Gut Check

Best Moments of 2007:

1. Yellowstone in October - grizzly bears, wolves and gas.


2. 50th Birthday Party - friends forever.


3. Peter Frampton Concert - youth revisited.


4. Swimming with Truffle in Somerset Reservoir - doing the dog paddle.


5. Christmas Mass at the Cathedral - Eucharist for my Mom.

Gotta Do's for 2008:

1. Stop getting angry - this one pisses me off because it was on last year's list, and I didn't make any progress. Stupid frickin' idea!


2. Pray more - Dear God, you're going to have to help me with this one.


3. Get rid of some stuff - clean out my closet, clean out the garage, clean up the backyard, clean out the trunk of the car, clean up the furnace room, clean out the attic...on 2nd thought, just don't buy anything new!


4. Give more "huggies" - gotta love a little more. Gotta love a lot more.


5. Think of a 5th "to do" - you can't have 5 best of's followed by 4 to do's. Life needs to be balanced.

Picked Clean

Lots of post-Christmas sales screaming out for my attention. Not happening!

Illuminating Virtue

There's a silver lining in every dark cloud.

Okay, I'll keep looking.

With too much to do before Christmas morning, the power went out in our house on Sunday evening. Julie was in the midst of sewing together pajamas for all the kids. Every year she makes flannel PJs and hands them out on Christmas Eve as the first gift of the Season. A little nicer than swaddling clothes, it's a metaphor for a wrapped up babe in a manager.

Making pajamas was one on a long list of tasks to complete in a short amount of time. Losing electricity wasn't a good thing. The power stayed off throughout the night.

Adversity, however, has a way of bringing out the true character of a person. Having faith Northeast Utilities would eventually put the power grid back together, Julie lit up a kerosene lantern and began to wrap.

"In Colonial times they must have wrapped by candle light in a log cabin. This will be fun!"

I'm not sure they had wrapping paper in Colonial times, and for sure they weren't focused on ribbons and bows on the Frontier. But always being right isn't a virtue whereas patience is.

"Alright, you wrap and I'll write the tags."

Patience - a learned virtue that allows one to exhibit exuberance even when life is kicking you in the pants. A noun, I think.

Rolling the House Ball

Throwing a ball drilled to fit your fingers gives you more control, but sometimes the only choice on the rack is a house ball. The game is still a lot of fun.

Control - power to direct or determine.

I'm beginning to realize that I have none.

News of the Weird

The current temperature in Jerusalem is 44 degrees with overcast skies and a light wind out of the east/southeast at 2 miles per hour. The 5 day forecast calls for scattered clouds tomorrow, but by Wednesday we should have clear skies all the way through to Saturday. The daytime highs will reach the upper 60's with no noticeable winds and low humidity. We're looking at a beautiful stretch of weather with lots of sunshine in the mix. Overnight lows will remain in the low 40's, so wear a sweater if you intend to do any star gazing.

And finally, speaking of star gazing, 2 sheep farmers near Bethlehem reported seeing a bright light in the sky tonight that they claim was an angel. Yes, that's right folks...an angel...as in a halo and wings.

Apparently the celestial visitor told these shepherds to go to a barn somewhere outside the city and look for a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes. Our farmer friends say they did find a couple who had just given birth to a baby boy sitting amidst barn animals. They heard several others on the scene refer to him as Emmanuel, or "God is with us".

Health & family services officials were called in, but they responded late and could not locate the manger. At least one local merchant has corroborated part of the story as he was able to describe a couple he turned away from his inn earlier in the evening. His descriptions of a man named, Joseph, and a woman who responded to Mary, were identical to those of the shepherds.

We'll keep a watch on this story, but in the meantime keep your head to the stars. There are angels in the air.

Free Agent Signing

Big doings in the Catholic Church this weekend as former British Prime Minister and Anglican Church member, Tony Blair announced his conversion. Blair is the latest in a string of Anglicans seeking communion with the Catholic Church.

