The Twelve Days of Celebrity Christmas

Are they over? Not the Iowa caucuses, silly, the holidays.

Yes, we heard Obama clinched Iowa and we're thrilled. Thrilled beyond expression. Edwards second place finish wasn't so squeaky when considering how outspent and under reported in comparison to Clinton. No sympathy whatsoever for Billary. We can only pray she gets the message to exit sooner rather than later. She should allow the presumptive nominee, Obama, to use some of that treasure trove in the general election. Wonder how much she'll try to squirrel away for another senate campaign.

Huckabee creamed the competition as expected. No surprises there. Giuliani's failure to register in the top tier, however, knocked a lot of wind out of our sails. I would have thought Thompson had no chance whatsoever. Instead, his third place finish leaves Hunter dead in the water, and Rudy extremely vulnerable in New Hampshire.

Biden and Dodd are goners. Bye fellows, it was nice thinking I'd be able to vote for one of you. Thanks a lot, Iowa, you always know how to spoil a good party. I didn't get to drink a beer and the cops are already sending people home.

As the holidays come to a close, and the race moves ahead to New Hampshire, I'm bracing myself for the long haul...February 6th. If there's no assumed winners by then, all hell may break loose at the conventions.

This party may not have to end so abruptly after all.

Well, celebrity fans, there's a new kid on the block. By chance, I came across the kid's "Twelve Days of Celebrity Christmas" and thought it was a classy way end to the holidays. Classy in a very cheesy sort of way. Soon, people will be taking down their Christmas lights (everyone but your next door neighbor), the hum drum will return, and we'll all be looking forward to spring.

By the time convetion season rolls around, I might need a good soak in the Velvet Hot Tub, if not to lick my political wounds, then for the sheer enjoyment of rejuvenation.

Don't tell our virtual Hollywood correspondent, Moan Quivers, about the "-alicious" suffix in the title panel. She definitively said the next person who describes something with the dreaded "-alicious," they were going to get a spiked heel up their butt. Ouch.

My Nephew Ethan.

My brother and his son Ethan are here visiting for the holidays and it has been fun to spend time with them both but especially the little guy. He is so sweet, innocent and brimming full of happiness. He is two years old and full of life, joy and full belly laughs.

<---(James with Ethan in his red pajamas).

He refers to himself as "Ethan" rather then, "me" or "I." For example, "Ethan like milk," or "Ethan do it." He still hasn't grasped the whole duality delusion and so it is beautiful to watch a pure being like himself who hasn't made the distinction between his name, himself and the world around him yet.

He sees things as nameless right now, a reality that we adults spend hours meditating to redevelop. He is starting to understand though that he is being forced into a world that is obsessed with distinctions, labels, perceptions and the worship of the individual.

Therefore he keeps asking what objects are "named" and feels frustrated when he can't figure out our complex language of parsing words and splitting the reality of oneness into trillions of pieces. (Above: Ethan playing with this toy helicopter)

I think that one of the reasons that we enjoy children and need them around (besides keeping humanity going) is that they are some of the best teachers around. They remind us to take pleasure in that little bug crawling along in the dirt, to laugh a lot and not be afraid to act silly. They remind us to accept people for who they are rather than feeling we have to change everyone to fit our model of, "How people should act/live."

Ethan, I love you buddy.

~Peace to all beings~