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.