Jay Kersting's Blog

So here is the reality that hits me this time of year.  I love this time of year.  But I also hate this time of year.

Let's start with why I hate this time of year first.  I think the holidays are damned depressing here in the northern hemisphere.  And that is what I think the problem is...we are here in the northern hemisphere and we are dealing with short days.  Now I come to work everyday when it is dark.  That is a big part of what I do.  But when it is getting dark as Ben gets home from school and it is dark when Kathy gets home from work, that is just depressing to me.  I guess I am one of those who really believes that the sun has a lot of power in our lives.  

Some would argue that it would be tough to enjoy Christmas lights if you can't see them until 9:30 every night.  Fair enough, but after seeing the neighborhood lights once or twice the impact is lost.

I am not ready to move to Australia just for longer days around the holidays.  I'd rather the world flip upside down. 

Then we get to the holidays themselves.  Yes, the commericalism is part of America.  The part that depresses me is that I see all the things I want to get for Alex and Ben and Kathy and others....but, dammit, I have to work for a living.  The Powerball hasn't found its way to pick MY numbers.  

Oh, then there is thing about COLD weather that I don't like.  Contrary to popular belief, it is only VERY slightly colder here in Jefferson City than it is in Knoxville in the winter.  It is much nicer here in the winter than it was in Minnesota and Wisconsin, and slightly better, go figure, than in Kansas City and Warrensburg.  

Let's see, can I get any more of the negative out of my mind right now?  Nah, that is enough for now.

Now, here is what I love about this time of year.  

Alex and Ben get excited about the holidays. And getting them new things to play with is always fun.  The only downside is again that I have not won the Powerball and I HAVE to show restraint.  Dammit.

They also get excited at the prospect of snow falling so they can play in it.  Of course, I will suffer through the cold to play with them in the snow a little bit.  I am the same guy who drove 45 minutes with friends to go play in the snow when I was 22.  (That was when I lived in Las Vegas and I could go back home where it was in a minimum of 70 degrees.)  In fact, I actually got buried up to my chest in snow back then.  ANYHOW, I enjoy playing with the boys in the snow.  In Knoxville, I think we were able to do this THREE times.  Clearly, I am looking forward to this.  AND buying two snow shovels so that Alex and Ben can learn the joy of shovelling.  Allowing Kathy and I to learn the joy of watching them shovel.

I am a big sports fan as pretty much everyone knows.  Now, I am not one who sits and watches game after game on TV (while shouting for some one to bring me a beer, chips, popcorn, Diet Coke, peanuts, dried fruit of some type, or possibly ice cream).  I watch an occasional game and read a lot, usually on-line or in Sports Illustrated, about what is going on.  College football is hot now, the NFL is getting hotter (though the Chiefs are struggling), college basketball is now underway, but I don't care about the NBA at all and about the NHL only in passing. 

So, if I seem a bit manic over the next few weeks, you can have some insight. 

And if the Vols are winning, or the Chiefs make the playoffs, or we get some snow but it is not ungodly cold, you can be assured that I will be in a great mood.

Otherwise, well, you will know.  And I can't wait for spring to arrive. Or those Powerball numbers to come through.