Christmas Meditation - Bathtub Edition

(As the Star Wars Galactic Heroes are floating around in the tub...)

J: What do you think we should get the Star Wars' guys for Christmas?

DW: I don't know. We'll get them something nice...

J: All except Count Dooku. He's been naughty...

DW: Maybe we can make them a nice space ship out of a shoebox.

J: Don't tell them, Mom. They'll hear you.

Christmas Dinner Menu

After our flying trip to San Francisco to see the Nutcracker with four generations from my side in tow (my mom and grandmother have been going for 45 years!), it's on to San Antonio for our annual labor of love for our fabulous Guerrero family there -- Christmas Dinner for 20-25 people.

This year's menu switches up a bit; not Italian nor "traditional" but featuring New Tastes from Texas...

• Sweet & Spicy Pecans, p. 45*
• Cocktails / Beer (tbd -- margaritas?)
• Southwestern Caesar Salad with Toasted Corn & Pepitas instead of croûtons, p. 77*
• Pozole de Cameron, p. 218
• Jerked Brisket Salpicon Tacos, p. 216*
• Sauteed Summer Squash OR Stewed Green Beans & Poblanos, depending on what looks good at the store, p. 256** Nov 2007
• Spiced Chocolate Bread Pudding, p. 38** Jan 2008

*Stephen Pyles New Tastes from Texas
**Martha Stewart Living magazine

stalling... stalling... stalling...

When I wrote about MCPPA, I really meant it. Except maybe I should have called it BRMCPPA - Blog Reading Messy Couch Potato Procrastinators Anonymous. The blog-o-sphere thing has brought a whole new level of not-doing-what-I-should-be-doing into my life. Better go finish the freakin' Powerpoint presentation for work tomorrow.

But, please, how much fun do I have checking on Sarah's stockings, Amy's wunkles, Tracey's random thoughts, Jen's bathroom - oh, wait, no, that was Tracey again - Jen's ability to translate Ben and Sam's cutest sayings AND supply us with adults only entertainment...?!

Not sure I should admit this

I guess it may be somewhat obvious from previous posts, but I am becoming a much bigger Weird Al Yankovic fan in my old age than I ever was in the early days. And yes, I was aware of Al from those first appearances on the Dr. Demento show, back when I was still in high school in the late 70s-early 80s (no comments from the peanut gallery), so I'm no Johnny(-ette) Come Lately where this accordion-playing rocker is concerned.

But it's taken my fairly recent "discovery" of YouTube to really light my fire (ok, I can handle some mild teasing on that front). The guy is a genius; the live videos remind me of Zappa. (I know it's heresy, Chuck -- but the tight musical transitions and comfort in so many styles? Come on, admit it's a little impressive at least!) And now I've found the Newgrounds Weird Al collection -- will the wonders of the intarweb never cease?

On a totally different subject, I think the Guerreros are now officially late on the whole Christmas season thing -- no tree, no lights, and at the rate we're going, thank goodness I'm taking Julian to San Francisco in a week to see the S.F. Ballet's Nutcracker, as it may be the only holiday tradition we keep this year before we hook up with the San Antonio clan on the 23rd!

And what a tradition -- my mother and my grandmother have been waiting ever so impatiently for Juj to be old enough to participate in this, the most constant holiday activity in my life (more than Grateful Dead New Year's Eve concerts, even). My mother used to go as a child with my grandmother (SFB Nut, not the Dead), I've been at least 20-30 times I would guess (and that does not count all the Nut productions I worked on for other dance companies in my previous career - Tandy Beal, Los Angeles Classical / Long Beach Ballet, Donald Byrd's Harlem Nutcracker - what a walk down memory lane Google provided on this subject!), and now, finally, the moment has arrived for the J-boy to join the ranks. Hope he doesn't fall asleep! ;-)

Belief-o-Matic

Jen finally pushed me over the edge --- see my results here. Which really only goes to show that UU is the mutt religion; they'll take anyone.

Open mouth, insert foot...

Picture if you will...

A 40-something mother of one, whose flight from a week-long business trip to Canada had landed at midnight Friday. She and her only progeny have a great time during the prearranged Saturday play date with the W kids, and in the early afternoon, return them to their rightful mother, who kindly invites all in although the shower she is hosting has not completely wound down yet.

And then only-child mom, who has never dealt with the energy and logistical challenges of three kids at once (e.g., at the mall play area, one has to go to potty, which requires herding all three upstairs to the family restroom and making sure none escape until all are done), plops on the couch between, yes, two mommies of three, at this fete for a soon-to-be mother of four, and loudly announces she would never have three kids, even were she ten years younger. How incredibly insensitive and stupid is that?

So, Tracey, Amy, and Debbie -- what I really meant to say is: What incredible superwomen you must be! And my hat is off to you all!

(Of course, the G-man said "Just tell 'em you're old, and can't be held responsible." I think that might be a bit disingenuous, 'though.)