stood and talked to the author about for about 15 minutes while Golden looked at something else. Golden gets a Henna Tattoo every year while I still on my collapsible stool, truly the greatest thing ever invented, and people watch. It’s really pretty and always suits her very well. It eventually wears off which is kind of sad. These years might have been the best she’s ever gotten. We got out of the Vendor Hall around 4 I think and proceeded to go back to the room for another dirt nap. Saturdays at Dragon Con are very stupid as they sell one day passes and all the people descend on the Con which ends up feeling very suffocating. So we chilled in the room for the night.

Sunday, day 5 … or Dragon Con Day 4 .... At some point every year we have what I call a lazy day. Sunday I guess was that day. We got up, went and got breakfast buffet which was delicious but we ate far too much then proceeded to watch movies and snack the rest of the day. Golden had one thing on her to do list and that was a panel about traveling to Japen. So, we were determined to make that. It started at like 8:30. Crazy I know. We made it down there sat through the panel, got some dinner afterwards, walked around and headed back up stairs shortly after midnight to pack up our things and get into our respective beds for the night.  

Monday, AKA Labor Day, also known as Day 6 … or Day 5 of Dragon Con is always reserved for traveling back to Golden’s house then crashing hard. We typically have to wait for luggage assistance for like 2 hours and it’s quite annoying so this year we had a  plan. I’d get up early call them and we’d be on the road early. So I got up early …. I called them and they said we’d be there in 20 minutes.  I was like um…. Ok. I proceeded to get dressed and tried to wake up Golden, several times. I didn’t fully believe they would be there in 20 minutes … but damn if they didn’t and damn if she didn’t jump up and become a functioning adult faster than I’ve ever seen her do it. It was quite impressive. We were out the door and walking to the elevators by I’m going to say 8:30…8:45 at the latest. We got the car packed up and was leaving for what may be our easiest roll out ever. To say I was impressed is an understatement. Not too long after we were on the road we spotted a Hardees and I love me a Hardees breakfast so we pulled over and filled our bellies. We got to Goldens and took a long dirt nap, ordered pizza and watched a Harry Potter marathon.

So all in all I’m calling it a successful trip. According to Dragon Con the number is 75K+ for head count (but I feel that’s way low) and over $200K raised for this years charity the Arthritis Foundation. See Dragon Con puts out donation buckets at every event and all over the place really and collects money throughout the convention for the charity of choice. Dragon Con then agrees to provide a dollar for dollar match which is really cool. It’s their way of giving back, it’s typically a local charity but not always. By my count we walked 25,011 steps, or roughly 11 miles over the trip, and traveled roughly 947 miles according to Google Maps, which tracked us the entire way which isn’t scary at all. We had a lot of downtime, which we both desperately needed, had a lot of laughter, got to see some amazing Cosplay and most important I got to spent 5 6 solid days with my bestie. So yeah it was successful. I drove home at the arse crack of dawn on Tuesday after not sleeping at all Monday night. I slept for nearly 13 hours Tuesday night and Wed felt like a brand new human being. It is crazy what sleep will do to a person, both the lack of it and having enough of it. Now my PTO is over, it’s the weekend officially and I’m looking at the prospect of returning to the real world on Monday. I’m not ready. Not even kind of ready. That scares me more than anything I saw at Dragon Con if I’m being honest. I might be at a crossroads and I’m not sure which way to go.

Hope everyone had a successful and safe Con and arrived back to their home bases safely.

Thanks,

Marcy (@beaslma)

Dragon Con is near.. Are you ready?!

*****BLOGGER IS STILL NOT LETTING ME UPLOAD PHOTOS     ARGH *****

According to the Dragon Con website we have just under 11 days until Dragon Con officially kicks off. The Ap has been updated. The schedules are set (kind of), I mean they often change at a moment’s notice throughout the Con. I have once again set up my profile on the ap and sent Golden a friend request so we can see each other’s schedule (seriously can’t they get some nerd to figure out how to roll that from one year to the next?). I have made my appointment to give blood. I’ve checked the status of our hotel about 349,730,967,304,967,340,967 times and we are still good to go …. Now all that’s left is …. Well all the things.

