Rudolph in the Unemployment Line...and Contests/Winners

Submitted by ShirleyJump on Sun, 2007-12-02 02:48.

I ran this one on a blog last year, but it was a big hit (and you know, I'm still thinking someone needs to stick up for Rudolph; also, read on for a contest and a contest winner!)...I feel bad for Rudolph, I really do. I think the poor little fella gets a bad rap every Christmas. First, there’s an entire song devoted to his physical handicap, which is completely un-PC, and not at all very nice. Then, to make matters worse, he’s only employed for one day out of the year.

Here’s Santa, running all over the world, dispensing gifts with abandon to every Tommy, Jenny and Larry, but he can’t keep one tiny reindeer on the payroll. Every time I drive by the unemployment office on my way to the mall, I keep an eye out for four little hooves and a big red nose, sure I’ll see Rudolph handing in his paperwork to collect a check. Being in an unpredictable field myself, I can sympathize with Rudolph. One day you’re hot, your nose is on fire, the next day, your book is off the shelves, your sleigh reins are retired, and you’re put out to pasture with the sheep, or whatever it is that grazes up there at the North Pole.

Of course, unlike Rudolph, I have ten fingers and can type up another idea, send it off to my editor and wait a couple light years for her to read it and decide if it totally stinks like reindeer poo or will actually make a decent book.

Like Rudolph, I wait around for someone to drop contracts sort of down my chimney (though my editor is not a fat guy in a red suit). They never come wrapped, but they do come in nice little envelopes, and I really wouldn’t care if they came by carrier pigeon, as long as they keep on coming.

I do have it a lot better than Rudolph, though. I don’t have to sleep in a barn, after all. No one makes fun of my nose (especially not since that little mole removal thing). There aren’t any songs making fun of me (okay, not that I know of. With the MySpace revolution, there could be a whole page dedicated to making fun of me and I’d be completely oblivious). No one’s rerunning a movie from the 1960s featuring my hopelessly nasal voice and jerky Claymation body running all around the North Pole with a dentist elf, searching for misfits. It’s a cute movie, really, and I do hope Rudolph at least gets a cut of the royalties because a reindeer’s gotta eat, you know.

So, this December 26th I can’t complain. At least I’ll still have a job. Little old Rudolph though…he’ll be hunting for the North Pole unemployment line once again. And waiting 364 days for his nose to shine in the sky, one reindeer who may go down in history—

But won’t have much to show in his retirement account for all that notoriety.

Shirley
PS: One comment poster will win a copy of my last year's Christmas story "Twelve Days," in the anthology Sugar and Spice and the winner of Rescued by Mr. Right in my Conversations with Heaven blog post in Gail. Send me your snail, Gail (shirley@shirleyjump.com). Sorry for being delayed on this! I have a do or die book deadline coming on Monday

Hi Shirley

Submitted by Mads on Sun, 2007-12-02 06:10.

Thank you for uplifting my spirits with your post about Rudolph. I already have the book Sugar And Spice. I loved reading it, and it's one of my Holiday favorites. I'd like to wish you and your family, the Best Christmas Ever, and a New Year full of everything that you wish for.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS, Mads:)

Thank you

Submitted by ShirleyJump on Sun, 2007-12-02 14:15.

Thanks, Mads! Only about 4,000 words to go, LOL!

Shirley

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author
Available NOW: MIRACLE ON CHRISTMAS EVE (Harlequin Romance) and REALLY SOMETHING another Hot Romantic Comedy from Zebra Books
www.shirleyjump.com or read “Eating my Words”

Thanks for Rudolph!

Submitted by fedora on Sun, 2007-12-02 06:49.

Thank you, Shirley! (I, too, have Sugar and Spice--perfect for the holidays!) Best wishes with your deadline!

And congrats, Gail! Enjoy!

congrats to Gail; I don't

Submitted by Buddy on Sun, 2007-12-02 07:14.

congrats to Gail; I don't have the Sugar and Spice Anthology so enter me please.

Rudolph has always been my

Submitted by Sue A. on Sun, 2007-12-02 08:14.

Rudolph has always been my favorite reindeer. Santa should promote him and give him a raise too in my opinion. Thanks Shirley for not letting us take Rudolph for granted!

I agree

Submitted by ShirleyJump on Sun, 2007-12-02 14:14.

I agree with you, Sue!

Shirley

Funny!

Submitted by Lily on Sun, 2007-12-02 16:36.

Sue... I love the fact that he should get a promotion!

Rudolph has always been my

Submitted by Ellen----- on Sun, 2007-12-02 15:37.

Rudolph has always been my favorite. It's about time someone told the world about how mistreated he is. And think of all the good he does each year.

I love christmas

Submitted by Nathalie on Sun, 2007-12-02 16:34.

I love christmas antholgies... they are so sweet and swift, when we don't have much time to read.

Rudolph the Reindeer gets a bad rap

Submitted by laura on Sun, 2007-12-02 16:55.

