Happiness and True Love

I posted this on Facebook, so I thought I'd post it here, too:

Does Being in a Gay Relationship Make One Happy? Does Gay Love Qualify as Love? - a personal blog post by a man in reference and response to Happiness and the Art of Loving, an essay by a good friend of mine.

I hesitated somewhat to post this because I do not want this good man's blog to become a battlefield of debate or bombarded by comments from strangers needing to defend their views by spouting off. But it is, after all, a public blog, and it's a dialog I think many will benefit from hearing(reading). Please, please respect the tone and spirit of conversation being maintained there.

I think EVERYONE would benefit from the ideas and experiences voiced therein (BOTH the referenced article on North Star AND the blog entry, as well as the conversation in the blog comments) if only to give one pause to consider the nature of love and whether what each of us is seeking in our relationships (through our desires and decisions) is really what we ultimately even want it to be, let alone what it "should" be.

Stories Behind The Songs

A while back, I wrote about songs that make me think of people. I thought I'd expound by mentioning the situations or memories that come to mind or the lyrics that finally "clicked" with me one day. I'll address the person associated with each song as "you". Hopefully, "you" know who you are:



For Good, from Wicked
I've heard it said,
That people come into our lives,
For a reason.
Bringing something we must learn.
And we are lead to those,
Who help us most to grow if we let them.
And we help them in return.
Well I don't know if I believe that's true.
But I know I'm who I am today,
Because I knew you.

This always makes me think of when you told me to listen to this when I moved away. I knew it would be cheesy, but I didn't care. It still brought a tear to my eye as I drove away down the hill towards I-90. It's always a bit of an "aw" moment when I hear it now.



Unwritten Letter, Vienna Teng
This one always takes me back to Chop Suey on Capitol Hill, standing there next to you as Vienna described the story behind the song and awkwardly realizing how much it applied to our friendship. I thought, "she doesn't realize how completely..." and kind of wanted to put my arm around you, but I just smiled sympathetically instead as you bobbed to the music.



As Long As You're Mine, from Wicked
Kiss me too fiercely
Hold me too tight
I need help believing
You're with me tonight.
My wildest dreamings
Could not foresee
Lying beside you
With you wanting me.

Just for this moment
As long as you're mine
I've lost all resistance
And crossed some borderline
And if it turns out
It's over too fast
I'll make every last moment last
As long as you're mine

Every moment
As long as your mine
I'll wake up my body
And make up for lost time

Say there's no future
For us as a pair
And though I may know
I don't care

Just for this moment
As long as you're mine
Come be how you want to
And see how bright we shine
Borrow the moonlight
Until it is through
And know I'll be here
Holding you
As long as you're mine

[...]for the first time
I feel...wicked

I remember driving home from Idaho one rainy night in the late Fall or early Winter and grinning wryly as I thought how these lyrics had, in the past few months, taken on new meaning to me. I chuckled and shrugged as I realized I'd thought almost these exact thoughts on a couple of occasions when we were alone together.



Una Notte a Napoli, Pink Martini
Con lui volando lontano dalla terra
Dimenticando le tristezze della sera
In paradiso, oltre le nuvole
Pazza d'amore come le lucciole
Quanto tempo può durare?
Quante notti da sognare?
[...]
Il tempo passa, l'amore scompare
E la danza finirà!
Tristamente tutto deve finire
Ma quando il cuore mi ha spezzato
Ed in cielo mi ha abbandonato
Adesso sulla terra son tornata
Mai più di amare mi sono rassegnata

How ironic that this song is very much connected with a night full of sparks and soaring emotions for me: our first kiss. My first kiss. When we decided to keep things more on a "friends" level, I wondered whether I'd ever allow myself to feel that way or experience anything quite like it again.



Samson, Regina Spektor
You said this was one of your favorites of hers when I picked you up one night around 5th North and 3rd East or thereabouts in Provo, all soggy and cute like a cold, wet puppy after being unable to find your car, and I shook my head as I thought you might just turn out to be, as the lyrics say, "my sweetest downfall".



Sexual Healing, Marvin Gaye
Not once, but TWICE, the alarm clock woke us up to this song, and we laughed and laughed at the comedy of it. It was funny because it was NOT true and was just awkward.



I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas
Sitting in the house I grew up in, we were talking about Christmas music, and you said the name of this song as if everyone knew it. I looked at you like you were crazy (something I was well-practiced at *wink*). You looked it up and played it for me, giggling with sheer delight, and I couldn't help but like the song just because of that. I grin every time I hear it now.