There’s packing, and laundry (there’s always laundry), then packing up my bathroom stuff, and my electronics, charging all my external charger ports, clearing off my phone to make way for all the awesome I’m about to see. Charged my Switch and made sure it was updated, don’t worry I’m sure the next time I play it there will be another update.. Oh and i have to go get my annual Dragon Con TV subscription. I’m also in the process of clearing my work schedule so I can fully enjoy the time away with my bestie.

This is the first year I’m taking 2 whole weeks off (10 days to be exact). I’m taking the Friday before I leave and the Monday before I leave off then heading to Golden’s on Tuesday, then to Atlanta on Wednesday and will be in Atlanta until Monday where we will make our way back to Golden’s to crash hard before I drive back home, likely that Tuesday. Then I plan to take the rest of that week off to again do laundry, unpack, decompress, and ready myself for the return to work thing. I wish Golden could do the same, but COVID might have messed that up for her. At least she’s clear for the convention. On my to do list this week is getting my latest COVID vaccine just in case. I assume they are still giving them out … guess I’ll find out. The last one I got was before last year’s convention. I don’t know if it helped or not but I didn’t get sick so I can at least say I tried.

A few must do items on the to do list for Dragon Con include:

• Paint and Take -  Honestly one of my favorite things ever … we get to sit and people watch while painting these little miniatures that someone made on a 3D printer. It’s by far the most relaxing part of our trip.
• Vendor Hall - which is like I don’t like 6 floors of just stuff from books to plushies to action figures to t-shirts and everything else you might think of. I usually find something to bring home but also find something but don’t wanna carry it around and so I leave it behind.
• Walk of Fame – which is always interesting cause that’s where the “talent” ends up between their panels and you can talk to them or get an autograph. One year we hung out with the guy who does the Voice for Pinky and the Brain. Another year we met Nathan Fillion. One year we helped a “handler” do a Lego build while waiting on the guy who ended up not showing up cause his panel ran long. We met Felicity Day once who told Golden she loved her hair. Then later tweeted something out to the world and Golden showed me her phone and said she’s now internet famous cause she was in the background. It’s just fun to just walk around and see whose there. It’s only open at odd times tho so it’s hit and miss on if we get there are good times.
• Blood Drive – I participate but Golden cannot. On 9/11 Golden went to give blood and a few weeks later got a letter that her blood had to be destroyed. Thus began her journey to the Medical Marvel that she is today. So it’s a nice “check up” without having to pay a copay. Plus I get a cool shirt.
• Joystick Gamebar – this was new since Covid. Before they would have some prototype games in the Gaming hall that you had no idea how to work cause it was usually in Japanese or some other language and you’d just hit a bunch of buttons until you got frustrated and walked away. Now they have what they call a Gamebar in ATL within walking distance from the host hotels that we can play actual games like donkey Kong and Pacman and Mrs. Packman and racing games and pinball. It’s all free yall and it’s fun!
• Coloring for Charity – each year Dragon Con picks a specific charity and has little events and donation buckets all over the place for people to donate to the charity. A few years ago we stumbled upon this event which allows you to get a coloring book that is created by some of the artist in the Artist Pop Shop (or something like that) and it’s really cool to just sit in a room, chill and color like a small child for a bit before going back into the big mess that is the Con.
• Dragon Con Parade – Tho I admit after the first few years it was more fun to watch from our hotel room on TV or to skip it all together and go to the Vendor hall while everyone else was occupied. I do like looking at all the pictures from it tho. It’s where you get to see a lot of the creativity fly in one central location. There is no other way to describe the feeling of seeing 75-100 Agent Carters walking down a block than just Awesome.
• Dance Parties – I don’t dance but I like watching others do it....Who knows maybe i will let loose this year and go to town with some cute young stud looking to have a good time ...... 

I don’t really have costumes planned this year, much like last year it just seemed like a lot of trouble. I am taking my Care Bear onesie for Onsie Wednesday but it may or may not make it out of the back that it is in. I like walking around … looking at all the creativity that bursts out of people this time of year and I know I’ll never be as creative as they are. I always forget that for Dragon Con anything goes until I get there and see literally everything on display. Then my anxiety kicks in about will people get it ? Is it cute or stupid? What if I am a half fan and then suddenly these people start talking to me about said topic I’m dressed like and I don’t know enough to talk to them about it. I mean I’m nerd adjacent but not full on nerd. Plus there’s not a lot of cosplay for a full figured gal AKA fat girl and that’s not something I can change in 11 days. So I will pack all the nerdy shirts and proceed as planned and spend 6 amazing days with my bestie in a nice pair of blue jeans and comfortable shoes, preferably with a rum bucket in my lap, you know … once I’ve given blood of course.

