Twas the day after Christmas and ...

Anne Bretts posted this to the ISSUES list this morning.

Twas the day after Christmas and all through old North's fields
The keyboards were silent as we kept our eyes peeled.
Our e-mails were crafted and addressed with care.
In hopes on the Issues list they would be shared.

The children were nestled all snug in the beds,
While visions of iPods danced around in their heads.
Papa with his PC and I with my Mac
Had just settled in with some wine and a snack,

When out on the network there arose such such a clatter
We rebooted and wondered just what was the matter.
We debugged the Windows -- it took more than a minute,
Then picked up the laptop and shook it and shook it.

Northfield.org was aglow like new snow,
With a cluster of bloggers all coming to blows.
When what to our wondering eyes did appear
But a sleigh cgi and eight digitized deer.

With a driver determined to settle all tiffs,
I knew in a moment it must be old Griff.
More rapid than keystrokes his warnings they came,
and he whistled and shouted and warned some by name.

"Now Ross, and now Warren, now Adam and Bright,
Now Carol and Bonehead, don't get into a fight.
From the top of St. Olaf's to our own City Hall,
Let's dash off some kind words to cheer one and all."

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly
(but we're changing the words and soon you'll see why).
Up to the Internet kind thoughts did arise,
with Griff riding herd as they grew in size.

And barely a twinkling I saw holiday greetings,
PC salutations, but still some hostile bleatings.
As I tapped on the screen and checked out the sound,
Down the chimney old Griff came with a bound

He was practically dressed, except for the hat,
And I laughed as he said he had no time to chat.
A camera and backpack he flung on the ground,
then pulled out his laptop and turned right around.

His eyes did look bleary, work had taken its toll,
but his smile was, as usual, quite quick and droll.
The Geek Squad had nothing on this gray-haired elf.
His wireless connection and gear off the shelf,

made a smile ear to ear cross his narrow face,
though new messages filled all his server space.
He was lanky and thin, not at all like Kris Kringle,
and I laughed as the bells on his hat gave a jingle.

A wink of his eye and his leisurely style,
soon gave me to know he'd be here a while.
He talked and eventually got down to work,
bounced all the bad thoughts and then turned with a jerk.

As he pointed, I saw the familiar list flare,
with hope, with solutions, and even some prayers.
Old Griff slipped away for some much needed rest
after giving us all one more year of his best.

So we owe it to him to do our best next year...
to talk nicely -- and do more to bring the world cheer.

Happy New Year
Anne

Disclaimer: All names were chosen purely for rhyming purposes and are not a reflection of anyone's behavior. Bonehead is a term of endearment among friends. Any prayers are intended to be the words of individuals expressing their right to freedom of speech and religion and as reflections of our diversity and are not a reflection of the beliefs of Northfield.org, its management, board, webmaster or semi-official social chairperson.

New Year's news tip: Game night is coming!