The Christmas Dork Takes a Holiday

I don't know what it is this season, but I'm having a hard time getting into the spirit of things. Normally I'm ALL about the Christmas stuff. But I haven't even baked a damn Christmas cookie yet and it's already December 6th. I am listening to some Christmas music on my iPod, but normally that's ALL I listen to starting the day after Thanksgiving. I'm not doing crazy shopping and gift planning. It took me a while to muster enough energy to get my decorations out and I haven't even gotten a wreath yet. And writing the Christmas Letter seemed more of a chore than usual. I also haven't gone to look at any decorations or Holiday store windows (except Barney's which I walk by on my way to/from work) or anything yet.

Maybe it's that things are crazy at work right now (they should get better next week), I don't have much money for presents and cookie fixin's and party throwing and all, I'm not sleeping well and that always makes me even moodier than usual, and who knows what else. I also think I'm a little tired of getting all into Christmas like the giant Christmas Dork I am and having no one else but my mother be quite as excited. Not that anyone has any obligation to get as into Christmas as I do, but normally I don't care how enthused everyone else is and just plow on having fun regardless. This year I feel a little more 'why bother if it's only just me who's having fun'? I think I just need a break. To recharge, be mellow, all that stuff.

Of course, I still have over 500 Christmas Songs on my iPod to listen to, I still have quite a few decorations up in my apartment, I've already started working on my 160+ Christmas Cards and I'm making plans for Holiday goodness with my folks. And I got a little excited watching The Closer's holiday episode last night where one character keeps going on about his Perry Como CDs. Because Perry Como Holiday CDs rank up there with the Muppets as my all time favorite Christmas CDs. Also, Muffy will be here for a couple of days next week to possibly drag me to a couple Holiday Hot Spots.

So, me taking it down a notch for the holidays still probably leaves me more of a Christmas Dork than most. Still, I feel a bit like a Grinch. At least by my standards. I guess I'll just chill this year and come back stronger than ever in '08. Prepare yourselves, people.


Seriously, if you don't have the Muppets & John Denver Christmas CD you MUST get it.

NYC Snow

Snow in New York City is an interesting thing. I think it's gorgeous for the first hour or so. The city looks so pretty with everything covered in white. Hiding all the ugly stuff, highlighting the pretty parts. And things get so much quieter with the snow. Walking through the city with snow falling is such a peaceful time. And my neighbors are big fans of making praying snowmen with angel wings. How can you not love that?

But then the plows come and push all the snow into piles that turn to ice. People walk all over it and make it slushy and then icy with their foot steps. Dogs (& people) pee and poop everywhere. And dog owners seem less interested in poop scooping in the snow (& people never scoop their own poop). With all the walking required in the city it becomes a pain tromping all over that snow and ice, and wearing pretty shoes on the street is right out.

That's one of the reasons I love having a backyard. The snow stays pretty back there for a while. The footprints made out there are by cats or birds or me. And I can enjoy the snow all I want without worry. During the first snowfall after I moved to this apartment I ran outside and made a snow angel. And giggled like a four year old the whole damn time.

'Tis the Season

Ah the Holiday Drinking Season is upon us. Such a lovely time of year.

I'm kicking it off with two birthday parties this weekend. One tonight for MC and one tomorrow night for Sheena. Both women are much younger than I am and yet pissing and moaning about becoming old. I'll have to drink heavily to survive.

Then next week are the office holiday parties. Thursday will be a circus event. I was told there would be cocktails. Which I will be needing many of, since I will be at a Circus with coworkers. Luckily, I like my coworkers. Which will be helpful for Friday night when we have our own Holiday Party involving dinner & drinks followed with wild post-dinner boozing. We're a lush kind of company it seems.

Side note: my coworkers were appalled when they learned I was a vegetarian, but accepted it. I suspect I might not have been long for this world had I told them I didn't drink. After learning I was a vegetarian, one of my bosses looked at me in horror and said, "Do you not drink either?!?!?" He was so happy when I laughed at him.

Anyway, after staying out until the wee hours with my bosses & co, I am pondering getting on a bus to Boston sometime Saturday morning so I can hit Muffy & Steph's Holiday party. At which I assume booze will be served. If I do make this party and you see me on a bus from Boston to New York Sunday afternoon, do NOT sit by me. It won't be pretty for you if you do. I'll either get ill and not make it to the bathroom, will grumble and fuss and whine at you the whole way down or I'll fall asleep and drool on you excessively. And I am sure I will REEK of alcohol.

Lord only knows what the following week will hold. Maggie will probably be visiting that weekend. And then, Christmas with the family. Which often involves a very drunk Daddy & Mandy and an eye-rolling Mommy. Good times.

Happy Holidays, y'all!!!!

Vote for Dave!!

