Stacy Horn

I woke up on Christmas morning and Echo, the online service I run, was completely crashed. Thank God for our hosting service Atlantic Metro Communications, and AlchemyCS, my techs. My system is as old-school as it gets, but Lazlo at Atlantic poked around and figured some things out, and he continued to work on the problem until AlchemyCS woke up (they are west coast based, plus it was freaking Christmas). Everything came back up eventually, but my plans for going out to Long Island to spend Christmas with my family were blown.

Although there were certainly things to eat in my apartment I was determined to put together something at least out of the ordinary for my sad little Christmas dinner, so once everything was back up I went out to forage. Now I know what people who don’t celebrate Christmas go through. I ended up with a quiche and a salad and we just won’t discuss dessert. When I think of what I would have had (my sisters-in-law can really cook)! Sob.

Christmas Eve was a bigger success. I went to the great play In Fields Where They Lay, and you you have two more chances to see this if you are in New York, tonight and tomorrow, and I highly suggest you GO GO GO. It’s about the WWI Christmas truce in 1914. Seriously. GO. After the play I went to a party hosted by old neighbors of mine, the Speichers, and sang Christmas carols. Wonderful people have wonderful friends so I always have such a great time at their annual Christmas Eve parties.

Below are some members of the cast of In Fields Where They Lay singing a carol. Talented people are so often multi-talented. It’s not fair! Not only can they act, but they can sing, etc. For instance, the actor who played the Sargent, Zack Calhoon, stood out for me. All the actors were great for the record, but that character grabbed me. Calhoon is a writer on top of everything else, it turns out. Anyway, this video didn’t come out so well, they were singing in the dark, but you can hear their beautiful voices.

My presents to you, a few must-watch videos. First up, my future husbands, Key and Peele (video I linked to was removed). “We got a James Bond villain running Russia … the earth is burning up …”

Next, Too Many Zoos (this video has also been removed). Keep listening. Even if you don’t think it’s your cup of tea at first, you will be sold my by the end.

For your holiday viewing pleasure, the latest Talking Animals Christmas video. You won’t regret clicking on that link. And finally, an article (not a video) about the healing power of holiday singing by the fabulous Brenda Peterson!

Old toys. I love windows with old toys, except I didn’t really recognize any of these toys. Maybe they were from before the 50s and 60s, my childhood years. Because yes, I am OLD.

I keep meaning to post this, and I’m *sure* this has already been suggested, but Sony should find a network and air The Interview for free on television as soon as possible. It’s the one way they can win. More people will see it than would have ever seen it at the movies and North Korea will get exactly the opposite of what they wanted.

This vendor’s idea of what impulse buys women are likely to make when they are in the ladies room at the movies: Tylenol, lip gloss, sour drops, a chewable toothbrush (something I’ve never heard of) or temporary tattoos.

And here I am, way in the back. Again. I’m kidding. I chose that spot because it was out of the rain and I was near some basses, which you’ll hear in the video. In spite of the rain we did manage to build up a crowd eventually.

I’ve gotten enough work done that I can kick back over the holidays a bit. I’m going to see this play, In Fields Where They Lay, on Christmas Eve. It’s about the WWI Christmas Eve truce and I’m going to see it exactly 100 years to the night after it happened. A daughter of one of the soldiers is going to be there. Oh, I just read there will be carols and a reception afterwards. Nice. If you’re in NYC you might want to consider going to this.

More holiday shots around town. This is 5th Avenue again, taken from the steps of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, looking over at Rockefeller Center. That stream of people are (is?) heading towards the famous Christmas tree and skating rink.

Something I will not be doing this year! Shopping! My family is doing a grab bag so I have only one gift to buy, thank God. Okay, two. I have to get something for my father and step-mother who will be in Vermont this year, but I will be buying that online.

A Christmas tree stand. I took this for the depressing look of it, but I love walking past these stands and getting a nice whiff of pine. So thank you sad little Christmas tree stand.