In October, several parishes in Ireland petitioned the Holy See with the intent of coming back to the Church opening the way for 400,000 converts. In the U.S., Episcopal bishops from Albany, Albuquerque and Fort Worth all returned to Roman Catholicism this year.

400 years after the English Reformation, a few people are getting over the whole Papal "authority" deal. Interesting.

Countdown

• Pick up Christmas cards at print shop
• Get extra string of lights for tree - on sale at Walgreens
• Cat & dog food at Stop'n'Shop - coupon
• Chocolate for Julie's stocking
• Replace broken ice scraper for car
• Deposit check at bank
• Quick pay oil bill for discount
• Check & envelope for Sunday Mass and Christmas
• Count gifts 1 last time to make sure they are even
• Clean room and put away clothes
• Finish decorating Christmas Tree
• Write & send out Christmas cards
• Stamps!
• Wrap presents
• Watch Mr Magoo's Christmas Carol
• Send reminder to John about Santa Tracker for kids
• Light the 4th Advent candle
• Sit in silence
• Make way for the Lord

Solstice

Connecticut, December 21, 2007 - shortest day in the year. Turn the world upside down and it's the longest. Oh, happy day!

Classic Christmas

Here come the ghosts! Christmas is quietly creeping up on me, and along with the stockings, it's time to take out the memories.

Decade of the 60's - Top 5 Christmas Presents:

1. Buddy-L Woody Station Wagon & Camper Set


2. Original G.I. Joe


3. Kenner's Girder & Panel Set


4. Lincoln Logs


5. Aurora Race Car Set

I don't want to grow up. I don't wanna go to school!

He's My Brother

Friday night, Samuel Joseph Mullen joined the Mullen Clan. Boy number 2 for Jason (my nephew) & Erin, Sammy already has a fan club! Nathaniel likes having cousins, but he'd rather call them "brother". Ah what the heck, we are just one big family.

We tried for 10 minutes to get Ayva to hold the sign right side up, but just getting her to show it facing out was a victory. Sam was in the breech position just before birth, so it might be appropriate anyways.

Patriotic Christmas

I did a little Christmas shopping this morning. With 10 days left until Christmas (is that right?), this is the earliest shopping I've done in my lifetime. Walking into TJ Maxx, I was amazed to find the store overflowing with merchandise.

Actually, I'd say it was more overwhelming than amazing. Kind of like when you open the garage door on a Saturday morning with the best intentions of cleaning and organizing only to say, "Holy, shit what a mess!" I shared this thought with a woman wandering around the clothing section, and she said they hadn't parked a car in their garage in over 5 years. She knew what I meant.

I went to TJ Maxx because Julie said I might find something unique, and at a decent price. This year I've run out of ideas on what to buy. Everyone in the family already has everything they sell at Best Buy:

• XBox Game Console - also plays DVDs and Mp3s
• Wii Gaming Center - also doubles as Mp3 player
• PSP Portable Game System - stores photos and plays Mp3s
• iPOD - Mp3 player - wow, that's boring!
• Laptop Computer - includes MusicMatch for organizing and playing your Mp3s
• Cellphone - with camera and storage for up to 100 Mp3 files
• Digital Camera - with a slide show playback including music from your favorite Mp3
• 2GB Memory Stick - with portable headphones and Mp3 player

The one good thing about shopping at Best Buy is you know what they are selling. TJ Maxx, on the other hand, has a little bit of everything including a lot of household nick-knacks. Roaming the floors from aisle to aisle, I was hoping to get bludgeoned with an inspiring thought on what to buy. 20 minutes into my shopping escapade, a subtle theme became crystal clear - this is the Christmas of the Patriots! Well, at least in New England.

