29 November 2000
	Last year: It has happened in our house that, with just four or five of us there, the opening of presents takes from six in the morning until after noon.
	So we went to see <The Grinch last night. I was pleased to discover that they kept the song "You're a Mean One" though the original from the TV show was better. But it was a good movie. A fecund mind designed those sets and costumes, even with Seuss' original concepts to work with. (I especially adored the main family's themed "hats" of punchbowls and cups of eggnog that appeared to actually have eggnog in them. I kept looking to see if I could tell how they did it without spilling everywhere, and I still have no idea.)   Anyway... The movie will never replace the beloved TV show. But if you've decided not to see the movie because you want to remain loyal to the TV show, I urge you to change your mind. The movie acknowledges its debt to the TV show in dozens of splendid copycat scenes, and adds just a bit more. Besides, it's worth seeing just to marvel at the makeup and costumes. Two thumbs up!   And I want Martha May's light-gun.   Does anyone have a soldering iron? (How come it's spelled "solder" but pronounced "saw-ter"? English is such an absurd language. I'm glad I didn't have to try to learn it after growing up with something that mostly makes sense, like German.) The little Christmas tree I bought for my car (stop laughing) doesn't work very well, so this morning I took a good look at the bit that plugs into the lighter, and unscrewed the cap. Now I know how it all goes together, and I'm pretty sure I can fix it, but I need a soldering iron to re-attach the bit that had come undone.   I've been working pretty hard on some toys for you for Christmas, and I'm pleased to say they mostly seem to be working. There's just the finishing touches left to put on one of them, and they'll all be done.   I've got three Christmas toys for your enjoyment: An advent calendar, automated so you can't cheat, but it will still work just fine while I'm not in town to update it; a seasonal purity test, to measure the strength of your Christmas spirit; and a sign-up form for a card exchange, which isn't really a toy, but I thought it would be nice. There was another toy I wanted to add, but I didn't have time to put it together. Maybe later in the season, or next year.   (And just to let you know - aside from using the date of December 25th, neither the calendar, the purity test, nor the cards I send will be religious in nature. If you enjoy the holiday season, there's no reason why you can't enjoy the toys and cards if you are Jewish, Wiccan, Buddhist, Taoist, atheist, or agnostic. And the card exchange includes an e-card option, so don't let lack of funds or a desire to keep your address to yourself private stop you.)   If you have suggestions for questions for the purity test, by the way, let me know. I'll post links to everything on Friday in the December 1st entry.   Yep. I'm all about holiday fun.   Word of the Day: fecund - fruitful; prolific; intellectually productive; inventive
	Currently Reading: - A Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin   Current Projects: - ornaments and snowflakes and holly leaves
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