= AWESOME
My folks came into town today for a little family cookout. Susan joined us, as did Jason + Cassidy and one Heather Wagner.
I was wary of the heat of the day and the lack of shade in my backyard, and so had planned to cook inside. Jason, believing this to be unpatriotic, took control of the charcoal and flame. He is GrillMaster '08. And he did, I might say, a superior job.
Mom brought in some really good asiago and spinach sausages. Susan brought a nice pasta salad. Heather brought some vegetarian sausages. And I picked up some burgers.
Anyway, we had too much food and drink, but that's a good problem to have.
Afterwad, we headed to the Hyatt at Town Lake, where my folks had rented a room. We picked a nice spot, met up with some family friends, and enjoyed the sun going down and waited for the fireworks.
I haven't seen a fireworks show in Austin for several years. Last year was our first Fourth back, and we wound up shooting off bottle rockets with Mangum out in Buda. Prior to that, we'd either been in Phoenix or visiting Houston. Prior to that... I don't really recall. But Austin's fireworks were really, really good this year.
Much better than the usual Chandler, AZ fireowrks, anyway. The company and lakeside view didn't hurt, either.
So a tip of the hat to my folks for landing us a nice spot for fireworks. It was a very nice Fourth.
Showing posts with label Holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holidays. Show all posts
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Friday, July 04, 2008
Independence Day
I had this plan for this Independence Day post, but then I realized: I'm still looking for a job. And, like it or not, if people are Googling my name and (1) locate The League, (2) can get past the fact that I'm obviously a huge dork, (3) and don't agree with me about, say, Wall-E, I'd hate for (4) something I'd say in espousing my personal philosophy regarding Independence to keep me from getting an interview.
Suffice it to say, without getting all Toby Keith on you, I am aware of the virtues of living and working in a country which was established with no smaller goal in mind than the liberty and freedom of its citizens. And I am proud that in the history of the United States, we seem to take the idea of equal rights for our people so seriously that we're able to make steps forward, changing both law and society, and eventually hearts and minds. 1920 may seem a little late to have finally granted women the right to vote (and it was), but it DID happen. And though progress may be slow, the march of history in the US points in the direction of shared rights and privileges for all of us.
I salute the dream of forefathers who conceived of a place where the citizenry could publicly question the will of the government with no fear of reprisal, and who insisted that the voice of the people would guide how those selected for office might govern.
I am a flag waver. There's a 3x5' flag hanging from my front porch. But I don't labor under any delusion that flags or pins or whatever magnet or sticker is trendy to have on your car is some indicator of how much more I love my country than the next person. I'm happy to hang the flag when I think of the achievements of the US, and the amazing ideals upon which the county was founded. And how we strive to build upon that foundation, pushing forward not toward being necessarily a nation known for its might, but as an ideal for government, justice and personal liberty. That a love of commerce is not our only ideal, and the pursuit of filling our coffers is not the sole drive for our nation and its choices.
We're better than that. And the Fourth is a chance not just to grill up a burger, get a sunburn and watch some fireworks, but its a chance to remember the ideals laid out in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. And how each of us is a steward of those ideals for ourselves, our community and the world the next generation will inherit. And the generation after that.
It's my greatest hope that technology and wise choices will leave the United States of the July 4th, 2108 looking back at us with the same disbelief we reserve for the social inequality of our own nation from 100 years ago. And that, maybe, just maybe, we'll have found as-yet-untapped wisdom to live as neighbors with all nations.
Even Canada. Who would gladly invade us and take our stuff if we were not to remain vigilant.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Happy Late Father's Day
Happy Father's Day to my Dad, The Admiral. And, while I'm at it, to Jamie's Dad and my Father-in-Law, Dick McBride.
The Admiral is out of town at the moment, and I doubt he'll see this post before he returns next week. But that's okay. He's in Florida with my grandparents, and while he has Blackberry access, its unlikely he'll be doing much in the way of web-surfing.
The Admiral has had an exciting 2008, with a new position at work (officially making it so that I have no idea what the company he works for actually makes). He's traveling a bit, and he seems to really like the people and the job. So, bully for him.
I believe he's going on some globe-hopping trip as soon as he returns from Florida, so I often imagine the Indiana Jones red line following him around the globe.
So, catch you when you're back, Dad.
The League knows that its no guarantee that just because you married The World's Most Fascinating Woman(TM), that you're also going to wind up with great in-laws. So, you know, bonus for The League that Jamie's dad and I get along really well (as far as I know...).
Dick has not just an interesting professional career, but he's also a bit of a renaissance man. He's a world traveler, a videographer, a history buff, a piano enthusiast, an amateur astronomer, and.. really... the list goes on and on. Having him in San Marcos will, no doubt, add some spice to our lives here at League HQ.
So a salute to both Fathers running around in my life. Both great guys, and I look forward to having them both in the greater Austin Area in the next few years.
Happy Father's Day!
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Happy Mother's Day!
Hey, Leaguers! It's Mother's Day.
This year I need to salute not just the two Mom's in my life (Hi KareBear and Judy!), but all of the Leaguers who have become Moms over the past few years.
CB, Maxwell, Denise, Jilly, and all the Moms-To-Be. I am sure I missed one or two of you, but, hey, I salute you, too.
Being a Mom is a tough job. Just ask KareBear about raising her two hare-brained sons. We didn't really do our part to ever make things easy. And I don't think much ever passed without some snarky comment from Jason and myself. Seriously, KareBear was well within her rights to pop us in the back of the head about five times a day.
And... I'm pretty sure Judy sort of experiences the same thing during our little visits. She didn't lose a daughter, she gained a lump of a son-in-law.
Anyhoo, thanks to the Moms for all they do. And a special salute to all you Leaguer Moms out there. Hope your kids got you a card.
Sunday, May 04, 2008
FCBD and DC Universe #0
This is the first year that I think I did not insist on dragging Jamie and/ or Jason along with me to check out Free Comic Book Day (if you didn't go today, you sort of missed it. But you might be able to get free comics over the next week or so as the shops clear out their stock of free comics. There's an economics lesson in there about keeping inventory that, by definition, cannot draw any profit.).
This year I hit two of Austin's remaining comic shops. At this point, I'm not sure how many are left in town. Three of the four shops that were owned by the same person have shut down since I arrived, and the remaining one (Funny Papers) has recently been sold to some enterprising youths. I did visit Funny Papers to check out their sale items and pick up my weekly comics. And I visited Austin Books to check out their back issue offerings, see what was going on in-store, and pick up the second Kirby retrospective released in the past two months.
