Emotions, wrapping, ribbons, and boxes...

Today is the Winter Solstice, the shortest day/longest night of the year, which has been celebrated by us humans for almost 30,000 years. Ancient folks used to build huge bonfires on this day to try to coax the sun into returning. They thought the world was ending. How nice and simple. Unfortunately we have to rely on the criminals in the White House for that luxury. I think they'd welcome the Apocalypse, but won't they be surprised when their arrogance, selfishness, and wicked, greedy, pinched minds end up burning in hell...back to the Solstice...The bonfire has evolved into lights and ornaments on a tree from the dark forest.

Jesus has nothing to do with Christmas. He was born either in September or May, whenever the Romans called a census. They kept records, that's why we know. Blame the Christian church on the timing. They had to get people into the Jesus thing somehow, so they co-opted the pagan holiday as their own. Pretty sleazy.

So I was supposed to visit my father in The Big City earlier this week, but I ended up not going. This is what happened...

I arrived at the train station around 8AM for the 8:28. I ran into a good friend from the program and we chatted away until suddenly we realized that the train was late. We weren't alone in this observation, as 40-50 other folks were waiting with us. The loudspeaker announced that a bus would be coming along to take us to the station where we would normally have changed trains--apparently our train was stuck behind a broken down engine down the line somewhere and they cancelled it. Anyway...

We all boarded the bus and drove south, to the sounds of a Christmas music loop that was only 7 songs long. "Felice Navidad", "Jingle-Bell Rock", and some other regulars were there, and we all had the chance to hear them each about 3 times! I was becoming annoyed, fed up, and wanting to just go home. Yes, I was giving up. Plus, because the bus had to stop at each station to rescue stranded passengers, we were all running late. The short story? By the time we reached the final station, my train had left and another wouldn't be along for two hours.

So I gave up. It felt as if the gods were making it clear to me that this meeting would not take place. I heavy heartedly called my father and told him that I wouldn't be in to visit. He tried to convince me to continue on, but I had made up my mind. After that I called some other folks I was hoping to see and told them of the change. They took it in better stride than him, but then again, they have a program. So I called a cab and went back to the first station, climbed in the old VW and headed home. Trust me, I was already exhausted by the preceding fiasco...There must be some classical story about this kind of situation, and what happens when one tempts fate too many times. It's a good thing that he was in town for more reasons than to just see me. He and his wife had many plans that did not include me anyway, so I don't feel too guilty about not being there.

I am almost finished with season 6 of Buffy, and have 'Angel' all loaded in Netflix for after the holidays. Season 5 of '24' was amazing. and I will wait patiently for #6 to come out on DVD next year.

Our tree is up, here in Somewheresville, and we will begin to hang decorations tomorrow and through the weekend. We aren't the type to have a shrubbery in the living room for too long, so a week or so is enough. I'll post a picture on Christmas Eve...


Felice Navidad,
Felice Navidad,
Felice Navidad,
Prospero Anjo
Felicidad...


Johnnyboy