TRYING to explain Scottish New Year traditions to people here in Los Angeles is quite difficult.
Spending two days eating shortbread and tanning pints of whisky doesn’t really go with Kale tea and volcano ash facials, sadly.
But what a great time we had with my lovely sister, Elaine, her husband, Jim, and kids Euan and Hollie when they came over for a festive visit.
They didn’t even steal the towels this time! (Sorry, Elaine!)
It’s put me in a right good mood and made me hopeful this year will be a better one than the last.
If you’re a fan of Hogmanay tradition then spare a thought for Barack Obama in 2017. His first-footer is going to be Donald Trump.
I’ll be polishing my microphone – steady – as the award season is about to start.
Costume designers will have to work miracles, make-up artists will conceal all sorts of blemishes and a load of old cobblers will be talked on the red carpet – and that’s just me.
It’s hard to say which movies will be Oscar winners as most of them aren’t even out yet.
One I have seen is La La Land. I’ll bring you more about this moving musical in a couple of weeks, and this one could win big.
Also keep your eyes peeled for Manchester By The Sea and Martin Scorcese’s Silence.
But there are plenty of other films to look forward to throughout the year.
Inception director Christopher Nolan is back with Dunkirk, the story of the British Army’s Second World War retreat from France – it looks epic.
The sequel to 50 Shades Of Grey is out, too. It’s called 50 Shades Darker, which would be a good name for a shop that sells curtains – or maybe it was made by my hairdresser!
You’ll probably want to draw the curtains if you’re watching it at home in case the neighbours start talking, right enough.
There’s also a new Pirates Of The Caribbean film. I bought the DVD of the last one and it had a warning about piracy on it, which wasn’t really required when you think about it.
But I can’t wait to see Gal Gadot tackle the role of Wonder Woman in June.
My wife’s a bit like Wonder Woman. She’s always wondering where she parked her car, left her purse, where her phone is…
Happy 2017, everyone!
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