Merry Christmas Fator Tots!

I am writing this aboard an airline headed for LAX from Boston. My intense schedule is almost over and I am preparing myself to spend Christmas with my family. Jep, Pam, my niece Alyssa, Debi, my brother –in-law Russell Scott Walker (the loose inspiration for Duggie Scott Walker) and his wife Tracy are all coming to our new home in Vegas to spend Christmas! Hopefully my mother-in-law Shirley will join us but she is not feeling well and I would appreciate your thoughts and prayers for her as she tries to discover what the trouble is.

Yesterday was Melinda’s birthday, and I gave her a 1966 Stingray Corvette and a life-sized stuffed white tiger. I think she liked the Corvette best. She had wanted one of those since we first got married 17 years ago. I made a vow to myself that one day I would give her one, and thanks to all of you I have been able to keep my promise. Thanks, Fator Tots! You rock!
This year’s going to be a real Christmas Vacation (starring Chevy Chase) Christmas! Hopefully without all the trouble, but even if there’s trouble, it’s OK. It’ll be great to have the family together!

As I write I am watching A Christmas Story on my iPhone.  I am sitting here in my seat laughing out loud because I see myself in so many of the scenes in the movie. If you want to know exactly what I was like as a kid watch A Christmas Story starring Peter Billingsly. I’m at the pointy where Ralph (the main character) gets his secret decoder ring and finds out it’s only an advertisement for Ovaltine.  If you’ve read my book Who’s the Dummy Now (Sneaky sneaky!) you know that I was just like little Ralphie. I can’t tell you how much joy I feel to watch this movie and think of how very much it resembles my childhood, even though it takes place in the forties and I was a kid in the seventies.

I didn’t put this in my book, but one of my favorite Christmases was when I was seven and Jep and I got BB guns for Christmas. We had so much fun going out afterwards and shooting targets. That movie reminds me so much of being a kid. I love watching it every year!

This has been a very stressful time in my life. Yesterday the airlines lost my luggage and the rest of the day went just as badly! I got to my hotel room frazzled and aching to take a nap but my room wasn’t ready. I was about ready to explode!

But I had a show in Worcester, MA and as soon as I stepped on stage all my troubles melted away and I realized that I am the most blessed man on the planet! You wonderful Fator Tots have no idea how much I appreciate you all. You are my joy, and no matter how badly my day has been, it’s all OK once I step out in front of you and start to perform.

I had such a fun show and I actually got a good night’s sleep last night as well! What a great end to a terrible day.

Anyway, life continues to push forward with all its ups and downs and I am hurling in space toward Los Angeles where I get to perform for a great crowd again tomorrow night.  What a wonderful life!

Speaking of It’s a Wonderful Life I watched It’s a Wonderful Life with my warm-up act All Night Mike last night. It was the first time he had ever seen the movie and he absolutely loved it. Those of you who have read my profile here on MySpace know that it is my favorite movie of all time, and now All Night Mike understands why.  I think it’s easy for us to forget just how important it is for us to remember that our affect on others is the most significant part of our time here on earth. I hope I never lose that understanding, and as long as I always make it a paramount part of my life I don’t think I ever will.

I guess all of this is just to let you all know how very much I appreciate you all and to tell every one of you to not forget that this is the season to think about the ones you love and put your Self on the back burner for a few days.  Merry Christmas everyone! And to my wonderful Jewish friends, well. Merry Christmas  too. Even if you don’t accept the season, I hope you accept my good wishes! That goes for all my fans of every faith. A very Merry Christmas to you all, and may the good feelings of the season permeate everything you do this glorious Christmas!

A healthy and happy Christmas and the happiest New Year ever to Fator Tots one and all!