Coming Out From Under My Rock

Let me start by saying that my mind is having a hard time comprehending the massive scale of death and destruction in Asia. My heart goes out to everyone who has been effected. I have no words, but I do have a credit card. Solonor has posted a list of agencies that are assisting in relief efforts. Please, do what you can.

Onward...

The Christmas Report: We had a fantastic weekend. Small, quiet (though our neighbors might argue) and very relaxing. Our friend David popped in from San Francisco to share the holiday with us. I haven't set my eyes on him since he moved back East 2 years ago. He's now back in The City, which seems to suit him so well. It was great to just sit back, catch up, swap stories, share a beer around the pool. We have one of those friendships where you can just pick up right where you left off and it's as if you just saw each other last week.

Christmas Eve we hit a few cocktail parties around town, but surprisingly enough we were back at the old homestead pretty early. We lit a fire and chatted into the wee hours.

Christmas day we woke to find the much anticipated feature article on my good bud Stone. 2005 is going to be a great year my brother (or as he affectionately calls me "cracka lacka" - yeah, I had to look that one up).

The rest of the day found us opening presents pool side, swimming, swapping stories and having friends drop by. Rather than a big fancy dinner, I decided to make a giant pot of chili with all the fixings. Every one ate when they wanted. Surprisingly, I didn't catch a lick of football. For some reason the TV just never went on except for a few movies. Pursued with Christian Slater was just plain baaad. God awful. So bad that it was actually funny. On the other hand, I enjoyed Collateral with Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx - but I couldn't tell ya how it ends because I dozed off as I am want to do after a few drinks and the room turns dark. De-Lovely was good, but I'm not a huge fan of the musical. However, I love Cole Porter so it all worked out in the end.

On to The Present Report: I had a GREAT haul this year. My folks sent me crossword puzzles and an inMotion for my iPod and a couple of great subscriptions. David gave us an outdoor fire pit. The Missus presented me with a bevy of fire related gifts; My very own deep fryer, with which I plan to host a deep frying party where everyone has to bring something edible to drop into the boiling pot of oil, twinkies...sausages...a duck... you bring it, I'll fry it!

I also received a set of stainless steel fireplace tools - stunning, they're perfect. And a BRAND with my initials on it! To which a friend said in his soft Australian accent "Isn't that going to hurt?" The answer is, yes. I debated branding all of the cats but after accidently branding myself when testing it out on a piece of wood, the resulting second degree burn has convinced me to keep the branding confined to big juicy rib eyes and the occasional pork loin. Also from the missus (I'm so spoiled, I know!) I received the Carhart Hooded Sweatshirt I have been coveting and more crossword books (I do love me some crosswords). So to sum up: the jacket will keep me warm while I am listening to my iPod, branding the turkey going into the deep frier while simultaniously stoking the outdoor fire pit and coming up with a four letter word for "Burnt Flesh".

Now that's what I call Christmas! Woot!

The rest of the weekend was spent lounging. In fact, we never left the compound. But alas, it's Tuesday now, pouring rain, cold (for here) and it's back to work for a few days. Lord knows I have to rest up for NYE which is sure to be a bash for the history books.

Over and out.