Tuesday, December 12, 2000

 

12:36 a.m. So that's it, then. Sort of the end of the line. The big book is closed because the people in the big house have spoken. (Lame attempt to tie in old photo.) Rather than take this strange, convoluted Supreme Court ruling personally and become thoroughly sick, I'm going on with my business and keeping up a brave front.

I'm also drinking medicinal herbal tea. For insurance.

Can I sigh? It's all I can do, I guess. I've joined a few Democratic egroup lists and I've been reading email from people much much angrier than I am, and that's been comforting. I should move on.

But a couple of things: isn't it ironic that the court is saying that "Time's up!" when it was the court and the Republicans who stalled the process in the first place? The Red Queen should be taking notes right now -- we are totally through the Looking Glass.

But, I'm not going to dwell. I'll have another swig of my herbal brew and I will turn off the TV and let the talking heads fade away until there's nothing left but the grin. It's time to try to look at things from the other side. Some people think Bush is downright cute, what with that twinkle in his eye and that half-smile and those Texas boots and big buckle and ...

Oh. Sorry. I think I just phased out there.

So, it's the 12th of December already and if you're keeping accurate count of things other than the election, you might want to check out this very very nice Advent Calendar. It's where I found the cool bubbles, as well as lots of other very nice things, including fonts.

Fonts are good. Bubbles are good. Candles, Christmas carols, except at the Barnes & Noble when you're trying to read something instead of buying it. I mean, really. Last night I couldn't concentrate for the life of me because they were playing a very loud Barbra Streisand rendition of Judy Garland's "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," followed by Barbra singing "O Holy Night" and "Ave Maria."

Very very high notes. Held a long time. Try to speed-read a few paragraphs on e-commerce while the jingle bells cascade up and down the scales and the memories come flooding in. "O Holy Night" used to be our big finale as we went door-to-door. I thought we did it proud, but now, looking back -- I can't be sure.

I don't know. Things keep changing. The world is getting very expensive.

At what point is it singing and at what point is it showing off? And why do Christmas cookies seem like lethal weapons in Martha Stewart's stubby-fingered hands? Could it be the five layers of Royal Icing tinted just so?

Could it be that I just feel sour right now about all those self-assured people who know what's best? The ones who are always right, never unbuttoned or frayed or ambivalent? Am I feeling, right again on time, that this is the season when people who have a lot, celebrate (a lot), and give each other a whole lot more?

The tea is bitter, but it's hot. The days are short.

Fa.