Right off the bat question: “Will these be the type of imaginary ‘gifts’ Mitt Romney accused Obama of giving voters?” Nope, this will be real things to be grateful for. And if it bears a striking resemblance to my Thanksgiving list, well…I can’t help coincidences…
5. The Gift that AMC (the TV network) Split Breaking Bad’s Final Season into Two Parts….I know that many of the hardcore BB fans were disappointed that they’d have to wait an extra year for the final 8 episodes. But you know what? While I was savoring the first half of the season, I was reminded that this show is the best on television. That the endlessly deep characters, razor-wire suspense, and breakneck plotting will all be missed when they’re gone. So, really, why rush the end when it will be so bittersweet?
4. The Gift that AMC (the theater chain) Care About Independent Movies…Of all the big theater chains, NONE care about independent movies like AMC. I think independent theaters are great, but, let’s be honest, most people aren’t going to pay a couple dollars more admission price to sit in crappy seats in a smaller theater (never stadium style, never) with worse sound and picture. Part of me doesn’t blame them. The majority of independent theaters aren’t well-maintained or magical places, and I’m glad that at least one large theater chain will carry movies that many people would never get to see otherwise. This year, I loved the chance to see Miss Bala and Middle of Nowhere and a lot of other movies most people have never heard of, and nearly NO ONE would have seen if they weren’t playing at AMC.
3. That the World is Not Anywhere Close to Ending…In a year full of “doomsday” predictions (this whacked-out church here, this Mayan apocalypse believer there), and a general, senseless mood among people that the world is somehow getting worse, nothing all that bad happened. Gay marriage got passed in more states and Obama was re-elected, and the sky didn’t fall, despite the “prognostications” of every red-state individual that owns more than 3 guns. The planet isn’t anywhere close to ending, and all signs point to a better world with a more robust economy at home and fewer wars abroad.
2. The Return of the Sensible Voter…I’ve written about this a hundred times, but common sense was back this year. As was empathy, sympathy, and a desire to bring down the old barriers. Gay marriage went mainstream, marijuana went legal, congress elected a record number of women, and the first democratically-elected minority President in the world was re-elected. These are big victories that don’t seem so big in this impatient age, but all would have been unthinkable even a decade ago.
1. Family, Friends, People You Love, and——Most Importantly——People who Click on Ads.
Merry Christmas everyone!