1989
As we enter the holiday season of loving and giving, shopping and wrapping, profits and losses, I thought I'd add to the consumer blizzard by compiling an '89 gift list. Most of these gifts I'd give; the rest I hope to receive.
1. For Aaron Straight, who's pursuing a Ph.D. in molecular biology and biochemistry at UCSF: a heavy dose of humanities. Perhaps something light, like a collection of Danielle Steele novels.
2. From Ray Prado: Bart Simpson's autograph. Hangin' out with Homer in Hollywood, Ray directs and does story boards for episodes of "The Simpsons" and "Kid In Play," a Saturday morning cartoon show. Cowabunga, dude!
3. For Connie Womack, aspiring actress and aerobics instructor at Ned Ward's health club in New York: a feature role in Jane Fonda's next workout video.
4. For Ned: free aerobics classes with Connie and the last drop of Maxwell House Coffee. First Boston stock whiz Ned has settled in Hoboken, N.J., home of the famous coffee and Frank Sinatra.
5. From Eric Zaslow, Harvard physicist and Moo Disc guru: an explanation of the string theory as it relates to my inability to throw a frisbee. Perhaps Eric's research can help me find something appropriate for Charlie Williams, who describes his immediate future as "a gaping black hole."
6. For Andy Camp, who is working in an art museum in Chicago, applying to graduate schools in film, and trying to repair his '73 Thunderbird: a Hyundai and a pair of fuzzy dice.
7. For John Shaw, San Franciscan, writer of environmental impact reports, and new lowed (as of last August): a combination waffle iron/ozone tester/seismograph. This amazing gift also turns toxic waste into attractive food garnishes.
8. From Xen Lang: one of the Harley Davidsons he's selling in Hollywood.
9. For Lisa Gamell, Lori Heniy, JeffKaufman, Eric Korenman, and Seth Leopold, in the thick of their second year at Cornell Med School: five minutes of disease-free, undissected, non-competitive relaxation.
10. From Jonathan Burnham: a copy of his recently-finished Dartmouth thesis. Despite the fact than Jon's been studying constitutional and common law at McGill University for more than a year, he laid his thesis to rest only this fall.
11. For Chris Goulard and Jenifer Spaulding '90: lots of sunblock #26. After their wedding on January 12 in Hingham, Mass., the couple plans to honeymoon at Club Med. "Needless to say," writes Chris, a financial planner with IDS in Boston, "we are psyched!" So is best man Fred Walters, also employed in Boston with Braxton Associates. According to Chris, Liz Tauck makes frequent visits from Connecticut, where she teaches at Miss Porter's School. 12. From Laura Fitch: a slide show of her travels through Southeast Asia, also featuring photographs by Laurie Sammis, Kristen von Summer, and Tracy Benchley, who followed a similar route last summer. Laura traded in her backpack this fall for an office at a market research company in Boston.
13. For '89-at-heart Jack Lang worthy: an Ivy degree. The rumor mill has it that Jack and Columbia have also called it quits. 14. For Eddie Barker, teaching the joys of the English language a la Rassias to the whole of Southern France: a plane ticket home for the holidays.
IS. From Dan Parish: an insider's tour of the Boston Children's Museum, where Dan works in development and fund-raising. He agrees with novelist Tom Robbins that "it's never too late to have a happy childhood."
For all of you: melted marsh mallows in hot cocoa, a letter from an old friend, a fresh idea, a clear conscience, a cold nose, and a warm heart. Happy Holidays.
