Folks, I apologise for the lack of post. I had hoped to have more time on my hands after finishing with school, but alas I have been very busy working and doing some side charities and the like. I have presents to wrap and poems to write. Every year, I earnestly scribe out a wee poem for me Mum, Grandmothers, and the eldest sisters (All of you know that I have 5 sisters, right?).
Speaking of presents, trees, lights, bows, bells, garland, and all of that other Christamcy stuff, my Uncle has been on my back for weeks about putting a tree and lights up. He swears, "You’re going to wake up one morning with a Christmas tree in your living room, lights ’round it, and a wreath and big red bow on your front door, if you don’t get to decorating, boy".
"Why would I want to do that", I ask him.
"To get in the Christmas Spirit", he says, whilst making odd arm gestures into the air, as if to beckon Santa to kick my arse.
"Let me ‘splain something to you, Mr. Oblivious to the obvious", I say in a fit of laughter.
"What?" He enquires, with a highly arched left eyebrow.
"Do you like being alone at Christmas?", I ask, whilst crossing my arms.
"That’s not an explanation, Mr. Davis", he mutters, while climbing a latter to put lights round the tree.
"Answer the question", I demand.
"No", he answers, as his highly spirited countenance transforms to a scowl.
"Well, why would I want to sit alone in my house on Christmas eve and look at a Christmas tree and the few presents under it, realising that I have no wife/girlfriend and no wee brats to watch open presents Christmas morning?"
Pausing in his pattern of encircling the tree in lights, he steps down the latter, and soberly states,"Quit your bitchin’ boy…Be glad you have a home, a family, and friends…Just be happy dammit".
"Okay, but it is not that simple", I respond.
"Sure it is….Quit your whining and moaning ’bout S******, A***, and N*****, and how you royally screwed things up and you are really down because it is Christmas and you have nobody….So What", he mumbles, whilst handing me a rope of lights.
"Yes Sir"
"Besides, you’ve got your health, looks, and that mammoth genius brain of yours, right?!"
"More of this or that, but it is all good, I suppose", I answer, whilst tripping over the rope of lights wrapped round my ankles.
New pictures coming soon. Thank you all for your lovely and kind comments at this special time of year. 
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Don’t be forced into putting up a tree. You will when the time is right.
My New Year wish for you is that in 2008 you find ‘The Reason’ and desire to put up the tree and lights next year.
Hugs GM
I hate the pressure that comes with Christmas – fortunately the one thing I do love to do is put up my tree – so tell you what, I’ll show you mine if you show me yours!
Seriously, JD, you do whatever makes you happy and whatever gives you the most pleasure and joy – and whenever you want to.
I am 38. *shock* I have no kids JD. When I was married I never felt I was ready to have children although I loved children and taught hundreds of them Hapkido. I had in 10 years over 2000 students (ages 4-65) who learned from me how to defend themselves, self-respect, discipline, techniques, etc in one class or another. Marriage didn’t work, we remained close friends. Then I met a man, from the US, we became best friends instantly, and then fell in love despite the distance. He is still one of my best friends. I was long distance, didn’t work out and then I met Niall. I am now feeling ready to have children, and he doesn’t want at all. Call it bad timing on my part, karma, just pure luck, whatever it is, well, it is. I guess what I am trying to say is it is possible that things don’t happen immediately even when we really really want them. But, life is full of wonderful little surprises when you least expect them. If you continue to be your kind, gentle self, and working on you (study, work, learn, live and take risks and chances) before you know it all the things your heart desire will be attracted to you and will find you. It’s a way of life making sure we appreciate what we have.
You are a lovely man, I hope you enjoy the festivities with your family, smile and laugh till you feel your face aching. Wishing you an amazing, brilliant 2008.
OH JD! I’m not going to say anything nice, you have enough admirers. Of course your uncle is absolutely right. And while you’re sitting writing your poems and wrapping your gifts, have a look at your sparkly tree. It will warm the cockles! I love my little tree (AV and I are of a similar ilk and have even gone the same colour scheme this Christmas Gold and Red!) I can see it twinkling away while I’m on the blogs and it reminds me of all that is generous, good, fresh and traditional about Christmas and every ornament has a story! C’mon boy. You’re not THAT busy that you can’t put up a piddly tree! Do what I do and have left overs at home with friends! Let those tree lights shine. “O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, how lovely are your branches . . ” (yep, I’m in la la land!)
