Mindless Juices

I asked for very functional things for Christmas this year. I find that when you don't your spouse to spend too much money on you, this is a much better solution than telling them you don't want anything. If you do that, they'll still buy you stuff you don't need. However, by asking for socks or gloves for work, you end up with an excellent feeling on Christmas day. Your spouse was able to buy you things and you can figure, you were going to buy these things anyway. That is not to say my wife didn't buy me anything fun. My favorite fun "toy" this year may surprise her. It's actually the super-bright LED keyring she got me. First, it's blue and I love blue light... cause it's blue and, if you haven't noticed, the URL is bluesteven. The keyring is cool, fun AND functional. I can't think of how many times I wish I carried a small flashlight on my belt. I don't because I already have my cell phone and usually have my Leatherman. Another thing on my belt would have people wondering if I live in a shed in the forest plotting on how to overthrow the government. So, this little handy light will come in very useful on my job and inside computer, which I tend to find myself inside a lot. My other fun "toy" from my wife is my board game, Settlers of Catan. Love Risk? This is better. Love Monopoly? This is better. Love strategy, luck, a randomly generated game board, multiple ways to win, and being declared "Lord of all..." if you do? This game is for you. It deserves it's own post and, will, hopefully get one today. My mother-in-law got me Luigi's Mansion, the launch title for the Gamecube. It's quite fun and easily playable in five minute chunks if you so desire with a feeling of accomplishment in those five minutes. I really wanted it to get all the inside jokes in Super Mario Sunshine that Angela lent me and Paper Mario: TTYD that Josh lent me. I promise to return both those soon. We joined the Mulders for Christmas dinner. The Elliotts (Rae's parents) came into town. Truth be told, prior to this festive holiday dinner, I was quite intimidated by Colonel Reverend Dr. Steven Elliott. Not because he is a reverend and a doctor and, recently, a colonel. No, but because in my relatively small interaction with him, he seemed reverent, contemplative, quiet and smart. He is still all those things, but he is no longer intidating. I have no great story, only that he's a fun guy to hang out with and I just needed to see him as a dad, grandad and father-in-law extraordinaire to appreciate that he's not just a pastor and Curtis' old boss. It helped that he played Settlers with Jordan (Rae's youngest brother) and Curtis and I. We played after dinner and late into the night. I was invited back on Monday and spent all afternoon playing more. They greatly enjoyed it and Curtis would love to see Settlers become a "poker night." I would, too. I left it over there for their enjoyment since it's not a very good game with only two players and Sabrina doesn't particularly enjoy it. Lastly, I got Sabrina NHL '06 for the Gamecube. This, too, deserves it's own post.