As Time Goes By

I sometimes wonder at how holiday traditions get started. Why is it that one family does something another finds strange, and does something else entirely that makes everyone else go "Huh?"

My own little tradition involves Bogey and arises from the fact that as a reporter I lived far from my family for many years and often (always) worked Christmas Day. In this case, it was Christmas Eve 2001 and I'd left work at the regular time totally prepared to spend the evening in and head back to the office the next day.

Then my phone rings and it's my friend (and coworker) Kimmy V calling to see what I'm doing and if I'd like to get together at her place that very evening.

Hmmmmm? OK, sounds like a fun idea Kimmy V.

"Great. And Foggy, do you mind stopping by the office? I left some stuff in fridge I need to make the pico for my sister's party tomorrow. Do you mind bringing it by?"

There's always a catch. But Kimmy V is one of those friends I didn't mind being used a little by, and I was happy to help her out and save her a hour's round trip from home to the office just to pick up some cilantro, limes and tomatoes.

Fast forward an hour or two and the pico is made and we settle in on her couch for the evening's entertainment. It'd been a long, long time since I'd seen Casablanca and Kimmy V had never so we decided why not tonight, Christmas Eve, to watch one of the all-time greatest films.

And so was born a Foggy Christmas Tradition. Rick and Ilsa, Capt. Renault, Signor Ferrari have been my guests on almost every Christmas Eve since.

There's just something about spending Christmas Eve watching the story of three little people dealing with problems that don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world that keeps drawing me back every year. I don't know, as hard as they try to make it seem otherwise, Casablanca is still a story of hope in a difficult time.

Merry Christmas everyone.

"Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."