This Christmas Tide and Cracker Barrell....

The choir went over to sing at Burton Parish in Williamsburg tonight. We sounded really good, I thought. The closing piece was "This Christmas Tide".. which was written by I don't know who, but its a powerful number. The tenor part goes right high on that, and just the three of us had to do most of it. We had a packed audience- probably 300 people or so. Its a nice church and I enjoy going there every year. I have done it since 1998- the only year I missed was 2004, which was the day my grandmother had her stoke- December the 28th. As always, we all stop at Cracker Barrell and order things like fried catfish, chicken n' dumplings, fried okra, cornbread, collard greens, and biscuits. When folks turn around to see us carrying on- they just say "Oh those crazy Baptists are at it again". Sometimes we even sing at the table.

Today I went to Walgreen's to buy some batteries for my camera. The lights around Richmond are still up for all to see. I enjoy Christmas and hate to see it end, but Richmonders keep the lights up longer than most places. Sometimes til Valentine's Day! "This Christmas Tide" will be stuck in my head probably til Easter. Its a beautiful song. I hope I can get do more solos at church. We're working on an Elvis show in January. Fitting since its the 12th-- which is close the King's natural birthday. We're meeting Randy, Jodi and the children in Williamsburg tommorrow at the College Deli. I thought it wasn't much different than meeting at a gas station, but at least the prices are reasonable.

Jeyeux Noel...

That's French to mean "Merry Christmas". I remember taking French in school, and I remember that, at least. But I forgot a lot of the rest of the stuff..

I think I had a better Christmas this year than last year, when all along I felt last year was better, but it was leading up to it that was different. It was different because it wasnt the artificial Christmas spirit that people get into and then get let down. I prayed I would get to feel the real thing. Last year I was in the Christmas spirit of things -early. I felt more of it, and I was working at the bookstore and even though it was just part time, I had more money coming in. Lately I have been selling things on the internet, but no more work this Season. But I managed to buy presents for everyone. Most of them were joint presents my sister Gretchen and I got for my dad, Aunt Virginia, my other sisters Bonnie and Sally. I bought a tub of popcorn with a winter scene on it as an Emergency present in case my brother Randy came up from Charleston with his family. Anyhow, it went nice. Yesterday I went to two church services. My own church- The Tabernacle Baptist, and dad's church St. Alban's Anglican church. They were different, but both good- although I felt the Holy Spirit a lot more at my own church. And the service was more simple, yet beautiful. At the end they turned out every single candle and light and Terry Witt sang "O Holy Night". Then we lit all the candles again and filled the room with the candles.

I got a lot of footage of the tacky lights around town. We went to the Jefferson Hotel tonight, and then saw "Its A Wonderful Life" at the Byrd. They had the mighty Wurlitzer Organ and they played Christmas sing a long before the show. I like the movie every year. The seats are mighty uncomfortable though- but I assume thats why its only 2.00$ a ticket. I talked to Bonnie a lot. I got a rack for my bike and a bike light from Gretchen, money from dad, and Bonnie gave me an audio disc of Business Management, and something to clean my eye glasses with. Aunt Virginia gave me a little money also. Every bit helps. My friend Ardith made me 2 neat stage costume shirts- one was a Western shirt with horse shoe design, and the other a cool piano shirt with a keyboard going along the sides of the shirt. It was a Merry Christmas, indeed. I just savoured it more . And I felt it more. But Christmas can be felt all year 'round.

From now on , I'll always knock !

Yesterday morning we volunteered with Meals on Wheels. I was glad to get people their food for the weekend, and they seem very appreciative. I had a Krispy Kreme doughnut, but only one- and it gave me energy. I had to wake up earlier than usual which threw me off a bit. I don't mind Meals on Wheels, though. Some of the places were more run down, but its not depressing if the people are otherwise upbeat and take care of themselves. We felt hungry after, so stopped at Common Cup. I went to wash my hands.. and walked in on some guy in the bathroom already. I assumed the door would have been locked. It was an employee. I said "excuse me" and quickly shut the door. I think I was more embarrassed than he was. But anyways, I remember from now on to always knock before I open a door. Especially to the bathroom! Later we took Mosby for a walk. I got some footage also of the Christmas lights downtown for "A Very Richmond Christmas" show I'm taping to air next year. We also filmed in the Jefferson Hotel. Today was went to the Shell station this afternoon and met with a Miniature horse. Her name was Precious, and she wasn't much bigger than Mosby. We took Mosby last evening to a meet and greet and Pet Smart with other greyhounds. He gets along with his own kind best. Today wasn't as busy, but we had a good time. Sally is also home already for Christmas. We had little bit of cheese and crackers that Gretchen's friend Lucy sent. Lucy is up in Fairfax, and met Gretchen at George Mason.

