Merry Christmas, kids. Celebrating a "White -Knuckle Drive to Work Christmas" .
This snow storm needs to go away now.
My co-workers and I are going to try and eat a Christmas Brunch in between people killing themselves on the roads.
Super chill evening. I went with my folks to the local small town Dem politician's annual Christmas Eve seafood potluck. He fixes old record players. Like, real old. Cranky with the giant horn old. Manhattan clam chowder. Shrimp, cocktail or fried. Clam salad. Venison. Doritos. Homemade lox, it's so delicious--the texture is firm but melty, the dill is full of zest. Lots of sweet treats. Wine--rose and red--chilled, drunk from paper cups. Miller lite. People drink beneath the vaulted plastic ceiling of the host's empty greenhouse. The party takes up maybe 1/5 of the space. Green garlands and red ball ornaments festoon the water sprinkler tubes hanging down either side of the greenhouse. The women discussing the mother of a boy who gave her daughter, who has down syndrome, a hard time at school. They live on the same street. She (the mother of the mean boy) is needlessly hostile, they think.
The girl (with down syndrome) loves the Victrola, and so do I and my family. "It's my night with baby." I dance on the gravel with my mom.
1) What are your family holiday get-togethers like? Do you have a huge family? A small one? I have a very small family; often I have even less social interaction over holidays than on any other random days of the week.
2) Did you hear a lot of "Merry Christmas" or "Happy holidays" said this year when you were shopping, running errands, etc.? I feel like a lot of people told me "Merry Christmas," and though I have to say I found it pretty adorable, it made of think of those who don't celebrate Christmas who might have to hear that one a lot.
1) We have a pretty small family, too. It's just me, my parents, my brother and my baby sister. We have some extended fam (cousins, aunts, uncles) about 2 hours away from us but we're not close and we don't see each other.
Our holiday things are fun, usually pretty normal. We eat appetizers for dinner and do stupid stuff on Christmas Eve, just sit around and laugh. Last year we played Apples to Apples and my dad and brother made me laugh so hard I hurled. Haha. What about you?
2) I heard almost nothing, it was weird. No one says anything, not even "Happy Holidays". A few employees said "Merry Christmas" but other than that...bah humbug I guess!
@wishing upon: Ha, yeah, no kidding. It's so quiet at my house right now. Where do you guys live, do you get a white Christmas?
(Also I forgot to add there are hours of Mannheim Steamroller involved at my house.)
I wonder what it's like to have a huge and rowdy and semi-dreadful family get-together, like the American stereotype. Are you in the same vein of never having family reunions and all that shiz? I think it's so fascinating to have large families.
@Betty Bea Getty McClanahan: I'm in the Midwest, and yes, it is SO snowy outside right now. I would say about 6 inches.
One side of my family does do a lot of family reunions, and those are pretty fun. But the other side is really small. Typically it's just me and my mother for holidays.
I spent a recent Thanksgiving with a then-boyfriend and there were 10+ people there from his family; it was so bizarre/cool to spend a holiday with such a huge family for the first time.
What should I be watching this week? I tried dollhouse but couldn't get into it and just finished the third season of the The Wire and can't get into the 4th. I'm going through the original V miniseries but after that I'm stuck. Any recommendations?
@Alohamaid: For quick spurts of watching, nothing beats Dexter -- it's really intense. Actually, you definitely can't go wrong with most shows on HBO and Showtime -- since the seasons are so short, you can catch up quickly and finish in a satisfying amount of time. True Blood is also pretty great, for instance.
@Alohamaid: True Blood is another show that's much better it's second season. It becomes a much cleverer satire of Christian fundamentalists (whereas the first season kind of hits you over the head with metaphor).
@eatsshootsleaves: These facts, they are true. But with True Blood it's very important to watch the first season to know what's going on. With Dollhouse it is important to watch the last two episodes of the first season (and Epitaph One) and then pretend the rest of the season didn't happen.
I want a Christmas Eve nap and to read my book, but I guess family dinner isn't too bad either...
Tonight we're having stew; tomorrow is the more traditional stuff. I made dessert, but I tried a new recipe and I'm nervous about it. Luckily our neighbors' adorable little kids brought over a bucket of cookies, so if my cake fails, we won't be without sweets.
I have less than ten dollars in my bank account. My parents told me last week they were cutting me off, because it's time to be financially independent. While I agree with them...something tells me I'm not ready for that.
