[Elspode]

Since I'm the new guy, I was selected to be the last warm body out of here today (the place is rapidly becoming deserted, but we still have crews out). As the new guy, I also did not enjoy the gift cards and bonuses that were available to the longer-term folks, but I did receive a very nice ham and a killer BBQ luncheon yesterday.

When I do get to leave (and it will be earlier than normal, I'm certain), it will be back to the hospital for another night. Sometime tomorrow afternoon I'll get to go home after Stephen's mother shows up to do her shifts. The wife and I will probably go have Chinese and then to see LOTR-TROTK tomorrow evening. We have found that theaters are not very crowded on Xmas Day for some reason. Christians...what are you gonna do?

Stephen's shunt re-revision surgery is likely to be moved back from Friday, as he was just diagnosed with a staph infection of his scalp. As a result, they may actually totally remove his existing shunt, already externally plumbed, and install a "temporary" shunt until the real one can be emplaced after the infection clears. I don't really know what this will entail, and likely won't find out for a day or two due to the holiday.

It could be a better holiday season, but it could also have been much worse. I am thankful for having a coherent and relatively normal son (at present), a loving wife and family, a new and somewhat promising job, and a lot of wonderful friends and associates.

I am proud to include all of you Cellarites amongst the latter, and so I would like to wish you all the best of the season. Be safe, be happy and be well!