I am actually taking a bold step. I've decided that I'm going to start ordering all of my comics online. Its cheaper, and saves me the hassle of trying to park at my current comic shop, which is located in a great place for pedestrian student traffic to access from campus, but its a mess trying to get there just for comics (andone else remember the parking at Dobie Mall?). I'm not moving my pull list to Austin Books because I'm afraid of what I'd start spending if I had to go there every week.
The idea is to save money. And it will make the trips to the comic shop, when I do go, a bit more fun. Hitting the shop every week shouldn't be a chore, and I think a monthly or bi-monthly trip to Austin Books should keep it fun.
The offerings this year seemed, how do I put this...? A bit more sensible. Austin Books had a wide variety of selections, even as late in the day as I arrived. They had courteous staff on hand helping families that had come in. But, unlike past years, I didn't just grab whatever was free. I mostly took copies of stuff I was genuinely curious about and left the kiddy faire for the actual children who were running around.
It seems like FCBD is having some positive effects, or I don't think the industry would continue to support the initiative. Smaller publishers are still going to face trouble reaching those new readers if the shops order the FCBD offering but don't offer any issues on the shelf. New readers shouldn't have to guess at the byzantine ordering practices of comic shops (and it is unnecessarily complicated, i assure you), so I often wonder what step 2 is after giving them the first one for free.
Fortunately, visitors reaching Austin Books will probably be able to get exactly what they need, but at many other shops I've been to... I f I could make a suggestion to Austin Books (aside from suggesting they make all Superman's Pal: Jimmy Olsen back-issues 75% off on FCBD, or just for me), it would be to see what theyc an do to get a signing arranged. Atomic Comics, a place I frequented in Phoenix, landed the entire starting line-up for Image. Jim Lee, all those guys. In one room.
And this isn't to bag on Atomic Comics, because they were the best game in town, by far, in the Valley of the Sun, but Austin Books is just a better experience on a day-to-day basis. Perhaps the thinking is: FCBD is for new readers. We don't need to gum it up with a line of nerds waiting for Ed McGuinness to sign Superman back-issues. But they also had a guy in a Spidey suit at Atomic Comics. And I know there's a dude in Austin with a GREAT Spider-Man suit. Where was he?
I dunno. It was fun, don't get me wrong. But... it was also the first time in a while I've wished I could be in frikkin' Mesa, Arizona (and, Leaguers, that thought does not often cross my mind).
DC released DC Universe 0, which was billed as an "entryway into the DC Universe". And it was not. Fortunately, the comic was $0.50, and actually intended to get folks to see what's going on in some of DC's mainline books, such as Wonder Woman and Green Lantern. And reminded this reader that, right now, Geoff Johns and Grant Morrison are keeping DC alive and somewhat healthy, almost on their own (although Gail's Wonder Woman is refreshing, Rogers' Blue Beetle is a book i would recommend to anyone and everyone, and Rucka/ Trautmann's Checkmate is the most under-appreciated comic coming from DC).
There was a huge amount of sniping on the internet about the content of DC Universe #0, and some of that might have been residual negative energy from the epic screw-up of Countdown. Honestly, I didn't really see what had gotten so many folks' dander up. I thought it was a nice sampling of what was going on in the DCU. Badly marketed by Didio himself? Possibly. But for fifty cents? jeez. I can't tell you how many full-price comics I've closed and went through a beat of buyer's remorse. At least this had me jazzed for all of the stuff they showed coming up.
Were I a savvy shopkeep, I would have taken the gamble that DCU #0 was going to get folks interested in DC Comics on FCBD, and would have made it half-price or free, hoping that the upfront cost to myself would pay dividends later.
Also, yeah... looks like the news is out on a certain super-hero of the Silver-Age coming back. But I certainly didn't think it was so awkward and painful as the interwebs had led me to believe.
Ah, well.
I'm going to bed.
This year I hit two of Austin's remaining comic shops. At this point, I'm not sure how many are left in town. Three of the four shops that were owned by the same person have shut down since I arrived, and the remaining one (Funny Papers) has recently been sold to some enterprising youths. I did visit Funny Papers to check out their sale items and pick up my weekly comics. And I visited Austin Books to check out their back issue offerings, see what was going on in-store, and pick up the second Kirby retrospective released in the past two months.
I am actually taking a bold step. I've decided that I'm going to start ordering all of my comics online. Its cheaper, and saves me the hassle of trying to park at my current comic shop, which is located in a great place for pedestrian student traffic to access from campus, but its a mess trying to get there just for comics (andone else remember the parking at Dobie Mall?). I'm not moving my pull list to Austin Books because I'm afraid of what I'd start spending if I had to go there every week.
The idea is to save money. And it will make the trips to the comic shop, when I do go, a bit more fun. Hitting the shop every week shouldn't be a chore, and I think a monthly or bi-monthly trip to Austin Books should keep it fun.
The offerings this year seemed, how do I put this...? A bit more sensible. Austin Books had a wide variety of selections, even as late in the day as I arrived. They had courteous staff on hand helping families that had come in. But, unlike past years, I didn't just grab whatever was free. I mostly took copies of stuff I was genuinely curious about and left the kiddy faire for the actual children who were running around.
It seems like FCBD is having some positive effects, or I don't think the industry would continue to support the initiative. Smaller publishers are still going to face trouble reaching those new readers if the shops order the FCBD offering but don't offer any issues on the shelf. New readers shouldn't have to guess at the byzantine ordering practices of comic shops (and it is unnecessarily complicated, i assure you), so I often wonder what step 2 is after giving them the first one for free.
Fortunately, visitors reaching Austin Books will probably be able to get exactly what they need, but at many other shops I've been to... I f I could make a suggestion to Austin Books (aside from suggesting they make all Superman's Pal: Jimmy Olsen back-issues 75% off on FCBD, or just for me), it would be to see what theyc an do to get a signing arranged. Atomic Comics, a place I frequented in Phoenix, landed the entire starting line-up for Image. Jim Lee, all those guys. In one room.
And this isn't to bag on Atomic Comics, because they were the best game in town, by far, in the Valley of the Sun, but Austin Books is just a better experience on a day-to-day basis. Perhaps the thinking is: FCBD is for new readers. We don't need to gum it up with a line of nerds waiting for Ed McGuinness to sign Superman back-issues. But they also had a guy in a Spidey suit at Atomic Comics. And I know there's a dude in Austin with a GREAT Spider-Man suit. Where was he?
