Home Stretch

So here we are - the last couple of weeks of the year.  That's just crazy.  Last night was the last relatively "quiet" night I'll have for a while so I took some time to actually enjoy it.

The highlight of the past several days was a quick trip to DC for a White House Holiday event.  The place certainly does get dressed up for Christmas.  Even better in my world was the opportunity to share it with a certain someone - that was truly the highlight.  But the lowlight was absolutely freezing in line waiting to get through the security checkpoints.  I've got circulation issues in fingers and toes that have gotten worse over time so this was the first time I can remember in my entire life where a finger froze to the point of not being able to move it.  Ouch.  It's still sore, two days later...

Of course, the broader highlight was the festive mood thanks to (a) the general spirit of the Season and (b) the historic repeal of DADT earlier in the day.  I'm absolutely thrilled that this stupid, ridiculous policy is a thing of the past and hope that it provides a learning opportunity for the future.  Most significant, tho, is the fact that it's the first piece of stand-alone LGBT legislation to pass both Houses and garnered bi-partisan support.  Given the logjam in Congress these days it's a small Christmas miracle and I, for one, have to admit that it was a very pleasant surprise.  I actually started to believe during a DADT conference call w/ the White House on Friday where they made it sound like it might actually happen.  Raising expectations like that can have significant backlash if the outcome doesn't come to pass.  Thankfully, this time it did.  Congratulations to the President, to all who supported it, and to the broader community for activating and engaging.

As for those who don't perceive this as a good thing, the Politically Correct portion of my being says that I respect their right to have an opinion even though the overwhelming evidence indicates that it was time for what happened to happen.  But my more authentic reaction is one of satisfaction and I suppose it shows a childish component to my personality to admit that the more vehemently they protest the more satisfied I feel.  One blogger wrote that this was part of the Democrats "War Agains Christianity".  Ugh.  And another noted the blasphemous nature of doing this during the same week as the "Birth of Christ".  It's the end of another battle in this culture war we're fighting and despite threats and condemnations to the contrary it's all over but the crying...

Here's another: the repeal of DADT "will usher in a sea-change of pro-homosexual political correctness — not just on our Armed Forces, but on the rest of society, as a Brave, New, ‘Gay’-affirming Military will be held up as the new 'civil rights' paradigm for the rest of America (God help us)."

I refuse to put links here to the hateful stuff.  I don't want to provide whatever additional credibility or visibility to them.  One wrote that "the joy has been taken out of the Holidays".  I'm not sorry about that. She says that normalizing gays and lesbians is part of the "pornification of our culture".  She warns of "hell to pay" in the 2012 elections for anyone who supported it.  Yawn.  Another writes: "How can you possibly be allowing for the flamboyancy of effeminate male soldiers to engage in sexual conduct and their notorious ever wandering lust for the new...?".  Yawn again.  One last example of The-Sky-Is-Falling mentality: "Rarely can you point to a moment in time when a nation consigned itself to the scrap heap of history. Today, when the Senate normalized sexual perversion in the military, was that moment for the United States. If historians want a fixed marker pointing to the instant the United States sealed its own demise, they just found it."  Actually - No.

On to other topics:  Another highlight in my world - my son turned 25 years old yesterday.  I wished him a Happy Birthday, and I'm thrilled that I'll have the opportunity to celebrate it with him in person later in the week.

I recorded a little ditty late last week so I'll include it here.



Ha-Ha-Happy Holidays!

I mentioned the craziness that's upcoming in my world.  Here's a taste:

I'll be here today and tomorrow.  The schedule is busy finishing up with things that need completion for the end of the year.  Lots of tying up loose ends.  I've also got lots of packing to do.

I fly out of here at 6am on Wednesday.  Destination: Dallas, to spend Xmas with my mom.  I arrive mid-day.  I flew into Dallas last year on Christmas eve and it was snowing like nobody's business.  The extended forecast seems to indicate a much more hospitable welcome this year with highs in the 70's.

I should note that flying on the Holidays can sometimes be painful.  The headline at USA Today.com this morning is all about the pain of delays (read it here).  I can only control getting to the airport on time, finding patience, and hoping that everything goes smoothly.  I'll do my best in all three regards.

On Thursday I'll drive down to Austin and spend the day with my son.  I also get to spend some quality time with the pups - I haven't seen them since May and I'm very much looking forward to sharing some loving with 'em.  And, of course, son and I will celebrate his birthday as well as Xmas.

I'll spend Xmas eve with mom.  She says she wants Salmon for dinner so that's a wish that's easy to make come true.  Salmon with a pesto butter sauce - yumm....

On Christmas Day I've got an afternoon flight out of Dallas to an undisclosed location to spend some time with an undisclosed special someone.  I really don't have more to say about it than that.

Shortly after the New Year I've got a trip to head back to Arizona for a few days to take care of business back there.  Although I have no idea how the logistics of it all will work themselves out (they always somehow do) I miss dear friends there and am looking forward to seeing everyone even though it'll only be a short visit.

And by that time, it'll already be the middle of January.

I suppose the bottom line to all of this is that there's lots going on, I'm doing well, and I look forward to next year already!  Bring it on.

One more thing - a friend and I went to see Tron in 3D on Saturday.  I'll admit I was pleasantly surprised.  I enjoyed it.  Not that it was any earth-shattering in any particular way but it was just fun, visually interesting, story was convoluted but not horrible, and the characters were well cast.  As I say - all things considered, I enjoyed it.

All that said - time to get busy.  So much to do - so little time.