You must have been warned against letting the golden hours slip by; but some of them are golden only because we let them slip by. ~James Matthew Barrie

It’s very possible that, at 26 years old, you will find yourself lying on the floor, playing the same games you played when you were six. And it will be awesome.

There is one thing more likely than any other to make me buy a book. It’s not the cover, it’s not a starred review in publisher’s weekly, it’s not a radio ad, and it’s not the amazon sales rank of the book.

I am most likely to buy a book (or anything else discretionary for that matter… movies, music, games) when someone I know and trust has mentioned enjoying it. One little, trusted, “oh yeah, that was good,” from the right people (and there are probably 30 people in my life that would make the list), and I’m on board to acquire whatever was mentioned.

I think a lot of commerce has shifted this way. We don’t have trusted spokespersons anymore — there are some who still try, but I just don’t put much stock in what a famous person gets paid to tell me.  It’s a good thing too, or I’d be buying gold from Glenn Beck and speed skaters from Stephen Colbert.

Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. ~Benjamin Franklin

I love new years!

Wrestling Day today… I mean, er, Boxing Day. Beauty. Good day to be a hockey fan too. There are like 10 games on today. If you can’t find a hockey game you want to watch today, you’re probably not a hockey fan. And that’s okay too… there should be some football for you. Meanwhile, enjoy your family. Eat leftovers. We’ll see you back here on Monday.

you're the best, Daniel!

This time of year, a side of me comes out that otherwise seldom surfaces. I speak, of course, of the Ebay ninja. Capable of tracking multiple auctions at once, the Ebay ninja swoops in with just seconds left on an auction, and wins. It’s kind of like the old finishing moves in Mortal Kombat — everyone knew who was going to win, it was just made final in that moment.

I wonder about the other people watching these auctions, hoping to win, know what is about to hit them? I’m guessing probably not. I am a ninja after all. I sneak in. Typically, I only bid once… the winning bid, of course.

It must be sad, sitting there, thinking you’re about to win someone else’s hunk of junk for a price that’s probably too high, then having me steal it away from you. I’m sorry for the angst it causes. Sounds like you need to practice.

Pain does not exist in this dojo, does it?
No, Sensei.

The snow event we experience in Southern WV over the weekend continues to keep us hill-bound. Two feet of snow in relatively flat areas of the world is bad enough, but put it on hill sides that an inch can render impassible, and you really might start wondering how much of a stockpile you need to keep through the winter.

It’s been fun, though. It’s provided a lot of sweet family time, as well as some much needed relaxing around the Mackay household. I think Luke is a little stir crazy, but Rebecca and I are pretty well content. Why not sleep the day away? It’s not like we can go anywhere.

It reminds me that there was a time when families didn’t travel more than 15 miles… pretty well ever. There was a time where being on your side of the hill without leaving for a week was normal, acceptable, and expected. There was a time when neighbors were also friends (and more than likely Family, too). Not that I despise our way of life, but I’ll admit that the romantic in me wonders what it would’ve been like to live another way.

(not my Christmas tree)

Okay, so I’m a sap for Christmas. Its almost as bad at New Years, but we’ll save that for next week’s post. I love Christmas for the traditions, for the family time, and most of all, for the time spent remembering the Saviour. I love to throw on Andrew Peterson’s Behold the Lamb of God and drink a cup of something hot and savour the time of year. In three days, it’ll be “All done work, let’s celebrate the coming of Jesus.” I can’t wait.