Now, for my Festivous like festivities, that was another story. I had a rather busy couple of days on my pseudo Xmas. A buddy that I used to work with flew in from overseas this month, so he, my roommate and I, went to the restaurant we used to work at back in the day. We killed that place too. I had a steak the size of your head, and ended dinner with a slab of carrot cake that made the steak look small. And the amount of one liners, jokes, and intricate metaphors that were dropped that evening at dinner were enough to fill three comedy books. It was a good entertaining meal, and must be done again, hopefully quicker than the 6 years we waited to do this one. The next day, I made the hour and three quarter trek to visit my mom. We hung out, swapped some gifts up, and then buzzed across town to visit Grandma and Grandpa, with a special cameo appearance from my father, (I know, right?). Grandma cooked, and oh did she ever. Prime Rib was the feature item, because everyone knows I don’t do turkey (unless YOU are really going to deep fry me one, because I have to try that, I’m waiting BTW, and a call or text doesn’t hurt either……just saying) After that, I headed back home, and on the way popped into my other Grandmas for a late night visit, and stayed for a bit. I kicked it with her, and my Aunt, just telling old ones, playing with dogs, and eating some more cake. I’m one of the fortunate enough ones to actually have two Grandmothers still and this I know to be true, there is no one out there that hugs you like your Grandma does, she just means that shit, and it’s unparalleled. Mom hooked up the presents as well, like she always does. I’m a simple man really, all I ask for is toiletries, and she, as she always does, delivered. I won’t have to step into a Wal Mart for deodorant, razors, soap, socks or underwear until probably mid-summer, as of right now that is, because my birthday is in the spring, and she will go ahead and do it all over again then. Copped me a new set of sheets as well, light green, 600 thread count. My ass can’t wait to get these on, literally. She also knows I’m a movie buff, and usually litters me with Blu-Rays. I told her I wanted the newly released Star Wars box set, and in only child fashion, I got it. Now if I only I could catch the flu, I’d have the time to lie in bed and watch all 9 discs. She also, for some strange reason got me Gremlins. She said I used to love that movie when I was a kid and watched it over and over again, although I don’t really remember seeing it more than once. However, I have made mention to a lady friend or three that I got that movie, and they all replied the same way, “Gizmo is so god damn cute, I love him. Can I come over and watch it with you?” Mom may be onto something here, I’ll keep you posted. All in all I’m satisfied with my take, I don’t ask for much, because I don’t really need much, but Mom more or less spoils me every year like she always has since I was a kid. And who am I to say anything about it, it’s what she likes to do, let her do it, right?
Now, before I move onto New Years, there’s something I want to touch on real quick. I wanted to say something a few weeks back, but thought it should wait until after the 25th, for appropriateness. There was a lot of grumbling this year, as there is every year, and seemingly growing grumbling on an annual basis about the term Merry Christmas, or lack thereof. The term is slowly being phased out, and changed yearly, bit by bit too “happy holidays”, a more generic correct version. And this undoubtedly has people worked up in frenzy. I see more and more posts about “I have a Christmas tree this” and “I give Christmas presents that”, and that’s fine, I understand. But what I think you don’t understand is that, it’s not the minorities, or differing religions that are causing this nonsense. It’s the right wing media and the ever always wanting to be politically correct organizations that are both promoting and forcing corporations to change their holiday slogans. And by getting involved in all this hoopla of promoting Christmas versus whatever variation of seasonal greetings, you’re really just adding fuel to a non-existent fire. Truth be told, ever since Santa Claus was created, the direct affiliation of any religious beliefs pertaining to this holiday began to subside. And anyone in the know will tell you, the 25th historically isn’t even Christ’s birthday, it was used primarily because it was exactly one week prior to the mark of the New Year. And all your ranting and raving about this situation means you’re no better than the people who cause this nonsense, because you, just as they do, prove your naivety in forgetting what Christmas has evolved into, the celebration of the golden rule if you will. An opportunity to both do unto others as you would have done unto you, and to, if financially available, offer charitably in the form of gifts to loved ones all in the name of thanks. Thanks for another year of friendship, thanks for being there, and thanks for being you. Running to the top of the mountain and screaming as loud as you can “it’s a Christmas tree damnit” does nothing but leave you cold, and hoarse. Call it whatever you want to call it. Let shopper’s drug mart call it whatever they want to call it. And let the guy handing out his pamphlets outside the subway call it whatever he wants to call it. Who cares? But celebrate it how you feel it should be celebrated, and don’t buy into media propaganda, it’s terribly unbecoming of you to be honest, and I expect better.Now, onto New Years. As stated earlier, I will be working. Late too. But it’s cool, because I’ve put together an evening with the team, set for Thursday, and it will be our “New Year’s Eve” if you will. The team I have in place was strategically picked for what they bring to the table, because the plan for that evening is quite simple, it’s simple but genius. We are all meeting up somewhere, and crawling until we find where we will spend our evening. We may end up staying at the first spot we hit, we may end up staying at the 12 spot we hit. One round and call it then, that’s the M.O. Which is what makes the selection of soldiers important. I assure you, even if we don’t find a good spot, absolute hilarity will ensue. It will inevitably turn into an expensive night, and I have no idea how this is going to turn out, but the guys have bought into it, so we are doing it. We could end up on the other side of the city. We could end up at the casino. We could end up at the airport, who knows. But it will be ridiculously entertaining none the less. If you are interested and want to come along, let me know, and if I think your someone we should have joining us, I’ll tell you the starting point, because at this point, that’s all that’s really known.
