Date: Sat, 23 Dec 2006 01:17:21 -0500
From: "Will Gorham" <quesera at gmail.com>
Subject: A Particularly Urban Holiday Cheer

I can't sleep. I'm in Philly tonight. It's raining. My darling wife is
sleeping. So are my in laws. They've given us our bed and have taken
the air mattress. Sometimes the holiday spirit is as easy as that. But
I can't sleep. I've been living in the south too long. I miss snow.
It's only cold and raining tonight in the city. Nothing is just white,
nothing is pure and even. But the air has that brittle viciousness
that promises something wintry, if not snow then at least sustained
cold, and at least two desperate homeless men per block of walking.
But even they are huddled under boxes now. And even they would tell me
that I should be asleep by now. And I should. But I miss home, back
where it's 62 degrees with no chance of snow. That's the thing. I'm
not in the market for chances anymore. I'm in the market for the real
deal. If no snow is in the forecast then don't tempt me. If it's
hurricane season, then just hit me hard. If another year has passed,
then let me teach myself by accomplishment. I'm thinking maybe it's
august. Maybe that's good enough. I haven't been drinking, I've just
been sleeping. I'm not sure which is better, which worse. But the
truth is the truth, sometimes. And every day is one day closer to
Christmas for every day in the year except for one. I've got all my
shopping done, at least. I'm American, at least. Now I can rest, I
suppose.

Will Gorham A'98