I dunno. It was fun, don't get me wrong. But... it was also the first time in a while I've wished I could be in frikkin' Mesa, Arizona (and, Leaguers, that thought does not often cross my mind).
DC released DC Universe 0, which was billed as an "entryway into the DC Universe". And it was not. Fortunately, the comic was $0.50, and actually intended to get folks to see what's going on in some of DC's mainline books, such as Wonder Woman and Green Lantern. And reminded this reader that, right now, Geoff Johns and Grant Morrison are keeping DC alive and somewhat healthy, almost on their own (although Gail's Wonder Woman is refreshing, Rogers' Blue Beetle is a book i would recommend to anyone and everyone, and Rucka/ Trautmann's Checkmate is the most under-appreciated comic coming from DC).
There was a huge amount of sniping on the internet about the content of DC Universe #0, and some of that might have been residual negative energy from the epic screw-up of Countdown. Honestly, I didn't really see what had gotten so many folks' dander up. I thought it was a nice sampling of what was going on in the DCU. Badly marketed by Didio himself? Possibly. But for fifty cents? jeez. I can't tell you how many full-price comics I've closed and went through a beat of buyer's remorse. At least this had me jazzed for all of the stuff they showed coming up.
Were I a savvy shopkeep, I would have taken the gamble that DCU #0 was going to get folks interested in DC Comics on FCBD, and would have made it half-price or free, hoping that the upfront cost to myself would pay dividends later.
Also, yeah... looks like the news is out on a certain super-hero of the Silver-Age coming back. But I certainly didn't think it was so awkward and painful as the interwebs had led me to believe.
Ah, well.
I'm going to bed.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Happy Valentine's Day, Jamie
Hey, Leaguers! Tomorrow is Valentine's Day, the day when we're supposed to celebrate romance, love, all that stuff...
So a salute to the lady I've been associated with, lo, these many years.
Jamie and I have been together since 1995, and this is our 13th Valentine's Day together. This year Jason got Jamie tickets to Ballet Austin for Christmas, so tomorrow evening I go to the Paramount to see some folks in tights hop about and spin. If they added capes and someone got a knuckle-sandwich in the third act, it wouldn't be too much different from what I'd be watching or reading on a Thursday anyway, so I'm looking forward to it.
It's no secret that I'm not a huge fan of Valentine's Day. Partially because, I mean, honestly... once you're in it as deep as we are in the shared property department, its kind of tough to fathom why you need a special day. You have anniversaries, birthdays, real Holidays and many opportunities to communicate your specialness to one another. And somehow a $0.002 candy heart with the words "LUV YOU" printed on it seems to not really convey the meaning...
Anyhow, Jamie's a special sort of dame, and if you have to put up with the hoopla of flowers and not-very-good candy, etc... you might as well feel good about who you're doing it for. And I do.
Love you, Jamie. Happy Valentine's Day.
So a salute to the lady I've been associated with, lo, these many years.
Jamie and I have been together since 1995, and this is our 13th Valentine's Day together. This year Jason got Jamie tickets to Ballet Austin for Christmas, so tomorrow evening I go to the Paramount to see some folks in tights hop about and spin. If they added capes and someone got a knuckle-sandwich in the third act, it wouldn't be too much different from what I'd be watching or reading on a Thursday anyway, so I'm looking forward to it.
It's no secret that I'm not a huge fan of Valentine's Day. Partially because, I mean, honestly... once you're in it as deep as we are in the shared property department, its kind of tough to fathom why you need a special day. You have anniversaries, birthdays, real Holidays and many opportunities to communicate your specialness to one another. And somehow a $0.002 candy heart with the words "LUV YOU" printed on it seems to not really convey the meaning...
Anyhow, Jamie's a special sort of dame, and if you have to put up with the hoopla of flowers and not-very-good candy, etc... you might as well feel good about who you're doing it for. And I do.
Love you, Jamie. Happy Valentine's Day.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
HAPPY 2008, LEAGUERS!!!
Hey, Leaguers!
Not much to report about my New Year's Day Eve. Below you can read the fruits of my labor regarding a comic end of year commentary. Most of you don't read comics, and thusly will not care.
In the afternoon Lucy and I met Jason and Cassidy at the dog park off Riverside. We thought about maybe going to Austin's First Night festival, but decided that it would be easier, and maybe it would just be better to wrap up 2007 in the same mellow spirit I tried to deal with the year. Just playing with dogs seemed like a good idea.
Jamie and I met Matt and Nicole for dinner at Thai Tara, a place we'd been before. The food was still good, but clearly they weren't ready to deal with a New Year's Eve crowd. The service was unforgivably awful.
We then went to Jason's to ring in the New Year. And I got a smooch from Jamie.
And, if I may, a $4 bottle of spumante is exactly as bad as you think it might be. Not even funny bad. It's just... bad. Jason called it when he said "I'm not starting off 2008 with the cheapest champagne money can buy." He is wise, he is.
I want to wish all Leaguers a Happy New Year. Health, happiness and all the best to you and yours in 2008.
Not much to report about my New Year's Day Eve. Below you can read the fruits of my labor regarding a comic end of year commentary. Most of you don't read comics, and thusly will not care.
In the afternoon Lucy and I met Jason and Cassidy at the dog park off Riverside. We thought about maybe going to Austin's First Night festival, but decided that it would be easier, and maybe it would just be better to wrap up 2007 in the same mellow spirit I tried to deal with the year. Just playing with dogs seemed like a good idea.
Jamie and I met Matt and Nicole for dinner at Thai Tara, a place we'd been before. The food was still good, but clearly they weren't ready to deal with a New Year's Eve crowd. The service was unforgivably awful.
We then went to Jason's to ring in the New Year. And I got a smooch from Jamie.
And, if I may, a $4 bottle of spumante is exactly as bad as you think it might be. Not even funny bad. It's just... bad. Jason called it when he said "I'm not starting off 2008 with the cheapest champagne money can buy." He is wise, he is.
I want to wish all Leaguers a Happy New Year. Health, happiness and all the best to you and yours in 2008.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Christmas Wrap-Up
Hey, Leaguers
Well, we had a small hiccup in our plans and Jamie's dialysis unit sort of had a problem with the dialysis she was supposed to have in Houston/ Spring. So, we returned this afternoon/ evening.
I am a weird sort of tired.
Mel came with us on our trip, and he is sacked out now, taking up the whole couch. Poor little Lucy spent Christmas away from the family at doggy resort Austin Pet Ranch, and Jeff stayed home to keep guard over our valuables. Luckily, Cassidy was also able to make the trip, so we had her eager little face following us around during our stay in Spring.
