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Christmas 2015

Dec 12, 2015#1

Tinwhistler

Had to jump the gun here....got my wife's Christmas present in today, and I wanted to show a pic of it before I had to wrap it

Sparkly

[DOUBLEPOST=1449964581,1449964413][/DOUBLEPOST]Bought it and put it in to be sized like 2 weeks ago. It's been on TV a lot since then, and I keep pretending like it's a dumb ring. "Why would I get a ring that represents both your best friend and me?" "No..it means you're my best friend and husband." "that's just dumb"

Dec 13, 2015#2

DarkAudit

Stephan Pastis gets it...

Dec 13, 2015#3

Bubble181

Ok, silly question: I'm trying to find a Christmas song, and it's a fairly well-known one, but I can't remember title or anything. It starts off fairly quietly with just - I think - a flute, and builds up canon-wise with more and more instruments 'till eventually an electric guitar comes in as well. I think it's completely instrumental. Also fairly sure it's an American song, which is why it isn't as well known over here...Anyone care to remind me? Sorry :oops:

Dec 13, 2015#4

fade

Bubble181 said:
Ok, silly question: I'm trying to find a Christmas song, and it's a fairly well-known one, but I can't remember title or anything. It starts off fairly quietly with just - I think - a flute, and builds up canon-wise with more and more instruments 'till eventually an electric guitar comes in as well. I think it's completely instrumental. Also fairly sure it's an American song, which is why it isn't as well known over here...Anyone care to remind me? Sorry

Maybe Tran-Siberian Orchestra's version of Carol of the Bells?

Dec 13, 2015#5

evilmike

Bubble181 said:
Ok, silly question: I'm trying to find a Christmas song, and it's a fairly well-known one, but I can't remember title or anything. It starts off fairly quietly with just - I think - a flute, and builds up canon-wise with more and more instruments 'till eventually an electric guitar comes in as well. I think it's completely instrumental. Also fairly sure it's an American song, which is why it isn't as well known over here...Anyone care to remind me? Sorry

Dec 13, 2015#6

PatrThom

DarkAudit said:
Stephan Pastis gets it...

It's almost like he had @HCGLNS write the script.

Bubble181 said:
Ok, silly question: I'm trying to find a Christmas song, and it's a fairly well-known one, but I can't remember title or anything. It starts off fairly quietly with just - I think - a flute, and builds up canon-wise with more and more instruments 'till eventually an electric guitar comes in as well. I think it's completely instrumental. Also fairly sure it's an American song, which is why it isn't as well known over here...Anyone care to remind me? Sorry

As soon as you say "electric guitar" then the most likely suspects immediately become Trans-Siberian Orchestra or Mannheim Steamroller.

--Patrick

Dec 13, 2015#7

Bubble181

That's the video I keep finding, too, but the one I'm thinking of is waaay more traditional and only has a bit of electrical guitar or whatever fairly at the end. I'll let you know once I figure it out and then you can all laugh at me because it's probably not at all what I describe

Dec 13, 2015#8

HCGLNS

PatrThom said:
It's almost like he had @HCGLNS write the script.

--Patrick

Dear Family,

Judge me all you want, and watch how much I care.
Discuss politics all you want, I'll just water down your drinks.
I would love to look after your baby, they are for now a far better person than you. Also I will teach them that keys are toys.
The more you tell me how to run my life, the less input you will have in my life.
Brag all you want about your own life, I know the actual details
And finally, leave promptly.

Dec 13, 2015#9

WasabiPoptart

I did an underwater/beach theme this year.

Dec 13, 2015#10

Celt Z

WasabiPoptart said:
I did an underwater/beach theme this year.

View attachment 19902

I love the little sea turtles!

Dec 13, 2015#11

General Specific

Bubble181 said:
That's the video I keep finding, too, but the one I'm thinking of is waaay more traditional and only has a bit of electrical guitar or whatever fairly at the end. I'll let you know once I figure it out and then you can all laugh at me because it's probably not at all what I describe

Well, I was going to say August Burns Red's Carol of the Bells until I saw this.

So maybe Trans-Siberian Orchestra's A Mad Russian's Christmas? Same's Christmas Canon Rock?

Not much to go on, really.

Dec 13, 2015#12

PatrThom

I tried to link to a collection of each of the groups' Christmas collections on YouTube, hopefully that'll help.

--Patrick

Dec 13, 2015#13

Emrys

WasabiPoptart said:
I did an underwater/beach theme this year.

View attachment 19902

I read that as "underwear/bleach theme" and was looking for bras hanging on the branches.

That would be an interest twist on Deck the Halls.

Dec 13, 2015#14

WasabiPoptart

Emrys said:
I read that as "underwear/bleach theme" and was looking for bras hanging on the branches.

That would be an interest twist on Deck the Halls.

I don't want a bleached tree.

Dec 13, 2015#15

fade

Emrys said:
I read that as "underwear/bleach theme" and was looking for bras hanging on the branches.

