Each Small Candle
Thankfully, there is another side to this season of giving, one that doesn't seem to make FOX News headlines as often, but is pervasive nonetheless. I was very heartened this year, as I was signing on for volunteer work over at the Greater Chicago Food Depository (a non-profit food distribution center dedicated to feeding the hungry), to discover that so many of the shifts for seasonal warehouse duty were filled up well in advance. As with so much of the good work that goes on year-round in the non-profit sector, many people throughout the city (and country) are donating their time, talent, and money to various toy drives, shelters, elderly care, etc... While the mass media continues to pummel us with the worst examples of human behavior on display, many others simply carry on exemplifying the true spirit of the season.
It's not always an easy thing. Many of us are so caught up in our own day-to-day pressures, it can become difficult to recognize, much less care about, the challenges that face the community at large. Particularly in this current climate of fear and diminished hope, it can be very hard to extend a helping hand when, at heart, so many feel powerless about their own life situation. And of course, if you are like me, there is always simple laziness sabotaging even the best of intentions. Yet, as I've gotten ol...um, more life experience under my belt, I've also gained greater faith in people's capacity for compassion and goodwill (obviously, I do not watch much reality TV).
There is no denying the sorrow and pain woven into the tapestry of everyday life. None of us has to search far to witness suffering. But as with our potential for selfish and sometimes evil actions, there is also tremendous potential to alleviate, even if just in some small way, the suffering of others. There is a side to people that wants to do good. Even for those not following through or taking action, there is a yearning to make a difference somehow. There is so much underutilized potential in the world waiting to be tapped into. Everyone has it in them to give something this holiday season, aside from the latest "bling," iPad, or luxury vehicle (will someone please tell me when purchasing cars for spouses entered the realm of reasonable gift expectations?).
Christmastime in Chicago is a perfect opportunity to not only give to those less fortunate, but also to reflect on giving as a state of mind. Something about the dramatic seasonal change and semi-hibernation that takes place, along with the underlying melancholy of the holiday itself (which, for me, further underscores the differences between the haves and have-nots) can impose contemplation even among the most unsuspecting souls. It's a good time of year to be grateful for even the simplest of blessings and to also take notice of those around who could use a helping hand. There are so many great organizations to choose from (within your own neighborhood, through local churches, and even a basic Google search can provide many excellent options). There are opportunities that can accommodate pretty much everyone's schedules (and/or budgets) and in most cases the only requirements are will and heart, which most Chicagoans already have through braving so many ugly winters.
The spirit of giving is contagious and can be fun. Many non-profit organizations have group activities that can be accomplished with friends and family members. And it's not just about giving money or time, but also of your spirit and allowing that goodwill to pervade your consciousness heading into the New Year. Find something inspiring for yourself this season, stay inspired, and share your inspiration and talents with others heading forward. Oftentimes, the only thing providing solace in this world are those tilting the balance by sharing their light with others.
"Each small candle lights a corner of the dark"
-- Roger Waters
Some suggested websites:
www.chicagosfoodbank.org
www.inspirationcorp.org
Roll Out Cookies For Santa The Right Way!
Santa expects cookies from scratch and I’ve let him down in past years. That would probably explain the amount of coal I’ve been receiving.
I now know that cookies for Santa should be sugar cookies, and sugar cookies are rolled cookies. Rolled cookies are great because you use a rolling pin to create a flat dough that you can cut into Christmas trees, hearts or any other shape. Once you decorate with sprinkles, chocolate chips or colored sugar, you have an attractive holiday cookie.
I’m going to impress Santa this year and try to change his opinion of the crummy cookie offerings I’ve made in the past. I’ll make some fantastic sugar cookies with a basic dough formula that will rest in the refrigerator for a few hours.
However, the challenge in rolling sugar cookie dough is that you can get inconsistent thickness of the dough. This means you’ll have cookies of different sizes and some will burn while others are under-cooked.
Cookies for Santa should never be burned or under-cooked, so I’ve developed a great trick to assure the consistent thickness of the cookies I create.
