I ended up having a rather merry Christmas.

Sometimes I don't. For years it was "Do I have to go spend it with my fucking father?" But I don't need to worry about that anymore.

This was the first year I haven't spent Christmas with my sister and her family, so that was a bit sad, but I had Mom and Dave over for brunch and presents which was pretty great. Nice and simple.

Then I've done the Naperville Family Christmas and the Sandwich Family Christmas, which goes about how everyone else's goes. Lots of food and people and half-conversations and old people setting themselves on fire and the secret shame of not having/giving enough presents.

I got some cool stuff. An Egyptian papyrus that my mom got me from her trip to Egypt earlier this year; a framed copy of Meet the Beatles (I get an original Beatles album from M&D every year); a pretty kick-ass corduroy sport coat which makes me feel all frumpy and professor-like; and a copy of Long Way Round, which is a book about Ewan McGregor's motorcycle trip around the world.

I want to start reading it right now but I think I need to take my tree down, which is dropping needles at a fire-hazard-any-second-now rate. I think I could take a swig from this bottle of Jack I got in my stocking, blow on the tree, and it would immediately go up in flames. I really should have had someone water it while I was in Florida.

No, what I really want to do is go see The Life Aquatic. Anyone want to go to the movies? Right now? Please?