Christmas Television with Ella or How I Caught Myself Being Cynical
With Ella fed, bathed and in her pajamas we found what looked like a cute Christmas story. All three of us snuggled into the luvsac for some cuddle time.
I was looking forward to an old favorite, something along the lines of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, or the Snoopy/Charlie Brown Special (always loved the way Snoopy skated).
The special was entitled "Nestor the Long-Earred Christmas Donkey" ... WHAT? WHO IS NESTOR?
I immediately sent Darin a text to his phone asking him if this was some kind of joke ... have you ever heard of Nestor? As the show continued it was blantantly similar to Rudolph. Much like Rudolph with his disturbing red nose Nestor's troublesome feature was his incredibly long donkey ears. I was irrate by the templated story. As the story progressed I felt resentful of the emotional manipulation not to mention they ripped off Rudolph!!!
On a commercial break Darin did a little Googling and discovered that Nestor was from the late 70's. Ok, I know that they take stories and rework them to see what what will work. I will let this one pass. Maybe I just can't get into it because I don't have any history with Nestor so I am actually seeing it as a grownup.
I am watching this show thinking ... this is so transparent and stupid. This is absurd. Why do they always have to just emotionally wreck you. They get the kids so wound up and filled with emotions.
I feel Ella's little body start to weep and a little sniffle is heard. Darin turns to her and asked "Ella why are you crying?" (It wasn't a sad part at all.)
Ella's little voice "It's ... just ... so ... beautiful."
Then it all comes back to me, that overwhelmed with emotion feeling. I start to remember that it's the EMOTION of it all that makes it beautiful. It's letting yourself get overwhelmed and filled with awe.
With the story over Ella and I walk to the bathroom for teeth brushing and our evening girl talk. She turns and asks, "Was that a true story or was that made up?"
Oh *#$&$%*#$& what am I supposed to say????
It's a story of a story I reply.
It's times like that when I know I am totally in over my head.
I was looking forward to an old favorite, something along the lines of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, or the Snoopy/Charlie Brown Special (always loved the way Snoopy skated).
The special was entitled "Nestor the Long-Earred Christmas Donkey" ... WHAT? WHO IS NESTOR?
I immediately sent Darin a text to his phone asking him if this was some kind of joke ... have you ever heard of Nestor? As the show continued it was blantantly similar to Rudolph. Much like Rudolph with his disturbing red nose Nestor's troublesome feature was his incredibly long donkey ears. I was irrate by the templated story. As the story progressed I felt resentful of the emotional manipulation not to mention they ripped off Rudolph!!!
On a commercial break Darin did a little Googling and discovered that Nestor was from the late 70's. Ok, I know that they take stories and rework them to see what what will work. I will let this one pass. Maybe I just can't get into it because I don't have any history with Nestor so I am actually seeing it as a grownup.
I am watching this show thinking ... this is so transparent and stupid. This is absurd. Why do they always have to just emotionally wreck you. They get the kids so wound up and filled with emotions.
I feel Ella's little body start to weep and a little sniffle is heard. Darin turns to her and asked "Ella why are you crying?" (It wasn't a sad part at all.)
Ella's little voice "It's ... just ... so ... beautiful."
Then it all comes back to me, that overwhelmed with emotion feeling. I start to remember that it's the EMOTION of it all that makes it beautiful. It's letting yourself get overwhelmed and filled with awe.
With the story over Ella and I walk to the bathroom for teeth brushing and our evening girl talk. She turns and asks, "Was that a true story or was that made up?"
Oh *#$&$%*#$& what am I supposed to say????
It's a story of a story I reply.
It's times like that when I know I am totally in over my head.