We arrived in Spring on Sunday afternoon, the last folks to show up at my parent's house. Jason had taken point and gone in on Friday, and my grandparents got into Houston an hour or so before Jamie and I arrived. My grandparents live in Florida, and as we don't travel much, and as we didn't make it it home for Christmas the last few times my grandparents were in Houston, it had been a few years since we'd seen each other. Luckily, ain't none of us change too much, so it wasn't too tough to pick up where we left off.
Christmas Eve day the Bridenstines came over as Wayne and Jane were in town, and it was my first chance to see Cousin John and Julie's baby, Brandy. She is cute and babyish, but still very tiny and not yet up to much other than looking at you with big eyes and occasionally sticking her tongue out. Christmas Eve was lovely, with a dinner we ran out and grabbed from Rudy's BBQ. We hit one of the 5 Christmas Eve services at my folk's church, then came back and had some egg nog and played Cranium. Yes, Team Steans Bros. won.
Christmas morning we enjoyed Jamie's famous roll-wreath, and then the gifting of loot began.
Here's the big news, I suppose: I received a bass guitar and amp for Christmas from my folks and Jason. So, really, the clock is ticking on me quitting my job and Jamie getting used to being the wife of a musician, what with me touring and rocking all the time. It's a lovely, shiny blue Yamaha, and I plan to be rockin' out on the thing under Jason's tutelage. Really, I'm very excited. It's something totally new for me that I've always wanted to try. So if anyone wants in NOW on joining the Ryan Steans Bass-heavy Experience, let me know.
From Jamie came the big surprise present. I got a copy of Superman #199, the first race between Superman and The Flash (before Randy asks: they tie). This is one of maybe five comics that I've always wanted a copy of, and I had no idea it was coming. Well done, Jamie.
Jason had to leave to be back at work for today (your tax dollars at work, Travis County tax-payer), and so he left after watching me down about two pounds of ham at Christmas dinner. Not much else happened.
Anyhoo, this morning we had a trip to IHOP with the family, loaded ourselves into the car and were home by evening. Jamie had dialysis tonight, and aside from that, we laid low. I also just saw I missed a call from JAL, and we WERE supposed to meet up tonight. Sorry, man. My phone turned off and I didn't notice. It's been doing that. Hope you and Gene had fun.
So... that was Christmas. I could also talk about how I worked with the Admiral to hook-up the wireless router in their office, or the walk I took with Mel, but, you know... who cares?
I did not make it to Bedrock City, but I am headed down to Austin Books on Saturday, if anyone wants to go. I'm going to limit myself strictly to cheap Superman back-issues, so we'll see what happens.
Oh, and when we got home, a present was waiting in the mail for me from Jamie's brother, Doug. Somewhere, somehow, he'd found a lunchbox with images "Superman: The Movie" on it. It still had the thermos and none of that weird lunch box smell you sometimes find in vintage lunchboxes. So, yes... I now have a lunchbox with an image of Marlon Brando on it. Where's your Streetcar Named Desire luncbox? Hmmmmmm?
Hope you had a good few days off, and, if you celebrated the day, I hope you had a good Christmas. Also, Merry Christmas to Judy and Dick, who are currently in Portugal. Live it up, in-laws. Next year we're in San Marcos.
I'm sort of off for a few days, so I'm hoping to have time to read comics and maybe crack this Cormac McCarthy book I picked up.
Well, we had a small hiccup in our plans and Jamie's dialysis unit sort of had a problem with the dialysis she was supposed to have in Houston/ Spring. So, we returned this afternoon/ evening.
I am a weird sort of tired.
Mel came with us on our trip, and he is sacked out now, taking up the whole couch. Poor little Lucy spent Christmas away from the family at doggy resort Austin Pet Ranch, and Jeff stayed home to keep guard over our valuables. Luckily, Cassidy was also able to make the trip, so we had her eager little face following us around during our stay in Spring.
We arrived in Spring on Sunday afternoon, the last folks to show up at my parent's house. Jason had taken point and gone in on Friday, and my grandparents got into Houston an hour or so before Jamie and I arrived. My grandparents live in Florida, and as we don't travel much, and as we didn't make it it home for Christmas the last few times my grandparents were in Houston, it had been a few years since we'd seen each other. Luckily, ain't none of us change too much, so it wasn't too tough to pick up where we left off.
Christmas Eve day the Bridenstines came over as Wayne and Jane were in town, and it was my first chance to see Cousin John and Julie's baby, Brandy. She is cute and babyish, but still very tiny and not yet up to much other than looking at you with big eyes and occasionally sticking her tongue out. Christmas Eve was lovely, with a dinner we ran out and grabbed from Rudy's BBQ. We hit one of the 5 Christmas Eve services at my folk's church, then came back and had some egg nog and played Cranium. Yes, Team Steans Bros. won.
Christmas morning we enjoyed Jamie's famous roll-wreath, and then the gifting of loot began.
Here's the big news, I suppose: I received a bass guitar and amp for Christmas from my folks and Jason. So, really, the clock is ticking on me quitting my job and Jamie getting used to being the wife of a musician, what with me touring and rocking all the time. It's a lovely, shiny blue Yamaha, and I plan to be rockin' out on the thing under Jason's tutelage. Really, I'm very excited. It's something totally new for me that I've always wanted to try. So if anyone wants in NOW on joining the Ryan Steans Bass-heavy Experience, let me know.
From Jamie came the big surprise present. I got a copy of Superman #199, the first race between Superman and The Flash (before Randy asks: they tie). This is one of maybe five comics that I've always wanted a copy of, and I had no idea it was coming. Well done, Jamie.
Jason had to leave to be back at work for today (your tax dollars at work, Travis County tax-payer), and so he left after watching me down about two pounds of ham at Christmas dinner. Not much else happened.
Anyhoo, this morning we had a trip to IHOP with the family, loaded ourselves into the car and were home by evening. Jamie had dialysis tonight, and aside from that, we laid low. I also just saw I missed a call from JAL, and we WERE supposed to meet up tonight. Sorry, man. My phone turned off and I didn't notice. It's been doing that. Hope you and Gene had fun.
So... that was Christmas. I could also talk about how I worked with the Admiral to hook-up the wireless router in their office, or the walk I took with Mel, but, you know... who cares?
I did not make it to Bedrock City, but I am headed down to Austin Books on Saturday, if anyone wants to go. I'm going to limit myself strictly to cheap Superman back-issues, so we'll see what happens.
