December 2007 Archives
Monday was Mike's and my 2 year anniversary! Just two years and two days ago, we met in New York and decided to give it a go long-distance, sparking a year and a half of driving every one or two weeks to see each other 260 miles away. (For a recap, see Mike's blog here [though he makes it seem, out of context, like some sleazy tryst... typical male] and here.) I have very fond memories of those long months afterwards -- I even have fond memories of the drive (I miss those 4.5 hour drives through forested Pennsylvania and the excitement that would hit me when I reached the 3/4 way point at Hazleton) -- but we're extremely happy to be living together now.
Holidays are stalking us. There Christmas is, right in front of us, lazily munching on some grass; we raise our rifle to take the shot, but then BAM! New Years and a whole host of inadequacy issues attack us from the sides. We never even knew they were there. I can't believe it's going to be 2008 soon. My youth! My youth!
In other juvenile news that I'm sure will solidify your impression of me as a shameful time waster, I've discovered that the best way to play Starcraft is with 80s music on in the background. The other day Kyrie Eleison (not the prayer, the Mr. Mister song) came on in the background as I wiped the Protoss off the map, and hoo boy it was amazing. (Dork.)
It's funny what an hour surfing the net looking for Christmas gifts can do to you. I had to stop myself when I felt a growing sense of panic and desperation threatening to overcome me. And that was just an hour.
Gift-getting is supposed to be simple in my family, since we decided a few years back that only the children should get presents. It was a little awkward for a while there, since for some reason I was classified as a child (with my nephews and nieces, all under 10 at the time). I was pretty glad when that all stopped.
Anyway, now my nieces and nephews are, with the exception of the two youngest, impossibly old: I have no idea what to get for them. What the hell does a 15-year-old want in 2007? That doesn't cost $300? So this year it'll be the same as the last. Target gift cards for everyone! That leaves me with the youngest, Lucy, and maybe I'll get some chocolate or candy items for the kids to go with their gift cards. There's also my parents, but that's taken care of. Oh, and I should get something for my grandparents, which might make for some difficulty. Mike is 3/4 taken care of. I just need to figure out where I can buy a catapult....
And there's "Secret Christmas." Here's where I hope that my outside-of-Dutchess-County family doesn't happen to find this blog. Because they're not supposed to know about Secret Christmas. On Christmas Eve, my local siblings give small gifts to each other -- mostly because it's too weird NOT giving gifts when my parents are showering us and Olivia and Lucy with presents. A few days later, when the long-distance sibs come for Christmas, we pretend Secret Christmas didn't happen... because we're not supposed to cheat on the no presents for sibs rule. Well, Secret Christmas is driving me a teensy bit crazy right now, because I want to get non-crap for everyone. And I don't think a Jon Bon Jovi action figure for my sister counts as non-crap.
I'll figure it out.
In other news, we were watching Star Trek VI last night, and I noticed something oddly familiar about a certain character.
Kurtwood Smith, President of the Federation
Kurtwood Smith, father in That 70s Show
Now that I look at his IMDB page, I see the guy's been in everything, so this isn't exactly a great or rare find. He's a character actor. But damn, that moustache.
Kurtwood Smith, President of the Federation
Kurtwood Smith, father in That 70s Show
Now that I look at his IMDB page, I see the guy's been in everything, so this isn't exactly a great or rare find. He's a character actor. But damn, that moustache.
