The ghost of Christmas past

For many years now I have been chasing the specter of what Christmas used to mean to me. I have tried to recapture the child-like excitement and grandeur of Christmas. Just as many things that you recall from childhood do not seem so big once you see them in the light of adulthood, so has Christmas diminished for me.

This does not mean that I have lost my Christmas spirit or that I don’t recall the true meaning of Christmas. It just means that the phantom I have been seeking now seems nothing more than a wisp.

Let me take you back into my memory and show you what Christmas used to be. Come on… it’s just up here to the left.

My family always had an artificial Christmas tree. Some yuletide purists would call this a travesty but when a real Christmas tree has the potential to kill your older sister because of her allergies, you adjust. Because of this, the tradition around my house was never picking out a tree but picking it out of the attic. Along with the tree came the many boxes of ornaments, garlands, lights, wreaths and other holiday accoutrements. For as much as I hated going up into the attic, I was always eager to scramble up to retrieve the decorations while my father and brother waited for me to slide the boxes down the ladder.

For some reason, my father – and I have somehow been cursed to continue this tradition – had a knack for choosing the most difficult tree to assemble. As the tree was dumped out of the box, the boughs would have to be separated. Each level and, thus, length of branch was distinguished by colored paint at the tip of the bough to be inserted into the center pole. The only problem with this was the manufacturer would use odd colors. Rather than bright green, red, blue, fuchsia and other easily distinguished colors, the nutcase assigned this task would use dark brown, black and navy combined with dark red and burnt orange: Masochists.

At any rate, most of a weekend would be spent decorating the tree and the house to brighten up to the season. Soon after, we could look forward to the arrival of Christmas cards and bags we weren’t allowed to look in. As the weeks went by, the pretty boxes would start appearing under the tree. By Christmas Eve, they would be spilling over on all sides… my parents were good to us at Christmas.

Tradition dictated that on Christmas Eve we were allowed to open one gift of our choosing with the occasional exception of a gift related to another gift or, “No, you can’t open the big one tonight.” With excitement building to a fever pitch, secure in the knowledge that more presents would miraculously show up overnight, and knowing that several of my wishes for shiny new toys would be fulfilled, I would lay awake most of Christmas Eve – unable to sleep; restless with anticipation.

As the seconds ticked off and we came closer and closer to the dawn I would hope and hope and hope to hear another person stirring while the first rays of sunlight peeked through my window. I was long ago banned from waking the house at dawn on Christmas morning. I had to wait until at least one other person got up – on their own – before waking my other sibling and, finally, my parents.

Once everyone was roused from their slumber and mom and dad had a chance to work through their most basic morning routine, we were allowed to proceed downstairs to the family room to open presents… Yeah… Right… All three of us would gather at the top of the stairs like Labradors salivating for their treats and wait for mom and dad to emerge from their room. Once the door opened and they said, “Okay,” we would fly down the stairs into the living room and immediately start sorting through gifts.

“This one’s mine!”
“Oh WOW! I got a big one!!”
“Ooh! Here’s one for you, Mary!”

We would sort because it was poor etiquette to start ripping them open before mom and dad made it downstairs and had settled in. Not that I even knew what etiquette meant – I just knew it was a no-no.

The wrapping paper flew, boxes were opened, expressions of glee were uttered, and the gifts were stacked in five little piles as the contents of packages were disclosed. As we finished and said our thank-yous mom and dad would adjourn to the kitchen to make a hearty breakfast often consisting of eggs, bacon and/or sausage, and pancakes.

Once breakfast was started, the three of us would work to extract gifts from boxes and perform simple assembly – like putting the pistol into G.I. Joe’s kung-fu grip. We would sit in the living room and play, occasionally leaving to check on breakfast or to report revelations of, “Mom! Look what this can do!”

Once breakfast was over, the toys would rest among the shards of wrapping paper and empty boxes as we went upstairs to get ready for church. Often, we would wear that new shirt or sweater to show off at services… as did almost everyone else.

Most of the time, my family would sit near the front of the church – never the front row, though – but Christmas was different. Our church had what we called the mitten/sock tree. This was a live Christmas tree on which parishioners would hang… mittens and socks… that would be donated to local charities. Since it was a live tree, we had to sit near the back to avoid as much sinus congestion on the part of my sister as possible.

