Tea with McNair

• happy huh?

"Do you hear what I hear?" That's one of my favorite, contemporary Christmas carols. It has been recorded by scores of artists both vocally and instrumentally. (Attached, below, the Kristen Chenoweth version.)

But something I hear this time of year—that I do not like—are the echoing restrains of "Happy Holidays." It's weak, ignorant, politically IN-correct, and vapid. We have holidays all year.

We NEVER say "Happy Holidays" around the 4th of July to prevent offending our British friends. On Groundhog Day do we worry about all the other varmints we are snubbing? (My regards to Phil and all the residents of Punxsutawney, PA.)

So, when a retail person (as just happened to me on the phone) says, "Happy Holidays", I say, "Which holiday did you have in mind? There are so many wonderful holidays this time of year:

• December 16th, Nat'l Chocolate-Covered-Anything Day

• Dec. 18th, Wear a Plunger on Your Head Day

• Dec. 27th, Nat'l Fruitcake Day ... or maybe

• Jan 4th MY BIRTHDAY!!!!! "

So I say (to all the "holiday people"), with a smile , "I hope you have a Happy Christmas." They almost always say, "Thank you."

And to my Jewish friends I wish a happy Hanukkah. To my atheist friends I have always said (warmly and sincerely), "Nice sweater ... enjoy the game."

 

To all of you I raise a glass of spicy, red wine, rich egg nog with a dash (or three) of Episcopalian cheer.

And now a musical interlude ... (Holiday cheer)!

Download 04 Do You Hear What I Hear_

[Reprinted, with permission, from my Facebook page. Cartoon, above, by McNair]

 

• when in the world is mcnair? (and where)

Now that I am back on the speaking, consulting, coaching, and performing trail it is important to publish—for all to see—a current calendar of my events. Some—like this Sunday, 14 Feb. 2010*—are open to the public.

It  will also assist you in seeing that I may already be scheduled to come to your city or region and you may be motivated to piggyback onto that trip with an additional event for your organization, conference, or college. In such cases travel costs are shared (cheaper.) 

While my main website is being renovated I wanted to make a basic list of current dates for 2010 available right away. It is now posted on the bottom half of the "About" page of this blog. You can always jump to that page using the link directly under my photo at the top of the LEFT hand column of this web log.

 Be warned, it is just a basic list of info: The folks at Typepad have not-yet figured out how to provide tabs, columns, and other features that I already have on my 1954 Royal,  manual, portable typewriter.

There are already contracted engagements coming up in March through October of 2010 in places as wide ranging as Northern,Central, and Southern California, Houston, Downtown Denver, and Atlanta. And that's just the ones that are set or close to it.

I love the diversity of my work: coaching corporate leaders and ministry professionals on their speaking skills, facilitating the brainstorming of a group that is conceptualizing and designing a new ________ facility/product/marketing plan, delivering a keynote address to several hundred folks at the annual gather of the "NAWIITYD" (National Association of Whatever-It-Is-That-You-Do), or spending a few days/week on a college campus. All these stir my enthusiasms and allow me to put to full use my "Xperience" and personal, factory-installed passions. Here and there I even get to be an Artist-In-Residence and guest director for a University theatre department. (See Alice in Wonderland photo at top of this blog from Huntington University.)

[ Click calendar to enlarge.]

Please do not assume your organization (budget) is too small to invite me. My booking philosophy—thanks to my friend and mentor "Danny D"—is "If the date you want me is available on my calendar, how can we get to yes?"

I have not had a year that was too busy, yet.  And there are always available dates in the immediate (this month) and distant future.  Best time to contact us is TODAY: [email protected]!

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* Sunday, 14 February 2010 — a live performance of my one-man play . . .

Horizon Community Church 
2121 Dad Clark Drive
Highlands Ranch CO 80126
(470 @ University)
Just 40 minutes up I-25 from Colorado Springs

Free admission, casual dress. Be there, or be somewhere else!