"I'm... dreheheaming... of a whiiiiiite Christmas...."

So, about a month ago, I was talking on the phone to my dad, and he wanted to know what I wanted for Christmas. I explained that the things I really wanted (a digital camera or a new computer) were too expensive, but he insisted that I tell him just in case. So, he got a run-down of all the problems with my laptop (eek! blue screen of death!!! No high speed!!!). About a week after that, we were talking on the phone again, and he asked me if I had done anything to fix my computer problems. I hadn't, and he said, "Well don't- between now and Christmas, don't." I replied that I liked the sound of this, and he said "Well don't get excited," in a very stern, almost guilty sounding voice. So, having had this conversation, I figured that my dad was planning on fixing my ethernet port for Christmas. He did better than that, though, and instead gave me his "old" Fujitsu Lifebook (a laptop that's half as big as mine with more than twice the memory), and a keyboard, mouse, and 17" flatscreen monitor to use with it! I was pretty flabbergasted. It's really awesome- I set up everything at my desk here last night to make sure that everything works. Now I have a nice, big screen upon which to watch my new DVD's of "Grease" and "Moulin Rouge." ^_^ Wow, I am so spoiled. Oh, and my dad also gave me a Cashmeri sari, so the next time that I host an Indian dinner, I'll be fully decked out in my blue, metalworked sari! Speaking of which, I just learned how to make spinach paneer, so the next time that I do a dinner, it will be much more authentic (less food will be store-bought, more will be slaved over in the kitchen for hours!) Ooh, and you know how the "easy chair" in my bedroom is just a "boyfriend" pillow stuffed in the corner? Well, my mom gave me a big, lime green chair to take its place- it's really funky and very "design for living"-esque. Holy crap, and then my brother, who NEVER gets into holidays (I've recieved a number of gifts from him that I can count on one hand, and only one of them was actually recieved in connection with an occasion), totally went all out and got everyone great presents. He got Jane a ukelele and a book of learning instructions, a book and a couple of CD's for my dad, a gorgeous pearl necklace for my mom that he picked up in Hawaii, and he got me a Fossil Brand tan corderoy coat that's lined with acrylic "sheepskin," and to match, a pair of big, square, Fossil sunglasses. Wearing them makes me feel very much like I've just stepped out of a Prada ad. *PARAGRAPH BREAK* Anyway, materialism aside, Christmas Eve and Christmas were miraculously drama-free, and very pleasant. Owen and I went down to our dad's house on X-mas Eve, and spend it with Dad, Jane, Elizabeth, David and Alexis, which made for a very jolly group. Elizabeth bothers me, though- she's wonderful, and fun to hang out with, plus smart and accomplished, but you can just tell from the way that she talks and reacts to things that she's spent far too much time around shallow, false people, and has picked up certain habits. She's not shallow herself, and it's quite obvious, but she does seem to be acting 99% of the time. Granted, this is only the second time that I've met her, but it's just interesting to see the contrast between her and everyone else present, with their fun but very casual attitudes. Oh, and at one point she got really excited about something I had been given (it was either the sari or the monitor) and started in with this excited, high pitched wail- I forgot entirely about what I had just opened, and I think I just stared, astonished, at the source of this bizarre noise. Anyway, I'm giving a wonderful person a hard time that she doesn't really deserve, so I'll stop now. *PARAGRAPH BREAK* Wow, this blog is getting long. Oh well, no one will read it, then, and I can deal with that- especially since no one seems to be reading my blog these days anyway. It's ironic that as soon as I start writing frequently, everyone stops reading. Hmm, do I really suck that much at writing? Maybe I should take the hint, and stop now. Naw, not today. *PARAGRAPH BREAK* So there's a lot more story, but I'll spare everyone. As for today, I think that my mom and I are going to go see a movie (I'm rooting for The Life Aquatic, but we'll see), and then I'm going to go to Becca's and play that Pokemon board game that we have miraculously never tired of. It's strange- it's a simple game, and yet we just... can't... stop! ooh, maybe we'll play some Go too- I gave Beccachan a Go set for X-mas, as well as a book about the history of Go and how to play. I really should have read the book before I gave it to her- now she's giong to kick my ass. Anyway, I hope that everyone's doing well, even if they didn't bother to read my entire blog. And for those of you who stuck with it, here's a quote, for your own personal edification! "Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep." -Scott Adams How very Dada. :-* Love ya'll!