View From the Bushes:

Last night was my family's Christmas party. In years past all the gifts everyone got from everyone else in the family were all opened, and it took forever, plus the kids got restless because any one kids was only on deck about 2% of the time. So this year my parents hired a Santa Claus and he came and only gave out the gifts the grandkids were getting, so it went much quicker and the children were far more engaged with the whole deal. Of course that meant I didn't get to open my gifts from my parents -- instead, we were given a bag and we took them home. I lasted about an hour before I decided that I needed to open all of my gifts. My parents did very well this year; they got me:

The album Final Straw by Snow Patrol which I've almost bought at least a half a dozen times, so it's nice that I didn't. I haven't listened to it yet, but I have very high hopes.

The book Stories and Poems for Extremely Intelligent Children of All Ages by Harold Bloom. Which was a delightful surprise, seeing as how I'd just barely added it to my wishlist.

And finally, the two disk Criterion Collection edition of The Royal Tenenbaums which may be the best gift I get all year. It was nearly criminal that I didn't already own it, but now I can rest easy knowing that the single largest hole in my movie library has finally been filled.

In any case, that's all for today.

Already on vacation
Ross

Posted by direkobold at December 20, 2005 09:22 AM

I got a good haul from them also, "Mr and Mrs Smith DVD and a gift card to Sears (you can never go wrong there). I found the Santa thing very enjoyable. Much more fun then adults opening gifts. Forrest was a hoot when Santa first came in. I unlike you however forgot they were giving me anything until we got home and Janet said "Well aren't you going to open your gifts?" I guess its that whole "getting/giving" spirit and which one you enjoy more :)

Posted by: thehandsomebrotherinlawwiththebestwife at December 20, 2005 10:40 AM

While "The Royal Tenenbaums" may, in fact, be the best gift you get all year, saying so before you've received all your gifts may not be the best idea. It makes those of us who haven't finished shopping for you want to just give up. Since I can't compete, what motivation do I have to get you something other than socks?

Posted by: yourwife at December 20, 2005 12:19 PM

"I guess its that whole 'getting/giving' spirit and which one you enjoy more :)" - Whatever, you're just losing your memory.

I got "Mastering Regular Expressions" (O'reilly 2nd ed.), a Rubik's Twist, and a Presto Cool Touch Electric Griddle (it fits like 6 pancakes + some eggs!). Thanks P & S!

Posted by: john at December 20, 2005 10:10 PM

"a Rubik's Twist", So what exactly is this John? I mean obviously it has to do with the cube but is it a how-to book, trivia book or new kind of twister game? And Liz...just go for the socks, a man can never have too many pair of good socks :).

Posted by: thehandsomebrotherinlawwiththebestwife at December 21, 2005 02:12 AM