Pet Shop Boys - Miracles
Sunday, December 31, 2006
That Rear View Mirror AKA 2006...
It's New Years Eve...and the pressure is on. That annual exercise to find some way to put 2006 into some sort of order looms.
So here is what I've learned in 2006
1.That grace is the lubricant of life.
2.The more you know, the less you truly know.
3.That when someone questions on their profile, "Every picture I've posted shows me with a drink in my hand, I wonder if I'm an alcoholic?", they are.
Run.
Change your address.
Your phone number.
Don't think you can help.
You can't.
They already know the answer to their question, they just can't accept it.
At least not yet.
And they won't, not until they've hit bottom, embrace recovery and live the serenity prayer. Which when it happens is always a miracle from God and totally out of your control.
4. The shortest distance between two points is usually not a short cut.
5. A critical mind is a critical problem.
6. The secret to happiness is laughter, appreciation, and reflection. Laugh at your reflection, and appreciate that you still have one.
7. God is tone deaf. Sing off key.
8. Sometimes blind people have the best vision.
9. Whatever brought you here, to this point, doesn't have to determine your ultimate destination.
10. Blue and yellow go together if you believe they do.
Oh yeah and number eleven...which Kevin and Kelcy have been trying to teach me...if you click on the red X at the top of the screen, the world won't end.
So tonight for Kelcy who wants me to go play Thomas the Train...and set up her sticker factory...and play hot wheels and princesses...
click.
So here is what I've learned in 2006
1.That grace is the lubricant of life.
2.The more you know, the less you truly know.
3.That when someone questions on their profile, "Every picture I've posted shows me with a drink in my hand, I wonder if I'm an alcoholic?", they are.
Run.
Change your address.
Your phone number.
Don't think you can help.
You can't.
They already know the answer to their question, they just can't accept it.
At least not yet.
And they won't, not until they've hit bottom, embrace recovery and live the serenity prayer. Which when it happens is always a miracle from God and totally out of your control.
4. The shortest distance between two points is usually not a short cut.
5. A critical mind is a critical problem.
6. The secret to happiness is laughter, appreciation, and reflection. Laugh at your reflection, and appreciate that you still have one.
7. God is tone deaf. Sing off key.
8. Sometimes blind people have the best vision.
9. Whatever brought you here, to this point, doesn't have to determine your ultimate destination.
10. Blue and yellow go together if you believe they do.
Oh yeah and number eleven...which Kevin and Kelcy have been trying to teach me...if you click on the red X at the top of the screen, the world won't end.
So tonight for Kelcy who wants me to go play Thomas the Train...and set up her sticker factory...and play hot wheels and princesses...
click.
The last photo's of Christmas...
Santa documents his arrival (with a bit of generous assistance from my brother...). Christmas morning dawned and after opening our stockings, my father got out his brand new waffle iron and Kelcy and Uncle Jaime made us yummy waffles with fresh fruit topping.
The family spent the entire day together, and while as an adult I can sleep on Christmas Eve, I still get excited for the big event...Here's a few pics of the day...my family, and some of the people who often appear in my stories...
Completely willingly I might add...
Mom's been extra extra nice to me since I mentioned I was thinking of writing another book of essays...roughly titled..."stories I could never tell..."
Aviation has played a big part in my family's history. My father is a former pilot and still loves to fly (although mom made him give up his pilot's license years ago).
My father used to sit in the co-pilot seat on this B 47 and flew Nukes when he was in the air force. My great uncle also flew many missions over Germany during World War II.
Although my first love is the trucking industry, I spent four years as the night operations manager for a northwest based, Part 135 air freight airline...which sadly enough lost 2 pilots in separate accidents during 2006.
The job was intense. Ninety percent of what I did was contingency management and during the time I was at the helm we suffered through the WTO and Mardi Gras Riots in Seattle as well as the Nisqually Earthquake, which left tremendous damage in its wake to Boeing Field, one of our primary operations centers.
