Chanukah Poem

Feel free to add your own verses of Jewish splendor... It'd be a real mitzvah.

'Twas the night before Chanukah, and on top of the table
Not an object was stirring, not even a dreidel.

The candles were placed in the menorah with care
In hopes that Chanukah Harry soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds
While visions of potato latkes danced in their heads.

And Bubelah in her nightgown and I in my skullcap
Had just settled in for a long Kislev nap.

When outside of the bedroom I heard such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the kitchen, I ran a bit off kilter,
Where I found a sideburned man with his hands in the gefilte.

A little old man dressed in fancy blue rags
Putting out Chanukah gifts with Chanukah gift tags.

He lined all the presents 'round the Chanukah bush;
I nearly yelped for joy but he bade me to shush.

He asked me if we had any snacks kosher;
Having just watched Fargo, I replied, "Oh, sure."

After he'd eaten, he felt kind of heavy...
He gathered his things and jumped into his Chevy.

And as he prepared to speed out of sight,
he shouted:
Happy Chanukah to all--oy vey--and good night!


Originally Posted: Tuesday, December 13, 2006
(Then) Curent Mood: mildly creative
http://blog.myspace.com/yajeev

Christmas music reflections

This blog contains a few thoughts on some different Christmas music...

While I was listening to the King's rendition of Here Comes Santa Claus on Now That's What I Call Christmas Volume 3, I think I finally figured out where Lisa got her childhood idea that God and Santa were best friends (but God was just a little bit more in charge).

This Christmas carol doubles as theological exposition. For example, a few of the lyrics:
"Santa knows we're all God's children, that makes everything right."
"Peace on earth will come to all if we just follow the light, so let's give thanks to the Lord above that Santa Claus comes tonight."

Some thank God for the coming of his son, our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ, but this song sets us straight.


I was also listening to Frosty the Snowman, and for the first time, I realized just how depressing this song is. If you've ever lost a pet and know how heartbreaking that is, imagine how awful it would be to watch your own hand-rolled sprung-to-life snowman playmate melt into oblivion. I nearly teared up.


Finally, a Christmas music recommendation. I have recently re-discovered a charming little album I thoroughly enjoyed in the days of my own youth: Merry Christmas from the Chipmunks. It drives my wife (and mother-in-law) crazy. I can remember sitting Indian style (is that politically correct?) on the floor as a small child in front of the cassette player, listening to this album over and over and over again (probably driving my own folks crazy). I am listening to it as I write this, and I can't help but be overcome by a minor fit of nostalgia... and a bit of a migraine.


Originally Posted: Tuesday, December 8, 2006
(Then) Curent Mood: reflective
http://blog.myspace.com/yajeev

Awkward moment at TGI Fridays

We recently went out to eat with my parents at TGI Fridays (I ate a Dippable Cheesy Bacon Burger). My parents are routinely asking me about my work in graduate school, which, as my readers know, concerns yeast genetics.

They inquired about what I would like to do next, and I mentioned, somewhat flippantly, that I'd probably end up working on a sexier research project, at which point my mom began singing (with feeling), "He's too sexy for his yeast."

I'm not sure if she knows that's not how the song goes.


Originally Posted: Tuesday, December 3, 2006
(Then) Curent Mood: weird
http://blog.myspace.com/yajeev