All that talk yesterday about Christmas carols reminded me of when Kate was in elementary school, and how the Christmas choir concert would unfold. Mrs. DeCarlo always mixed the grade levels up, and the kindergarteners usually came in the second half of the program. One year, as the curtain rose on the assembled little ones, the man next to me slapped his palms together once and said, “Yeah! Now for the good stuff!” His child was not in kindergarten; he just knew what he was talking about.
Mrs. DeCarlo didn’t stint on the material, either — they always sang the most charming songs, frequently with hand gestures. My favorite was “Christmas is Coming” with new lyrics: Christmas is coming, and we are getting fat / ’cause we eat too much of this and that. It was so sweet it made your teeth hurt. A little boy in the first row began potty-dancing to such an urgent extent that the other music teacher helped him into the wings. He returned during the second number to scattered applause.
It was like that every year. K-1 are the rock stars of any school concert.
Folks, I’m hanging up the laptop for the rest of the week. Too much left to do, too little to say. (Obviously.) I might toss up some photos, but this will be it until Monday. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas, and until then, here’s some bloggage to chew on:
An interview with the Christmas innkeeper, by John Scalzi:
The baby is born, right? And then these guys show up. And they say, we have brought gifts for the child. And I say, that’s nice, what did you bring. And they say, we have brought gold and frankincense and myrrh. And I say, you’ve got to be kidding.
What’s wrong with that?
Let me quote another Christmas song for you. “A child, a child, shivers in the cold, let us bring him silver and gold.” Really? Silver and gold? And not, oh, I don’t know, a blanket? An newborn infant is exhibiting signs of possible hypothermia and your response is to give him cold metal objects? Who ever wrote that song needs a smack upside the head.
A wonderful Detroitblog on the real Santa. He drives a sleigh — you really must see the picture, it’s a hoot — and he’s black. I’d love to see his naughty list.
Robin Givhan, the Washington Post fashion writer, is leaving the paper. Too bad. I’d love to see a compare-and-contrast piece between Michelle Obama and, oh, Jane Sullivan Roberts. I can’t believe we have a first lady who wears Marc Jacobs. I don’t know if the Obamas will be gone in two years or six, but when they go, I will miss ’em. They are the most photogenic First Family in…maybe ever.
Who have you showered with lately? Barney Frank schools a reporter from CNS. (You can tell CNS is a shoestring outfit, because they can’t afford a good microphone.
Roy has finally had enough of the war-on-Christmas nonsense. Note cleverly hidden racism in the Christmas card that poor National Review writer is allegedly forced to buy (“Whass Happenin’ on the Holidays?”). Yeah, that’s all that’s available where I shop, too. What a load.
Not to end on a sour note, but I’m off to the Eastern Market. List, checked twice: Ham, nuts, peppermint bark, whatever else tickles my fancy. Merry Christmas! The New Year comes later.
coozledad said on December 23, 2010 at 9:21 am
I’m a little disappointed in Roy. He’s got to know that no self-respecting European would eat a fetus in mayonnaise. It’s always aioli.
The Brits use malt vinegar.
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Scout said on December 23, 2010 at 9:50 am
Cooz, you can be disappointed in Roy, but his commenters rock almost as much Nancy’s! Like this one: “Or in my case, you can cross out “Merry Christmas” with a pen and write in “Scintillating Solstice!” for your pagan sister.”
I’m probably outta here for the remainder of the Christmas weekend too, so Merry Merry and all that jazz to everyone.
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basset said on December 23, 2010 at 10:06 am
Believe that mic is an Electro-Voice 635 with maybe a Sennheiser wireless block on it, definitely professional gear and very widely used.
What they seem unable to afford is a top light for the camera to knock out those facial shadows… in the words of one legendary news photographer, “shooting interviews under room light makes their eyes look like p***-holes in the snow.”
And… help me understand the issue with Michelle Obama and Marc Jacobs. Is it maybe too downscale for someone of her stature?
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coozledad said on December 23, 2010 at 10:07 am
Scout:I don’t know which commenter (either at Roy’s or World O’Crap, or maybe even Gawker) said this, but it’s definitely time to put the Sol back in Solstice; and “Axial tilt: It’s the reason for the season!”
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Jolene said on December 23, 2010 at 10:28 am
basset, Marc Jacobs is more high-style (and sexier) than what first ladies usually wear. Laura Bush, for instance, almost certainly never wore a black dress w/ all-over sequins, as M. Obama is doing in the linked photos.
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Peter said on December 23, 2010 at 10:29 am
Well, Happy Holidays to all of you. And in the words of Lionel Barrymore, “Happy New Years to you – IN JAIL!!”
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Kirk said on December 23, 2010 at 10:30 am
Fixing to join an old friend for lunch and then hit the road for a couple of days with family in the land of my birth, so Merry Christmas (or whatever term is applicable) to all.
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Judybusy said on December 23, 2010 at 10:45 am
Am I being terribly sexist in laughing my a$$ off at Ms. Roberts? Jeeezus, how dowdy can you get? The pink suit is cute, but could definitely be glammed up in an ironic sort of way.
