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16 DECEMBER 2004 / Thursday -- Well, since I already sent out my Christmas cards (albeit, a few days later than normal) with this link indicated, I guess I should at least start my usual cyber Holiday page already -- the background is a scan of a kewl yard of cloth that Esther, a friend from Philadelphia, gave me in a gift basket of goodies several years ago -- I also use it as the background in all my Holiday theme eBay listings until after Los Reyes (the Feast of the Three Kings, the traditional gift giving day in Spain) on 6 January. The image on my greetings, and the one in the header, is a scan of a card I got a box of the day after Christmas at the usual half-off sales, when Evelio was alive -- at Lord & Taylor, at one of the nearby malls.

Making the cards was easier this year -- the past 4 years I used FileMakerPro to make them -- it is a widely used computer database application, but one can do other stuff with it too, with a lot of positioning and repositioning of text and image/s so they print correctly -- a couple months ago I got The Print Shop really cheapo on eBay and used it for this years cards and return address labels -- I had the first version of this app many years ago, but loaned it to a dear friend, and when I wanted it back he apparently could not find it --

anyways, I also did some experimenting with address labels -- up until now they have always been simple ones, with only a text name and address on them -- now I could add an image, which I did -- here are some of the trials, just to give you an idea of what they are like -- some are for use with eBay wins -- -- nothing really spectacular, but way nicer and more colorful than my old ones --

What has the past year been like for me? Sort of similar to previous years since I prematurely retired, I guess -- positive stuff mixed with some not so positive, but that is the way Life is, anyway -- one plays the hand they are delt and does the best they can with the cards. I still have some catching up to do with work around the place, hopefully before the first snows come along -- if only my sleep / wake pattern would allow me to sleep normal hours and get up early enough to do something! I am working on that, as usual.

18 DECEMBER 2004 / Saturday -- Here are some neato Christmas links and stuff --

This is really kewlio! It is to create your own snowflake -- -- the link leads to the one I made -- wait for -- -- to appear, then click on the flake -- if you make your own flake, send an email to yourself (you have that option after you create your own flake) to get the link, then you can send it to all your friends.

The second is to some new-ish totally computer generated Holiday music -- TUNES -- download if you want to, then add them to your iPod Christmas playlist.

This was brought to my attention by Donna -- with this freeware you can create and decorate an original Christmas tree, then use it to make your own greeting cards, screensaver or whatever -- TREE -- only for those using Panther, the latest version of the Mac OSX .

Later today, God willing, I hope to put a batch of my usual $1 Christmas specials on eBay -- and tomorrow another batch for Boxing Day -- check them out at my eBay seller link, below, the evening of 18 December.

Cyndi, from the Attics&Beanie news group sent this handy list of Christmas Greetings in different languages -- I have a much shorter list on the back of the v2 and v3 cards I sent out -- v1, the first version, does not have it, and v3 corrects a couple mistakes that appeared in v2.

