Well its been awhile been under the weather. Seems I get sick a lot easier than my younger days. We just came in from delivering the Christmas cookies to our neighbors and friends. An annual event that has downsized over the years. Years ago, it was a major event that my wife would under take. Plates piled high with every imaginable cookie of the season. Than trudging out into the show, (we lived in the mountains back than there was snow!!) to deliver plates full on Christmas morning.

Well things have been simplified. The 8 pound plates are now 1 pounders. The cookies, instead of weeks are now made in hours. And we walk to friends and neighbors no snow nowadays.

the boy has already fallen asleep in his bed so we'll be up early for sure in the morning. Its strange how we parents pick the most exciting night of the year to send our children to bed early.

Well I caught A Christmas Carol earlier today. Ended the same as usual, never changes. Its to bad more of us our not visited by 3 ghost of Christmas. Its funny, as we prepare to celebrate this holiday its also this holiday that has caused so much tension over the years. Back in my church days at some point the Priest would say "the chosen religion" Could our religious arrogance be our problem? Were not able to wish holiday greetings on people for fear we may insult them.

So I think the worlds New Year Resolution should be that there are more than one God. There can be many. No one is wrong in their belief systems. You are all the chosen religions. Now just get along.

I myself find it ironic that we celebrate the birth of Christ more than his death. Yet his death mean't so much more. Oh well, some day I'll figure it out.

Now lets tie up some loose ends:

The fish are doing great!! I think we have the right combination. We've added a couple more goobers to the mix. We also added 2 Otto's but they died within 24 hours. I think we need a new pet shop. The water was tested completely and passed. Almost perfect, the Ph was just slightly low but still in range. Kitty (betta ) has taken up residency inside the pirate ship. He sits as the air bubbles massage him. All the other fish are acting much more like fish than they had been.

Strings:

I've decided strings have no gravitational effect at all. I'm sure that will cause some arguments. Also while on it I'm thinking strings are not effected by gravity either. Makes it easier to escape them big nasty black holes. I'm thinking gravity mass that sort of thing probably does not happen until at least 2 strings join together.

Anyways, Merry Christmas or whatever you celebrate...............................

Another fun one

More Walton moments

You know, I just figured out that I'm not the brightest bulb in the chandelier. Back in those days when we were going to bed early on Christmas eve, it just occurred to me that when I was younger I always thought that Christmas fell on Sunday and Christmas eve was Saturday. It never even crossed my mind that Christmas would be on any other day! I'm actually a bit dim.

Anyways, There we were all dressed up in our holiday best sitting at the dining room table Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Grand parents surrounding two tables placed end to end filled with food. You've seen this situation. Pass the olives, while dishing them out their space has been taken up by the mashed potatoes. So you're stuck trying to figure out where the mash potatoes came from before somebody fills in the mash potato space with cranberries. Why its a wonder us dim people didn't starve to death trying to keep up with the ever changing table.

And we ate. And ate and ate. And just about the time we thought we had eaten enough, Grandmother would sat "eat, there is plenty" So we ate more. Finally, as if some magcal moment had arrived we were excused from eating. Never could figure out what the trigger mechanism ( see I can type fancy stuff when I want ) was, but even though the table was still buried in food, someone would release all us kids to go off and play. The adult males would migrate out to the living room where Uncle Ray would whip up some Manhattans, or whatever the drink was with cherries. Sit back, and regale each other with stories of event happenings since the last big family get together. Adult women gathered in the kitchen figuring out where all the food would go. The turkey/ham/roast beast usually ended out on the back porch. Hey, its winter in Chicago the back porch was plenty cold. And besides, in a very short time ( at least to me ) it was going to be time to eat again!

Than came the traditional Christmas play put on in the basement by all the children. I can't remember who would organize this insanity but it happened every year. Well planned and put together, well at the time it seemed that way. we all played out our parts to the best of our given abilities. The youngest always playing the role of baby Jesus.

But one of my warmest memories of the time has nothing to do with the eating, drinking, plays, or general merry making. No, its walking with my Grandfather in the cold Chicago winter night as he went out to stoke the coals in the other buildings of the neighborhood while all the other families celebrated Christmas in their warm homes.

Good night John boy.................

Just for fun

we're watching the Grinch. I've lost track how many times I've seen the Grinch. Probably as many as the Wizard of Oz. Most of the decorations are setup now. Still have a few lights for windows to do.

My Christmas tradition has been every year I watch A Christmas Carol. None of these new ones you see, nope its the old black and white one with the messed up sound. Not sure who all were in it and I'm sure they are all dead now, but I do enjoy watching it.

In my travels, did I mention I've hitch hiked from coast to coast 5 times? more on that another time. Anyways in my travels I spent several Christmases alone. Some how I always managed to catch this version of A Christmas Carol no matter where or how I was. It became my private Christmas tradition and somehow no matter where I was I took comfort in it.

Coming from a large family it was difficult to watch as others celebrated perhaps my favorite holiday while I sat out in the cold. Some day, I'd like to see all of the family together for Christmas one last time. My brothers been dead for some time and Dad just passed away last March. He wasn't well liked by the family he had his moments. But for me, years away from the family allowed me to clear some things in my head. Although I know there probably a lot more baggage up there. So it would be nice to do Christmas with the entire family nephews nieces, the whole 9 yards before the family grows any smaller.

Ian's fully engaged finally into Christmas. He wanders around singing the carols and pointing out everything he wants for Christmas. The fun part of playing with autistic kids is when that spark finally catches its more like a lightning bolt.

