Santaland Diaries

Harold Leaver as Crumpet in Horizon Theatre's version of David Sedaris' "Santaland Diaries" gets better each year. It's totally amazing how the script is refocused each year to provide a familiar, yet different view into Sedaris' experience as an elf in Macy's Santaland. The script, though basically the same for each of the 8 years I've gone to the annual production, seems new each year because of small changes the cast makes. The set is entirely different each year and that calls new and innovative staging. The two supporting members of the cast are outstanding as they appear from every part of the theatre and become countless different characters during the hour and a half production. It just wouldn't seem like the holiday season without a trip to Santaland.

Normally Callie, Harold's sister, arranges for a group of friends to go to the production, but this year, with her deployment right after the holiday, I offered to coordinate the ticket sales for her. So, 19 people journeyed on Wednesday night to see Santaland. I had worked with Harold to be sure to plan something special for Callie (not only is she leaving, but her birthday is Friday) and special it was. A large card signed by the cast, a Santa hat, being called center stage for recognition and a standing ovation provided a show of love and support that the embarrassed Callie never would have wanted, but, in fact, appreciated. The photo shows the group (minus Brett who took the photo) with Crumpet after the show.

Godspeed, Callie. You and your platoon? will be in my thoughts and prayers until the 400 days from now when you return to Cheryl, Kate, and the rest of us who love you.

Christmas Gifts - A Joy or an Obligation!

Found the following on another blog today and thought it was interesting...

But what do you think of Christmas gifts? Do you get a joy out of giving them or do you find it an obligation? If it is an obligation, then why give? I think your receipient would not like being an obligation, and for all you know, they may be happier not having to receive and give anything at all!

Do you remember the Christmas song, 'Little Drummer Boy'? The little drummer boy sings that he has no gifts to bring that's fit to bring before a king, and in the end what he gives are himself and his drum. Likewise, in the Bible Jesus says that the widow who gave 2 little pennies, which constituted all that she had, has given more than the rich man, who gave a lot, but gave out of his excess.

Therefore, if you want to give, don't just give anything you can grab that's within your budget because you have to. Give of yourself; spend time to think what your friend or loved one might like and you may just find that Christmas gifts may not be such a chore after all.

quoted from http://cats-and-us.blogspot.com/2007/12/christmas-presents-joy-or-obligation.html

Where did Christmas Go?

My Grandmother once told me when I was a young teenager that time passed more quickly as you get older. At the time, I thought that was a ludicrous statement. After all 60 minutes is always 60 minutes! But, as with most things she said, she was "spot on" with this one, too. It is so hard to believe that Christmas has come and gone and it'll soon be 2008!

For some reason, I found it a bit difficult to fully get into the Christmas spirit this, but did have fun shopping for special gifts for special people. My staff is always a problem, so took them to lunch and purchased a "Flock of Hope" (chickens, ducklings, and goslings) from Heifer International in their honor, and they seemed quite pleased with that. Went in with others to get gift cards for our two supervisors so that became a no-brainer. Other gifts seemed to fall into place on my several shopping ventures.

There were several downers during the season, something I've come to expect as a normal part of life, at least of my life. A couple of them were expected; a couple hit me with some surprise, but nonetheless, they're all real and mark some more important changes in my life.

There were many positive highlights during the season as well: dinner at Shaun's as the guest of my supervisor, the Christmas carol service at church, time with family and friends, and last, but not least, the Christmas Eve service at church. I almost didn’t go. My son called and said he was too tired from his recent trip to NY to stay up that late and somehow I didn't want to go alone. I sat around all evening by the tree (all my presents were already wrapped--Yea! That's a first) and then finally at 10:00 decided to go. Rather than just wearing jeans, which was my first thought, I decided to "dress up" and enjoy. Got there about 10:35 and the church was rapidly filling up; delivered a bag of gifts to friends, found a seat (had to step over someone sitting in the end seat) and just as I sat down, saw CC&K and stepped back over this person to deliver a photo to them. Stepped back over him once again as I sat down. About this time, as the church was filling up, he slid over and sat next to me, introduced himself and we had a great short conversation before the service began. And the service was beautifully done! "Lessons in Carols" done better than it has ever been done there before. John and I shared a hymnbook and carried on a conversation as we walked out of church together. The combination of the beautiful service and meeting a new friend helped make the evening most special and truly got me into the Christmas spirit!