Saturday, December 21, 2002

New category today on Hyperbole:  Hyperbole Submissions.  Some of my literate friends have inquired about whether I'll post things they write.  And this is it.  I don't intend to take general submissions, so don't take offense to that if I turn you down if I don't know you.  Anyway, today's entry is from my main main Scott Jorgensen, and wrestles with the pros and cons of snow in Minnesota.  Check it out.  9:50:44 PM    Let's hear it. []

Christmas in Tunisia v. 2 Of course, everybody knows that it gets harder and harder to get into the Christmas spirit as you get older. All of my most positive memories of Christmases past (and that's not to imply that I have negative memories of Christmas--I have nothing but good ones) are centered around ages three to thirteen. There's just a certain feeling that disappears when you get older. Perhaps it's "present greed" but I think it's more that there's just something magical about the seasons--part of it is the presents, but there's also family connections and a general sense of community. I'm not trying to wax eloquent about how lovely the Christmas spirit is. I'm just saying that some of the magic goes away, perhaps never to return. I'm hoping it comes back as my daughters get older. This is really the subject for another essay, perhaps. But I'll tell you what--it's awfully hard to get really into the spirit here in Tunisia. I'm not sure what it is exactly, but there are a few things that stand out: --The weather. It's warm. I understand it has snowed a lot on the East Coast. I miss that. --The lack of Christmas music, Salvation Army bell ringers, Christmas crapola in stores, Christmas lights, Christmas trees, Christmas specials on TV, Christmas sales, Christmas candy, etcetera. --All the Muslims. I suspect it's a combination. It's a bit stunning to admit that the commercialization  of Christmas has taken over so fully that it defines, at least in part, what the Christmas experience is for me.  I have to completely retool my perception of the season when I'm not reminded by the blaring of Holly Jolly Christmas over the intercom at the grocery store.  At any rate, it's December 21, and I can remember the days when there were less than five days to wait, and I was about to pee my pants all the time. Now I am looking forward to it, like I always do, but it's not like it always is, because I don't feel like it's Christmas. I feel like it's December in Tunisia. We put up our tree today, which helps. But then again, it's a fake tree. 9:29:19 PM    Let's hear it. []