Our aircraft were ancient and the maintenance challenges were continuous. One of our older airplanes was a twin engine Chieftan once owned by country western star Tammy Wynette. By far the worst challenge we experienced were the 9-11 related impacts to aviation. Try running an airline when the skies are grounded.
During the time I worked for the airline, I gained a tremendous respect for pilots. I often flew on our flights to meet with our customers and in an attempt to try to improve the efficiency of our operations. I quickly learned first hand that the experience of severe icing, flying by instriments and taking off and landing in extreme weather conditions is the stuff of courage.
On one flight, the pilot and I damn near got slammed back to earth from wind shear. Taking off out of Redmond, Oregon the tower forgot about us sitting at the end of the runway awaiting clearance for departure. It was during a major thunderstorm and as I was sitting in the co pilot's seat, I watched in frustration as more and more hail covered the wings. It occured to me that the current scenario bore a strange resemblence to every NTSB accident report I'd ever read, usually with the words "Pilot Error" stamped all over it. We finally got clearance, but by this time the runway was under water and as the pilot full throttled both engines, I thought for sure we were going to run out of runway before we gained enough speed to get airborn. Sitting in the cockpit, I could see the end of the runway rapidly approaching and I prayed that aircraft off the ground.
Once in the air flying over the Cascades neither of us spoke again until we were cleared for landing in Portland on our second stop. It would be days before the color returned to my face.
On another occasion, I jump seated to Spokane on my last flight of the night and found myself holding the door of the cockpit closed all the way across the state of Washington. At Night. Not exactly "the only way to fly". At least not in comfort...
So the next time you jump in a jet and fly, remember that those guys up front have had to go through all sorts of "flying by the seat of their pants" to get into the pilot or co pilot's seat. They deserve every penny they make. And then some.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
I Can't Get Enough of this Song...
Emmylou Harris - One Big Love
Does anyone know if any DJ's ever remixed this???
Does anyone know if any DJ's ever remixed this???
From the Mailroom...
I think one of the greatest gifts any writer can receive is real time response to their work. In light of that, The Internet has changed everything-especially in publishing terms. I've been a writer now for over two decades and while most of the exposure I've recieved has been in the Rocky Mountain States and the West, I get letters from all over the world on a regular basis.
It is humbling to realize that you've been read by thousands of people you've never met and probably never will. I get letters from parents and siblings of gay folk. I get letters from people who say that something I authored somehow made their life just a bit better. Maybe for just that day. Maybe it helped them remember something, or someone. Maybe it just distracted them. Maybe.
Nearly 20 years ago I actually had the opportunity to be a "fly on the wall" and watch someone read a story I'd written in a Seattle based magazine. I was sitting in a coffee house, not far from the trucking company I drove for at the time, and watched out of curiousity as a handsome guy picked up a copy of the magazine I regularly wrote for. It was a ego thing I guess- but as I hunched down, I had a sick facsination with whether my story would get any attention. Sipping my coffee, I'm embarrassed to say that I spied on the dude, wondering if he'd even glance at my story.
When people read your work, it's a tremendously nervous moment. I mean all of "you" is out there, bleeding on paper for "the world" to pick apart, and when people respond negatively-well its difficult not to take it personally.
Mentally I go through endless scenarios. The reader will hate me. They will think I am a dork or a massive drama magnet. They will disbelieve my accounts. They will wonder why anyone would publish such a bad speller and murderer of the english language. Yes, that is what goes through my head. Every day.
Since my head injury-I miss a lot of grammer and punctuation and spelling problems. When I realize an entire sentense is missing a verb or some phrasing and that I've just published or posted something that is the work of a true idiot, I pray no one has read it before I can fix it.
So anyway as the dude leafed through the ads at the begining of the magazine I watched and held my breath and fell apart inside.
The guy found the table of contents. Then he paged purposely through the magazine. He went directly to a specific story.
My story!
Now I'd entirely quit all breathing.
My work. He was reading my work. I stared until he closed the magazine and realized that it was the only thing in the entire magazine that he read! He'd laughed. He'd smiled. It seemed the essay had somehow improved his day. I wanted to run up and hug him and buy him dinner but because this was Bellingham and he was totally out of my league and probably a PHD candidate at Western, I just sat there and imagined being the guy that had the balls to introduce myself.