Lazybones, Harry Connick, Jr.
Ah, memories of spouting off a few lines when one of us was too soggy to get off our duff or waking each other up when we were roomies by playing it or singing it in our best imitation New Orleans jazz voice.



Just Like Me, Harry Connick, Jr.
This one always takes me back to you two dancing in a church gym in your tux and white gown, surrounded by family and friends, looking both relieved and dazed. I'll admit to having thought at the time, "If you've really found someone just like you, you're in for a ride..."



Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel), Billy Joel
I almost always think of dancing cheek to cheek at the Sadie Hawkins dance with our matching shirts, smelling your hair, feeling you close, knowing the dance was almost over and thinking I could stay like that forever. Even our friend circling around us with commentary about how cute we were couldn't pull me out of that moment.



Lilly, Pink Martini
This one is a particular sunny memory. When I hear this, I think of you three munchkins dancing to it together, hopping and bopping around freestyle in pure enjoyment and singing along. How could I not smile every time I hear this song when that's what comes to mind. Very fun!



Popular, from Wicked
La la la la! We're gonna make you popular.

Heh heh. What can I say? Every time I hear this, I think of you belting out the "La la" line and me rolling my eyes yet again, but laughing all the while and kind of enjoying that you're such a lovable nerd sometimes!



Wind It Up, Gwen Stefani
This one makes me think of driving in your SUV with our friends to Nevada and me chuckling at the scene of all of us get'n down to Gwen, amused by my circle of friends.



You Are My Sunshine
I will NEVER be able to hear this without thinking of you singing this to me since I was tiny, probably since well before I can remember it. Then I had one of those little electronic buttons that played the song. I would play that over and over, and it was as if you were singing it yourself. I never doubted the words. Never.



I Wonder When He Comes Again
I think of your funeral. I didn't know you, you died when I was young, and you weren't a "close" relative. But something about my distant-ish cousins (two girls?) singing this very much stuck with me, and I always am sent back to the pew in that chapel filled with your loved ones.



The Other Hours, Harry Connick, Jr.
You and I had lost touch. But I'd occasionally wonder how you were, what you were up to, and why I never got to really see the girl who would sit at home and read by herself. She's the one I always wanted to get to know, and while I enjoyed you as I knew you, I always wondered what you were like in "the other hours". I'm glad we've reconnected.



Agony, from Into the Woods
Ha! I don't think of Broadway stars singing this duet. I think of three of us in an apartment on a really fun night, and two sock puppets singing with panache and drinking Dr. Pepper, was it? We've seriously gotta stop talking about digitizing that video and actually do it.

2008 Outtakes

Some are outtakes that I think deserve at least a nod. Some are random shots that didn't fit in another post. Some are from before I started this blog. Some are carefully framed/focused, and others are silly snapshots. Without further ado...

Part-Time Model

For those of you who have never heard of Flight of the Conchords, I thought I'd introduce you. This video cracks me up. "...but you prob'ly still have to keep your normal job." Enjoy.

The Enigmatic INTP Psyche, Part 3

A further result of the Ti function is the concept, lived out by many an INTP, that knowledge is everything. They tend to believe that information is the key to life. All mistakes can be avoided by having the right information at the right time. This has at least a certain logic about it. Where they differ from other temperaments (especially from SP types) is that a large gap may exist between knowing and doing. To know is everything, to do is a lower order necessity, if it is necessary at all. This breeds the potential for lazy aloofness.

I resent that. ...ugh, it's true, isn't it? Crap. Something else to overcome.


The INTP is often satisfied simply by knowing that he could do something if he wished.

Ha, yeah, that's actually mostly true, though usually at the very least, a token attempt is required to test the waters.


This also leads to the danger of overestimating one's capabilities and losing a grip on reality.

Shoot. You mean I wouldn't be the best go-go dancer in the world?


Finally, the dominant Ti function means that the INTP takes his interests and beliefs very seriously.

Nah-ah. OK, yeah, usually. This is a little uncomfortable to read, I'm not gonna lie.


Honesty and directness when explaining these interests are usually displayed. INTPs detest facades and particularly dislike people who exhibit them.

Amen, preach on.


Equally, those kind of people also dislike INTPs and avoid them at all cost, for they know that the INTP will see right through them.

You know who you are.


