Several minor injuries in 3 days really takes it out you, LOL I don't know what's going on, I'm not usually this accident prone. I rarely get hurt at all. First I was walking down a sidewalk on Thursday and slipped and hury my ankle. Then I was clearing snow off the awning at church (like I mentioned in my christmas blog) and got 2 minor injuries. first I got hit by in the shoulder by a pretty big piece of snow and ice. THen I'm standing on top of a 3 or 4 foot hill and I step wrong and basically did the splits on top of the pile of snow. So that hurt in a few different spots (if you get my drift). Then today I'm setting tables up at church, turn wrong, and the shoulder I hurt yesterday suddenly reminds me that it's still in pain and I drop the table on my foot (right on the big toe.) To top it all off, I had a big blister on my finger and while working today, basically sliced it right open. So needless to say, I'm spending this evening safe inside with a couple movies and don't plan to go anywhere. Although I could still injure myself while in the house.

I've seen other people post what they did on Christmas and what they got, so I decided to do the same. Christmas Eve started with me working. For those of you that don’t know, I work at a church (the custodian), so I had to get the building ready for Christmas Eve service, as well as the Sunday morning Service. Then I spent some time trying to knock snow off the awning over the door. Something about the way it sits or whatever, it gets huge drifts of snow on top of it. Then when it gets warm (it was nearly 40 degrees on Christmas Eve), the whole big chunks come crashing off and basically destroy the bushes that are sitting below, along the sides. So when it gets warm, I have to try and shovel snow off, before it comes down in huge pieces. Sometime I’ll share the story of nearly being buried by snow and a ladder while doing the same thing last year. So I’m over there till about 3:30 PM, go home take a shower, and leave for church at 5:01. Church started at 5:00. But my mother and brother seem to have a hard time being ready on time. I took a nap from 4 until 4:30, then took a shower at 4:30, and was still ready 10 minutes before both of them, LOL Then after Church I had to hang around and check a few things, make sure there weren’t any messes left anywhere. Christmas Eve we just spend the evening watching movies and stuff, nothing real special. Christmas day, we went to church in the morning. Then planned to open gifts around 1PM. But my mom realized she didn’t have anything for my step-mom. Yes they exchange gifts and are actually quite friendly with each other. Which is cool, but kinda strange too. So she heads off to Walgreens (which happens to be open on Christmas) and gets her a gift. We then finally opened gifts at like 3Pm, ate a big meal, and spend the rest of the day watching the Vikings get wasted by Baltimore (at least I did that, anyway.) Monday, my brother and I were supposed to be with our dad and step-mom, but she wasn’t feeling well, so we’re going to be with them next Sunday to celebrate Christmas with them. Here’s what I got. The Amazing Race, season 7 on DVD A DVD 2 pack of “Million Dollar Baby” and “The Aviator” Some Vikings stuff A couple things for my collection of M&M’s stuff. (That’s right, I collect M&M’s collectable items) A few books A Mexican ornament (I went to Mexico almost 7 years ago Mom, LOL) Some candy and other food items A 3-d Puzzle (if you’ve never done one of those, and you like Puzzles, you really should get one sometime. They’re much more interesting to put together than a flat puzzle and when it’s done, you have a neat 3-d sculpture of a famous building or whatever) The light-up coasters I mentioned in another Blog I think that’s it. No clothes this year, Woohoo That’s all for now, .

I have a rather odd request to make of the readers of my Blog. okay, my sister lives in Iowa and I live in ND. SHe mailed her gifts this year and vice-versa, because she works in retail and only had like 1 day off. Anyway. SHe got me these Coasters that light up. They're kinda cool, not really something I'd use. I already have a set of Vikings Coasters that I use, so I don't really need another set. I have no idea where she got them from, and was wondering if anyone might have an idea. I could just ask her, but that's tacky and if I can do it without asking, I'd like to. They're called "Light Show Coasters and serving Tray set" the brand is "Can you Imagine" Does anyone know of any national stores that sell them? Thanks

You heard me, I blame LOST. on what you ask? I blame LOST for the downfall of ALIAS. Now a little disclaimer before I rant. I love LOST, can't get enough of, think it's an amazing show, so I'm in no way bashing LOST. rant back on. During seasons 1 and 2 of ALIAS, JJ abrams was pretty much in charge creativly for every episode. and the show rocked. the first 2 seasons were in my opinion, some of the best that TV has ever offered us. Season 3 was decent, not great, but decent. a lot of people didn't like it, only because of Vaughn being married to someone other than Sydney. Okay, enter season 4. Around this time, JJ was working on LOST a lot more than ALIAS. So other people were writing and creating ALIAS. Season 4 stunk. People called it the "Bad guy of the week" season and it was quite possibly the worst tv I've ever seen. Now that season 5 has rolled around, JJ is back working on the show a lot more. LOST is doing well and others are able to handle it without him always having to be there. Season 5 has had it's ups and downs, but had overall been good tv. But many of the fans that left the show during season 4, never came back. So the ratings dropped, and now ABC is canceling the show. the only good news is that they get to finish out season 5 after Garner's pregnancy leave. so hopefully they can tie up all the loose ends and wrap the show up. So in the end, I blame LOST for ALIAS being canceled.