That would be an interest twist on Deck the Halls.

Must be that gay apparel I've heard so much about.

Dec 13, 2015#16

HCGLNS

Dec 13, 2015#17

Dei

Dec 13, 2015#18

Hailey Knight

Christmas Day = The Hateful 8.

Dec 14, 2015#19

drawn_inward

Zero Esc said:
Christmas Day = The Hateful 8.

That's a hell of a thing to call your family. Geez.

Dec 14, 2015#20

Dave

I got my wife a signed concert poster from one of her favorite bands. The band's lead singer was drummed out last year so you can't get these again.

Dec 14, 2015#21

Hailey Knight

Wasted $50 on a gift for my in-laws that they won't enjoy, because they don't enjoy anything, because they are miserable, but I'll look on the bright side and consider it an investment in not having my wife's mother bitch at her for not getting them a gift. (Even if I'm the one who did the work.)

And I am DONE with shopping as of this morning. Spoiled my wife, but who gives a shit.

What Christmas specials is everybody watching? This year we're going through the Rankin-Bass stuff and it is so much weirder than I remember.

Dec 14, 2015#22

Celt Z

Zero Esc said:
What Christmas specials is everybody watching? This year we're going through the Rankin-Bass stuff and it is so much weirder than I remember.

Yesterday I happened to catch two Henson oldies: Fraggle Rock Christmas and Emmett Otter's Jug Band Christmas. It's been a loooooong time since I've seen either of those. They're still funny and it's great to hear Jim Henson's voice again.

Dec 14, 2015#23

PatrThom

Celt Z said:
Emmett Otter's Jug Band Christmas.

Bar-B-Q!

--Patrick

Dec 14, 2015#24

Adam

Dave said:
I got my wife a signed concert poster from one of her favorite bands. The band's lead singer was drummed out last year so you can't get these again.

Bare Naked Ladies???

Dec 14, 2015#25

Dave

Sick Puppies.

Dec 14, 2015#26

PatrThom

Adam said:
Bare Naked Ladies???

Eh, nobody really misses Andy Creeggan that much.

--Patrick

Dec 14, 2015#27

Adam

PatrThom said:
Eh, nobody really misses Andy Creeggan that much.

--Patrick

haha, it's true. We stayed at a hotel in Winnipeg while BNL was there, and my buddy ended up in the elevator with them. Said that they are doing much better without him and they only laughed and thanked him.

Dec 14, 2015#28

drifter

One of the earcups in my headphones went out.
Found out the Fidelio X2 is on sale at Amazon.

It's gonna be a Merry Christmas

Dec 14, 2015#29

GasBandit

Dear Santa

Just this, thanks.

Merry Christmas,
GB

Dec 14, 2015#30

Dei

But how would you fit spider legs on it?

Dec 14, 2015#31

GasBandit

Dei said:
But how would you fit spider legs on it?

On the bottom, duh.

Dec 14, 2015#32

WasabiPoptart

Zero Esc said:
What Christmas specials is everybody watching? This year we're going through the Rankin-Bass stuff and it is so much weirder than I remember.

We watched Charlie Brown Christmas and The Polar Express yesterday.

I made a half joking comment on Facebook last year or the year before about messages in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer that don't translate well in today's way of thinking. One of my older cousins told me I needed to stop being an ass.

Dec 14, 2015#33

blotsfan

I'd say pointing out the awfule messages in Rudolph and Baby its Cold Outside are practically a christmas tradition now.

Dec 14, 2015#34

fade

GasBandit said:
Dear Santa

Just this, thanks.

Merry Christmas,
GB

that's a little too "Wall-e" for me.

Dec 14, 2015#35

Hailey Knight

WasabiPoptart said:
We watched Charlie Brown Christmas and The Polar Express yesterday.

I made a half joking comment on Facebook last year or the year before about messages in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer that don't translate well in today's way of thinking. One of my older cousins told me I needed to stop being an ass.

But it's true! There's some off shit in there. My best friend always narrows in on the "get the womenfolk home" bit near the end.

Then there's Santa shaking his fist at Mrs. Claus in Year Without a Santa Claus. Also didn't realize the kids who sit on Santa's lap are supposed to give Santa a kiss? Thanks, Santa Claus is Coming to Town.

Dec 14, 2015#36

fade

blotsfan said:
I'd say pointing out the awfule messages in Rudolph and Baby its Cold Outside are practically a christmas tradition now.

There are some pretty good essays on how baby it's cold outside is a mutual discussion about sex within the socially acceptable parlance of the time. Like she's giving all the required protestations but she's not really interested in leaving. After all, she keeps coming up with excuses. For example "what's in this drink" is supposedly a contemporary excuse for just having to go lie down in a mans quarters, and not a roofie/mickie reference. Etc.

Dec 15, 2015#37

Dave

Dec 15, 2015#38

GasBandit

Dec 16, 2015#39

DarkAudit

Got a late start on the Christmas music, but this makes up for it...