Happy times to all. I read NNC every day, don’t always comment, but enjoy the conversations immensely.
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brian stouder said on December 23, 2010 at 10:53 am
What Judy said!
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ROgirl said on December 23, 2010 at 10:56 am
This dress rocks.
http://stylenews.peoplestylewatch.com/2010/12/17/michelle-obama-makes-history-in-vintage-norman-norell-dress
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Julie Robinson said on December 23, 2010 at 11:57 am
It’s an amazing dress. Given that most women were significantly shorter and, um, smaller all around in the 50’s, I have to wonder how they found one in her size, or if they discretely enlarged/lengthened it.
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LAMary said on December 23, 2010 at 12:01 pm
I’ve always bought into the belief that our Chief Justice is deeply closeted. That photo is something I would consider evidence of his gayness. His wife and kids are dressed as what a guy who is not what he appears to be would consider the correct costumes for the parts the wife and kids play in his role. Even genuine old money straight white guys don’t have families who dress like that. It’s sort of like Tom Cruise jumping on Oprah’s couch.
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Catherine said on December 23, 2010 at 12:41 pm
The smart Wise Ruler brings peppermint bark.
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beb said on December 23, 2010 at 12:55 pm
GHood call, LAMAry. Say can we spend the weekend guessing who in DC is gay or straight? I mean that Lindsay Graham — live-long bachelor….
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alex said on December 23, 2010 at 12:57 pm
Amen, LAMary. It would take a total queen to dress his wife like Jacqueline Kennedy and his kids like Little John-John and Caroline. And it would take an evil queen to find in favor of Prop 8 on appeal, so we’ll get to see what this bitch is made of.
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coozledad said on December 23, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Mrs.Roberts’ face is an atlas of unresolved sexual tension. I hate to keep invoking Clint Eastwood movies, but in the absence of some heavy psychotropics this is a case of “Play Misty For Me” waiting to happen.
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brian stouder said on December 23, 2010 at 1:04 pm
His wife and kids are dressed as what a guy who is not what he appears to be would consider the correct costumes for the parts the wife and kids play in his role.
Absolutely agreed; Mary states it precisely correctly. The “tell” in the photo is choice of shoes for the young folks; Saddle shoes?
Leaving that aside, but staying on feet and shoes, last night I ventured where Dexter won’t go anymore (IFC) – and Pulp Fiction pulled me in again.
When I saw it was Pulp Fiction, I thought of Quentin Tarantino, which reminded me of the foot-fetish thing that the Proprietress brought to our attention a week or two ago; and sure enough, the next scene I see is when Travolta is making conversation with the wife of Marcellus.
Right on cue, Travolta asks her (Mia) if it’s true that Marcellus pitched a guy out the window of a high-rise, because the guy was messaging Mia’s feet (and later we learn, maybe with his tongue).
Worth a chuckle, I thought; but then, leaving Quentin Tarantino aside, this morning on the morning network news what do I see but the wife of the coach of the New York Jets, with her bare feet out a car window, having a dialogue with the guy running the camera….and the guy asks if he can smell her feet! (meanwhile, she smiles pleasantly, and scrunches her toes repeatedly).
Then the news report shifted to the coach his-own-self, taking foot fetish questions at a post-game (football!) conference, and squirming a little.
The male voice didn’t sound like Quentin Tarantino, but still – I’m thinking this is performance art of some sort…
Anyway, not quite mistletoe; and not really a holiday “bon bon” – but it made me chuckle.
(and indeed, I think beautiful feet are a marvelous thing, but gimme a break!)
(plus, one wonders how Lady Gaga’s feet will look, after a few more years of those masochistic-look heeless-heels)
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MichaelG said on December 23, 2010 at 3:51 pm
That poor Marc Jacobs model. The one on the runway. She has the zombie look down just right, plus it looks like her hips are down around her knees. She probably feels crappy because she doesn’t look a tenth as good in that dress as the First Lady. I must say, Ms. Obama certainly wears clothes well. Stuff just looks great on her. Ms. Roberts and the kids look like props out of some catalogue. And a fifties catalogue at that.
What is peppermint bark? And what does one do with it?
Happy Holidays, everyone! Hee,hee.
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ROgirl said on December 23, 2010 at 3:56 pm
MG, is that the “Beards R Us” catalogue?
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Sue said on December 23, 2010 at 4:03 pm
MichaelG: what are her gloves made of, duct tape?
Judybusy: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Day-to-Night-Barbie/58185628450
Not to put a damper on the is John Roberts closeted question, but am I right in understanding that you folks are saying John Roberts is gay because he has no fashion sense or seriously impaired fashion sense? I didn’t think that’s how it worked… I mean I thought, you know… ummmm…
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Linda said on December 23, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Sue, you have a point. Too Much Fashion Sense is not the case here. I propose that he’s an alien trying to pass as an earthling, a la the Coneheads of “France,” or maybe someone from the cast of the Men in Black movies.
