FB - the week of Christmas 2010

Dec 21st

A sincere RIP to Barney Miller star Steve Landesburg. Dietrich was my favorite character on that great sitcom.

We just finished another horrendous day (two in a row baby!) by watching 'Easy A' w/ Emma Stone. It's a comedy about a high school girl who capitalizes on her (unfounded) reputation as a slut to gain popularity, then has to face the consequences of her actions when the line btwn reality and fiction starts to blur. It started off slow, but picked up steam. Very impressed by Stone.

Dec 23rd

‎'Bear', a 2010 movie directed by John Rebel, was just . . . yeah. I'm not sure who should be more embarrassed, the folks responsible for creating this drivel, or yours truly for thinking "well, crap, at least *they* managed to get something produced. What does that say about my own talent?"

Dec 24th

If a train is coming @ you, closing your eyes won't save you. But if u look right @ it, you at least have a chance to jump. - I don't remember the source

I finished Andrew Vacch's 'The Weight', which I quite liked six weeks ago when I was 50 pgs in. Then, through no fault of the book itself, I had to finish it in blocks of 20 or 30 pgs over a month long period. By the end I resented the hell out of the novel. Couldn't stand to even look at it. Anyhow, it's the last bk I'm reading in '10. I'm done read out for the year.

Joey McIntyre and his wife are expecting their 3rd child. Congrats!

Lisa and I are watching "It's a Wonderful Life" on NBC. It remains my favorite movie ever. No contest - there's not a scene that doesn't make me smile and/or cry. Just seeing it on the screen makes this awful Christmas week nearly tolerable.

Christmas Day

A record crowd of Christian pilgrims is celebrating Christmas in Bethlehem. The Pope has also offered prayers urging courage for Catholics in China. My prayer's are with them too; Christians must remain strong in the face of the adversity this world presents against them.

Today, while walking to buy some much needed booze, I found a brand new copy of the 600 pg Polish poem "Pan Tadeusz" by Adam Mickiewicz just laying in the snow. Huh. What are the chances that a) a book nut b) a Polack c) someone both familar with the poem and a fan of it would rescue it from the elements on Christmas Day?

Dec 26th

Happy Boxing Day. I spent Xmas PM making a dinner of ham, potatoes, green beans, and (1st x ever) homemade bread pudding. The latter was greeted with gag reflexes by the kids, but Lu & Smiley wound up liking it. Then, w/ our friend Chris over it was a nt of 'Survivor: Vanuatu', 'Kitchen Nightmares', & Anne Francis in an episode of 'Honey West'. Hope u all had a great & peaceful Christmas.

Until the recent discs from Netflix, we've only seen two episodes of any Survivor (the Richard Hatch finale and this yrs result show). Now, we're hooked. I can't believe how insanely competitive I get, rooting for this contestant or tribe o...ver the other.

BTW - LOVED the abrupt about face that got the snooty but incredibly delictable Ami booted from Vanuatu. Great TV.See More

"Read not to contradict and confute, nor to believe and take for granted, but to weigh and consider" - Francis Bacon Sr (quote on a leather book weight Lisa got me for Christmas)

Dec 27th