Dec 16, 2015#40

drawn_inward

Ah, rape jokes. They never get old.

Dec 16, 2015#41

fade

GasBandit said:

Propane and propane accessories.

Dec 16, 2015#42

drawn_inward

Hank would be horrified by all those Ho's.

Dec 16, 2015#43

Ravenpoe

drawn_inward said:
Hank would be horrified by all those Ho's.

[DOUBLEPOST=1450303968,1450303731][/DOUBLEPOST]

fade said:
There are some pretty good essays on how baby it's cold outside is a mutual discussion about sex within the socially acceptable parlance of the time. Like she's giving all the required protestations but she's not really interested in leaving. After all, she keeps coming up with excuses. For example "what's in this drink" is supposedly a contemporary excuse for just having to go lie down in a mans quarters, and not a roofie/mickie reference. Etc.

I actually often wonder if that old and now antiquated cultural bias that women were not allowed to act interested in sex (lest they appear as some sort of hussy) is why there is such a problem now with "rape culture."

Dec 16, 2015#44

Dei

Just put all of Pentatonix's Christmas music on my phone. Time to drive my husband mad as his love of Pentatonix wars with his dislike of Christmas music.

Dec 16, 2015#45

PatrThom

Dei said:
Just put all of Pentatonix's Christmas music on my phone. Time to drive my husband mad as his love of Pentatonix wars with his dislike of Christmas music.

I want to get the albums, but I'm waiting for Feb.

--Patrick

Dec 16, 2015#46

evilmike

Anyone need a Star Wars themed yule log?

Dec 19, 2015#47

DarkAudit

I was at a loss how I was going to equal my friend's springing for Steeler tix last week, then I saw this...

For him, it's perfect.

Dec 19, 2015#48

Dei

This is what I expect from my daughter when she finds out the truth about Santa.

Dec 19, 2015#49

GasBandit

Dei said:
This is what I expect from my daughter when she finds out the truth about Santa.

The hashtagged middle finger emoji absolutely slays, but what got me going was "I can't believe you any more. What about the easter bunny, huh? The tooth fairy?"

Oh, sweet summer child.

Dec 19, 2015#50

blotsfan

I've always felt the whole Santa Claus thing was weird.

Dec 19, 2015#51

phil

We celebrated today since my brother/sister in law/nephew will be in El Paso on the 25th.

I got my brother a drone. He let me fly it and of course it's in a neighbors yard now. Those suckers can really move! Hopefully they aren't out of town.

Dec 20, 2015#52

fade

blotsfan said:
I've always felt the whole Santa Claus thing was weird.

My younger sister never did Santa with her kids, and until yesterday, I thought it was due to the religious phase she was going through at the time. Nope. Found out she just thought it was too much work. Which surprises me far less.

Dec 20, 2015#53

Hailey Knight

Remember, kids, Santa is a time traveler. That's how he gets to everyone.

As for Christmas specials:

We watched Rudolph. It's really hard to hate that movie, but Santa is a dick. Then again, I can't blame him for not eating when his food was made from the same clay as the table and dishes.

Also watched Jack Frost (Rankin/Bass, not Michael Keaton). I legitimately enjoy this one, it's my favorite for its fairy tale aspects, but it's still really dumb. I also forgot it was a Groundhog's Day special. Also, "snow gypsies."

We tried to watch Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July--the opening to which is hilarious because the epic level music treats this like the crossover of the century--but while I remembered how bad it is, I did not realize it was 97 minutes long. No. Just, no. That's time my wife could be playing Fallout 4.

I think that's about it for Christmas specials. Might watch Die Hard, and then Christmas Eve it's time for (yay!) Muppet Christmas Carol, which I can't wait to watch again.

Dec 20, 2015#54

Covar

WasabiPoptart said:
We watched Charlie Brown Christmas and The Polar Express yesterday.

I made a half joking comment on Facebook last year or the year before about messages in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer that don't translate well in today's way of thinking. One of my older cousins told me I needed to stop being an ass.

I avoid Tumblr, what's bad about Rudolph?

Dec 20, 2015#55

blotsfan

The moral is "bullying people is fine until they prove themselves to be useful to you."

Dec 20, 2015#56

Covar

blotsfan said:
The moral is "bullying people is fine until they prove themselves to be useful to you."

That seems to me like an "explain a movie badly" stretch to me. Rudolph basically has the same message as X-Men.

Dec 20, 2015#57

Tinwhistler

So, Amazon wrote me today and said, basically, "Hey, you know that gift you ordered for your son a week ago, and we said if you ordered now, it'd be here before christmas? Well, we're out of stock. So tough luck. Even though we said it was in stock when you ordered it. But you can cancel your order and reorder from one of our other sellers (which we fulfill, so we really do have them in stock) for a 50% markup"

Fuck you amazon. Give me my 1 month extension on Amazon Prime. I'll go get it from Books A Million, where they have it on the shelves for the standard price.