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Bill said on December 23, 2010 at 5:28 pm
Looks more like Don and Betty Draper and their kids a la Mad Men.
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Dexter said on December 23, 2010 at 6:20 pm
We’re busy here, too…it’s been said my “middle daughter” has vowed this will be the best Christmas ever, and everybody’s knocking themselves dead trying to make it so.
So Coozledad, I found a righteous video that even has goats in it for about a minute or so. And it kinds of sums up my point of view too…I don’t care what they all say, I think I’m an alright guy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGL-2Zg2bqw&feature=related
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LAMary said on December 23, 2010 at 9:05 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JF6eRIAA6mE
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nancy said on December 24, 2010 at 8:49 am
Interesting take on the Spider-Man fiasco: Nascar for Gleeks.
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coozledad said on December 24, 2010 at 9:47 am
These guys pull a few muscles during their act, too. Maybe even “slip some surly bonds”. I get the impression the Pope wants him a piece of this tumbling mirth.
http://www.sadlyno.com/archives/34162.html
Actually, isn’t it standard etiquette to slip some surly bonds into these guy’s knickers after the dancing?
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MichaelG said on December 24, 2010 at 12:36 pm
Unbelievable. Was that real? The Vats get creepier and creepier. I kinda liked the slinky chick in the black outfit, though.
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Deborah said on December 24, 2010 at 6:02 pm
I’ve been wrangling with my husband’s three year old grand-daughter unexpectedly these last few days (long story not worth going into now), but I wanted to wish you all a wonderful holiday. Enjoy yourselves with family and friends, as I’m sure you all will. Cheers!
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Joe Kobiela said on December 24, 2010 at 9:29 pm
Just wanted to wish all my friends here at nn.com a merry Christmas. I got called out at 12:45am last night and went to pittsburgh and picked up a mechanic and flew him to charlston s.c., it was suppose to be a 1hr fix but turned into 5hr so i didn’t get home until 4 this afternoon,I was a bit ticked cause it took so long, then I got to thinking, that 2 people went out of their way and did something to help get a 100 people to their loved ones in time for Christmas. Maybe if we all went out of our way and did just did a little bit extra,we could make this world a little better place. God bless you all and merry Christmas and I hope you and your families have a great 2011.
Pilot Joe
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Jeff (the mild-mannered one) said on December 24, 2010 at 10:28 pm
Merry Christmas, every one; hope you’re with the ones you love, or at least with someone who loves you!
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coozledad said on December 25, 2010 at 8:55 am
Who is willing to die to save us from this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIxahTc4dpE
Merry Christmas y’all.
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Connie said on December 25, 2010 at 9:43 am
Merry Christmas to all. Gifts are opened, showers have started, and we will soon be off to the inlaws. Across the state to see my side tomorrow. My dear husband got me a gift certificate to the restaurant he’s been wanting to try. Among other fine things. A new lap top and a new netbook were discovered under the tree.
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Deborah said on December 26, 2010 at 8:50 pm
The three year old grandchild went back to her Mom (my husband’s daughter) this morning after spending nearly a week with us by herself unexpectedly and I have to say the peace and quiet is heavenly. It turns out the grandchild is a bit of a misbehaving wild child. When did it get to be OK to treat your grandparents like equals (to a three Year old!!!)? We tried to set up some ground rules and those were working eventually but they went out the window Christmas Eve when the child’s mother joined us. Wow, so much for the doting grandparents. She could be cute as a button one minute but the rest of the time a sheer holy terror. Our poor old cats will never be the same after this. I wish I had a happier holiday to report. We didn’t go to New Mexico as we usually do because of the visit of the grandchild. Next year we go back to our regularly scheduled routine (thank goodness, I’m sorry to say).
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moe99 said on December 27, 2010 at 1:45 am
Shoot, Deborah, I thought grandkids were supposed to be great fun. Dang.
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Deborah said on December 27, 2010 at 7:53 am
Moe, they’re not all like that. I’m a surrogate grandma to the adopted child of a gay couple that are good friends. She is three also and as sweet as can be, loads of fun. I was expecting it to be like it is when she comes to stay with us. Wrong.
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Julie Robinson said on December 27, 2010 at 9:39 am
Whew Deborah, it sounds like Mom doesn’t set limits. Limits are good. Right now I’m wishing I had limited the Christmas cookies.
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LAMary said on December 27, 2010 at 11:00 am
I was at the perfume counter at Nordstroms yesterday and a child maybe 7 or 8 years old was picking up bottles of perfume, spraying them randomly, and then setting them down on the glass counter hard. Two fell over loudly, one fell on the floor. The mom said nothing. I said, “careful, sweetie,” in a less than endearing way and shot the patented look of imminent death my sons learned to fear early on. The mom looked at me, I think deciding whether or not she was going to tell me to not fuck with her kid. I gently told her my kids had done things like that, but never more than once.
Seriously, it’s a glass counter with heavy glass bottles. Tell your kid to stop it.
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