Happy New Year

2009 is going, and 2010 is almost here. It promises to be a humdinger of a year. Yessir, a humdinger.

Sorry, I have no idea what that was.

Valerie and I have learned that the twins we are expecting are fraternal-one boy and one girl. This is probably the best combination, especially for Tessa. Also there's virtually no chance of mixing them up like with identical twins. Which is good for all of us.

So needless to say it's going to be quite a challenge. We are already getting their room together slowly but surely. We are also doing our best to prepare Tessa for what's about to happen to her little world. It's hard to explain to a 20 month old, so we're just getting her used to the idea of 2 babies in the house (and in Mommy's tummy). For Christmas we got her twin baby dolls whom she promptly named Princess and Chicken. She's off the naming committee. But it's cute.

And as if that weren't enough, it appears that the Blue Tattoo CD will finally see the light of day this coming year, which means a lot of work to get it into people's hands and some gigging to promote it. On top of new babies, one very cute toddler, and a full time day job. I am going to be busy. Looking forward to it though-who needs sleep, right?

Anyway, I'm kinda glad to see this new year approaching. I've never been much of one to do the whole New Year's Eve thing. I don't like dealing with the drunks on Amateur Night (it's only slightly better the rest of the time), and midnight on the 31st of Dec. in any year doesn't mean much to me. Sure, the calendar moves but I don't feel any different. My new year begins on my birthday (July 18th-mark your calendars now people) and yours starts on your birthday too. But still, I understand the hype and since I am a member of society I accept the convention-if nothing else just for organization's sake.

So happy new year everybody. I'm hoping it's a good one for my family-and for yours too.

Your pal,
Dave

P.S.-Best of 2009 year in wrap up coming soon.

Have Yourself A Groovy Little Christmas

Hi. My name's Dave and I'm a Christmas Music addict. I'm not proud of it, but I am. Eleven months out of the year I'm a musical elitist, focusing on rock and roll (all types), outlaw country and whatever else comes my way that's got some integrity to it. But round about the end of November I spaz out and get lost in fa-la-la-la-la-la land. Fortunately my wife does the same thing so we're all good over here at the Brink household.

Between the two of us, Valerie and I have amassed roughly 40 different Christmas CDs, and we're not done yet. Of course, some get played more than others as we each have our favorites. Which got me thinking...what are my all time favorite Christmas songs? An almost impossible question, as there are only a handful I don't like. Besides, favorites change year to year.

So I can't make a list of favorites (not an honest one anyway) but I can make a playlist. Now, I've made many Christmas comps over the years, most of which have the same title mentioned above. I'm not doing one this year (just did some last year and I need more new stuff to choose from until I do another), but if I were to make one tonight here's what it would be.

1.Step Into Christmas-Elton John
2.It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year-Andy Williams
3.Holly Jolly Christmas-Burl Ives
4.Sleigh Ride-The Ronettes
5.Silent Night-Elvin Bishop
6.Please Come Home For Christmas-Pat Benatar
7.Fairytale Of New York-The Pogues w/Christy MacColl
8.Christmas Is Coming-The Payolas
9.It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas-Perry Como and the Fontane Sisters
10.Jingle Bells-Frank Sinatra
11.Home For The Holidays-Perry Como
12.God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen-Th' Legendary Shack Shakers
13.Here Comes Santa Claus-The Mills Bothers
14.Run, Run Rudolph-Dave Edmunds
15.Happy X-Mas (War Is Over)-The Alarm
16.I'll Be Home For Christmas-Aimee Mann
17.Silver Bells-Dean Martin
18.O Come All Ye Faithful-Nat King Cole
19.Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas-Robert Goulet
20.The Christmas Song-Tony Bennett

And put that sucker on repeat.

I know, there's lots of cool stuff I missed. And I used some odd versions there, but I stand by them all. Y'know now that I think about it, these might be my favorites. Well, at least for right now. I guess I could've put some more country songs on "Pretty Paper" springs to mind...and one of those Rev. Horton Heat songs would be cool...maybe The Kinks...okay see, that's how it works. I could do this for hours. So let's just leave it how it is for now, okay? There's always next year.

Feliz Navidad!

Damn, forgot that one too.

These Halls Could Use Some Deckin'

The lights are hung outside. Presents are being bought. Carols are being sung. The decorations are out (though not all up yet). This means only one thing. Christmas is fast approaching.

So is Valerie's birthday (Dec. 12th). It is tradition in the Brink household that we buy our tree on her birthday, or as close to it as possible. That's right, we're real tree people.If you've ever been in our house come December, you've been near a real honest-to-goodness Christmas tree. Just as God intended.

Okay, I know some of you are fake tree people and I'm sorry. Not that I may offend you, but that you're all cheaters. No, only joking. I would like to discuss the matter a bit though. Let's look at the arguments for and against the real trees.

1.The most recent argument is from the environmental crowd who claim that it's wrong to kill a tree for decorative purposes, and harmful to the environment to boot. Phooey. A real tree can be reused. Some small trees can be replanted and take root again if done properly. Larger trees are generally ground up and used for mulch. From the earth back to the earth. Artificial trees are usually made of plastics and other materials which are non-biodegradable. So once they've lived out their usefulness, these things just sit in a land fill taking up space. Forever.

2. Artificial trees are easier. Granted, finding a tree, putting it up, watering it, caring for it and decorating the real tree can be laborious. But, with the fake trees you still have to put them together and decorate them each year. Plus, after a few years the "branches" begin to loose their shape and you have to fluff each one up individually (virtually guaranteeing a mouthful of dust). We'll call this one a tie.

3. The smell bothers my allergies. Okay, I'll give you that one, although many trees have a very light scent. Also, we have had people with severe allergies over to the house during Christmas and no-one's ever complained or felt poorly. Besides, I have winter allergies but I take a pill daily and I'm not bothered. So come on over-I've got extra Claritin.

4. Real trees are messy. Yes, they are. So wear gloves when you move it, vacuum the needles and quit whining. The points go to the real trees on this one because only sissies and lame-os make this argument.

And the last argument to be made is for Tradition. With a capital T (which rhymes with P and that stands for presents. Sorry.) Anyway, tradition. That's a big part of Christmas. A real tree decorated for Christmas dates back to the 16th century in Germany and 1851 in America. How much more traditional can you get? Real trees can be a wonderful tradition for families. I used to love going out with my father to find the perfect tree-whether we cut it down ourselves or found it on a lot. It was a bonding experience at Christmas time. As a child, I was always in charge of checking on the water each night and helping to fill the stand when needed. Caring for the tree combined with the fragrance in the air made me feel good all month long. And that's how we should all feel when we see our trees. An appreciation for nature, family and love at Christmas time.

So, have I changed any minds? Gonna stick with your artificial tree? Or are you ready to make the plunge and get a big awesome tree this year? How about a raggelly ol' Charlie Brown tree?

Well, either way, enjoy your tree. Make sure it looks really nice, and maybe sing some carols and make some popcorn or eat candy canes while you decorate it. Make it a special part of your Christmas celebrations. Deck them halls people. Deck 'em.

Back soon with a Christmas music post. And maybe I can use the word "phooey" again. That was fun.