And I hope it is a merry one for each of you.

It really does not feel like Christmas to me at all. I am so far removed from all the traditions I associate with the holiday that I just can’t capture that heart warming spirit. I should have had the foresight to purchase some of my favorite Christmas movies (all oldies, preferably in black and white); they always kinda put me in the Christmas mood. All that I found on Korean TV this morning was “Elf” and some Shrek Christmas show. Alas.

I was out and about last night, but if Santa came through Itaewon he must have missed the bars where I was hanging out. Actually, I started my evening at the Dragon Hill Lodge on base where I went for the crab and shrimp buffet. $21.95 for all you can eat, but I could only manage about ten bucks worth. The crab legs were good, but damn, you have to work so hard to get that morsel of meat that I’m pretty sure you expend more calories extracting than you gain by consuming.

Hit Metro bar where I drank beer and watched music videos on the big screen until midnight. Moseyed over to Dolce to share a Christmas toast with Jim and YJ. Then as I made my way home, I stopped by Manila Bar and wound up hanging out until 0330. Nice crowd, mix of Pinoys, Koreans, and Canadians. The owner did some singing and guitar playing, then a strange brew of karaoke broke out, which was actually pretty entertaining. I eventually contributed my rendition of “500 miles” (yeah, I was drunk enough to sing in public) to which I received a smattering of polite applause.

Then it was home. Today I watched the aforementioned “Christmas” shows, took a nap, and made myself a Christmas dinner of cheesy hashbrowns, courtesy of the folks from Hamburger Helper.

Oddly enough, I am not depressed at all.

For friends and family I send wishes for a joyful Christmas day. You are all in my heart and thoughts today as always.

I didn’t run into any of Santa’s Korean helpers either (I’m sure I would remember that!). However, I bought myself a custom tailored cashmere overcoat as a present to myself. Naturally, the weather has now warmed up (almost 50f today). But I know January is coming…

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