African Rehus-Beal-Ledeats Albanian Gezur Krislinjden Arabic Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah Argentine Feliz Navidad Armenian Shenoraavor Nor Dari yev Pari Gaghand Basque Zorionak eta Urte Berri On! Bengali Shubho Barodin Bohemian Vesele Vanoce Brazilian Boas Festas e Feliz Ano Novo Bulgarian Tchestita Koleda; Tchestito Rojdestvo Hristovo Catalan Bon Nadal i un Bon Any Nou Chile Feliz Navidad Chinese (Cantonese) Gun Tso Sun Tan'Gung Haw Sun Corsican Pace e salute Croatian Sretan Bozic Czech Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a stastny Novy Rok Danish Glaedelig Jul Dutch Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar Egyptian Colo sana wintom tiebeen English Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Eskimo Jutdlime pivdluarit ukiortame pivdluaritlo Estonian Rõõmsaid Jõulupühi Finish Hyvää Joulua or Hauskaa Joulua Flemish Zalig Kerstfeest en Gelukkig nieuw jaar French Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année Gaelic Nollaig chridheil agus Bliadhna mhath ur German Froehliche Weihnachten und ein gluckliches Neues Jahr Greek Kala Christougenna Kieftihismenos O Kenourios Chronos Hawaiian Mele Kalikimaka & Hauoli Makahiki Hou Hebrew Mo'adim Lesimkha. Shana Tova Hindi Shubh Naya Baras Hungarian Kellemes Karacsonyiunnepeket & Boldog Új Évet Icelandic Gledileg Jol og Farsaelt Komandi ar Indonesian Selamat Hari Natal Iraqi Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah Irish Nollaig Shona Dhuit Italian Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo Japanese Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto Korean Sung Tan Chuk Ha Latin Natale hilare et Annum Nuovo Latvian Prieci'gus Ziemsve'tkus un Laimi'gu Jauno Gadu Lithuanian Linksmu Kaledu Macedonian Streken Bozhik Malayalam Puthuvalsara Aashamsakal Maltese Nixtieklek Milied tajjeb u is-sena t-tabja Mandarin Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan Maori Meri Kirihimete Marathi Shub Naya Varsh Mongolian Zul saryn bolon shine ony mend devshuulye Norwegian God Jul og Godt Nyttår Oriya Sukhamaya christmass ebang khusibhara naba barsa Papua New Guinea Bikpela hamamas blong dispela Krismas na Nupela yia i go long yu Philippines Maligayang Pasco at Manigong Bagong Taon Poland Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia Portuguese Boas Festas e um feliz Ano Novo Punjabi Nave sal di mubaraka Pushto Christmas Aao Ne-way Kaal Mo Mobarak Sha Rumanian Sarbatori vesele Russian Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom Samoan La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou Sardinian Bonu nadale e prosperu annu nou Scots-Gaelic Nollaig chridheil huibh Serbian Hristos se rodi Singhalese Subha nath thalak Vewa. Subha Aluth Awrudhak Vewa Slovak ciid wanaagsan iyo sanad cusub oo fiican Somalis Vesele Vianoce. A stastlivy Novy Rok Spanish Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo Swedish God Jul och Gott Nytt År Sudanese Wilujeng Natal Sareng Warsa Enggal Tamil Nathar Puthu Varuda Valthukkal Thai Suksan Wan Christmas lae Sawadee Pee Mai Turkish Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun Ukrainian Veseloho Vam Rizdva i Shchastlyvoho Novoho Roku Urdu Naya Saal Mubarak Ho Vanina Bon Natale a Tutti Vietnamese Chuc Mung Giang Sinh - Chuc Mung Tan Nien Welsh Nadolig LLawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda

19 DECEMBER 2004 / Sunday -- I thought I would add a couple examples of snowflakes, most made by online friends, and two exceptional ones (on the right) that Denise (aka Sluggy) sent me the links to -- my flake (see above link) is the least exciting of them all -- maybe I really am not as flakey as some might think? Clicking on the flake icon brings you to an enlarged view of the flake -- if you click on the [F] beside a corresponding flake, it takes you to that flake on the web site, and you may add your own comment, if you wish -- you can also make your very own snowflake, and if you get its URL, you can add it to your web page, blog, and / or include it in your Christmas emails.

[F]

[F]

[F]

[F]

x

[F]

[F]

22 DECEMBER 2004 / Wednesday -- Here is another kewl link to a neato cyber Christmas theme, sent to me by Bill, a friend on an online Apple Computer list I frequent -- and it is even interactive, which is a lot more fun! eCard -- I wish that I could be that creative!

Two more -- this one sent to me by Ruth, a gal in Illinois -- eCard2 -- and this by a creative genius friend, Ron, in Virginia (Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.....) Light Tree

25 DECEMBER 2004 / Saturday --

-- Merry -- -- Christmas

I just woke up -- more, laters.......

