holiday cheer

It's been a long absence again, but not for lack of thinking about you all. I remained in Philly most of the past month - doing some long overdue catching up with friends and, shall we say, associates? I loved getting to swing by the co-op and buy food on Mike and Susanna's account (thanks, kids); loved wandering all over the city and seeing it in some of its best moods - including pretty holiday lights coming out; loved going out dancing and staying in watching birth movies, old MacGyver episodes, or swooning over Mr. Darcy ("or so he calls himself!"); loved the social gatherings and, of course, joining in the creation of the 3rd 'Swarm Productions puppet show premiere: "Rocky MMVIII: Wherein the Italian Stallion Reflects upon the Ups and Downs of a Decidedly Tumultuous Year."

It was a treat to cheer Mike on in the Philly marathon and to join him and Susanna and his family for Thanksgiving in my good ol' home state of New Jersey. It was quite a treat to have the option of leaving the table to wash dishes as the family engaged in an impassioned discussion of how to handle Christmas gift-giving this year. But even more of a treat to share a great meal with them and to witness to such antics as Mike's dad utilizing a stapler to tighten up his little granddaughter's oversized pyjama pants. This solution, while ingenious, unfortunately did not outlast a 'one more time before bed' trip to the bathroom.

I did spend a little additional time in NY State and City - on a trip with Susanna to a retreat her mom's church had pulled together that greatly honored her mom. I followed up the trip to Albany with a visit to NYC to see a couple dear friends there and to check out a program at NYU and one at CUNY that focus on using theatre in education and community development. A short but educational visit. I also had two visitors come down to Philly from NYC - Eric during election time, and then Bernadette, who has just returned from 3 years of travels. We did a little future planning session in the living room and drank a lot of tea.

Otherwise, my main roles lately have been 1) move and look, 2) move and think, 3) sit and think 4) rest, rest, rest. Sometimes I get to talk to people, and that's a very pleasant diversion. Other times, I talk to myself, or write, or read (which gets more into the 'rest' category). At the moment, I have moved myself once again - down to Texas this time. I spent a few days with my parents in Houston and am now in Austin checking out the scene. Having already seen a fantastic interactive performance in which I received a free margarita and got to talk to a stuffed bobcat, eating delicious Indian food and surveying some 6th Street debauchery, and getting asked out by a British divorcé selling humorous paintings at the Armadillo Holiday Bazaar - I have to say that Austin certainly has not left me wondering if there's any life in this two-bit Texas trading post. Oh, and did I mention the four cops who pulled a little "securing of the premises" in my cousin's apartment the night of my arrival here? Yeehaw! (Mom and Dad, we'll discuss it later.)

Tomorrow I'm a-gonna do me a little job interviewing and some further reconnaissance at the Universidad de Tejas (better known as UT - love those rust colored longhorns), and then I'll be heading north to the suburbs of Austin to visit my grandparents, which I hope will involve a game of Grandpa Wins and maybe some holiday baking.

Wishing all of you devoted readers a lovely holiday time. Big hugs all around, and best wishes for all good things in the days ahead. May you be happy and may you see Slumdog Millionaire, which is a movie that will make you feel not only good, but also hip.