Random Thoughts while Smells of Rotisserie Chicken Waft in from the Kitchen

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

Nice, nice read! Brought back lots of nice memories too.Thanks.

[YouGoTexasGirl]

Thanks for the lovely evening read! Your home outside looks as good as the inside smells! Good luck Monday with the job interview.

It didn’t feel or look like Christmas today in central TX. 84 degrees with a southerly breeze so we just went out to eat!

Blessings to all....YGTG

[Rushmore Rocks]

Wonderful read. Thanks so much for letting us in on it.

If you have a ping list, I would love to be included.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Nope, there’s no such “requirement.” I stroll in and order a small, black decaf...and they turn over the correct drink. Sometimes they’ll say “room?” and I reply “No, black.” I refuse to play their pretentious word games.

[warsaw44]

Add me to your ping list, Sam.

Had left Boston for about three months for SC but was forced back here. Real pity but making the best of it.

[boop]

Mitch Hedberg is a genius.

I saw him in his early days in Seattle.

Too bad that world finally caught up to him after he died. Of an OD.

What a waste of a life.

[ZirconEncrustedTweezers]

Nope, there’s no such “requirement.” I stroll in and order a small, black decaf...and they turn over the correct drink. Sometimes they’ll say “room?” and I reply “No, black.” I refuse to play their pretentious word games.

On those exceedingly rare occasions when I go into Charbucks, I just order a small (er, tall) drip coffee. And when the ask if I want "room for cream" I say yes, even though I drink it black. More often than not I'm taking it to go and I'm less likely to spill it on myself while driving.

I can remember a time when they offered a "short" size. Of course I also remember a time when a "small" soft drink at a fast food joint was sixteen ounces, even outside New York City; most places now call a 20oz cup small.

[GeronL]

and 99% of that soft drink is ice

[Yaelle]

You are a good writer and paint a great picture. Love your house. Hope you get the job. Wish you were my neighbor.

[Jane Long]

Merry Christmas, Sam. Thanks for the seasonal story tonight.

Good luck with the job interview. Please keep up posted...

Oh, and please add me to your ping list.

[Revolting cat!]

I have finally figured that the whole purpose of Christmas is to make clear to us the reason for the humongous parking lots which surround shopping centers that are (the parking lots) at all other times two thirds empty.

[Persevero]

“There comes a point in your life where the Christmases that lie in front of you are less than the Christmases that lie in your rear view mirror. “ -

No Christmas in heaven? One can hope.

[SamAdams76]

I started Christmas way early this year - it was necessary to break me out of the post-election funk. It also helped that I put in for that transfer at work. I really hope I get it but if not, it puts me in play for other opportunities that should get me out of this state (Massachusetts).

[SamAdams76]

Added you to ping list. Many say that the Pogues "Fairytale of New York" is the best Christmas song of all time. It certainly never gets tired and I have collected at least a dozen covers of it by other artists.

BTW, I'm a big fan of Celtic music in general - both traditional and contemporary.

[SamAdams76]

There are indeed two Massachusetts. What has kept me sane here is that I live in a rural area just south of NH border. Looking out my back windows, I can easily picture that I am in NH or Maine as there is nothing but forest around me and deer and wild turkeys frequently come through the yard.

People in my town tend to vote conservative. But just like a lot of other "blue" states, the big cities simply overwhelm us with Democrat votes - both legal and fraudulent. I still think we are mostly a conservative country (just look at the blue/red map by county) but until we figure a way to gain in the big cities, we are likely going to continue to lose ground statewide and nationally.

[SamAdams76]

I've adopted a "stoic" approach to the recent elections. I will simply not let the results affect my happiness and well-being. So I will celebrate Christmas as always and look into improve my financial position by relocating to another part of the country that isn't quite so blue.

If I do move, I will definitely look for a neighborhood that is "prepper" friendly.

[SamAdams76]

I guess it was two years ago or so at 5am driving to work on Coast2Coast which I never listen to otherwise, an economic wonk was on saying the problem with America was we expect 65% or higher to own their homes, when in reality it should be ~50% because home ownership limits mobility and entreprenurialship and more or less dooms stagnating regions.

Interesting. I must say that I turned down opportunities in the past to relocate in large part because I didn't want to go through the hassle of selling my home and finding a new one. I think owning a home is a great thing but it does limit your mobility somewhat. But I'm at a stage in my life when I'm open to making a change.

[AppyPappy]

Well done.

[St_Thomas_Aquinas]

-— home ownership limits mobility and entreprenurialship and more or less dooms stagnating regions. -—

Makes sense. Great insight.

[SamAdams76]

Thanks for the post and the advice on where to move. My job out there (should I get it) would give me ability to live anywhere from MN/WI down to Kentucky. Right now I’m leaning towards Louisville KY or St Louis as possible places to move. I’m getting older and winters aren’t as tolerable as they used to be!