I was never overly fond of church services. This is a fact that will not surprise my father but will also not make him happy. For some reason, I just didn’t get into it. Christmas, however, was different. The pageantry and the fellowship as well as the opportunity to show off new clothes are memories I wouldn’t trade for anything.

After church, we would change into new non-dress clothes and go back to playing with our new toys. Then, somewhere in the midst of the afterglow of pretty paper, pancakes, and prayer, the Vermont and New York contingents would check in. My grandparents and aunts and uncles would call. After mom and dad had a nice talk with them, us three kids would each take a turn. Some calls would last over an hour as the phone was passed from person to person in each household.

Back then, Christmas was a full day of celebration. Now, it seems more like six weeks of stress searching for and wrapping gifts, finalizing travel plans, and trying to keep our own house in order followed by fifteen minutes of mayhem as wrapping paper is forcefully separated from what it covered. After that, children disappear to play video games and adults settle in to watch television.

Maybe it’s just a case of holiday blues. Maybe it’s adulthood. Maybe it's that I'm turning cynical. Maybe it’s a lack of religion. I only hope that, someday, I will be able to recapture the magic of Christmas past.

All I want for Christmas...

It's less than a week until the day when Christians experience the magic and miracle of the Christmas holiday. That time when families gather around a feast in celebration and fellowship. That time when our warmest thoughts are of friends and family to whom we haven't addressed a card yet. That time when you know you'll get a chance to see your black-sheep uncle get drunk on egg nog and... well... let's just say last year was veeeeery interesting. That time when all good little girls and good little boys celebrate the true meaning of the season - TOYS!

Growing up I can remember knowing that the Christmas season was upon us not by the shift in focus of television commercials but, rather, by the arrival of the Sears Wish Book. I don't know if Sears still produces this behemoth of a catalog since they shut down their catalog division but imagine a major metropolitan telephone directory and you'll get an idea for the size.

I can't tell you much about what the catalog contained. I know it featured clothes and bed linens but I never really examined it that closely. I can tell you with 100% confidence that the toys were at the back.

Christmas lists were not even attempted in our house without the aid of this authoritative tome of the latest and greatest toys and games on the market. Each of us three children would take turns thumbing through the catalog - backwards - and assembling our wish lists. Mine was usually the longest and most spectacular. I recall once or twice enumerating my requests and coming up with well over 100 items. As a child, I wanted.

As I grew up, the back of the Sears catalog became less and less important to me. Today, there are no authoritative assemblages of products on which I base my wish lists (unless you count the Best Buy ad inserts in the Sunday paper). Of course, that doesn't mean my lists are any less spectacular. In my family, my Christmas lists are items of legend. No matter how complicated the assembly, no matter how large the price tag, if it caught my eye, it was on the list.

Of course, to be fair to everyone's wallet, my list comprises a wide spectrum of price points. If you really want to get me an expensive gift, you'll know what it should be - often right down to the model number. On the other end, if money is tight, I'm happy with blank CDs or a Barnes & Noble gift certificate.

A couple of years ago, I was forced to do some soul-searching and discovered that I was being overly selfish in many aspects of my life. As it came close to the time when I would normally start my wish list, I left the pen down and decided that - in the true spirit of Christmas - I would not distribute a Christmas list. After all, I'm pretty easy to buy for. If it beeps, blinks, buzzes, plugs in or is battery or gasoline powered - I'll take it.

This decision, for some reason, did not go over well. From all members of my family I received queries of, "Where's your list?" When I told them I didn't have one and started to explain my ideological epiphany I was usually cut off by, "I have to have a list." or "How do I know what to buy you without a list?" So I quickly put together a, for me, modest list and sent it out some time between Thanksgiving and mid-December. It was still an excellent Christmas in the gift department.

So, now, even though I realize the grandeur of my Christmas list - which, in the past, has included high-end digital cameras, video cameras, PDAs, and any variety of blinking black boxes - is overtly selfish, it has become tradition. Every person can fill in the statement, "Christmas just isn't Christmas without ________." in some unique way. For some it's the B.C. Clark sale jingle or egg nog-flavored ice cream at Braum's. For others it's seeing Santa Claus sledding atop a Norelco razor or the first snowfall. In my family, at least in part, Christmas just isn't Christmas without Joey's Christmas list.

Therefore, in the family Christmas tradition, I announced my wish list this year with much grandeur and hoopla along the lines of, "I'm here. We can start the party now."

