Seasons Greetings!

 

I am assigned only two tasks each year ... the Christmas photo and the Christmas letter.  Sounds simple and yet, I have a tarnished record.  There have been problems ... once a dog ate the Christmas letter, sometimes I forget to take the picture ... last year, the camera failed. 

This year’s Christmas photo was taken in Egypt with the pyramids of Giza and the giant Kimono Lady in the background.  You can see a small plane sky writing while Jet, a black dog from Minnesota, sniffs around in the sand and a curious camel looks on.  Okay, it is an unusual looking picture.

 

I can hear the doubters whispering “he failed again ... it’s a fake” and asking questions like, “Why is Jet, the black dog from Minnesota, in the photo and how did he get there?”  I suspect the answer involves wrinkles in the time-space continuum and a cosmic interconnectedness  ... we play endlessly, chase balls, take naps and spend time in the doghouse.  My time in the doghouse is usually for some innocent remark ... I call them doghouse comments.  Of course, I don’t have all the answers and the ones I do have are usually wrong ...  this sad syndrome started on February 12^th, 1999 ...  it is easy to remember ... I was married the day before. (Doghouse comment!)

Nari, who is in the picture, expressed doubts as to the authenticity of this photo.  What about seeing is believing?  Misuzu called me a fake-tographer rather than a photographer ... might just be her accent.  (Doghouse comment!)

Why all this doubt?  In a world with the magic of love, the beauty of friendship, the logic of computers ... where dreams and imagination dance ... and Santa Claus lives ... why can’t this photo be real?  It looks real!

So, I’ve completed the Christmas photo task!

Misuzu wrote the Christmas letter this year (and last year too!) as I was a little slow in getting started.  You can read it at www.McManusTaguchi.com  ... it is in Japanese.   

So, I’ve completed the Christmas letter task too! (Doghouse comment!)

Shige, 20, is a junior at University of Florida.  He now has his car in Gainesville ... it took several months to purchase a parking decal from the University.  (Imagine how long a Christmas letter and photo would take?!?)  Misuzu drove his car often and began calling it her second car.  Shige got the decal just in the nick of time. 

Nari, 18, is a freshman at the University of Central Florida.  He likes college especially video games, pizza and parties.  When he comes home, he brings a huge bag of laundry as there are no washing machines at the University!?! 

Misuzu is playing lots of bridge and keeps getting better and better.  At a recent tournament, she had the thrill of playing a few hands with Jeff Meckstroth ... a world-class player.  His partner was temporarily delayed on the road and the tournament director asked Misuzu to fill in. 

 

I have been busy playing with computers, websites and new software ...  also basketball and bridge.  The Embry-Riddle Eagles are 9-0 ... GO EAGLES!

 

May your holidays be filled with love, friendship and kindness.

 

 

Love,

 

 

Bill, Misuzu, Nari and Shige