 If you are heading to Dragon Con next week hit us up …. @theonlygolden   @beaslma

Happy travels and make it home safely!

Marcy

 

 

OLYMPICS PARIS 2024

**Blogger won't let me upload pictures ..... don't know why**

As I sit here watching the closing ceremonies of the 2024 Paris Olympics …. I admit ……. I’m exhausted. Getting up at 3 every morning … sometimes 4 to catch events as they happened was both necessary cause I need to see stuff live but also made for very long days at work. As with Tokyo …. I got a little insane during these 17 days (July 26^th – Aug. 11^th) and if I wasn’t watching the games live, or repeats of events at night, I was looking at athlete social media and thinking about what I’d be watching next.

I found a fantastic app that allowed me to add games to my calendar…. I didn’t realize it was adding it to my work calendar but I wasn’t mad at that either. That ap has now been flipped over to the Paralympic games which are as inspiring and special to me as these games. The drama the stories, the athletes, watching them do the impossible and make it look so simple is just an extension of these games.

Thank goodness for Peacock. I really hope they keep the momentum going for the Paralympic games cause their coverage was fantastic. Being able to click live events as they were happening or search by a specific day or search by a specific sport in order to plan your day.  I also loved that the times on Peacock were for my specific time zone which was instrumental in my planning process.

So what did I watch ……

Gymnastics, all kinds … Artistic, Rhythmic, Trampoline …. I love the drama of it. The athleticism and how there is very little to no room for error, you go up, do your routine and there is no do over. The Women blew me away as I expected them to and the Men had a rough start but a strong finish and finally got back to the podium.  Volleyball is my other love and to watch it on an Olympic stage is just the best. While Beach Volleyball ended up breaking my heart it was a fun ride while it lasted and the rally’s these teams played on the beach in the sand that was burning their feet, in the heat, and sometimes at night with the Eiffel Tower glittering in the background was just a spectacle to be seen. Well played Paris .. well played. Diving …. From all heights … the US struggled hard but it was still fun to watch… another sport that is one and done … like one bad dive and it’s kind of over cause at that point you are counting on another to have a bad dive. These are the best in the world and bad days rarely happen at that level. Artistic Swimming – AKA Synchronized Swimming – which finally got some TV love this year due to the US having a team that made it to the podium. Indoor Volleyball ended up being satisfying after watching all the other Volleyball teams fall early. The power and speed that this sport is played at gives me chills. Literal chills. 3X3 Basketball – it feels like backyard ball and I’m here for it every single time. Archery – it’s sooooooo dramatic for very little reason …. Like that dramatic pause I guess to steady themselves before letting it rip is important but is it really ? Asking for a friend .. who is me. Now this sport with the Paralympians … that deserves all the drama but they just let it rip. Badminton – I mean …. Who hasn’t played this sport with family in the backyard or at a BBQ and thought they could do this until they watch and are like wait did the shuttlecock even move before the point ends? Basketball – I watched this one more cause of my nephew he loves this sport and it gives us something to talk about plus it was fun to see the new version of the “dream team” take the court and play as a unit. They almost fumbled hard but they pulled it off. The women however never lost control of it and just sailed to that Gold medal.  Breaking - I still have no idea what was going on or how it was scored and yall I tried. I’ve read more about this “sport” that I’ve ever read about any other sport and I just can’t figure it out…. I don’t know if it will stay in the Olympics or not but it was interesting it just wasn’t explained very well for those of us that had not participated in a competition before. The announcers were …. Well I’m gonna be nice but I think they were making that shit up as they went along. Cycling … BMX … Track …. All fascinate me too cause the speed that they move and the closeness of each of the participants makes you think they are gonna die. I liken it to Snowboarding during the Winter Games it’s fun to watch but like Breaking I don’t quite know what’s going on but can at least tell a good run vs a not so good run. In breaking I couldn’t even attempt it. Routines that I thought were good and entertaining got no points … routines I thought were lousy got all the points. Like what the hell … but I digress. Equestrian …. I watched more of these events than I’ve likely watched in previous years…but I can’t really tell you why. Football … aka … Soccer … mostly cause my boss is obsessed with it and it gives us something to talk about. Rugby – this sport fascinates me but the Paralympic version of it, known as Murder Ball makes it look tame. Swimming ….. I mean how do you not watch it’s on for like 6 days straight and they have like 5,203,476,304,967 events each night. Table Tennis – see previous note about Badminton.  Tennis – I mean … we said goodbye to Nadal who left it all on the court, got to see Djokovic not shock anyone by taking the tournament by storm. The real championship was between Nadal and Djokovic, after that it was all downhill from there. I’m gonna give the ladies a break cause well that was kind of painful to watch. Water Polo - which fascinates me, cause like how do they jump like that without touching the bottom of the pool? Weightlifting - cause I wanna be watching when they throw down those weights and destroy the floor..it’s gonna happen …. You just wait.  I even got into some of the Track and Field events which I usually watch but with like one eyeball while I look for something else to watch.

