Christmas Round Up

My Christmastime was marvelous. I hope yours was too. I'm extending mine. As I type, I'm listening to Dylan Thomas reading his poem "A Child's Christmas In Wales." It is simply one of my favorite works by anyone. I'm still going to memorize it someday. I'll let you know when I'm ready to recite it.

The week was alternately wet and frigid in Los Angeles. Perfect weather for doing a lot of eating. We went to the Huntington and the Norton-Simon museum. Christmas Eve church service was very moving and the candlelight ending was poignant. It was nice having Mom in town for the Yuletide.

The Monday Night Living Nativity was fun, even if we were frozen in place. A special note of gratitude to the couple who brought corporate cocoa to us. I'm sure we had the church's most irreverent cast of characters. I'd post pictures, but I'm afraid the rest of the congregation might "tsk, tsk" us for the next 12 months.

With Mom around and the weather inclement, we watched DVDs of the first season of Newhart. For my money, still the funniest sitcom ever. Followed closely by Fawlty Towers. What is it about hapless hoteliers that's so comical? I guess it's the absurdity of having to tolerate strangers and employees that no one else would in the name of service.

I got to one movie this week: Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire. Easily one of the best films of 2008. We also watched A Christmas Story, 25 years on. I can vividly remember seeing the Santa's mountain set in Higbee's at the Terminal Tower. My first brush with Hollywood as a kid.

I'm going to endeavor to keep Christmas longer this year. Even if the tree has to come down early. The spirit will remain. Smiling more. Certainly laughing more. Happy Birthday, Jesus.

Peace & Minced Meat