Christmastime!!

Lots to do. No time to do it.

Lots to say. No time to say it.

Hopefully, I will fit some time in my schedule for a long post tonight, but for now it will have to wait.

We got a tree last night, but haven't had time to trim. We've purchased a couple of gifts, but haven't had time for real shopping.

School Board meeting this week. Holiday get-togethers. Work. Church. Kids. Arrgh!

Better get to it.

Mother Dimm

Yesterday, I took my mother to see a cornea specialist. She's been complaining about seeing at a distance. She's all but stopped driving.

The doctor said she may have glacoma, but it's unlikely. She wants to do a test. More serious is the development of cataracts. Mom is going to wait until April to deal with either/both.

Although this was an important eye doctor visit, the day was more a chance to allow Mom a chance to talk. She talked about Dad. She talked about her brothers and sisters. She talked about people we knew.

She gave me a chance to brag about my family. Overall, it was a good day.

Guess I better get back to work.

House M.D. and Cuddy

I have written before about this show which, despite it's many faults, may be the best dramatic show on television. No offense to those who love any of the CSI shows or L&O shows or Desperate Housewives. House M.D. is entertaining and thought provoking. Plus, I don't watch a lot of TV, so I stick with what I like.

Each year the writers devise extended arcs. These arcs have often included romances between characters, often involving House. They started the year with best friend Wilson wanting to leave the hospital after the death of his girlfriend, presumably caused by House. It wasn't a bad arc. This one ended with the odd "trip to Dad's funeral".

Now we have the "Are House and Cuddy going to get together" story line. Part of me hopes that it ended this past Tuesday night, when Cuddy spotted House with another giggling woman when she was about to throw herself it him (we think). I don't think we're so lucky.

Writers and producers can read a calendar. My guess is that this "romance" will last through the February sweeps period. FOX will encourage viewers to keep up with the story line while the show moves from Tuesday to Monday. Then they will move to another arc to finish the season.

Actually, this is not a new story line. It has simply gone from subtle pretext to a prominent discussion each week. Was it just a year ago where, when House made an outlandish comment about the two of them getting together, Cuddy said "That boat sailed long ago"? Sounded to me like they already had an affair once.

Wilson is gently pushing the two together. The two of them are fighting it. You feel that Cuddy has been waiting for this. Sure, she's dated other men. She's tried to have a baby. She's tried to adopt. But all the while, she's been waiting for House to come around.

I'm not certain how this could not end badly. She's his boss. If he ruins her self-perception (and why wouldn't he, just for kicks), she could easily fire him. Who would follow him out the door? Cameron? Doubtful. Kutner? Maybe. Either that or she would quit the hospital. That would allow for a new hospital administrator. Wouldn't that be fun!

Foreman is just waiting for his chance to take over for House. Now would be an excellent time.

As screwy as all this is, knowing the writers, they will work their way out of this paper bag. Meanwhile, we'll have fun watching.

Barack Obama and Bill Richardson

I don't know a lot about politics.

That said, I think Barack Obama may have missed a good opportunity. This week, he announced Hillary Clinton as his Secretary of State and Bill Richardson as his Secretary of Commerce.

He may find out that the two people should have switched positions.

Richardson has vast foreign policy experience. Far more than Mrs. Clinton. He would have been an excellent choice for that position.

Mrs. Clinton will do well, don't get me wrong. If anything, she will help deflect the news each day from Obama, which he will need heading into this administration. Still, she complained that with Obama there would be "on the job training". I feel we are going to have the same thing with Mrs. Clinton in this position.

Finally, if there were two people capable of "on the job training", it is Obama and Clinton. They have shown the ability to learn and lead. This is far from a gaffe by Obama. Just politics in play where the best choice was set aside.

What troubles me the most is that Richardson is 61. I was hoping he would run again in eight years, but he shouldn't at 69, anymore than McCain should have run in 2008. Still, Richardson will be a strong ally in this administration. The players are just about set. Let's go!!!

December

I can't believe it is December already. Christmas is quickly coming up the road. If anyone has any ideas for a special gift for my wife, something out of the ordinary, let me know. She deserves it so much. She is my special friend and this year has been hard for so many reasons. I would really like to do something special.

My son and daughter will be happy with what we have planned this year. We haven't talking much about my oldest and her fiance, but we'll come up with something.

Above all, be careful this holiday. We just had our first snow and ice for the 2008-09 winter season. It amazes me how people drive so close in this weather. Give yourself some braking room and be safe on the roads, okay?

If you have to drink, please don't drive. There is a former employee who was killed by a drunk driver the day before Thanksgiving. She was 25 years old and left a daughter behind. She was not drinking. Please remember those who you could hurt if you get behind the wheel.

I'll say it one more time: Be safe this holiday! And smile!