That title is almost blasphemous in the American belief system, I know. We took the girls to a local ice cream store, Coldstone's, to get ice cream and to see and get a photograph taken with Santa.

It occured to me that Santa gets a lot of credit for stuff that I do and provide. It's the sweat off my brow that bought her Ipod last year. That new HDTV in their playroom - me. All that High School Musical paraphernalia? Me, of course. All of us who provide gifts to our children or to children of people close to us, do our best to accept the perpetuation of the Santa myth. Why? Every hug or kiss my daughter showers on that slobbering wino with the ill-fitting beard is rightfully mine.

Lauren is at that age where she is beginning to see through the Santa subterfuge and is asking me more mature questions regarding the man in the roseate suit. "Do elves make underwear? I heard Grandpa ask Grandma for underwear for Christmas." I had to lie and tell her that, yes, elves specialize in toys and lingerie.

I hate to be a Scrooge but I'm just a big believer in giving credit where credit is due. And nobody quote me that Virginia crap! I won't spoil things for her as it does make a nice story and she loves talking about Santa as if he were a close friend of hers. But man, it gets to me, sometimes.


Eleven Replies to Santa Claus Can Kiss My Ass

Amy Austin | December 6, 2008
So lead her on Big Time -- let her in on your secret identity. Hire some dwarves in elf costumes, fly her to Alaska, and kick the crap out of "High School Musical" for a show... ;-D

Steve West | December 6, 2008
Oh, I'm just venting mostly. And that Troy kid would probably kick my ass and I'd be crushed if Lauren would be happy about it. Hit him again, Troy!

Amy Austin | December 6, 2008
Oh, I know... but I'm just saying... if you're gonna' help perpetuate the lie, then lie BIG!!! "Yes, Lauren... there is a Santa Claus -- and you wouldn't *believe* how busy I am!!!" ;-D

Steve West | December 6, 2008
That would work, I think. Or backfire big time. Right now I can blame Santa for being a stingy fat ass for not getting her a pony.

Amy Austin | December 6, 2008
Hahaha... true.

Scott Hardie | December 6, 2008
Steve, knowing what you told me at GooCon puts this post in a new perspective. It doesn't make it any less funny. :-)

My pet peeve watching ER is when the doctors tell the worried family members that their loved one survived surgery and is going to be ok, and the family exclaims, "Thank God!" Uh, the doctor in front of you deserves a little credit, too.

Steve West | December 6, 2008
I hear ya, Scott. In my case, definitely a symptom of the disease.

Lori Lancaster | December 6, 2008
[hidden by author request]

Jackie Mason | December 6, 2008
[hidden by author request]

Aaron Shurtleff | December 7, 2008
I understand this, Steve! Similar to Scott's, I love it when they show some lady on TV who was unable to get pregnant, but then, thanks to in vitro fertilization, she's having a child, and she's like, "This pregnancy is a gift from God!" No, your sterility was a gift from God. This baby is a gift from medical science. I don't want to step on anyone's religion, but seriously, how can you try and try for years to get pregnant, fail every time, finally go see a doctor to help you get pregnant, and give all the credit to God?

Amy Austin | December 7, 2008
Ooh... don't get me started on that one!!!


Web Junkie

Steve West scours the Web searching for interest or absurdity and then shakes his head ruefully when he finds it. Read more »

Approaching Decision Time

The Mickster/Sean Penn debate rages. I'm listing my reasons not to choose Mickey Rourke and comparing them to a similar list for Sean Penn. Mickey Rourke 1. Go »

We Were That Close

Brenda and I looked at a house a few days ago and were very charmed by it. It was a ranch style home with four bedrooms, a large fenced yard and was selling at a reasonable price. Brenda was a little unsure of the size of the bedrooms but agreed to go back and specifically measure them with a tape measure and if they met her minimum standards, she would agree to make an offer for the house. Go »

What'd I Step In?

Things stuck to the bottom of my internet shoe. Things not to do while wearing briefs made of beef jerky. (Besides wearing briefs made of beef jerky) Venezuelans believe children should not watch The Simpsons, offer more wholesome fare instead. Go »

Which Underwear?

Recent conversation with Brenda: Me: A friend of mine lost his wife a few years ago. He's not that old and dreaded entering the dating scene again but he was growing a little lonely. Brenda: Good for him - fingers crossed. Go »

Top Ten Top 10

Letterman has practically made a career out of his "Top 10" Lists. I'm shocked he doesn't have the copyright. He does, at least unofficially, as anyone who does anything similar immediately brings thoughts of him to mind. Go »

Oscars 2012

Now that I can make no further changes to my picks, I'd like to hear about the categories people wrestled with most. I struggled most with costume, documentary and even adapted screenplay. Goodl luck everyone! Go »