I'm extending this wish to each and every reader and contributor from every team that visits this fine site.

I've lived overseas for a large portion of my life and away from my family for nearly all of my adult life so I'm not a big holiday guy, but I do enjoy this time of year, mainly for the time off from work.  I usually work on the actual holiday but it evens out.

I'm currently living in Abu Dhabi.  I stopped off at a mall on the way home last night to look, unsuccessfully it turned out, for some mineral oil.  It's a new mall and most of the stores aren't actually there yet so I got turned around while trying to figure out where the hell I'd parked.  While wandering, I was pleasantly surprised(not sure why, it's a tolerant Muslim society here) to hear Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer over the muzak system.  I actually thought about Christmas for a reason other than making sure to remember to give everyone a phone call.

It's probably(the cynic in me) purely commercial as there are more expats here than natives, but who knows?  I even got a Merry Christmas from the cute Filipina that works at the liquor store.

Now that you've clicked back due to boredom I'll ask for special thoughts, plans, or odd occurrences during this holiday season from everyone.

Who's planning on attending their teams' bowl game and what are you most looking forward to while there, aside from victory?  I already burned my vacation so no go for me.  Next Rose Bowl though, I'll be there!

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and thanks to everyone for probably being a larger part of my life than you should be.

cheers,

Dick