Doing it right

Tonight I went to a party with some friends who are wonderful people. But they are also incredibly successful in a way I never will be (archivists don't rake in the money. It's just not a thing). Of course, they are also done with their careers, so they're in a completely different stage of life and it isn't remotely fair to compare myself with them. It's apples and peanut butter. Not the same thing (although tasty together). Even so, it's hard to not feel overwhelmed and inadequate.

But then I came home and saw this:

Which could only be the product of the elders I work with. And you know what? I may never have a house in Cozumel, but I'd take this over spare houses any day. I think I'm doing something right.

Tradition's Patient Zero

Today I overheard someone telling about how Christmas trees became a thing. Apparently, it was to be a reminder that new life would come in the spring or something. But here's my question: how did it become a thing?

Even if it was a "let's remember that spring will be green" thing, it had to start somewhere. So, did some family just feel really gloomy and need some cheering up so they put up a tree? And then their neighbor came by and was like, "Hey, that's cool! I like that! It makes me feel hopeful, like there will be new life in the spring" and put one up? And then they told their family and friends and soon everybody was doing it?

Or was there some farmer who wanted to clear some land, but didn't want to cut all of those trees into firewood, so he cut them down and convinced everyone that they were a symbol of new life and got them to buy them?

Did some religion somewhere just really love the smell of pine trees? Was it some kind of self-inflicted punishment, because you had to sweep up all the pine needles? I mean, who looked at a tree and said, "Hey. Let's cut that down and put it up in our house [because that totally  speaks of new life] so that we can remember that there will be new life in the spring! And, while we're at it, why don't we stick some candles on it?!" Was there a committee? An election? A whole town or province or country all handed in their ballot, "Yes, I am in favor of starting this tradition"?

I mean, seriously. Traditions start somewhere and probably not with all the symbolism we attribute to them. It's probably just a few people looking for something fun and meaningful to do and then somehow word spreads and a couple centuries later, stores are throwing merch out in September for a holiday that's in December and everyone is having fun with it (because we are. I LOVE Christmas trees! And lights! And ornaments!).

I just wondered, is all.

One Hell of a trip--haha

A co-worker and I were talking a few weeks ago and somehow got on the subject of places named Hell. I lived not to far from Hell, Michigan for a while and she has been to Hell, Norway. Well, naturally, we decided that a tour of Hell would be an awesome trip to go on someday. There aren't actually that many Hells:

• Hell, California (this is a ghost town)
• Hell, Michigan (a favorite for tourists visiting in winter, when they can say Hell has frozen over)
• Hell, Grand Cayman, in the Cayman Islands (in terms of heat, probably closer than Hell, MI to the stereotypical hell)
• Hell, Norway (with a sign that says, "God's Expedition". Translation: goods expedition, but where's the fun in that)
• Hell Cave, Slovenia (not a city, but it's hell)
• Hell Creek near Jordan Montana (again, close enough)

I don't know how many hells would be added if you threw in foreign languages, or if there are more variations like "Hell Cave" or "Hell Creek" that the internet just doesn't know about. But, this seems like a pretty good start. 

Now, the best part of taking a tour of all the Hells on earth is the out of office message you get to set. So many amazing possibilities, like "I'm out of the office. If you would like to reach me, go to Hell." Or "I went to hell. Be back in two weeks." Or variations thereon. You got to have fun with it, though. 

If you'd like to come along on this lovely world tour, you're more than welcome. If you do, I'll see you in Hell!