The INTP's serious nature also makes them almost immune to mockery and being made fun of, at least when face to face with their mocker.

At least... And it's not that the mockery goes unnoticed or unresponded. I generally discard people from my life if mockery is a staple of their existence.


If someone attempts to make a sarcastic, mocking comment about an interest of an INTP, the latter will defend himself with a pure, almost naive seriousness, explaining his position with a severe exactness, wielding his words like swords.

Something I've been trying to rein in, actually, though I hadn't thought of it this way. Interesting. And yes, I think it makes me look a bit silly when I defend certain things so vigorously in response to a snide remark or playful jab. Yet it takes energy not to respond...


This almost always disarms the mocker who does not expect such a penetrating defence.

Tee-hee. Deer in the headlights. Sometimes they had it coming to them, but other poor blokes didn't mean any harm. I've occasionally felt bad for this and worked on doing it less.


The INTPs defense usually also contains a subtle but biting attack thrown back in the mocker's face,...

Sometimes subtle enough to be able to deny it, even to myself, if confronted (by someone else or by myself). Yeah...dang...


...chiefly because the INTP cannot entirely hide the fact that he believes his opponent to be stupid.

True! Who are you? Perry Mason?


Such confrontations might develop rapidly into physical ones, a danger that the INTP should be aware of. This ability to wield words with cutting precision is one of the INTP's greatest assests, but equally one of his most deadly traits. He is capable of using words creatively to penetrate deep into the understanding of a subject, but if not checked and wielded carelessly, his words can become highly destructive, especially where the Feeling function is heavily suppressed.

Words can, indeed, hurt. I've had to be careful throughout my life not to "wield" words like swords. Sometimes, I've thought it would have been better for a relationship had I punched someone in the nose rather than slice them asunder with carefully chosen words. That, however, is something I hope I've brought fairly well under control for quite a while.


Well, I think that's enough humility for one day. More to come...

Happy Holidays!

Speaking of responses to chain e-mails, this is my response to the "Merry Christmas" vs. "Happy Holidays" hoopla (originally written 22 Dec 2008):

I generally choose to wish someone "Happy Holidays" when I don't know his or her religious inclinations. There are many who are quite intelligent and reasonable who find not only little to celebrate but a lot to be wary of in Christianity as an ideology and a culture. They see the gaudy-ringed televangelists and their tacky-make-upped, fake-boobed wives, the materialistic frenzy of Christmas, the wars and inquisitions in God's name, and the genocide of crusades and the KKK. Their perceptions are, by the way, not all ridiculous. Before you poo-poo these notions, pause to think of how so many people seem to talk about Islam, which is certainly a lot more nuanced and complex than terrorism and oppressive regimes. Also, many have suffered severe personal criticism and prejudice based on their non-Christian views or religious beliefs and practices. Any hint of religion-based forceful insistence may elicit a defensive response from someone who is already feeling threatened or who moved to the U.S. to escape religious persecution. How are people to believe Christianity is truly virtuous and peaceful if their experience tells them it's combatant and domineering? Is it by railing on those who would offer good-spirited "Happy Holidays" and "Season's Greetings"? Will cries of cultural warfare and in-your-face insistence on proclaiming "Merry Christmas" regardless of the recipient's beliefs really reflect the peace and love of Christ?

I do believe there are some people who just want to squash Christianity and ban all mention of it in public. I do not believe they're the majority. And I don't believe stubbornly or arrogantly rejecting the sensitivities of many because of the tyranny of a few will accomplish the desired end, which I think is tolerance and personal respect (or ideally even conversion?). I believe this applies to any group being oppressed, minority or majority.

So I decided to set aside righteous indignation, and I choose to wish a Merry Christmas to those whose beliefs I think are most likely Christian. I may wish Happy Hanukkah to Jewish friends. I say Happy Holidays if I'm not sure about someone's beliefs, not because I have to but because I truly wish goodwill to them and want to focus on common ground. But hey, if you disagree, say Merry Christmas because you don't mind at all when someone wishes you Happy Hanukkah and because you live in a predominantly Christian nation where odds are the person you're talking to probably celebrates Christmas. I'll grant you that, so I expect you to grant me respect for choosing to say Happy Holidays without spouting off about pandering to a minority or bowing to political correctness. Fair enough? Fair enough.

Blind Nostalgia?

I received a chain e-mail the other day: To All The Kids Who Survived...

