Tangle of Lights

Before you get to trim the tree, you start with this. I think next year I will be a capitalist consumer pig and just buy all new lights. Still, it has it's own kind of beauty.
------

And that's enough for now.

Brian Norwood

Platypi Online: The Platypus Portal

Christmas time is here...

"Christmas time is here Happiness and cheer Fun for all that children call Their favorite time of the year Christmas time is here We'll be drawing near Oh, that we could always see Such spirit through the year" - Vince Guaraldi

Kevin over at Massivetruth has a good series of articles going on various Christmas traditions, specifically the tree, the ornaments, and candy canes. They're pretty good reads. While you are there, add it to your RSS reader of choice, as you don't want to miss "Fantastic Fridays".

And in the spirit of the writers strike, I'm offering up a couple re-runs.
First, last year I did a write up of "Secret Santa", the now late philanthropist Larry Stewart. He was the embodiment of the Christmas spirit for 20 years. His story moved me deeply, and I hope it continues to spread despite his passing.
And here is a run down of my favorite Christmas Songs. Just a note on #1. I am not suggesting Bing Crosby and Bob Seeger did a duet. I'm referring to to different recordings. And incidentally, I HATE David Bowie's singing over Bing on their Drummer boy/Peace on Earth "duet".

------

And that's enough for now.

Brian Norwood

Platypi Online: The Platypus Portal

Auld Lang Syne

I'm a sentimental sucker, I'll give you that. Which is why it's really strange that I've lost step with pretty much every friend I had before my Cal Baptist days, and many a friend since. Something about my wiring makes it hard to focus on anything that is not right in my vicinity. Right now my family is my life, with one, maybe two concentric circles out from that, and that is the extent of my reality. Well, not really my reality, more what balls I can actively keep juggling. My reality is, I think about all my old friends a lot, especially this time of year, and especially tonight.

Not that I could take them all back in. As I said, my family requires the vast majority of my attention, and I have almost no social life outside of that. And, I'm ok with that. My family SHOULD mean the world to me. From my wife, to my son, to the tiny Walnut on the way (it's a girl!), they are my primary responsibility, and thus should be my primary focus.

But, tonight, I'll be taking some time out to think about my old friends, and all the joy they selflessly gave. I think it would be irresponsible, not to mention a privacy violation, to give their full names. Google does hit this blog pretty regularly, and some people don't want to be on the internet. But, here's some folks I raise a glass to (Martinelli's, of course):
Dr. Tab, the reason I'm alive.
Everyone I basically grew up with at Bonita Street Elementary School.
The tight circle of Jr. High friends today's Political Correctness would never allow us to call "The Fro Bros." (RIP Gabe)
A certain Michelle and Theresa at Carson High School, who were the only people I could even call friends.
Anyone I ever played football with. You guys hit hard and saved me from myself.
The guys who hung out at "The Amp" at San Pedro High School. Especially Sam, Mike, Car and Webster who got my other ticket to see The Cult just because he had a car.
The '89 - '91 Peer Counseling class at same. Especially Staci, Belinda, Margie and Lizzy.
Miss Elizabeth
The 17 Brian's at same. "Sup Brian."
The fine folks at early '90s KHCR radio at LA Harbor College.
The Boys in the band Corona De Espinas, later 3N1.
All of the great guys and gals that could truly be called Cabrillo Beach Locals, as if that was a badge of pride. Especially Mitch, Bird, Rob (who got everyone calling me Kahuna), George Susanna and John (RIP). And all you mooches who stored the 47 (at peak) Surfboards in my garage and asked for free ding repair.
Steve, the Guitar Hero.
Amanda Beth.
Rob the Ummchocalotin.
All the wonderful friends from Cal Baptist.
Pastor Bob.
Temple Heights Baptist Church.
The Fine Gentlemen of Danelectro Guitars.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind ?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and auld lang syne ?
For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne,
we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

------

And that's enough for now.

Brian Norwood

Platypi Online: The Platypus Portal

My holidays are over. (Whew)

Christmas, about 1650 years. Chanukah, about 2300 years. Kwanzaa, 1966. Not years, date. About 40 years. I hope those who celebrate Kwanzaa have a truly wonderful season. As for me, I don't think has the depth I am looking for. And for the record, I do have a chanukkiyah (or Chanukah Menorah), but I didn't actually get around to lighting the candles.

Yes, I have been slacking on the posts through out Christmas and the Holiday Season. I'd love to say I have been enjoying my family. But after 4 weeks since Thanksgiving, can anyone really say that? No, really I love my family. The after Christmas period just seems cleansing to me after a whirlwind chaos.

Well, I guess since I wrote last, Saddam Hussein has died. I believe that authority is given to the nation-state to carry out capital punishment. I believe Saddam was evil, and the punishment just. But I don't believe this will do ANYTHING at all to bring closure or healing to Iraq. Sometimes a doctor looks at wound and says "There's nothing I can do". I think the wounds in Iraq are too deep for any medicine, least of all, western medicine.

