It's CHRISTMAS.

I'm getting very, very peeved with all this "holiday" mention. Everyone and their mother knows that it's not "holiday" season; it's Christmas season. Every JCPenney's commercial and Sears commercial that mentions it shows evidence that we're supposed to buy Christmas presents, so why refer to it as something it's not? This holiday just may be ruined with this identity crisis. Don't get me wrong, there are other holidays in the month of December, but come on. Let's not put a white elephant in the room by making EVERYONE have to suffer through your P.C. implications. That's just annoying.

I was watching Kicking and Screaming on TBS this morning, and it just so happened to be their "Movie and a Makeover" day. The host used the word "holiday" about 8 times in one sentence, and I wanted to puke. Of course all the gifts she mentioned and people on her list were all something/someone you'd buy stuff for for CHRISTMAS! Even the Jews and blacks know they're hinting at Christmas. What is this world coming to? Pretty soon, the flashing man on the crosswalk sign will have to be walking with his wife, so we don't assume women can't cross the street. I swear, there are nut jobs who will think that eventually.
But being in the spirit of Christmas, I might as well put some joy into this post. Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas; it's my favorite holiday. It's the time of year where everyone seems to have a glow about their faces and don't feel obligated to buy things for other people, because they actually want to! And the weather just makes everything twice as cozy. I live for the bitter cold, 'cause it gives me a reason to wear fuzzy socks and come home to watch Tex Avery cartoons. (By the way, I'm still debating whether or not I prefer Tex Avery over Looney Tunes, but I'll talk about that some other time.) Where was I? Oh, yeah. I really do love Christmas. It just breaks my heart how consumer driven it is. They make us assume that no one will be happy unless we give them shiny presents with big bows and ribbons all over it. Why can't I just bake you something? It'll at least prove I put effort into putting together a good present for you. I recently visited this church where they talked a lot about that. Instead of giving everyone presents, why not give them a day of our time? Ya know, just have a chance to go somewhere together and grow even closer than we would with something we won't be using a few months from now. And the money we don't spend on gifts, we send to Africa! That's seriously an idea I'm thinking of sticking to. My list will be very condensed,
a.) because of the economy
b.) because of lack of funds due to my dad's field of work and
c.) there's too many people to choose from to get something for EVERYONE.
So, I'll be donating money to building Water Wells in Africa. My biggest dream would be to actually go there to build them, but let's not get crazy.
Well, that's about it. I'm going to try and survive the rest of this year without pulling all my hair out. Merry Christmas, everyone! B.G.G.
P.S. Santa came down my street tonight, and I was the happiest camper in the world. Look!


P.P.S. A friend named Michaela just sent me this link if anyone would like to donate to the Water Wells for Africa: http://www.waterwellsforafrica.org