Saturday, December 29, 2007
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
All I Got for Christmas Was Tagged
Christmas Questionnaire thanks to Aaron.
Rules:
1. Link to the person that tagged you, and post the rules on your blog.
2. Share Christmas facts about yourself.
3. Tag seven random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs*.
4. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.Welcome to the Christmas edition of "Getting to Know Your Friends."
Questions:
1. Wrapping or gift bags? As I get older, I'm coming more and more to terms with my list of limitations, which includes the ability to wrap packages. I'm about 80% gift bags now, and it's just getting higher.
2. Real or artificial tree? Artificial
3. When do you put up the tree? My family's tradtion, Dec. 1. Sharon's, Christmas Eve. It has led to a little Holiday Butting of Heads. This year, things were in such disarray, the tree went up on Dec. 22, and has yet to be decorated.
4. When do you take the tree down? Shortly after New Years
5. Do you like egg nog? Not generally. But the pre-alcohol mix makes interesting French Toast batter.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Either Hugo, or the Hoth Playset.
7. Do you have a nativity scene? No. We're holding out for something really cool (but probably expensive), like something made of olive wood from the Holy Land.
8. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Possibly something from my step-grandma. We'd get something really kitcschy that really didn't belong in our house, year after year. I specifically recall this garishly dressed teddy bear that screeched "Silent Night" if you squeezed him too hard.
9. Mail or email Christmas cards? Arg. Nothing. We really need to start doing something.
10. Favorite Christmas Movie? It's a Wonderful Life.
11. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I'm pretty early. Like, before Thanksgiving, usually. Sharon, not so much so; and one way or another, her dilemma ends up dragging me in, somehow.
12. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My mom's brownies. Or my mom's macaroni & cheese.
13. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Multi-colored, definitely.
14. Favorite Christmas song(s)? I know it's Catholic, but Ave Maria is just beautiful. I do also love the more secular White Christmas, I'll Be Home for Christmas, and The Christmas Song. There's lots I love.
15. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Travel to W'loo for Christmas, or a week beforehand. It alternates each year.
16. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? It seems like I could, but I'm guessing I'd end up forgetting one.
17. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel would be cool. We have nothing, for now.
18. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning? Christmas morning, if possible.
19. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Co-opting of two local radio stations that would normally be in my lineup for Christmas music for an entire two months, at least. I cannot even begin to imagine how annoying this would be if I were Jewish.
20. Do you decorate your tree in any specific theme or color? No.
21. What do you leave for Santa? Nothing yet.
22. Least favorite holiday song? Hmm. Maybe that "better not shout, better not cry" one. Nothing like threatening kids for Christmas.
23. Favorite ornament? Gibbons' Galileo 7 with the Spock voice that says: "Shuttle craft to Enterprise, shuttle craft to Enterprise. Spock here. Happy Holidays."
24. Family tradition? Going to W'loo. A few Christmas movies I'm trying to make more of a tradition. A number of others (unwrapped gifts are from Santa, pancakes, etc.) - but not anything particularly huge & noteworthy.
25. Ever been to Midnight Mass or late-night Christmas Eve services? I think so. A lot of Candlelight services at my old church in Iowa. The only church services out of the year that I enjoyed.
* As always, I'm sure whoever tagged me tagged everyone I would have tagged. So the buck stops here.
Rules:
1. Link to the person that tagged you, and post the rules on your blog.
2. Share Christmas facts about yourself.
3. Tag seven random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs*.
4. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.Welcome to the Christmas edition of "Getting to Know Your Friends."
Questions:
1. Wrapping or gift bags? As I get older, I'm coming more and more to terms with my list of limitations, which includes the ability to wrap packages. I'm about 80% gift bags now, and it's just getting higher.
2. Real or artificial tree? Artificial
3. When do you put up the tree? My family's tradtion, Dec. 1. Sharon's, Christmas Eve. It has led to a little Holiday Butting of Heads. This year, things were in such disarray, the tree went up on Dec. 22, and has yet to be decorated.
4. When do you take the tree down? Shortly after New Years
5. Do you like egg nog? Not generally. But the pre-alcohol mix makes interesting French Toast batter.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Either Hugo, or the Hoth Playset.
7. Do you have a nativity scene? No. We're holding out for something really cool (but probably expensive), like something made of olive wood from the Holy Land.
8. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Possibly something from my step-grandma. We'd get something really kitcschy that really didn't belong in our house, year after year. I specifically recall this garishly dressed teddy bear that screeched "Silent Night" if you squeezed him too hard.
9. Mail or email Christmas cards? Arg. Nothing. We really need to start doing something.
10. Favorite Christmas Movie? It's a Wonderful Life.
11. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I'm pretty early. Like, before Thanksgiving, usually. Sharon, not so much so; and one way or another, her dilemma ends up dragging me in, somehow.
12. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My mom's brownies. Or my mom's macaroni & cheese.
13. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Multi-colored, definitely.
14. Favorite Christmas song(s)? I know it's Catholic, but Ave Maria is just beautiful. I do also love the more secular White Christmas, I'll Be Home for Christmas, and The Christmas Song. There's lots I love.
15. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Travel to W'loo for Christmas, or a week beforehand. It alternates each year.
16. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? It seems like I could, but I'm guessing I'd end up forgetting one.
17. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel would be cool. We have nothing, for now.
18. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning? Christmas morning, if possible.
19. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Co-opting of two local radio stations that would normally be in my lineup for Christmas music for an entire two months, at least. I cannot even begin to imagine how annoying this would be if I were Jewish.
20. Do you decorate your tree in any specific theme or color? No.
21. What do you leave for Santa? Nothing yet.
22. Least favorite holiday song? Hmm. Maybe that "better not shout, better not cry" one. Nothing like threatening kids for Christmas.
23. Favorite ornament? Gibbons' Galileo 7 with the Spock voice that says: "Shuttle craft to Enterprise, shuttle craft to Enterprise. Spock here. Happy Holidays."
24. Family tradition? Going to W'loo. A few Christmas movies I'm trying to make more of a tradition. A number of others (unwrapped gifts are from Santa, pancakes, etc.) - but not anything particularly huge & noteworthy.
25. Ever been to Midnight Mass or late-night Christmas Eve services? I think so. A lot of Candlelight services at my old church in Iowa. The only church services out of the year that I enjoyed.
* As always, I'm sure whoever tagged me tagged everyone I would have tagged. So the buck stops here.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Good Ol' Lucy
At the doctor's with Sharon, the other day:
Doctor: So, what do you want for Christmas?
Lucy: Chapstick. My lips are very dry.
(Doctor, to himself: "Christ almighty, get the kid some chapstick already!")
Doctor: So, what do you want for Christmas?
Lucy: Chapstick. My lips are very dry.
(Doctor, to himself: "Christ almighty, get the kid some chapstick already!")
Saturday, December 15, 2007
About Face
I stand at a potentially pivotal moment in my lfe. The theory governing the entire history and intent behind my wardrobe may be at stake.
My entire adult life, the guiding principal of my clothes selections has been one of comfort over fashion. While I, admittedly, may have some vague conception (correct or not) of general styles that "become me" or somewhat adhere to my notion of myself as a hispter doofus of sorts, in the end, it comes down to comfort; both physical comfort, and psychological comfort that comes with threads that are tried and true, and not rocking the boat (think: the old Adidas hat).
Here I am, not quite three weeks out from my 37th birthday, considering throwing that entire philosophy out the window and concentrating entirely on looking good. It all depends upon whether I can find a really nice sweater to go with these amazingly hip new shoes I just purchased. I'm thinking, a sweater with argyle diamonds down the front and a collared shirt with tabs sticking out over my belt. Thoughts?
My entire adult life, the guiding principal of my clothes selections has been one of comfort over fashion. While I, admittedly, may have some vague conception (correct or not) of general styles that "become me" or somewhat adhere to my notion of myself as a hispter doofus of sorts, in the end, it comes down to comfort; both physical comfort, and psychological comfort that comes with threads that are tried and true, and not rocking the boat (think: the old Adidas hat).
Here I am, not quite three weeks out from my 37th birthday, considering throwing that entire philosophy out the window and concentrating entirely on looking good. It all depends upon whether I can find a really nice sweater to go with these amazingly hip new shoes I just purchased. I'm thinking, a sweater with argyle diamonds down the front and a collared shirt with tabs sticking out over my belt. Thoughts?
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Out of the Loop
As in, I'm so friggin.
