Subject: Way Late Weekend Update
Date: Thu, 14 Dec 2000

Although December has as many days in it that a month can have, it
often feels like one of the shortest months with so much that we have
to accomplish.  Then carve a few days out of that because of a bad
cold and that's what I've dealt with this week.  I've passed the
corner and am in that weird, floaty kind of essence of
not-quite-healthy, not-quite-ill with hopes to recover even more by
tomorrow nights cantata.  I can put Jan and Meredith's fears to rest
in that my song can be sung effectively an octave lower than I did at
rehearsal last Saturday.  At least, that's what they may get.

Lying on the couch for the last three days gave me opportunity to
watch the final days of the election unfold and I'll spare us all the
metaphors.  It won't suprise any of you to know that I am not happy
with the outcome of the election but I certainly am relieved.  Those
of us who "endured" the last eight years must remember our
frustrations so that we can better understand how the other side will
feel - and hopefully actually use that opportunity for good and not
revenge.  That's as far as I'll go with the political comment in my
open journal.

Last Friday, the teens held their Christmas party at the Manor.
Between 30 and 40 high-energy hormonals attended.  The most coveted
gift at the Yankee Swap seemed to be a pair of toed socks, which may
turn out to be a hot item folks for your kids to be wearing.  We had
some teens (who will remain nameless to protect them from their
parents, or perhaps rather to protect their parents) who taught my
younguns to play cards for M&Ms and brought rub-on tattoos which were
passed out to a number of teens.  Pizza and Chinese food were
delivered and the extra candy and desserts proved far too much for
even hungry teens to devour.  All in all, it was a great success and
everyone had a wonderful time.

Saturday was recovery and maintenance day with cantata rehearsal in
the evening.  I was in full denial of the oncoming cold, despite the
obvious scratching at the back of my throat; a dead-sure sign.  I made
it through leading the singing on Sunday night and then succumbed to
try and get through it before tomorrow evening's performance.  I'm
cutting it close.

Not meaning to embarrass Emily further but to explain: Emily had a
flute solo in church Sunday morning that she had trouble with.  The
musically inclined could see that she was fingering her notes and
playing them on key but for some reason many of the notes just
wouldn't come.  Her flute got cold between the time she practiced
before service and the time she was to give the offertory and a cold
flute will not produce some of the tones.  Courageously, Emily
finished her piece and then retreated in disappointment.  Not a single
person didn't feel sympathy for her, which actually kind of makes it
even more difficult.  Nevertheless, Emily is grateful for the
heartfelt consolations and will "get back on the horse" as it were,
another time.

The roofers showed up yesterday to put up a forrest green seamed metal
roof on the spa room, the bay windows, and the front and farmer's
porches.  They almost finished the spa room yesterday and should be
able to complete it on Saturday.  Today (for those of you outside the
area), we got our first significat snow fall (about 4 inches in
Pepperell before switching over to rain).  School was cancelled and I
took my time getting into work today.  (I hope the Boy has shoveled
the walk and drive while I'm here at work!  I won't be able to call
him "the Boy" for too much longer because he is a few inches taller
than Emily now and still growing.  Too bad; another stage of life.)

Mark

P.S.  It is my 41st birthday today.  My dad turns 70 tomorrow.
(The card is in the mail, Dad.)
--
+---_-----------+ Mark Metcalfe, metcalfe@cadence.com
| c a d e n c e | Cadence Design Systems, Inc.    Phone: (978) 446-6451
+---------------+ PCB Systems Division, Technical Communications Manager