Last post of 2006

Sorry, guys. I have been pretty busy and my computer has been a Beee-ooootch. Christmas was fine. I got some presents I wanted and some...I didn't. I have found that as I get older presents mean less and less. I'm certainly not wealthy, but I have enough money to buy most of what I want. Gifts don't really excite me. I like giving people stuff they want. I gave my dad a scrapbook of his life, my brother got a three tiered Craftsman tool cart, and Jenny got a beer fridge. I tried to give everyone special present because this is the first year I have been able to buy nicer gifts. So, what about yourself? Did you get something you really liked or just enjoy giving more than receiving?

P.S. Happy New Year's! See you in 2007

Off to Nashville...

I'm heading home to Nashvegas tomorrow in preparation for Christmas. I feel pretty excited about the holiday and just being home. I am going to do my share (and maybe yours, too) of baking. I need to prepare my father's present...oh, I didn't tell you about it? Well, since Scrooge doesn't like anything, I thought I would opt for not buying a traditional present and instead make a scrapbook of his life. I've talked to several family members and a couple of friends and I am going to put them together in one album and give it to him. He may not like it, but I think it will be a nice keepsake for coming years. I'll keep you updated. I'm sure I will post before Christmas, so ta ta for now...

Is it just me...

or does Mary Kate Olson's new platinum hair make her look like Cruella Deville? Ick.

Lost and Found

Yesterday my Christmas spirit was at an all time low. I was pretty upset about this as this is my most favorite time of year. For some reason it's back and I am not letting it go. I just need to accept that it won't be perfect and be happy despite other people's scrooginess. I have to admit that when I shared my lack of Christmas spirit with Mr. Scrooge himself (my father) he was quite alarmed an even said in a worried voice "Katie...that's just not like you. What's happened? Is everything okay?" I guess we both play roles every year. He humbugs while I sing Christmas carols. It's what we do.

Well, give her a cookie!

Lindsay Lohan hasn't had a drink in a week? After her year at AA? Way to go! This 20 year old must feel so proud of her achievement.

The Regression is Complete

I have now taken to tivoing the cartoon version of Berenstein Bears. Good stuff. So sad how much I enjoy watching the stories. I guess I'll be switching back to soft foods soon. We really should have seen this coming after the desire for footy pajamas, eh?

Holiday Movie Party

Tonight was the night. We changed up the movie lineup a bit, but we watched A Charlie Brown Christmas, Christmas with the Kranks, and Love Actually. The food was tasty. We had mini pigs in a blanket, sausage balls (you know, to cover the important processed meat categories), regular and chocolate rice krispie treats, rotel dip, and eggnog. Several of my good friends stopped in and watched the movies. Honestly, the evening ended earlier than usual and very little alcohol was consumed (also, not a regular occurrence for the party). All in all, it was a little more reserved than usual and has me feeling rather old. It makes me actually contemplate abandoning the party. I mean, most of my friends don't even like Christmas movies. It's kind of like I make people come over and watch movies I like to watch and torture them. Oh well. I guess that's what friends are for.

Are we really this lazy?

I keep seeing advertisements for a dvd/cd opener. Apparently, we as Americans are so lazy that we can't even manage to unwrap plastic from cd or dvd cases. I think it should be a rule that if you can't open your own dvds or cds (and don't have a physical impairement) then you should not be allowed to own such items.

You know what makes me warm and fuzzy?

The song "Oh Holy Night." Everytime I hear a good version of it, I am almost brought to tears. I get chills and really feel like I am getting what Christmas is all about. Favorite version: The Three Tenors; Second Favorite version: Josh Groban (trust me, I am as surprised as you); Least Favorite version: Celine Dion (ick. double ick). Do you have a favorite carol?

So Excited!

I get paid on Thursday and then I will be able to go Christmas shopping! I have been waiting for this ALL season! Put your requests in early, who knows how long the money will last?

Torture

I am working at my part-time job right now (the one that I was working at before my library job) and I am listening to the dull roar of ill-behaved children playing foosball and running around and disturbing other people while their parents play tennis and ignore them. Lately, I have found that there are generally two sets of parents in this world: the kind that herd their children and the kind that get herded.