Never thought of Rudolph the way you did! I guess it is true- Rudolph does get a bad rap every year. I love though the way he "redeems" himself in the Christmas classic and the other specials he's in. Those are my favorite DVDs to watch every Christmas time. I also need my "Year without a Santa Claus" fix, too. I'm such a Christmas classic junkie I have all of them in multiple copies- just in case one should become inoperable! I even had them in VHS. O, by the way, enter me in your contest. I desperately need some new Christmas stories to read. I have 80's ones in the attic so I think I should bust out the 'ol budget and buy some new ones! Happy holidays everyone!

Me too!

Submitted by ShirleyJump on Sun, 2007-12-02 20:12.

Laura,

I watch all the old classics every year, too. I can't wait for the movies to come on TV and have lots of them on VHS and DVD. It's like a holiday tradition. My kids are older and are embarrassed that I'm still watching "Rudolph" and "Frosty," LOL.

Shirley

I never quite thought of

Submitted by donkeycheese on Sun, 2007-12-02 17:20.

I never quite thought of Rudolph like that, but your post made me twist my thinking just a bit, and I will have to agree with you! Poor Rudolph.

Happy Holidays!!

~ Wendy

Poor Rudolph-----he has to

Submitted by Estella on Sun, 2007-12-02 19:43.

Poor Rudolph-----he has to lead the way and take all the flak that is in the air on Christmas Eve!
I love Christmas anthologies----more authors to read.

Me too!

Submitted by ShirleyJump on Mon, 2007-12-03 23:02.

I think anthologies are a great way to try new authors, too!

Shirley

If your book is written with

Submitted by catslady on Sun, 2007-12-02 19:45.

If your book is written with some of the same humor I bet it's a great read!!!

Thank you!

Submitted by ShirleyJump on Sun, 2007-12-02 20:12.

Thanks, catslady!

Shirley

Rudolph

Submitted by Jane on Sun, 2007-12-02 20:04.

One day Rudolph will get his revenge. At least we still remember Rudolph. It would be worse if nobody thought of him on Christmas.

Exactly, Jane...

Submitted by ShirleyJump on Sun, 2007-12-02 20:13.

That's why there's always some extra carrots for him at my house :-)

Shirley

Shirley, what an adorable

Submitted by Karen Foley on Sun, 2007-12-02 21:36.

Shirley, what an adorable post! My kids love Rudolph so much, we went to Build-a-Bear and got both the Rudolph (complete with glowing nose) and Clarisse stuffed animals. I'm happy to say that in this house, Rudolph will get his just dues all year long; no being stuck in the "Christmas" closet for these two until next December!

Good luck on meeting deadline; I know you'll do it!

Karen

Go Rudolph!

Submitted by Elen on Sun, 2007-12-02 22:09.

Thoroughly entertaining post, Shirley. Now you've got me belting out Rudolph with your nose so bright...and my sweetie is running for the hills. Love your stories. Good luck with the deadline!

LOL, Elen! I'll sing along with you!

Submitted by ShirleyJump on Mon, 2007-12-03 23:01.

And thanks -- I'm almost done with the book!

Shirley

Rudolph

Submitted by Lissy on Sun, 2007-12-02 22:54.

I always loved Rudolph. :) Did you ever hear the country christmas song about Leroy the redneck reindeer? He comes in to help out one Christmas when Rudolph's sick.

Good luck w/ your deadling!

I haven't!

Submitted by ShirleyJump on Mon, 2007-12-03 23:01.

I have the Special Xmas Songs XM radio station -- I'll have to look for that one!

Shirley

I loved your Rudolph story.

Submitted by lead bottom on Mon, 2007-12-03 03:15.

I loved your Rudolph story. I am not sure he needs a promotion though, he already guides the sheigh on Christmas Eve. But a big raise he really needs. We all need that anymore just to keep up with todays gas prices.

LOL, so true!

Submitted by ShirleyJump on Mon, 2007-12-03 23:00.

And higher gas prices only increases the cost of his carrots at the grocery store, too!

Shirley

I love it!

Submitted by Cathy W on Mon, 2007-12-03 20:45.

I had never thought of Rudolph that way. Poor little guy. Maybe we could take up a donation for him. Or send him a gift. Or maybe I could hire him to help keep my grass trimmed in the summer. :-D

LOL, Cathy

Submitted by ShirleyJump on Mon, 2007-12-03 23:00.

I had never thought about hiring him for that summer job!

Shirley

Hi Shirley

Submitted by cherierj on Mon, 2007-12-10 16:25.

Love your funny insight on Rudolph. Thanks for an entertaining post.

Love is an exploding cigar

Cigars Regulars

Group Author Blogs

Rudolph in the Unemployment Line...and Contests/Winners

Hi Shirley

Thank you

Thanks for Rudolph!

congrats to Gail; I don't

Rudolph has always been my

I agree

Funny!

Rudolph has always been my

I love christmas

Rudolph the Reindeer gets a bad rap

Me too!

I never quite thought of

Poor Rudolph-----he has to

Me too!

If your book is written with

Thank you!

Rudolph

Exactly, Jane...

Shirley, what an adorable

Go Rudolph!

LOL, Elen! I'll sing along with you!

Rudolph

I haven't!

I loved your Rudolph story.

LOL, so true!

I love it!

LOL, Cathy

Hi Shirley