Anyway, I tried to avoid the malls this year, but Christmas shopping is finally done.

Dec 20, 2015#58

WasabiPoptart

Covar said:
I avoid Tumblr, what's bad about Rudolph?

I don't go on Tumblr either.
However, Rudolph has some real issues with sexism, e.g: Clarisse and Mrs. Donner are essentially told to obey their men when they have opinions (in that one whole line Mrs. Donner has). There is also the stereotypically overbearing Mrs. Claus hen-pecking her husband.
There is the message that if you're different in some way then you're worthless, which could also translate to being made fun of for a disability in Rudolph's case and some of the misfit toys (I still don't know what's wrong with that doll and I had a polka dot elephant as a kid, so nothing wrong there either). Hermie is also trying to better himself by entering into a profession, but he is shamed for wanting to rise above his station.
Also, Santa is not jolly. He's an asshole.

Dec 21, 2015#59

Hailey Knight

WasabiPoptart said:
I don't go on Tumblr either.
However, Rudolph has some real issues with sexism, e.g: Clarisse and Mrs. Donner are essentially told to obey their men when they have opinions (in that one whole line Mrs. Donner has). There is also the stereotypically overbearing Mrs. Claus hen-pecking her husband.
There is the message that if you're different in some way then you're worthless, which could also translate to being made fun of for a disability in Rudolph's case and some of the misfit toys (I still don't know what's wrong with that doll and I had a polka dot elephant as a kid, so nothing wrong there either). Hermie is also trying to better himself by entering into a profession, but he is shamed for wanting to rise above his station.
Also, Santa is not jolly. He's an asshole.

Maybe Santa had the Thinner curse throughout the movie.

I noticed Hermey doesn't have pointy ears, so he might not even be an elf?

Also, never noticed before that Yukon Cornelius carries a revolver in his belt.

OH, I have to ask you guys because this confused the hell out of me--I've watched Rudolph many times since I was 3. I never saw a scene near the end where Yukon discovers a peppermint mine. Does anyone else recall this? Because that wasn't in the movie when we watched it on TV, but it came out of nowhere on the DVD during the finale when Rudolph is leading the sleigh team.

Dec 21, 2015#60

DarkAudit

Zero Esc said:
Maybe Santa had the Thinner curse throughout the movie.

I noticed Hermey doesn't have pointy ears, so he might not even be an elf?

Also, never noticed before that Yukon Cornelius carries a revolver in his belt.

OH, I have to ask you guys because this confused the hell out of me--I've watched Rudolph many times since I was 3. I never saw a scene near the end where Yukon discovers a peppermint mine. Does anyone else recall this? Because that wasn't in the movie when we watched it on TV, but it came out of nowhere on the DVD during the finale when Rudolph is leading the sleigh team.

There are different edits. The peppermint mine scene was deleted in 1965.

Dec 22, 2015#61

DarkAudit

Must post this every year.

Dec 22, 2015#62

jwhouk

Yah, eh?

Dec 22, 2015#63

Covar

WasabiPoptart said:
I don't go on Tumblr either.
However, Rudolph has some real issues with sexism, e.g: Clarisse and Mrs. Donner are essentially told to obey their men when they have opinions (in that one whole line Mrs. Donner has). There is also the stereotypically overbearing Mrs. Claus hen-pecking her husband.
There is the message that if you're different in some way then you're worthless, which could also translate to being made fun of for a disability in Rudolph's case and some of the misfit toys (I still don't know what's wrong with that doll and I had a polka dot elephant as a kid, so nothing wrong there either). Hermie is also trying to better himself by entering into a profession, but he is shamed for wanting to rise above his station.
Also, Santa is not jolly. He's an asshole.

Fair enough, I'm mostly thinking of the song. Some of your later compliants seem to be addressed in the end of the movie though. Hermie becomes a dentist, despite the adversity faced, the misfit toys IIRC get children, and Ruldoph becomes the greatest reindeer of all.

Dec 22, 2015#64

Tinwhistler

Well, since I complained about Amazon the other day, it's only fair that I praise them today.

I was expecting a package to arrive yesterday. Amazon said it was out for delivery by 8pm. It never showed up. So I looked at the tracking information. It left Amazon's warehouses on the 21st. The day it was supposed to be delivered. So, naturally, I expect it today.

I looked at USPS tracking, and it said it was delivered on the 20th. Since it only left Amazon's warehouses on the 21st, that seems impossible. Especially since nothing at all was delivered on the 20th (Sunday). The post office gave me the runaround saying the carrier claimed they delivered a couple of packages on Sunday. No, sorry, they did not. I was home all day. Nothing was delievered. They said "Well, we'll have the carrier look around" and blew me off. It was clear that she thought I was full of shit.

So I called Amazon, and they were able to apply more leverage/pressure than I could, I guess, and got an official case opened on the missing package. So maybe it'll turn up eventually.