Honestly, the memories are the best gift (but, boy, am I getting a lot of mileage out of that home theater sound system I got a few years ago) --- They really are.

You all have a fun and safe holiday season!

Light up the season

I like to make candles. Nothing fancy, just colored, scented votives and container candles. About two years ago I found a candle-making kit at a craft store during an after-holiday sale. Since I enjoy scented candles, I thought it might be fun to learn how to make them... I was right. I now find candlemaking very relaxing.

I recently made about a dozen votive candles of varying scents and colors that my wife gave to one of her co-workers in a secret Santa exchange. Santa wasn't so secret (and he usually isn't - it's pretty easy to figure out who got who what with only about 8 people exchanging) and now another one of her co-workers wants to know how to make candles... So, I present to you

Uncle Bubby's Guide to Candlemaking Click here for a printer-friendly version

Equipment you'll need:

• Candle wax.
  
  
  
  • This is available at most craft stores in a variety of sizes from 1lb chunks to 10lb slabs.
    
  
  
• Some sort of melting container.
  
  
  
  • I find it best to use a double-boiler but you can also use a glass measuring cup heated in a water bath [the heat dissipates quite a bit so it takes much longer to melt and get up to temperature using this method] or a specially-made aluminum melting pot [I've never used one because most outlets want $15.00 for one - I got my double-boiler for ten cents at a garage sale].
    
  
  
• Candlemaking thermometer.
  
  
  
  • You may eventually be able to work without one, as I recently discovered when mine was mislaid, but it's best to start with one.
    
  
  
• Molds or containers.
  
  
  
  • Molds are designed to shape the candle and can then be re-used. With containers, such as small glass jars, you pour the wax in and that's where it stays.
    
  • A hint about containers - a narrow neck and opening will cause the candle to burn in a tunnel, wasting a large amount of wax and easily drowning your wick. A large top surface area - or burning a votive without a holder, for that matter - will cause the candle to burn faster.
    
  
  
• Pre-tabbed wicks or wicking material and tabs. (start with the pre-tabbed)
  
• Color blocks (optional)
  
  
  
  • Color blocks are small (1-2 oz) blocks of densely-colored, unscented wax that you can use to color your candles. I recommend buying a red, yellow and blue block. That way, you can combine them to make any color you want.
    
  
  
• Scent blocks or scent oils (optional).
  
  
  
  • Scent blocks are similar to color blocks. They are small uncolored, densely-scented wax that you shave off into your mix to give scent to your candles. I much prefer the scent oils, however, because they give off a stronger and longer-lasting scent.
    
  • Any type of scent oil will work whether it's made for candles, soap, light rings or whatever. The scent oils for candlemaking, however, are specially formulated to release scent as they are heated and will give optimum results.
    
  
  
• Additives (optional)
  
  
  
  • There are several different additives you can purchase such as stearic, vybar, translucent crystals, and others that help to harden the wax for longer burn times, or even out scent and color distribution, or a variety of other effects.
    
  
  
• Something to stir with.
  
  
  
  • I wouldn't recommend a plastic spoon. It may be difficult to get the wax off it and, depending on the quality of the spoon, you could possible melt some of the plastic into your candle.
    
  • Wooden spoons are best but the wax tends to soak into the woodgrain a bit. I usually use the handle of a wooden spoon or I used to use a wooden drumstick - until I lost it.
    
  
  
• A hammer
  
• A chisel or screwdriver
  
• A pocket knife or paring knife
  
• Toothpick(s) or a dowel
  

Preparation

• Prepare your melting pot. If it's a double boiler, put the water in the lower half, insert the top piece and set on stove. You can also attach your thermometer.
  
• Set out your molds or containers. Since pouring can be messy, place a couple of layers of newspaper or butcher paper underneath. Be sure to insert your wick pins if you're using them.
  
• Gather your scents and colors so they're handy when you need them.
  
• Break up your wax - this is where the hammer, chisel or screwdriver, and pocket knife come in handy.
  
  
  
  • Melting wax is a little like melting cheese. If you throw a big block of it in the pot it will eventually all melt but it's going to go a lot quicker if you break it up.
    
  • One pound of wax will make 6-8 votives.
    
  
  

Making your candles

1. Begin heating your melting pot. You can do this shortly after starting to break up your wax and, by the time you're done, most of it will be melted if you toss it in as you go along.
   
   
   
   • CAUTION: liquefied candle wax is very hot. Tossing or dropping items into your melting pot may cause splashing which can cause burns if hot wax comes in contact with the skin.
     
