I woke up humming a song that lingered all night long. I had my day planned: do a little web stuff, call up some people, buy a couple of frames for some pictures for Christmas, get into a zoom meeting with people on the other side of the world, cook a yummy dinner, and prepare this TGIF email. I was set for an ordinary relaxful day. I turned on my computer and was doing a little rift on my guitar to flex my finger muscles when my wife, all dressed up for work, barged into my office asking for help. "My car doesn't want to start."

Did I tell you that I often have music in my dreams? Sometimes the music plays like a broken record. You know, like a favorite song you can’t get out of your head? A few weeks ago, I watched "The Chorus Line" and I think it influenced my dream. I woke up with this jazzy Christmas music to a beat similar to Ray Charles’ “Hit the Road Jack.” This song is based on the few bars I remembered. It’s still pretty crude but I thought I’d share it before we pass the holiday season. I hope you like it. It’s about a type of Scrooge who encounters a little boy.

The tsunami of December Christmas events is upon us. I was invited to watch the Nutcracker Ballet through the local chamber. I had a conflict because my wife had a Christmas party to attend. So I shared this opportunity with lots of people in my circle. They later said they had a wonderful time. They showed me pictures of the wonderful costumes and sets. I should have gone. The dancing party was fun but we could have gone to both events. That was regret number one.

You’ve heard about that Little town. No, no ... NOT Chicago! Bethlehem! Yup. That sleepy little town they sing about every Christmas. But do you know why it’s so significant?

My daughter is as creative and artistic as I am so it was nice to critique and connect with the characters. As in real life, the reason thousands … millions of artists labor for their craft, for that one moment of glory, is because they do it for the love of their craft. If you never understood their passion, watch the movie. We were so inspired by the film that we did an impromptu mini-concert of our favorite Broadway and Disney musicals in the living room.

There used to be a time when right was right and wrong was wrong. To steal was wrong. To fight for your country was right. To kill a child was wrong. To save a mother was right. Premarital sex was wrong. To come to the country illegally was wrong. Smoking and Coca Cola was right. The cops were good and the criminals were bad. Trust the priests and the teachers because they will protect your child. To be a lawyer and a politician you had to lie … well I guess not all things have changed.

Whoever said "sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me" was lying. Words do matter. And they can hurt deep. Often, the bruises last longer than any physical wound.

As you read this, I will probably be in La Jolla, CA beside the beach. No, I won't be soaking in the sun. I will be resting in our hotel room while my wife attends a company retreat. Because of my wife's work activities, I have traveled to several US tourist areas. I guess you can call it a blessing. But I enjoy a nice conversation more than any travel.

t's been a while since I've had so many deep conversations with so many people in disconnected settings. It's the season I guess. Late October seems to do that all the time. Next week promises to be just as busy --- I'm meeting with an old friend from Australia whom I haven't seen in 20 years. I'm meeting with 2 of my neighbors for a small business opportunity. Then I will be starting a Bible study with a group of young men who are in career limbo. At the end of the week I will be practicing with a new set of musicians.

Ding!" My phone said there was a new comment on a video about Tornado Chasers which I posted in YouTube (I linked the video below). I didn't think much of it until I saw who it came from.