I'm now enjoying the benefits of subscriberhood thanks to the small donor Santas. Yay!
Getting a lifetime subscription has been a bright spot in these dark days (only some of which said darkness can be attributed to the Earth's axial tilt). And getting it when I did has saved me from taking yet another step in what Clem Yeobright diplomatically hinted might come across as reminiscent of a, "Queen For a Day"-type campaign.
For those that have never seen it, "Queen For a Day" consisted of two parts: a woman contestant telling a tragic story, and the payoff. The payoff varied a little depending on the story, but it could usually be summed up with the idea that any situation, no matter how bad, could be fixed with a new hair-do and a color TV. Even as a little boy I thought it was over the top, but the show used Elgar's, "Pomp and Circumstance" so I liked the music.
My, "Queen For a Day" campaign (had it been warranted) was going to use lyrics, but with no music yet. In fact, the lyrics had been written at a time when I wasn't sure if I'd be getting an invite for Christmas but just as I was getting ready to post as a diary here, the phone rang.
Why put a damper on anyone else's holiday, thought I. And I put it aside, tempted only by the thought of its possible utility in striking somebody's Fezziwig bone. So when I got the news that I had been gifted with a lifetime sub, I figured I could set the sad lyrics aside and get back to them in the fall of 2012. But then the specter of Holidays past came to my consciousness: "jabney" it said (sticking to my preferred use of lower case for my name even following an opening quotation), "Others, in a predicament similar to thine own, may yet benefit from the striking of the Fezziwig bone present in all true kos-ites of sufficient means . So why not post it anyhow."
"But spirit," said I, "It lacketh a verse for the New Year."
"So write one," said the spirit.
And so I did, and up here is how it starts:
Alone as usual
No point in a tree
Another Christmas just Jesus and me
Whilst, forsooth, the entire set of lyrics can perused below the seasonally festive orange doo-dad (or, as some prefer, thingamabob)
Currently Poor © jabney 12/30/11
(v1)
Alone as usual
No point in a tree
Another Christmas just Jesus and me
I'll send out good wishes
It's what I can afford
Thank the Lord
'Cause I've got me a cat
And I still know her name
Ready for another year
Playing the senior game
(chorus)
I've always been shy
It's been getting more-so
Don't expect me to knock on your door
But if you drop by
Or give me a call though
I won't ask for money
I've still got some pride
It's just currently poor
(v2)
Online as usual
Nobody to see
Virtual holidays do it for me
I'm posting good wishes
That's what I've got to send
My new friends
And I've got oil and flour
And the use of a range
Ready for another year
Playing the senior game
(chorus)
I've always been shy
It's been getting more-so
Don't expect me to knock on your door
But if you drop by
Or give me a call though
I won't ask for money
I've still got some pride
It's just currently poor
(v3)
Midnight as usual
No need for a clock
Another New Years just me and Dick Clark
I'll think you good wishes
It's what I can afford
Thank the Lord
'Cause I've got me a cat
And I still know her name
Ready for another year
Playing the senior game
(chorus)
I've always been shy
It's been getting more-so
Don't expect me to knock on your door
But if you drop by
Or give me a call though
I won't ask for money
I've still got some pride
It's just currently poor
...
Please contribute to the small donor pool if you can. You may never know how big a difference it can make. And if you can't afford to give, think about giving a rec to the most recent, 'gift subscriptions' diary you can find.
Have a great 2012.
best,
john