Replies: 35 Unseemly Comments
If the snow isn't too bad back east here, I'll be spending Christmas, as many Jews do, at the movies, probably at Catch Me If You Can.
Posted by steveg @ 12/24/2002 09:35 AM PST
Christmas eve, tonight, is with Mandy's Sondheim show.
Posted by steveg @ 12/24/2002 09:37 AM PST
I'll be working making 2 1/2 pay. Then I will go to a friends home. To spend some time there. Can't the gov't pass a law and make Christmas officially on the Friday so we can have a proper long weekend?
Mary HO HO to all
Posted by Michae Shayne @ 12/24/2002 09:38 AM PST
Well, I, too, stocked up on non-Chet and Eileen friendly foods this morning at my neighborhood Ukrop's - truly, imho, a wonderful, local grocery store chain here in Richmond. I knew I was sunk when I came across the freezer case and found the the Ben & Jerry's pints were on sale. So... I picked up four. *I've decided my splurge day each week will be my day back here in Richmond, a.k.a. my day of (Monday). I'm sure I'll have no problem making my way through those four pints over the next six weeks. I also found a perfect, last-minute gift for my four-year old nephew this morning.
I'm still trying to figure out where I'll be spending my Christmas day - either up in Fairfax, or back here in Richmond - depends how much driving I want to get in this week. In either case, I know it will be quiet. Today is the big "party" day, and I plan to use tomorrow to sleep in and finally take care of my Christmas cards - at least they'll be written on Christmas.
As for my favorite Christmas meal, it's usually the one I'm having at the time. However, my favorite Christmas meal/gathering was when Steve and I were snowed/iced in, and we spent the whole day opening jars, cans and boxes, cooking for each other all day. *And two days after that, when we got the cars dug out, we drove up to DC to visit my just born niece.
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 12/24/2002 09:52 AM PST
Today, I will be ushering at a matinee performance of a locally written and produced show (it's a "semi-professional" company) called "The Stardust Serenade 1942," then I'll go my parents' house to open presents this evening. We do our gift giving/receiving on Christmas Eve because my niece will open presents at her (and my sister's) home Christmas morning. After that, she'll go to her other grandparents' house for their presents and her father and his wife (and their kids) will come over and they'll do their party-ing.
Posted by George @ 12/24/2002 10:00 AM PST
And it's very likely that tomorrow afternoon everyone from both sides of my niece's family will end up at my sister's house. She lives across the street from her ex-sister-in-law and next door to her ex-parents-in-law. Both sets of my niece's grandparents are really good friends, more so after the divorce.
Posted by George @ 12/24/2002 10:05 AM PST
Well as the one and only Jew at a gig I attempted to resign from months ago, I have been asked to perform twice today and once tomorrow, so I will be playing lots and lots of Christmas carols to delighted crowds who will, naturally, fail to tip me. Not that I'm bitter or anything.
BK, did you know that Percy Faith's version of "Chinatown" was one of his last chart hits? It's due out on CD early next year. Scrumpdiddlyumptious it is, too.
Posted by JMK @ 12/24/2002 10:38 AM PST
Today, I'll be spending Christmas with my Parish at St. Matthias Church, Redwood City, CA, seeing as though I'm there from about 2:30-1030 pm. Tomorrow, I'll be spending the day with my family, having brunch and opening gifts and hopefully napping.
My favortie Christmas dinner would have to be the one I don't have to cook!
Happy Holls!
Posted by Matthew @ 12/24/2002 11:14 AM PST
"Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse" reminds me of one of my favorite Christmas movies of all time . . .
"The Creature Wasn't Mice"!
I just got the DVD of it at K-Mart for two bucks, so I'm SET for the holidays. Who needs Spielberg?
Posted by Sigerson Holmes @ 12/24/2002 12:07 PM PST
Happy Christmas.
I will be spending today with my sister and her daughter and partner in the lovely Yarra Valley east of Melbourne. My niece's partner manages a vinyard. A small Christmas celebration - my neice is expecting her first child on Jan 3. Before I get to the Coldstream (in the Yarra Valley) I shall visit the Nursing Home where my mother spent her last two years and then another friend in another nursing home.
Joy to you all.
My favourite Chistmas food is traditional English plum pudding with ice-cream. My niece has promised me macadamia ice-cream this year!There will of course be Christmas cake Kerry!
Posted by Tom Guest @ 12/24/2002 12:19 PM PST
Hello from a library in Pasadena! Last night I got to see Plaid Tidings two count them two times. The show was really boss and the cast was really great.
I will spend Christmas driving home, arriving just in time to have dinner with Grandma. Merry Christmas everyone!
Posted by Sandra @ 12/24/2002 12:23 PM PST
I spent today baking. Since this morning, I have baked a pound cake, a pecan pie, an apple pie and four dozen gingersnaps. The pound cake is for my partner, who will be making Christmas dinner for his dad and siblings here in our home, the apple pie for my family, who I will be visiting tomorrow (luckily in the same town), and rest are holiday gifts. Tonight we will having a holiday dinner with an old family friend of his. Quite delightful (and filling) all around. After that, nothing but lettuce and broth and double-duty on the treadmill!