This year's Christmas is turning into a comedy of errors. Not that my son will notice. He's got enough Christmas already. hah

Dec 22, 2015#65

Dave

There's a whole album of these. I laugh my ass off every damned time.

Dec 22, 2015#66

PatrThom

I'd pay a small amount of money to hear that playing in malls.

--Patrick

Dec 22, 2015#67

Gared

Yeah, the USPS has been pretty bad this year. I really hate that Flaviar uses them for all of their tasting packs.

Dec 22, 2015#68

Gared

On the positive side, it is just about time for the holiday baking and cooking to begin in earnest. My cookie cutters and cookie press don't get here until tomorrow, so sugar cookies, spritz cookies, and gingerbread cookies will have to wait, but today's list is shortbread, thumbprints, and pecan and buttermilk pies. Plus stock for soup and rice for fried rice for tomorrow's anniversary dinner.

Dec 22, 2015#69

Squidleybits

blotsfan said:
I've always felt the whole Santa Claus thing was weird.

When I figured it out my mum always said that those who believe, receive.

I fielded some questions from our daughter last year and I didn't confirm or deny. I used my mum's quote and talked about how fun the idea of Santa is and explained that we don't spoil it for younger kids.

Dec 22, 2015#70

Emrys

Dave said:
There's a whole album of these. I laugh my ass off every damned time.

Dec 22, 2015#71

Hailey Knight

USPS has been fine here, but UPS ... let's just say I'm fortunate to have honest neighbors. And honest people who live in an entirely different apartment building, but have the same door number.

On the other hand, a lot's been delivered. We got spoiled by my aunts this year. They must've appreciated us taking their kids off their hands for a week more than I realized.

Dec 22, 2015#72

BErt

In our family gift exchange, my brother only put "not wine" on his list. Fine, shit-head...

Incidentally, if anyone needs a 5 liter pouch of Franzia, I can accommodate you.

Dec 22, 2015#73

GasBandit

BErt said:
Incidentally, if anyone needs a 5 liter pouch of Franzia, I can accommodate you.

Wooo! Time to get white-girl wasted!

Dec 22, 2015#74

BErt

GasBandit said:
Wooo! Time to get white-girl wasted!

Awww Yisss

Dec 22, 2015#75

Piotyr

Today's affirmation that the Christmas spirit is still alive...

Dec 22, 2015#76

PatrThom

BErt said:
if anyone needs a 5 liter pouch of Franzia, I can accommodate you.

Switch it out for a Tahitian Treat BiB at your local 7-11. Enjoy the results.

--Patrick

Dec 23, 2015#77

PatrThom

Ok, now they're just being silly.

--Patrick

Dec 23, 2015#78

Emrys

I like how the middle one is prancing.

Dec 23, 2015#79

fade

I just got back from visiting the family in SC. On the one hand, I enjoyed being around the family. I made a "no argument" vow, and I stuck to it despite all the baiting racist and sexist comments. On the other hand, I remember why I only go back every 2 years or so. Central SC in general has gotten really insular and even more conservative than it used to be, if possible. The place is odd, like time forgot it or something. It kind of looks like people don't even care about themselves, much less about other groups of people, and that just deepens a lot of the deep-seated hate that's in that area. Anyway, I was glad I got to see the family, especially since my parents, who have been healthy as horses for the most part, had a lot of health issues this year.

Dec 24, 2015#80

Grytpipe-Thynne

Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and peaceful New Year to all.

Dec 24, 2015#81

Celt Z

What else is there to do?

Dec 24, 2015#82

Tinwhistler

Celt Z said:
What else is there to do?
View attachment 20022

Hah, I'm grilling tonight too.

Dec 24, 2015#83

Cheesy1

Celt Z said:
What else is there to do?
View attachment 20022

Dec 24, 2015#84

PatrThom

Cheesy1 said:
View attachment 20023

Hey, is that a banana in your OH GOD HE'S JUST ENTIRELY ONE GIANT BANANA RUN FOR IT

--Patrick

Dec 24, 2015#85

Dei

I have determined that I have a love/hate relationship with big holidays. I hate not having plans for them. But I don't really want to have plans with my family, because my parents basically just have dinner, and my other relatives just sit around and get drunk and watch TV. What I really want is to have a gathering where people get drunk and play board games, or party video games like Smash or Mario Kart and actually do shit instead of just sit around and make small talk for hours. So yeah, I feel lonely on Christmas, but it feels like such a lame problem to have because at least I have my husband and kids. But I have them every day. Does that sound really weird? :/

Dec 24, 2015#86

WasabiPoptart

No it doesn't. I've been struggling for the past few days because my kids want to sit around the house and play together. Aussie's working. So I'm sitting around picking my nose. I can't visit family for obvious reasons. Local friends have plans of their own. So here I am.[DOUBLEPOST=1451006647,1451006573][/DOUBLEPOST]And don't get me wrong. It's nice that they want to play together, but damn. I don't want there to be a dramatic production because Mom wants to go to the beach.