My response:

I like some of these, like riding in a pick-up and drinking from a hose. But many of the rest are nonsensical. Tell them to the kids who suffered organ damage because they took pills from an unprotected bottle or the adult whose physiology was forever stunted or damaged by the effects of his or her smoking mother...things are just different. Pros and cons. Back then, people more often died from pneumonia and suffered the ravages of polio. If you got stranded on the highway, you had no mobile phone to call for help. Life spans were shorter. People in minority demographics were more often derided, beaten or killed out of fear, hatred, or ignorance because of the color of their skin or their sexual orientation. Life was simpler in a way yet more sheltered. Both eras have had their hazards and stupidities, and both have their benefits and opportunities.

It's great to remind ourselves that quality of life is often more about our own attitudes and decisions than about safety paranoia and access to technology. I actually really appreciate hearing about how life used to be, or how life is in other places or cultures. It reminds me my paradigm is limited and helps put things in perspective.

But gosh, sometimes you old-timers worry too much. *wink*

Proof is all around that more safety measures, more health knowledge, more medical skill, more technological advancements, more informational access, more cultural awareness, and more communication methods do not automatically amount to better quality of life or individual happiness. But in an age of reckless entitlement and gratuitous gratification, for those who try to live deliberately by principle, trying to use modern benefits and opportunities wisely, life's pretty darn good today, too. ...though I agree there's something to be said for crashing your wooden gocart.

Silly Survey, Take 2

TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF - The Survey
(For some reason, this survey came to mind today, and I decided to run through it again to see if any of it would be different)

Name: JJ
Birthday: A day for all to celebrate
Birthplace: I'd rather not think about that.
Current Location: Still UT? Aw, crap. I'm still here after all this time.

Eye Color: Still deep, engaging brown...with little rings of grey around the outside of the iris.
Hair Color: Luscious brown...with some sexily shimmering silver intermingled here and there.
Height: 5'8" -- at least I haven't shrunk

Right Handed or Left Handed: Lefty like our new president! Except golfing...and batting. Although I haven't hit a baseball in a long time, when I did, I hit more often right-handed, but I hit farther left-handed. Go fig.

Your Heritage: German, English, Norwegian, some other stuff. Pretty typical mutt.

The Shoes You Wore Today: Putty-colored Converse all-stars given to me by a best friend.

Your Weakness: Sincerely flirtatious cuteness...and dark chocolate.

Your Fears: Being wrong about important things. Investing in a relationship to find out the other party doesn't return the investment or interest as I'd hoped.

Your Perfect Pizza: There's no one pizza that could be deemed as perfect, but super thin, super crispy crust, not-too-sweet but zesty sauce, and asiago cheese are a good start... Incidentally, two of my favorite pizza places are Abby's and Fazzari's

Goal You Would Like To Achieve This Year: Figure out life, the universe, and everything. But I'd settle for...taking a picture I'd want to buy if I saw it somewhere. And maybe deciding on a career direction I'm satisfied with.

Your Most Overused Phrase On an instant messenger: "So...how're things?"

Thoughts First Waking Up: Aw, crap, I can't be mad at The Weepies for waking me up...

Your Best Physical Feature: The things I've probably most been complimented on are my smile, my eyes, and...eh, nevermind the other one.

Your Bedtime: Oh, this one still makes me chuckle.

Your Most Missed Memory: I think it's still that carefree, lighthearted, sunny, beaming feeling as a kid on a beautiful summer day. It's the kind of feeling that makes the world a wonderful place full of opportunities and fun, without a burden in the world.

Pepsi or Coke: Still neither. I'm glad I kicked these pernicious nectars from my life in high school.
McDonald's or Burger King: Why couldn't Chipotle or Panda Express be choices?
Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea: Spiced herbal tea, maybe?
Chocolate or Vanilla: I'm still a chocolate guy for sure. Dark Belgian chocolate or Mayan chocolate being preferred flavors.
Cappuccino or Coffee: I wouldn't know, but give me mocha Teeccino, and I'm a happy camper.
Single or Group Dates: Depends on the situation and person, but mostly single. I mean...if I ever get around to really dating.

Do you Smoke: Ew.
Do you Swear: Hm...I've taken up the biblical words. And have started using them only very occasionally in decidedly non-biblical ways. Should probably curb that before I move on to more sailor-ish vocabulary.
Do you Sing: yes, yes I do. In the shower, in my room, in the car, at work, humming, whistling...I probably have a song going through my head more often than I don't.
Do you Shower Daily: I still do. Still sometimes twice. I'm a squeaky clean boy.