I am feeling much more into Christmas now- but my father still talks about money worries and how we are 30,000$ in debt. It bothers me. I always think we can worry about that stuff later. We filmed more of the tacky lights tonight. While taping, i fell in a drain hole. I kinda hurt my wrist and left arm a bit, but Im okay. They are not sprained. But I think I will have a big bruise on them come morning.

Christmas is comin'......

Only five days til Christmas.. I get kind of excited around this time. I don't let myself forget the real meaning of Christmas- I think people get dissapointed when they put too much on the festivities and not enough on Jesus. But I do try to enjoy the lights and things. I went to a Christmas party with Gretchen. It was from her church St James. This young lady has just been ordained and had the party at her house on the northside. I felt a little awkward because there was mild drinking there- kind of wine and such. And when folks offer it to me, or mention that its there, I kinda forget I'm an adult. Because I feel like 11 or 12-years-old again- not really like someone old enough to drink. But drinking is morever, simply not my personality, and it makes me uncomfortable for some reason. Even though they weren't getting carried away. That child part of me doesn't want any drink, and so I just have Coke. I sometimes feel I am younger than I look- and many think I am younger than 28, but I still look just old enough to have a drink , I suppose. But my childlike innocense makes that uneasy. We talked to some people and they were nice. Mostly other Christians. The house was nice and cozy. They had some crackers with cheese dip and some brownie- like cookies that were good. We stayed there about an hour then left. We got a bite to eat at Palani Drive, then took Mosby for a nightly walk. Its nice seeing all the lights out and the brisk air feels good. Mosby loves his walks. I feel more comfortable having the dog later at night. I think he isn't agressive but could easily scare a mugger away.

That was about all. Tommorow I'm doing Meals On Wheels , and then a meet and greet with the greyhound people at Pet Smart. I'm working on "A Very Richmond Christmas", which I hope I can get on PBS next year, if possible.

Perverted Santa Claus!

I was driving downtown tonight after some Christmas shopping and I passed by this "Gentleman's Club" on Main St with a Santa Claus standing outside holding a life size cut out of an underwear clad vixen. I assume it was a promotional thing for the club. It wasn't all that bad, but imagine if little kiddies saw Santa doing that. It wouldn't be so good. It was after 10 PM. though. I went to choir tonight to rehearse for our annual Bruton Parish show we're doing on the 29th in Williamsburg. Mosby knocked over the Christmas tree again last night so I had to get up this morning and fix it and take all the decorations and lights off and re do everything. I was a little mad. But I guess he tried to eat it or somethin'. Daddy went to the hardware store and got some bricks and rocks and put them at the base of the tree, and we tied it down to the hall column and bookshelf case. It should be okay now. This morning I also went to the post office to mail an order I got from ebay. Local TV personality Greg McQuade was in there. He seemed a little shorter than he does on the air. Which is the opposite of the old adage: "You look taller in person". He seemed in a good mood. I think he's on Channel 6 News. I miss seeing Charles Fisburne on there.The air is very cold tonight, but the stars were out and shining bright. If the air is this cold, you'd think it could snow, so it would be worthwhile. But as usual, I doubt we'll have a White Christmas.

Christmas In The Fan...

Today was very busy day again. I sang with the choir in church this morning, then later we did the show with the Richmond Concert Band. Its a big thing every year and we usually have well over 500 people in attendance. The band is really good and they did some new tunes this year. I sang "Mary's Boy Child". I enjoyed the music a lot- but I was a tad nervous, and my colon was acting up again. I get this horrible bloating and irritable colon, I'm not sure if its left over trauma from the colitis I had back when I was 19-years-old. Anyways, I had to rush to the bathroom several times. But I made it. I also sang this morning and didn't get a whole lot of sleep. Our Christmas tree that we got yesterday fell down last night. I think our dog Mosby was the culprit. That left me a downer, and I had trouble getting to sleep. But today we set it up again and I re did everything from the lights to the bulbs and the cornicopias. Yesterday was also busy. Aside from getting our tree, Gretchen and I dropped off some presents as a sort of secret Santa. A lady out in Chesterfield county who has 6 children needed some help this year. That area was interesting as it was rural and old shacks stood next to modern pristine colonial houses with manicured lawns. Anyways, we left them on the porch since she said she was out. It was a light rain and a mist over the sky that made the weekend kind of ethereal looking. We also went to Lewis Ginter Gardens on Friday night. I have 6 free passes for playing there a few weeks ago. The lights are pretty neat, and they have a large Atritrum with a giant Christmas tree. I liked the large treehouse over the lake. There was a mist and fog hovering over with seemed very movie like. I caught "Cold Mountain" on TV last night before bed. It was interesting being on TV already. But I remember seeing it 8 times in the theater. Anything for the lovely Nicole Kidman. I really liked the movie. I wasn't crazy about Jude Law in it, but he did okay, I guess. It was a decent movie. Every once in awhile, Modern day Hollywood produces a decent movie in a sea of horsepucky they usually churn out. "Big Fish" was also a good one that came out in the 2003-04 Era. We saw that 9 times in the theater also.

