"May the calendar keep bringing happy holidays to you..."

I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted! I suppose the holidays will do that to you, what with all the rushing around, parties, shopping, eating, etc. I do really love this time of year, but it is just so exhausting.

Yesterday, at long last, I posted the final grades for my class, so now I am officially on VACATION! And not just any vacation...a THREE WEEK VACATION! I love working in academia. Although I don't know why I'm so excited because I don't have any terribly exciting plans, really. I suppose just the thought of having time to lounge about and enjoy some holiday cheer is making me giddy. I'm going home to Connecticut for Christmas tomorrow and I'll be back in Boston next week to just hang. And then we'll see where life takes me. A trip to visit my best friend in New Jersey is potentially in the works, and that will probably be the last hurrah before it's back to school with me. But, right at this moment, the world is my oyster.

Over the past week or so I've spent a lot of time grading various assignments and exams, and I've spent most evenings hanging out with Bryan. He is indeed a brave soul, as he ventured to my parents' house with me this past weekend for a family gathering. Every year my mom's family gets together to bake Christmas cookies, so not only did he meet my parents, but all of my mom's family as well. It was loud, it was busy, and it was fun. My cousin and my sister are such a hoot to hang out with, especially when you get my sister going on her job. She works with special needs students, and she has some wacky stories to tell. I'm so lucky to really enjoy the company of my family, and I'm especially grateful for that around this time of year. Bryan seemed to enjoy himself -- he definitely impressed my family with his mean cooking skillz. He really is adorable.

Well, today I'm off to (hopefully) finish my Christmas shopping, and perhaps, FINALLY finish reading my book. It's so nice to have time just stretch before me without being completely filled with stressful, boring, or time-consuming work crap.

So, with a full day of possibilities before me, I bid you all a fond adieu for this holiday season. Merry Christmas to you all, and please have a Happy New Year. I'll see you in 2006.

Well, the cat's out of the bag.

I guess since Bryan has made the confession, it's OK to mention it here: he and I are officially dating. We've been kind of unofficially going out since Halloween, but it's been official for a couple of weeks now after I flat out asked him if he was flirting with me. For the first time in a very long time I'm incredibly happy, and it's due in large part to him. He's cute, he's smart, he's funny, and he can cook. What else does one want?

In other news, I had another fairly busy weekend. Friday night I spent hanging out with Bryan. We made our way through the snow to celebrate the fact that one of my friends just successfully defended her dissertation at the Publick House in Brookline, followed shortly by dinner at Anna's Tacqueria and a quick drink with some of Bryan's friends at the Rattlesnake downtown. By that point it was pretty late and I had to leave for Connecticut early the next day so I dropped Bryan at home (after he fixed my parking brake...he's so handy), and went back to my apartment to get some sleep.

Saturday I had to drive to my parents' house because my aunt had gotten me tickets to see Wicked in Hartford for my birthday last year. I was familiar with some of the music (I own the soundtrack), but I wasn't a huge fan, even though there are some decent songs. That changed after I saw the production -- it was FANTASTIC. Easily one of the best musicals I've seen in recent years, including the performance of my favorite musical of all time, Sweeney Todd, that I saw last week. I highly recommend it. The sets were gorgeous, the costumes were amazing, the effects were spectacular, and the music was great. A word of caution: if you're expecting a musical version of the book you will be sorely disappointed. It is VERY different.

Saturday night my sister and I went to a family holiday party in Granby, Connecticut. It was fun, although by the time we got there our cousin (the host) was so drunk he couldn't remember our names. The hit of the night was this roast venison that absolutely made my mouth water and this drunk chick that collapsed in the hallway. That part of my family is, shall we say, rustic.

Sunday I drove back to Boston and picked up Karl and his friend Mike to go to a holiday party at Ben and Brad's house (Karl's friends that I met at White Christmas last Tuesday). There was a delightful array of home made goodies, and I tried wassail for the first time. Later, there was a holiday sing along while Brad played the piano. It was a most excellent time, and I thank Brad for inviting me. What great holiday fun!

Winning is all in the attitude.

I'm not a competitive person. I just like winning my rummy games against Karl because he gets so flustered...so consequently, I bring the attitude to our little card soirées. It's all in jest, really. Well, mostly anyway.

Last night I got paid back in spades for my cocky attitude of late. I was handed my hat by both Karl and Bryan -- who had never played rummy before.

