December 2006 - Posts
When approaching people for this On the Street about hangover remedies, some hesitated to admit that they'd suffered a hangover.
I can respect that. You don't want people to read the paper and assume you're a lush.
But I'm fine with admitting that I've had a hangover. (OK, maybe more than one.)
It doesn't mean I'm a horrible, irresponsible person. I didn't drink and drive or show up to work reeking of booze. Like most adults, I experienced a steep decrease in hangovers as I transitioned from college life to life as a young professional. (That darn career thing really gets in the way of partying, huh?)
But, like almost any drinker, I've gotten caught up in the moment and overindulged - and suffered the next day for my mistake. It's just like on Thanksgiving, when you know you're full, but you can't resist a slice of pumpkin pie. It's human.
There was the time my college friends and I took advantage of a 21 pitchers of beer for $21 deal on my 21st birthday.
Then there was my bachelorette party. (Wearing a shot glass necklace that says "I'm getting hitched. Buy me a shot." actually works.)
And last, but not least, there was the girls-only trip to Mexico during spring break of my senior year of college. (Bars should NEVER be open all night. Stupid people like us don't know when to go home, and then have to waste an entire day of the trip sleeping until 5 p.m.)
When I interviewed people on Thursday about hangover remedies, I got plenty of colorful answers - everything from vomiting to choking down a concoction containing raw eggs (which, in many cases, probably induces vomiting).
My solution is a combination of several people's answers: Sleep as late as possible. Drink a sugary drink, like a Cherry Coke or a Gatorade. Take a pain killer. Then, later in the day when the stomach feels stronger, eat a comfort food like macaroni and cheese.
Of course, we all know the best solution is to prevent a hangover in the first place by drinking less - or not at all - and having several glasses of water throughout the night. Sometimes, though, it's hard to remember such sensibilities on a special occasion when you're living it up with your friends.
Hopefully those of you reading this aren't feeling too miserable today - and, if you are, hopefully one of the remedies will help.
Tune in next week, when Carly Weber will hit the gym to hear about people's New Year's resolutions.
We put our Christmas tree up the day after Thanksgiving. And, since we were on a roll I also decked the house out with all the holiday trimmings: wreaths, spruce swags, seasonal candlescapes and Christmas knick-nacks. I love brightening dull winter weather with festive decorations. Ever since then, though, I've had trouble getting into the holiday spirit.
Maybe it's the lack of snow. But, I also think part of my problem is that I'm still figuring out this whole Christmas thing. I grew up not celebrating holidays. Ocassionally it bothered me, like when kids would bring their Halloween booty to trade at recess or when I would be the only one not talking about a sleepover birthday party. But, our mom made it up to us. We had our own traditions, like going to the movies on Christmas when we'd have the whole theatre to ourselves. And, we got toys as surprises when we weren't expecting it.
I don't feel gypped (well, not most of the time). In fact, as my husband and I scramble to make sure our son has ample presents under the tree, I often think of my childhood when we were blissfully unstressed during the holiday season. I'm not the first one to point out the irony of the annual holiday mad dash to buy presents. Theoretically this time of year is for enjoying friends and family and taking time to reflect on the past year. Instead, we all stress about buying presents for people who are equally stressed about buying presents for us. What's the point?
More than once I've thought it'd be better to do what my mother did and tuck away gifts for a rainy day. In a way, I think presents feel more special when the giver isn't obligated and the receiver is caught unawares. And, I have a hunch that more than a few people at the mall last week would have a agreed.
Midday at Lindale Mall in Cedar Rapids was busy. With three days until Christmas, shoppers were on a mission. Very few agreed to take the time to talk with me about when they first realized Santa wasn't real. I'm totally guessing here, but maybe part of them didn't want to think about it. Maybe ... just maybe they realized how much simpler Christmas was when they thought it was a jolly guy in a big red jumpsuit who granted their wishes.
By this time next we'll all be ringing in a new year. Nicole will be hanging out in the grocery store aisle asking: "What's the best cure for overindulging on New Year's Eve?"
It's hard to believe Christmas is next weekend, when we haven't had any snow to speak of. I went walking the other night after work and was comfortable wearing a hooded sweatshirt with no coat. Tonight, at Hiawatha's first Light the Night Holiday Festival and Parade, the temperature was a shade over 30 degrees. My glove-free fingers eventually went numb, but only after I watched the entire parade. Not bad for Dec. 15.
I will admit that snow adds to the ambiance of an event like this. If I remember right, it snowed last year during Cedar Rapids' holiday parade, and it added to the experience (even though my toes nearly froze off).
But, I won't complain. I certainly don't want to jinx this good weather so we all have to shovel our driveways and commute on slick roads. And, after all, there was plenty of ice in Hiawatha tonight to make up for the lack of snow.
The ice arrived in front of Hiawatha Elementary in a block about the size of a kindergartener. John White, 54, of Dubuque, transformed it into Ernie from Sesame Street. The design was inspired by a coloring book, and White gave it a holiday twist by adding a stack of blocks that spelled out NOEL and creating a star at the fingertips of Ernie's raised hand.
