Well, how did you spend the OHMYGODITSCHRISTMASNEXTWEEK weekend?  I mean, after all, this is the holiday season, right?  In fact, the holiday season is the polar opposite.  Think about it.  At any other time of the year, the word "holiday" has a completely different interpretation.

For eleven months out of the year, a holiday is a concept that is treasured.  It brings forth fantasies of escape, relaxation, avoidance and fun.  A holiday finds us free of the daily grind and releases us from our tiny corner of our world, in many forms.  We indulge in activities, fashion and frivolity that our regular lives prohibit.  We go to other places, in order to make sure that we are far from our daily demands and requirements.  We eat unusual foods, bask in the elements of different climates, leave our cel phones at home and dream of living this life in perpetuity.

However, the month of December has in effect, closed down the holidays.  It doesn't matter what faith, creed or colour you are: this is not a holiday time for you.  To wit:

1)  You have to see people you might otherwise not, in large batches, or close quarters, or both.

2)  You have to cook food for the people you might otherwise not see, using unfamiliar recipies and utentials.

3)  You have to get out of your comfy PJs and dress up for (see 1 and 2).  Unless you live in the Fishtown/Kensington/Port Richmond areas of Philadelphia, where PJs are Haute Couture on the shtreet.

4)  You have to travel to a place buried even deeper in the snow than your place, in order to (see 3).

5)  You spend too much money buying dreck for the people you have to visit (see 4)

6)  You begin to dream of being a foundling, with no history, no guilt, no obligations and a livelihood in the place you would normally stay.  If this was a holiday, and all.

Luckily for me, my family wants nothing to do with me, so I'm off Scott free!  I'm going down to Long Beach Island with my best friend Cricket.  We'll be entertaining Griffin, Nigel Nancyboy and Zebedee Minky Star.


A holiday is not a holiday if it creates stress.  This is a difficult time for many people.  The winter blues should not be taken lightly.  Please reach out to others, if you are feeling overwhelmed, depressed, stressed or in pain.  There are many people who know what you are going through and understand.  Please check into the Hotlines and resources link on the right, to find a bridge to your help.

OK.  This is supposed to be a holiday season.  But let's face it, it's often a time of extra work, of stress, of money spent, of obligations and a far different fare than the word "holiday" connotes.  People are dying in the mad rush for seasonal sales, families are often unable to come together emotionally or physically and the Grinch manifested in Bush has stolen eight years of our prezzies.  So, for your sake and mine, I bring you five videos that may turn that frown upside down.


Dee Lite, Groove is in the Heart.

Parliament Funkadelic Concert, The Mothership Connection.

James Brown and Pavarotti, It's a Man's World.

Gloria Gaynor, I Will Survive. 

Public Enemy, Fight the Power. 

Five?  Say it ain't so!  I'm having too much fun, remembering the good ole days.  So, coz rules are made to be broken, here are a few more: 


Shirley Bassey, History Repeating (remix)

Ludo, Love Me Dead. 


Ray Charles, Hit the Road Jack!

And in what may be one of my favourite duos ever,


Ibrahim Ferrer and Omara Portuondo, Silencio.

My dear friend Susan tagged me for this .  Basically, you pick your favourite holiday songs.  This is the first year where I haven't had to wear ear-protection when shopping.  I kid you not.  The relentless musical joy used to be an awful, ironic score to my dulled, sick and saddened mind.  This year, I'm not bothered.  In fact, I've found myself even humming some carols.  'Tis my season of hope!

You should know that I was born in England, the daughter of an Irish Catholic father and a Scottish Presbyterian mother.  When we moved to Belgium when I was ten, my mental health issues made the school required my seeing a psychiatrist as a condition of my continued enrollment.  So instead, I went to boarding school in England, until we moved to the States.

My fondest memories of the Christmas season were formed early and reinforced by four years at the religious boarding school.  I joined the choir, having tried out as a joke.  The teacher was impressed by my alto through soprano range.  Years later, I sang on stage in New Jersey State Theatre.  My first choice is the carol I sang:


Coventry Carol.

The Holly and the Ivy.

In the Bleak Midwinter.

O Holy Night, (hearing).
O Holy Night, (ASL).

Silent Night. a lovely rendition which makes the sound of silence a sacred affair. 


This was an enjoyable distraction for me.  But I know how crazy the holidays are.  I haven't plucked a single dark hair off my chin in weeks.  So, here's the deal.  If you chose to participate, then it's on you.  Be sure to backlink.  I want to stalk you, 'kay?