@MIXED: Yeah, I unlocked that achievement (sorry, nerd talk haha) not long ago. Do you have a job? It does kind of suck when you start to realize how expensive everything is. I still live at home while I'm saving up to move out, get a car, etc. so I'm lucky there.
But yeah, while it's unsettling and a lot of your brain is saying "Nooo! Not ready to enter the big adult world!" we just have to force ourselves. Otherwise you end up being paralyzed by your anxieties. Take charge of your life! It's scary at first, but it's rewarding as hell.
I have been a scrooge all week because I have a herniated cervical disk, my father emailed (don't bother calling, of course) me yesterday to tell me he won't down afterall and my brother is going somewhere else tonight.
AND THEN! My mom called! She finally did it! She left her awful, alcoholic, verbally abusive husband of almost 20 years! And she's hopping on the next flight here! She'll be here at midnight on Xmas, but I'm so happy I'm crying!
Y'all. I'm one of those heartless harpies who doesn't want kids and rarely ever goes all squee-ish over kids, but this little girl singing along with my favorite song nearly killed me dead of cute.
— Boots! No heels, please. And preferably vintage-looking. No suede.
— Bras. I'm bigger, so I need some full coverage/underwire going on, but I do like pretty patterns/designs if possible (otherwise, just gonna go black, me thinks).
@wishing upon: Re: bras -- if you have someplace you can go to be fitted well, I highly recommend it. I had never done that until this past autumn and I can't believe the difference. I ended up with some really expensive bras, but they fit incredibly well, are totally comfortable and make my boobs look amazing. Seriously, it was completely worth it.
@wishing upon: Try a high-end department store for bras. Are you in or near a city? Go to the fanciest department store there is, get measured (seriously -- I got measured at Victoria's Secret once and they told me I was a size smaller than I was. I'm a D, so that's a big problem!). I'd recommend Calvin Klein for well-made-but-affordable bras (many of them are quite nice, too).
Any advice and/or comforting words would be welcome:
I'm feeling decidedly Scrooge-y this Christmas Eve. I graduated in June with a double major in Arabic and poli sci. I spent the summer taking classes and visiting relatives in Europe. Returned in August hoping to find a job in a non-profit, gov. agency, law office, ANYTHING. Still unemployed.
Just found out tonight that my uncle apparently finds me spoiled and entitled for having gone to private schools. I wish this didn't bother me, but it does...I feel guilty for having been given so many opportunities in life but yet I can't seem to make anything out of my life beyond graduating college.
@seekay22: Please don't feel bad about the opportunities you have been given... it sounds like you have made something of them, which is what counts. And as for job seeking... it's a tough economy right now and lots of qualified, awesome people are having trouble finding something. You will prevail!
@seekay22: It's a terrible, terrible economy and you have been out of school for all of six months. Give yourself a break -- you've obviously worked hard and it will pay off. It's not that you can't make anything out of your life beyond graduating college -- it's just that it's going to take a little longer than it might have taken a few years ago. Hang in there! (And tell your uncle to keep his stupid opinions to himself.)
@seekay22: given your description, you have indeed been very, very fortunate.
If you graduated in June, does that make you 23?
If so, keep in mind that 23 is uber young. UBER!. Also, your current circumstance of being unemployed in this dire economy is not a rare one.
Might I suggest you do volunteer work (if you aren't already). You will both open yourself up to opportunities while doing something good. (and proving your Uncle wrong)
I got a job with The Nature Conservancy (years ago) after I began volunteering when before, I was being turned down right and left by ALL non-profits (by they way, NP's are often worse in the sense that you must know someone to get a job there and it can prove to be difficult because of their own eliteist bureaucracy)
I don't mean to come off as rude but i'm an "old lady" and so I must really emphasize that you are fortunate and it is imperative you realize this first and foremost and stop feeling sorry for yourself (again, I don't say this to be rude)
Whatever. Got home and my BF was drunk and we have to be at his parents house in 2 hours and he's pissed at me for not wanting to have sex. I think he's passed out at least.
Any cooks out there? We have these beautiful vegetables left over from the caterer last Sunday and I'd like to do something with them, maybe like a marinade? Any ideas for an appetizerish dish?
