I am one lucky man. I got to play some holiday gigs with the band last week, even though it was such a limited schedule, thanks to the winter storms that battered the area mercilessly. Today, I can relax in the comfort of my own home and listen to all the new CDs that my friends gave me. There's nowhere else I'd rather be than right here celebrating with the ones I love. Natasha arrived from North Carolina on Sunday, and she's planning to stay with me until Saturday, and most of the family is gathering at my place for a nice, big dinner. Even my cousin Dion made it from Detroit, and he introduced me to his new boyfriend Robert. Once I got to know Robert, I learned to like him, because he seems like a cool person. However, I do wish that Dion didn't turn to men because his last wife dumped him. Still, he did well for himself, and I wish him lots of happiness in his current relationship. All that matters is that my family is gathered here, and I wouldn't have it any other way. That said, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas from the Windy City, and a very Happy New Year!