What is the number one issue in the election?

Poll: Bullshit Is Most Important Issue For 2008 Voters

So why do atheists celebrate Christmas?

It’s not the gifts, it’s not the gaudy decorations. It’s the spirit.

When I was a child, Christmas time meant so many things. Parties in school, snow on the ground, snooping around my parent’s bedroom for hidden presents. The air was filled with a sense of anticipation and joy that was not present most of the year. The calendar was marked down with X’s on the dates of December, and every new X meant that special day was coming.

Of course, I loved the presents. But I loved the atmosphere, too. My parents are very social people. During the holiday season, there would be friends and relatives dropping over to say hello, have a drink, maybe a bite to eat. The Christmas tree glowed and sparkled and the windows were covered with those plastic, colorful decorations depicting Santa and snowmen and angels.

Christmas is about traditions. For as long as I can remember, we would gather at my aunt’s house on Christmas Eve - we still do - enjoying an Italian feast of fish and pasta, at least 40 of us crowded into the fully decorated basement. We exchanged presents and Santa came and the grownups were all happy and carefree and festive. We would go home late, get tucked into bed and then lay there for what seemed like hours, too excited to sleep. It was a great night to be a kid.

Ada Calhoun, editor-in-chief of Babble

A message from 138 Sunni, Shi'ite, and Sufi scholars

[It notes that Christmas came just after the Muslim haj pilgrimage to Mecca and the Feast of Sacrifice (Eid al Adha) recalling how the Prophet Abraham almost sacrificed his son.]

"Al-Salaamu Aleikum, Peace be upon you, Pax Vobiscum

God's refusal to let Abraham sacrifice his son ... is to this day a divine warrant and a most powerful social lesson for all followers of the Abrahamic faiths, to ever do their utmost to save, uphold and treasure every human life and especially the lives of every single child.

May the coming year be one in which the sanctity and dignity of human life is upheld by all... May it be a year of humble repentance before God and mutual forgiveness within and between communities."

A Christmas Message from Buddha

May All Beings Be Happy!

Whatever living beings there be: feeble or strong, tall, stout or medium, short, small or large, without exception; seen or unseen, those dwelling far or near, those who are born or those who are to be born, may all beings be happy!

Let none deceive another, not despise any person whatsoever in any place. Let him not wish any harm to another out of anger or ill-will.

Just as a mother would protect her only child at the risk of her own life, even so, let him cultivate a boundless heart towards all beings...

Ho Ho Ho

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful, peaceful, and delightful day. We are looking forward to seeing everyone on the 30th. (As long as it doesn't snow!)

Jan and Steve

Possible Reunion Activities

Santa has an accident....

This Santa video is pretty funny. Click here.

Yippee for Jimmy

Jim! . . . Jim!! . . . I can't express how much I appreciate your organization and your choice of living quarters. I just looked at the house and it is magnificent. Our family is counting down the days until the reunion. Have a groovy Christmas.

Reunion Information

Folks - The week-long birthday party for Gary begins on the 30th of December. So here's some info for you.

The address of the house is: 1791 Hekpa Drive, South Lake Tahoe, CA, 96150The website for the house is : http://www.vrbo.com/88533

Here is a google map

In light of the huge response to volunteer to take dinner nights - we've made tentative assignments for dinner responsibilities (see Harrivegan website: http://harrivegan.blogspot.com/ ). Let me know if this doesn't work for someone. For those of you who are not assigned - Beware - you are at the mercy of one professional chef and a bunch of rank amateurs in the food service gig (although Cadyn and Evan are accomplished at delivering beer). So far, I know of three vegans, and the vast majority left are carnevoirs. '

The most people will be in attendance on the 2nd of January - so that has been designated as the Offical Gary Birthday Bash.

Bring you're Wii, games, DVD, CD, & QXPs.

Here's information about the accommodations (from the lease):

• Check in time: 3pm on December 30th
• 5 vehicles can park in the driveway; we'll have to figure out where to put the others.
• DO NOT PARK INTO THE STREET OR ON THE STREET ! The City of South Lake Tahoe snow removal equipment will be clearing the streets during and after snow storms, and will tow your cars as well as fine you if they are in the street or extending out of the driveway into the street.
• Don't mess with the bears!
• Take off boots when entering house; plan for house shoes, socks, or bare feet in the house. Prize for the most bizarre house shoes.
• No pets. I thought California was pet friendly – but I guess not.
• NO SMOKING in the house.
• Heating controls can be adjusted to desired temperature by using the thermostat on the dining room wall and the wall by the downstairs bathroom. Firewood will also be available.
• Dishes, utensils, and cookware are provided.
• Toilet paper, liquid soap, shampoo and hair dryer are provided for your convenience.
• The outside garbage cans are at the end of the driveway. Please make sure garbage container is closed after each use. If not it will attract wild animals.
• Phone calls within the United States are free. International calls appearing on the phone bill and "pay per view" cable charges will be payable at the end of the stay.
• There are enough bedding and linens for each bed. There is One Set of towels for each guest to last through the duration of stay. You may wash the sheets and towels as needed.
• CHECK OUT TIME: 12:00 Noon January 6th

Looking forward to seeing you all. Jim & Karen

Good Job Pat and Bob

We just received your Christmas cards - and this year Bob included a NOTE! Wow! 'Must be due to the "empty nest" syndrome or just old age. At any rate....we really enjoyed the note.

We are anxious to see everyone soon. There is snow at Tahoe and more expected this weekend. So, it should be beautiful and the skiing should be wonderful and the Casinos go on no matter what happens.

Here is a picture of Steve in our glass studio in the basement. We are making lots of beads and having lots of fun. 

Things are a little too quiet around here. 

Steve and I went for a walk at a local park, and I took this picture. It was a beautiful day today.

 

Good Santa gone bad

It seems Microsoft had a bug in it MSN Live Santa bot. Read here about how Santa likes big hairy men....

Ron Paul

Even if you don't care for Ron Paul, it is fun to watch what his supporters are doing to the Republican party. In San Francisco his supporters overwhelmed a straw poll to the point where they canceled the straw poll because too many of his supporters showed up. See the video here.

I wonder what will happen when they do this in a caucus.

Election Time

I'm curious where everyone is in the election. Who's supporting whom? Who hasn't made up their minds? I was originally supporting Obama, but now I'm disgusted with all of the front runners (Obama, Clinton, Edwards), so I'm thinking Richardson. Is anyone looking at the Republicans??? Personally, I think they are from the Island of Misfit Candidates....

More Pictures

So enough of embarassing pictures of Mike, here's Kyle....

I'm trying this picture thing again.

Justin and Veth and Gary

My Modem does not like pictures - someday we will join the faster paced world!

Family Reunion Warning

Be on the lookout for Soren's "Dutch Oven" face. [Picture removed by request]

Happy Holidays from Santa's Helpers...

[Picture removed by request]

Hey... who's that in the back?

Pictures of Mike are fun.

[Picture removed by request]

Cool sweater, Dad. You embarassed your two-year-old.
Love,
Soren

Side Panel

I've put pictures from the last reunion and another section for other family related websites. If you're a contributor, you can add to the website list or send me a link, and I'll post it. If you have pictures, please send them to me, as I haven't yet figured out how to share the Picasa website where it's coming from.