Dec. 6, 2000
'Tis the Season and Whatnot

This year I'm doing Christmas caroling in Victorian costumes for fun and profit. What I've learned so far is that there are people in this world with a whole lot of money. People who can afford to pay three singers to stand outside in the driveway and sing carols while the guests arrive, and that's not even the main entertainment. It's not even close. It's elevator music. And if you're a performer/singer type, I highly recommend it because not only do you get paid but if you're lucky you can get a plate full of hors d'oeuvres on your way out. That's my kind of gig! 'Course, you have to drive to places like Flowery Branch and Snellville. And if your houseguest has taken off with your car keys (inexplicably, since she's taken MARTA instead of the car), that can prove problematic. Hypothetically, of course. Or if your costume is a little big and someone else's costume is a little small and you have to trade and you only have 5 minutes until you're supposed to start singing, that can be a little stressful. Also hypothetically. Things like this don't happen to me 'cause I'm organized and professional and super-cool under pressure.

Does anyone want to trade Christmas cards? I got my first 2 yesterday (way to be on the ball, guys!), and it freaked me out 'cause I haven't even thought about it. If you want to be on my Christmas card list, e-mail me your address. And here's my official Christmas letter.

Last week was too early for Christmas, in my humble opinion, but I'm getting there now. I can feel that holiday spirit coming over me. It's even supposed to snow today, and I really hate snow, but it would be awful exciting if Atlanta actually got Christmas snow! Usually we get nothing all winter and then a horrible blizzard or ice storm in March, right when I'm trying to cheer up for my birthday. I hate that.

I found out recently that my Great Uncle George is selling his house at 4808 Nebraska Ave. in Washinton, D.C. That house has always been where the entire, extended Fletcher family has gathered for Christmas dinner. When I was young, on Christmas night everybody went "to 4808", the whole family; Uncle George regularly had dinner for about 45 people. There was a Mrs. Claus doll at the door with Pez in her apron, and us kids would run upstairs to play in the attic with old G.I. Joe toys (probably to the extreme relief of our parents, who had been dealing with our Christmas excitement all day) until dinner. Then we'd all run downstairs and ignore everything on offer except the turkey, the mashed potatoes and the cherry & marshmallow casserole (this was very challenging as the cherry & marshmallow concoction was very runny, and of course it was very important that none of the food items touch each other). After dinner my grandfather would play carols on the piano, and we would all sing. I know it sounds cheesy - Michael Landon Christmas, anyone? - but those are the best Christmas memories from my childhood. And it's changed over the years - my grandfather is no longer with us to play for the singing, and Uncle George stopped having people over on Christmas itself a couple of years ago, opting instead for the weekend before - but to me that house IS Christmas! And I'm sad that I'll never eat there again. But Uncle George is still around, and the Fletcher family will always find excuses to gather in a big crowd and overeat, and so I will count my blessings in the true Christmas spirit!

I have to get a non-gender-specific, under-$15 holiday gift for the office Christmas party. Any ideas?

What's in my stereo at home