Christmas Shopping is hard when you're low on cash....

I decided to do some shopping already. I usually wait til the last minute, but I decided to start a little earlier this year. I went over to Big Lots and got some nice stuff- but they didnt take American Express so I had to put it all back which was embarrasing. So I stopped at the CVS over on Three Chopt Rd and got the same basic things for a little more. I ran out of all the cash I got from my Leesburg gig. Now its just me and Mr. Plastic. I wonder why more stores don't accept American Express. I always thought it was a more uptown type of credit card. All the restaurants take them and so do the uppity stores. Well, anyway, I'm sure dad let me have one because he knew I couldn't use it at too many places. I went back out later to Walgreen's to get some Christmas cards. There was a lady in the store kind of being not so nice to her husband. She was calling him stupid and ordering him around. She wanted some type of candy and he was trying to get what she wanted but she kept saying it wasn't right. And she was making sort of a scene- almost like she was trying to embarrass him. He was being quiet through it all but I could tell he was embarrased the way she was carrying on. Its almost like a form of abuse in a way. I guess people don't think spousal abuse concerns husbands too. Anyways, I did that, and I went home. When we went out walking earlier with Mosby, we saw an accident happen around the Lee statue on Monument Ave. It wasn't anything major, but two cars kind of buffeted each other into the same lane. They stopped over near us to exchange numbers. I can't say its not their fault. People lately are always in a hurry and a rush, and thats exactly was is bound to happen. If people just took their time more about things they would avoid a lot more things like that.

Nice and Warm

Today it was about 80 degrees and sunny. Pretty close to the record. I have been pretty busy lately working on different projects. I went to the post office , then rode my bike through Byrd Park. Later we took Mosby for a walk. We went out to Target tonight, but didnt see anything good. We ate at this new Mexican restaurant on Cary Street, near VCU. Toally spontaneous and unplanned. It was pretty good. I had some kind of chicken dish. At least with Mexican food you never get hungry an hour later. I think its called "Little Mexico" restaurant. They had a bar inside but it was in the back, so it wasn't a problem. I don't have problem digesting it for some reason. The food was really Mexican. Not New Mexican...

I just meant it was a Mexican restaurant that was new. My dog Mosby has been acting a fool lately. He runs up and down and chases stuff that isn't there. But I reckon he's just trying to release tension. The weather this week is gonna be right mild. I enjoy it while I can.

Leesburg Coffee Shop

I drove up tonight to play at Market Street Coffee in Leesburg. It was right slow the whole night. I had at the maximum five people. I did sell an album and the baristas split their tips with me. Still, I only made about 30$ . These two girls I went to high school with Aubrey and Brooke came out. But they didn't stay long and wanted alcohol and left with some guy to get a drink. I didnt see them after that. It was nice of them to come though. The weather was good though- not bitterly cold. They had the door open. My dissapointment came from that I thought for sure there would be plenty of folks streaming in from the Taly Ho theater which was right next door- but hardly anyone was at the movies. I guess people were worn out from Christmas shopping- and maybe I just picked the wrong night. I did enjoy the drive through. The area of Loudoun is really beautiful. Its odd to be back there. But I still have mixed feelings about the area I grew up in. It was a bitter sweet experience for me. I was glad to see Aubrey and Brooke though. Too bad they didn't stay. Some people need their booze, I guess. The drive back to Richmond was pretty smooth. I just wished more people had shown up. The whole downtown of Leesburg was more dead than a cemetary.

Grand Illumination Nation

Gretch and I drove over to Williamsburg and it was packed. Not bitter cold, but chilly and a tad rainy and there must have been about 5,000 people or more for Grand Illumination. We had an hour before the fireworks and we knew we knew it would take forever to get out of there, so we just decided to get a bite to eat. We went to Cracker Barrell (which I love!) I had the fried shrimp platter with collard greens and apples . We could hear and see the fireworks a bit from the restaurant but not much of it. Then we headed home in the rain. We took Mosby for a short walk tonight. He doesn't like getting wet. I missed church and choir this morning. But I really needed extra rest for some reason.