Instead, I just slunk out of the coffee house, jumped in the tractor and got my butt on the road to Yuma. Late as usual.
In the passing twenty years a lot has changed. The term "going Viral", that "overnight sensation of instant mass consumption" occuring as a result of Youtube, blogs, and the web has changed everything. Last night on ABC New's 20/20 show, the program focused on societies quest for immediate access to everything...which includes authors and news makers and people who have through brilliance or stupidity found themselves in the spotlight. The basic premise was privacy is a thing of the past and that anyone, anywhere can find themselves the subject of popular discourse...
I purposely hid this blog on the website www.highmountainranch.com to limit traffic to those who are truly regular readers. It was a way to have more interaction with out actually writing individually to everyone because I just can't keep up with that. Since my vision is still a mess, my ability to respond to all the mail/email I get is limited. So I've taken to posting some of the letters I receive, especially if a letter asks a question that I get a lot of. I hope that posting your thoughts demonstrates that being a writer really is a two way street and that I appreciate the feedback.
Dear Timbo,
The picture on your blog of a painted Christmas tree ... is it Norwegian or other Scandinavian origin?
Did your mother make it? I would love to buy one if they are available.
Aldon
This letter prompted a call to my mom...
The Christmas Tree was hand painted by my mom...but unless she charges an arm and a leg, she tells me she's not really up for selling that piece as she plans to pass it down...
Because many of the pieces my mom creates are one-of-a-kind, she takes a great deal of time to produce her work. Some of her finished art work is for sale. In the past she's also done custom work such as hand painting ancient trunks, antique furniture or specially commissioned pieces. Many of her creations are found in living rooms and art collections throughout the Northwest and the West.
In a couple weeks I will try to post some of her work as well as show some of what she's created in the past...If someone sees something that she's done in the past, if she can find or get a wooden ware item created to match the original, she will gladly recreate any piece she's already done. She often works with folks to modify color schemes so that they will fit with their decor.
Hi Mr Anderson:
I know you don't know me as this is my first time writng to you. Honestly I have been meaning to write and talk to you about your stories. The way I came across the stories was through the open directory web site http://www.dmoz.com/ under the on-line writing link and then I clicked on the gay/lesbian link. I was a bit bored at work one day and I went scrolling through looking for something to read while on break.
Well I found your stories and I was hooked. Absolutely without a doubt you have a way with words. You are a true wordsmith. I hope to read more of your stuff from time to time. "Save Your Bows" was a great Christmas story. I have always loved Christmas and everything that goes with it believe it or not.
Sure I get stressed like a lot of folks during this time. But I remeber the one reason for the holiday. Even though I am gay myself, I believe Jesus and God still loves me for who I am as a person. As someone said one day even Jesus hung out with the misfits of society.
Even though it was a long time ago I am sorry to hear about your accident and I hope you can go back on the road if that's your wish in life. I have a friend who's a former trucker and I am going to introduce him to your stories.
Take care and as always Peace and Goodwill.
Roger
Georgia, USA
It is humbling to realize that you've been read by thousands of people you've never met and probably never will. I get letters from parents and siblings of gay folk. I get letters from people who say that something I authored somehow made their life just a bit better. Maybe for just that day. Maybe it helped them remember something, or someone. Maybe it just distracted them. Maybe.
Nearly 20 years ago I actually had the opportunity to be a "fly on the wall" and watch someone read a story I'd written in a Seattle based magazine. I was sitting in a coffee house, not far from the trucking company I drove for at the time, and watched out of curiousity as a handsome guy picked up a copy of the magazine I regularly wrote for. It was a ego thing I guess- but as I hunched down, I had a sick facsination with whether my story would get any attention. Sipping my coffee, I'm embarrassed to say that I spied on the dude, wondering if he'd even glance at my story.
