Sometimes, southern Wisconsin really reminds me of the Pacific Northwest.
It’s been one week since we’ve had even a glimpse of the sun. That lone jellyfish cloud in a sea of blue sky last Thursday was the last time I spotted any sort of bright glowing orb (Christmas lights and lava lamps notwithstanding). Not only that, but a steady rain fell all day yesterday. Driving home, my wipers beating furiously to keep up with the deluge while dusk deepened and I strained to make out the road markings, I had two thoughts:
- This is just like living in Vancouver, WA.
- I really should have worked from home today.
In the brief 3.5 months we’ve lived here, there have been a whole bunch of rainy and/or gloomy days. Way more than we ever had in South Dakota. Luckily, Tara and I like that. After three years of drought conditions in Rapid City, it’s a welcome novelty.
Overnight, that rain turned to snow, and we woke up to this.
Nothing major; just a few inches of heavy, wet snow. That I did not have to drive in, because today was a WFH day for me. By the way, if you’re astute, you’ll notice I still have South Dakota license plates on my car. Not by choice (even though I love my vanity plates and will miss them when they’re gone!); the process to obtain plates when you don’t outright own your vehicle in WI is maddeningly slow because the DMV requires a title transfer, and that process takes some serious hoops-jumping. Ironically, I received my Wisconsin registration in the mail last week – complete with license plate number – but the actual plates are mailed separately, and that could take up to four weeks.
We’ll probably be living in Pennsylvania by then, since we keep heading east.
Not only has the sun been absent for a week now, but it might be a long time until we’re this warm again…and it barely reached 32º today. Check this out.
Looks like we’re headed straight for the deep purple. Not to be confused with this Deep Purple…
Might be more than just dreaming about a white Christmas this year. Fingers crossed!
Speaking of, I’ve been listening to lots of Christmas music lately. Some people love jingle jams, others loathe ’em. I’m the guy who plays Christmas music in July. With that in mind, I thought I’d share my Top 10 favorite Christmas songs. And yes, who sings the song matters more than the song itself. Well, in most cases.
- “Christmas Wrapping” – The Waitresses. Very nontraditional. Very dated (“most of ’81 passed along those lines”). But very catchy and fun. Exactly what you’d expect from an ’80s new wave band. Love the bass line, love the sax, love the clever lyrics. I know all the words by heart and always crank this one up. You can’t do that with “Frosty the Snowman.”
- “I Believe in Father Christmas” – Greg Lake. This one’s more melancholy. On the surface, it sounds inspiring (“I wish you a hopeful Christmas/I wish you a brave new year”), but then that last line hits you like a brick: “Hallelujah, Noel, be it heaven or hell/The Christmas we get we deserve.” Them’s some pearls of wisdom, and I can relate: positive attitude = positive life.
- “Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy” – Bing Crosby & David Bowie. Two legends from different eras teamed up for a once-in-a-lifetime duet and turned a well-known classic into something completely original thanks to that deconstructed arrangement. Pah-rum-pum-pum-YUM.
- “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” – Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band. It’s The Boss, for crying out loud. I like the rock ‘n roll arrangement, and that Clarence Clemons sax riff is infectious. The first time we saw Bruce in concert was November, 2012, and he and the band ripped into this one with gusto (Jake Clemons filled in on sax quite capably for his late uncle). Is it a little corny? Sure. But that just adds to the charm.
- “Christmas Time is Here” – Vince Guaraldi Trio. I’m a huge Peanuts fan, and of all the Charlie Brown specials, the Christmas one is the special-est. Quiet and jazzy, with simple lyrics that evoke all kinds of nostalgia for me.
- “Christmas Vacation” – Mavis Staples. What can I say? I am Clark Griswold. Of course I love this one. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation kicks off the season for us every year; it’s both the first (and last) holiday movie we watch, because really, once a year just isn’t enough. Don’t agree with me? Eat my rubber! Burn dust!
- “O Holy Night” – Michael Crawford. I’m not a religious person at all, but Michael Crawford (best known as the Phantom of the Opera) absolutely kills this one. When he hits that high note at 4:16 and holds it for a full eight seconds, my goose bumps have goose bumps. Simply gorgeous, powerful, and awe-inspiring. I dare you to name a better version.
- “Blue Christmas” – Elvis Presley. They don’t call him The King for nothin’. That voice is velvety, and the doo-wop backup singers give this timeless classic some soul. The lyrics might be mournful, but Elvis’ singing and the upbeat tempo turn this song into pure joy.
- “Smoke On The Water” – Deep Purple. Oops. Not a Christmas song. My mind’s still on the weather map. Can’t deny that guitar riff though.
- “Holly Jolly Christmas” – Burl Ives. I love the Rankin/Bass stop-animation holiday movies, and Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer is my favorite. This song always reminds me of the film. It’s a snappy little ditty brimming with good cheer.
OK, I showed you mine…now show me yours!
Mark My Words 
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