I do admit there were sports that I didn’t get to watch … not as a boycott but more cause I just didn’t get to it or there just weren’t enough hours in the day …. Canoe Sprint (which I usually watch but didn’t this year for some reason), Fencing, Golf, Handball, Field Hockey (that blue field just was too much), Judo, Marathon Swimming, Modern Pentathlon (tho I did watch some of the events that make it up just not enough to say I watched it), Rowing, Sailing, Shooting (I mean honestly who came up with that?), Skateboarding, Sport Climbing (cause why really … what is the point ?), Surfing (again I saw pieces of it but not enough to say I watched it), Taekwondo, and wrestling.

Yall at one point my phone gave me a middle finger and said no more please …. It shut down and I was like oh goodness I guess we are done for the day. Like I couldn’t get it to come back on…. Couldn’t get it to charge… I really thought I was going to need a new phone but I guess it overheated or something cause she seems good now. Which is good cause like is said there is a rest then the Paralympic games get going. I will be watching but I will also be at Dragon Con so I’m gonna have to divide my two loves and catch what I can when I can. So Phone you are going to have to get it together and cause it’s going to be a long week again.

As I watch the Closing Ceremonies I’m struck by how colorful and exciting the Opening Ceremonies was vs this darker less celebratory version of a send off to these games. 

 Medal Count ... cause that's all anyone cares about (which is sad) ends with US on top of the pike for MOST MEDALS at 126 .... GOLD   40   SILVER 44    BRONZE 42 .... so we had a good O    Olympics for sure. China was behind us with 91 total (also 40 Gold), Japan with 45 total, Australia with 53 adn France rounding out the top 5 with 64 total medals as they hosted the biggest sporting party of all time. In 4 years we get to do this again on US soil once again. I’ve really given a lot of thought to Los Angels … but I know me I’ll talk myself out of it. However …. It’s always a possibility … I have 4 years to make up my mind after all.

Marcy @beaslma

Memoirs …. Memories …..

My father is turning 80 this year and has spent the better part of the last few months writing his memoirs. He’s talked about his marriage, his kids, his grandkids, his career (40+ years as a transportation engineer for the same company), growing up, going to college, being in the service. All of it. It’s all been kind of fun to read and listen to him talk about. I’ve learned a lot about him, I’ve pushed him to write more than I think he had originally planned. I admit I wish he put more of himself in there. Not “I had a kid in 1979, she was a girl.” As an Engineer he’s a facts guy. Facts are good but what did you think about these facts. Were you terrified to have a daughter. Is there anything you wish you had done differently? How was it going from a son to a daughter? What was it like the first time you saw mom ? How did you decide that you wanted to marry her? Did you buy the ring on your own? Had you all talked about it .. did you know she would say yes? … you know stuff like that.  There’s also things in the book that I’m not sure belong, but it’s his book and if he wants to list every camera he’s ever owned who am I to tell him differently. However, as he has gone through this process it has made me think that not only, do I not have enough to write my memoirs, even if I did I don’t have anyone that would be interested in reading them.

