December 24, 2008
This year I would like to say Merry Christmas to a few people across the country and across the years:
- Merry Christmas to Cormac McCarthy! I read a couple of your books—No Country for Old Men (the book is more depressing than the movie) and The Road (about a father and son trying to survive and move South during a nuclear winter being chased by cannibals)—this year and I really enjoyed them. They are, however, quite depressing, so I am guessing that you are not expecting to have a Merry Christmas. I hope you have one anyway.
- Merry Christmas to Wendell Berry! I am always challenged, depressed and encouraged (simultaneously) by your stories and essays. I hope no one’s iphones or ipods work on Christmas. Will that make it merrier for you?
- Merry Christmas to Ayn Rand (hopefully converted in articulo mortis—in the moment of death—because she was a vocal lifelong atheist)! You were right. Socialism is about whining.
- Merry Christmas to President Elect Obama! I hope that you are in actuality as you seem in the news now. If so, we will no doubt be adding your birthday to the calendar of national celebration. May your term of office be filled with good cheer and peace on earth, but may you not give quite as many gifts as have promised.
- Merry Christmas to my friends working in the banking and investment industry—especially Neil and Tim! Next year couldn’t be as bad as this one…right? (Please tell me…right?)
- Merry Christmas to
FaithChristian
School
inTexas
! What a neat idea:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?section=magazine&id=3789373. - Merry Christmas to Terrell Owens! I heard that his invitation to the Cowboys’ team party was…misplaced.
- Merry Christmas to Brad Lidge! We all really enjoyed your first season with the Phillies. We will be expecting more out of you next year.
- Merry Christmas to Philadelphia Phillies fans! I bet you did not see that coming!
- Merry Christmas to Charlie Manuel (Phillies Manager)! You did a great job. BTW, I still have not understood anything that you have said at any press conference.
- Merry Christmas to Maddy, Layne, Karis and Elyse! May your Christmas (in no certain order) have proper garnishes, be filled with extremely difficult (at least for Daddy) Narnia trivia, be filled with games that you will win, win, win, and have plenty of lollipops. Please go to sleep now or Santa is going to go to sleep.
- Finally, Merry Christmas to my long suffering, omnicompetent wife, Emily. To whom I am just the garnish. You make our Christmases wonderful and beautiful. The kids love this time of year because of you and so do I. Sorry for the misunderstanding on the BBC Pride and Prejudice. It is on the way and I will watch it twice as penance—but only with you curled up on the couch next to me.