I believe you can vote 10 times, so I expect nothing less!!!
http://www.cwtv.com/contest/enter/bag-americas-choice

http://wesleyan.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6447651342
www.datedave.org

Guinness, Peanuts & Chocolate

So, last night the folks and I went out to Otto for dinner. Mom hadn't been in a few years and really wanted to go. They no longer do the calzones she had when we were there back in '04, but we still managed to have a good time. I haven't been in ages either, not since Muffy decided we'd gone too often and needed a break. Not that it's Muffy's fault I haven't been, it just sort of fell off my radar after that. Maybe I should blame Muffy anyway.

But, it was lovely. Lots of wine and cheese and bread. And that honey with truffle I love so very much. I think our waiter was not pleased with us for dipping our bread in before the cheese plate came ("did he explain the cheese condiments to you?"), but whatever. That stuff is SO good. I really love dipping the pecorino in it.

And then, to top it all off, how could I resist a dessert called "Guinness, Peanuts & Chocolate"? I could not. Because that's just some tasty deliciousness right there. Even without knowing what's in it. Though next time I might just get the Guinness gelato plain. Just to see how it tastes without all that other tasty stuff mixed in.

Of course, after Otto this visit and Babbo the last visit, my Dad is making rumblings about wanting orange crocs. Anyone who knows my dad PLEASE email him and tell him what a bad idea crocs are (unless they're Disney Crocs). Thanks!

TiVo

My parents are in town for the holiday and we've been having a lovely time.

Though neither one approves of what's on the TiVo. I don't record enough shows they like.

Mom isn't happy that I let TiVo record it's recommendations (when I have the space) and was upset I had no CourtTV or Animal Planet shows.

Dad was APPALLED I didn't have anything from the History or Discovery Channels. So, I agreed to TiVo a Modern Marvels, which we watched last night. Turned out to be a GREAT one on distilleries, a topic near and dear to our heavy drinking hearts. Though, when they got to the scotch section Daddy and I just got too thirsty to bear it and broke into my whisky collection. Mom wanted a mojito, but sadly I did not have rum nor mint in the house. I'm a little disappointed in myself for that. I'll have to hit the liquor store before the Christmas Holidays I think. No tequila, no rum, but two kinds of scotch, one blended Irish whiskey and a bourbon. Heh. I guess when it comes to boozing up I am my father's daughter.

Parents and Cleaning and Football

The folks hit town today. And apparently the apartment passed muster. Oh glorious day. Initially I was going to do nothing but clean this weekend. But then I made plans for Sunday to see Muppet, whom I hadn't seen in a couple of weeks. And then I made plans for Saturday afternoon. And then Saturday night JBJ called up to say, "Hey, wanna see Blade Runner tonight?" And obviously that is an invitation that can't be turned down. And so, not as much time at home as I wanted.

But, I ran the roomba lots, scrubbed the bathroom, made sure the catbox was very clean (just for Daddy), made sure there were surfaces and empty hangers (just for Mommy) and hoped for the best.

And somehow I managed to go the whole weekend without watching football. Honestly, I haven't done that since the season started. Sorry, Mom, but between Monkey Man, Vader and the Erogenous Vulcan I've become quite the little football viewer. I'm even finding I like it. I just don't have a team. I root for the Patriots and the Jets sometimes because I went to Wesleyan. I root for Florida because of Vader, the Giants because of the Erogenous Vulcan, the Steelers because of Monkey Man, the Colts and IU because of Daddy... but I don't have a team to really call my own. College or NFL. Gotta figure out that one out. Any advice and suggestions are welcome. The Muppets say to go for a local team as it's a bitch to root for an out of town team. But, I don't plan on being in New York forever and I already will have to worry about being a Yankees fan outside the city. I just don't know.

New BFF

So, yesterday a 24 year old at work said she thought I was "[her] age." She was surprised I was 33. Heh. I told her it was just because I act so immature all the time. She said no, I just look really young.

I KNOW I don't look 24. I look 33. But still, she's my new BFF.

Date Dave

Yes, I know. I haven't blogged in a million years. I'll start again. Someday. But for now, this is AWESOME:

http://www.datedavid.org/

Come on, Ladies, fill out an application. You know you want to. Except you, Mom. You're still married. And I do NOT want to have to call David Daddy.

Kill me now

I have found two gray hairs in as many days. Life is no longer worth living. I am old. I am never going out again. I am staying home to become a Brooklyn spinster with her cats, her garden and her TiVo.

I will miss you all.

OJ ALL DAY

Pumpkin Made Me Do it

Pumpkin made me do it.

You Are 56% Girly

You're a little girly, a little boyish, and probably a whole lot indie. You have your own unique style, and it pretty much defies gender lines.

How Girly Are You?

I'm apparently not as girlie as one might think. Though some of the questions are silly. Lots of girlie girls have guy friends. I would get more manicures regularly if I could afford it (and had a dishwasher). Being tan all the time leads to wrinkles so I think it's just as girlie to be a fanatic about sunscreen. And I have pretty hair and don't want to make it less soft and shiny by using hair dye - which I think is very girlie of me.

It's apparently been so long since I've posted I had no idea there were all these blogger changes. Bad Amanda. I'll be better once my job search is over. Promise!