I mean I just turned 45 so maybe there is time for me to develop those core memories, but I feel like there’s not much to what I have going on. I mean I was born in the late 70s, grew up in the 80’s and 90’s, was an adult for the 2000’s but it was all pretty … basic. Nothing too earth shattering. I played with awesome toys, listened to even better music, watched some good TV shows (some that are still on the air today in either reruns or on streaming services). I am part of that generation who remembers life before our phones and the internet took over and yet also remember when all those things took over and the pros and cons of both. I remember the birth of social media and dropping one for the next “fad” many times over. I remember when it actually used to be social and not what it is today. I remember seeing the NKOTB in concert several times and admit it cracks me up that they are still making music, still touring. I have also been blessed over my 45 years in seeing a lot of really great bands, in a variety of venues, but many in my generation can say something similar. I remember being obsessed with MTV and would watch for hours waiting on my favorites to show up. I think that’s why my musical tastes are so varied cause for a while they played just about every genre under the sun. It didn’t matter the label behind the band or what they were selling at that moment. If they had a video it was played and a jazz number would follow a pop hit, which was followed by rap, and then an alternative band, followed by a county artist, then R&B…. rinse and repeat all day and all night long with some news scattered around for flavor. I also credit limewire, Napster, and other file download sites for opening up my musical world with a click or two of a button and hours of watching a blue bar praying the internet would hold long enough to download the whole thing only to have to reset it cause it didn’t. Then the sadness of clicking on the file and it not being what you downloaded in the first place. The mixtapes after these services were so much better than they were before. I do admit not being able to rush to a store and get a CD and the fun of listening to said CD on the way home from the store is something that I really miss.

I was in the generation that hoarded VHS, then DVDs and still have them all cause like I don’t want to just toss them. Ironically my first VHS was ET gifted to me by my Grandmother who bought all the grandkids the movie for Christmas one year. I also had a Blockbuster card and a card for Movie Gallery and often visited both in an effort to find the movie I wanted. I remember my brother renting Thriller so many times my mom banned him from getting it for like 6 months. When they started having games my trips became far more frequent. The birth of gaming consoles really altered my life and robbed me of hours of time and money but also gave me so much joy I am an ATARI fan for life and am lucky I started with such a “simple” system. Over the years we had many consoles including Nintendo NES, Sega, Gameboy, X-box, X-box one, Nintendo Switch, and others I’m sure I’m forgetting long before I started being obsessed with playing games on my phone. Oh and computer games … I remember when we got our first home computer and logging into Prodigy and message boards and having a great time until someone needed to make a phone call.

I also played a crapton of sports, until my knee decided to stop being a knee my Senior year of high school. I played baseball, softball, soccer, basketball, tennis, volleyball, gymnastics, ballet all of which took a toll on my body after years of play. I also went away to college, living in the dorm all 4 years and in an apartment one summer when I needed to play catch up in order to graduate on time.  I remember playing intermural sports trying to stay in the game until my knee was like hey I thought we were done with this! And my knee was right we were. I still play sometimes but it takes a few days to recover and it just isn’t as wroth it to me now. I do miss those days.

I remember vividly the death of John Paul II … or JP Dos as Golden calls him. I am not Catholic but for that week or so we all kind of were. Waiting on smoke to come out of a chimney seeing the outpouring of love for a man who just wanted to do good things while he was here. He’s the first Pope I really remember paying attention to … and also I guess the last. I hope he is finally resting knowing he did good while he was here.

I also lived through some pretty large events in my lifetime … including the Challenger explosion which left a group of elementary school kids very confused. I remember having 9 planets and don’t care what anyone says Pluto is still on my poster so he’s a planet (sorry Golden). I remember seeing all the animals covered in oil after the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill on TV and thinking what a waste of resources just cause a ship wasn’t up to code (if memory serves me correctly). I recall little Baby Jessica falling into the well and mom and I staying up wayyy to late om a school night to finally see her emerge out of the well, again on TV, and be rushed off to the hospital and never really heard from again except on yearly checkups. I remember the LA Riots and how they pretty much let LA burn and the looting, oh so much looting. As a kid I thought you are just destroying your own stuff… what are you accomplishing here. Speaking of LA I remember that horrific earthquake where sections of interstates collapsed on cars and people and being glad that Earthquakes were not a thing here in the South. I remember when the wall came down in Berlin, but didn’t honestly understand what it meant or frankly why there was a wall to begin with. I remember the Gulf War but mostly cause the guy across the street went and we’d be checking on him. I remember Afghanistan and thinking well here we go again … knowing we hadn’t really finished the first one. I remember the day Bin Laden was shot in the eye which still makes me chuckle. They had a full on 6 foot man and chose to shoot him in the eye. Good on them. Sad for the fishes that used him for food and have wondered many times if they too became evil cause you are, after all, what you eat.  That is the Spongebob episode I wanna see.