Dec 24, 2015#87

bhamv3

Happy Constitution Day in the Republic of China!

Dec 24, 2015#88

Tinwhistler

Merry Christmas and happy holidays from our family to all of you

Dec 24, 2015#89

Zappit

Tough Christmas for the family this year. Monday was the one year anniversary of his passing, and today would have been his birthday. We still had the family party, and even had a cake for him. Not a bad night - no bickering or moodiness. We were just trying to get through it and enjoy the night because that's what he would have wanted.

My mother periodically "talks" to him during private moments, and figured his spirit would be down in South Carolina with his brother. His brother lived on the Isle of Palms, and just asked him for a sign he was all right and watching. Since that conversation, she's seen several Isle of Palms references here and there, when we normally never see any; believe me, my mother never misses a South Carolina reference.

And there was another odd thing tonight. My father heard an owl as he took the dog out for her nightly walk. The last time we heard an owl, it was Thanksgiving, when my mother was really missing her father. In the 18 years we've lived in this area, those are the only two occasions we've seen/heard any owls. The timing just seems like it couldn't be completely random.

There's comfort in that.

Dec 24, 2015#90

WasabiPoptart

Fajitas! Baking cookies! Prezzies! I even got in a little nap, plus Aussie brought home a bottle of wine that Santa might get into when he visits.

Tomorrow night we're going to a neighborhood that has 3 cul-de-sacs totally decorated in a Star Wars theme and the local chapter of the 501st Legion will be there!

Dec 24, 2015#91

PatrThom

Tinwhistler said:
Merry Christmas and happy holidays from our family to all of you

It's like you took a picture of a female Kringus.

--Patrick

Dec 24, 2015#92

Hailey Knight

I'm resisting the temptation to turn on the AC in this swampy winter wonderland.

Merry Christmas, folks!

Dec 24, 2015#93

Dei

Celt Z said:
What else is there to do?
View attachment 20022

Meanwhile...

http://denver.cbslocal.com/2015/12/...olorado-pushes-ski-area-over-200-this-season/

Dec 25, 2015#94

WasabiPoptart

My kids are crazy tonight. Noah forgot the words to the song even!

Dec 25, 2015#95

DarkAudit

Why the hugs, @Gruebeard? Neither of us are Rangers fans, and we still appreciate what Joey Bats did in Pittsburgh.

Dec 25, 2015#96

BErt

My dad was a good man. He loved me and he tried really hard to make sure I had a good life. My only wish for a long time was to not end up like him, and that was not fair. I'm sorry dad and I love you. Thank you for everything. You deserved better from life. Merry Christmas.

Dec 25, 2015#97

Emrys

DarkAudit said:
Why the hugs, @Gruebeard? Neither of us are Rangers fans, and we still appreciate what Joey Bats did in Pittsburgh.

Maybe he just wants to hug you. :unibrow:

Dec 25, 2015#98

Gruebeard

What she said.

It's like a brofist, but sweater. Er, sweeter.

Dec 25, 2015#99

evilmike

Dec 25, 2015#100

HCGLNS

Xmas brekky of waffles biscuits bacon coffee yogurt oranges and lemonade!

Dec 25, 2015#101

Celt Z

Guys... thanks to our friend, Mr. Z has a new outfit:

And thanks to Mr. Z, so do I!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Dec 25, 2015#102

PatrThom

Hey.
Merry Christmahanukkwaanzakeid to all.
Soooo many cookies.

--Patrik

Dec 25, 2015#103

Squidleybits

My necessary diet coke Christmas morning selfie. This time with a brand new Snuffles from Santa!

Dec 25, 2015#104

Dei

My son is playing with his new Anki Overdrive, my daughter is either complaining that he won't let her play, or crying that he's destroying her at it, take your pick.

Dec 25, 2015#105

Bubble181

Merry Christmas everybody!

Dec 25, 2015#106

Dei

MIXING DC AND MARVEL. My daughter totally just married her new Starfire doll to our Captain America ornament.

Dec 25, 2015#107

DarkAudit

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Dec 25, 2015#108

Gruebeard

Iron Man looks scorned.

Dec 25, 2015#109

Dei

Gruebeard said:
Iron Man looks scorned.

"She's my true love"
"So was I"

Dec 25, 2015#110

GasBandit

DarkAudit said:
Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Well, aside from her being 15 and him being, what, 90?

Dec 25, 2015#111

Dei

She's an alien, maybe they have different standards.

Dec 25, 2015#112

GasBandit

Dei said:
She's an alien, maybe they have different standards.

Well, to be fair, the show did try to marry her off to a horrible alien warlord to save her home planet.

Dec 25, 2015#113

HCGLNS

You guys sucks! How am I the first person to call Dave and wish him a Merry Christmas?

