Morgan 🌈(they/them)

Starting my annual #Discworld read-through. I love this. I sleep listening to the audio book versions, that's how much I love them. And no matter how well I know the texts, I get a thrill each and every time. If you haven't read them yet...what are you waiting for?

I may have mentioned this before, but it continues to tickle me. My mother-in-law (in her mid-80s) struggles with the they/them pronouns a bit. But she's trying hard! She regularly refers to me as "Morgan and them". Seriously, I love her so much.

Another fun work-related story: I got employee of the month (which is hilarious, 'cause I really dislike my job, but am apparently good at it). The newsletter bio consistently referred to me as "they." I feel very seen and validated. Which might explain part of why I still work there.

I mentioned by wife in a work chat. A co-worker out of India messaged me, "But I thought you were a woman?" There were a thousand ways to respond, but I eventually decided it would be quickest to just explain I'm agender. She can learn about lesbians another time. (BTW, she responded well.)

We're having a wonderful Christmas, hope you are, too. My lovely wife got me two books, a TV show, a movie I didn't even know was available to buy yet, three flannel button-ups, and an agender t-shirt. Now we're having cinnamon rolls with hot chocolate (traditional Christmas morning breakfast), to be followed by home-made chili using my mother's recipe. I'm so happy.

If one of your New Year's resolutions is to read more, here are three awesome and useful sites with free books.

https://standardebooks.org/

https://archive.org/details/texts

https://bookshop.org (some free, not all)

My year in books. I love reading, but for a few years I wasn't making enough time to really devote to it. Big improvement this year, and I'm very pleased. I feel like it did me a lot of good, keeping my brain active and my emotions steadier.

https://app.thestorygraph.com/wrap-up/2025/mog_b

Christmas Day watching starts with the Rankin Bass version of The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus. Based on the book by L. Frank Baum, it has a truly fascinating mythology for it. One of my favorites all the way back to childhood.

In case you ever wondered what spoiling someone looks like when there's no money involved, heres an example:

I've been in a rough place, emotionally. So, for the third day running, my wife is allowing me to watch my #1 comfort show, Kingdom Hospital. On repeat. I am so very lucky.

I always thought I hated ABBA's music. But then I like Mamma Mia. And I heard some great covers of ABBA songs (Sinergy, Information Society, etc.). And I realized...I don't hate ABBA's music. I just hate ABBA. Which is awkward, because my wife loves them.

Proof that I am old now: I'm starting the new year by somehow having injured my back/neck/left arm while sleeping. And now I'm all cuddled up with a heating pad.

And now, to end the movie marathon, A Muppet Christmas Carol. The best version ever. It's beautiful and sweet and well-acted and has wonderful songs. It makes me sing, and cry a little, every single time. Michael Cain kills as Scrooge, and Gonzo is incredibly charming as Dickens.

Next up: The Hogfather. Good Sir Terry's contribution to the wonders of the season. Containing one of the best monologues ever made. "To be the place where the falling angel meets the rising ape." Chills, every single time. Only Pratchett's rendition of Death can make you feel so very good.

And now, The Christmas Toy. Before Toy Story, this one had its own ideas of how toys behaved when left alone. Another childhood favorite that I can never really let go of. Plus, some pretty decent songs. As a kid, I was always jealous that these kids had a whole room just for playing with toys.

Finishing the night with The Man Who Invented Christmas. A charming little movie about the writing of A Christmas Carol. An examination of Christmas, family, and the fascinating process of writing. Some really interesting things to say about what really matters.