@Penny: Roasted veggies? Mix up something with olive oil, some herbs, maybe a touch of balsamic or citrus. Crank up the oven to 400 or so, roast for awhile, serve with bread and olive oil?
Also, veggie kabobs could work, depends on the veg. But food on a stick is generally a hit.
My mom came up with the idea of making my sister a handsewn/bound recipe book for Christmas. She was going to write out the recipes, I was going to make the book (which is hard and time consuming btw). Did she? No, she did not have time. Did I write out more than 100 recipes in the last week? Yes. Did I bind the book in batik Christmas fabric I made myself? Yes. Did all this take me a modest estimate of a 40 hours to do? Yes. Does she think that some of my calligraphy looks sloppy? Yes, she does.
Also, was I really planning on wearing that to her friend's odious Christmas Eve party tonight? Oh, and my sister doesn't have to go because she has a boyfriend who wants to spend the evening with her. And I got the last shower, so I had freezing water.
Christ. I sound like a petulant 14 year old. But I also feel that way, so...
@5ft of fury: Damn, I wish. Addict. Booze isn't my problem but I still abstain. But I will drown my sorrows in sugar and carbohydrates and indulge in monosyllabic conversation and mean glares across the dining room.
@alwayswrite: Hm.Well you could just get everyone else drunk. Or drown your sorrows in sugar and carbs. Try turkey too, it'll make you pass out. Is there anyway that when the holiday shitfest dies down you can talk to your mom?
So my ego is still smarting about being rejected by a vegan hippy last night but I'm spending the holidays dog sitting and I just walked a happy Finnish Spitz through a foot of snow in my new cute Swedish snow boots, a cotton turtle neck, pom-pom hat and scarf and I felt like an ad for modern healthy scandanavian living. Turned my frown mostly upside down. I still feel fat and kind of unfuckable though. But I have 5 more days with the fur baby.
08:16 AM
Now I'm off to drink coffee and play Guitar Hero, which my amazing and wonderful husband got me for Christmas.
#groupthink
09:47 AM
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07:22 AM
This snow storm needs to go away now.
My co-workers and I are going to try and eat a Christmas Brunch in between people killing themselves on the roads.
#groupthink
09:45 AM
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02:40 AM
The girl (with down syndrome) loves the Victrola, and so do I and my family. "It's my night with baby." I dance on the gravel with my mom.
Christmas eve in redneck land.
#groupthink
03:46 AM
But it sounds like so much fun. Seafood potluck, that's the coolest and most unusual Christmas Eve thing!
#groupthink
12/24/09
1) What are your family holiday get-togethers like? Do you have a huge family? A small one? I have a very small family; often I have even less social interaction over holidays than on any other random days of the week.
2) Did you hear a lot of "Merry Christmas" or "Happy holidays" said this year when you were shopping, running errands, etc.? I feel like a lot of people told me "Merry Christmas," and though I have to say I found it pretty adorable, it made of think of those who don't celebrate Christmas who might have to hear that one a lot.
02:01 AM
1) We have a pretty small family, too. It's just me, my parents, my brother and my baby sister. We have some extended fam (cousins, aunts, uncles) about 2 hours away from us but we're not close and we don't see each other.
Our holiday things are fun, usually pretty normal. We eat appetizers for dinner and do stupid stuff on Christmas Eve, just sit around and laugh. Last year we played Apples to Apples and my dad and brother made me laugh so hard I hurled. Haha. What about you?
2) I heard almost nothing, it was weird. No one says anything, not even "Happy Holidays". A few employees said "Merry Christmas" but other than that...bah humbug I guess!
#groupthink
02:09 AM
I spend Christmas with just my mom — it's usually pretty relaxing but oh so quiet.
#groupthink
02:15 AM
(Also I forgot to add there are hours of Mannheim Steamroller involved at my house.)
I wonder what it's like to have a huge and rowdy and semi-dreadful family get-together, like the American stereotype. Are you in the same vein of never having family reunions and all that shiz? I think it's so fascinating to have large families.
#groupthink
02:22 AM
One side of my family does do a lot of family reunions, and those are pretty fun. But the other side is really small. Typically it's just me and my mother for holidays.
I spent a recent Thanksgiving with a then-boyfriend and there were 10+ people there from his family; it was so bizarre/cool to spend a holiday with such a huge family for the first time.
