Hey, Santa

Watched Miracle of 34th Street last night. The one with Richard Attenborough. I love that movie. I especially love that moment when the guy leans out the window of the courtroom and says "Santa Claus wins!"

I'm sure I already mentioned that it was my own mom who told me there was no Santa. But as I got older I kind of half believed there was, at least some sort of benevolent holiday spirit that made magic happen. I really want Christmas to be a magical time for Alex so he has those nice Christmas memories. The magic seems to be taking its time this year though.

I remembered when we were in Algeria. Many of the contractors had small kids and they got together and had a kids party. They asked my dad to be Santa, complete with a white beard and big belly (which he does not normally have) and the red suit. Some of the six year olds were just starting to doubt, I think. All the parents were good about not mentioning to their kids that there would be a special visitor at the party. All the kids were playing and suspecting nothing when there was a knock at the door. My dad strode in in full Santa garb. You should have seen the faces on the older kids. It was like "holy crap, he does exist!" I almost believed it myself for a minute.

This is what I wish you all this Christmas or Chanukkah or Kwanzaa or Saturnalia or whatever holiday you choose to celebrate - that priceless moment of realizing the magic is happening. May you all be well and have a table full of food and a heart full of joy.

Paying it Forward

This from the lovely Glacia, who in turn got it here. It's a crafty pay it forward scheme. You make three things for people not expecting anything in return and then those people have to do that for other three people. I am totally on board and may just do that off blog as well. But if anyone would like to be the recipient of my PIF crafts, let me know on or off blog. You in turn will take a part in the PIF movement for others. It's sort of like a chain letter... but good.

Oh, btw, I don't know when these PIF goodies will be available, but definitely in 2008! Promise!

Yas'm

Certain people at work have been getting up my nose. I have the un-fun task (actually, it's mind-numbingly dull and has very little to do with technical writing) of doing layout for a manual. This means no writing, but putting everything in Adobe FrameMaker and making sure things look OK. There is one Research person who sees herself as better than most, at least better than technical writers. She stopped me as I was going to my desk the other day (literally had not yet sat down, had on my outside shoes and handbag). This is the conversation that ensued.

Stuck-up R&D Person: Oh, good morning. We will need to talk about the tables you will put in my chapters sometime soon.

Pengirl: Oh, OK.

SRDP: I don't know what you can do. Can you make them look good?

Pengirl: Well, I guess so.

SRDP: (Reminiscing) I used to have this wonderful technical writer (read servant). I just used to give her things and she made them look good without asking. She just did it! It was Sarah, have you ever met her?

Pengirl: I think I met her once (remembering someone extremely full of herself and rude).

SRDP: Well, I guess I'll come over and explain later what I'd like you to do with the tables.

Pengirl: (sorely tempted to say: tables, I thought those were them things you rich folk eat on) OK, bring some examples though.
(walks away stomping)

Let me explain. Technical communicators write procedural information. In fact, I wrote a chapter for the same manual. We are not in charge of making things look pretty. Graphic designers do that. Unfortunately, at this company, technical writers also do layout. R&D people often think that is the only thing we do. Well, certain R&D people. There is one lady who is great and totally respects the work we do. I suppose I should not be so hard on SRDP. She has a freaky looking daughter, so I suppose her life is not easy. No, really this kid has the face of a 30-year-old on a baby's body. I try not to stare at her picture every time I pass by SRDP's desk.

It's December!

And that means Christmas is near, pilgrims! This year I'm hoping little hands will help decorate the tree and will not make it fall over too many times.

I'm teaching him about Santa. Basically, telling him "Santa will be here soon and bring you many presents, etc." He looks at me with a very philosophical expression on his little face. I fear we will need to take him to a mall to show him "the real thing."

Got my Finnfeelings bling today. 'Tis gorgeous. Mind, I also asked my hubby for some bling for under the tree. I am all about the bling.

So love working at home. Can get bling by mail... enjoy some afternoon delights with my sweet honey... hold my munchkin on my knee as I type. Love it.