Dear Santa (2021 Edition)

I have in years past put pen to paper to drop Santa Claus a few lines before his epic annual trip around the world, and since I’m back in the holiday spirit for a change it seemed appropriate to renew that tradition this year. All this cheer – the twinkling lights at night, the trees decorated here and there, and the ever-present Christmas muzak track – have me in the festive mood for a change.

The spirit moved me enough that my heart grew three times bigger this year, as evidenced in the photo above. Scary grinch costume and all.

So this might be an unorthodox way to start a letter, my dear St. Nick, but I figure you are probably bored with the usual fare of “Dear Santa, I’ve been a good boy this year…”

I’ll plead the fifth on whether or not I deserve to go on the naughty or nice list for 2021, since I’m sure readers will make up their minds on their own on where I’ll land. (I would hope the majority agrees I deserve at least a fair hearing from the Elves on whether I get coal and switches or sweets and gizmos – but honestly, with inflation the way it is lately I might need the coal and switches for winter warmth…)

Truth be told Santa, I’m probably better off without the presents piling up around me this year. My needs are getting simpler by the year so the desire to have things wanes more every holiday season.

So should you be in the mood for delivering up something that the Myrick household will do good to have during this holiday season, I wouldn’t mind having a few extra outfits, maybe a few extra bucks left at the end of the year. If you’re getting really wild about it, you are welcome to bring me a new laptop with all the bells and whistles – one that has the power to edit video would be especially nice – but I understand. The ridiculous problems of chip shortages, costs going up, and I’m sure everyone wants a new computer this holiday season will make that a tall task. Do what you can.

If really there’s anything I want for Christmas this year Santa, it’s to have enough $5 a month subscribers to ensure that this coming year I can keep from having to Charlie Hustle every month on ad sales. I need 1,000 people to sign up to sustain me monthly. I’ve gotten… two dozen contributors in one way or another so far.

So this year, I ask that you keep it simple Mr. Claus. In fact, that might be the best present you can provide of all: simplicity.

The world needs simplicity right now in the worst possible way. Maybe that is a gift outside of your magical powers, but one that I think would go a long way toward spreading holiday cheer.

As always Santa, have a safe journey around the world this coming Friday night/Saturday morning. And from Jess, the pups and I, we wish you a Merry Christmas, St. Nick!

-Kevin the Editor, December 2021