On Christmas Eve, Larry, Serif, Laura’s dog Lexi, and I went for a drive around Somerville to admire some of the more spectacular Christmas-decorating specimens on display. At our last stop we even got out of the car, and while Larry was taking photos of the most impressive house yet, Santa Claus himself came out the front door and posed for a quick photo with us. Only in Somerville, people.
Merry Christmas!
(click to see the photos)

The Ref (1994) Kevin Spacey, Judy Davis, Denis Leary
For our first film in the 25 Days series, I was joined (via phone) by my excellent friend Erin. It seemed fitting since I think Erin was with me the first time I saw this movie, waaaaay back in the high school Dark Ages, and we have watched it together many times since then.
The basic plot of The Ref, for those of you who haven’t seen it, goes like this: After botching a burglary on Christmas Eve, Gus (Leary) is abandoned by his skittish partner-in-crime and has to take a bickering husband and wife (Spacey and Davis) hostage, hiding out in their home while he tries to evade police. When their troubled son comes home from military school and their hellish in-laws arrive for Christmas dinner, Gus has to pretend to be the couple’s therapist, but ends up acting more like a referee as the family tensions finally reach boiling point. Read the rest of this entry »
Every year ABC Family hypes its popular “25 Days of Christmas” schedule, during which it airs an odd grab bag of Christmas programs and generic “family friendly” films from December 1st through 25th. This year’s offerings include a bevy of non-Christmas options, such as Harry Potter, Finding Nemo, and Aladdin, as well as seasonal “favorites” like Holiday in Handcuffs, A Very Pink Christmas, and Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause.
What they don’t seem to have is anything I actually want to watch. The classic films, the special episodes, the weird-yet-wonderful programs of my youth… Where is White Christmas? Where is Scrooged? Where is Miracle on 34th Street? Where is the outrage, people? Well, it’s here. This is me, as outraged as I am willing to get over this issue. Read the rest of this entry »
Every year around Thanksgiving Larry and I sponsor two turkeys through Farm Sanctuary’s Adopt-a-Turkey program. Today is the day! This year we chose Payton and Elizabeth (pictures below © Farm Sanctuary). I know some people think turkeys are ugly, but come on! Look at Payton!

I love him so much. Look at his expression. Can’t you picture him breaking into a musical number at any moment?
And how about Elizabeth, Larry’s turkey? Noble, yes? Larry picked her because he likes Elizabeth Bennet from Pride & Prejudice. This turkey definitely looks capable of some verbal sparring with Mr. Darcy. “There is a stubbornness about me,” she’d say, “that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me.”

Anyways, it’s a nice little tradition, and I look forward to it each year. If you are interested in adopting a turkey you can click the image below. If you are interested in mocking me, you can leave me a comment on this post.

…to torment your pets with ridiculous costumes.

Jingle Pup

Christmas Miracle: Both Animals Holding Still For Two Seconds

Let Joy Be Unconfined
Happy Christmas, Everyone!
-Doc Smartypants
Happy 2010! Here are a few photos taken during Jen’s visit over the days surrounding New Year’s. (click the image to see the album) Happy New Year!
Friday night we hosted our annual Peeptini Party, with Josh and Heather’s assistance (and apartment). We had an excellent turnout: Josh, Heather, Dan, Ed, Kenneth, James, Laura, Stacey, Kristin, Matt, Catherine, Lindsey, Tom, Sabie, Larry, and me! There were drinks, snacks, games, laughs, conversations, and one dramatic Peeptini-related injury. All in all, I’d say it was our best Peeptini event yet!
Here are some photos from the festivities.