Oh, and when we got home, a present was waiting in the mail for me from Jamie's brother, Doug. Somewhere, somehow, he'd found a lunchbox with images "Superman: The Movie" on it. It still had the thermos and none of that weird lunch box smell you sometimes find in vintage lunchboxes. So, yes... I now have a lunchbox with an image of Marlon Brando on it. Where's your Streetcar Named Desire luncbox? Hmmmmmm?
Hope you had a good few days off, and, if you celebrated the day, I hope you had a good Christmas. Also, Merry Christmas to Judy and Dick, who are currently in Portugal. Live it up, in-laws. Next year we're in San Marcos.
I'm sort of off for a few days, so I'm hoping to have time to read comics and maybe crack this Cormac McCarthy book I picked up.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Merry Christmas from League of Melbotis
Merry Christmas from all of us at League of Melbotis to all of you and yours.
-Ryan, Jamie, Melbotis, Lucy and Jeff the Cat (Jason, Cassidy, KareBear and The Admiral)
Hope yours is a Merry Christmas
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Christmas: Gettin' out of town
Hey Leaguers,
We head out a little later today for Spring, Texas, which is sure to be a winter wonderland.
We planned on being back on Thursday evening, but something got screwed up with Jamie's dialysis schedule, and so we're having to come back a day early, right after Christmas. The biggest impact is that now we'll not get to see any friends while in Houston, so my apologies to Randy and Family, as well as Shannon and Josh.
Yesterday we wrapped presents and packed, as well as did some last minute shopping with Heather Wagner for her family. And, yeah, the stores were crazy. Which made my trip to go pick something up for Cousin John's new kid something I knew I'd have to brace myself for. I also bought myself a pair of pants for goin' to Church, and even the fat-guy store was busy. Mostly full of fat guys buying pants for church, I think.
This is probably my last post for a few days. So Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to one and all! We wish you and yours the best this season. May the days be merry and bright. Be safe. We'll see you on the other side of Christmas.
We head out a little later today for Spring, Texas, which is sure to be a winter wonderland.
We planned on being back on Thursday evening, but something got screwed up with Jamie's dialysis schedule, and so we're having to come back a day early, right after Christmas. The biggest impact is that now we'll not get to see any friends while in Houston, so my apologies to Randy and Family, as well as Shannon and Josh.
Yesterday we wrapped presents and packed, as well as did some last minute shopping with Heather Wagner for her family. And, yeah, the stores were crazy. Which made my trip to go pick something up for Cousin John's new kid something I knew I'd have to brace myself for. I also bought myself a pair of pants for goin' to Church, and even the fat-guy store was busy. Mostly full of fat guys buying pants for church, I think.
This is probably my last post for a few days. So Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to one and all! We wish you and yours the best this season. May the days be merry and bright. Be safe. We'll see you on the other side of Christmas.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
A Holiday Poem, 2007: Mrs. Santor
dedicated, with all my love, to The Admiral
It’s that time of year for a League Christmas Rhyme
So if the kids are in the room, its beddy-bye time.
So Mom don’t read this, you’ve been forewarned
“Cause the smut herein is made from the worst sort of porn
I have tried to warn you, but I know you’ll read to the end
But, for chrissake, please don’t share with your friends.
On to the poem…
His sleigh had traveled far, and it had traveled quite wide
And while he’d delivered his gifts, our dear Santor sighed
“I think Santor could do better than just to pleasure himself.
And while Rick’s a good pal, and so is Chad my good elf,
It’s time Santor quit depending on cheap magazines
Let’s find a Ms. Santor to keep my pipes clean.”
"Each year I give gifts, and don't expect thanks in return
But I admit there's a pang in my loins and it burns.
I know I put up the front of a merry old cynic
But the burn ain't the kind which they fix at the clinic.
I need a companion who can tolerate this lot,
And who is ready to take all the lovin' I got."
So Elf Chad and Rick leapt to work in their inquisition
To find a lady who would fit Santor’s particular predilection.
“She must be just right,” Chad said, “And ample of bosom
And, she’ll need to be comfortable with all of our boozin’.
She’ll have to be patient to meet Santor’s wishes,
And it would help if she were quite sick of Christmas.”
“We’ll have to look hard,” Rick said. “There’s no Ms. Santor store.”
“Oh, but there is,” cried Elf Chad, “We can get him a whore!”
“I’m not so sure,” Rick disagreed as he checked their cash flow.
“Where there’s cash,” argued Chad, “We can sure find a ho.
Maybe not the best, these ladies of quite easy virtue
For the fifteen bucks we’ve got, we can afford two.”
They drove past the tracks on their hookery mission
And on down to Ho Town to find a Santory vision.
Alone on a corner stood a single lone hooker,
Who was showing her wares, though not much of a looker.
“What are you boys up to tonight in this Holiday Season?
Do you need a date for your Holiday pleasin’?”
The transaction was quick, and Rick found it strange
That when the money was shared, that they got back change.
“You look sort of rough,” said Rick to their guest.
“I’ve got the withdrawals,” their new friend confessed.
“You’d think on Christmas I’d find charity,
“But, according to Guido, that shit is not free.”
They arrived at the house and Chad said as they lingered:
“You steal anything, bitch, and I’ll break your fingers.”
“Now go into Santor, and make sure you’re cool
“Or they’ll pick up your parts with a gardening tool.”
But when Santor’s eyes saw her, he gave out with a sigh.
His beard gave a shiver and a light sparked in his eye.
Before Santor stood a figure in red velvet and white fur.
She was broad of shoulder, and her voice low of timbre.
Her hair was a mass beneath a white puff-ball tipped hat
And it would be ungenerous to describe her as fat.
She smelled kind of icky, like a hobo's rank stink.
But so Santor was smelly from the sweat and the drink.
“My friends, I confess I like your great attitude,
But what you’ve brought Santor here is clearly a dude.
Lo, it’s many a year since I’ve spent time with a floozy
And maybe in my old age I’m simply less choosy.
But rather than throw this Ms. Santor out on her fanny,
Santor is glad to say he likes the looks of this tranny.”
“You’re not what I planned for my Christmas list
But there’s simply no reason that I can’t work with this.
Santor knows love comes in all shapes and all sizes,
But among this old crew, you won’t find no prizes.
I can’t say if you’re truly hot, or if it’s the booze.
But you only go ‘round once, and I’ve got nothing to lose.”
Spoke the she-male, “I admit I’m enamored. You’re quite a man.
And I plan to be the very best Ms. Santor I can.
I’d had it with Christmas and those johns who tip low.
