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.