So here it is, MERRY CHRISTMAS...
There's a music theme this year, something Hank picked up from last year's gift to Sark. Everyone on her list gets a photo Christmas card of her, Joe, Amelia, and Valkyrie, plus a very special, personally selected 3 CD mix of music featuring various artists, and a little something extra.
Bee's music mix is Foreigner, Journey, and Whitesnake on two CD's, while the third is a Neko Case bootleg. She figures Bee will appreciate the singability of the power ballads, plus an artist she knows she loves. There's also a navel ring and some pictures of Hank around town, with Joe, with the family, and rocking out with her future bandmates (aka kids from school).
Claire's music mix is Metallica, Led Zeppelin, and Black Sabbath. Her BFF needs a solid foundation to develop into the metalhead Hank just knows is living inside. She also gets a cross necklace...trust her, they can come in VERY handy.
Julian's music mix this year is a little more in line with stuff Hank genuinely thinks he might enjoy: jazz. Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, and John Coltrane mostly, including some bootleg performances she found online. She also added some Buddy Rich for credibility: LOTS of rock 'n roll drummers cite him as an influence. Hank also got him a Cross pen, 'cause it looks classy. And Sark's a classy guy, so...
Cain's music mix is three bootlegs of his favorite bands: Black Flag, Bad Brains, and Rollins Band. His gift is a Sammy Davis Jr. DVD.
Annie's music mix is Danzig, Type O Negative, and Dethklok. Yes, Dethklok's imaginary, but she knows Annie digs Adult Swim. That's why Annie also gets the second Robot Chicken STAR WARS DVD.
Molly gets a heavy Beatles mix, because it's the foundation of every blossoming rock star's music education and her dads don't have to worry about her listening to anything vulgar. And because every rocker chick in training needs a badass bedroom, Hank also includes a little something to get Molly started.
Drew gets Hank's very best mix of the sappiest, mushiest love songs ever. Lots of Barry Manilow here...she's sure he'll gleefully annoy someone with it. He also gets a book on comic art.
The Steed sisters get a British Invasion mix, plus a collection of teas imported from London.
Sassy gets three Coldplay bootlegs, plus a navel ring fit for a rich girl.
Joe gets a Thin Lizzy mix, and makes a point of including "Dancing in the Moonlight" since it's almost like their song. His gift was the hardest to pick, but with a little help and a lot of courage, in person on Christmas morning she presents Joe with an Agla ring and a card...
The sign in the middle of the ring is an Agla, it means 'Thou art mighty forever, O Lord.' The four other seals on the sides are for love, memory, safety, and peace...least that's what the guy at the store told me. It's all powerful stuff, and it's all what you mean to me. Safety, peace, love, and memory. You remind me of everything that's good in the world, and what we got is kind of sacred. That's how I feel, and if you're game? I want that...and you...forever.
For the record, I'm not proposing. I'm just telling you that you can. Someday. When we're ready. If you want to.
I love you,
Hank