(Calgary Zoo Lights and their Conservatory Building)
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Well, I suppose it is time for me to finally do this Holiday Questionnaire that was created by my friend @weedfarmer. I was nominated, in order, by @rare, @boozenblood, @jjtjames5x, @jadestone, @lunalafaye, @helainked, @juliju, @arroezze, @cheshire_, and @mirameow. Don't worry my friends, I will have my revenge.
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1. How was your Thanksgiving and what are you thankful for?
My Turkey-Day was October 9th here in Canada. It was fairly plain, as usual. Part of my family came to my parents' house for the typical dry turkey, bland gravy, steamed veggies and corn on the cob, mashed potatoes, etc. It's traditional and oddly comforting, but not really sensational. We chatted and had some laughs until the typical bickering from the same people who always start it (and no, it wasn't me) and then we went about our way. I walked home to my cats and we watched a movie. Meanwhile, my family shared a dessert that they didn't tell me about. Then I went back over the following morning for breakfast and the same bickering.
What I am thankful for, today, are my cats, my friends, the SG community, my peaceful home life, and food that has flavour and style.
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2. Who's putting up a Holiday Tree?
Have you met my naked roommates? Buddy and Guy would not abide a tree.
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(Happy Holidays and Death to all Christmas Trees!)
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3. Do you have any family traditions for Thanksgiving and Holidays?
Besides the plain food and family squabbles? Sometimes we play board games or watch a movie. We 'open one gift on Christmas Eve' and the rest Christmas morning before breakfast.
When I used to live in Vancouver, I would host what was called "An Orphan's Christmas" which was me cooking food and inviting over any friends who were by themselves that year. Those were warm and gracious times.
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4. Your best advice?
I'll give my best Holiday advice: "Don't feel obligated to spend it with anyone who does not bring you joy or peace. If that means avoiding family to spend it with friends, do it."
The first time I enjoyed Christmas was the first time I spent it alone. Since then, I make sure I do the obligatory time with family, and then the difference of time by myself or with people I love and enjoy.
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5. Do you have any holiday charities you donate to?
I donate to charities all the time, not just during the Holidays. Ronald McDonald House, Diabetes Canada, PetSmart Charities, Lost Paws pet rescue, Unicef, Red Cross, Plant a Tree, Little Britches rodeo, various school charities in town, STARS, Safe Haven (for women and children), food drives, soup kitchens and more. I donate money, or goods, or my time.
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6. Your favorite Holiday song?
For the serious answer:
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And for the silly one:
(Please check them both out)
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7. Your best Holiday present, your choices given or received?
The last Christmas we shared as an entire family before the divorces, I bought everyone in my family a Nerf gun and put it in their stockings. We opened our Christmas Eve gifts and I made everyone open their Nerf guns, too. Then, just as my family started to argue, my mom shot my Brother-in-Law in the balls with a Nerf bullet by accident. He thought it was me and shot back, and then we had an all-out Nerf gun fight that lasted 45 minutes. Alliances were made and broken. Parents used their kids as shields. There was begging and no mercy. It was the only time my family had ever had fun like that together (except dad sat in his recliner with his arms crossed and scowling). And just like that, we never fought that Christmas.
The best gift I received, was my grandfather's old Pentax Camera, given to me by my grandma after he had passed.
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8. Do you have your Holiday shopping done?
I don't do Christmas presents any more. If I see something that I think someone would love, I just buy it then. I would rather share food, games, laughs, and movies together on Christmas.
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9. Fun question - something you enjoy during the Holidays?
I love food. Any time of year. I also enjoy the time off. The movie theatres are usually quieter. And when old friends come down to visit.
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10. Do you have plans for New Year's Eve?
No thank you. That stage of my life is over. I'll stay up to bring it in and watch the fireworks and then that's it.
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11. Your goals for the New Year 2024?
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12. Your New Year's resolution?
I don't do New Year's Resolutions. If something needs to change, just change it. But, one year I declared it "The Year of the F-bomb" and resolved to say the f-word more often. I did, but boy was that a hard habit to break after...
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13. Your favorite hobbies?
Eating, movies, music, games, reading, cooking, woodworking, socializing, writing, collecting, and turning on the ladies. Meow.
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14. Do you do Holiday cards?
I do not.
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15. Share anything you want from your past Holidays?
I shall share two. The first is from the aforementioned last full-family Christmas. Besides the Nerf guns, I also hired professional photographers to capture our family and family moments, and we also catered the event. Christmas was at my sister's house that year, and she owns a Heritage Home that used to be a large Bed and Breakfast. This is a photo of the appetizers.
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And the second is something that has real meaning to me. It was the first Christmas Tree I ever set up when I was on my own and living with who would come to be my ex-wife. It is ratty and scant and so full of love and pride.
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As usual, I nominate the admin that I hope are growing to love little-old-annoying-me. @missy, @penny, @eirenne, @lust, @kiley, as well as @darcydiamond, @v3n3vinus, @pastrypeach, @mzrizstretto, @belladonna, @tarot, @moxy, @jacquidaniels, @mapetite, @chikitina, @vaneskka, @capsblazem, @crystalparadis, @artsbytiago and @sammiii.
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Happy Holidays and Season's Greetings to all of you, from Fred.
