Christmas Eve: Misses and Miracles

This Christmas Eve, I joyously spent much of the quiet day with my parents.

We watched two movies:

Marty Supreme - A new movie, remarkably advertised, following the based-on-a-true-story-ish tale of Marty Mauser, a young upstart ping-pong player following his ambition at the cost of every relationship he has. He lies, steals, bargains… anything to get him to the next ping-pong tournament. His methods are dubious, but his talent is there, and his self-confidence is off the charts.

and

It’s a Wonderful Life - A Christmas classic that follows the life of George Bailey, an ambitious man trying to get away from his tiny town, but circumstances kept him there. He helps innumerable people in all sorts of ways, but never “makes it” in the way he wanted to. At his lowest point, he meets his guardian angel who grants his wish: that he’d never been born. And he gets to see what would have happen to his small town without him there. It’s worse. The lesson: A life with friends is a successful life.

This year, do you look up to Marty, or to George, or both?
O