Taking it Back
Loath as I am to admit it, but something has melted my icy resolve to dislike the Christmas season. It's not just the relentless cheeriness, nor is it the insidious effect of Andy Williams' voice reiterating that it's the "most wonderful time ... of the yeeeeaaaar". No it's something more subtle - it's the Christmas lights in the trees.
Yes, as I was walking through town to meet up with the lads I passed by rows of trees decked - if you will - with Christmas lights. And instead of feeling the last word from my lunch, I felt an unaccustomed warmth in what - for lack of a better word - I think were the cockles of my heart. Instantly, I knew that if this news got out I could no longer look down my nose at everyone else; I could no longer rail against the spirit of the season! As I thought this I caught myself whistling the the tune, you know the one: "it's the most wonderful hmm, hmmm hmm hmmmmmmmmmm...". At this rate my reputation would be ruined!
I got myself under control and rushed home. Sitting in my darkened apartment I tried to block out the flashing of the Christmas lights in the street and finally cracked. When I came to, all the lights were on and the radio was set to the all Christmas Carol station. Drastic measures were necessary...
So now here I am in Phoenix, away from natural fir trees, if not from the spirit of the season. Now if only I can get that song out of my head ...
[Note: the preceding story was mostly fictional - except for the part about the lights and the song, that really happened. What really sent it all over the edge is that my folks are coming to visit and I haven't seen them in a long while. If that's not enough to get you into the Christmas spirit, then what is?]