Saturday Six

Episode 87
1. You're producing a school program for the holidays and you learn that there will be major objections if you include in your musical selections the traditional Christmas hymns that reference the "true meaning of Christmas." Assuming that there are secular tunes (like "Frosty the Snowman") already included in the program, what do you do with the hymns? Do you allow them to go as is, do you use the melody and rewrite the words, do you include as many pieces of music from other religions as possible, or do you remove all but the secular songs?
There's one option that isn't included: cancel the program. But, no, I wouldn't do that.

We are fortunate (?) enough to live in a community where most of the people are at least nominally Christians. The music teachers do about 90% secular songs, but they usually include at least one "Jesus song." Especially for the Hispanic kids, there just aren't as many non-Christian Christmas songs (one more year of "Feliz Navidad" and I'll be boycotting the programs too!).

The real question here is who is complaining: the audience members, or the kids' parents? If it's a generic audience member, I'd be very tempted to tell them not to come to the concert. If it's a kid who doesn't believe in Christmas--or whose family doesn't--then I'd switch the songs so the kid doesn't have to sing about it.

Still, there is some great Christmas, and Christian, music written by non-Christians.

These are questions that remind me of why I'm NOT a teacher!

2. What percentage of your Christmas shopping is done at this point? When do you expect to have it finished if you haven't already finished?
About 70%. Much of it has to be mailed tomorrow or Tuesday, so I have to be done soon.

3. What was your favorite board game to play as a kid? Is it still your favorite now?
I used to love playing "Life." I still do, but the financial amounts (on my vintage 70s gameboard) absolutely crack me up: you're a doctor and earn $20,000 a year, and that's a lot!

4. Take this quiz: What famous artist should paint your portrait?

Edvard Munch Edvard Munch should paint your portrait. You are a very emotional person. You are always up for a good talk with one of your friends. You don't like to keep things bottled up. Often, you are friendly and outgoing, but that can change very easily to being introverted and cold. Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com

["set fire to the couch"??]

5. How accurate is this quiz's description of you?
Uhm, I think it's pretty accurate. In fact, it's a little creepy.

6. If you could go back in time and have one more picture taken with a deceased loved one, who would you select and why?
My dad. Actually, I'd like to have a good picture of my dad with my son. The one I have is in shadow--the flash didn't work. While this is a definite sort of "literary foreshadowing" concept--Dad died about 3 weeks after the photo was taken--I'd rather have a picture than a concept.