I think, however, the situation bears some examining held up next to our own history of ethnic oppression. When the oppressed minority rises up, it is not interested in justice. It is interested in revenge, which is quite different. And, of course, the oppressors always feel they have done no wrong, and chafe at the idea of being diminished in anyway. To say that our history handled this tension and release without violence or lingering malevolence is dead wrong. But, I think we have reconciled the evils of inequity better than any culture so far. I think there are lessons in US history for Iraq, if they would look.

More than all this, however, in cases like this I think there is a large disconnect between leadership (government, activists, military or what have you) and the people. I think it's the leadership (those who have power, or those who seek it) of the formerly oppressed that push for revenge, when the guy in the street really wants to just live in peace with relative security. He may or may not hold on to his hatred, but he just wants to live his life. And I think that might be as far as I can safely push that analogy.

On a silly and somewhat amusing note, I had to fix the spelling of Iraq every time I typed it. I typed iRaq, like iPod. What does that say about Apple's branding ability.
------

And that's enough for now.

Brian Norwood

Platypi Online: The Platypus Portal

Can any one tell me..... what christmas is all about?

"I can tell you Charlie Brown. Lights please..."
"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

All other gifts today are secondary to this. May the glory of Christmas surround you today. Peace on earth and good will to men.
------

And that's enough for now.

Brian Norwood

Platypi Online: The Platypus Portal

My Favorite Chritmas Songs

Well, that last post was rather unexpected. Here's something a little more light hearted.

So, here's a list of my Top 10 Christmas songs. Some are version specific, some are not.
10. Hark the Herald Angel sings
9. Baby, it's cold outside- Brian Setzer and Ann Margret
8. Have a Holly Jolly Christmas- Burl Ives
7. Do they know it's Christmas?- BandAid
6. Santa Claus is back in town- Elvis Presley
5. Skating-The Vince Guaraldi Trio (A Charlie Brown Christmas)
4. Christmas time is here-The Vince Guaraldi Trio (A Charlie Brown Christmas)
3. The Man with the Bag- The Brian Setzer Orchestra
2. O Holy Night
1. Little Drummer Boy (Any version, but I'm partial to Bing Crosby and Bob Seeger)

I've been talking about crying a bit lately. I'm kind of a softy, I guess. The first time I hear "Drummer Boy" every year will absolutely cause me to break down. I usually schedule a time, but I've had to pull the car over in years past. I think this has something to do with memories of my Grannie, who died when I was still pretty young. Coupled with the wonderful story of offering what you have, and the worth being in the giving and not the gift, it is a moving and "religious" experience every year.
------

And that's enough for now.

Brian Norwood

Platypi Online: The Platypus Portal

Santa Claus has cancer.

First, if you do nothing else about this post, I desperately urge you to go read Leonard Pitts Jr's editorial
"Ailing 'Santa' is receiving gifts this Christmas".(Unfortunately, the Herald wants your info to read the column. I re-tell the story below anyway) It originally ran in the Miami Herald, but was reprinted today in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin.

I was literally moved to tears. This man, Larry Stewart, a wealthy 58-year old businessman, instantly became one of my very favorite people. I think he's a believer, but I'm not sure. Irregardless, he taught me more about how to live my faith than any one I can remember. This man is literally a saint.

It started in 1979, with a 20 something Larry was eating at a drive up restaurant. He had just lost his job the week before Christmas for the second year in a row and was feeling low. Then he noticed the waitress. I'll quote the man if you don't mind. "It was cold and the carhop didn’t have on a very big jacket and I thought to myself, 'I think I got it bad. She’s out there in the cold making nickels and dimes.' "

He gave a her a twenty on a two or three dollar tab, and told her to keep the change. No small gesture in 1979. The woman's desperate, tearful thank you changed his life.
He withdrew $200 from his bank and passed it out to those who looked needy. And thus began almost three decades of anonymous giving. Reporters were allowed to follow him as he did his work, on the condition he not be named.

Now Larry has cancer, and he might miss his first Christmas since the Carter Administration. Mr. Pitts seems to think he might have let himself be reveled so that the kindness doesn't die with him. It won't. I won't let it. I don't have a lot to give, but I am going to give. And I challenge you. Anyone reading. Twenty Bucks. That's where he started. You can break it up in to four $5 bills, or give someone the whole twenty. Just find someone in need, and give it. If you really can't, give 10. Give five. But don't just drop it in a red kettle in a store front (a good charity, to be sure). Put it in a person's hand.

And if you do it to the least of these, you know what you get.
------

And that's enough for now.

Brian Norwood

Platypi Online: The Platypus Portal

Turkey Extiction Level Event

I love Thanksgiving. For a couple of reasons.
1. Turkey! Man, I love hot fresh sliced turkey breast with stuffing and just a little gravy. MMmmmm!
2. Tomorrow, a handful of gadgets will fall in to my theoretical budget on the national holiday to worship the dollar god, Black Friday.
3. This is no longer the official, but it is the logical beginning of the Christmas season. I LOVE Christmas.

So, rather than the usual snarky fare here, I'd rather wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving. May you remember how fortunate we all are, and how unfortunate others are. I wish all of you happiness and providence.

And, Merry Christmas!
"I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."
------

And that's enough for now.

Brian Norwood

Platypi Online: The Platypus Portal