Go Google his phone number and give him a call!

Operators are standing by!

Dec 25, 2015#114

jwhouk

Merry Christmas to all, and best wishes for a better 2016!

Dec 25, 2015#115

WasabiPoptart

Eggnog breakfast casserole and a large cup of coffee. Presents are all opened. The kids are playing. It's a pretty good Christmas morning.

Dec 25, 2015#116

Emrys

Peace, love, and happiness to all of you.

Dec 25, 2015#117

Dave

Merry Christmas to everyone from me and my family. And Fallout 4.

Dec 25, 2015#118

Gruebeard

HCGLNS said:
You guys sucks! How am I the first person to call Dave and wish him a Merry Christmas?!

My real family can never know you exist. They'd be jealous that I actually talk to you.

Dec 25, 2015#119

HCGLNS

Gruebeard said:
My real family can never know you exist. They'd be jealous that I actually talk to you.

You should give me you # and name. I will call an freak everyone out.

Dec 25, 2015#120

Hailey Knight

I love and miss my aunts and their twin children, but there is no communication in that household.

Because of this, I got three copies of the same book, and two of the same shirt. They're crazy.

Dec 25, 2015#121

Gared

Merry Christmas, everyone.

Dec 25, 2015#122

Ravenpoe

Dec 25, 2015#123

LittleKagsin

Happy Christmas loves!

I hope everyone's day has been wonderful and that you got at least some joy today. Big hugs from me to you. =^^= :heart:

Dec 25, 2015#124

Cajungal

Merry merry, folks!

Dec 25, 2015#125

fade

Some pics, for the interested, but probably don't mean much without context.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/fadecomic/VpQ4Ms

Man, I look haggard in South Carolina. It's like there's something in the air.
Also, I am a camera nerd. I think I used 4 different lenses and I set up an umbrella flash for Christmas morning. The tree area wasn't that bright.

Dec 25, 2015#126

Dei

OMG, We totally tried spatchcocking our turkey this time, and it is definitely the greatest thing. So glad it got mentioned in the Thanksgiving thread.

Dec 25, 2015#127

Squidleybits

fade said:
Some pics, for the interested, but probably don't mean much without context.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/fadecomic/VpQ4Ms

Man, I look haggard in South Carolina. It's like there's something in the air.
Also, I am a camera nerd. I think I used 4 different lenses and I set up an umbrella flash for Christmas morning. The tree area wasn't that bright.

Camera nerd is the best kind of nerd

Dec 25, 2015#128

Yoshimickster

May your burgers be rare, and your little brothers yell at the PS3! That's how I'm celebratin', and I LOVE it!

Dec 25, 2015#129

IronBrig4

Merry Christmas everyone.

Dec 25, 2015#130

Sparhawk

Got this little round beauty today for my Christmas present from my wife.

A 50mm f/1.8 STM, already played with it some tonight, but have to practice a bit more, just from a few test shots of fireworks being set off next door I know that fireworks pictures are going to be much better now.

Dec 25, 2015#131

phil

My secret Santa got me 20 bucks in blizzard bucks! And the Heroes of the Storm 50%off everything sale is still going on! It's a Christmas miracle!

Dec 25, 2015#132

DarkAudit

Only the Chet Atkins record is physically younger than me.

Dec 26, 2015#133

WasabiPoptart

This was so cool.

Dec 26, 2015#134

ThatNickGuy

Our Christmas tree just inexplicably fell forward. Lots of ornaments - many of the good ones - are broken.

It fell where you see the mess, but we leaned the tree against the chair in order to sweep.

Diomedes was nowhere near the tree, too. He generally steered clear of it, actually.

Dec 26, 2015#135

PatrThom

You can't have "tree inexplicably fell over" and "Diomedes was nowhere near it" in the same sentence. Haven't you heard about Chekov's cat?

--Patrick

Dec 26, 2015#136

GasBandit

Macavity is not there.

Dec 26, 2015#137

WasabiPoptart

A version of Schrodinger's cat, maybe?

Dec 26, 2015#138

PatrThom

I mean, I know the statement "He was nowhere near the tree" is probably 100% true. The trouble is that you have to append "...by the time it hit the ground" to the end of that.

--Patrick

Dec 26, 2015#139

WasabiPoptart

Wassail is on the stove. Prime rib in the oven. Trying to figure out how I can transport the batter for Yorkshire pudding to my friends' house without it getting warm.

Dec 26, 2015#140

Squidleybits

I love Yorkshire pudding. I can't make it very well though so I must rely on family members

Dec 26, 2015#141

WasabiPoptart

Squidleybits said:
I love Yorkshire pudding. I can't make it very well though so I must rely on family members

This is my first time. I'm a pudding virgin. LOL

Dec 26, 2015#142

Emrys

WasabiPoptart said:
This is my first time. I'm a pudding virgin. LOL

Let me be the first to say...