I’d had it with my job, which was full of bad blows.
The smack habit is grueling, 'tho my freakouts are grand,
But I think I’ll work out well in your Christmassy band.”
This Christmas as you open each gift 'neath the tree
and you find the gift from ol' Santor and he/she,
know that behind every recycled gift you receive
Is a pair made for lovin', like you wouldn't believe.
Whether a Big Billy Bass, or a singing tree toy
Know that the Santors are just sharing their Christmassy joy.
And so love was found during this year’s Yuletide
With a Santor who’d found him a Santory bride
Their first smooch was such, it could thaw any freeze
While Santor ignored how the tranny shook from DT’s.
So Merry Christmas to all, that’s my Holiday plea.
And this poem ensures Dad will be disappointed in me.
For more Holiday magic... and The Admiral's personal shame...
The original Santor poem
Chad the Elf
Rick the Reindeer
It’s that time of year for a League Christmas Rhyme
So if the kids are in the room, its beddy-bye time.
So Mom don’t read this, you’ve been forewarned
“Cause the smut herein is made from the worst sort of porn
I have tried to warn you, but I know you’ll read to the end
But, for chrissake, please don’t share with your friends.
On to the poem…
His sleigh had traveled far, and it had traveled quite wide
And while he’d delivered his gifts, our dear Santor sighed
“I think Santor could do better than just to pleasure himself.
And while Rick’s a good pal, and so is Chad my good elf,
It’s time Santor quit depending on cheap magazines
Let’s find a Ms. Santor to keep my pipes clean.”
"Each year I give gifts, and don't expect thanks in return
But I admit there's a pang in my loins and it burns.
I know I put up the front of a merry old cynic
But the burn ain't the kind which they fix at the clinic.
I need a companion who can tolerate this lot,
And who is ready to take all the lovin' I got."
So Elf Chad and Rick leapt to work in their inquisition
To find a lady who would fit Santor’s particular predilection.
“She must be just right,” Chad said, “And ample of bosom
And, she’ll need to be comfortable with all of our boozin’.
She’ll have to be patient to meet Santor’s wishes,
And it would help if she were quite sick of Christmas.”
“We’ll have to look hard,” Rick said. “There’s no Ms. Santor store.”
“Oh, but there is,” cried Elf Chad, “We can get him a whore!”
“I’m not so sure,” Rick disagreed as he checked their cash flow.
“Where there’s cash,” argued Chad, “We can sure find a ho.
Maybe not the best, these ladies of quite easy virtue
For the fifteen bucks we’ve got, we can afford two.”
They drove past the tracks on their hookery mission
And on down to Ho Town to find a Santory vision.
Alone on a corner stood a single lone hooker,
Who was showing her wares, though not much of a looker.
“What are you boys up to tonight in this Holiday Season?
Do you need a date for your Holiday pleasin’?”
The transaction was quick, and Rick found it strange
That when the money was shared, that they got back change.
“You look sort of rough,” said Rick to their guest.
“I’ve got the withdrawals,” their new friend confessed.
“You’d think on Christmas I’d find charity,
“But, according to Guido, that shit is not free.”
They arrived at the house and Chad said as they lingered:
“You steal anything, bitch, and I’ll break your fingers.”
“Now go into Santor, and make sure you’re cool
“Or they’ll pick up your parts with a gardening tool.”
But when Santor’s eyes saw her, he gave out with a sigh.
His beard gave a shiver and a light sparked in his eye.
Before Santor stood a figure in red velvet and white fur.
She was broad of shoulder, and her voice low of timbre.
Her hair was a mass beneath a white puff-ball tipped hat
And it would be ungenerous to describe her as fat.
She smelled kind of icky, like a hobo's rank stink.
But so Santor was smelly from the sweat and the drink.
“My friends, I confess I like your great attitude,
But what you’ve brought Santor here is clearly a dude.
Lo, it’s many a year since I’ve spent time with a floozy
And maybe in my old age I’m simply less choosy.
But rather than throw this Ms. Santor out on her fanny,
Santor is glad to say he likes the looks of this tranny.”
“You’re not what I planned for my Christmas list
But there’s simply no reason that I can’t work with this.
Santor knows love comes in all shapes and all sizes,
But among this old crew, you won’t find no prizes.
I can’t say if you’re truly hot, or if it’s the booze.
But you only go ‘round once, and I’ve got nothing to lose.”
Spoke the she-male, “I admit I’m enamored. You’re quite a man.
And I plan to be the very best Ms. Santor I can.
I’d had it with Christmas and those johns who tip low.
I’d had it with my job, which was full of bad blows.
The smack habit is grueling, 'tho my freakouts are grand,
But I think I’ll work out well in your Christmassy band.”
This Christmas as you open each gift 'neath the tree
and you find the gift from ol' Santor and he/she,
know that behind every recycled gift you receive
Is a pair made for lovin', like you wouldn't believe.
Whether a Big Billy Bass, or a singing tree toy
Know that the Santors are just sharing their Christmassy joy.
And so love was found during this year’s Yuletide
With a Santor who’d found him a Santory bride
Their first smooch was such, it could thaw any freeze
While Santor ignored how the tranny shook from DT’s.
So Merry Christmas to all, that’s my Holiday plea.
And this poem ensures Dad will be disappointed in me.
For more Holiday magic... and The Admiral's personal shame...
The original Santor poem
Chad the Elf
Rick the Reindeer
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Party is now over
Well... that went longer than expected. It's now 4:22 am.
I am going to bed.
Thanks to all who could make it.
Until next year!
I am going to bed.
Thanks to all who could make it.
Until next year!
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Cookies/ Tin-Man/ Santa's Intolerant Voice
Here's an interview with Jim Parsons, who I knew once upon a time, and who is experiencing some much deserved success on the sitcom "Big Bang Theory".
A quick reminder, The League of Melbotis Holiday Heckstravaganza 2007 is scheduled for Saturday the 8th at 8:00 PM.
As global warming officially ruins the Holiday Season, it's going to be around 80 degrees on that day, so be prepared for a balmy Holiday party. Thanks, evil scientists.
To prepare for the party, we spent our Tuesday evening frosting cookies which Jamie had made from scratch. The frosting was also from scratch, so, seriously... these cookies are a whole bag of effort. If you do eat one, you'd best LOVE these frikkin' cookies. Like, bringing tears to your eyes love them. I counted this morning, and I frosted 22 cookies, each displaying less detail and attempt at cuteness than the one before it.