When people read your work, it's a tremendously nervous moment. I mean all of "you" is out there, bleeding on paper for "the world" to pick apart, and when people respond negatively-well its difficult not to take it personally.
Mentally I go through endless scenarios. The reader will hate me. They will think I am a dork or a massive drama magnet. They will disbelieve my accounts. They will wonder why anyone would publish such a bad speller and murderer of the english language. Yes, that is what goes through my head. Every day.
Since my head injury-I miss a lot of grammer and punctuation and spelling problems. When I realize an entire sentense is missing a verb or some phrasing and that I've just published or posted something that is the work of a true idiot, I pray no one has read it before I can fix it.
So anyway as the dude leafed through the ads at the begining of the magazine I watched and held my breath and fell apart inside.
The guy found the table of contents. Then he paged purposely through the magazine. He went directly to a specific story.
My story!
Now I'd entirely quit all breathing.
My work. He was reading my work. I stared until he closed the magazine and realized that it was the only thing in the entire magazine that he read! He'd laughed. He'd smiled. It seemed the essay had somehow improved his day. I wanted to run up and hug him and buy him dinner but because this was Bellingham and he was totally out of my league and probably a PHD candidate at Western, I just sat there and imagined being the guy that had the balls to introduce myself.
Instead, I just slunk out of the coffee house, jumped in the tractor and got my butt on the road to Yuma. Late as usual.
In the passing twenty years a lot has changed. The term "going Viral", that "overnight sensation of instant mass consumption" occuring as a result of Youtube, blogs, and the web has changed everything. Last night on ABC New's 20/20 show, the program focused on societies quest for immediate access to everything...which includes authors and news makers and people who have through brilliance or stupidity found themselves in the spotlight. The basic premise was privacy is a thing of the past and that anyone, anywhere can find themselves the subject of popular discourse...
I purposely hid this blog on the website www.highmountainranch.com to limit traffic to those who are truly regular readers. It was a way to have more interaction with out actually writing individually to everyone because I just can't keep up with that. Since my vision is still a mess, my ability to respond to all the mail/email I get is limited. So I've taken to posting some of the letters I receive, especially if a letter asks a question that I get a lot of. I hope that posting your thoughts demonstrates that being a writer really is a two way street and that I appreciate the feedback.
Dear Timbo,
The picture on your blog of a painted Christmas tree ... is it Norwegian or other Scandinavian origin?
Did your mother make it? I would love to buy one if they are available.
Aldon
This letter prompted a call to my mom...
The Christmas Tree was hand painted by my mom...but unless she charges an arm and a leg, she tells me she's not really up for selling that piece as she plans to pass it down...
Because many of the pieces my mom creates are one-of-a-kind, she takes a great deal of time to produce her work. Some of her finished art work is for sale. In the past she's also done custom work such as hand painting ancient trunks, antique furniture or specially commissioned pieces. Many of her creations are found in living rooms and art collections throughout the Northwest and the West.
In a couple weeks I will try to post some of her work as well as show some of what she's created in the past...If someone sees something that she's done in the past, if she can find or get a wooden ware item created to match the original, she will gladly recreate any piece she's already done. She often works with folks to modify color schemes so that they will fit with their decor.
Hi Mr Anderson:
I know you don't know me as this is my first time writng to you. Honestly I have been meaning to write and talk to you about your stories. The way I came across the stories was through the open directory web site http://www.dmoz.com/ under the on-line writing link and then I clicked on the gay/lesbian link. I was a bit bored at work one day and I went scrolling through looking for something to read while on break.
Well I found your stories and I was hooked. Absolutely without a doubt you have a way with words. You are a true wordsmith. I hope to read more of your stuff from time to time. "Save Your Bows" was a great Christmas story. I have always loved Christmas and everything that goes with it believe it or not.
Sure I get stressed like a lot of folks during this time. But I remeber the one reason for the holiday. Even though I am gay myself, I believe Jesus and God still loves me for who I am as a person. As someone said one day even Jesus hung out with the misfits of society.