Have you Been in Love: Not fully, maybe. But I've been well on my way once or twice, in different ways. One day, it'd be nice to feel that way with someone with whom I feel I can do something about it.

Do you want to go to College: I just bought textbooks at DI for fun. Yeah, I probably do want to go back...
Do you want to get Married: I do know I want companionship, preferably of the lifelong commitment variety; preferably marriage, yes.

Do you believe in yourself: Not always.

Do you get Motion Sickness: I think I have once, but no, not normally.

Do you think you are Attractive: I've occasionally looked in the mirror and thought, "I'd smack that." I'm not gonna lie. But not always. There are good days and ugly days.

Are you a Health Freak: Nope. But I try to take care of myself.

Do you get along with your Parents: I do.

Do you like Thunderstorms: Love them. I really like it when the power goes out. Good creative bonding time...no, not THAT creative...sicko. ...OK, maybe that creative. Dang it, maybe marriage is more appealing all the time...

Do you play an Instrument: Piano.

In the past month have you Drunk Alcohol: Excluding the vanilla I added to one drink, no.
In the past month have you Smoked: No way.
In the past month have you been on Drugs: Just ibuprofen. And NyQuil. Ah, sweet mormon liquor.
In the past month have you gone on a Date: Well, Anne and I paid for each other at different points in the evening at Sundance Film Festival. I'm going to count that 'cause it's the closest I've come in a long time. ;-)
In the past month have you gone to a Mall: Twice? Once for a haircut, once to meet people in Park City.
In the past month have you eaten a box of Oreos: Heck no. I can't do that stuff anymore. In my youth, I could do crazy stuff like that, but I'm too old for those shenanigans.
In the past month have you eaten Sushi: Hm...I think so, yeah.
In the past month have you been on Stage: You mean besides go-go dancing? No, no I haven't. And stop being all shocked, I haven't been go-go dancing either.
In the past month have you been Dumped: Still...that requires having a relationship to be dumped from.
In the past month have you gone Skinny Dipping: Um...yes, yes I have.
In the past month have you Stolen Anything: Glances, but nothing else.

Ever been Drunk: Again, there was that whole mess at the youth center back home where somebody probably spiked the punch. But no, not other than that.
Ever been called a Tease: Not so much lately, actually. Which I count as progress. Though being a tease sure is fun.
Ever been Beaten up: No, and I'm not keen on starting now.
Ever Shoplifted: Nah.

How do you want to Die: With confidence that I've improved the world within my "sphere".

What do you want to be when you Grow Up: This one makes me chuckle, too.

What country would you most like to Visit: Peru, Austria, Australia, Japan (and if I get to count countries I've already been to, I'd love to explore more of Switzerland and Italy).

In a Boy/Girl...
Favourite Eye Color: Depends on other features.
Favourite Hair Color: Rich, silky brown.
Short or Long Hair: Depends on the individual, but generally short-to-medium for guys, long for girls (though some can pull off short in a really fun/sexy way)...did I mention silky? That applies regardless.
Height: Eh, whatever works.
Weight: Healthy, but lean is good.
Best Clothing Style: Clean, elegant, non-flashy, brandless, classic, sharp

Number of Drugs I have taken: Illegal? None. Medication? I lost count long ago, though I rarely take anything these days.
Number of CDs I own: My media player claims I own songs from 549 albums, but many of those are podcasts and singles.
Number of Piercings: Big 0.
Number of Tattoos: I really am conservative, aren't I? 0.
Number of things in my Past I Regret: I'm stopping counting at 5. That's enough for one night. Seriously, I could be spending my time focusing on such better things than regrets...like being done with this survey.

Hillary Should've Wanted It More

Hee hee. This "story" from my favorite faux-news web site makes me giggle. A lot. I laughed right out loud when I first read it at work today:

Hillary Clinton Mouthing Along To Presidential Oath

Birdies Everywhere

As I mentioned in my previous post, I took pictures of birds from the parentals' deck in Poky. I'm not talking a couple of pics. I talking well over 200 shots snapped of birds doing all kinds of things. They're not the most patient models ever. After sifting through the pics, there are only one or two that I actually really like. The rest have interesting aspects, but I just couldn't get the framing right or didn't capture quite the right moment. Despite the lack of cooperation from the tiny little buzzards, it was a fun challenge and a new subject, mundane though it may have been. I actually learn from these experimental, mostly "boring" shoots, where I have time to focus on how shutter speed, aperture, white balance, etc, are going to affect a shot, how to interact with and predict subjects' responses and behaviors, or how to shoot in windy, snowy weather. Good times, good times.

