Friday, December 31, 2004

Another New Year's Eve spent sick at home. I'm on the downslope of a cold I picked up from an adorable six month old, but still not up to leaving the house for more than food and DayQuil™.

I'm missing a party I was very much looking forward to, but I can't imagine I'd have been very popular had I spread these germs to everybody there. Definitely smarter to stay home.

So from my sickbed let me just wish everyone a happy 2005. May it be full of joy, achievement and (most importantly to me tonight) health for us all.

Posted @ 9:44 PM

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Friday, December 24, 2004

At last yet far too soon, Christmas Eve is upon us.

All the gifts I'm giving are bought, with only one or two left to be wrapped. I've had my fair share (but not my fill) of nog, cookies, and chocolates. I've seen the lights on the houses and been part of the throng at the mall.

I've got a few hours in the car in front of me over the next few days, and I'm well-stocked with Christmas CDs to help make the journeys joyful. When I arrive at my various destinations, food and drink, family and friendship, warmth and love await me. I'm a lucky guy.

I leave you with this, from A Christmas Carol. Though it's not a line that's usually quoted, it may be my favorite in the book:

It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas.
Merry Christmas, everybody.

Posted @ 8:26 AM

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Thursday, December 16, 2004

Shopping at Barnes & Noble last night, I heard a question I never thought I'd hear again outside of a thrift store or a flea market.

The questioner looked to be about my age, an average guy in a sweatshirt and jeans. He certainly didn't appear as if he'd been living off the grid in a cave somewhere for a decade and a half. His query, however, sounded like it came from someone who took up hermitage around the time the first Batman movie premiered.

His question to the sales staffers?

"Am I too out-of-date if I ask where the cassette tapes are?"

Yes. Cassette tapes.

I haven't seen a new cassette audio tape on sale anywhere since Clinton's first term. There are people who are allowed to drive who have never listened to a cassette. I mean, seriously: CDs have already peaked as a format. Why would this guy even dream that cassettes would still be available at a national chain store?

I guess Christmas really does weird things to people's minds. Poor bastard.

Posted @ 3:56 PM

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Friday, December 10, 2004

A quick tip of the hat to Professor Paul Campos of the University of Colorado. He wrote a column this week which beautifully encapsulates the outrage I feel upon seeing monster SUVs sporting "Support Our Troops" decals. Go and read it. No matter where you fall on the issues raised, it should get your blood moving.

Posted @ 4:21 PM

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Wednesday, December 08, 2004

Looks like Superman and Batman's main squeezes share more than just a love of guys who wear capes: happy birthday to Lois Lane and Vicki Vale!

(Yes, some might point out that both of these women were also Bond girls [Hi, Jim!], but this is my damn blog so I'm sticking with the superhero angle, thankyouverymuch.)

Posted @ 1:57 PM

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Saturday, December 04, 2004

Work got you on edge? Kids driving you crazy? The holidays stressing you out?

Maybe you need to pop some bubble wrap.

It's addictive. Don't say I didn't warn you.

(swiped from John Scalzi's By The Way)

Posted @ 11:15 AM

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