Even though it was a long time ago I am sorry to hear about your accident and I hope you can go back on the road if that's your wish in life. I have a friend who's a former trucker and I am going to introduce him to your stories.
Take care and as always Peace and Goodwill.
Roger
Georgia, USA
Thanks Roger...
As of this writing, I don't know what lies ahead. Still, everytime I jump on a large car (semi truck) and ride with one of my friends, it's intoxicating. The big road will always have a huge hold on me but I also realize that I've already spent the better part of two decades on the road and that maybe I should take that experience and do something with it?
Trucking is such a rich culture and the friendships I made in the industry are among the best any guy could hope for. I suppose the "Tales From the Road" follow along those lines and have created an opportunity to share those experiences with others.
I also write from a faith based perspective because often I find that some straight people seem completely convinced that a gay person can't possibly believe in God- ( I mean when 25% of the country is convinced you're greased and prepped for the fast train to hell, this isn't exactly a surprising response...) I just think God isn't as worried about my sexual orientation as many televangelists would like lead us to believe. Jesus said nothing on the subject and some scholars believe he actually blessed a same sex couple...
So I take great comfort that homophobia is a creation of humanity rather than the creator.
Thanks Roger for taking the time to share your impressions.
PS- "Save Your Bows" can be found here: http://www.highmountainranch.com/TalesFromtheRoad/savethebows.html
Hi Tim,
I just (finally) read your Stonewall article. It was fabulous. I loved it. It had a little of everything and ended with the most important point of all. You are an excellent writer.
Please let me know when you have other articles that I can read. Thanks Tim.
Happy Holidays!!!!
Darcy, Spokane Washington
As much as my folks dread whenever I write about our family-I do think that they were actually happy with this year's Christmas story contribution. Trust me, it hasn't always been that way.
Hi Tim,
Beautiful picture....
One of the scenes I love to paint.
I've been following your "Tales From The Road" series for quite some time now and have read the rest of your writings. You have the gift of words. You had me crying and laughing - like I was there experiencing everything you wrote. You have one more fan and supporter. Hope this Christmas season finds you and your family in good health and happiness.
Merry Christmas & a Blessed New Year.
Joe
Thanks Joe-I'd love to see some of your work. I am a big fan of all the creative beauty that I've been blessed to see... And thanks to everyone else who has penned a note. I wish everyone a very happy new year.
To offer your thoughts you can write in the comments below, or pen a note directly to:
Friday, December 29, 2006
All The President's Men Begin to Abandon Him
Ouch...Now certain Republicans are hinting that President Bush has been engaged in criminal behavior...
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2006_12/010480.php
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2006_12/010480.php
Park Service Defers to Fundamentalists that the Grand Canyon was Created 6,000 years ago by Floods During Noah's Time...
Yep...
Look how far we've come under the current administration.
http://www.attytood.com/2006/12/weird_science.html
Meanwhile former Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton takes a sweetheart job with the Oil Industry...
Doesn't it just bring a tear to your eye when love is mutual?
http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2006/12/another_former_.html
And the adult beverage preference to "Pour that On The Rocks" takes on new meaning as 41 square mile Ice Sheet seperates from Canada...
The planet joins together and says as one..."uh-oh."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061229/ap_on_sc/canada_arctic_ice_break
Look how far we've come under the current administration.
http://www.attytood.com/2006/12/weird_science.html
Meanwhile former Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton takes a sweetheart job with the Oil Industry...
Doesn't it just bring a tear to your eye when love is mutual?
http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2006/12/another_former_.html
And the adult beverage preference to "Pour that On The Rocks" takes on new meaning as 41 square mile Ice Sheet seperates from Canada...
The planet joins together and says as one..."uh-oh."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061229/ap_on_sc/canada_arctic_ice_break
Academics Challenge James Dobson's Manipulation of Data
The debate rages on...
One can bet Dobson won't be asked to submit another essay for TIME magazine after being so discredited...
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2006/12/19/gilligan
One can bet Dobson won't be asked to submit another essay for TIME magazine after being so discredited...