The kind that herd:
They keep a fairly good watch over their kids and make sure that they don't act up too much in public places and don't destroy too much public property. They also seem to realize that other people don't find their children nearly as endearing as they do or have the ability to tune out the noise that they make. I find these kinds of parents to be responsible and doing the best they can. Their children also tend to be pleasant and as well-behaved as children are likely to be.

The kind that get herded:
These parents are being played by their children like a violin. They meekly tell them to "shush" when they are screaming and running around (which has a negligible effect, if any) like tiny yetis. They continue on with their shopping and errands without regard for the suffering of other people. Their children will most likely grow up to be serial murderers or the kind of people that show off their unencumbered body parts when getting in and out cars.

Word of Advice

It seems to me that celebrities (particularly ones of the young and female persuasion) have been making some poor decisions of late. I think you know where this is going...

Britney, Britney, Britney...for someone who has as much money as she does it seems like she could make some allowances for panties. Or longer dresses. Or the skill to get in and out of cars without showing everyone what God gave you and then some. Also, she was working on courting public opinion and basking in the glow of shedding her dead-beat, pathetic "rapper" husband and then she has to start hanging around with Paris "that's hot" Hilton. I may be mistaken, but doesn't she have two small children at home? As a friend of mine suggested, maybe Brangelina adopted them. Can you imagine the horror of being Sean Preston Federline at the age of 13 or 14 surfing the internet and catching a glimpse of your mama's nether regions. Take a moment and pray, people.

And on to Lindsay Lohan. Apparently she has been attending AA meetings. Good for her. Perhaps she might want to quit drinking before wearing her 90 day sobriety chip. I think that's the point of the organization. It's like if I joined Weight Watchers and brought donuts and to the meeting and told everyone I was "thinking" about losing weight. She also needs to invest in underwear as Britney is not the only young lady in Hollywood going commando...and proving it.

Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats

Sarah asked for the recipe, so I thought I would go ahead and post it:

Use your standard recipe for regular Rice Krispie Treats. Make sure that you SLOWLY melt the butter in the pot. You can't rush the process. Nothing nastier than burned butter. Also, SLOWLY melt the marshmallows (the only thing nastier than burned butter). This is when you add the chocolate chips. I don't measure them, but it probably works out to a cup and a half. Let the chocolate melt completely, pour in the rice krispies, and remove from the heat. Take a buttered spatula and scrape the mixture into a really well buttered rectangular dish (9X13). Do not use PAM. Use butter, it tastes better. Let cool. Enjoy. They're really good!

Take heart

My Christmas spirit is not in jeopardy. I am still going to enjoy the season and I am offering this proposition for anyone who reads the blog:

The Virtual Holiday Movie Party 2006

For those of you not in the know, I have an annual holiday movie party. The first year was 1998. And I have had one every year since. Anyone reading this blog is invited to participate. For everyone who reads this blog and lives in Birmingham you are invited to my party on Saturday Dec. 9th (time TBA) at my place. For anyone who lives somewhere else I encourage you to watch along with us at home. The proposed movies/holiday specials are:

A Charlie Brown Christmas
Christmas with the Kranks
It's a Wonderful Life

If these are movies that you have seen or want to watch something else, past movies are as follows:

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
A Christmas Carol
Elf
Love Actually
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
(and anything else you want to watch that gets you in the Christmas mood)

Snacks are also important. We always have regular and chocolate Rice Krispie Treats, cocktail weenies, and Rotel dip. Anything that is high salt, fat, sugar or other various processed foods. Mmmm-mmm.

Go forth and be merry

First step. Final realization.

I put the fabulous tree up over the weekend and it is just as beautiful as last year. I tried to take a picture of it, but the lights make it impossible to tell what it is (and without lights, what is a Christmas Tree?). Very exciting stuff. I love looking at the tree and in looking at its near perfection, I have come to an important conclusion: Christmas will never be what I want it to be. I watch the movies, read the books, plan the perfect dinner and set the bar too high. I am disappointed every year because I have set my sights on the impossible dream: a storybook Christmas. What should I do about this? Lower my standards or try not to be bothered by my dad and his scroogy-ness. Abandon the movies, books, and dinner plans and just take it as it comes? I just don't know, but something needs to change. Are you perpetually disappointed on Christmas or is really just me?

