Christmas

There's always something vaguely romantic about Christmas.

I don't mean lovey dovey stupid "Diamonds are forever," kind of romance, but more of a beauty that isn't of this world. There's an "other" kind of love, beauty at Christmas.

There's a certain poignancy to it, I think, and sitting in church with 4 generations of my mother's family crammed into a pew, my 14 year-old-godson sitting beside me, meeting my alto harmony note for note with his sweet tenor voice, my grandpa, sister, cousins, aunts and uncles gathered together while snow fell glittery and heavy outside-- all celebrating together the joy of the Savior who came from that "other," for us--nothing seemed/seems more beautiful than that.

Christmas Preparations

On the phone with the sister:

Me: Ask Dad if he wants to go see True Grit? If he does that's his Christmas Present. I'll even buy him dinner!
Sister: (asking dad) He said he'd love to. And now he's all excited.
Me: Ask Dad who his favorite child is NOW!
Sister: I hate you.

10 Things I Learned in 2010

10. It is a long way to walk from the Flamingo hotel to the Vegas sign and suggesting that you do so (instead of taking a cab) will earn a very long walk and very dirty looks from your friends. Also, wearing sandals is a good way to insure your feet feeling like they will just fall right off. Also, when people tell you, "it's not very far!" They are LYING.
9. Elephant Love Medley + Western Nebraska + Friend + Nostalgia = singalong (We could be HEEEEEEEEEEEEROES!)
8. Watching the first couple of seasons of 30 Rock will inspire 100 million new one liners and jokes. And makes me want to have a cool name like Liz Lemon.
7. Murder Mysteries are fun and not lame.
6. If death comes in threes, then weirdness just comes in droves.
5. Friends who have had too much to drink = hilarious. Strangers who have had too much to drink = obnoxious (and trespassers!)
4. No matter how many times your Zumba Instructor stands RIGHT in FRONT of you, your body will not move in the way that it's supposed to because you are not a middle-aged Latina woman.
3. If you borrow a friend's car to go see another friend's band play in a city that you don't live in, it's a good chance that car will get vandaled. The night before the first friend's wedding.
2.People in Chipotle will start to recognize your face and order if you use that as your standard "vegetarian" fast food stop. I'm not sure if this is awesome or embarrassing. You decide.
1.While following Wayne Coyne on twitter, it is at your own risk if you open a picture that he posts. This is even more (always) true if the post mentions his wife (Michelle). Just don't do it. Your eyeballs will thank you. Trust me on this one.

Double Emphasis

Back in the day, a friend of mine used to double-first name people as a way distinguish one person from another person with the same name. That caught on and a couple of friends in that circle will have, for now and for always, double first names.

As Christmas approaches, when people have asked my plans, I've found that I have started using my friend's double emphasis.

I'm going home (HOME!) for Christmas (CHRISTMAS!)

The itinerary thus far is to mock the gimpy sister, eat lots of food, bake cookies, see lots of family and enjoy being home (home) for the first Christmas (Christmas) in 6 years.

A Poem For Christmas

'Twer the weeks before Christmas and all the town
All the Crazies were stirring and spreading it 'round

Thursday, on 9th Street, we ate tacos galore
Creepy Santa stumbled 'round the restaurant floor
He scared the small child eating at our table
And we were wishing THIS Santa was only a fable

He asked 'bout our drinks in a leering way
And then stumbled off to bother others that day

As we walked the block party and chatted with friends
We noticed that Santa was following our trend
And since avoidance was clearly not working
We scurried away as to not to say something jerky

Then the next night, after some Cheer
With Melsons and Caps and others quite dear,
We pulled up to the curb at casa de Melson
And saw something strange that required half-Nelsons

Two strangers were knocking at Katherine and Thad's
Looking for Richard and Sam and getting quite mad

When Scott Melson asked them what the eff they were doing
They laughed and and took Ashley's bowl for the viewing

We hurried inside and called the police
Then they laid 'neath my car as if to tease
They danced 'round the yard in a curious fit
Then hid as cars passed them--obviously quite lit.

The police came and chatted with our new found "pals"
Then their friend picked them up after a quick phone call

Dear friends and family as Christmas approaches
Remember the crazy that sometimes encroaches.

Year in Review

I've been having a really hard time putting words into the things I've been feeling and experiencing these last few months. And as my readers know, the joy of being "frustratingly vague," is an accomplishment toward which I strive.

It is hard to talk about this year because it has been hard***.

There have been lots of wonderful, wonderful things that I've been able to experience this year: the New Years trip, Vegas, my grandpa's trip to DC, the whole entire month of June, the Re:Thread stores, the growing, more "mature" relationship with my sister*.

This year has also been a reminder of the many good things that I do have and a drawing closer to those who know me and have loved me best.

This year, however challenging it has been, has been bearable because of the Melsons, who've fed me cupcakes and alcohol; Kristy, who gave up some of her precious vacation to road trip to Colorado; the Caps and their hilarious son who invited me to his "Trash truck" party; and Jules, steady and dependable, with her unending empathy.

This year feels like it has been one big exercise in futility, despite all those good, good things that have happened.

And it could get better, or it could not.

Or things could change, or they could not.

January 1, 2011 could bring about something amazing, or it could not.

And I'm trying to find some peace in that.


*Mature is in quotes because when we talk on the phone, I still call her "big people**" just to make her mad and our voices tend to get higher in pitch the longer we talk. We also giggle. A Lot.

**It's not as bad as it sounds. Or maybe it is. It's an inside joke.

***Most of it by my own doing. Yes, the footnotes are out of order.

White Flag

Dear 2010,

You started out so well and with such potential. There was travel and adventure and good stories to be told and with more travel and more adventure on the horizon. But as this year draws to a close, it's all I can do to drag myself to it, waving my white flag of surrender.

You Have Bested Me 2010. Congratulations.