Maybe I should start with the letter from my relatives in Gdansk, Poland -- -- -- they included part of the Aplotek, a portion of the sacred host which is shared with family members at this joyous tyme of year -- this one depicts the adoration of the Magi

WOWSERS! Hey, the older cats either thought I was a good kiddo this year, or that I should keep cooking them yummy meals? What a surprise waited for me hidden under stuff in the nominal living room -- -- great! A new set of stainless steel cookware to replace the clad crap I bought some months ago, with the attached copper bottoms that cooked off! And these seem to be completely steel on the exterior, so, theoretically, I should not have molton lead dripping all over the place if I get distracted and forget I have something on the stove! -- -- the accompanying brochure better shows the brand -- -- and also what the set contains -- -- wait! There is more to come!

I noticed that one of the Sphynx kittens was wondering how to wrap the gift from the two youngins -- they just could not get their paws on the wrapping paper and scotch tape -- -- you can notice the tufts of fuzz which develop on their rumps due to the onslaught of really colder weather -- they lose it in the spring and summer -- the second one jumped up to see if she could help -- -- I calmed them down a little, explaining that surprises do not need to be gift wrapped, it is the thought that counts -- they were all happy, smoochy and thrilled to present me with a new wallet, to replace the really old one made of ostrich leather that I got in Spain at least 8 years ago -- it was becomming a tad ragged, so here is a new one with a traditionally American Stetson brand -- -- as you can see from the other 2 pics, this is somewhat larger than my old one, and it is made of cowhide, and fabulously presented in a tree wood box with felt lining and silver embossing on the top! They were purring as I checked it out!

Then, near my desk, I found something else from all the kittys -- they know how understanding and compassionate I always am, so they found me a kewl DVD they thought I might like -- -- kewlio! I thought the flick was spectacular, so now I can watch it again when I get a free moment.

This next surprise did not have a TO / FROM tag on it -- could it have been from Santa? Strange, because I really did not ask him for anything this year -- he probably knows I have been looking around, slightly, to perhaps find property to move to -- some place with loads of space to stash all my goodies and all -- well, guess what? This may not be quite as large as I might need -- he does know that I sort of prefer living anywhere else but in the USA, for various reasons, so this prime location is in Caithness, Scotland! -- -- -- it is definitely not all the space I need, but it has a curious added perk -- -- once I send in the registration form, I should theoretically be provided with an official deed to my little plot of land, and as a Scottish land owner, can then add a title to my name! OMG! I will then legally become Lord Sigmund Joseph Kardas, Jr., Laird of Glencairn! Lordy be, wonders never cease!

26 DECEMBER 2004 / Sunday -- Here is another kewl link from Cyndi -- The Day After

28 DECEMBER 2004 / Tuesday -- we not only had our first minor snowfall of this winter, but I just checked that snowflake web site, and there are now 520,539 flakes falling -- when I put mine in, it was flake # 346,275, so it has snowed 174,264 flakes since then! Some of the newer ones are from -- -- Russia, and they are absolutely breathtaking -- when I go there I always add a few comments to the flakes I click on. Have you made your flake yet? Do not be a flake already -- make one to add to posterity -- any of the above flake links works to add your own creation.

This year I have to get some grapes, and perhaps put a bottle of champagne in the fridge for the countdown to 2005 -- -- in true European tradition, one pops a grape in their mouth for each of the 10 remaining seconds, after which it is washed down with a glass of bubbly. Then my cats and I can do a group hug and wish each other the best of 2005.

29 DECEMBER 2004 / Wednesday -- I guess you all want to see my Christmas decorations? OK, here they all are -- even the cats do not get a chance to see them unless I open my study door and let them in; anyways, the kittys are way too snug under the covers on my bed to want to do much wandering around in the cold-ish apartment -- -- Would you believe? This is the 279th photo that I have included in my YES for 2004, not counting the occasional animated gif, which go into another folder -- a record number! AMAZING!!