The event that affected me the most was the Oklahoma Bombing cause it just really seemed so unnecessary. My best friend actually ran away from home that day (for reals) and I was home sick and watched CNN like a crazy person until my mom took away my TV a few days later. Physically removed it from the wall so I couldn’t turn it back on. My bother wasn’t a fan. I remember sitting on our porch crying cause there were all these families in Oklahoma missing families and my friend just bolted cause her mom was “mean to her.” (she eventually came home but after spending the weekend at a family member’s house to “cool off”). I remember sitting on our porch crying with my mom that night and so many nights later for people I never knew but felt awful that they were gone in such a violent way. I also remember watching the trial and calling my mom and crying to her again on the day they put McVey to death and recall thinking how he just destroyed so many lives and at the end of the day still got to be in control of his fate. It just seemed so unfair. That being said I am glad he’s gone. I remember the OJ trial and the verdict and the feelings that it all evoked and the first time I ever felt well I guess the justice system is just a waste of time. The 2^nd time I felt that way was after the Oklahoma Bombing.

After the Oklahoma Bombing I started being more weary about being in public and what others around me were doing … or not doing. It was a stressful time, but like all things eventually I moved on cause I had to. I was just a little wiser. Then school shootings one after another after another which then turned into parks, theaters, malls, airplanes, sport venues, and left me feeling like there were no safe spaces on this planet anymore. I recall kids jumping out of windows to escape Columbine … I remember wondering how bad was it going to get before we did anything to try and make it better. I’m sad that we still haven’t reached whatever imaginary goal we have to get to for something to change. I was glad to be out of high school cause I really don’t think I could have continued to attend classes. I was nearly finished with college and had the freedom to just leave class or skip all together when I needed to. I kept in close contact with my professors and stayed on top of my assignments, so they were really awesome about working with me. I really got to the point where I hated to leave my house, hated to leave the places that I felt safe cause the truth was I wasn’t safe anywhere and that was not a good feeling. Panic attacks are just the worst.

Being in the south hurricanes have played a large part in shaping me over the years. I remember being told as a baby that I slept through Frederick which devastated where I live. I was almost one when it hit. I remember us packing up and leaving the house on numerous occasions not sure what we’d come home too and each time we’d come home clean up and move on. When dad bought our house, he bought it on a huge hill. I remember once being worried about flooding and he took me into the yard and said if we flood water is the least of our problems. I rested easier after that, and storms didn’t scare me as much anymore even when we were packing up to run from one. I remember the devastation left by Katrina and watching the coast of MS get wiped right off the map while the focus remained on New Orleans. A story that never would have happened had the levees held. However that’s how events like that happen .  . . . one thing fails and it leads to a bigger story.

I have lived through many presidents (Carter, Reagan, Daddy Bush, Clinton, Son Bush, Obama, Trump and currently Biden to be specific). I can’t recall any of them filling me with the passion to really get behind a president. I guess the Clinton administration is the first one that I got to Vote for, but I can’t recall if I voted for him or not. I used to enjoy politics the back and forth, the discourse around what was best for the country not just for that election. I’m currently sad to where we are right now and very disenchanted with the entire process if I’m being honest. The president I remember the most is Carter but I think that’s cause he’s from Georgia and I have enjoyed watching him do all his work for the Habitat for Humanity. I like that after leaving office he still did good things and I guess the others are too I just don’t hear about it as much. I remember people talking about the Royal Wedding between Charles and Diana … I didn’t get up for it but remember my mom and her friend watching it before we were taken to school. I do however visibly remember the death and funeral of Diana all those years later and how sad it seemed. I remember the death of Queen Elizabeth and the spectacle that resulted from her death. She was a very interesting lady and seemed to really care about the country. All the words said about her seemed hollow to me … not enough to capture what a remarkable life she had led but after so many years I guess what more was there to say.

