Merry Christmas

So the big day has come and gone. Christmas 2007. There is such a social pressure that comes with holidays. The constant barrage of questions usually include, "What are you doing for Christmas?" , "Who are you spending Christmas with?", or "What kind of plans have you made?". When one confesses that no, I am not going to spend Christmas with my family, the looks of shock, pity, and (perhaps) horror appear. "What do you mean you aren't going to spend Christmas with your family?" No everybody; I apologize if my feeble excuses are unacceptable to you and your value system, but I will not be spending the holidays with my family. The majority of my family lives east and why everyone has a great interest in air travel at this time of year boggles my mind. Fighting full planes and waiting in lost luggage lines is not my idea of time off well spent.

For Christmas Eve, a girlfriend and I hung out. I bought some lobsters, we got in our pj's and chowed down. (I have not steamed lobsters in a long, long time! Too long.) We watched The Kingdom which turned out to be a decent action flick and then a couple episodes of Sex and the City. We woke up this morning, watched meaningless TV all day, chilled out, and did very little. Now THAT is a holiday my friends. I know for most of you (namely the straights), spending time with family is this big priority. Do not get me wrong, I do enjoy my family. But there is a host of emotional issues that any family gathering brings up. Plus the sheer number of people in my family makes the logistics of any gathering difficult. 2 parents, 5 siblings, 4 brother and sister-in-laws, 14 nieces and nephews, and me in my immediate family alone. Usually this equates to me on a floor or an air mattress. I hate to sound like an ass, but a bed is my minimum requirement. No bed, no Uncle Mark.

I scored two A's in the two courses I took online this fall. Even though they were not difficult classes, it is always nice to receive good feedback for your efforts. With a few more courses, I can likely have an associates degree if I want one.

As some of you are aware, I have been working on a possible alternative work environment for 2008. Things are proceeding nicely and it looks as if I will be able to make a move if I want to. Thanks to all of you for dealing with the calls and letters from inquiring minds. Your help and support are much appreciated as always.

I hope Santa was good to all. I am still procrastinating with my cards. Bad I know, but my Christmas letter has sucked this year. I rewrote it three times and am still not happy with it.

Cuidate.