Reflections on Christmas from dawn to dusk

Dear Followers,

About Christmas. It never travels far from the Roushanzamir household. It has been a week since the start of 2012 but as you can see the Christmas tree is still up.

Are Maman & Papa merely procrastinating? The horrible truth is that the Christmas trees stay in place all year long. Christmas trees, Christmas lights, Christmas cards, Christmas decorations, Christmas stockings, even Christmas music dominate the decor of all but my own very small loft apartment. The worst of course is that there's one major omission of the Christmas season revelry: No More Gifts.

What are Maman et Papa afraid of? Letting go of the general jollity? Fear that their lives will pale to a tepid gray without the (spurious) sparkle of what, let's face it, are tawdry symbols of a highly solumn if joyous holiday. Perhaps these accourterments symbolize their attempt to bring joy, if not to the world, at least to out household.

Or could it just be that Maman et Papa are indeed procrastinating and that days turn into weeks into years into decades and so come to define the lives of my darling, if eccentric, my very darling Maman et Papa..

Dear Santa, 2011

Dear Darling Santa,

Thank you for bringing me some presents, some of which I like. You are the kindest, nicest man ever and I count you as my very best friend. It's wonderful that you take the time to visit me each year but I know that you see me when I'm sleeping and know when I'm awake 24/7.



To summarize: I did not get the Hide 'em and Find 'em plush toy with several small blue balls. On the other hand, I'm grateful for the antler chew toy and the long-needed china food bowl. I received a vintage reindeer toy but clearly that was for Maman. The candy cane chew toy's okay; it's not real candy. I was especially hoping for the I'm Beggin' Ya Treat Box (big size). But although that didn't materialize, I'm rather relieved not to have received a Burberry sweater (or for that matter any sweater).

[May I say, dear Santa, in all honesty that when it comes to the gifts, I was hoping for more?]

As for Maman and Papa, their gift experience was also mixed: no Mercedes, no 10ct. emerald cut, set in platinum diamond ring. Papa opened package after package of clothing. But he also found a Doctor Who hologram chamber and a special "Brown Betty" tea pot under the (rosemary) table top tree. And his loot included a Smiley's People DVD. Maman's hopes for Co Co Chanel perfume were rewarded. On the other hand, she has already returned her new warm winter coat. They both did receive thick warm socks.

We shared Christmas dinner with Pam, Sophie and Lily and that was wonderful. Great drink, food and conversation! Their tree was spectacular, the girls and Pam are beautiful, and everyone treated me as an honored guest. They appreciated the gifts I brought them--a cornucopia of fancy makeup, tough-cool black leather gloves for Pam, and $50 cash for each of the girls.

I have used my time this holiday season constructively. I've paid special attention to perfecting the combo winsome-wistful sideways Glance. I've steadily improved and at present the Glance is liberally rewarded with holiday treats, those reserved for doggies and those intended for strictly human consumption.

So, Santa, although I have some reservations, Christmas has been a happy holiday. I hope your Christmas was the best ever, that you in your turn received desired gifts and tasty treats, and that now you take a well deserved rest basking in the knowledge of a job well done.

I love you Santa, very very much. I hope you love me too.

Santa's Visit

Below, find the letter I mailed to Santa on behalf of the Roushanzamir family. It's rather lengthy. Please persevere. The letter is followed by our success rate and analysis.

2006 Letter to Santa [Christmas Gift Request Letter for the Roushanzamir Family]:

Dear, Wonderful Santa,

On behalf of myself and my Papa & Mama here find our lists of What We Want for Christmas. We have all been very well behaved: no pouting, no crying, no shouting, and etc. In other words, we've all been really good indeed. All year long.

[OK: for the sake of honesty we've all been as good as can be expected. And we hope that, with promises for even better behavior next year (2007), you'll feel free to honor our wishes this year (2006).]

In alphabetical order by first name:

Mama:

1 cool African market basket from Earth Fare

1 soft silk and cashmere sweater, long & lean style

Doctor Who - The Key to Time Collection (1975)
Doctor Who - The Talons of Weng-Chiang (1975)

Doctor Who - Earthshock (Episode 122) from
Doctor Who - The Five Doctors (Episode 130)
The Maigret DVD Collection

A special Queen's coronation box

Dickens' leather-bound writing journal

Bezzel-set diamond necklace set in 18-carat gold

Mercury:

No need to include my wishes here. I've emailed my wish list far ahead of time with the caveat that if you don't receive it, I'll resend. So let me know.

Saeidy:

$50 gift certificate from Old Navy
Avenger’s calander
All-England football wind jacket
Western-style belt

Santa, I've spent a great deal of time & care assembling these lists for our family.

One factor stands out: Mama's list is the longest.

Please don't hold this against her or think her greedy. The truth of the matter: Mama is my hero. Although I take her for granted, I know she's the one who stays with me all day long and puts my needs before her own. I do not mean to imply that Papa & I do not equally deserve consideration. Simply put, although the length of Mama's list is greater, her actions should not be considered avaricious nor be counted as Bad Behavior.

Santa, we all love you & think of you throughout each year (not only close to Christmas time). Are you doing well? We hope so. Say hello to Mrs. Santa and all your pals at the North Pole.

Finally, we hope you can slip down our chimney despite the fact that a block was put up on the roof to keep out undesirables; but that does not mean you!

Lots of Love from your good friend ,
Mercury Murphy Roushanzamir

p.s. One more note about Mama's list. Perhaps Saeid will get her the African market basket. Contact him so there's no duplication

************************************************************************

The Results:

Apparently the letter was received; as a group we had an 90% success rate [margin of error +/- 3].

For example, Although I'd asked for 3 rapping plush dog toys, I received only one. It was, however, my first choice. When squeezed, it raps: "D--O--G D--O--G what you gonna do, what you gonna do when they come for you?"

Mama did find all the requested Dr. Who dvd/s except "The Talons of Weng-Chiang." She received the leather-bound Dickens journal. Sadly the Maigret dvd/s were not under the tree [a living Cypress]. Nor was there an African basket. She knew the diamond necklace was a long shot anyway; it may have been her demise [see analysis below].

Saeid's every wish was granted.

Analysis :

Mama, in making her [too] many requests, overstepped the boundaries of good gift requesting taste. Her faux-pas was noted, despite my well-crafted plea.

Mercury: Admittedly many of my requests were for the arcane, the mysterious, the rare. So I don't complain; with the exception of a spa robe [which Mama has agreed to return & exchange], all my presents were toys. No sweaters, pj/s or cute doggie accessories [see the September 7, 2006 entry for the suggestive books regarding smaller dogs' preferences].

As for Saeid, it seems that Santa agrees with the allegation that "Saeid's the nicest guy in Athens." I include the quotation marks for good reason: how many times have I listened to Athenians from the day, townies, and newcomers alike make that remark.

Finally: As you may know, Mama serves as my photographer as well as fulfilling other support functions. But, replete with Christmas food & drink, a recuperation period is in order.

Shots of the best of the best gifts from Santa will appear in due course as will tips for crafting your own letter to Santa in 2007.