13-0 with hopes of a historic undefeated season and another Super Bowl, the Patriots are finding their way into our hearts not only through the gridiron, but through retail channels as well. Here is a list (another one) of all the Patriot gear I found that you can buy at TJ Maxx:

• Blender
• Clock Scoreboard
• Calendar - Football team
• Calendar - Cheerleaders - again with the "Santa Baby"
• Fleece throw
• Down comforter
• Water globe featuring Tom Brady
• Pilsner glass set
• Shower wrap
• Metal ice bucket and coasters
• Beach towel for 2
• Officially licensed snack dispenser - is all the other stuff pirated?
• Car fan kit including head rest and visor covers
• Golf club covers
• Pro-grip hammer complete with pigskin threads
• Football - almost forgot this one
• Trailer hitch cover
• Thermal beer can sleeve
• Slippers
• Christmas stocking
• Superbowl DVD
• Hooded sweatshirt
• T-shirt
• Game jersey
• Pajamas
• Stretchable book cover
• Portfolio
• Golf balls
• Backpack
• Parka
• Coffee mug
• Let's Go, Patriots illustrated children's book
• Basketball - go figure
• NFL pet mat - hmmm, how would I know if Truffle likes the Patriots?

And T.J. Maxx isn't even a sporting good store! Interesting Christmas theme with a little something for everyone - except for the religious. Tom Brady holding the Child of Prague? Moss, Welker and Stallworth dressed up as the Three Kings? Too bold? Okay, how about an officially licensed Patriots logo on the swaddling clothes?

"And so it came to be, after unsuccessful attempts to run up the middle on both first and second down, Joseph called an audible and sent the mule on a post pattern to a manger in the end zone."

And now you know...the rest of the story!

Early Closing

Timing is everything. Yesterday the local fix-it man dropped off our 20 year old snow blower. Tune up and a couple of new parts for $300. Given Winter doesn't really start until December 22nd, the investment is looking good!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Searching for the Rye

A boyhood friend of mine died 2 weeks ago. The mother of another died last weekend. The house I grew up in on Ledgemere Street is for sale. Memories of a distant life slowly fading away. I cling to the stories.

Strange how everything always seems to point to the past. Not that I am unhappy with my life today. On the contrary, I have people who I love dearly, and people who love me. And yet, there are those from 40 years ago, who if I could, I would kiss ever so gently in loving thanks for their friendship.

There is an innocence to youth that is hard to reclaim. Friendship was a matter of close proximity to another - the classmate who sat next to you, the boy behind you in line at the Little League tryouts, the pal who lived next door. Too young to know better, we didn't seek perfection in a relationship. Being around each other and killing time that never ended was good enough.

Growing up has it's benefits too, but moving from a state of unconditional love to one of judgement isn't one of them. Sometimes I look back and wonder how we all got by the catcher in the rye? A beating from your dad. Left alone by your mother. Ridiculed by your friends. I thought we were friends?

I think for me it came when I realized I could win. I could out run my friends, throw harder, and jump higher. Not that I couldn't all along, but at some moment in time it became important to beat people in order for other people to take notice of me. Camaraderie was overrun by the competitive spirit. The great Id was born.

It's taken many years, but I've lost some of the need to win. Besides, I can't run anymore. That is a good thing - the not winning, not the not running (all tied up in nots!). I no longer need to hit a home run at the company picnic. I don't feel compelled to stuff my neighbor on every shot he takes in pick-up basketball. I can enjoy a game of cards without yelling out, "rummy".

I'm still working on suppressing my ego (Oh, yeah? Can't tell that by the blog!). I'm not childlike just yet, but I am getting closer. Want to be my friend?

Time Standing Still

Nothing Gold can Stay

by Robert Frost

Nature's first green is gold,

Her hardest hue to hold.

Her early leaf's a flower;

But only so an hour.

Then leaf subsides to leaf.

So Eden sank to grief,

So dawn goes down to day.

Nothing gold can stay.

Psst...Listen Up for a Minute

Oh, the places you'll go!

There is fun to be done!

