How much more of this can I take? This is the HOLIDAY season. I have to live with it. But why all this mental torture?
To be more specific, please, please, stop playing the song, "Twelve Days Of Christmas". It is pushing me over the edge. My brain is like an egg shell. It is about to bust.
"Hatred" should be the last thing we need at Christmas. Forgive me, I am saying this with only the best intentions. I HATE that song.
"Twelve Days Of Christmas", is another form of Chinese Water Torture. Word by word it should be banned by the Geneva Convention. No peace loving human being should be forced to listen to it.
Without that song, maybe we can finally have PEACE ON EARTH.

Another restless night. Very little sleep. All night I have been kept awake by the sounds of this city by the lake.
Gun shots, police sirens, ambulances, screams in the night. Sounds which do not permit me to forget this is the HOLIDAY season. Good will toward men.
Viewing the news on the latest technology, black and white analog television, what do I see? Everybody in the HOLIDAY spirit. Scenes at a Wal-Mart store at 5:00AM or 6:00AM in the morning. Crowds of shoppers in a HOLIDAY spirit, pushing and actually walking over fallen bodies to find a bargain on an item that will only be returned the day after CHRISTmas (Sorry...Should have said the day after the HOLIDAY). Stupid me, I keep forgetting we have taken CHRIST out of CHRISTmas.
Now that I am in the HOLIDAY mood, I can take up my bags and explore the mysteries which abound in the many alleys in Chicago, the city of Good Will and Love toward our fellow humans.
Happy HOLIDAYS!

While walking with my bags on the streets and dark alleys of Chicago,I have time to think. What if Jesus were to come to Chicago? Would he find a welcome reception?
Funny how these thoughts enter the mind. While passing a plot of land that once was a home to a church, now tore down, vacant. Where would Jesus stay? This was one of many churches in Chicago now gone or vacant.
Would Jesus be arrested? He dressed like those now considered "terrorists". Would he be searched? Not having anything on his person would he be classified as a suicide bomber going on a one way trip?
Not having any means of financial support, would he be arrested as being a best not to be seen street person? Preaching the Gospel without a permit is considered a crime, especially on public transportation.
How would Jesus feel should he be able to enter a store to buy a loaf of bread during the time in December set aside to honor his birth? As now is the custom he would be greeted with "Happy HOLIDAYS"...instead of HappyCHRISTmas. CHRIST has been banished from what once was CHRISTmas.
Would Jesus feel welcomed? Not in Chicago. Jesus has competion...$$$$$$...the new SAVIOR.

These words are being written by a potential "felon". It has dawned on me that every minute of the day I am guilty of breaking one of the many "forbidden" laws that are on the books of this forbidden city, Chicago.
Some of the many laws I may be guilty of:
Eating a candy bar on public transportaion...forbidden
Crossing the street in the middle of the block...forbidden
Missing throwing a gun wrapper into a trash container on a
public way...forbidden.
Unable to stay awake in the library...forbidden.
Entering a museum on a rainy day with an umbrella...forbidden
Etc;, etc;, etc;'

So many laws, so many laws broken.

Everywhere in this forbidden city, Chicago, there are cameras. Cameras to watch you should you go through a red light. Cameras in parking lots. Cameras in banks. Cameras in stores.

Should you want to buy a pack of cigarettes, regardless of age, even if you are in your 70's, you must produce a I.D. confirming your age. It is forbidden to complete the sale without an I.D.

This is the time of the year one should be cheerful. How can that be, with so many laws which are there to forbid being happy?