So, what have I been doing for the last 23 days? Christmas, that's what! Multiple parties and dinners, putting up decorations, buying more decorations, buying presents, retrieving presents from the post office, coordinating who's getting what and so-and-so would like this and that... and now it's over. I had a good Christmas this year, but it came and went so quickly. I think part of it may have been skipping one of my Christmas traditions, bussing to Granville Island to shop. I love the Christmas atmosphere out there, even if I don't find anything I'm looking for. Oh well. The main thing is giving gifts, and I think all of the presents I gave were well recieved, but I got so much stuff that I kind of feel guilty just because I couldn't give as much as I usually do. Having said that, here's my haul:

-Five Lego sets this year, 2 Star Wars (TIE Bomber and Jabba's Palace) and 3 Make and Create (Green X-pod, Wild Wind-up and Record and Play).
-A fair selection of clothes, two zipperneck pullovers, a turtleneck, a short sleeved button down shirt, and boxers with smiling, blue maple leaves.
-Two DVD's, the Droids cartoon and Record of the Lodoss War.
-Lots of books: Vector Prime, Dark Tide 1&2, Force Heretic 2 and The Unifying Force from the New Jedi Order series; Star Wars Tales vol. 1 and The Essential Incredible Hulk for comics; the Episode 2 illustrated encyclopedia and a, erm, "romantic ideabook" as reference material.
-Assorted neat stuff, like a key-ring 1m tape measure, a pen that blows bubbles, a foot care kit, a toast rack, a Taz ornament and gift certificates to Chapters and HBC.
-Edible stuff, like a chocolate raspberry and orange, a tub of icy squares, dijon mustard, tiger butter, life savers, and an award winning hot sauce.

I look at this list, and part of me says "Hey, look at all this neat stuff I have!", but truly, it's the thought that counts. Every gift I get I consider to be a token of appreciation, which is what I intend every gift I give to be. The fact that I was given things I'd like shows consideration of who I am, and I'm touched. I want to express my gratitude to everyone around me for giving me such a wonderful season, and it sounds cliche but it's true: the friends and family I have are the best gift of all. Happy Holidays to everyone, and let's make the New Year just as great, if not better.

Not too much to report, actually. The 20th was Jenn's birthday, and it went swimmingly. A good time was had by all, I wore green tights and got pleasantly intoxicated (not hammered, not buzzed, just a happy medium... moderation truly is the key), I finally have a brain and I got some Lucozade brain energy fluid for it. It was Jenn's birthday, but I got a belated present too... a DEEP FRYER! I was given the receipt in case I wanted to exchange it for Lego, and my response was something about eating the receipt instead. We had Indian food delivered, and used disposable tableware to avoid dishes, so cleanup was fast and easy the next day. Friday, Saturday, Sunday I worked. Yesterday I put together my Zombie Awareness Week flyers, and Neal was kind enough to help me get them looking nice. I got 120 copies made and at 3:30 am distributed them to every apartment in my building. Today, I don't know what's happening. Jenn and I have a day off, as does Bel, George, Derek, Tim, and possibly others. Shenanigans may ensue, so I've already started to chill the booze.

And now, the badger pentology!

http://www.weebls-stuff.com/toons/21/
http://www.weebls-stuff.com/toons/24/
http://www.weebls-stuff.com/toons/25/
http://www.weebls-stuff.com/toons/35/
http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/badgerphone.php

Okay, so the 18th was when Jenn and I celebrated Valentines day (it's not a hallmark holiday if you don't buy a card!). First she gave me my birthday present: two Xbox games, Arx Fatalis (D&D type RPG), and the Fellowship of the Ring. Then we bought some lunch at a pub in New West Quay, and went up the hill to rent videos and get groceries, and I picked up two bed trays for a valentines gift for us. We watced Cube, and then I cooked up some Kung Pao Chicken, which we ate sitting on the bed with our new trays while watching Godzilla 2000. That was awesome.

Today I finally got out to the Memphis Blues Barbecue House with (most of) the 7th Sea game in New West. Jenn and I went to Metrotown after to check the Zellers for He-Man figures, which are 75% off right now. That's the fourth Zellers I checked, and I can't find a regular Skeletor. There's spin-blade Skeletor, fire armour Skeletor, and battle armour Skeletor, but no regular Skeletor. So I'll just have to spend my money on Lego instead.

I've also just done some updating on my website. My updated list of Lego sets can be viewed at: http://www.geocities.com/bumbot/legochart.html , and my updated beer reviews are at: http://www.geocities.com/bumbot/beer/ .

Well, it was actually three days ago. I got home from work and had some burgers and watched some MST3K. My haul so far:
Sweater
Dark Tower 2: the Drawing of Three
Land Busters
Geonosian Fighter
Beer Ties (little bola ties that fit on your beer to identify it)
chocolates & scratch tickets
Jenn said that my present is still coming, so I'll include that later. Tuesday I hung out with Jenn, went back to Delta, and saw Bel. We had some dinner and then went back to Jenn's. I introduced Bel to the gamer ghetto (except she already knew Derek) and we watched TV and Star Wars-ized our names. Yesterday I put together my Lego and finished Dark Tower 5. Today I got something in the mail! No, not my game, although I have emailed the guy who sold it to me. I have a new SPAM hat! Yay! So far Bubba Ho-Tep isn't listed for Tinseltown, although it's supposed to open today, so I might have to phone them and see what the deal is.