I know... it's NOT a rant!
Life's going good. It's freaking cold in Alaska, but with all the fresh snow and ice fog on the trees you can't help but stare out the windows and look at the sugar-dipped trees. Though you won't catch me playing around out there, around 0 today.
We went to my Dad's for Thanksgiving. Monica, Brian and I were worried about the food because he ordered it from the Marx Bros. Last year for Christmas Dad did the same thing and it was gross, but this year it was really good! The reactions were mixed because it was Cajun-style, but I enjoyed the spice. IMHO I still enjoy a home cooked meal more. But I'm not going to complain, it was a good time with family,
I had a job interview yesterday with a fab shop that makes big machines for the oil companies. They needed an expediter, someone who knows the biz. I guess working at Grainger helped out. I would work there but they don't offer as much as I could make elsewhere and they want 50/week out of me. It's hard enough to find time to hang out with Monica, and an extra 10 hours of work wouldn't help that. So I'm calling them today for the old "Thanks but no thanks" speech. One I rarely have the luxury of making! All those high demand history-degree jobs. ;-)
Got my tux ordered. Monica and Brian came along to help out. They asked me "What kind of tux are you looking for?" Uhhhhh.... *blink* I knew that I didn't like cummerbunds, but I quickly found out there's more to it than that. You have to know colors, vests, ties, how many buttons, shoes, designers. Ug. But I think us men will be looking snappy come January 9. I also found tux places are just as shady as every other retail store. They will have two tuxes that look identical in every way in the book, but the first one (which, of course they show you first) is a modern looking picture with a 20-something looking guy with a hot girl on his arm. Hell, the picture is even centered on her! The next tux is under the "silver collection" (as opposed to the platinum) the same tux with a 30-something guy, no hot chick, and a background that looks like it came from the glamour shots studio where Napoleon’s girlfriend works. We saved $40 going that route. And I didn't feel cheap, the salesgirl confided in me and Brian later that they were basically identical, except the labels inside. Ah ha!
How’s everyone’s shopping list coming? I'm about half done I would say. Monica and I are going to light my dad's trees for their gift. I don't know how much customers of the Green Connection pay for that service, but I guarantee it's more than we could ever think of spending on my old man. (Not that I wouldn't if I could... you understand) Brian's a mystery, but I'm resolved to be more creative than another Best Buy card, unless he asks for one. Monica, check. Mom, still kicking around ideas.
So far I'm having a wonderful holiday.
-EW
wow, long post