Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Santa Pause

Huh? Where's The Snowman, Carol?

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

You know The Look? I guess it's The Look of disapproval. It could even be the You're-So-Not-Cool Look. It's the rolling of the eyes. It's the heavenward glance. Know what I mean? My guitar-playing son came home this weekend with a Bruce Springsteen CD for me, and I was delighted, because I've always been a fan of The Boss.

I expressed my gratitude. As you do. But Master Authorblog just chuckled. "They were on special, Dad," he explained, "three CDs for $40. Since I was buying one for myself anyway, I thought I'd get two more for just another ten bucks."

Okay, so the story's going great so far. The next day I saw the CD that he had bought for himself. Now, can you please have a look at the picture (above) and tell me what you see. Do you see "Ultimate Santa"?

I'm standing there scratching my head, because the CD design doesn't seem very Christmas-like. No snowmen. No stockings. No fireplace. No Christmas tree. No presents. No holly. No mistletoe. So I asked him what sort of Christmas CD it was.

That's when he gave me The Look. All he did was open up the CD and this (below) is what I saw - but keep reading for the postscript, please.

So I tested Mrs Authorblog, who has an IQ of 12,o00 and could have taught Albert Einstein a few things. I showed her the CD and asked her what she thought the cover said. Quick came the reply: "Ultimate Santana". I was completely foxed. I asked how she knew that and she said it was obvious there was another letter or two hidden by the "3 for $40" sticker.

"How on earth do you know that?" I asked. "Do you have X-ray vision?"

That's when I got The Look again. This time from Mrs Authorblog and Master Authorblog. That's when I ran up the white flag of surrender. I know when I'm beaten.

33 comments:

Jeff B said...

Bwahahaha!!!!

And this coming from the man who is known for his attention for detail.

When we can laugh at ourself we are right with the world.

virtual nexus said...

Price Less....

Brooklands & Duxford shots now in new Aviation blog - for browsing anytime.

Leslie: said...

It got me, too, at first! But if it IS the "ultimate Santana" it should be a great CD.

lime said...

hahaha, the skill mrs. authorblog is demonstrating is called 'visual closure.' it means she is filling in the missing spots of a picture.

btw, i got that CD for christmas, it's very good!

fuzzbert_1999@yahoo.com said...

Oh David, a true "child of the sixties" could have determined that even with a couple more letters covered! If you see SAN and a guitar anywhere on the package...Santana is only obvious!

Tell you wife...Right ON!

Jules~ said...

I unashamedly admit...I thought it was Santa too. To look closely, I can see a bit of another letter but it just doesn't register to me. How funny.
I once saaw a study that said we don't read every letter of a word that we read. Instead we glance over the first and last letters and roll with it.
I agree with Leslie, Ultimate Santana would be a good cd to listten to.

Pat Jenkins said...

well told. how about your son's taste in music. he has an ear for the classics!!!

Akelamalu said...

I read it as Ultimate Santa too! :(

myonlyphoto said...

Ha ha this is funny, btw I like santana music. Anna :)

Lee said...

Neat story, David! I've probably earned that look a time or two. Just not from family. Santana is cool. So is the Boss! :)

Cheers!

merry weather said...

I know this feeling very well! Maybe it comes with being too "literal" - dunno :) Makes a nice story, that's for sure, and Santana's great anyhow!

Bart said...

I hate to pile on, but I knew it was Santana, too.

Merisi said...

You need to learn to let Santa go, David! It's almost February, you know? :-)))

Jo Beaufoix said...

Hee hee. That was so funny. I bet Ultimate Santa would be a fantastic album though.

imac said...

Davids been Santabuzzled.haha.

Lana Gramlich said...

*LOL* (For me the font would've given it away.)

BlondeMomBlog (Jamie) said...

That sounds like something I would say! Hmmm, are you sure you're not blonde? Ha!

I am already getting "The Look" from my 5-year-old and it really is quite disconcerting.

p.s. I bet this is a great CD!

Sandi McBride said...

It's a smart man who knows when he's beaten...
Sandi

Lynda Lehmann said...

Cute family anecdote!

Ah, Santana--brings back so many memories of the 60s!

Nessa said...

You are not alone. I would have seen the same as you.

BRUNO said...

Now THAT'S really-slick(or maybe sick!) advertising!

However, judging by the "art"(?), it COULD pass for a "Molly Hatchet Christmas"!

(You DO remember those now-collectable 33-rpm record jackets of "the day", don't you? Well, they were big with the biker crowd "up-here", anyway!)

Moosekahl said...

I read "santana" right off the bat too. All that means is you have one cool kid :)

Shellie said...

I guess I'll roll my eyes because I knew it too, but I also saw the Santa thing, so you're not crazy.

Misty DawnS said...

The look - ahahahaha you're cracking me up over here! I've received 'the look' a few times, but more often, I'm the one giving 'the look'. Hehehe I'm still chuckling.

Coal Miner's Granddaughter said...

I must say I know that look well. I give it quite often to my husband! It must be inherent in the double-X chromosomes! :-)

Kat said...

Heh heh!
I didn't catch it at first either.
~sigh~

Caffeine Court said...

Hey-another Bruce fan! Yay. He's my neighbor here in Jersey. My kids go trick-or-treating at his house. Love him. (And Santana too!)

Mrs Mac said...

hahahaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh wow! That's so funny!!!

Am'n2Deep said...

Oh Davey Mac-hon!

(eye-roll)

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

You can see a wee bitty bit of the left corner of the N, I'm afraid. It's a give away if you happen to catch sight of it.

Coincidentally, I love their music.

And, because I'm so nice, I'm not giggling too hard at your expense.

Hee hee.

I had a dream about you last night! You had a big BBQ and invited the entire Bloggisphere to come. For some odd reason you threw it in my Grandma's backyard though. She didn't mind though, as you mowed her enormous lawn for her. Oh, and you're a lovely host, you know!

Corey~living and loving said...

tee hee...this killed me. You are too funny.

I love the BOSS as well. you have lovely taste.
have a great day.

D... said...

I must admit that at my 1st glance, I saw what you saw. Then, once I found out we were wrong, I looked again. THEN, I could see some of the next letter peeking out a tad bit. I am never known for my powers of observation. Naturally, I get The Look a lot. ;)

Mima said...

Hi there,
Thanks for visiting, I have had a look through your blog, and I have to admit on the CD, I read it exactly the same way that you did!

You were dead right about the photography magazine - what a treat!