As far as resolutions go, I’ve never been one to buy into the New Year’s resolution game. I’m of the will and mentality that if something needs to be fixed or changed, I’ll do it on March 13th or August 27th, just as easily as I could on January 1st. But I do understand how the flip of a calendar and the beginning of a new trip around the Sun can help you with yours on a subconscious level, and I won’t mock that. But stick to whatever you decide to do please, you put a lot of effort into making whatever decision you’re making, see it through. If you need help, call me, I’ll motivate you. If I were to make a resolution, what would it be? Okay, well, let’s see. The first thing I’m going to start working on is a little trimming of the social fat I seemed to have taken on. The phone seems to beep an awful lot with not much being said, and frankly I’m over it. I’ve allowed myself to be sponged into some very serious small talk relationships, and believe me when I tell you this, those days are numbered. So, if I disappear from your BBM, or suddenly stop returning your messages, now you know why, in 2012 I’m not playing any more games with a lot of people. The New Year will also usher in the return of an important rule of mine that I haven’t exactly been enforcing as of late. If I message you, and you don’t reply, for a total of three times, consider that your good bye. I honestly don’t think there is anything out there ruder than reading and not replying to a message, of any kind, without some sort of recognition. Picture this, if I bump into you in the mall, and we walk up to each other, and I say, “Hey, how’s it going? What’s up?” and you say nothing at all, how long do you think I will allow that to go on for, before I grab you by the throat and ask you not so politely what the hell your problem is? So why is BBM any different? How long does it take to type “busy, can we talk soon?”, or “fuck off stalker, I hate you”? Clearly not long at all, so have some text etiquette will you. Three messages total, over any period of time, and your cut, end of story. Resolutions as far as the blog is concerned, well, we have some big plans for the blog, and they will be revealed as time goes on, but I’ll say this much, as long as there is someone out there, be it in California, be it in Toronto, be it in Latvia, so much as I have one reader, I’ll post something for them. Now, I don’t know if I can keep up the torrid pace of one post per every seven days that I’ve been maintaining now for over 4 months but I’ll try. At minimum I’ll promise three per month, and we will go from there. What about the gym? Oh boy, that’s a game plan that has to get totally chopped and screwed. I plateaued about 6 weeks ago, and haven’t been able to shake it, no matter what I do, so I’m going to have to figure something out there. As soon as my New Years with the guys is recovered from, I’ll start studying and work those bugs out. Might have to switch the Marky Mark thing up though, I’m seriously starting to doubt I can get that light, which for the record, as my mom said to me, the last time I was under 200 pounds I was a teenager. We might switch it up, and go for bulk now, I have a body more conducive to that. Anyway, that’s enough for now, I’m gonna go take these new sheets for a spin, and enjoy this Neo Citron buzz I got going on, make sure you have a happy New Year, I most likely will, but you have a couple of drinks for me, dance, and be safe. I’ll be out there New Year’s Eve, if anyone needs a ride home, just message me, but remember, if I message you, you should probably message back, or that’s one….. Finish up the holiday season strong, and I’ll see everyone back here in 2012!!
Cheers……………………..
