Thursday, December 11, 2008

Coffeehouse Christmas

“The world really is our coffeehouse.” Here’s where we meet, talk, discuss our businesses, share one another’s lives. It’s where, when you walk in the door, you will hear me call out, “Merry Christmas!” (or “Happy Hanukkah” or “Happy New Year” or many another seasonal greeting).

This year, 2008, has been chills and spills and thrills from the get-go. You should know: You have hung in there with me among all the bangs and blows of a bizarre 12 months. If it wasn’t a family death, it was a great big trade show or a trip to Denver or a hugeous hurricane.

If you’ve had the time, you’ve been able to track Richard-and-Barbara’s travels by the blog posts about coffeehouses: Plantation Coffee in Phoenix, Dalhart’s Superstar Coffee Company, Bastrop’s Coffee Dog. The road traveled has had quite a few caffeinated pauses (a seeming contradiction) along the way.

Despite everything…here we are again in December, at Christmastime. It’s amazing. You’re amazing. You’ve stuck with me through thick and thin this year, as colleagues and kin, friends and acquaintances.

I’m very grateful: My thanks for your business and support, love and kisses. ‘Tis the season to be merry and I hope you enjoy every vivid moment of it.

Also, please accept my best wishes for a fruitful year ahead. We will have many new things to confront together, some to be accepted, some to be overcome. All can be done at our nearby coffeehouse with a fresh cup of java or two or three. I’ll buy.


Merry/Happy all of these: Hanukkah begins 12/21 – the same day as Winter; Christmas Eve on 12/24 as usual. Kwanzaa starts 12/26, which is also Boxing Day (I always thought that was the day you cleared up all the thrashed Christmas wrappings). And “Festivus for the rest of us” added by Chuck Curtis. And "Merry Chrismakah, Hannumas" from Mark Lipschitz. Thank you to Prism Design, Inc., for the holiday coffee label design.

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

All the best to you too. Thanks for all the entertaining moments this year! See/Read you in 2009. Miss 'Greenlight' Anita Salat from Hungary

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the greeting, and...thanks for the lead! Love to meet you for a cup of Java...

compostmoi said...

My dear brother -
Peter and I send love to you and Barb...and gratitude as well, for your being well and happy and indominable (like the Snowman)...keep going and do not melt!

It;s wet, not snowy here int he mountains of SW Virginia...at least today...and frankly, I need sometime down there with you to think, veg, write and...well....molt! It's time to shed another skin.

Your sis: ev

Anonymous said...

Hugeous hugs to you and Barbara for the New Year and some cinnamon sprinkled atop your next coffee.

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas to you, too. We/I stopped in on Martini Night a couple times since the hurricane and haven’t seen anyone at Mo Mong. I hope the group is in session again in 2009. A good way to motivate oneself to get thru the week. Mary Jo said you’ve been work busy, which is great. Hope your momentum carries you on into 2009.

Richard Laurence Baron said...

Indeedy, Bill - we're still at the same stand. Last evening at Mo Mong (Martini Night), we enjoyed Kay Nguyen's art opening as well. Hope to see you in the Year 9.

Anonymous said...

The very best to you and yours this holiday season, Richard! It’s been a true pleasure working with you and we hope to do more of the same in the new year! Cheers and warm wishes...

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the salutations; I hope your holiday is a wonderful one as well. I did see your holiday post - nice.

Anonymous said...

Richard - Always nice to hear from you. Best wishes of the Chanukah Season (you're covered for 8 days) to you. I enjoyed your coffeehouse christmas blog. And by the way, you're amazing, too.

Anonymous said...

Richard: Back at you with Christmas greetings to you and your family! I enjoy reading your blogs and your unwavering enthusiasm for the ad biz.

Anonymous said...

Richard - Thank you for the warm holiday greetings. I for wish you the same and a happy, healthy, productive new year.

Anonymous said...

And wishing you and yours a bright and beautiful Holiday Season!

Anonymous said...

Dear Richard: Merry Xmas, although we are still working until the 24th.

Anonymous said...

great being in touch. come to Canada if you want a white Christmas! All the best to all of us in 2009.

Viswanathan (in Toronto)

Anonymous said...

My dear friend, Richard - yes, 2008 has been a whopper. But, once more, we made it through. We must be troopers. David & I wish you and Barbara (and the kids) the very best of whichever holiday you choose to celebrate - or all of them! Here's to a whopper (in the good sense) of a 2009!

Anonymous said...

Check out this link...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Fe11OlMiz8

Hope it brings a smile and warmth to that huge heart of yours as you ring in the new year that will undoubtedly bring unpredictable adventures - hopefully keeping us all in awe for the gift of life and the chance to share it with great people as we find our "way". I know I feel fortunate we met and have a continuous smile with our Light Rail adventure. Have a wonderous holiday celebration!

Anonymous said...

"The world is our coffeehouse". Who wrote that? ;^)

Anonymous said...

Richard - thanks for the update, Merry Chrismakah, Hannumas to you too. Got the fire going here in Annapolis... when will we see you all. Trying to get the family to Houston some time next year...
Luv n hugs - Mark Lipschitz

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the jolt, Richard! I hope you have a very happy time at home. We're hosting the family again (our luck is holding!). The only challenge is the cat wars, three seriously incompatible Rust family moggies.

Love to Barbara, miss you...

Anonymous said...

Dear Richard - Many thanks for the warm holiday greetings. I wish you and Barbara the same and a happy, healthy, creative new year.

Necati Özkan
Istanbul*TURKEY

Unknown said...

Richard, thanks for bringing your wisdom and creativity to INEXS this year, it has been a lot of fun! In addition to your traveling caffeinated pauses, you and Barbara can take a brief PAUOOSAY at home this season and enjoy some INEXS Christmas Blend! I hope it warms you through and through, and that you have a very Happy Hannuka. Looking forward to next year's shenanigans! -Laura Kamrath

Anonymous said...

Richard,

Thank you for your thoughtful wishes and never ending inspiration. My best to you and Barbara. Happy Holidays to all. PS. I completely enjoyed the snow.

Kathy Mackey

Anonymous said...

You and I, after meeting with a client--I forget who--stopped off for a coffee at a well known coffee house. You requested a real cup for your coffee but this was at the time when the chain establishments had just started switching from real cups to the paper ones. You were aghast at the thought of coffee in a paper cup.

For some reason, I have not forgotten that and think of you every time I get my coffee in a paper cup.

So, here is to you and your family this season and a good cup of coffee--in a real cup.

Stephan Beek.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for your cordial holiday greeting! "Feliz Navidad y un propero año nuevo" for you too!!!

Claudia Meneses