What conclusion to draw?

Let me first state: I live in a good neighborhood. Nothing too scary, fairly middle class. With that, I am a bit alarmed by the activities of my downstairs neighbors. Last night I heard a lot of bumping around and something close to a crash. Then I heard their front door open and close. I looked out my window and saw their refrigerator sitting on the front lawn. Ya'll, I live in an apartment. Generally the fridge stays in the apartment at all times. 10 minutes later the refrigerator was back in the apartment. Bizarre behavior? Yes. I watch a lot of Dog the Bounty Hunter and I have decided they are running a meth lab. Maybe some of their concoction spilled inside and they took it out to clean it. Sure, meth lab seems a little like jumping to conclusions, but I don't have the most patience for this neighbor to begin with. I have to listen to her amorous encounters at least two times a week (her bedroom is right above mine and quiet she is not), listen to the hacking coughing that comes from them smoking pot (I can smell it outside the door when I'm walking Teddy), and the loud television watching - I can actually hear distinct dialogue through the wall. I am going to be so pissed if I get blown up by their home chemistry experiments.

Social Commentary

Okay, since I have been discussing several things that have happened in the news of late, I thought I would throw the whole Kelly Ripa vs. Clay Aiken vs. Rosie O'Donnell thing out there. In case you missed it basically Clay was guest hosting on Regis and Kelly and Kelly Ripa must have said something that annoyed Clay or whatnot and he reached over and covered her mouth with his hand and said "You never know where that hand has been..." or something to that effect. Rosie O'Donnell has weighed in on this issue and called Kelly homophobic because of what she said and did. First off, Clay is not out of the closet so as far as anyone is concerned he could be gay or straight. Rosie also stated that had it been someone else (like attractive) Kelly would have reacted differently. Nice Rosie. Out Clay Aiken AND call him fugly. Good Lord. Mel Gibson and Michael Richards really did say hateful things, but Kelly basically conveyed that she didn't want someone's hand over her mouth. It's not like she said "get your fucking gay-ass hand off my fucking straight mouth." I could give a crap who people sleep with and I think Rosie overreacted and stuck her nose in somewhere it doesn't belong. Has Clay come out and spoken about how he felt so offended or discriminated against? No. Until that time, Rosie is just putting words and thoughts into people's heads.

What do you think

About Michael Richard's racist tirade at a comedy club? It seems quite reminiscent of Mel Gibson's anti-semitic remarks after he was arrested for drunk driving. I just wonder what people are thinking when they say these things. What possesses someone to call people such hateful names? Just because they got heckled? As far as I know, being heckled is part of the job when you are a stand-up comedian. How do you explain it away or apologize enough? Just to note, neither Mel nor Michael are from the southeastern part of the United States. In case anyone wants to point fingers at the South for their racist tendencies, I will have you know that neither my friends nor I would ever say the kinds of things that either Gibson or Richards said. They deserve public condemnation.

Peeved

Though, I shall not name names, I am going to vent a little about someone here on the ole blog. Someone (once again, who shall remain nameless) is supposed to be visiting me in Nashville today and tomorrow, but I have not heard from this certain someone since Friday. Friday. This person does not know how to get to my house in Nashville and it is a little irritating that they are MIA. I could be making plans with some of my other friends up here, but I was waiting for this person to call and say they were coming or weren't coming. At first I was just worried that something may have happened, but another friend of mine let me know that they had logged into their myspace account yesterday. Hmmm. Not looking good for this person and I am still peeved. I think I will just make my alternative plans and not worry about the other person. I know that this post is a bit rambling, but I had to express my displeasure.

sad.

I talked to my brother tonight and he informed me that our family dog, Murphy has doggy cancer. It is a form of melanoma and they don't really know how it will affect his quality of life or how long he will be with us. I got really upset. He was my first dog and I housetrained him and cared for him during his first formative months. He may not be the smartest or best trained dog, but he is one of the sweetest. He was also my mother's dog. He gave her happiness and comfort when she was sick and couldn't really go anywhere. He was with her when she died and he stayed with her until someone found her. He meant a great deal to her and if he dies then it means I will lose one more thing that was connected to her. I have faith that he will be okay for a long time. I'm just not ready.