Happy holidays to all!!!
Posted by Philip Crosby @ 12/24/2002 12:54 PM PST
There may not be any mice stirring in California, but I saw two in NYC while waiting for the subway, and there's one in Ray's office that keeps frightening his boss.
We got off early today (I figured we would - they never let us know in advance though) and I got gifts from everyone at the office. Even the one lady who never usually gives anything even though we all give to her had packages for everyone!
On the way home I stopped at Footlight where the clerks were not as bitchy as they have often been. I finally got BB sings AJL which I will listen to tomorrow or Thursday, the Jerry Herman Benefit, a couple volumes I didn't have of the BC/EFA Xams albums, and a new recording (the first) of the Vernon Duke/Howard Dietz SADIE THOMPSON with Melissa Errico, Davis Gaines and Ron Raines.
More cookies to bake --- these should be the last. Merry Christmas to all Hainsies and Kimlets (except to those who I should say Belated Happy Chanukah or Early Happy Kwanza)). I'll probably check in later tonight.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 12/24/2002 01:09 PM PST
On my way to my sister's tonight - all the way across the street - for presents and fun.
More presents and family tomorrow at my brother's house.
AND then a MOVIE day with my friend Bryan. I insist on buying tickets and he always strolls - so I may writing from jail on Thursday.
Happy holidays to all - JMK no tip is better than a tiny tip. Smile! It will all make a great story when you accept your Tony for Starcrossed!
Will stop in from time to time this evening for the party!
Posted by Jrand55 @ 12/24/2002 01:21 PM PST
Jose - did you get my snail mail? 8-D
Posted by Jrand55 @ 12/24/2002 01:22 PM PST
Oh, dear, oh, dear, where has everyone got to? You'd think it was Christmas Eve or something. Now, come on, come out of the woodwork and post. We're having a party, after all.
I have been cooking up a storm. I've also been cooking up some food, too. It smells awfully yummy here, although not in a way that would please Eileen and Chet Atkins.
I just got a lovely package from JMK - which I will read and listen to over the weekend.
Posted by bk @ 12/24/2002 03:26 PM PST
Have a lovely XMas Eve all, and a gala Gala, BK...I am looking forward to pizza and a few movies tonight at home, having had a wicked day at work. Tomorrow is a family and friends gathering.
BK: That's so funny about Luckie! Goldie does the same thing with her food nuggets--puts a few on her ruggie, to snack on later, one by one! Are you sure Luckie is not part OES?
It's either very clever or very dumb, I haven't figured out which.
FaLaLa, everyone!
Posted by KT @ 12/24/2002 03:26 PM PST
I am still unsure as to if I will make the Bruce's great Christmeas Eve Do. Though, if I do, I'll Do.
Mr. Mark Bakalor
Posted by Mr . Mark Bakalor @ 12/24/2002 03:38 PM PST
I am spending the holidays at my sisters house in Illinos. I will be leaving the day after Xmas for a week in NY/ Atlantic city . So, wish me luck on those $1 slots!!!!!!!!
Favorite Christmas meal? As long as there is pumpkin cake w/ cream cheese frosting for desert, you can throw any slab of meat on the table and I'll be pleased as punch (not Judy). This year we are having a turkey (lurkey) AND a ham! (chunks) Mashed and sweet potatos, dressing, olives (green and black), some sorts of veggies (besides potatos- I don't care much), fruit salad (which I made- damn those red grapes w/ the seeds! *exhausting*) and then there are peanut butter balls and Xmas cookies (personally decorated by me w/ those little silver ball candy sprinkles. God is in the details you know? or so says S.S.)and of course LIQUOR----Red and White wine- beer and whiskey (for xmas morn of course)
I want to wish you all the happiest of Holidays!!!(Judy not Jennifer)
God bless you every one!!!!!!
Happy New Year!
Dallas
Posted by Dallas @ 12/24/2002 04:16 PM PST
Ahhh.....hah...get the party started. Watching Bing and Danny and Rosemary and Vera-Ellen in White Christmas.... Drinking some wine....looking at two books that were Christmas presents and hooking up my new computer speakers!
And it is snowing in Indiana....we expected 4-6"!!!!
Woooooooooo-hooooooooooo!
Posted by Jrand55 @ 12/24/2002 04:37 PM PST
Christmas tidings came to Scarlet Street. To see what unsolicited praise really is, check out this link:
http://pub4.ezboard.com/fscarletstreetfrm40.showMessageRange?topicID=6.topic&start=101&stop=103
Posted by td @ 12/24/2002 04:54 PM PST
Can I be the only one sitting at
her computer on Christmas
Eve? Yes, I suppose so. I am
spending a quiet but pleasant
Christmas at my parent's
house. My sister has to work
and won't be home until the
day after Christmas, so no
presents or other Christmas
festivities will happen until
then. However my mother still
decided to spend the day
baking up a storm, and we
have dozens of various kinds
of non-Atkins friendly cookies
all around the house. I
reccomend the rum balls....
