Quite a bit has happened. I was in the musical at school again this year. We did Cinderella (Roger & Hammerstein style). I had 20 seconds as Cinderella's father. It was a lot of fun. The kids, as usual, had a blast. Heather brought the girls to a dress rehearsal. Barbara had so much fun. She was playing Cinderella for a few days after. Zoo Lights is in full swing. A great time and we are close to breaking an attendance record.
The holidays this year have not been altogether pleasant. Almost everyone here has been sick at some point, and I am the latest casualty. Sadly we said good bye to Grandma Cahoon on the 23rd. She had been going downhill quickly for a week. The good part of this story is that everyone on Heather's side was able to come. There has been a family issue that was set aside for the time-being as well. Despite tragedies in life there are still good things that can come of them, I guess. It is nice to see people come together.
Christmas was good to us. Nice weather, good times with family, and I received a few good movies as gifts. I also liked the shirts that people bought for me, and Dad and Violet gave me a collectors coin from Australia with a platypus on it! As I get older I find that it is less about what I get and more about the events I experience. Watching Barbara and Hope with Santa Claus at the staff kids party or having dinner with family is what really means the most.
Looking back at 2014, I can say that it has not been the best of years. Losing both Heather's and my own last surviving grandparents and losing Annie has been difficult. While it is natural to focus on the negative, I choose instead to focus on the positive. My Top Ten for the last entry of 2014 is: Top Ten Surprises of 2014.
10. Jim Henson Creature Shop Challenge(Reality Show Surprise of the Year). I had caught most of the episodes that showcased the magic behind the puppetry and creature building of Jim Henson's legacy. I hope there will be a second season.
9. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (Movie Surprise of the Year). I flew to Orlando this summer for a Kagan workshop, and this was the only movie the flight offered that was in the slightest bit appealing to me according to the write-up in the catalog. I was so pleasantly surprised to find such a delightful film. No, it is not my usual sci-fi special effects fare, but it had a great story, was funny, endearing, and something I could watch with the family without worry. I found it for under $7 at Walmart on Boxing Day. Definitely went for it.
8. Superhero TV (TV Surprise of the Year). I started watching a couple of TV shows this year with a common theme: super heroes. They are really good! The Flash is becoming one of my favourites (I am even interested in catching up on Arrow), and Gotham is quite interesting as well. Add to that Agents of Shield and being Super is cool again.
7. Sir Anthony Williams (Celebrity Highlight of the Year). Meeting Rene Auberjonois and Nana Visitor at Vulcan was coll, and the Comic Expo in Calgary introduced me to Felicia Day and Billy Boyd, but Anthony Williams takes the cake. The way he treated my nephew Connor and surprised him with a free autograph was a memory I hope to never forget. He was a truly gracious and charming individual.
6. Girl in a Country Song (Song Surprise of the Year). I will confess, I have fallen out of love with country music lately. Last year in particular I was frustrated that it seemed that all that they played on the radio was about guys going ape-crazy over the bodies of pretty girls and spend all their time partying. It's called "bro country" and it is not something I identify with. I missed the songs that spoke about real relationships. Then Maddie and Tae debuted their eventual first #1 single. It was perfect!
5. Imagine Dragons (CD Surprise of the Year). I had heard a few songs by this Utah-based band and decided to buy their album "Night Visions". I loved it. There were so many great songs on it. Yes, I am about a year behind on this album, but I'm almost 40, so forgive me. I'm not in the target demographic of pop culture anymore.
4.The Dark Legacy of Shannara (Book Surprise of the Year). I have been a fan of Terry Brooks and his Shannara series for over 30 years. Yes, there have been stretches where I stopped reading his books, but I started again this year with this trilogy. He took his writing and story telling to new levels. I am really looking forward to 2015 when his books become a TV series.
3. Toronto (City Surprise and Family Trip Highlight of the Year). When Grandma Andrews passed away I went with my father to Toronto to take care of things. I mostly went for moral support, but what happened was a great bonding experience for my Dad and I. He showed me so much of this city that he grew up in. We went to the high school he graduated from, his university, the house he grew up in, visited his life-long friend, and I was able to meet my uncles. We went to the Toronto Zoo, which was a lot of fun.
2. Multiple Intelligences (Career Highlight of the Year). My Kagan workshop was on tapping into the different ways that students are smart to help them learn. It continues to remind me how great Cooperative Learning Structures are so beneficial to my career. It has really helped my teaching practice.
1. Hope Kelly Andrews (The Highlight of the Year). Of course my second daughter will be my highlight of the year. Hope has such a bright personality and is the darling of our home. She smiles with her whole face, laughs with her whole body, and loves with her whole soul. So glad to have you, little Bookie-Dee!
