Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Happy New Year, etc

opefully, no one's wasting time today reading this blog, but I'm just posting a quick message to say I'll be on vacation through Jan. 5, and you shouldn't expect a post before then unless something truly monumental happens (or I get really bored with the family - not impossible). Enjoy some time off and your families, and I'll talk to you again in the new year.