I was part of the Harry Potter generation that was able to experience the books before the movies and am grateful for that. I credit Golden for that. She read the Sorcerer’s Stone and talked about it so much that I read her copy and then her copy of the Chamber of Secrets which irritated me to no end. I felt like I had just read the same book twice. However, the Prisoner of Azkaban was to come out in like the next week or so and I was hooked after that one. I’m confident had I waited more than say 2 months I wouldn’t have read anymore of the series. I’m glad I did. I’m glad I got to watch the movies too, but there’s just something special and magical about that series that the movies just can’t give you, especially on that first read through not knowing what to expect.

I graduated from College not too long after 911 and remember how for a brief moment the country came together as one united and focused on a single goal. It was a brief moment, then we all went back to what we do. I only remember having that feeling one other time and it was right as Covid was hitting and we were all doing our best to help each other out and listening to people and united with the Government that many of us didn’t pick or agree on but listened and for another brief moment did what they asked. It’s true we can come together but I’m sad we don’t do it often.

Finding a job after the uncertainty around 911 made life difficult but I tempted some and finally found a place that feels stable and secure. I’ve been there 21 years this September and while there is a lot about the place at the moment that feels me with dead and sadness there were many good times, and the times now are good on paper but I fear that is all it is. The good outweights the bad … right … sure it does … let’s not go down this rabbit hole right now.

I’m not in a good place mentally but after reading this post again it’s been an interesting life but it mostly been things I’ve witnessed not really lived. I have no children of my own but feel like my nephews are as good as mine. I have been lucky enough to always have a roof over my head, food in the pantry, a decent car to drive, a warm bed to return to every night and so I really have very little to complain about. My parents are both still alive and doing ok heath wise. They are still together a feat not many of my friends can say about their own. I have a good job that pays me well, I should use my PTO more often for fun than doctor appointments but I’m working on that. I often feel I’m wasting my time at said job but see the sentence about it being a good job that pays me well so what do I really have to complain about ? I’m on the downhill side granted I’m still towards the top of that hill but I am no longer climbing. I guess what I’m saying is life could be way worse and I need to suck it up and get on with it. Maybe spend the next 40 years living the things that will create my memories that can one day fill a memoirs that someone might want to read one day.

 

Heck I can’t even get people to read a blog so what do I know.

Marcy (@beaslma)

 

Blog with a purpose – Anthony Nolan/Open Links

   

If I have a flaw, and the truth is … I have many, it’s that I’m loyal to a fault. I’m either on your team or I’m not. I either root hard for you or ignore that you are in fact on this planet with me. I tend to have tunnel vision about things as well, but when I become a fan I am usually all in until … well I’m not. As is the case with one Tom Holland. I have posted on here before on my love of Spiderman (all of them are unique in their own way but I especially love Tom’s version of Peter Parker), my love of the Crowded Room, the enjoyment I get watching Spies in Disguise or Onward after a long week, and my obsession with the movie Cherry … all of which star … one Tom Holland. I even enjoyed In the Heart of the Sea (which also starred Chris Helmsworth) and Pilgrimage, Chaos Walking, and of course the one that started it all The Impossible. The more I learn about this kid the more I love him. I can call him a kid cause he’s younger than me. The young man carries himself very well in both his personal and professional life and he just seems like an all-around nice guy that makes you want to cheer for him to succeed.

One of my favorite things about him is the charity he and the family set up, The Brothers Trust, in order to make positive use of his "fame". I have previously talked about this on this blog and will likely do so many more times moving forward. I love that it exists to shine a light on charities that might not get the limelight it deserves but what I really love is that the entire family is involved. I love that what they are doing is really making a difference. I gladly support it with charitable donations and proudly wear my t-shirt and hoodie when the weather allows it. A few weeks ago I had a cold (not covid) and couldn’t get warm so I wore that hoodie for 2 days straight. It was the only way I could get warm.  That’s how I found out about the subject of my 2^nd Blog with a Purpose post which focused on DEBRA one of the charities supported by the Brothers Trust to help fight Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB).

HOWEVER ……. Like my previous blog … this one isn’t really about Tom Holland …. or frankly the Brother’s Trust ….. well … not really, but they are all connected.

