Mini-update

My cold is now officially at the "You don't sound so good" stage. Still hoping it will be gone by the time of the doctor appointment on Friday, but that seems less likely now. Drat.

A very kind person stalked and captured the wild Curel and brought some to me, so my hands are now well-lotioned, my calluses are softening, and... it really hurts to type. You may not be hearing much from me for a while. Then again, I may feel sufficiently compelled to rant about something (bureaucracy is a likely target) to start spamming y'all in a day or two. We'll see what happens.

Music for the Advent Season: As a public service, I uploaded the Jonatha Brooke & Kevin Gilbert version of "O Come Emmanuel" to You Send It. This track was a radio-only promo which used to be available on the official Kevin Gilbert site, but that site isn't always maintained very well.

He's making a list and checking it twice

So everybody's talking about some War on Christmas these days. Today theferrett made this post which has generated approximately seven zillion comments so far as well as spawning posts in others' journals. Over in lyssabard's journal I commented:

My parents (both Christian and conservative) always taught me that it was polite to wish people "Happy Holidays!" this time of year if you had no idea what they celebrate. Sure, most people celebrate some form of Christmas, but it was (said Mom) polite not to make the assumption that everybody thinks like you. Also, if somebody wishes you a happy holiday-you-don't-celebrate, it is polite to thank them for their good wishes--after all, they are wishing you happiness.

Personally I think the silly "War on Christmas" should be re-termed the War on Politeness. But apparently that's just me.

After I'd typed that up, I got word from an elf. No, not one of the usual elves I like to hang out with, but one of the Big Guy's elves--a genuine Elf from Santa's Workshop up at the North Pole. I have an official message for all of you from Father Christmas, so youse guys had better listen up:

According to Mr. Claus himself, from this point onward, if any of you abuse the Christmas Spirit by mouthing off at some stranger who wished you a happy holiday or sent you greetings of the season, or if you complain about the fact that your local shopping mall has slightly fewer religious displays than your local house of worship, or if you whinge at a hapless salesclerk that their employer's advertising campaign somehow violates your religious liberties, or you yell at your neighbor for offering you the blessings of a holiday other than the specific one you prefer--You Will Pay. If you are lucky, dear St. Nick will simply slip into your house one night and bash your kneecaps. That's if you're lucky. You think Santa's just a jolly fat man who gives out presents? Oh ho ho no, you had better think again. Think back on your very worst family holidays and ponder this: That too was a reflection of the Holiday Spirit. Never doubt that Santa Claus has ways to make you cry.

Happy Holidays and pass the egg nog.