Eyes Full of Tinsel and Fire

by J.D. Rhoades

Here it is, the famous Night before Christmas, or for our Jewish brethren and sistern, the fourth night of Hannukah (someone correct me if I'm wrong on that).

It hardly seems appropriate at this juncture to be talking about death and violence and mayhem or the craft of writing about same. I'll save the post I've been thinking of, the one about the crossover between horror and crime fiction, for a more appropriate time.

Instead, how about a little music? This is one of my favorite Christmas songs, balanced as it is between memory, cynicism and, in the end, some hope and good wishes. Plus, I always get a kick out of the impossibly young Greg Lake singing to the Wise Men and their camels:
 

This is a good season for all of us, whatever our faith or lack of same, to reflect on the blessings and the good things in our lives. For instance, aren't you glad you don't live next to this guy?

 

Well, okay, maybe a just little violence and mayhem...a song paying tribute to two of my favorite Christmas movies (NSFW):

And so, as Mr. Lake says in our first selection:

I wish you a hopeful Christmas
I wish you a brave New Year
All anguish pain and sadness
Leave your heart and let your road be clear.

Yippie ki yay! Happy Holidays, y'all.

Comments

[B.G. Ritts]

In Pittsburgh, there's this story about a family in the Baldwin section that has 210,000 computer controlled lights that move to music they play on an FM radio band: http://kdka.com/video/?id=49976@kdka.dayport.com . The lights take three months to put out, and the music computer programming takes six.

Happy Holiday(s) of your chosen genre to each of the 'Rati!

[Rae]

Wishing comfort and joy to all of us during this season and beyond.

And, love the Christmas videos, Dusty, thanks!

[Zoë Sharp]

Hi Dusty

Christmas isn't Christmas without 'Die Hard'. Alan Rickman is just one of the best movie villains ever!

[Kate Hathway]

J.D., you've given me a wonderful Christmasidea - thank you very much! How could I forget the Die Hard movies as an awsome gift! Have a great Christmas!

[Stephen D. Rogers]

Glad I don't want to live next to that guy? I want to BE that guy!

[Louise Ure]

Only you, Dusty, could have linked Greg Lake, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Die Hard in your holiday card.

Guitars, flashing lights and mayhem. That sounds like a J.D. Rhoades Christmas wish list.

Back at you.

[pari]

I was looking forward to your post today, Dusty. Ditto what Louise said.

BTW: it IS night #4 tonight.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all.

[Tom]

Dusty, under your influence and that of William Simon, I have now proposed the creation of DIE HARD – THE MUSICAL for performance by school kids too old for the Nativity pageant and too young for AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS.

Gave you and William credit for the idea, too, over at TLC.

[Jill James]

I love the video. Die Hard is my favorite Christmas movie. The husband laughs when I say its a romance, but what is more romantic than a man risking his life to save the woman he loves?

Merry Christmas.

[Cornelia Read]

Happy night #4 and merry merry to all!