Ice carving is fascinating to watch. I missed the step involving a chain saw because White started the sculpture around 4:15 p.m. I didn't arrive until nearly 6 p.m., when he was using smaller tools to whittle the details. White said he's been making ice sculptures for 30-plus years. He makes sculptures out of ice, wood, snow and sand and competes internationally. To make a living, he does restoration contracting. He makes the ice sculptures year-round for weddings and other special events.
I wasn't the only one interested in White's masterpiece. The parade distracted his spectators, but before it started, he had 100 to 150 people watching and asking questions. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I hope it's cold this weekend. That way, the sculpture will stick around long enough for you all to check it out, and for the school kids to see on Monday morning.
That's it until next week, when Carly will hit the mall to find out how people found out the truth about Santa.
I'll admit that if it hadn't been an assignment, I would have spent Thursday night snuggled on my couch instead of braving the frigid weather at Marion's annual Christmas in the Park. But, in the end, I'm glad that I was there. I can honestly say that now because my fingers have thawed enough to type but I was thinking it as I sipped (OK. Gulped) hot cocoa, warmed my hands and watched families enjoying their town's annual Christmas tradition.
Every year Marion heralds the holiday season with this free event. Families are invited to listen to carolers, drink hot chocolate, nibble on popcorn and take their turn saying hi to Mr. and Mrs. Claus in the restored train car at the east side of Marion Square Park. Carolers dressed in their 18th century best treated those waiting in line to classic Christmas tunes and toward the end of the evening they lit up the park's Peace Tree.
Everyone was bundled up but the atmosphere was still festive. I was inspired by the number of people willing to brave the elements for their chance to say hi to the jolly couple. While they wouldn't risk frostbite standing in line to see Santa at the mall, they would miss out on the magic of a brisk winter night. As Nicole commented last week, seeing Santa somewhere like the park or Tannenbaum Forest has so much more memory-making potential than a hectic mall. I'm sure the parents of the little girl who was too scared to sit on Santa's lap but gave him a high five thought that moment was worth the wait. And when she's older, the parents of another little girl will probably love telling the story about the time they went to see Santa and she covered her eyes the whole time.
These memories are the sort of thing I love about Christmas. Sure I appreciate the gifts I got last year. But, the thing I remember the most is the look on our son's face when he stood up in bed and realized it was Christmas morning. At two, he was old enough to be excited but young enough to still be a little confused by all the hubbub. So, this year I'm not looking forward to the material things as much as the look on his face Christmas Day. On the same token, our tree is all the more special this year because he was old enough to help put it up. And, even though his idea of icing a gingerbread man is a little more modern art than my interpretation, they tasted better because they were his handiwork.
The people I talked to at the park had similar ideas about what makes the holiday season special. Their answers ran the gamut from lights to snow to music. Nearly everyone, though, mentioned family. And, only one person said presents. One woman summed it all up. Her favorite thing, she said, is "the reason for the season." Now, depending on who you are, that means something different to you. I don't know what she meant. But, I know that for me the reason for the season is family and friends and ending the year on a happy note, remembering the important things in life.
If you missed out on Marion's celebration, head to Hiawatha next week. Nicole will be there for Hiawatha's Light the Night Holiday Festival and Parade.
The mall isn't a bad place to see Santa. But, if I was a kid, I'd rather catch him at Tannebaum Forest in Amana.
See, in addition to the fun of bending the big guy's ear about what you want for Christmas, you get to wander through a mystical forest filled with decorated trees. These aren't just any trees, either. There's every kind of tree you can imagine.
Some trees have themes. For example, "monkey sock" decorations dangle from one evergreen's branches. (For those who are unfamiliar with monkey socks, they're the brown and tan socks with red triangles on the heel. If you sew them into a monkey doll, the red heel serves as the monkey's mouth. The only reason I know this is because my grandpa wears these socks.) One tree features several red poinsettias, and another contains lots of critters, like lizards and frogs.
Some of the trees are simply beautiful. One was frosted with a dusting of faux snow, and others showcased a single but unique color of lights, like blue or purple.
It's pretty much impossible to be a Grinch at the forest. If trees aren't your thing, there's a gorgeous nativity, a silent auction of wreaths and, if you go at the right time, live entertainment. The Eastern Iowa Brass Quintet treated everyone to Christmas carols when I was there. In the center of the room, a 17-foot German Christmas pyramid (imagine a giant version of those decorations that spin when candle smoke propels their paddles). If nothing else, you can grab a snack from Saint Nick's Cafe. I recommend the hot cider 'cause it warms you up. The 100-year-old barn isn't heated, although organizers were kind enough to arrange for space heaters where people huddled up to thaw out their fingers. So, if you go, dress warm.
If you're wondering who puts this on and why, here's the scoop. For the past seven years, local businesses have bought and decorated trees. People who tour the forest make donations ($2 is the suggested amount), and those proceeds, along with money from the silent auction, go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This year, they're sponsoring an 8-year-old named Brock. Jon Childers, president of Amana Merchants Inc. and an organizer of the event, said it costs $10,000 to send the family to Disney World, and the goal is to come up with at least half of that and have matching donations cover the rest.
Tannenbaum Forest is open through Dec. 10. For a schedule, visit www.festivalsinamana.com/prelude.html.
As for On the Street, join Carly next week at Marion's Christmas in the Park.