Back to the photo -- perhaps you might be able to pick your Christmas card among those hanging at the glass block windows beside my desks? The same old bulletin board has the same old stuff on it as it did, in some cases, for many years already -- the Kardas coat of arms, done in embossed metal (estaño) by Evelio at least 20+ years ago, is to the right of the cork board -- the sketches on the right are 2 of the 8 original deKoonings I still have left, hanging by the front left window. The lifesize bronze bust on the right is that of Teilhard de Chardin, the Jesuit palaeontologist and theologian/philosopher, one of 2 or 3 copies cast and sculpted by Malvina Hoffman; Teilhard looks down on me from a low bookshelf beside my old oak desk -- he is my main role model! To the left, the bronze sculpture of a prehistoric man carrying a hunted deer, was sculpted and cast by Evelio, the only copy. Just about visible on the far left are two watercolours by Evelio, which hang above my oak computer table --

What else can I point out? Oh, yes, the goodies on the narrow window ledges -- the left one first -- L -> R : a cute photo under glass of 2 monkey friends that a gal on the Beanie List sent me in the Holiday Gift Exchange we did some 4 or 5 years ago, and this years greeting from Bernar in part of the metal frame -> George's greeting card; he is a really kewl dude from Alabama and Florida, and posts on the aol Apple Computer message board; curiously he and I share the same birthday and are remarkably alike in our thinking about many things -> a recent photo of my Aunt Lyra from Virginia, who I have not seen since I was a kid -> a postcard Bernar sent me from Hawaii in the year 2000 -> a neato Russian 10 ruble GOLD coin, in a small faux Faberje frame of dark blue enamel and gilt metal which I got myself a couple years ago , probably on eBay->

between the windows are two temperature devices, the lower one showing the digital temps in the study and in the kitchen, which is usually the coldest room in the apartment; right now it is 63.9 in the kitchen and 66.4 in my study --

On to the right ledge -> a Holiday mug sent me by Marion in Florida two years ago; the colorful streamers dangling down were also sent by her, and although you cannot see the neato colored thingys attached to the cord, there is a starfish, dolphin, a sailfish and other fish, all of which move with the drafts of air from the air purifier I have on the floor below -> next to the mug is a small vintage porcelain figure of the Disney character, Scrooge McDuck, which the neighborhood Godfather, nicknamed Donald Duck, gave me some 5 years ago -> next is another Marion gift, a kewlio alligator that fits onto the end of a pencil -> a small brass cup made in Egypt, sent to my parents by Uncle Ed, Aunt Lyra's husband, while he was vice consul in Cairo when I was very young -> and last, but not least, a figure of an Orca Whale from Sea World, that I got many years ago in a box lot of goodies at a local country auction.

Isn't BLOGGING a lot of fun? A BLOG is short for WebLog, a virtual chronicle of usually personal stuff posted by a BLOGGER on the InterNUT to share with other cyber denizens, family and friends around the world. It has become very popular in the past couple years. Do you have your own personal web domain and BLOG or whatever on the Net yet? It is never too late to start, but you may find it difficult to find a top level domain name you might like to have that is not already registered by some peep who did not procrastinate as much as you have. JUST DO IT!

1 JANUARY 2005 / Saturday -- YES - 2005

Here are a couple fun New Years links -- this one is interactive, sent by Ron -- a second, a cute one wishing for the end of winter from Marge, who also sent this one with a tip on what NOT to do at that New Years Eve party.

6 JANUARY 2005 / Thursday -- For some reason this Holiday period has been somewhat quietly subdued compared with others -- I just received a large envelope from the UK -- -- inside was an introductory letter explaining the contents, as well as the following

Indenture of Deed -- -- although I was somewhat leery about this InterNUT offer, apparently it was and is the real thing, and for a good cause -- setting aside a portion of a Scottish estate as a Nature reserve!

