I love John Oliver. Pretty funny dude. Before he got his HBO gig, he was best known for his stint at the Daily Show. However, during his tenure there, he was also half of a podcast called The Bugle which he co-hosted with Andy Zaltzman, another cheeky Brit with a penchant for a long and drawn out pun run.
Most recently, I watched his last episode for this year, and his closing bit was a pre-taped segment of both celebrities and regular "joes" all saying "Fuck you 2016!" As his show is largely political, it makes sense that this was directly related to the Trump election (which looks fishier every day, but I digress...ed.) as well as many notable deaths of celebrities taken before their perceived time. Looking at it that way, yeah, this was the year that a walking orange carpet got elected as well as the year that Snape and Ziggy Stardust perished...among others.
I mean, in this past year, two friends died of cancer, both with young children. Other friends lost their jobs. I lost a grandparent, and while it wasn't unexpected, she was a tough-as-nails lady who herself had to raise two children "alone" due to my grandfather's early passing. Yeah, this year was difficult.
However, I would ask you to look past that, which is not always easy. I've got a lot to look back on in 2016 which was fantastic...like camping with my son for his first (and second) time. Look ma, we're outdoorsmen! Our family had two magical vacations...one filled with natural wonder, and the other with man-made, but each trip was ridiculously enriching for my kids. I got to see family I don't typically hang out with, on both coasts; in the extreme north and in the sweltering south. And, most recently, I got news that a great friend's family got bigger by one just this past Monday.
The news media would have us believe that the Armageddon is coming. Before you succumb to the hype, take inventory of the incredible things that happened to you this year. Then, this long weekend, celebrate those achievements with friends and family. Have a ridiculously huge meal...or two. Eat Brussels sprouts! And, remember that this time of year is fantastic, and there's no better way to kick it off than with those you care about the most...without presents, but with extra helpings of dessert. In the States, this may be the best non-secular holiday that We the People have together. Oh, and then, after you're done eating and watching the NFL, make a donation to those people at Standing Rock. Why? Because, without them and their beliefs, we'd be relegated to eating mint leaves and poison ivy berries on the shores of New England. It's the merging of traditions that makes us, as a nation, great, and as long as we continue that path of acceptance, then no politician will be able to tear us apart.
Happy Thanksgiving.
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