For the past few years, I've (probably somewhat proudly) considered myself as being in the highest percentile of folks in terms of being abreast of events going on that shape our world. This has been a really busy, stressful, and somewhat sickly Fall that has pulled my focus away from current events and fixed it on staying afloat of my own life. It's been necessary for me to operate at such a high level at work that I actually cannot focus enough if I have public radio going on the web stream - a common practice of mine in the past.
Put maybe more influential in this drift away from connectedness on my part has been Wonk Overload. News related to three subjects in particular; 2008 presidential campaigning, Iraq, and Iran have been so relentless; yet seemingly, the story lines never change. I think I am actually experiencing what so many politically apethetic people in this country do when they hear the name of the Attorney General or something about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and their eyes glaze over. "Oh no, here we go again." It's why they tend to glom onto the latest cable news fixation (read: the Omaha gunman, and before that - take your pick). The latest thing is where it's at; it's why Alicia Keyes is outselling Jimi Hendrix.
In my adult life I've held fast to the notion that an informed citizen is a powerful citizen that can make a difference in the world. Of course, all the informed, "powerful" citizens didn't prevent the election of George Bush, or the Iraq War, et. al.; and I must confess, the ceaseless barrage of news of the world, little of which is positive, has a pretty disheartening effect that can almost drive me to a state of "What's the point?" In my free time (a reminder, readers - that this generally begins around 8:30 or 9:00 pm), I am choosing escapism (pleasure reading, movie watching), rather than studying the NY Times.
A sense of civic duty may be about to drive me back into an attempt to get back on track, but I thought I'd just make this admission as some sort of late-2007 milepost.
For the past few years, I've (probably somewhat proudly) considered myself as being in the highest percentile of folks in terms of being abreast of events going on that shape our world. This has been a really busy, stressful, and somewhat sickly Fall that has pulled my focus away from current events and fixed it on staying afloat of my own life. It's been necessary for me to operate at such a high level at work that I actually cannot focus enough if I have public radio going on the web stream - a common practice of mine in the past.
Put maybe more influential in this drift away from connectedness on my part has been Wonk Overload. News related to three subjects in particular; 2008 presidential campaigning, Iraq, and Iran have been so relentless; yet seemingly, the story lines never change. I think I am actually experiencing what so many politically apethetic people in this country do when they hear the name of the Attorney General or something about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and their eyes glaze over. "Oh no, here we go again." It's why they tend to glom onto the latest cable news fixation (read: the Omaha gunman, and before that - take your pick). The latest thing is where it's at; it's why Alicia Keyes is outselling Jimi Hendrix.
In my adult life I've held fast to the notion that an informed citizen is a powerful citizen that can make a difference in the world. Of course, all the informed, "powerful" citizens didn't prevent the election of George Bush, or the Iraq War, et. al.; and I must confess, the ceaseless barrage of news of the world, little of which is positive, has a pretty disheartening effect that can almost drive me to a state of "What's the point?" In my free time (a reminder, readers - that this generally begins around 8:30 or 9:00 pm), I am choosing escapism (pleasure reading, movie watching), rather than studying the NY Times.
A sense of civic duty may be about to drive me back into an attempt to get back on track, but I thought I'd just make this admission as some sort of late-2007 milepost.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Post Just to Post: My Netflix Queue Top 10
My full queue is up to 150, but here's the next 10 on tap (and the one I have at home):
(at home) Glen or Glenda: Ed Wood debacle from 1953. He was trying to make a social commentary on crossdressing, unbeknownst to Bela Legosi and his girlfriend, Dolores Fuller (both of whom were co-starring in the film). A car crash at which I cannot resist a peek.
Dracula: I've always had a bit of a fascination Dracula lore. Currently about three chapters from finishing the Librivox reading of this wonderful book, I am all the more curious about a seemingly unlimited array of interpretations have played themselves out on the silver screen. I saw the 1929 silent film Nosferatu a couple of years back and this one, released in 1931 and starring Bela Legosi (a crazy, pure co-incidence he is in my next two queued movies!), is pretty much considered the chronological 2nd of the landmark productions of the Dracula genre.
A Mighty Wind: In difference of opinion from some others, I felt Christopher Guest fell off pretty steeply in Best in Show; however, the earlier brilliance of Guffman and Spinal Tap still place his mockumentaries in a "must see" category for me.
Silent Movie: Bold concept of Mel Brooks, back in the era where he was still fresh & funny (1976), this has been on the periphery of my "gotta get around to this one" world for years and years now.