   
   
2. Bring your wax up to pouring temperature, stirring occasionally. Your candle thermometer will show pouring ranges but, just in case you don't have one, here are some guidelines.
   
   
   
   • Sheet Metal Molds - Generally poured at 185 to 190 degrees F. Will usually withstand temperatures up to 225 degrees F. If poured much hotter than that, you risk ruining the mold (the solder seams will soften from excessive heat).
     
   • Seamless Molds - Generally poured at 185 to 190 degrees F. Will withstand very high temperatures if needed.
     
   • Chocolate Molds (all clear plastic molds) - Maximum pouring temperature is 165 degrees F. Never pour hotter than this for any reason. Any hotter and the mold will soften and begin to distort. It is a good idea to support these in a tray of sand.
     
   • Other Plastic Molds - Most plastic candle molds should be poured at 170 to 180 degrees F. Higher temperatures may damage the mold.
     
   • Silicone Molds - You can pour these at 190 to 200 degrees F. Very resistant to heat damage, so substantially higher temps may be used if needed
     
   • Latex Molds - Usually poured at 155 to 160 degrees F. Hotter temperatures will distort the candle, and may damage the mold
     
   • Containers - Usually poured at 180 to 185 degrees F. Lower temperatures may be used if the jar is preheated.
     
     
     
     • This list was copied from http://candleandsoap.about.com/library/weekly/aa062403.htm
       
     
     
   
   
3. Once your wax is at or very near your melting point, stir in any additives you will be using.
   
4. Once your additives have melted, start adding your color(s).
   
   
   
   • To test your color, wait until the color additive is evenly distributed then spoon a small amount out onto the paper under your molds or any other piece of white paper you may have handy. Blow gently on the glob of wax to help it cool. Adjust your colors as necessary.
     
   • Remember, it is easy to add more color but impossible to take it out. Start by shaving small amounts of the color block off into your mixture using the paring or pocket knife. Add more as necessary.
     
   
   
5. Once you have your color set and just before you're ready to pour, add your scent.
   
   
   
   • I don't know about you but I like my scented candles to have a strong scent. This is one of the reasons I prefer to use oils over scent blocks. You should initially follow the manufacturers instructions for the amount of scent-per-pound to add but feel free to adjust it to your preference.
     
   
   
6. Turn off the heat and give your mixture a final, gentle, stirring. If you stir too vigorously, you'll get air bubbles.
   
7. Slowly pour your wax into your molds. Pouring too quickly can result in air bubbles. Remember to reserve some of the liquid for your second pour (see below)
   
   
   
   • TIP: For better control, I usually pour the wax from my pot into a glass measuring cup then pour into the molds from the measuring cup.
     
   
   
8. Let the candles cool for a couple of minutes, then insert your wicks (unless, of course, you're using wick pins). You can insert wicks immediately after pouring if you want, but I find it easier to place them if the candle has set up a bit around the edges and bottom.
   
9. As the wax cools, it will begin to shrink. After about 10-15 minutes, using a toothpick or dowel, poke a small hole in the top of the wax near the wick to keep the wax from pulling away from the wick.
   
10. After another 15 minutes or so, you will see the top of the candle forming a divot near the wick. You will need to do a second pour to get rid of the divot. Reheat your remaining wax to pouring temperature and fill in the void. Be careful to pour even with the top of your first pour for a smooth finish.
    
    
    
    • On large candles, you may need to repeat this step several times.
      
    
    
11. All that's left now is letting your candles cool and set. Allow the candle to cure fully before attempting to remove from the mold. The larger the candle the longer it takes.
    
12. Remove the candle from the mold by pulling gently on the wick. If it doesn't come out easily, don't force it.
    
    
    
    • Some sources recommend using a release agent - silicone spray or peanut oil - but I don't usually use any since my candles are so small.
      
    • With small votives, I find it easiest to give the mold a gentle squeeze, rotating it in my hand as I do. Eventually, I'll either see the edges release or will actually hear it release. Be careful, the top edges of the molds may be sharp.
      
    • If your release agent isn't helping or squeezing the mold doesn't work, some sources say putting the candle in the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes will help.
      
    
    

Candle Burning Tips

• Never leave a lit candle unattended. Watch your candles. This will prevent wax from spilling over and potentially harmful accidents from occurring.
  
