Vacation

I've been fortunate enough to of never had to work the week between Christmas and New Year's. I headed back to our Nation's Capital on December 23rd for my Dad's birthday. This began my week of excessive feasting.

Usually, I am not a big holiday person, but there are few things I enjoy more than being home on Christmas morning. Santa was good to me. That afternoon, Mom and I drove to her friend's house outside of Annapolis. This has been a long-standing tradition and one I always look forward to. It's full of great food and conversation. This was the first time I had seen Sally since Kristin's funeral almost 2 years ago and just as long as I had been in her house. It was very therapeutic for me.

The day after Christmas, Mom and I made our 3rd Annual Waking-Me-Up-At-5:30am-To-Go-To-The-Mall. Surprisingly, we were not the only people there. I did get some post-Christmas bargains, which made the trip worthwhile. We were home by 8am and I promptly retuned to my jammies and hibernated for another 3 hours. The next stop was to my favorite restaurant, Pines of Rome, for their world-famous white pizza. And just when my stomach couldn't take any more, I had Italian again with my Dad for dinner.

On Tuesday, I had breakfast with Jenn. That afternoon was spent with Jamie and Karen. Later that evening, the three of us and Matt followed a long-standing tradition and went bowling. Despite not having "the Ellen" with me, I did pretty well. But what really made it special is knowing that you have friends that you don't get to see very often, and still pick up like no time has passed. I've known Karen and Jamie since I was 5 years old and Matt since the 4th grade.

The next day I took the Metro downtown and went to the Corcoran Museum of Art. There was a complete Andy Warhol retrospective on exhibit and it was amazing. I have been a long time fan of Warhol's work. His theories of the media and fame, I have always found interesting. Plus, I always feel so elegant walking through the Corcoran. I made a brief stop at the National Christmas tree before heading home to pack.

On a very rainy and foggy morning, I drove to Foxwoods casino to meet up with Robin, LoveBunny and Robin's sister-in-law Deb. It looked like the gambling gods were very much against us, The slots were mean and the roulette tables were downright cruel. I couldn't get a roll going at all. We were all feeling pretty dejected. It was still early so we decided to check our keno tickets and get a snack before calling it an early day. To my pleasant surprise, my keno ticket was a winner!! We enjoyed a nice early dinner and I was back in Hoboken by 9pm.

Yesterday I got up early again and headed to the Met right when it opened to see the Van Gogh drawings exhibit. The line was incredible. It took a half hour just to get into the exhibit and I just happen to be behind 4 of the world's most annoying people. Once I got into the exhibit and get as far away as possible from them, my annoyance quickly turned into awe. I have never been so impressed with a showing ever. It was extraordinary. Despite the crowd, it was fantastic. I wish I could have seen more of the drawings up close. I even bought the catalog to read more about the exhibit. I love getting lost in the Met. The weather was so lovely when I left that I walked from the Met to Port Authority via Central Park.

Since then, I have attempted to tidy my room up and do laundry, watch movies and the like. As for New Year's Eve, I plan on rockin' it in with my man Dick Clark.

I wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year. My best to everyone. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Quote of the Day:
"When I was young, my ambition was to be one of the people who made a difference in this world. My hope is to leave the world a little better for my having been there." -Jim Henson

Take It To The Man

I am really going to be sad with the New York transit strike is over. It's been such joy getting to and from work. My commute has cut in half. Only buses seem to be going through the Lincoln Tunnel. The whole area around there is a ghost town. I've been able to sleep in a little longer and get home at a decent time, all in thanks to the transit strike.

Only a few more hours in the countdown until the big Christmas vacation begins! I am heading home tomorrow and if I don't talk to you, I wish you and yours a very Happy Holiday season.

Quote of the Day:
"I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something I can do." - Everett Edward Hale

Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys

I honestly don't remember the last time I witnessed such a destruction of the Dallas Cowboys by my beloved Washington Redskins. Each play was like a work of art. I had so much fun.

I know we probably won't make the playoffs and I accept that, but the worst record we can have is 8-8, which is not a losing record. We really should have 3 more wins than we do, but I won't squabble over that.

Boooooo to Bill Parcells, who did not even shake Joe Gibbs' hand after the game. Even when Gibbs waved to him, he did not wave back. That is classless.

Next up: the Giants on Saturday.

Hail to the Redskins!!!!

Quote of the Day:
"He is not a coach. He is God." -Tony Kornheiser on Joe Gibbs

John Spencer

I am absolutely shocked, stunned and saddened to read of the passing of one of my favorite actors, John Spencer. He died earlier today of a heart attack at age 58.

He is best known for his Emmy-winning role of Leo McGarry on the West Wing, but I have been a fan of his for quite some time. I first became familiar with him during his stint as Tommy on LA Law. What made the characters of Tommy and Leo so great were the imperfections and struggles of them. He channeled his own battle with alcoholism and his reputation of being a workaholic into these roles. That real element always gave an extra spark to those roles which were extra layers to his already natural talent.

He had such an distinctive voice, effervescent charm and honest presence about him. I have always looked forward to seeing him on the screen, big or small. And yes, he was one of those older men that I found strangely attractive and he held one of the top places on the Hierarchy.

I will definitely miss him. A true loss for the entertainment community.

Quote of the Day:
"Redemption comes to those who wait / Forgiveness is the key." -Tom Petty, Lonesome Sundown

Dinner With Friends

Last night I went to dinner with my friends Rebecca and Mike. They are great people, who I never get to see enough of. All the sudden, 5 months have passed and I realized, "Oh, I haven't seen Rebecca and Mike in awhile. I should call them." We feasted at the Cheesecake Factory, which is always a good dinner destination.

And also, I am restraining myself from saying most importantly, I got to see their precious cat, Howard. Howard is the most beautiful cat ever. When I was Rebecca's roommate in Boston, Howard was in essence, my first pet. I was never allowed to have a cat or dog as a child, and always wanted one. Howard lived up to all pet expectations and I am so happy to have Howard so close by again.

Quote of the Day:
"We must choose. Be a child of the past with all its crudities and imperfections, its failures and defeats, or a child of the future, the future of symmetry and ultimate success." -Frances E. Willard

My Favorite 22-Minutes of the Year

What: A Charlie Brown Christmas
When: Tuesday, December 6, 8pm
Where: ABC

What makes it even more uber-special is that A Charlie Brown Christmas is celebrating it's 40th anniversary. Really, is there anything better on earth than Snoopy dancing? I don't think so.

So watch and enjoy!

Quote of the Day:
"All I want is what I'm entitled to. All I want is my fair share." -Sally Brown, "A Charlie Brown Christmas"

Oh, The Weather Outside is Frightful

It's Sunday morning. I wake up and peer outside my window to see the first flakes of the season fall onto the ground. Ordinarily, I would take that moment to absorb the beautiful image, then roll over in the warm, comfy confines of my bed. But not today. I got up and went to work. It's not that bad. I'm just digitizing - essentially baby-sitting the editing machine. Still, it would have been nice to stay snuggled between the flannels. That really is the best part of winter.

Quote of the Day:
"Some people like my advice so much that they frame it upon the wall instead of using it." -Gordon R. Dickson