By using wooden dowels or the metal hanging file folder rods, I can give my rolling pin a guide and maximum thickness for the dough automatically. When I place my thickness guides on either side of the dough, the rolling pin will never fall to a width below that of the guides.
With a uniform thickness of the dough, now I can impress Santa with the many different shapes I can cut them into, the myriad ways to decorate them, but most importantly, the great way they’ll bake because of my cooking rolling trick.
This year, my cookies for Santa are going to move me from the “naughty” to the “nice” category and hopefully score me some of the kitchen tools I’ve been asking for.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra Rocks the Holidays
On the day after Christmas light fluffy snow fell to the ground covering the Chicago area in cotton like white silk. The stockings were no longer hung with care and St. Nicholas would not be back until next year. Concert goers braved the elements and piled into the Allstate Arena (6920 N. Mannhiem Road Rosmont, Illinois) to see a spectacular showing of the Trans Siberian Orchestra (TSO).
Lights, lasers, and many other special effects were a huge part of the show that entertained an audience of all ages. Guitars, bass, drums, strings, singers, and a narrator resonated through the arena with a perfect level of decibels. The performance of this well rehearsed orchestra was a delight to witness.
The narration for the evening was done by Bryan Hicks with his lower register vocal style in a very warm feeling. He told a story in passages as the show went along that were intriguing and literary works of art in so many ways. As the narrator he introduced the songs within stories and words that flowed of the tip of his tongue.
Over a dozen years have passed since the creation of the TSO the great group of musicians performed some interesting variations on the old classic Christmas songs that are fond memories for everyone. They did a soulful version of “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.” The voice was smooth and tastefully duplicating a Yule tide classic.
Violinist Anna Phoebe was a highlight of the evening. She had quick runs as her bow slid across the strings over and over again proved she is not just another pretty face. She played a pink electric violin that was a show stealer on every song. Her performance was top notch and never a dull moment. Anna was perfect in every way. She was well accompanied by a set of strings that played along during the entire evening with lots of sweet accents.
Guitarist Robert Kinkel showed his ability throughout the show and gracefully performed a few of the old classic pieces with a more modern rock feeling to it. As the band leader he played his intricate parts in a mechanical effortless way and the notes flowed into a river of music. He was backed by two other well accomplished guitar players Chris Caffery and Alex Skolnick both of which played with incredible musical chops throughout the entire evening.
The rhythm section was made up of Johnny Lee Middleton on bass and Jeff Plate on drums. The drummer was well surrounded by a circle of percussion and he could barely be seen. Every tap to his kit was just like clockwork within a perfect measure of time. The bass was plucked adding the smooth bottom end that could be felt from the floor to the rafters.
An eight person group of backup singers made up a wide range of notes on the musical scale. Singing throughout the show, even in Latin at times, was a sweet accent for the music. Four female singers came to the front of the stage long enough to do a song and dance showing their multi talented skills.
The two keyboard players tickled away at eighty-eight pieces of ebony and ivory for the show. Both were well trained and well accomplished musicians who couldn’t play a bad note if they tried. Smooth pretty sounds came from these two musicians. Sweeping sound-scapes to tinkering on the piano didn’t really matter. It was just beautiful no matter what they did.
The list of songs played was a perfect selection to include a few of the most sophisticated Christmas songs. They performed their own version of “The Nutcracker” called “The Night Castle.” Considered the highlight of the evening, this rock orchestra put an unusual twist to the classical masterpiece.
At a point in the show when the band was introduced it appeared that the show was over for the evening, but then they surprisingly introduced the second half of their show. The show lasted about two and a half hours and was magical from beginning to end.
As others were returning their gifts, shoveling their walk, and eating leftovers; over ten thousand entered the Allstate Arena for a show that will not soon be forgotten. The lights, the lasers, and the smoke machines were more effects than what most bands bring on tour with them. The show was good wholesome entertainment from beginning to end for your eyes and ears to see and hear. The show helps to bring a reminder as to what the real reason for the holiday season is. This was truly a phenomenal show for anyone to see.
