Our youngest DDM ELITE member @T Thomas (I hope that's the right Thomas!!) has his birthday today!! I hope your day has been excellent!!!

You guys are heroes. Second Friday in a row I tried to spook you -- and once again, you stood strong. Not even Friday the 13th could shake you! And that tricky number dictation (13–30, 14–40, 15–50…)? You cracked it like it was nothing. So proud of you all! Highlights & Shoutouts: @Leslie Sun You were just walking your dog when that cat (a black one??) jumped out and scratched your arm. What a nightmare! I hope you're healing fast -- your pup is lucky to have you. 💛 @Yunfei He It’s wonderful that you’re starting to feel more confident in business meetings. Seeing your own progress is one of the best rewards of learning a language. Thanks for sharing -- it’s super motivating. @Yihan Tsui Another English teacher in our crew. You teach kindergarteners in Beijing -- that’s amazing. You’re shaping young minds and hearts through language. @Khalil Ghacha Your smile really is the secret sauce of great conversation. Thanks for joining and sharing. You mentioned you studied philosophy -- who’s a thinker that shaped your views? @Eva Bosakova With you, I find myself speaking in poetry. Cherry orchards, strawberry jam, and tango with your dear husband -- sounds like pure happiness. @T Thomas Chocolate and durian?? Only on Friday the 13th would I hear of such a combo :) Wishing your friend good luck on the interview! @Ada Ada The weather’s hot but you’re so cool. I love your curiosity and your thoughtful observations --they always add so much. @Cofar Wang You’re in such a special moment in life. So glad you make space to share your thoughts and quiet magic with us. @Sia Zhang If you ever start a thread with your art, your process, and what inspired your images, know that I’ll be your loyal reader. Keep inspiring us.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! As I do every year, I've uploaded some movies and TV shows for Christmas!! I hope you enjoy them--they're all on BOX. They're too large to upload here~ My family has just finished "opening presents under the Christmas tree" and now my two boys are eating breakfast. I will go take Moose (my very large puppy) for a walk. Then I'll try relaxing with a movie...Die Hard, of course! Merry Merry Merry Christmas! CS

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER As seen on The Today Show, The View, and Jesse Watters. The man who brought the 'kavorka' to the Seinfeld show through one of the most remarkable and beloved television characters ever invented, Kramer, shares the extraordinary life of a comedy genius—the way he came into himself as an artist, the ups and downs as a human being, the road he has traveled in search of understanding. “The hair, so essential, symbolizes the irrational that was and is and always will be the underlying feature not only of Kramer but of comedy itself. This seemingly senseless spirit has been coursing through me since childhood. I’ve been under its almighty influence since the day I came into this world. I felt it all within myself, especially the physical comedy, the body movements, so freakish and undignified, where I bumped into things, knocked stuff down, messed up situations, and often ended up on my ass." “This book is a hymn to the irrational, the senseless spirit that breaks the whole into pieces, a reflection on the seemingly absurd difficulties that intrude upon us all. It’s Harpo Marx turning us about, shaking up my plans, throwing me for a loop. Upset and turmoil is with us all the time. It’s at the basis of comedy. It’s the pratfall we all take. It’s the unavoidable mistake we didn’t expect. It’s everywhere I go. It’s in the way that I am, both light and dark, good and not-so-good. It’s my life.” —Michael Richards, from Entrances and Exits

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