So, I was a loser. I can accept that. But I won't cry, and I will let Karl gloat. Because I have class. Something Karl is sorely lacking. Well played, my friend. Enjoy it while it lasts.

Brief Update

Sorry for the lack of posts, but like I said, this is a busy time of year for many reasons. Gotta love the holidays!

Anyhow, on Tuesday I was delightfully invited by Karl to accompany he and some of his friends to the Wang Center to take in a showing of the stage version of Irving Berlin's White Christmas. The show was pretty entertaining -- there was plenty of singing, dancing, sets, and vibrant costumes. And, taken on its own merits, it was a pretty decent show. But the whole time I kept thinking -- "But...where's Rosemary?!" I love the movie so much it was hard to disassociate the stage characters from the actors in the movie.

The real treat of the evening was finally getting to meet Karl's friends Ben and Brad, of whom I have heard a great deal. They did not disappoint, as they are incredibly fun people. Apparently, I made an impression as well because I snagged an invitation to their holiday party! Can't wait to belt out some tunes à la Judy Garland.

Anyhow, tonight Bryan and I are off to Karl's to kick some butt at more rummy. Bryan doesn't know how to play, but with me to teach him, how can he lose?

Rock Star Weekend

This past weekend I was on the go non-stop, and now I'm freakin' exhausted. But, what a weekend it was! Every once in a while I really love the jet-setting lifestyle...

Friday was the office holiday party, and Bryan graciously agreed to go with me and meet some of my history friends. The food was good, the conversation was (de rigueur) awkward, and the cellists were pretty good, even if I really didn't need to hear an all-cello version of "Light My Fire." Unfortunately, Bryan and I had to jet because we were due to see my roommate perform in a cabaret in Davis Square.

The cabaret was a mixed bag of performers, ranging from the very good to the very, very bad. Community theater is always a crapshoot, but I guess it keeps life exciting. Anyway, after the crapshoot -- oops, I mean cabaret -- Bryan and I went back to his place to watch a DVD of Mr. & Mrs. Smith. It was pretty entertaining, actually, although the real draw of the movie is seeing that much pretty on the screen for over two hours.

Saturday I had to get an early start because I was due to be in New York City that afternoon to see a show with a friend of mine. So I drove myself to my parents' house near Hartford, and had my dad drop me at the Hartford bus station to catch the 1PM bus to NYC. I got there about 4, and my friend picked me up to go back to her place. After some chat, we headed downtown to have dinner at Vynl and then go to the show. The show was Sweeney Todd, one of my favorite musicals of all time -- and to top it off, the plum role of Mrs. Lovett was played by none other than the fabulous Broadway diva Patti LuPone! The show itself was odd, as it was a very "arty" rendition of the production. All of the actors doubled as the orchestra, so consequently the sound was very reduced because there were only about 12 instruments being played at one time. Also, the sets and props were very minimalist, so a box could stand in for any number of things. If one didn't know the story, one would be very confused. I actually had to explain the end to my friend after the show was over!

Anyway, after the show we had drinks at this place called Vintage, and it got to be 1:30 AM when we decided to hit the road. At that point my friend got a call from her roommate asking us to meet her and some other friends in Koreatown to go to this 24-hour karaoke place. So, we went. We got a private room, which was way cool because we got to do whatever songs we wanted without having to sit through a bunch of people we don't know caterwauling "Turn the Page" or some shit like that. I definitely rocked the Wilson Phillips and the En Vogue. By the time we left it was past 4AM -- we caught a cab back to the East Village and promptly hit the hay.

After brunch on Sunday across from Tompkins Square Park, I caught the bus back to Hartford, had dinner with my parents, caught some Law & Order on TV, and then drove back to Boston where I almost immediately went to bed. Needless to say, I'm a bit wiped. But hell, I had a good time.

Take THAT sucker!

I feel completely vindicated. I beat Karl's ass into the ground at rummy last night...and it feels oh so good. Not even the campy glory that is Rosemary Clooney in White Christmas could distract me from my impending victory. There's really not much more to say than that. I think we all know who's the man here.

Weird North End T Experience: I recently buzzed my hair, so while I was sitting on the T, some old woman came up behind me and started rubbing my head. She told me it was cute. I agree, but lady -- STOP TOUCHING MY HEAD! I mean, really.

OK, sorry so brief, but I have a lot to do today. And really, the only important thing you all should know about last night is that I BEAT KARL. That's right, I said it again.