Musings (off-topic and non-technical)

[Dpshans@AOL.COM]

     I've got a little different "take" on Christmas.  Before becoming a 
life-long student of the piano, I worked for a Grocery/Drug Store chain.  We 
went to buying shows to order our Christmas merchandise the previous March, 
praying that we were guessing correctly nine months in advance.  The 
merchandise began clogging up our warehouse starting in late August/early 
September.  At closing time on Halloween, we'd "pull an all-nighter" to box 
up leftover Halloween debris, and set out the Christmas merchandise.  

     From November 1st on, you could count on: no vacation, ungodly hours, 
stressed out employees and customers, you didn't DARE call in sick, etc., 
etc., etc.  I came to actually hate Christmas.  Since I left that life, I 
give a little thanks each and every day that I chose to pursue this craft and 
profession that we enjoy.  I haven't seen any Christmas commercials, yet, but 
since changing, it seems to me like Christmas comes REAL LATE each year.  And 
for some strange reason I don't mind tuning the old school upright for the 
Christmas Pageant, or for that last minute Christmas party that "We forgot to 
call you for."  

     Take care, all, and enjoy the upcoming holiday season.

Dan Dannenfelser
Sacramento, CA