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2006/12/19/gilligan
The World Would Be A Far Better Place if We All Spent More Time with Four Year Olds...
It's kind of a needed reality check...hanging out with a four year old puts everything into perspective...Not just the basics of the holidays...but the basics of what it means to be human.
What it means to dream...
What it means to share...
The joy of play. The pace of story time. The faith of make believe. The sparkle of wonder. That stuffed animals were also made for boys. That anything is possible.
Especially if you believe any thing is possible.
Sigh...
Oh yeah, I'm now back up to speed on all things Disney Playhouse, the Sprout Network, Piggly Town Hero's, the Doodle Bops and the Wiggles. Kelcy's favorite show is not Care Bears but Handy Manny. She knows all the names of the tools. Uncle Tim is way proud.
Uncle Tim would be also be way ok if he never had to watch Daniel Cook again.
On another more adult note...I have a bit of match making I've come up with...I think the dude from Johnny and the Sprites should definately be calling the dude from Blues Clues...I see endless chemistry there... Like if there ever were two men who were made for each other...
Another very important thing I've learned...
"Some Assembly Required" ("SARs" no less! ) is the blatent understatement of the modern age.
"SARs" is code for "You Will Be Up All Night", you will say words that will land you on Santa's Lifetime Acheivement Naughty List and after all of that, the sweat filled race against time struggle, you will still have extra pieces left over.
"Some Assembly Required" also means by the time Christmas dawns, you can interpret any cave drawing with the best of them.
We were not very good elves around here.
At Kelcy's House, Santa even had to come back the next night.
How's that for pathetic?
"Some Assembly Required" meant that some things just couldn't get put together by Christmas Morning.
So..."Twas the Night After Christmas and all through the house Mommy and the Uncles Struggled to Assemble a 1000 piece Little Miss Homemaker Kitchen Set without disturbing a mouse..."
I have a whole new appreciation for Elves. Especially when there are stickers involved.
Jeanette offers a few holiday traditions of her own...including bonding with Navy Boys!
Holiday traditions…we all have them. Weather it be burying our heads in the sand, or going all out. And my traditions have changed throughout the years.
One of the earliest childhood memories I have is of Christmas is Christmas lights. Every year on Christmas Eve, Dad would load me and my two brothers into the family sedan and go out looking for Santa. We would drive up and down the wealthy blocks of Mission San Jose. I would be awestruck by the beautiful displays of Christmas light. It was magical.
Now this was in the days before cell phones and pagers. So the coordination between Mom and Dad was incredible. It never failed the moment we would pull into our driveway, Mom would come running out of the house, face flushed saying,” did you see him? Did you see him? Santa just took off from the back yard! Rudolph’s nose is especially bright tonight”. We would run through the house, and out the back door. And never get even a glance at him.
The disappointment faded as soon as we came back in the house and found the treasures that Santa had left under the Christmas tree. Eggnog would be poured and the bright and shiny paper would soon litter the floor. Oh the carnage of Christmas.
Some Christmas Eve’s were spent at my uncle’s house who always threw a fancy party with lots of food and Santa always made an appearance. Male members of the family took turns playing Santa. The year that the duty fell to my brother Ron, is the year the Santa myth was busted for me. Ron was 17 and I a mere child of 6. Sitting on Santa’s lap, my announcement that I recognized the pimples on Santa’s face as belonging to my brother was quickly followed by a panicked cover up…something about “sleigh rash”.
When I was nine, my oldest brother, Don, joined the Navy. He brought home from boot camp, two young men who very quickly became a part of our family. I still refer to Dutch and Jack as my “adapted” brothers-Not adopted, but rather they adapted to our family. Saying that I spent many of my “formative” years in a house full of sailors, probably explains a lot. I certainly can cuss like one and though I am not proud of it, I could drink like one in my younger days.
Now both Dutch and Jack were musicians. They taught me to play the guitar. Hunting for Santa was replaced on Christmas Eve with an acoustical evening in the Hill’s living room. Traditional Holiday tunes with a little American Pie thrown for good measure.