• Trim wicks to ¼ inch and re-trim before each burn. Wick length determines flame height, the longer the wick the larger and more unwieldy the flame. The larger the flame, the faster your candle will burn.
  
• Keep candles out of reach of children and pets and remove all flammable materials from the vicinity of the flame. Remove all debris from candle.
  
• Always burn candles on a protected, noncombustible, heat-resistant surface securely placed on an appropriate holder.
  
• Extinguish candles by blowing them out gently, so as not to splatter liquid wax, or use a snuffer. Do not use water! In the case of jars, do not replace the lid while burning.
  
• Containers may become hot. Handle with care.
  
• Votive candles are designed to liquefy while burning and must be used in an appropriate sized container. The inside of the container should be of similar size to the votive candle. Too wide of a container will leave the liquid wax too far from the flame and excess wax will remain. If burned free-standing, votives will drip.
  
• Always remove metal tabs or clips from the bottom of the container before adding another candle.
  

Although I cannot endorse any vendors I do realize that craft stores sometimes put a premium price on their supplies. Below is a list of internet vendors that may have better prices on waxes, molds, scents and other supplies. Shop around - the vendor with the best price on wax may not have the best price on molds, etc.

TIP: Some suppliers provide wholesale bulk packs of wax in minimum quantities of 50 pounds. If you run across this, look to see if they have a 10 pound sample pack. Many of them do.

Wax
http://www.candlesandsupplies.com/waxgel.html
http://www.candlesupply.com/waxes.html
http://www.lonestarcandlesupply.com/wax.html
http://www.sissiescandles.com/waxes.htm

Molds
http://www.cierracandles.com/molds.htm
http://www.candlesandsupplies.com/miscmolds.html
http://www.candlesupply.com/molds.html
http://www.lonestarcandlesupply.com/molds.html

Scents
http://www.lonestarcandlesupply.com/scents.html
http://www.candlesandsupplies.com/allscent.html
http://www.candlesupply.com/scent.html
http://www.cierracandles.com/scents.htm
http://www.sissiescandles.com/fos.htm

The choice is clear

Because certain persons were not in the know - and we didn't want them to immediately be - I have not yet discussed this subject in a public forum. A situation arose and a decision has been made.

Hold on! Don't you dare scroll down to the bottom to see what the decision is... that wouldn't be right, now would it?

About a month ago, Shelly decided to apply for a job, doing much the same work that she currently does, with the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. The decision to apply was based on an interesting job description for which she matched the qualifications. There was also a factor of prestige in that the job was with the Smithsonian.

The application went in and we received a phone call a few days later. Shelly was granted a telephone interview. This 45-minute interview turned into an hour and a half. Everything went well and she was told there would be a second round of phone interviews, followed by the live interviews.

The second round of phone interviews never materialized. We received another call within 48 hours advising her that live interviews had been tentatively scheduled and to be thinking about which day she would prefer to interview. After another 48 hours we had our plane tickets and hotel reservations.

Shelly and I flew to DC...

Wait a minute... I've told you all of this before, haven't I? Why didn't you stop me?

Okay okay... let's get on track. Shelly had the interview and was offered a job last Thursday. I had prayed all along that, no matter what the decision should be, that it should be obvious whether or not she should take the job. At first, it wasn't obvious. Shelly was offered a salary that, in raw dollars, was significantly higher than anything either of us had ever made.

Upon further investigation, she had already done some figuring. She determined that, for a location cost-of-living differential plus benefits that are currently paid by OSU, she would need to be offered approximately $3,000.00 per year more than what she was offered. There was still room for negotiation so we (well, she, really) spent the weekend agonizing over whether or not she really wanted to accept the job if they offered her the right amount of money.

Again, I prayed for clarity. I prayed for the decision to become obvious... and it became obvious this morning.

Despite the desire of the departmental supervisor to hire her, there was just not enough in the budget to even match her minimum requirements.

We will not be moving to Washington, DC any time in the near future.

Ode to a coffee pot

[I found this in an old (1987) journal I was perusing and though I would share it]

I have my cup of coffee,
As I sit with book and pen.

I drink a sip both here and there,
And then I can't refrain.

Oh, coffee pot come quickly, now,
And fill it up again.

What's your passion?

[This entry is the result of a writing prompt at http://www.fictionaddiction.net/prompt.html]

I have many passions. I have a passion for love. I have a passion for computers. I have a passion for my family. I have a passion for keychains. You might say I'm generally a passionate person.

