Aaaarrrggghhh....HNT

Oh, it's all bunching up on me all of a sudden! I am SO sick of the Nutcracker, I could scream (and have...). And it's not even December yet!

On one hand, I've got a conductor who is normally in charge at all times, with certain expectations. On the other hand I have the owner of a dance studio, trying to herd cats with her 75 kids (plus parents), but still is normally in charge at all times, with certain expectations. They hired me to be in charge of both, as well as running a well-oiled machine. For the most part, the machine is fine. These two, however, will cause me to start drinking again. To be polite, they don't play well together. And I've had to listen to both sides. Over and over. But I think we've gotten it figured out. But damn, I didn't think it was going to be this difficult this year!

So here I am, in front of my computer. Notice that there's no indication of Firefox or Safari showing. Just schedules, and edited schedules, and schedules done on Excel and on Word. The TV isn't even on in the background (but what's that dark, shadowy figure I see?). I even had to cheat and use the reverse camera thingy on my iPhone, just to get me in. Sheesh!

And for good measure...now that I have to start loading/hauling equipment,
a winter storm is expected to dump 6" on us tonight...

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"I believe in Santa Claus
I believe in Santa Claus
I believe there's always hope when all seems lost
I believe in Santa Claus

I believe in Santa Claus, I'll tell you why I do
'Cause I believe that dreams and plans and wishes can come true
I believe in miracles, I believe in magic too
I believe in Santa Claus and I believe in you

I believe in family in country and in smiles
I believe in turning negatives to positives in life
I believe in lookin' farther up the farther down we get
I believe when someone hurts we should forgive and forget

And I believe in Santa Claus
I believe in Santa Claus
I believe love should prevail at any cost
And I believe in Santa Claus"

"I Believe in Santa Claus" - Dolly Parton

We'll be revealing this week's Mystery Guest late Thursday afternoon. Come back to find out who believes in Santa!
Our MG this week is Santa's biggest fan, Minority Report! Stop by to say hi. She's still got last week's HNT up, for which you'll be Thankful!

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Some very nice stuff over at "...the Other HNT", though sparse again, due to the holidays. Stop by and support your fellow HNTers, OK? And leave a comment or two...

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My previous post was primarily about the lack of TV coverage for the FCS quarterfinals this weekend. Available only on ESPN3 (an internet broadcast), it meant that close to 90% of Montanans would not have access to either UM's or MSU's games. After FB petitions, thousands of emails, and letters from the state's Congressional delegation, ESPN announced that all 8 second-round games would be broadcast on ESPN GamePlan. Sure, it would be nice to have it broadcast on the local/statewide channels, but all anyone in MT was asking for was an alternative to the internet. Hopefully, enough people will buy the pay-per-view to show ESPN that the FCS deserves far more respect than they give it now.

As I purchase that package, for that particular reason, I'll be missing most of the first half since I'll be finishing up symphony rehearsal, then bouncing across to check out the Saints as they play in their semifinal game too! GO GRIZ!

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Be sure to check out Ashly's and Evalee's links! Get your Christmas spirit into gear and help out! Both ventures have seen some good progress, and I know they both appreciate the help they've gotten, and any more that they can get.

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Theme Alert! - Don't forget the themes coming up in December. A rundown is below. Make mention of it on your own sites to (as well as HNT's retirement). It's amazing how many people say they didn't know about this stuff!

• Dec. 15th - Christmas Tree HNT - I want to see you half-nekkid with your Christmas tree. If you don't have a tree put up, then with any other Christmas decorations. If you don't celebrate Christmas, then you're off the hook. But the rest of you--I really want to see your Christmas trees!
  
• Dec. 22nd - Three Christmas Wishes HNT - Perhaps the hardest theme of the year. Pick three individuals to send special Christmas wishes to. The hard part? Pick three people who are not necessarily someone you'll be sending a Christmas card to, or an e-card, or specifically contact at Christmas.Those people might expect something from you. No, send out your Christmas wishes to someone you've only lurked at, or to a newbie, or to someone whose HNTs and/or general blog posts have made some sort of impression. And post a picture of it, too! It can be serious or humorous or heartfelt or fantasy. Then contact that individual to let them know that they got one of your wishes. (For example, I remember that my very first year of this I wished for two bags of fairy dust for one person, a wish for another HNTer's husband's swimmers to impregnate her (she had a baby exactly 9 months later--I did good on that one!), and a big stick with nails for a third one to beat me with as I had somewhat trampled on our friendship. You can see this post here, or check out the other mid-December posts from my archives.) Good luck with this one. It's tougher than it sounds, so start thinking about it now!
  
• Dec. 29th - Final HNT - This one is sort of self-explanatory. This will be your last official shot at doing HNT. Make it memorable. That doesn't imply stripping bare and letting it all hang out. Just make this one a good send-off.