Greetings to all my faithful followers, loyal friends and random stumble uponers (and @kiley, @rambo, @ericad, @missy and the rest of the SG Staff). It's been a few weeks since I did a blog homework, and I am rather reluctant to do this one because I don't really like asking people to buy me stuff (or donate to my fundraisers when I have them) when I can usually afford to buy stuff for myself.
Anyway, I used to love decorating my place for Christmas... putting up a tree, with a train running around the base and a little village that lights up; putting up lights all over the house and whatever other decorations I can get away with. Nowhere close to the Griswalds, but making the place look like Christmas. But over the past few years, neither the Mrs. or I feel the need or desire to go through the effort when it's just the two of us (no kidlets) and no family or friends who visit to share it with. So we don't decorate anymore. Maybe that will change in the years to come, maybe not.
But, what I do like to do to spread holiday cheer is to give to those less fortunate, even if it's just a handful of change I keep in the car. I usually donate cash or food to the local rock station food drive for 3 Squares. Next year I think I'll look into volunteering... a kitchen, something with kids, or something like that. Maybe with 3 Squares or the Nevada Children's Cancer Foundation. I just feel a need to help out in my community all of a sudden... I think it was because of the Nevada Children's Cancer Foundation and The Caring Place Awards Gala I attended on 19 November. It felt really good to donate $250 so a kid with cancer can attend camp for a week next summer.
I also like giving gifts. I like to get people something they want, but I also like to try and give them something unexpected... something meaningful. I like White Elephant and Secret Santa gift exchanges, but we don't do that where I work (one of my co-workers is a Jehovah's Witness... JWs don't celebrate Christmas). Since there are so few people in my office, it would be bad taste to try and do something like that knowing he won't participate. As much as I'd like to get something for many of my SG friends, I'm afraid that it just isn't possible to do that.
I don't do holiday cards (I used to when I was single and overseas in the USAF), so I apologize in advance to the person I know is sending me one; there won't be one in return, but I do appreciate it very much.
While I do not expect anyone to buy me gifts, I did create an Amazon wishlist of mostly inexpensive items just for my online friends...
Most of it is photography or guitar stuff, but there are a bunch of t-shirts too. Don't feel as if you need to send me something... I don't expect it (if you want to send me something a little more personal, PM me).
The material things I really want are more expensive and are upgrades and/or additions to my guitar gear... mostly some new effects pedals. I know that my wife wants to buy me the new pedal board I want (with hard case and power supply... it's expensive so I don't know if we'll be able to afford it). The other thing I'd really like to get, not for Christmas, but in the next year is a new tattoo. It'll be a large back piece... the Evolution of Scorpio, which is a scorpion, an eagle and a phoenix. It's going to take multiple sessions and wads of cash. I've been putting it off for several years. I wanted my wife to get her sleeve (partial cover up) done, which she did this past year.
But here is what I really want this holiday season:
I want to see my favorite Hopefuls turn pink, including but not limited to: @nebula, @zelena, @gaiah, @asteria, @midnightsun, @cigno, @ladythevamp, @oakheart (when her debut set hits MR in 3 weeks or so), @magnea, @kenzoh, @starphire, @cooky, @chef, @lo_, @miss_minnie, @kiket, @benson, @dulceamargo, @caraphernelia, @dk, @arachnie, @vaomoon, @akiramai, @lady, @jimisin, @valo, @syduck, @_kettle, @brisen, @babal, @kpax, @bandit, @chvrch, @chalk, @cherokee, @myzaree, @jozee, @rosebudlove, @biancab, @delmo, @jossanova_ , @malibustacy, @maudlin, @newgirl1983, @norte, @reeno, @ritabonita, @zebrah, @missfiend. If I didn't mention you, it's just that I had to stop the list somewhere. Don't feel slighted.
I want to see @sid's Pastel Stars and @pulp's Best Sunday Dress sets be purchased.
I want all my friends, followers and random stumble uponers to have a safe and happy holiday season that is full of love, laughter and lots of cheer. May your tables be bountiful and bellies full too.
SOMETHING RATHER IMPORTANT!
If you live in Las Vegas and will be alone for Christmas, PM me. No one should be alone on Christmas. The Mrs. and I will be having Chinese for Christmas Eve (not sure where yet) and Dona Maria's famous tamales (chicken) on Christmas Day. I know I can talk her into having guests, especially when you don't have anyone to share the holidays with. If you would like to join us for tamales, I'll need to know soon; we only ordered a dozen and I'll need some time to order more. If you want to join us for Chinese, PM me soon to so I can be sure to get enough food for everyone and to find out what you like.
If you celebrate Christmas, may the fat man be good to you and your families this year. If you don't, have a wonderful holiday season.
Stay Tuned...
DeadGuitarist