So, to all you Lords and Ladys out there in cyberlandia, I am quite pleased to now be virtually counted among your ranks! CHEERS!

14 JANUARY 2005 / Friday -- I overslept this morning, which is usual when I actually sleep in bed. It was a quiet rainy dreary day -- not exactly the kind that breeds good cheer and joy, except maybe for plants and birds and such. I got a bunch of cyber greetings via email or posts on the Apple Computer message boards, a couple eCards, and 3 actual snail mail cards, one from my brother and his gang, the second from George in PA, a friend of Evelio's from way back, and lastly from Marion in Florida. The birthday 2005 eMac folder has 50 files in it, mostly to/from emails, from 27 different friends.

The Christmas 2004 folder has 154 files in it from 50 pals, mostly to/from emails and Instant Messages related to the Holidays. Both numbers do not include other communication/pic files corresponding to special Holiday related projects or connected stuff I was working on.

As I have said many times in the past, I prefer the personal touch of snail mail contacts, hand written and everything the olde fashioned way, and I used to be a really prolific letter writer, until this damned computer toy appeared in my life! I really have not written a normal letter in a long time, and just as rarely receive one. Next Christmas, if I last that long, I just may include eCards in my Grinch List count of greeting received, and it would probably decrease the percentage of grinches. It seems that many do not take the time for writing out and sending the traditional cards any more, which is a shame -- it sort of dehumanizes the whole concept somehow and makes it quasi robotic.

As the day progressed I kept getting more and more cyber contacts to cheer me up, and I finally decided to get my butt over to SuperG to get myself a small birthday cake and check to see if they had anything exciting that I could have for dinner. Interestingly enough they did have a single thingy of roast turkey breast among the barbecue chickens, which I don't recall seeing there too frequently, so I got that, some baked mushrooms, egg salad, a raisin bread pudding and a neato butter iced small birthday cake!

Just finished less than half the turkey -- the cats got their share -- and I just munched the first piece of the yummy cake. The raisin bread pudding I usually have for breakfast, and it last me 2 days, with any luck.

I did not get myself anything for my birthday because what I might like to have costs way more than I can afford, and/or I simply do not need more little cheapy stuff such as clothes or whatever to take up yet more space and not have anywhere to stash it.

So I had a quiet, happy birthday, something special to munch on, and felt loved by all the cyber greetings I received. I feel sort of OK, so at this point my special day was a huge success -- EXCEPT for one little detail -- George in Alabama, a cyber pal who has the same birthday as I do, has not appeared on my Instant Message Buddy List since a few days ago when he mentioned, in great spirits, as usual, that he had to go for Cat scans later that day because apparently the cancer he thought he got rid of seems to have popped up somewhere else. I emailed him wishing him a happy birthday, but no reply, yet. Hopefully that old saying, no news is good news, is working here, but until I hear from him personally I continue to worry.

Here are screen shots of some of the cute eCards I receved -- Marge -- Ron -- Lynn -- Joan / Joan 1 -- Robin -- Robin's card was exceptionally interactive, so here is the -- LINK -- which may continue to be a valid URL for at least 30 days or so. If I missed yours, it was purely an oversight -- sometimes files get accidently clicked into another desktop folder by mistake, and it may take weeks before I trip over them again!

With this, I finally bring to a close this Christmas 2004 page. You know where you can catch up on my latest stuff, the 2005 YES link, below.

Thank you everyone for all of your friendly kindness in 2004, and I wish each and every one of my readers the best in 2005 and always.

[back to my 2004 YES page]

YES - 2005

Countdown to My Birthday

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Christmas Pages - Index	Page
Christmas Thoughts - 2001	Christmas - 2004
SunCat's Holiday Cheer	Christmas - 2003
A+B Holiday Exchange - 2001	Christmas - 2002
Christmas - 2001	aapl Holiday Exchange - 2002
Christmas - 2000	A+B Holiday Exchange - 2002
Christmas - 1999	GRINCH LIST

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