Ringing in the 2006 Holidays

I hope all of my American readers had a lovely Thanksgiving and a good start to this very hectic, albeit, comforting time of year.

Last Tuesday Scotty, Mike and I went to the new Kelly's Roast Beef at Station's Landing next to the Wellington T stop. I considered it a primer to the full course Turkey day festivities which would arrive later in the week. Scotty and I had fried clam dinners (mmmmm-mmm!!!) and Caprio, aka., Mike, had appropriately, a roast beef sandwich. It's a great location, I'm sure I'll be visiting it again.

Wednesday night I saw Casino Royale with my father. It was an excellent movie that brought back much of the charm of the earlier Sean Connery films. I look forward to seeing Daniel Craig's next two installments.

Thanksgiving day came and went much as expected. My family discussed our trip to Maryland to see some other family for Christmas. This will mark my second Christmas not spent in Maine.

Black Friday I went shopping with my mother. Saw Jess Wheeler selling the wares at L.L. Bean. My mother was pleased to have met another of my elusive college friends, as she's kind of pestered me about it in the past. Hopefully that will help silence that subject in the future... (Yeah right...).

Put up an old Polaroid into my sidebar here of Mom & I in front of a Christmas tree. I thought it added some cheer to the site. Tis the season... so they say.

I have a busy week coming up, both at and outside work. My company party is this weekend, and I also plan on doing some holiday shopping, putting up my wee "apartment tree" and finalizing planning for the upcoming trip to NYC the following weekend with Kate. I'd like to get a digital camera before I go, which will be my gift to myself. (Gotta do my part to keep the American economy humming :D )

And now for some of my mental insanity...

Holiday lights... yes yes... you've seen them, those homes that make their yards look like Disney land. Now, I used to very much be a fan of the tasteful lights on the trim or candles in the windows. I have fond memories driving around the snow frosted expanses of Maine suburbia looking at the various canvases of middle class creative expression. Tasteful however seems to be a thing of the past.

The modest plastic Santa on the steps has been replaced by wire mesh reindeer flickering with lights, fake psychedelic Christmas trees to place on lawns, and perhaps most horrendous, giant inflatable snow globes, polar bears, snow men, Santa, Rudolph, and the list goes on. Now... I'm not going to ever be one of those people that seeks to ban folks from decorating as they please, but.... Come on!!!

You know these people are raising spoiled brats, they are stopping traffic, in many cases causing accidents, their lights may disturb the peace, and its quite simply wasteful.

I know, I know... I'm such a scrooge. But lets just think of the fuel consumption. I hope none of these people claim to have environmental sentimentality. Not only that, you could argue that they are making a larger donation to nations that seek to destroy Christianity... of course we all know what modern Christmas is "really" about, and I suppose fuel consumption and cellophane trees fit in rather nicely.

Ahhh... Charlie Brown, I sympathize with your seasonal affective disorder, and Linus I see your serious, yet often ignored wisdom.
Charlie Brown is (drum roll) depressed. This show is a classic, the music is beautiful and so is the message. I hope the networks never stop airing it.