Mom would always try to get us all a gag gift. A little something to remind us that we were still children. These gag gifts always seemed to back fire. One year in particular, the back fire was literal. Mom got all five of us those rubber suction cup dart guns. As the gifts were opened, my brothers and I never looked at each other and not a word was spoken as all five dart guns were loaded, cocked and fired simultaneously at Mom.
As a young single adult I was not always able to make the trip home to California for Christmas. I Spent a few Christmas’ alone. And I spent a few Christmas’ embraced by the warmth of Families other than my own. I have my own found memories of Christmas with the Anderson’s. Like Dutch and Jack I adapted different families and learned new traditions.
Now all grown up and a family of my own, the traditions I hope to pass on are very rich. Because they are open to change and I think combine the best of a lot of worlds. Living in the Pacific Northwest our traditional Christmas Eve dinner is currently in a bucket of salt water in the garage. Brittney has been out to poke the live crabs a few times already today. We will bake sugar cookies and decorate them. We will eat the “Dungies” (crabs) and open gifts.
In the Morning, Santa will have filled the stockings and Brittney and I will just be lazy. Paula is a Nurse and has to visit patients who are shut in. Christmas Dinner will be shared with Don and his wife who live in town. Next year…Traditions will change a bit. We will travel to Palm Springs for Christmas with Paula’s family. That’s a tradition I embrace- soaking up the sun and lounging by gramma’s swimming pool.
So whereever you are this Holiday season, may you find a rich tradition you hope to keep. May you find peace and joy. Whether it’s Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or the winter solstice you embrace.
Happy Holidays! (From Jeanette, Paula, Brittany and the dogs!!!!)
One of the earliest childhood memories I have is of Christmas is Christmas lights. Every year on Christmas Eve, Dad would load me and my two brothers into the family sedan and go out looking for Santa. We would drive up and down the wealthy blocks of Mission San Jose. I would be awestruck by the beautiful displays of Christmas light. It was magical.
Now this was in the days before cell phones and pagers. So the coordination between Mom and Dad was incredible. It never failed the moment we would pull into our driveway, Mom would come running out of the house, face flushed saying,” did you see him? Did you see him? Santa just took off from the back yard! Rudolph’s nose is especially bright tonight”. We would run through the house, and out the back door. And never get even a glance at him.
The disappointment faded as soon as we came back in the house and found the treasures that Santa had left under the Christmas tree. Eggnog would be poured and the bright and shiny paper would soon litter the floor. Oh the carnage of Christmas.
Some Christmas Eve’s were spent at my uncle’s house who always threw a fancy party with lots of food and Santa always made an appearance. Male members of the family took turns playing Santa. The year that the duty fell to my brother Ron, is the year the Santa myth was busted for me. Ron was 17 and I a mere child of 6. Sitting on Santa’s lap, my announcement that I recognized the pimples on Santa’s face as belonging to my brother was quickly followed by a panicked cover up…something about “sleigh rash”.
When I was nine, my oldest brother, Don, joined the Navy. He brought home from boot camp, two young men who very quickly became a part of our family. I still refer to Dutch and Jack as my “adapted” brothers-Not adopted, but rather they adapted to our family. Saying that I spent many of my “formative” years in a house full of sailors, probably explains a lot. I certainly can cuss like one and though I am not proud of it, I could drink like one in my younger days.
Now both Dutch and Jack were musicians. They taught me to play the guitar. Hunting for Santa was replaced on Christmas Eve with an acoustical evening in the Hill’s living room. Traditional Holiday tunes with a little American Pie thrown for good measure.
Mom would always try to get us all a gag gift. A little something to remind us that we were still children. These gag gifts always seemed to back fire. One year in particular, the back fire was literal. Mom got all five of us those rubber suction cup dart guns. As the gifts were opened, my brothers and I never looked at each other and not a word was spoken as all five dart guns were loaded, cocked and fired simultaneously at Mom.
As a young single adult I was not always able to make the trip home to California for Christmas. I Spent a few Christmas’ alone. And I spent a few Christmas’ embraced by the warmth of Families other than my own. I have my own found memories of Christmas with the Anderson’s. Like Dutch and Jack I adapted different families and learned new traditions.