#groupthink
12/24/09
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02:03 AM
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12/24/09
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12/24/09
But True Blood will get you hooked: it's fun and dirty and hi-lairious. Fringe kicks ass too.
12:21 AM
#tips
12:28 AM
#groupthink
12:55 AM
12/24/09
Tonight we're having stew; tomorrow is the more traditional stuff. I made dessert, but I tried a new recipe and I'm nervous about it. Luckily our neighbors' adorable little kids brought over a bucket of cookies, so if my cake fails, we won't be without sweets.
#groupthink
12/24/09
#groupthink
02:11 AM
But yeah, while it's unsettling and a lot of your brain is saying "Nooo! Not ready to enter the big adult world!" we just have to force ourselves. Otherwise you end up being paralyzed by your anxieties. Take charge of your life! It's scary at first, but it's rewarding as hell.
#groupthink
12/24/09
AND THEN! My mom called! She finally did it! She left her awful, alcoholic, verbally abusive husband of almost 20 years! And she's hopping on the next flight here! She'll be here at midnight on Xmas, but I'm so happy I'm crying!
HUZZAH! MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AFTERALL!
#groupthink
12/24/09
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12/24/09
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12/24/09
Any suggestions for:
— Boots! No heels, please. And preferably vintage-looking. No suede.
— Bras. I'm bigger, so I need some full coverage/underwire going on, but I do like pretty patterns/designs if possible (otherwise, just gonna go black, me thinks).
#groupthink
12/24/09
#groupthink
12/24/09
This is the place I went: [www.myintimacy.com]
#groupthink
12/24/09
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12/24/09
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12/24/09
I'm feeling decidedly Scrooge-y this Christmas Eve. I graduated in June with a double major in Arabic and poli sci. I spent the summer taking classes and visiting relatives in Europe. Returned in August hoping to find a job in a non-profit, gov. agency, law office, ANYTHING. Still unemployed.
Just found out tonight that my uncle apparently finds me spoiled and entitled for having gone to private schools. I wish this didn't bother me, but it does...I feel guilty for having been given so many opportunities in life but yet I can't seem to make anything out of my life beyond graduating college.
#groupthink
12/24/09
#groupthink
12/24/09
#groupthink
12/24/09
If you graduated in June, does that make you 23?
If so, keep in mind that 23 is uber young. UBER!. Also, your current circumstance of being unemployed in this dire economy is not a rare one.
Might I suggest you do volunteer work (if you aren't already). You will both open yourself up to opportunities while doing something good. (and proving your Uncle wrong)
I got a job with The Nature Conservancy (years ago) after I began volunteering when before, I was being turned down right and left by ALL non-profits (by they way, NP's are often worse in the sense that you must know someone to get a job there and it can prove to be difficult because of their own eliteist bureaucracy)
I don't mean to come off as rude but i'm an "old lady" and so I must really emphasize that you are fortunate and it is imperative you realize this first and foremost and stop feeling sorry for yourself (again, I don't say this to be rude)
#groupthink
12/24/09
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12/24/09
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12/24/09
Christmas Eve alone. :(
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12/24/09
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12/24/09
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12/24/09
Any cooks out there? We have these beautiful vegetables left over from the caterer last Sunday and I'd like to do something with them, maybe like a marinade? Any ideas for an appetizerish dish?
#groupthink
12/24/09
Also, veggie kabobs could work, depends on the veg. But food on a stick is generally a hit.
Sorry about the BF.
#groupthink
12/24/09
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12/24/09
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12/24/09
#groupthink
12/24/09
My mom came up with the idea of making my sister a handsewn/bound recipe book for Christmas. She was going to write out the recipes, I was going to make the book (which is hard and time consuming btw). Did she? No, she did not have time. Did I write out more than 100 recipes in the last week? Yes. Did I bind the book in batik Christmas fabric I made myself? Yes. Did all this take me a modest estimate of a 40 hours to do? Yes. Does she think that some of my calligraphy looks sloppy? Yes, she does.
Also, was I really planning on wearing that to her friend's odious Christmas Eve party tonight? Oh, and my sister doesn't have to go because she has a boyfriend who wants to spend the evening with her. And I got the last shower, so I had freezing water.
Christ. I sound like a petulant 14 year old. But I also feel that way, so...
#groupthink
12/24/09
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12/24/09
sounds like the next 5 days may very well be fun, however.
remember: you are beautiful
#groupthink