To tickly everyone's funny bone in this hectic time of year, here are a few Christmas funnies I got in an email. Signs You're Sick of the Holidays 1. You've got red and green bags under your eyes 2. You're serving reindeer pot pie 3. When you hear, "Sleigh bells ring, are you listenin'?," you scream, "No! I'm not listening!" 4. You climb on your roof and start shooting carolers in the butt with your BB gun 5. You think you hear your Christmas tree taunting you. 6. Instead of spending time with family, you're watching some guy make photocopies. 7. You're busted for running through town wearing nothing but mistletoe. 8. You've got eggnog coming out of your ears 9. Your standard response, "And happy holidays to you too, you bastard" 10. Two words: tinsel rash ------------------------------- Wrapping Presents with Dogs Gather presents, boxes, paper, etc. in middle of living room floor. Get tape back from puppy. Remove scissors from older dog's mouth. Open box. Take puppy out of box. Remove tape from older dog's mouth. Take scissors away from puppy. Put present in box. Remove present from puppy's mouth. Put back in box after removing puppy from box. Take scissors from older dog and sit on them. Remove puppy from box and put on lid. Take tape away from older dog. Unroll paper. Take puppy OFF box. Cut paper being careful not to cut puppy's foot or nose that is getting in the way as he "helps." Let puppy tear remaining paper. Take puppy off box. Wrap paper around box. Remove puppy from box & take wrapping paper from its mouth. Tell older dog to fetch the tape so he will stop stealing it. Take scissors away from puppy. Take tape older dog is holding. Quickly tape one spot before taking scissors from older dog and sitting on them again. Fend off puppy trying to steal tape & tape another spot. Take bow from older dog. Go get roll of wrapping paper puppy ran off with. Take scissors from older dog who took them when you got up. Give pen to older dog to hold so he stops licking your face. Remove puppy from present & hurriedly slap tape on to hold the paper on. Take now soggy bow from puppy & tape on since the sticky stuff no longer sticks. Take pen from older dog, address tag & affix while puppy tries to eat pen. Grab present before puppy opens it & put it away. Clean up mess puppy and older dog made playing tug-of-war with remnants of wrapping paper. Put away rest of wrapping supplies & tell dogs what good helpers they are. ------------------------------- Office conduct during the Christmas season To: All Employees From: Management Subject: Office conduct during the Christmas season Effective immediately, employees should keep in mind the following guidelines in compliance with FROLIC (the Federal Revelry Office and Leisure Industry Council). 1. Running aluminum foil through the paper shredder to make tinsel is discouraged. 2. Playing Jingle Bells on the push-button phone is forbidden (It runs up an incredible long distance bill) 3. Work requests are not to be filed under "Bah humbug." 4. Company cars are not to be used to go over the river and through the woods to Grandma's house. 5. All fruitcake is to be eaten BEFORE July 25. 6. Eggnog will NOT be dispensed in vending machines. In spite of all this, the staff is encouraged to have a Happy Holiday. ------------------------ CHRISTMAS CAROLS FOR THE DYSFUNCTIONAL SCHIZOPHRENIA: Do you Hear What I Hear? MULTIPLE PERSONALITY DISORDER: We Three Queens Disoriented Are DEMENTIA: I Think I'll Be Home for Christmas NARCISSISTIC: Hark the Herald Angels Sing About Me MANIC: Deck the Halls and Walls and House and Lawn and Streets and Stores and Office and Town and Cars and Busses and Trucks and Trees and Fire Hydrants and... PARANOID: Santa Claus is Coming to Get Me. PERSONALITY DISORDER: You Better Watch Out, I'm Gonna Cry, I'm Gonna Pout, Maybe I'll tell you Why. OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER: Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock........... (Better start again) PASSIVE-AGGRESSIVE PERSONALITY: On the First Day of Christmas My True Love Gave to Me (and then took it all away). ----------------------------- YOU'D BETTER WATCH OUT (sung to the tune of “Santa Claus is coming to town”) You'd better watch out, You'd better not cry, You'd better not pout, I'm telling you why... Santa Claus is tapping your phone! He's bugging your room, He's reading your mail, He's keeping a file And running a tail... Santa Claus is tapping your phone! He hears you in the bedroom, Surveils you out of doors, And if that doesn't get the goods, Then he'll use provocateurs! So... You mustn't assume That you are secure, On Christmas Eve He'll kick in your door... Santa Claus is tapping your phone!

I went and did some Christmas shopping this afternoon (I know, cutting it close there). things I hate about Christmas shopping 1. Malls filled with people that wonder aimlessly, like they're site-seeing or something. Pick a place and go there, for crying out loud. 2. Mall santas and screaming kids. Dude, if the kid screams like that when he gets near santa, then maybe it's not a good idea, don't force the poor kid to do. 3. annoying music. don't get me wrong, I like the music, just not the same song over and over and over and over again. 4. grumpy store clerks. I feel sorry for them and some of them are nice occasionally. 5. Crowds of people blocking store aisles. ARGH. okay I think I'm done ranting. I enjoy giving gifts to people, I just dont' like shopping for those gifts. The only truely enjoyable part of the afternoon was picking up the LOST magazine(issue #2) and a sudoku book at a bookstore that's closing, so they were really cheap. but otherwise, the afternoon was not fun at all.

anyone else really liking all the odd candy variations companies are putting out?? I like the mint KitKat and the Orange kitkat is interesting. THe strawberry in white chocolate hershey bar is quite good. And how about those new variations of Chex mix? I tried the Peanut butter one, WOW is that ever good. ------- What new candy variations have you tried and which is your favorite?

MY previous comments about never hosting one again, were posted when I was a little ticked off about several things (not the mixed game). I will probably host again, but probably not real soon. I'll be playing in at least 3 games starting in a few weeks, so I wouldn't want to be hosting then. after that, I may host a season of something.

This is going to be a new weekly feature in my blog. A recap of the previous week, usually it will be up on Sunday nights. I will use this space to talk about my job, my life in general, tv shows I watch, tv.com games I'm playing in or hosting, general ranting about stuff, etc. ------------ So look for Weekly Random Blog #1, next sunday night.

The first snowfall of the winter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!