Nick's Black Belt ceremony was early in the month, at a local high school, he and the rest of the class that earned their belts performed a presentation and got their actual belts. Nick was the only one to get an 'old belt', he'll be wearing mine from thirty years ago... no chance my waist is ever 30" again, he'll put some more meaningful hours on it. I had a reputation for being unbiased in my martial arts days as an instructor and judge, and so I'm confident Nick pushes himself harder in the moment than anyone else I saw on the floor. I love his intensity.
We shared a quiet Christmas at home, Nick received a hover-board and a train, and kindly acted excited at new socks which he really needed (his toenails eat through socks.) Brandi got herself a bird house made of mahogany and copper that's nicer than our house. I got a ham (yay!) and a year's worth of credits at the local car wash. And so many gift baskets from friends and colleagues that we are drowning in snacks... popcorn, crackers, bread, cheese, pickles... it's awesome. A few odd things came in the arrangements, which Nick says it's OK we don't like them now because, "our taste buds reset every seven years." I just need him to pick up around himself, like the army of empty cans in his room, which I questioned, and he quipped, "they are protestors." That makes as much sense to me as 'smuggling sea pickles' but he's been doing a lot of that lately, too. I don't think that's code for something awkward, but I don't ask.
Rather than stay home for the full holiday, Nick and I made a three-day-run south to visit family and visit the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad. It's another four-hour tour with a layover, deep in Appalachia, a track famous for having many movies filmed along it's run. A better layover than Owosso, this stop in Dillsboro had a micro-brew that was excellent, and a fudge shop, that's all we needed. And best, no screaming kids on the ride. We made it home before New Year's, to watch the Orange Bowl (a dud) and get in more naps before 2022 begins.
Jason
