The past year was amazingly on so many levels! I did my best to give love and I received so much love in return. I was very fortunate to have a unique partner sharing the day’s moments whether simple or profound, as well as transformative. Travels near and far were a fabulous bonus with our daughters, grandchildren and friends. There was laughter, a tear or two, vibrant sunsets and delicious salads, bike rides in Colorado and Italy, fresh discoveries, fun photography, new wines to sip, reconnecting with old friends,…and feelings of gratefullness for each day we have on this planet. I reveled in the beauty of nature, admiring majestic trees and flowers, green valleys, sandy beaches, and fascinating cultures and architecture while on 2023 explorations. And, I have nothing but admiration and praise for how hard Marla worked to improve her health after a difficult couple of years!

2024 RESOLUTIONS

I actually don’t do New Years’ resolutions per se! I am hopeful for a new year of being a better partner, more patient, kinder, a better listener, and a tad more focused and organized. I plan to obtain slightly better cycling shape, turn my curiosity meter on high, and open to new discoveries near and far. “OK,…all of these DO sound like RESOLUTIONS!”

SURPRISING GOOD NEWS FROM THE PAST YEAR

This piece from David Pogue is quite a surprise!

ENJOYABLE 2023 ENTERTAINMENT

Marla and I enjoy our TV show entertainments. We record CBS Sunday Morning, Fareed Zakaria, 60 Minutes, and never miss SNL!

I’ll attach a few trailers of our 2023 favorite movies and TV for your perusal. For 2023, certain songs kept grabbing me over and over. I’ll share some of those as well.

MY FAVORITE 2023 MOVIES

We LOVED the “The Holdovers”!

We watched Wong Kar-Wai’s very unique,“Chungking Express”, with Paxton and Logan this year. The director was a favorite of Anthony Bourdain.

SONGS WHICH SEEMED TO RESONATE OVER AND OVER WITH ME IN 2023.

https://youtu.be/NFjWRsLl5QI?si=sySYsAaZubLuW6TB

We saw the new updated release of “Stop Making Sense” in the theater this year. It was phenomenal! We saw the film when it first came out in New York City in 1984. I don’t know why but I tear up when I hear this song…“Heaven.” It just hits me!

I love this song by the Scottish band, TEXAS! The video mimics the style of the movie, “Chungking Express.”

I first picked up on the London based band, Wolf Alice, watching the Glastonbury Festival. The lead singer, Ellie Rowsell, has a fabulous voice and dynamic stage presence.

I am a big Jessie Ware fan!

“The Astronaut” by Jin has an infectious beat and style. Kim Seok-jin, known professionally as Jin, is a South Korean singer, songwriter, and member of the South Korean boy band BTS. The song was co-written by Jin and the British rock band Coldplay. This song has over a 101 MILLION views on YouTube!

Lana Del Rey’s “Mariners Apartment Complex” keeps coming up on my favorite playlist.

I never tire of this song!

Brandi Carlile’s message on her song “The Joke” is profound and important!

TV SHOWS MARLA AND I REALLY ENJOYED THIS YEAR.

The first two seasons of the thriller, “The Wheel of Time”, were amazing with great acting, beautiful locations, and costumes! A third season is forthcoming possibly next year on Prime.

Marla and I have read almost all of the Mick Herron novels on “Slough House.” We just finished season 3 of “Slow Horses” and it was fabulous!

“World on Fire” checks all the dramatic boxes for me. It is an exciting WW2 drama (2 seasons) with twists and turns, excitement, and a great cast! On PBS

I really enjoy the Amsterdam police drama, “Van der Valk”, on PBS. Most of the actors are English!

“Annika” is another great show on PBS! It stars the great actress, Nicola Walker.

We stream many of our French and Italian TV shows on MHZ CHOICE. Shows (mostly mysteries) from about 13 countries, all with English subtitles!

This is truly unusual with interesting plots and great locations in Paris museums! Detectives and art experts solve the theft of artworks and murders.

“Murder In” has dozens of episodes taking place all over France. The actors are usually different for each episode.

This is one of Marla’s very favorites this year! It is on PBS.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

2024 will be full of excitement with all the Olympic U.S. qualifying competitions for the summer Paris Olympics! I’ll attend some of the events in Paris as I am a track & field nut! Can’t wait!

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

MY POLITICAL MUSINGS…

2023…THE YEAR I BECAME…“WOKE”. Originally, “woke” was a term in African American Vernacular English meaning to stay alert to racial discrimination. But soon after the racial justice protests swept the country in the wake of the murder of George Floyd, conservative pundits co-opted the term to derogatorily refer to anything related to progressivism, equality or diversity. I’m proud of this label.

LOOKING AT…2024. I am hopeful for an enlightened and informed electorate to do the right and just thing and…NOT elect a candidate who encourages violence, is a serial liar, used the office of the presidency to enrich himself, who demonizes and threatens others who disagree, and rejects the basic foundations of American democracy. We absolutely must not have an autocratic ruler who would tear apart our Constitution!

I will aggressively assist 2024 candidates nationwide who truly support justice and the rule of law, Women’s rights, LBGTQ+ rights, smart immigration policy, and intelligent policy making.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if politicians from both sides of the aisle, could for once, work together to solve today’s important problems…such as a new immigration policy, ideas to help heal our planet, reduce homelessness, and laws which help our citizens rather than demonizing the…“other.” Obvioulsy, each side would not get everything they want but it would be…PROGRESS FOR THE GOOD!

“Ok…maybe I am a bit naive!”

P.S. I read TIME Magazine’s “Person of The Year” issue. The Taylor Swift story is one to behold! If she ever had interest in national politics just think about how she could energize her base and more! Sound crazy to you? Well,…just go back and read the bio of our previous President. Might not be that far fetched after all! “SWIFTIES…UNITE!”

Yes, there are terrible conflicts around the globe and problems close to home but I remain hopeful and optimistic…no matter what transpires in 2024!

May 2024 be your very best year,… full of good health, happiness, illuminating moments, and personal discoveries. I will be celebrating a huge birthday milestone this year….so yes,…I really will seize the day and relish each and every moment! Let’s do it!