Now all grown up and a family of my own, the traditions I hope to pass on are very rich. Because they are open to change and I think combine the best of a lot of worlds. Living in the Pacific Northwest our traditional Christmas Eve dinner is currently in a bucket of salt water in the garage. Brittney has been out to poke the live crabs a few times already today. We will bake sugar cookies and decorate them. We will eat the “Dungies” (crabs) and open gifts.
In the Morning, Santa will have filled the stockings and Brittney and I will just be lazy. Paula is a Nurse and has to visit patients who are shut in. Christmas Dinner will be shared with Don and his wife who live in town. Next year…Traditions will change a bit. We will travel to Palm Springs for Christmas with Paula’s family. That’s a tradition I embrace- soaking up the sun and lounging by gramma’s swimming pool.
So whereever you are this Holiday season, may you find a rich tradition you hope to keep. May you find peace and joy. Whether it’s Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or the winter solstice you embrace.
Happy Holidays! (From Jeanette, Paula, Brittany and the dogs!!!!)
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Frankie Goes To Hollywood reInterprets The Greatest Story Ever Told...and then some.
The Power of Love
Several months ago this video came my way.
In a word, I was stunned as I listened to the song. I've posted it a couple times hoping someone might explain just how this video came to be. That Frankie Goes to Hollywood is the artist responsible for this interpretation, the same guy whose first video to his mega hit "Relax" was banned just about everywhere because it was so homo erotic, well...will miracles never cease?
So yeah stunned works for me in this case.
To watch such a deeply felt portrayal still seems surreal.
But then again I guess that's the point of Christmas. The whole season winds up as one of the most surreal events doesn't it?
Even months later, this song continues to send shivers down my spine...I think it's that beautiful...
I hope you enjoy it as well...
Several months ago this video came my way.
In a word, I was stunned as I listened to the song. I've posted it a couple times hoping someone might explain just how this video came to be. That Frankie Goes to Hollywood is the artist responsible for this interpretation, the same guy whose first video to his mega hit "Relax" was banned just about everywhere because it was so homo erotic, well...will miracles never cease?
So yeah stunned works for me in this case.
To watch such a deeply felt portrayal still seems surreal.
But then again I guess that's the point of Christmas. The whole season winds up as one of the most surreal events doesn't it?
Even months later, this song continues to send shivers down my spine...I think it's that beautiful...
I hope you enjoy it as well...
A New Take on the Term "Family Tree"
For about 35 years my family has had two Christmas Trees. A formal tree in my folk's living room and a "family tree". The Family Tree tradition has evolved over the years. When my family left Oregon, and my parents resettled in the Seattle Area, the Family Tree somehow became the highlight of our Christmas celebrations. Until about ten years ago, the Family Tree was always the "real" tree.
The "Family Tree" has the most "kid appeal", so that's where our presents are always stacked. Adult kids are hard to separate from real kids come Christmas Morning. Which I believe is just the way it should be!
Handmade ornaments, lots of toys, and plenty of rudolphs, santas, elves and dwarfs cover each branch. Many of the ornaments are also antiques and have been passed down through the family for going on five generations. Some of the decorations on the "family tree" were my great grandparents while others were hand painted by my mother. The ornament in the center of this shot was made by my mother.
For the last decade, the family tree was also the Toilet Brush Christmas Tree. For years, my dad resolved that the Toilet Brush Tree would not be replaced as long as he was alive. Well my dad's still alive and somehow my mom finally got her way this year, because for 2006 the Toilet Brush Christmas Tree was finally replaced.
Now it has three light settings, clear, clear and multi-colored lights, and multi-colored lights only. I have to admit that replacing that tree felt a bit strange as its been front and center for so many wonderful memories.
Anyway on this Christmas Eve, I hope you enjoy the pictures. I wish everyone a wonderful night full of anticipation, the company of loved ones, and the chance to bask in the beauty of the season.
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