The buzz this week was the Norwegian Post’s Christmas ad that had eyelashes blinking globally. A nod to the movie “When Harry Met Sally” the story begins with an elderly man meets a gay Santa by his living room’s fireplace. The love affair goes on for years but as Santa ages, he surprises Harry with more than a one-night stand, thanks to the help of the Norwegian postal service.
In this heartwarming ad that celebrates the freedom to love anyone, the often quoted, “I saw Daddy kissing Santa Claus” song points out the half-a-century progressive view of this beautiful country which decriminalized same-sex relationships. Now, if I could only get to meet Santa… look it up on YouTube.
Paris is ringing in the Christmas season with a Good Friday sale that stretched on to the weekend with stores full of shoppers taking advantage of the 30 percent and above discounts.
So far, knock on wood, we’ve had no sign of the new Omicron variant. France has stringent quarantine pass laws that makes sure the population gets the vaccine shots including the booster that has now been rolled out even to the over 18’s.
To celebrate the season of Advent, our groupie had a sumptuous Chinese gourmet meal in the metropole’s current chi-chi Imperial Treasure France resto. Located just off the Champs Elysées within the radius of the Golden Triangle that straddles all the luxury brands’ temples, it offers a curated menu of dim-sun specialties with a French twist.
Our feast started with Five Perfume infused tofu accompanied by a light red Sancerre. This surprised me as I always thought Sancerre wine was only white, fitting for exotic fare like Chinese. The coup de grace was the superbly fine Peking duck with just enough crunch and invisible fat. We were more impressed when the maitre d explained that it’s regularly imported from Ireland. Of course, the “addition” as the French call the bill, was enough to make me quack!
MY PRAYER. Lord our God, we thank you for letting hosannas rise from people’s hearts and for letting us cry out to you all the more fervently in dark times. Help us, O Almighty God, and help your king, Jesus Christ, to his final victory. For he shall be victor, bringing grace, peace, life, and victory for all that is good, on earth as in heaven. He shall be victor at all times in our lives, enabling us to keep faith in trouble, fear, and need, yes, even in death. Hosanna to the victor, Jesus Christ, the victor you have chosen! O Almighty God, proclaim him on earth. Let all the people know he is on his way, to the glory of your name. Amen.*
