Skating

It's December, which means that Vince Guaraldi's wonderful soundtrack to "A Charlie Brown Christmas" has taken sole possession of my Winamp playlist.

Admittedly, it's not all Christmas-themed music, but come on, are you really gonna plug up your ears when the Linus and Lucy track (more commonly known as the "Peanuts" theme) comes dancing through the speakers, just because it's not Christmasy? Or course you're not. You're going to get up onto your desk and dance--snoopy style--like the rest of us.

I'm listening to the track called "Skating" right now. It's so innocent and upbeat--like the TV special itself.

Man, that special is a good one. Made in the 60's, it gets away with so many things that you'd never see now. For instance, it goes out on a limb and proclaims the birth of Jesus as the true meaning of Christmas, as opposed to some vague, euphoric feeling of good cheer spouted in most present-day movies and TV specials. And, of course, the soundtrack--so unique--gleefully prances over the uber-sappy Christmas music of today.

And speaking of "skating," I've been meaning to put a Charlie Brown Christmas wallpaper on my computer. So I've been searching for the past hour or so for a really good picture from the beginning of the special when all the kids are skating on the frozen pond.

And, as usual, I've been striking out.

So, if anyone can come up with such a similarly glorious find as Lazar Wolf, I would be indebted to you.

(Though I would prefer no MS paint lasers this time.)