A few samples:

Culinary Delight and Other Christmasiness

The holidays bring good times. I mean, sure, there's the heart-wrenching realization that you have no family to establish holiday traditions with and wonder if you ever will, but I'll save the pity party post for another time. Oh stop, when I want you to feel sorry for me, I'll write more about my sob story. Fortunately, when I think back to my holiday season, the memories are mostly positive.

First, the tree. Last year, my roomies and I went out and bought decorations, so I decorated the tree similarly this year. Correction: Dallin and I decorated it. The boy has skills. I looked at the newly festive living room and said to my roommate, "Are we gonna have a Christmas party or what?" We decided...yes. So we sent out invites on Facebook, and the next Sunday night, we had the most interesting mix of friends and coworkers together eating food, chatting, catching up, meeting for the first time, and...well, there was flirting and a fair amount of awkwardness, too, but for the most part, just friends and fun. About midway through the evening, I counted, and we had 25 people in our little condo. It was good to get everyone together and see some old faces.




Mid-December, Maw & Paw decided to spend a weekend in Salt Lake, so I met up with them. The Friday night they came, we had dinner at Cucina Toscana, and the recommendations were well deserved. Really good food, great service. The couple next to us kept looking over, as if we were celebrities. I'm pretty sure they're just avid people-watchers. It was both slightly awkward and amusing. The next day, we did some shopping and, after I enjoyed my first salted caramel hot chocolate (I recommend them) with Toffer at Starbucks (Toffer happened to be driving by when I talked to him on the phone, so he stopped), my parents and I had lunch at Mazza, where we also ran into Cameron, another friend. Salt Lake's a small place, apparently. I'd wanted to eat at Mazza ever since I first ran across it incidentally many months ago, and I definitely recommend it. For dinner, a few friends and my parents and I met for pizza at the Rusted Sun. Also good times. It was a weekend of culinary delight.

After dinner, Dad wasn't feeling well, so he went back to the hotel, and I dragged Mom to temple square to see the Christmas lights like she's been wanting to for a while now. We all had a good time walking around, freezing our heinies off, talking, taking pictures (Javier had requested I take some quality pics of him with the little guy on temple square). Temple square at Christmas is quite a sight with the lights, the nativities, the many happy families and romantic couples... I had to laugh when Ryan quietly commented that he wanted to someone to kiss and we wondered if temple square was supposed to make you feel that way. In any case, our little romp MAY be associated with Mom's subsequent nastiness in the health department, but she says it was worth it, so I don't feel too bad.















The next morning, I went with friends to the Christmas Concert version of Music and the Spoken Word. Beautiful production as always. By far, my favorite of the Christmas Concerts I've seen was the one with Sissel, but each year's concert has its own strengths, and Brian Stokes Mitchell has a very impressive and versatile voice, so I couldn't help but enjoy the concert.

Christmas Eve Day, at work, we were allowed to play games, and this was my introduction to a new favorite game of mine: Ticket to Ride. So fun. Seriously. Who'll play it with me? ...I mean when I get around to buying it.

I spent Christmas Eve night and Christmas Day in Pocatello. The drive up was fine. In fact, I had been feeling not-so-holiday-cheerful, but a very brief, simple experience really gave me a boost. As I passed a livestock trailer on the freeway, I saw that the passenger was no horse or cow as I was accustomed to seeing. From between the bars, a curious, head-bobbing camel peered out at me to watch me pass, and I couldn't help but feel my holiday cheer swell within me at the sight. Christmas Eve, we ate a great dinner (dinner is always great at home) and unwrapped one present early: the Wii. You heard me. Mom and Dad bought themselves a Wii. We played golf and bowling and Mario Kart.

Christmas Day, with its Italian and Scandinavian buffet and birdie picture-taking, was also fun, but I think the highlight was Christmas Eve Wii-playing. I won't go into the 6-hour drive home and seeing a semi slid off the road with it's rearmost trailer dangling over a hillside. Let's just say driving home was an adventure!

OK, I'm tired of writing, and most of you haven't even bothered reading. I'm done now. Happy 2009 with its many new memories yet to be made!