I’m with AV, you show me yours and I’ll show you mine . . or pop over to the blog for some hot tips on pressie wrapping for the decoratively challenged!
GM, You are a sweet heart! I hope you have a wonderful and Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.
AV, does my uncles count?
It is on my flckr page. I may try to find a small tree tomorrow that I can put up. I have plenty of lights, garland, balls, and such left over from my last festive holiday. 
G, I never would have thought that you were 38. I’m 35, acting like a 15 year old.
It is not too late. You still have plenty of time, as do I. I just don’t want to be an old ragged man, when if at all, my kid graduates. I’ll use my pops as an example. He just had his sixth child at the age of 53. He’ll be 71, when she graduates high/secondary school. He’s still full of zeal and vigour now, but what about in ten years or so…He’ll be an old fart! 
I tried that whole distant relationship thing with a very kind and wonderful lass from Belfast, Norn Iron, but it did not work out. I broke promises against my will believe it or not. That darn Atlantic Ocean sure does put a strain on any relationship. I can’t stand to hear a woman cry, much less at 2 or 3 in the AM. But, we stay in touch and she knows I’m on the next plane if she really needs me. She has moved on and married. She said she’d see me when I visit Belfast for a few days in the Spring, but that puts a moral strain on me because I know exactly what could happen.
Thank you for your very kind words. I am a kind man, but admittedly, far from perfect.
You are a very wise lady, Gayé.
Baino, which cockles are we talkin’ ’bout here?
I need all the tips I can get. 
My house is your typical bachelor pad, excet for a few paintings and a whole lot of books! 
Thanks ladies. I have learned more from you than you will ever realise. And, I am eternally grateful for you taking the time to talk to me.
I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Excuse me while I go out and stock up on Irish Whiskey….Jameson and Bushmills to be exact.
Hello dear Jeffy,
Who would think I would end up in Dublin?
I do visit London and was there last week.
I’m in a relationship now with an Irish writer and poet.
It would be lovely to meet when you come to Ireland.
I’m sorry I myself have been careless with visits and when you didn’t come round, I thought you had plain forgotten me.
I’ve added you to my links and have yourself a very merry christmas and a happy new year.
Do come round more although I know I write very boring stuff.
Wise? Muhah No Sir! Not me. I make the wrong decisions all the time.
What’s that I hear you say? Ireland in spring? Granted you said Northern Ireland, but still would you come down to Dublin when you visit in the Spring?
I don’t feel grown up enough let along old, but numbers say it’s 2 years before the big 40, D’oh!
Gx
Suzan, I would never forget about you! And, you do not write boring stuff! Write what you enjoy that’s what is most important. I did however manage to lose your link. I saw one of your comments on Vanilla’s blog and clicked on over.
I hope you have a very special and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. 
So, who is this Irish writer and poet? 
Gayé, you are wise!
I’ve not purchased my tickets yet, but I should be there in the middle of April. Actually, I’ll land in Dublin, stay a few days, and take a train up to Belfast like I did last time. Dublin is a wondrous city. I really don’t know how I made it back to the hotel most nights. But, the hotel was on North Fredrick street, which is a direct shot from O’Connell street. 
So, it wasn’t that hard, even very besotted mind you, to find my room. 
I’ve been trying to pay off my bills, so I can stay more than two or three weeks this time. I have plans to take a ferry from Belfast to Stranraer, then hop o’er to Glasglow, Stirling (to see William Wallace’s monument), and then to Edinburgh. After a few days there, I’m taking a train down to London, where I’ll stay for about a week, then on to Swansea and Cardiff, Wales and maybe Cornwall if I have enough time and money. Of course, then I’ll hop back to Dublin and come home…blah. 
Who knows, I may not come back this time. I came very close to staying last time…Should have!!! 
I had a grand reason that was about 1.6 metres, walnut coloured hair, turquoise blue eyes, and I’ll just hush now. 
Thanks for the comments ladies.