(JUAN.of.a.KIND)

Assorted Christmas Snaps 4 Dat Azz

Multiple pics post, hummin’ comin’ at cha (and notice how I don’t bombard your dashboard with multiple photo posts, yeah?). First off, flashback for a minute:

Christmas trees on display at the elaborate Santa Claus meet and greet a couple weeks back (if you look close enough, I’m reflecting in the one of the Christmas balls).

A better view of the entire setup (which included igloos, slides, snowmen you can sit on and a gigantic LED colour-changing cone). That Santa Claus sure knows how to decorate the place.

Walking my nephew through Toys ‘R’ Us for the first time (shortly after he asked Santa for a bunch of toy cars), attentively observing what he’s reacting to. Our faces are subtly blurred using Photoshop, just in case you think you’re seeing things (or maybe we just really look like that). Now back to present day: Christmas Mass was standing room only this evening (first time in the 22 years that I’ve been to that particular parish…this city is clearly overpopulated now).

Christmas ornaments, Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan style. Yes, this ornament is specific to the G.O.A.T. Star Trek film, complete with the late Montalban’s actual voice and on-screen phasers (and that’s Spock, Kirk and Sulu in the scene).

For the first time ever (in my drinking lifetime), I made a boilermaker composed of a Leffe Blonde beer and a shot of Johnnie Walker Gold Label blended whisky (using an El Toro fiery shot glass I got at Six Flags Great Adventure last year and an A&W full-size root beer mug I got for Father’s/GodFather’s Day this year). Sh!t was super duper fly (I polished off a pair of these babies with mad gusto).

My sister’s friend got this Christmas present for my nephew, but it turns out that I’m interested in it way more than he is. Basically, it’s a snowman DJ toy dubbed Lil’ Avalanche and dude’s DJ setup (complete with 2 turntables, a snowflake-piece, Ali G poserrific goggles and headphones) is punctuated by an LED powered DJ stand that works as a sort of musical visualizer. Best of all, it’s got an “mp3 mode”, so I plugged my iPod touch into it and the thing actually dances to the beat (with the flashing LED lights and everything). When I took this pic, Bootsy Collins’ Christmas Is 4 Ever album was playing on it. Perfect.

And finally, a pic of me and my pamangkin putting up 2 chocolate chip cookies and a small glass of skim milk for Santa at the TOP of the fireplace this year as opposed to the bottom (it was the little guy’s idea and, now that I think of it, t’is a courteous way of acknowledging the lower back problems that Santa no doubt has at his advanced age). This will be the first Christmas that this kid will remember and he’s having a blast so far. And if you’re wondering, we seal our fireplace with thick plastic and masking tape when it’s not in use during the winter months due to the fact that there’s a menacing draft that comes through the cracks. Makes a difference, it does.

I think I hear the sleigh bells ringing (probably because I’m buzzed like a mofo). Christmas arrives in less than 10 minutes here in EST. The Christmas lights are on full blast outside, ready to greet jolly old St. Nick upon his arrival. And now I’m hungry. Boom biddy bye bye.

Wrapping some boxes; punching the milk; hitting them skins…

Intrigued by the numerous praises from the pun-tastic Thighmaster over the past 9 months and an enthusiastic recommendation from Chris Gore at Film Threat, which resulted in an exploration of a multitude of clips out of context on the Yubes, DLing the odd ep via bittorrent and finally catching a few eps by chance from Season 1 of the show on BOLD TV in Canada at 1AM early Thursday mornings (channel 277 if you’re with those Rogers bastards), I finally understood that this is a hell of a convoluted run-on sentence that I wrote. I also finally understood what all of the praise for this BBC produced high school drama-themed dark comedy show was about. This eventually lead to my blindly purchasing seasons 1 and 2 of Skins on “Digital Versatile Disc” (and for the record, it was Season 1, Ep 2: Cassie that got me firmly hooked on the series).

That purchase took place a month and a half ago (you know the deal). But now that my 2K9 Christmas shopping has finally winded down, this late evening/early morning I had some holiday cheer-laden down time to kick back and enjoy a glass or 2 (or 3) of Milk Punch (which I was absolutely committed to making some time before the end of the year) while wrapping the aforesaid Christmas loot and peeping Skins eps in chronological order, the way they were meant to be seen (free of buffer races and commercials). As an aside, last year around this time, many an extended wrapping session was spent thoroughly enjoying Chris Lilley’s perfection of a high school mockumentary: Summer Heights High on HBO Canada, which is yet another intelligent, entertaining and darkly comedic TV series. So yes, at the time of year when I should be watching the usual lovely Christmas-themed fare that can be experienced on TV and DVD (and I have, trust), I seem to gravitate towards realistic education-facility themed programs produced overseas (what can I say? The Brits and the Aussies sure know how to make ‘em just right).

If you’re curious, the Milk Punch turned out well and was surprisingly dope (as I don’t usually combine dairy and drinking). I don’t have a proper drink mixer (and now that I think about it, maybe I should have asked for one this Christmas), so I made a makeshift shaker using 2 different sized glasses; things got a little messy, but hey, what’re ya gonna do? (note: mixing glasses and mess not pictured) I also tried to make a cross when dashing the nutmeg on top, but it ended up looking more like a plus sign. In addition, the drink itself was quite strong and totally packs a (milk) punch. And after a mere 2 rounds in this early morning drinking/wrapping bout, I was already feeling a little woozy here (c) Psychotic Stu. After all, there are about 2 shots of hard liquor in each serving (double your pleasure) and I didn’t eat a whole lot today due to the final mad dash to the shopping establishments. Despite that, I recommend this punch as a creamy/frothy and festive holiday beverage to get a nice, warm, protein-filled sure shot buzz from (all while wrapping presents and peeping some edgy, provocative programming to boot), if you are so inclined, of course. Although I don’t recommend it if you’re not of legal age to drink (but if you are in fact under the drinking age in your country, then you’re probably smart enough to know that I’m not your father, so do whatever the hell you want young lad/lass!).

Wrapping paper? Check. Mounted roll of scotch tape? Check. Scissors? Check. Gold ink pen? Check. Skins DVDs? Check. Milk Punch concoction contained in a Denby pimp chalice? Double check (your head). Season’s Greetings and may the Christmas spirit(s) be with you all (and also with you).

Happy Christmas Eve 2K9!!!!11!!!ONE!!LOVE!