We also tried to watch the first part of Sci-Fi Channel's 6 hour Wizard of Oz re-mix called "Tin Man", and didn't make it past the first half-hour. One would assume that hiring Alan Cumming and a Deschanel sister would mean that the director would take some time to come up with a decent script that doesn't FORCE Kathleen Robertson into some awkward scenery chewing.
The weirdest thing about the movie was that the writer and directors sort of jumped right in and refused to find a point of view. Rather than gradually discovering the world through the eyes of DG (this is a re-mix. Dorothy Gale is replaced with "DG"), they just toss in scenes of events in The O.Z. (no longer Oz in our re-mix, it's The Outer Zone!) before Dorothy ever makes her way to the woods of Endor. Further, the writers spent no time getting the audience familiar with DG's world and why she's want to escape (other than that she lives on a farm and is artsy, which must be obvious to these writers that such circumstances necessarily make one unhappy).
The thing was pretty bad, with clunky dialog and what was beginning to look like a "chosen one" plot to explain DG's arrival in The OZ (as well as why her "parents" were hiding her in Kansas. So we turned it off. I really couldn't foresee spending another 5+ hours with the show.
I don't really get what went wrong, other than that the writers weren't terribly good and the director was more caught up in dreaming up creepier analogs to the familiar Oz characters and plot points than he was in pacing his story. One doesn't generally expect quality TV from Sci-Fi, but every minute of the show just felt like a missed opportunity. There was much to be learned from the BSG mini-series, and it seems that none of those lessons for creating an engaging series were applied. Build up your characters, build up the scenario. Give a clear point of view (even if its through several characters' eyes), and pace the thing. You've got six hours to fill. It's a marathon, not a sprint.
We wound up watching new Holiday perennial "Elf", which still has its good moments and a Deschanel sister, but has an ending steeped more in 3rd generation Hollywood interpretations of Christmas than in anything actually having to do with Christmas.
And then, because I do not own a copy of Miracle on 34th Street, we watched Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas, a 70's era Henson production with music by none other than 70's TV music staple, Paul Williams.
And, of course, we watched part of Rudolph on CBS. I believe I've opined before upon the deeply unsettling undertones of the Rudolph special regarding the North Pole's insistence on conformity and intolerance. And I realized, all year round Jamie and I imitate Santa's voice when we're making fun of people we find to be jerks, both on TV and in life. There's a certain broadness and obviousness to Santa's intonation when he's condemning characters for having red-noses or being "a dentist", that you can apply to pretty much anything.
I need to bust out a copy of Miracle on 34th Street to get my Holiday Movie Mojo going again.
A quick reminder, The League of Melbotis Holiday Heckstravaganza 2007 is scheduled for Saturday the 8th at 8:00 PM.
As global warming officially ruins the Holiday Season, it's going to be around 80 degrees on that day, so be prepared for a balmy Holiday party. Thanks, evil scientists.
To prepare for the party, we spent our Tuesday evening frosting cookies which Jamie had made from scratch. The frosting was also from scratch, so, seriously... these cookies are a whole bag of effort. If you do eat one, you'd best LOVE these frikkin' cookies. Like, bringing tears to your eyes love them. I counted this morning, and I frosted 22 cookies, each displaying less detail and attempt at cuteness than the one before it.
We also tried to watch the first part of Sci-Fi Channel's 6 hour Wizard of Oz re-mix called "Tin Man", and didn't make it past the first half-hour. One would assume that hiring Alan Cumming and a Deschanel sister would mean that the director would take some time to come up with a decent script that doesn't FORCE Kathleen Robertson into some awkward scenery chewing.
The weirdest thing about the movie was that the writer and directors sort of jumped right in and refused to find a point of view. Rather than gradually discovering the world through the eyes of DG (this is a re-mix. Dorothy Gale is replaced with "DG"), they just toss in scenes of events in The O.Z. (no longer Oz in our re-mix, it's The Outer Zone!) before Dorothy ever makes her way to the woods of Endor. Further, the writers spent no time getting the audience familiar with DG's world and why she's want to escape (other than that she lives on a farm and is artsy, which must be obvious to these writers that such circumstances necessarily make one unhappy).
The thing was pretty bad, with clunky dialog and what was beginning to look like a "chosen one" plot to explain DG's arrival in The OZ (as well as why her "parents" were hiding her in Kansas. So we turned it off. I really couldn't foresee spending another 5+ hours with the show.
I don't really get what went wrong, other than that the writers weren't terribly good and the director was more caught up in dreaming up creepier analogs to the familiar Oz characters and plot points than he was in pacing his story. One doesn't generally expect quality TV from Sci-Fi, but every minute of the show just felt like a missed opportunity. There was much to be learned from the BSG mini-series, and it seems that none of those lessons for creating an engaging series were applied. Build up your characters, build up the scenario. Give a clear point of view (even if its through several characters' eyes), and pace the thing. You've got six hours to fill. It's a marathon, not a sprint.
We wound up watching new Holiday perennial "Elf", which still has its good moments and a Deschanel sister, but has an ending steeped more in 3rd generation Hollywood interpretations of Christmas than in anything actually having to do with Christmas.
And then, because I do not own a copy of Miracle on 34th Street, we watched Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas, a 70's era Henson production with music by none other than 70's TV music staple, Paul Williams.
And, of course, we watched part of Rudolph on CBS. I believe I've opined before upon the deeply unsettling undertones of the Rudolph special regarding the North Pole's insistence on conformity and intolerance. And I realized, all year round Jamie and I imitate Santa's voice when we're making fun of people we find to be jerks, both on TV and in life. There's a certain broadness and obviousness to Santa's intonation when he's condemning characters for having red-noses or being "a dentist", that you can apply to pretty much anything.
I need to bust out a copy of Miracle on 34th Street to get my Holiday Movie Mojo going again.
Monday, December 03, 2007
IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME!!!!
Leaguers, it's December. Which means I can now insist that you be in the Christmas spirit. To that end, here are a few videos to get your Holiday juices flowing.
From the under-rated "Invader Zim"
J'onn has a Christmas in Smallville
Christmas with Flash and Ultra-Humanite
From the under-rated "Invader Zim"
J'onn has a Christmas in Smallville
Christmas with Flash and Ultra-Humanite
Friday, November 23, 2007
Post-Thanksgiving
It is into the fourth quarter of the UT/ A&M game, and, goodness, UT's offense has not actually played a lick of football yet this game. Any doubts I've had about UT's offense have been completely confirmed as they look towards being stomped for the second year in a row by the sheep romancers of College Station.
Sigh.
