Hi everyone! What a gorgeous day it is here. An inch or two of snow, enough to blanket the ground but not enough to screw up traffic, the sun is shining, and I woke up at 10:30 with the whole day to myself. Happy happy, joy joy.

Regarding the debate over wishing people Merry Christmas, I'll point to what Cindy said and nod my head. I am usually slightly ticked off when people assume that I'm Christian--or at least, when they act on that assumption--but "Merry Christmas!" doesn't ping me that way. At the same time, I recognize that other people feel differently, so I'm cautious to say it to strangers, and usually don't, though I do say "Happy Hanukkah" or Solstice or Diwali or what have you. The difference, in my mind at least, is that Christianity is usually the default assumption in the US, so I'm more reluctant to give the impression that I'm making that assumption, whereas it doesn't bother me with the other holidays because I like to recognize the ones that don't get as much attention. (Does that make sense to anyone but me?)

I also am really sorry for the 21,000 and counting dead in Asia and Africa. Nature can be terrifying.

Is this in reference to the earthquake and tsunamis in southern Asia? I wasn't aware that the effects had reached as far as Africa. Yikes.

I'll say "Merry Christmas" to someone that I know celebrates Christmas, if it's either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day or the last time I'll see that person before Christmas. Same sort of reasoning for "Happy Chanukah" for someone I know celebrates Chanukah. If I don't know, or if it's either too early for Christmas or too late for Chanukah or something and I need some sort of holiday greeting, I'll go with "Happy Holidays."

I do occaisionally get annoyed at the "Merry Christmas"es, but it's mostly when it's from a salesperson and it's something like December 3.

Ugh.

In the coarse of taking the tree down (it was crispy and therefore time for it to go), I spilled water all over the floor. Dur. Stupid of me.

I think I'm going to Target today. It's not as fun as say, Burke Williams, but it's all I've got.

(Does that make sense to anyone but me?)

It makes sense to me.

I'm a happy holidays person, unless I know what holiday the person celebrates

Does that make sense to anyone but me?

Kate, yup. [Edit: so it's not just a Kate/Kat/your name should start with a "Kat" thing, then!]

Though it's kinda sad, in a way, that whichever you choose to do, no matter how good your intentions are, it seems like somebody will be bothered by your choice.

Lee, don't go to work. Come to Target with me.

Is this in reference to the earthquake and tsunamis in southern Asia? I wasn't aware that the effects had reached as far as Africa. Yikes.

Yeah. According to the weather channel, they did.

Oh, Lee, Kat is smart, too.

(Says I, right after posting that I agree with something she agreed to, as well)

(Oh, well).

And with that, I'm off. Good rest of no-matter-what-day to everybody.

Though it's kinda sad, in a way, that whichever you choose to do, no matter how good your intentions are, it seems like somebody will be bothered by your choice.

Yeah, I guess that's true, which is another reason why I am not bothered by people saying "Merry Christmas" to me. I figure most people are doing it with good intentions.

According to the weather channel, they did.

Ah, lovely, now I have to go fret over my friend who might still be in Tanzania. Off to seek out news reports, and possibly make some breakfast.

Hugs for Nilly and her most excellent card

I'm in overwhelmed mode here. Party for DH is tomorrow and I leave for NY on Wednesday. I have a list of 496 things that need to be done not counting the ones I will forget. Ack!

I feel odd saying Happy Holidays unless I am speaking to a group. Mostly I say Happy Hanukkah if the timing is right and Merry Christmas if that day is closer. I hope that I haven't offended anyone, but if someone is offended that I have wished them good cheer I am not too upset. Prepare to hear Happy St. Patty's Day and Valentines Day from me too. Good cheer all.

Am at work. Also sick. Need to be home in my jammies.

A Bronzer friend is flying in from Northern Ireland to Boston, today (it's Catriona, for the bi-boardal amongst us). She's going on a ski holiday in New Hampshire, and will be in Boston for a few hours next Sunday. I hope to meet up with her. She called me last night. As is typical, I was in tears, to have her be so real that I could finally hear her voice (and lovely accent, too).

Really? Tell Cat I said "Hi".