The question is, what is passion? The media appears to define it as something sexual. Although sex can be very passionate, I consider passion to be a strong emotional connection to a person, object or activity. Webster tends to agree with me for the most part.

In retrospect (to this entry) I think I've developed a passion for blogging.

Enjoy your day, people!!

DC Comics

I promised to tell you more about the DC trip so here goes...

Knowing that Shelly was going to be nervous and stressed about the interview (she always gets that way about interviews), I took it upon myself to make the weekend a little more relaxing. A few days before we left, I contacted the concierge at the hotel. I arranged to have some flowers and a cheese tray delivered to the hotel room when we arrived. (I will not shock you with the cost of this gesture) Since we arrived a couple of hours before check-in, but the room was ready anyway, the goodies were not waiting for us upon arrival.

We took some time to get settled and stop "flying" and decided to go down to the restaurant to get something to eat - that's where I had the Krabby Patty. Just before we were ready to leave, Shelly noticed the message light on the phone blinking. I called down - the flowers were here so I had them sent up.

Once the flowers arrived, I told her about the plan and the cheese tray. She was appreciative but hungry so we headed downstairs. As we got to the dining level, I realized I had forgotten something in the room and went back up. I met the man from room service and had him put the cheese tray in the room for our later consumption.

After lunch we decided to hop the Metro and go to the Pentagon City shopping center. After more than a week, I can't for the life of me recall what was significant enough about our trip to the shopping center that it bears mention... perhaps I'll recall later. At any rate, we did some souvenir shopping (including purchasing a White House Christmas ornament) and a little Christmas shopping and managed to waste a couple of hours.

On our way back to the hotel, I was extremely exhausted. Those of you that know Shelly know that she does not walk very fast. I often find myself having to slow my pace so I don't leave her behind. I sometimes forget myself and end up turning to make a comment to a complete stranger that has appeared in my shadow but I usually make up for it by sticking with her while whatever group we are with forges ahead. I tell you that to illustrate just how exhausted I was. As we left the metro and walked back to the hotel part of the corridor had a slight slope to it. The slope required enough effort on my part to overcome that I nearly had to ask Shelly to slow down and wait for me. Needless to say, I took a nap when we got back to the room.

When I awoke, I joined my wife on the sofa for cheese, strawberries and grapes. We each sampled a couple of the cheeses - many of which we could not identify - and came to a realization... we had no crackers. I made a call and room service was kind enough to bring some up.

Once we had the crackers, we dug in. There was a sliced, yellow cheese that I think was Colby. There was also a sliced white cheese that I think may have been mozarella, although the flavor was a little sharper than what I think of when I think of Mozarella. There was a small wheel of what we're pretty sure was a sharp white cheddar. There were chunks of a semi-soft white cheese that had some sort of thin seedlike spice in it - it had a pungent flavor but was nonetheless good. There was also a cream cheese that tasted wonderful with the grapes and a wedge of some soft cheese-like substance that tasted like feet. I only tried one bite of that last one - that was enough.

Once we'd had our fill of cheese I was thinking of going back to sleep but was extremely restless. Near the coffee maker was a packet of camomille tea. If you're feeling restless camomille is a wonderful way to relax. I chilled out and watched some TV.

By 8pm, we were both hungry again and in want of some real food. There was a food court in the underground mall accessible from the hotel. I volunteered to go down and grab us some sandwiches or a couple of burgers.

That particular section of the mall is about 1/4 to 1/2 a mile from the hotel. I took the elevator to the basement and walked all the way to where the food court was but everything was closed for the night. Now, I realize this is the downtown section of a major metropolitan area but who closes a mall at 6pm? I mean, really! Oh, well, it was good exercise.

I went back to the room and told Shelly the good news. She at least wanted a cup of hot chocolate so I headed to the bar/lounge/whatever where they serve Starbuck's coffee. Let me tell you, six pumps of chocolate syrup mixed with freshly steamed milk makes one HELL of a cup of hot chocolate! I decided to check on the possibility of getting something from the restaurant "to go" but ran into the soup Nazi. Actually, the gentleman was quite friendly but explained that the only way to get a to go order was through room service - which charges a 19% service charge plus a $2 delivery charge... a couple of hot sandwiches would have cost us $50.

At any rate, we thoroughly enjoyed our hot chocolate and made an early night of it.