While learning more about this young man, I stumbled upon the fact that his father is an author in addition to a successful comedian in the UK. As a self-diagnosed “Bibliophile” (A person who collects or has a great love of books) I was intrigued. While clicking around on the Brother’s Trust site one day to see what all they had to offer, I saw one of his books on sale called “Open Links” oh a Golf Book I thought …. then read some more and realized all proceeds for the book go to the charity called “The Anthony Nolan Trust” which saves lives by matching people with blood cancer. Oh that’s interesting I thought … and bought the book. 

   

It sat on my shelf for a while cause again it was a “golf book” not something I’m particularly interested in. Golf I mean. My company has a “internal” golf tournament every year that I go to in order to take pictures and I like putt putt when ever I’m on vacation but that’s so not the same thing. Then one day I am looking around for something new to read and at the top of my to be read pile was Mr. Holland’s book, Open Links. It was a short read. I was in the mood for something different so I dove in. It took me longer to not read it than it did to read it. I couldn’t put it down. This “golf book” sucked me in like no other book had in a very long time. Open Links follows the story of Ricky Randall a journeyman professional golfer playing in the final round of the Open Championship at Muirfield. The book starts with Ricky in the middle of what I would call a panic attack at the idea of the day ahead of him. In this final Round Ricky finds himself at the bottom of the standings with nowhere to go but up. It takes Ricky a bit to pull his arse out of his hindquarters and get on with it, which makes the reader want to grab him by the shoulders and shake him. At least I wanted to. The novel takes place over a single round of golf, 18 holes, 18 chapters and even non golf fans can feel the build up and understand the drama unfolding in front of them.  The Anthony Nolan Trust features heavily throughout the book and upon learning more about them you quickly understand why Mr. Holland gave the proceeds to the charity.  

In 1974 Shirly Nolan founded the Anthony Nolan Trust after her son was diagnosed with blood cancer. In 1971 Anthony was born with Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome. The cure … a bone marrow transplant. In 1974 the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Register was established to make searching for unrelated donors easier. Mrs. Nolan wanted to give other blood cancer patients and those suffering from other forms of blood disorders a second chance at life. Finding donors was much harder back then than it is today. In 1979 Anthony died at the age of 7. That’s also the year I was born. Today the Anthony Nolan Trust has helped over 22K people receive a lifesaving transplant.  As the Trust celebrates 50 years I'm excited to help support them through a book that I really enjoyed. 

I won’t tell you how Rickys’ round ended or the insane circumstances surrounding the round. For that you’ll need to pick up the book and read it on your own. You will not be disappointed in having taken the ride. If it gets you to learn more about the Anthony Nolan Trust even better. 

Purchase your own copy of the book here via Amazon .... https://a.co/d/1l3q328

To learn more about the Anthony Nolan Trust go here ….   https://www.anthonynolan.org/

Check out The Brothers’ Trust here ……     https://www.thebrotherstrust.org/

I have since bought many of Mr. Holland’s books and highly suggest I Gabriel, the Fruitbowl, and if you are a Tom Holland fan Eclipsed which is a diary of sorts about a son eclipsing his father which takes place during the filming of The Impossible and I often think that one day Tom might be writing a similar one about his brothers one day. Mr. Hollands latest books “Takes on Life Vol 1” and “Takes on Life Vol 2” evolved into a Podcast that can be found on Spotify and is a GREAT listen as well as excellent reads. The Margaret Mizen episode really stood out for me, as did the Omid Djalili one and the Graeme Souness episodes.

To learn more about Dominic Holland  go here …….      https://www.dominichollandbooks.com/

To join his Patreon for exclusive content  go here …….    https://www.patreon.com/dominicholland/posts

(tell him Marcy sent you) 😊

As with the rest of my Blog with a Purpose posts the goal is to teach you something, and make you think about or become aware of a cause that I think is worthy of your time. People dealing with blood cancers and unseen diseases, of which my partner in crime @theonlygolden can attest to, is harder to deal with than those that people can see. People tend to dismiss the battle inside cause they can’t really see it making the effects worse for the patient.

I am proud to support the Brothers Trust, proud to support Open Links and am very proud to support the Anthony Nolan Trust as they fight to save lives. With the exposure from this book and the recognition that comes from it may they go from saving three lives a day to many, many more.

Marcy

(@beaslma)