How you doin'? :unibrow:

Dec 26, 2015#143

fade

I always like that Pampers commercial with the really simple version of Silent Night sung in the background.

Dec 27, 2015#144

Bubble181

Bubble181 said:
Ok, silly question: I'm trying to find a Christmas song, and it's a fairly well-known one, but I can't remember title or anything. It starts off fairly quietly with just - I think - a flute, and builds up canon-wise with more and more instruments 'till eventually an electric guitar comes in as well. I think it's completely instrumental. Also fairly sure it's an American song, which is why it isn't as well known over here...Anyone care to remind me? Sorry

FINALLY figured out what it was. Mike Oldfield's version of In Dulce Jubilo. Which I still really like and really fits the description, btw.

Dec 27, 2015#145

PatrThom

For the curious.

--Patrick

Dec 27, 2015#146

jwhouk

"Good Christian Men Rejoice."

Dec 27, 2015#147

PatrThom

jwhouk said:
"Good Christian Men Rejoice."

Yeah, I remember it.

--Patrick

Dec 27, 2015#148

DarkAudit

Dec 27, 2015#149

fade

Bubble181 said:
FINALLY figured out what it was. Mike Oldfield's version of In Dulce Jubilo. Which I still really like and really fits the description, btw.

Never heard of that one before.

Dec 27, 2015#150

PatrThom

fade said:
Never heard of that one before.

Nor had I, and I have more than a little Oldfield.

--Patrick

Dec 28, 2015#151

Bubble181

fade said:
Never heard of that one before.

PatrThom said:
Nor had I, and I have more than a little Oldfield.

--Patrick

Ya know, this surprises me; it's easily in the top 100 most played on radio Christmas songs around here. Weird. Does explain why you couldn't help me find it

Dec 29, 2015#152

fade

I always get post-Christmas blues. It's like, "HERE, have lots of fun and goodwill for a few weeks! Okay now suddenly stop!"

Dec 29, 2015#153

PatrThom

fade said:
I always get post-Christmas blues. It's like, "HERE, have lots of fun and goodwill for a few weeks! Okay now suddenly stop!"

I have a theory that the longer the buildup to Xmas lasts, the longer the hangover from NYE will be.

--Patrick

Dec 29, 2015#154

Cajungal

I get to go to my favorite food truck today, because I got some money from my aunt! I am happy dancing in the name of shrimp tacos!

My Christmas tree is sad and crunchy, I'm back at work grading papers, and I feel as fat as a walrus (I could also use a lip wax, incidentally). But I'm still riding high from all the holiday fun.

Dec 29, 2015#155

Gruebeard

fade said:
I always get post-Christmas blues. It's like, "HERE, have lots of fun and goodwill for a few weeks! Okay now suddenly stop!"

I'm always kinda glad when it's over. The longer the buildup, the more glad I am

Dec 29, 2015#156

fade

Gruebeard said:
I'm always kinda glad when it's over. The longer the buildup, the more glad I am

Weird thing is I get some of this too. Like I'm still on vacation but I'm kind of anxious to go back and make a new start too.

Dec 29, 2015#157

Hailey Knight

Definitely ready to be done with holiday foods. It's good stuff, but it needs to be gone.

Dec 30, 2015#158

PatrThom

Zero Esc said:
Definitely ready to be done with holiday foods. It's good stuff, but it needs to be gone.

We cleaned the fridge.
We filled the entire dish rack with cleaned-out storage bowls & stuff.
Fridge still looks packed.

--Patrick

Jan 11, 2016#159

PatrThom

Yeah, late I know, but finally got around to importing all my photos, so now I finally get to post pics of the Christmas Eve spread:

From the glass plate on the left, going clockwise spiral along the outermost edge:
Deviled eggs w/ tuna & capers, red & green pepperoncini, mixed cured meats (mortadella, prosciutto, capricola, salame), crackers&breadsticks&toasts, goat cheese w/ lemon&herb spread, herbed olive oil for dipping, baguette slices, shrimp cocktail on ice, mixed cheeses (gorgonzola, italian truffle cheese, toscano w/ black pepper, asiago w/ rosemary), crostini w/ bean paste & grilled polenta triangles w/ yogurt cheese and tomato/olive topping, mixed olives & marinated mushrooms & giardiniera & prosciutto and goat cheese roulades, lemon and rosemary seasoned roasted hazelnuts, more bean paste and tomato/olive topped crostini, candy tray with fudge & window pane cinnamon candies & cashew and lemonhead white chocolate bark, cookie tray of various yummy cookies, gingerbread tree, parmesan stuffed dates, and another delicious cookie tray.

From L to R: Mulled cider, arroncini bites, pizzatinis*, parmesan puff pastry pups, Moscato d'asti, Prosecco, and sparkling white grape juice for the kiddies. The herbed olive oil makes a repeat appearance from the other picture.

--Patrick
*They weren't actually pizzas, but what else are you going to call toasted cheese-covered dough?

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