February 2007

It seems like such a long time since I last posted to my blog. I guess that will be the case as I plan to post once a month up until November.

I am happy to report that Mrs. Claus and I are both doing well. We spent the bulk of January on our annual "sabbatical" to Maui. We love the Islands and this year was a good as we've ever had. We were able to avoid the paparazzi the entire trip.... it is definitely much more relaxing that way. We spent much of time in Honokowai. It is such a low key area that I was able to go to the deli, shop at Star Market, grab some java at the Naughty Donkey coffee joint (actually it is called Bad A** coffee but Mrs. Claus and I just call it the Naughty Donkey so as not to inadvertendly mislead a child overhearing our conversation to think we were cursing...), etc.... all with out being recognized. Our mornings were lazy... we'd sit on the deck overlooking the ocean and enjoy fresh mango, pineapple, and papaya while reading the paper. Then we'd wander down the beach searching for treasures that the tide had brought in. Then we'd finish up at the Naughty Donkey for a 16oz cup of Kona coffee with a shot of espresso added. We would then shower up and head out for lunch out in Lahaina or at one of the resorts. Then we would set off in the afternoon for something active.... we snorkeled, boogie boarded, wind-surfed, surfed, fished, hiked, mountain biked, parasailed, or sailed each afternoon we were there. We'd usually be back on the beach at our condo in time to get an ocean swim or run on the beach in just in time to watch the sunset. After the sunset, if I didn't run pick something up at the deli, I'd grill out fresh fish and vegetables and we'd eat on the deck. We went out a few nights but usually we'd just hang out on the deck and enjoy the waves, swaying palms, and clear starry nights. More nights than not, I fell asleep in the lounge chair out on the deck. Mrs. Claus always put a blanket over me before she went in. I'd wake up in the middle of the night... typically between 2 and 3am... and stumble into bed. I tell you... that feeling when you wake up like that is bittersweet. I feel like I weigh a thousand tons and can barely lift my eyelids, much less my legs, yet I know I have to get up and go inside (or get off the couch if we're back home...). I'm so tired it hurts. Yet there is something nice about it too knowing that I still have 3 to 4 hours of sleep ahead of me. And that feeling when I do lay down in that comfortable bed - especially after sleeping on the lounge chair - and closing my eyes is amazing. It only lasts a second because I'm out in a minute but it is the most incredible feeling.... a fleeting moment of pure, unadulterated relaxation.

It was great! And as nice as it was, we are back home now. We arrived back home earlier today. We'll be here for a couple of days and then we're headed out to a refugee camp in Africa. Unfortunately, for security reason, I can not divulge where we will be but the purpose of our trip is to volunteer at the camp. We'll be performing a wide range of duties from preparing & serving food to helping coordinate logistics. We'll be at the camp through February... though I do have our monthly business meeting with the staff back at the North Pole near the middle of the month (We maintain a monthly meeting cadence during the "off-season").

Enough for now. I'll update you again next month. Be safe & be good... Santa knows...