Fortunately, there was no world domination plot, no ridiculous villain to fight, no messianic Doctor, and it WORKED. At its core, this was a story of love, loss, and redemption….all the things that a Christmas special need. I don’t know where they found young Kazran, but that boy absolutely killed it. Actually, everyone was fantastic. I loved seeing Rory and Amy honeymooning, and the juxtaposition of their ultra modern ship crashing into the Old World-esque planet was a great way to tie them in.

The Eleventh Doctor has the benefit of a tremendous production team, and though I love Nine’s entire being, I would have to say that Eleven has become my second favorite Doctor, well on his way to becoming my favorite.

Halfway out of the dark has never been so grand.

Mood: Touched

Each year, I do this, so why not this year?

Keurig Deluxe Single-Cup Coffee Maker
Lots of coffee
Antique Santa coffee mug
Snowflake earrings
12′ HDMI cable
2 Sweaters
2 Turtlenecks
DVD player (Divx/USB) for bedroom
Carpet Cleaner Machine
Wireless travel mouse for laptop
$400 cash
El Mariachi gift certificate
Palm Pre Touchstone kit
Car outlet adapter
Plush blanket/throw
Socks
Vader ornament
Ornate jar
Bunch of candy
Assorted shower gels and lotions
Smooth Away…ha!
Massage chair pad (Thanks, Scott!!)
AND IN FANDOM GIFTS:
The three remaining LOTR goblets that make a complete set! (Thanks, Jamie!!)
LOTR Calendar (Thanks, self!!)

Mood: Thankful

I also finished SGA this week. The last episode, while much better than the last, um, well, all of them this season, actually, wasn’t enough to make me miss it now that it’s gone. I just don’t know what happened over the course of the show. Well, actually, I’ve made my thoughts known and there’s no need to continue the same rant, especially now that it’s done. I will always think of the first two seasons with fond memories and a tiny little Spark of shippiness. See whut I did thar? Ha!

I’m not listing the holiday haul this year. Lots and lots of great things I didn’t deserve. Thanks, everyone!

Mood: Loved

Mood: Touched

They’re having the Christmas party for work at the only semi-chi-chi place in town, so I opted out. I’ll get to go home early Tuesday, which is good since it’s my parents’ anniversary and I still need to shop for that gift card.

Only three more shopping days, y’all!

Mood: Cheerful

In much happier, or somewhat bittersweeter, news, I got to see Ben, Jesse, and Jonas! I also got Heroes Seasons 1 and 2, a cool Christmas mixtape, and a really cool card. Hooray! Thanks guys! The bitter part is that Jesse leaves for Morgantown soon and I may not get to see him soon, and I probably won’t see Jonas anymore at all. :cry: I wish at least one of my cats would be as loving as Jonas, but it just is NOT going to happen. They are so used to ignoring all humans other than me that they will never be that friendly. Oh, how I damage everything around me.

Mood: Embarrassed

Thanks to Ben and Jesse, I am the extremely proud owner of the 2008 LOTR Wall Calendar, which now fetches $100 on the street. A three disc collection of Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, Summer Rental, and Foul Play makes the holiday complete.

Thanks, guys!

( Here's the 2007 list )

Doctor Who Christmas Special- I’m going to have to go with, um, bad. Didn’t enjoy it much at all. Kylie Minogue was flat and The Doctor had too many messianic moments, especially coming off the whole last Series ender. Sill looking forward to the new Series, though.

Stargate: Ark of Truth (waaay early) was awesome. It felt like a comfortable extended episode and I will be buying it as soon as it hits the shelves in March/April.

Ben and Jesse are slated to attend my first ever New Year’s Party, and I hope they do indeed make it down. Hobbit, Istar, and I have already begun planning a menu. If the guys can’t make it down, there will be lots of food to go around.

Happy Holidays, everyone!

Mood: Accomplished

I remember the pure, unadulterated (or was it adulterated?!?) glee I had watching the video trying to spot Simon Le Bon. I remember being disappointed that Simon didn’t have more lines and thinking that Boy George sure got a lot of play. I remember taping the music video on grainy VCR tapes and watching until the tapes damn near disintegrated. It really was all about Duran Duran in those days. Some days, it still is.

Today, even though it’s been decades, I found myself singing along, using the singers’ characteristics, from Simon’s throatiness, to Boy George’s effeminate offerings, to Sting’s clipped singing of “bitter sting of tears”. I then, on the bell rings, actually made the bell ringing motion in the air. You KNOW what I mean, because some of you do it, too. I know you do. I think Hobbit made a couple bell rings herself, and Istar is kind of dancing around to the tune just now.

I think I’ll head over to Hell YouTube and see if I can find a video of it.

I continue to love Robin Hood. A lot. Some of the cast are rumored to have signed on for Series 3, which is great news. I hate that British shows are so short. The seasons are short and the run of the show is short. With a few exceptions, all the great shows are gone in no time; Spaced and The Office come to mind immediately. I expect we’ll be getting the Doctor Who Christmas special soon, though I haven’t checked out the date yet.

Huge thanks to my Mom, who not only turned my kitchen into a supermarket, but who also turned my wallet into a bank. She’s got magical powers, that one.

Istar’s vet visit went as expected. He’s now a whopping 17lbs. and he received another steroid injection as well as an antibiotic just in case he has a respiratory infection to boot. Too bad he prefers to wear the medicine as to swallow it. Oh well, we’ll keep trying. Hobbit hissed up a fit when he came home, but she seems to be over her little diva stunt….for now.

Anyway, I’ll be incommunicado for the next few days as I join my family for a little vacation time, so have a great week, everyone!

P.S. I lost 5.5 lbs. in my first week back in WW. Yay!

Tomorrow, I get to play “Aunt Jenn” to Cage since my brother and his wife are at a golf tournament my brother is playing in. It’s the Coca-Cola something or other and only 5 amateurs were invited to play for the chance to play on the pro circuit next year. It’s a huge deal for him and regardless of the outcome, he’s really done well!

Ooh, my new principal was announced today (well, the assistant superintendent told me who it is, I don’t know if it’s been announced publicly or not). He seems like an OK guy from what we’ve heard. He’s a bodybuilder and former title winning coach, so maybe he’ll have the right blend of characteristics to whip our school into shape.

I haven’t commented much on this season of Doctor Who, but I have to admit that some of the eps have been just terrific. I especially like “Blink” and the kooky new Master. If Tennant wasn’t such a loon, I don’t know if I’d find The Master menacing enough, but with both of them running around like demented 8 year olds, I guess it works in a bizarre kind of way. I’m actually dreading the season finale since it means that we’ll have to wait until Christmas for more. I’m sure I’ll just break out the 9th DVD and tide myself over.

As usual, my mom and dad went all out on the gifts and bought not only the Zune, but several accessories to go with it. In about 20 minutes, I had nearly all of my favorite vids loaded. The quality is actually much better than I had heard it would be. I have noticed that my vids made larger than standard look better, but it’s because the screen is actually a little bigger than 320×240. All the fanvids I’ve put on it (about 50 so far) look and sound terrific. I’ve even decided to carry a purse so I can tote my Zune around with me at all times. I’m love it.

( The rest of the undeserved haul )

Merry Christmas, everyone, and thanks for being the great friends you are!