Cup of Coffee

December 21, 2017: Expansion

17 Comments

Last night I started my weekly podcast hosting gig at the Torch. It's on the same night as my other podcast, which is kind of a pain, but at least I know for which night of the week the bulk of my beer is reserved.

17 thoughts on “December 21, 2017: Expansion”

  1. Today is the day when 95% of the media outlets incorrectly say that it's the shortest day of the year, when they mean to say that it's the day with the least amount of daylight in the northern hemisphere. Also, if they say that it's the day when it gets dark the soonest, they are also barking up the wrong tree. btw, daylight hours today are only 2 seconds shorter than Dec. 20 or Dec 22

  3. I know I'm a couple days early for Festivus, but, man, do I dislike this time of year. Over the years I've tried to influence our participation in quantity of gifts, planning gatherings between our parents and our 6 combined siblings, nuclear-family-focused Christmas dates, generating new traditions from the ether, etc. I've failed on every count as my wife seems to think each and every one of these things are out of our control and non-negotiable. On top of it, in a family of 5, 1 or 2 people are always dealing with sickness this time of year. Work has been incredibly stressful for me the past 3 months. And then come little things, like scheduling all of our family dental appointments for the 2 weeks before Christmas. What?!

    Anyway, with the prior-mentioned work stuff, I've had to let go of control and influence (real or feigned) of most everything else. I'm really struggling with holding my tongue. Saying it like I see it right now would only make it worse, I think. And I recognize "like I see it" doesn't mean I'm correct in my thinking!

    It's just a real bummer that this, or any, time of year has become something to be survived and "gotten through" rather than enjoyed.

    1. This is the second year we've foregone presents for ourselves and instead loaded up on helping needy families through the church at Christmas. It's certainly made our lives easier, and pretty much any family we've talked to have had buy in from their young ones as well. We still have a little something something under the tree or in the stocking, but it's not a big deal and not expected.

      Work came through a couple weeks ago and gave us Dec. 26 and Jan. 2 as holidays as well; I think they're trying to align with other companies more. It's certainly gone over better than their change of people's work titles to align with other companies.

    2. For what it's worth, I think you are wise not to say anything. This strikes me as one of those areas in which being correct is not really the issue. And even if you were to win, it would come at a cost.

      May you find a way to feel the meaning and spirit of Christmas anyway. Best wishes to you.

    3. My old man is always saying that the only thing we are in control of is our attitude. I’ve been trying to heed that advice as I prepare to “get through” dinner with the in laws. No politics and plenty of scotch. I feel ya with not being able to enjoy, but rather having to endure.

    4. It's just a real bummer that this, or any, time of year has become something to be survived and "gotten through" rather than enjoyed.

      I hear ya, man. I've found a trick to endure some of these situations. I pretend to enjoy them.

    5. I hear you. Wife has been threatening to hide in the closet off and on for the last two weeks as all the family tensions ramp up.
      Work here has also been way more busy than it ought, which isn't helping and all the little things are sliding off the plate.
      I love Christmas, theoretically, but have been horsescheisse at putting that into practice and modeling it for everyone in my home.

      Good luck to you.

    6. Thanks for confirming that I’m not alone, but also the great advice to step back and keep it in context. Will keep trying to stay sane!

  4. I went out last night to make sure the snowblower would start fine and move it to an easier to access position in the garage (not that we'll ever get snow down here, apparently). Much to my annoyance, the damn thing wouldn't start. So, this weekend I get to tear it apart and try to get it working. I'm hoping the carburetor just needs to be cleaned a bit since I did leave fuel in it over the summer (I put Stabil in it, but now I'm wondering if that is a crappy product....) Should be a good time!

    1. I have my glass from last year's Meltdown right here on my desk. I got an invite from a guy who knows a guy.
      Never did get my Baseball Prospectus, though...

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