G.I.F.T. Challenge #3: Traditions Old and New

Over the past two days we (Mary, Tori and I) have engaged in both old and new traditions. Since we are always with extended family either home or away over the true Christmas Eve and Day we generally choose a day at the beginning of December on which we will celebrate our Christmas. That gives us a day to plan ahead with all the excitement and anticipation that Christmas Day should bring.

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Rocky Balboa

Over a year ago the rumors were circulating that they were making a new Rocky movie. I just shook my head in disbelief. This past summer when the first trailer was released, I laughed. It looked so bad. I actually downloaded it online and showed it to friends and family and the consensus was that this would be the biggest joke of the holiday season.

Then last month they released a trailer with clips including his son and some very good fight footage. Hmmm…..despite knowing how foolish it was, I was intrigued. I have seen that trailer several times since then. Last week I heard Sylvester Stallone in an interview say that he made this movie as a ‘thank you’ to the fans. That clinched the deal for me. So today, for our (Mary, Tori and myself) family Christmas, I found myself at the first showing of the day to see a movie that I vowed I would never see in the theatre. A movie that I now had sky-high expectations for…

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Casino Royale

The surprising, unexpected affection for the James Bond franchise that arose with Daniel Craig’s portrayal of England’s formidable secret agent in Casino Royale stirred within me a desire to read the Ian Fleming novel that started it all. At a mere 181 pages (in the Penguin trade paperback version) there was only a slight risk of not enjoying the experience. I am happy to say that the gamble paid off and Casino Royale, the book, has won me over.

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Eclectic Musings of a Renaissance Geek