There are points to be scored.

There are games to be won.

-Dr. Seuss

Straight Lines

Week two of Advent and John the Baptist came for a visit. The lone voice in the desert, he was a visionary with a single point of view. If Jesus was a publicly traded company, John the Baptist would have been investigated for insider trading. The man knew something special was coming long before The Product was out.

John was all about leading people back to God. Most of us need a compass. Whether blinded by an inflated sense of self, or wallowing in depression, we need to look away from ourselves and search for a greater meaning in life. Ego and self-pity are all consuming and turn us away from a God who desires to love us. I don't know about you, but I could use the love.

Prepare the way!

Always on My Mind

Could Ayva's birthday wish be that her brother, Nathaniel blow out the candles? She loves him so much, I bet it was.

Hey Jakers and Ayva, Papa found a new instruction video for you to watch. Mom and Dad will love it, too. Click here and pay attention. You too can become Pants Man!

Tale of Two Cities

Saturday night we went to the Hartford Stage version of A Christmas Carol. Described in the program as an adaption of Dickens with a Wizard of Oz twist, it was a stellar performance. It was the first time I had seen a Hartford Stage production, but it won't be my last.

The evening was full of drama as I ran into my fiercest sales competitor in the theatre lobby. While the ghouls of Christmas tense (past, present & future) where busy applying makeup in the dressing room, my foe and I danced around a congenial conversation. Visions of the Jets and the Sharks danced in my head while the war council called for a rumble. Maria?

In truth we had a very pleasant conversation, introduced each other to the wives (his and mine, not two for me), and called for peace on earth and good will towards men. At that very moment a stage light rose in the east wing of the theatre. The two of us genuflected before moving to our seats acknowledging the Spirit was in the house. Well, that's how I interpreted it.

After the play Julie and I sat in the window of a corner pub enjoying light fare with a glass of wine. Having cleared my mind of the humbugs, I was happy to be among the in crowd on a Saturday night. But our conversation was interrupted when a brightly lit panel truck drove by the pub.

Lined with neon bulbs of red and green, the truck was a rolling billboard for erotic toys and sexy lingerie. Judging by the reaction of those around us, Santa Baby has played one too many times on the radio - no sense of shock, no inkling of disgust. My Dickens' Victorian night was over. Bah, humbug.

On Sunday I read a story from the Catholic News Agency about a panel truck impounded by the police in Buford, GA. It seems the driver of The Truth Truck was circling a mall with images of an aborted fetus in tow. Evidently a lot of shoppers found the public display of the photos offensive and hence the cops. The officers on the scene were disgusted enough to rip the images from the truck, handcuff the driver and throw him in jail.

I don't have any brilliant commentary on the tale of two trucks. The actions of a society openly accepting the degrading world of pornography while turning its back on millions of children speaks for itself. How ironic that the truck with the ornamental lights and brilliant design robs us of our soul, whereas the truck with the repulsive image is there to save us. Well, that's how I interpreted it.

Coming of Something Momentous

Advent begins today.

People Look East

People, look East. The time is near of the crowning of the year.

Make your house fair as you are able, trim the hearth and set the table.

People look East and sing today:

Love the Guest is on the way.

Furrows, be glad. Though earth is bare. One more seed is planted there:

Give up your strength and seed to nourish, that in course the flower may flourish.

People look East and sing today:

Love the Rose is on the way.

Birds, though you long have ceased to build, guard the nest that must be filled.

Even the hour when wings are frozen, He for fledging time has chosen.

People look East and sing today:

Love the Bird is on the way.

Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim one more light the bowl shall brim,

Shining beyond the frosty weather, bright as sun and moon together.

People look East and sing today:

Love the Star is on the way.

Angels announce with shouts of mirth Him who brings new life to earth.

Set every peak and valley humming with the word, the Lord is coming.

People look East and sing today:

Love the Lord is on the way.

- Besancon