Thanksgiving has thus far been lovely. Yesterday we had a very nice Turkey Dinner complete with yams, green beans, homemade rolls, and several other items. Dallas handily won their game and Green Bay also went to 10-1.
It's now 37-17. Our defense just rolled over and died. Because Colt McCoy will not keep the offense on the field for more than three plays.
Yurgh.
Today we dropped Jamie off at a dialysis unit in downtown Lawton and then Doug, Kristen and myself hit the two comic shops here in Lawton. One shop was in a former house and completely filled, wall-to-wall with back issues in absolutely no organizational order. I lucked into finding some of Jack Kirby's "Captain Victory" issues from his Pacific Comics days when he went indie, and some back issues of Airboy, The Spirit and a few DC comics which looked kind of interesting.
If this guy who owned the shop cleaned it up a bit, bagged and boarded his stuff, actually inventoried his comics, and got rid of the mountain of 90's-era refuse clogging the shelves, he might actually have a really interesting store on his hands. In the meantime, I suffered through an allergy attack after leaving the store, my stack of comics in hand.
At the second shop I found some Superman comics that are probably worth exactly what I paid for them, but were good finds for me, anyway. This shop was obviously a lot newer, and was very tidy inside, even if the selection was not as wildly varied. I mostly grabbed what 70's and 80's Superman stuff they had that I didn't (with an eye toward trying to keep the cost down), and then stumbled into the original Superman Red/ Superman Blue issue up by the counter (Superman #162).
It's been very chilly here in Lawton, although thus far no precipitation has come down. It's just cold and dry. Austin was warm when we left, but it won't be that way when we return Sunday and I'm supposed to be hanging Christmas lights.
Mel came with us for the trip. Jeff is staying home under Nicole's watchful eye, and Lucy has been dropped off out in Driftwood at a place called "The Austin Pet Ranch". I do not like leaving Lucy behind, but the guilt evaporated when I saw Doggy Fantasy Camp when we arrived. The place sits on a couple of acres, and she'll be able to run around and play with other dogs all day. The people running the joint were also really nice. I look forward to seeing her roll over and go to sleep from so many days in a row of excitement.
I hope your Thanksgiving Holiday is going well.
We'll be back in a few days.
Sigh.
Thanksgiving has thus far been lovely. Yesterday we had a very nice Turkey Dinner complete with yams, green beans, homemade rolls, and several other items. Dallas handily won their game and Green Bay also went to 10-1.
It's now 37-17. Our defense just rolled over and died. Because Colt McCoy will not keep the offense on the field for more than three plays.
Yurgh.
Today we dropped Jamie off at a dialysis unit in downtown Lawton and then Doug, Kristen and myself hit the two comic shops here in Lawton. One shop was in a former house and completely filled, wall-to-wall with back issues in absolutely no organizational order. I lucked into finding some of Jack Kirby's "Captain Victory" issues from his Pacific Comics days when he went indie, and some back issues of Airboy, The Spirit and a few DC comics which looked kind of interesting.
If this guy who owned the shop cleaned it up a bit, bagged and boarded his stuff, actually inventoried his comics, and got rid of the mountain of 90's-era refuse clogging the shelves, he might actually have a really interesting store on his hands. In the meantime, I suffered through an allergy attack after leaving the store, my stack of comics in hand.
At the second shop I found some Superman comics that are probably worth exactly what I paid for them, but were good finds for me, anyway. This shop was obviously a lot newer, and was very tidy inside, even if the selection was not as wildly varied. I mostly grabbed what 70's and 80's Superman stuff they had that I didn't (with an eye toward trying to keep the cost down), and then stumbled into the original Superman Red/ Superman Blue issue up by the counter (Superman #162).
It's been very chilly here in Lawton, although thus far no precipitation has come down. It's just cold and dry. Austin was warm when we left, but it won't be that way when we return Sunday and I'm supposed to be hanging Christmas lights.
Mel came with us for the trip. Jeff is staying home under Nicole's watchful eye, and Lucy has been dropped off out in Driftwood at a place called "The Austin Pet Ranch". I do not like leaving Lucy behind, but the guilt evaporated when I saw Doggy Fantasy Camp when we arrived. The place sits on a couple of acres, and she'll be able to run around and play with other dogs all day. The people running the joint were also really nice. I look forward to seeing her roll over and go to sleep from so many days in a row of excitement.
I hope your Thanksgiving Holiday is going well.
We'll be back in a few days.
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
League of Melbotis Holiday Heckstravaganza 2007!
Yes, Leaguers... I'm not ready for it, and neither are you, but it's that time of the year again. We're hurtling toward the Holidays like a comet towards Dinosaur-infested Earth. So it's time for ordering that Hickory Farms basket, pretending someone else sent it to you, and then eating the whole thing in one sitting.
It's also time for The League of Melbotis 2007 Holiday Heckstravaganza!
Needless to say, you're all in invited. Yes, even you.
So hire a baby-sitter, contact your parole officer and free up your calendar for the night of December 8th, 2007. For that night, mi amigos... we ride upon the Federales!
There's a small possibility that from 9:00 - 9:30, we will be entertained by the smooth, Holiday sounds of Jason's band, CRACK.
Further, there will be Wii. And snacks. And booze. Really, rum and egg nog sorta make my memories of last year's party kinda hazy, but it seemed we all had a good time. And the cops who showed up were real swell guys.
This party is BYOB, so bring a bottle of your favorite libation and we can all join in the merriment. There will be carols, and Ritz crackers and bum fights.
We're hoping you can come on down!
If you're planning to show, shoot us an e-mail or request a link to the Crusher invite. We'd like some sort of tally.
It's gonna be a good one.
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Some Additional Super Costumes
Halloween has come and gone, but I feel that I would be negligent if I didn't post some additional pictures of some super Halloween costumes.
Below is SuperXan and CB. More here. And, here.
CB proves she is a person who knows how to raise a child the right way.
My parents live next door to some great folks who have taken on the unlikely task of producing substitute grandchildren for my grandchildless parents. It's a great arrangment as my parents get grandkids and I get to continue to spend money on comics.
I always said Jonathan and Kelsey were sharp kids, and it appears that they really know how to pick out a costume.
Below is SuperXan and CB. More here. And, here.
CB proves she is a person who knows how to raise a child the right way.
My parents live next door to some great folks who have taken on the unlikely task of producing substitute grandchildren for my grandchildless parents. It's a great arrangment as my parents get grandkids and I get to continue to spend money on comics.
I always said Jonathan and Kelsey were sharp kids, and it appears that they really know how to pick out a costume.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
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