The Apartment: I'm a big Jack Lemmon fan; I think he's a tremendous actor. And this is supposed to great film, by almost any measure.
Standing in the Shadows of Motown: In my queue purely as a result of this recommendation by Aaron: "I suggest you add this movie to Your Queue. I think you'll enjoy it!" A documentary about a little-known group of background musicians for untold number of Mowtown hits througout the sixties. Think, the Jordanaires of Mowtown.
Clerks: First Cut (Not Theatrical Version): I've never had a huge yearning to see this film, but it's been generally very highly regarded by my peers. And the entire Jay & Silent Bob phenomenon came and went before I'd even heard of it, so this is me going back to gather up some of that hipster pop culture long after the parade has passed on by.
Calendar Girls: Basically, the writeup reads like a female version of The Fully Monty, which I think is one of the best comedies of recent years. Mixdorf take note: "viewers like me" rate this movie 0.4 of a point more than the average viewer.
Harvey Birdman: Vol. 1: Disc 2: My review of Vol. 1: Disc 1 was something about a great concept and moments of comedic brilliance sprinkled amidst an offering that is insubstantial and unengaging enough to not matter in the end equation. Like so many other animated comedies, in my opinion. One of my general rules of TV series, however, is: all TV series have a right to get their footing. Therefore, although I expect more of the same, the comedy was good enough when it was on to let me give disc 2 a chance.
A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy: A Woody Allen adaptation/spoof of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Slowly working my way through the Allen catalog, which ranges from OK to brilliant for me.
Local Hero: The Doc Hollywoodish sounding synopsis would definitely not have landed this in my queue, but the Mixdorf recommendation did.
(at home) Glen or Glenda: Ed Wood debacle from 1953. He was trying to make a social commentary on crossdressing, unbeknownst to Bela Legosi and his girlfriend, Dolores Fuller (both of whom were co-starring in the film). A car crash at which I cannot resist a peek.
Dracula: I've always had a bit of a fascination Dracula lore. Currently about three chapters from finishing the Librivox reading of this wonderful book, I am all the more curious about a seemingly unlimited array of interpretations have played themselves out on the silver screen. I saw the 1929 silent film Nosferatu a couple of years back and this one, released in 1931 and starring Bela Legosi (a crazy, pure co-incidence he is in my next two queued movies!), is pretty much considered the chronological 2nd of the landmark productions of the Dracula genre.
A Mighty Wind: In difference of opinion from some others, I felt Christopher Guest fell off pretty steeply in Best in Show; however, the earlier brilliance of Guffman and Spinal Tap still place his mockumentaries in a "must see" category for me.
Silent Movie: Bold concept of Mel Brooks, back in the era where he was still fresh & funny (1976), this has been on the periphery of my "gotta get around to this one" world for years and years now.
The Apartment: I'm a big Jack Lemmon fan; I think he's a tremendous actor. And this is supposed to great film, by almost any measure.
Standing in the Shadows of Motown: In my queue purely as a result of this recommendation by Aaron: "I suggest you add this movie to Your Queue. I think you'll enjoy it!" A documentary about a little-known group of background musicians for untold number of Mowtown hits througout the sixties. Think, the Jordanaires of Mowtown.
Clerks: First Cut (Not Theatrical Version): I've never had a huge yearning to see this film, but it's been generally very highly regarded by my peers. And the entire Jay & Silent Bob phenomenon came and went before I'd even heard of it, so this is me going back to gather up some of that hipster pop culture long after the parade has passed on by.
Calendar Girls: Basically, the writeup reads like a female version of The Fully Monty, which I think is one of the best comedies of recent years. Mixdorf take note: "viewers like me" rate this movie 0.4 of a point more than the average viewer.
Harvey Birdman: Vol. 1: Disc 2: My review of Vol. 1: Disc 1 was something about a great concept and moments of comedic brilliance sprinkled amidst an offering that is insubstantial and unengaging enough to not matter in the end equation. Like so many other animated comedies, in my opinion. One of my general rules of TV series, however, is: all TV series have a right to get their footing. Therefore, although I expect more of the same, the comedy was good enough when it was on to let me give disc 2 a chance.
A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy: A Woody Allen adaptation/spoof of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Slowly working my way through the Allen catalog, which ranges from OK to brilliant for me.
Local Hero: The Doc Hollywoodish sounding synopsis would definitely not have landed this in my queue, but the Mixdorf recommendation did.
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