Well the Who have figured out what Christmas is really about, and the Grinch's heart has begun to grow. So I think I'll turn back and join the Who's in a traditional carol.

Hey, don't let these soft moments confuse you, I'm still the most unpolitical correct person I know!

Algae has returned with vengeance, more on the next post....................

If you don't like it go join a terrorist group!

I was reading on a forum this morning where some a-hole was complaining about people celebrating Christmas.Forget a-hole lets say what we really mean. This asshole thinks that because his religious beliefs do not cover Christmas than the rest of us should not be allowed to celebrate.

Oh the poor baby. We the people need to wake up. I don't give a rats ass if your religious beliefs are the same as mine or different. Thats why you shit heads have been killing each other for thousands of years.

You have no fucking tolerances. You don't see me bitching about your holidays. In fact, along with our Christmas decorations we also have one of those candle thingys in the window. I'd do something for the Muslims but I can't see hanging dead mutilated bodies in the window. Doesn't mean I don't respect your religion. Check with me on Halloween it might work then.

You low life s with no tolerances should all band together and set off your stupid suicide bombs while singing praise to whatever top dog you believe in. All of you can goto where ever you believe you go after you have killed 30 or so innocent children, women and fathers just because they don't believe in your religion.

Than those of us who do tolerate can live in peace. Merry Christmas

There is a little Christmas tree on my desk. Funny 6 feet over is our family tree standing 7.5 feet tall. It's funny how we do things. I've been known over the past years to go a bit over board when it comes to Christmas. I finally figured out why. Here is my Walton moment:

When we were growing up there were 8 of us brothers and sisters in a small 3 bedroom single level home. Christmas day was always a trip to my Grandparents house for a giant Christmas feast. So it took almost an act of God to get the whole family out the door on time. There were times when we took 2 vehicles to get there.

So it came a tradition out of necessity for all of us to goto bed on Christmas Eve early so that Santa could get to our house early to allow us all to open gifts on Christmas eve. I remember this well because I had become somewhat of an expert on the "fake sleep" routine. My parents would start unloading gifts and placing them under the tree once they felt all us kids were sleeping. Than we would be awoken at the appropriate time on Christmas eve.

We would wander out to the living room where we would find grandma's and grandpa's and lots and lots of presents flowing out from the tree and covering the entire living room floor. We would literally have to move gifts around to find places to sit.

Than taking turns, one at a time we would begin to open presents. And we would open presents for hours. Into the early hours of morning we'd work our little fingers pulling at ribbons and tape. It was amassing.

So when my wife and I had children I tried reproducing those early Christmas memories for my own children. But I overlooked an important part of the memory. There were 8 of us growing up back than, there are only 3 in our household.

No wonder there are to many toys around here!

It's interesting to note later in life we moved from the Chicago area to Virginia. Not far at all from Walton's mountain.

Good night, John boy.

Wool pulling and blinders Welcome Christmas

Ever feel like you got the wool pulled over you? Few weeks ago while visiting my Grandson's school I noticed a flyer for having your students picture taken with Santa. At the time I didn't think much of it. But than a flyer come home a little later with the details. Students who paid $12 would be excused from class to go sit on Santa's lap and have their picture taken.

Now, my first thought was: " What is this saying to those students whose families do not have the extra $12 for this "? Now I know there is no such thing as equality. Some will always have more than others. There will always be those who will feel the hollow sting of wanting. That's just reality isn't it? But wait just one minute. This is Christmas and there is no reality!

What is being said to the under privileged kids is you and your family are not good enough to visit with Santa. Plain and simple.

2nd thought: " How appropriate is it to allow a for profit entity to use education time to sell their product "? Or since employees of the school district are undoubtedly being used to escort the children to the Santa event, plus the untold time involved in keeping track of who was good enough and who wasn't, wouldn't that make those employees temporary employees of the private contractor? So who would be responsible for their pay?

3rd: This whole program was not an appropriate use of valuable education time.

So, I placed a call to our local School District with my concerns. After being passed to 3-4 people ( I think in my first call I mentioned the " D " word ( discrimination) and no one in their right minds wants to touch that. Anyways, the 4th person was to look into it and get back with me.

Well almost a week later, and the Santa picture day growing nearer I called back to the district. It seemed there had been discussion and the general consensus was that it indeed was a bad idea but nothing final had been determined.

Well this morning I got the call as I expected. Today was Santa picture day and I had bet everything that the call would come today.

It went like this:

" Sir we believe your concerns are valid and this will be addressed at the next superintendent meeting. However, since the Principal had felt that this was a cheap way for families to get pictures of their children with Santa, and that the flyers were out already with no way to notify those who choose to participate we see no way of being able to cancel at this time. However, rest assured we do not think this will happen next year ".

Cheap for families? A trip to the mall with camera in hand will get you a free picture of your child sitting on Santa's lap. Or for a more professional look the local Walmart offers pictures with Santa starting at $5.

As for the idea that it was to late to cancel, a flyer sent out yesterday would have resolved the issue.

No, I'm pretty sure I'm reading this correctly. The wool wasn't pulled over my eyes as far as these folks had thought.

Happy December 1!!

We've started doing the holiday decorations thing. Put a couple lit 4 foot trees out and some candles. Neighborhood is lighting up pretty nice. Some of these people have spent a great deal of money on decorations.

Algae is still growing in the tank. I read that algae indicates a good environment in the tank. So we are trying to use natural methods to cut back the algae. We've started by turning off the light for a couple days. No photosynthesis we'll starve the little buggers. Plus UV light is suppose to kill it.

We got a pretty good rain last night. All the plants were nice clean and shiny this morning.