Let It Snow

There is nothing worse than hopping in your car around noon in late November only to find that the weather is pushing ninety degrees fahrenheit. On a day when one wishes to wear a delightful peacoat he is slapped in the face by an unforgiving sun which aims to perpetuate hell year round. What miracle am I hoping for this Christmas? That’s right, snow!

I have lived in the desert for my entire life, and I have seen snow here several times. This could be my year. I need it this Christmas. I so want the soft touch of life giving snowflakes upon my face, kissing my soul. Standing in the middle of a barren wasteland, I will lift my arms in expectation, hoping for the impossible.

Please dear God let there be snow! I will wait in anticipation, looking for the signs of the coming storm. May the crisp chills of ever glowing flakes sweep me away into a wintery bliss. I am there now.

Christmas Time Is Here

I am officially announcing the arrival of the Christmas Season. Much to the sorrow of Thanksgiving fanatics, I am unequivocally and unapologetically proclaiming good tidings and cheer. Once again, winter is almost upon us, begging us to sink into a comfy chair with a good book and some hot spiced cider near a crackling fire. With my housecoat and slippers I will eagerly embrace the holidays, sipping up every ounce of festive goodness until I am as plump as Old Saint Nick.

Decked out malls with boughs of holly inspire shoppers as they bustle by. Smells so familiar fill the air as people ask themselves, “what the hell is a sugarplum?” Carols are playing, kids are everywhere and a woman places antlers on her poodle riding in her purse. Indeed this is a wondrous time!

Years ago I began playing Christmas music in October, which was my first clue that something was dreadfully wrong with me. Then I began to ponder my love for singing songs about snowy white Christmases, as I have always lived in a desert lacking in snow due to global warming (note the sarcasm). Surely my curious obsession with this holiday is a psychosis which I should probably address in therapy. Until then I remain like that boy star struck with wonder, staring endlessly into the storefront window at the beautiful red bike.

Essential picks this year in Christmas music? The albums are as follows in no particular order (anything that makes it on this list has my attention, which of course is a great honor):

Enya - And Winter Came

Sarah McLachlan - Wintersong

Josh Groban - Noel

Brian McKnight - I’ll Be Home For Christmas

Jewel - Joy: A Holiday Collection

Michael Buble - Let It Snow

Harry Connick Jr. - When My Heart Finds Christmas

Celine Dion - These Are Special Times

Amy Grant - The Christmas Collection

Maria Carey - Merry Christmas (Still the highest ranking Christmas album of all time in my book)

Something Fun

Recently I have decided to take this blog in another direction (again). Several readers have requested that I integrate more of my daily wit into my blogging, discarding some of my more serious tones. Naturally I have acquiesced, so for the undeterminable future Monte Cristo readers can expect something different, perhaps something outrageous--and what the hell, let’s throw in some “change” and “hope” and kumbaya--everybody’s doing it, yes we can!

Word has it Oprah is quitting in 2011... Hmmm, could this be her move to position herself as BO’s vice prez in the next election? God knows that old guy won’t stick around, he was just window dressing and will end up being a pain in the ass. Anywho BOOW 2012!