Later on I shall attend a
Christmas service or two with
my folks, but barring that it
promises to be a quiet and
somewhat dull Christmas
eve...so please, someone
post so I have something to
read!
Posted by Ann @ 12/24/2002 06:08 PM PST
Ann -
Here is your obligatory post.
Posted by Craig the obligatory poster @ 12/24/2002 06:11 PM PST
another obligatory post.
i'm off to watch the extended version of LotR....
now that dinner is over and snow is falling...
I wish everyone a very merry one!
Posted by td @ 12/24/2002 06:31 PM PST
Just got back from seeing the TWO TOWERS.
WOW!!!
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 12/24/2002 08:01 PM PST
Just got back from seeing the TWO TOWERS.
WOW!!!
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 12/24/2002 08:01 PM PST
I liked it so much I posted it twice!
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 12/24/2002 08:02 PM PST
I saw the remarks at the link in td's post. Does that fellow have his facts straight? Was MGM's musical "Huckleberry Finn" actually in PRODUCTION for two weeks before Gene Kelly bailed and left for Europe? I didn't think any actual filming had been done.
The reason I wonder:
Wouldn't most of the pre-recording of Lerner & Lane's score have been finished before the filming started? In which case . . .
Could recordings actually exist somewhere of Dean Stockwell as Huck, William Warfield as Jim, and Gene Kelly & Danny Kaye as the Duke and the Dauphin?
Wouldn't THAT CD make a nice Christmas present?
Posted by Sigerson Holmes @ 12/24/2002 08:23 PM PST
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
"Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN!
On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONDER and BLITZEN!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!"
Posted by Major Henry Livingston Jr. @ 12/24/2002 08:35 PM PST
Merry Christmas Eve Everybody!
I'll be spending Christmas Day at my brother's and his wife. They're making pork tenderloin as the main dish and have asked everyone else in the family (they'll be 12 of us) to bring a dish or two. So I'm making a Southwestern Meat Loaf and Chili Con Carne. I'm also going to try a recipe I found in Martha Stewart Living magazine. It's called Spicy Sweet Potatoes with Lime.
My favorite Christmas meal is any that my mother made. She passed away last year. She was a wonderful cook and wasn't afraid to try different things. One Christmas, she made a Middle Eastern meal of kibbee, tabouli, hummous and stuffed grape leaves. Mmmm. Another time, she made tamales from scratch, both the sweet and hot kind. I miss her terribly.
May your holiday be lovely, lively and lasting!
Posted by Donna - Cabaret West @ 12/24/2002 08:36 PM PST
Merry Christmas everyone!! Today we went to visit my maternal grandparents in Lexington (the horse capital of the world) where I received some wonderful gifts and had more starches than should be allowed. God love those mashed potatoes and noodles and stuffing and rolls. I'm afraid I'm having an allergic reaction to their wood-burning fireplace (I'm all stuffy on one side), but I'll gladly take a little congestion in exchange for seeing my family (I must be growing up, cause last year I'd NEVER have said that.)
We got home at about 11:00 from their house and we went ahead and opened our gifts from each other. My parents have gone mad. It was a complete embarrassment of riches. I nearly broke down on several occasions as the gifts kept coming (keep in mind, they paid $400 on my new computer and I STILL had eight packages under the tree--a few of which were cash!!) This has been by far the best Christmas I can remember because I am absolutely truly grateful for everything I have received this year--even the socks and underwear, which I usually roll my eyes at.
Tomorrow (well, today) we will go visit my father's brother and his family, and my paternal grandparents will be there as well. They are both in their mid-80's, so I feel I should try to spend as much time as I can with them tomorrow afternoon.
I'm so incredibly lucky to have such a wonderful family and such amazing friends, and I hope that each of you are having as good a holiday as I have had.
Merry Christmas and Happy Kwanzaa (early) to everyone. I hope Santa Clause is good to all of you. :-)
Posted by Jason @ 12/24/2002 10:06 PM PST
The Christmas do is done and it was splendidly splendid. You can read all about it tomorrow - and there will be a report from Dear Reader Laura later tomorrow night. Even Mr. Mark Bakalor showed up. And, best of all, we have unseemly photos, and Mr. Mark Bakalor is going to put up our very own photo gallery (including the long-awaited NY get together photo). Ann, are you still at your computer? I hope you are having a fine time and I wish you could have been here with us.
Posted by bk @ 12/24/2002 10:25 PM PST
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas...
Nope, I'm not dreaming, just looking outside my window...
Merry Christmas, Everyone!
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 12/25/2002 08:03 AM PST
Trent Lott is dreaming of a White Christmas, too, as it so happens! :)
Merry, Merry to everyone--posting now on the 24th's notes as I have a gig today (last day of playing Christmas music for another year!).
Posted by JMK @ 12/25/2002 09:22 AM PST
Thinking of you all.
Peace. Merry Christmas!
Posted by Jrand55 @ 12/25/2002 09:28 AM PST
