The Christmas shopping is essentially done.  We’re doing a more modest Christmas this year than years past, for a multitude of reasons.  As long as Marissa has things under the tree, then we’re good.

Historically, the post-Thanksgiving period is hard for me.  I’ve either been far away, or overwhelmed by the consumerism and relentless march of it all- that’s why Thanksgiving is my favorite.  Thanksgiving is about food, and family, and actually giving thanks.  Christmas seems to me to be just a never ending (expensive!) list of to-dos.  The thing is, Christmas can be so much greater than it is!  Before you get all crazy on me, yes, I know the literal meaning of Christmas, both the sixties Peanuts television special version and the more traditional Judeo-Christian versions, I know why this date was picked centuries ago, and I know that Coca Cola is responsible for the red-clad Santa Claus (regardless of what he may or may not actually look like).

World, this is Marissa’s Dad.  I’m really nobody special, and am probably not certified or have the qualifications to say so, but there isn’t enough love, peace and goodwill towards man.  There’s no reason to trample each other at WalMart, not even for a 50” plasma television.  There’s no need for a shooting at Toys R’ Us.  Certainly, there’s no reason to drive any more recklessly than normal in the interest of securing that perfect or cheap gift that Cousin Ethel (twice removed) that you haven’t seen in 10 years just has to have.  Take this Christmas season to actually have the serenity that the holiday references, but may be lost to us in the one-click shopping modern age.  Show compassion for your fellow man, even if they’d just as well use you as a meaty ladder to get to that last doorbuster special on the top shelf at the store.  Maybe it’ll catch on.

I don’t have a working relationship with Jesus, nor have I accepted him as my personal savior. God and I aren’t speaking and haven’t in a long time, and this year has made it worse than it ever was.  I’m not asking you to be the Holy Spirit personified.  That’s not what this is about.  For example, just take a breath for minute, don’t swear at the driver next to you for being a moron, regardless of his actual status in that regard.  In general, try not to view other humans dealing with their own agendas and intersecting with yours as the enemy by default- they probably aren’t.  I’ve already failed at this once today and many times yesterday, but I’m getting better.

I don’t have serenity in great quantities, I’m afraid, as the events of the year revolving around Marissa seem to be catching up with me emotionally and physically.  I didn’t have a surfeit before, and zen-like calm isn’t a natural state for me now.  2008 was and continues to be a trial.  2009 is likely going to be as challenging, if not more so.  If we all don’t settle down and stop hating our fellow man for our own reasons, do it for children like Marissa and the people that have to take care of people like her.  We’ve got a lot on our plates, we’re not actively trying to be difficult.  I don’t wake in the morning wondering who I’m going to attempt to piss off today.  If we can all be more civil and human towards each other, then life will be that much better for all of us as a species.

Fairfax Update

Fairfax is vacationing in sunny California.  As befitting his celebrity lifestyle, a visit to the set of Wipeout was on the itinerary.

Fairfax with Scott Larsen, co-developer of Wipeout.

Thanks for the great set visit for Fairfax.  As a kid, I watched Wide World of Sports- my favorite thing they did was the obstacle course- it didn’t matter to me that it was the same obstacle course year in and year out- it was fun to watch.  This show reminds me of that a great deal.

Up later this week- Euro Fairfax.