Hayley, will you be my date?

I happen to dig all three, but Asher is not a fan.

Sat - 02/10/07

Head Automatica
Jack's Mannequin
The Audition

at

Rococo Theatre

End of the Year Musings

So its the end of 2006. And I hate most Christmas letters that come with Christmas cards. They either seem like they want people to pity you, or they are trying to impress you by telling you how wonderful their life is, how awesome their children are and how much money they are having.

But, I aknowledge that it is good to at least think about these things to reflect on blessings and hard times so that you grow from them and don't make similar mistakes and don't take the good things for granted. So I'm not really writing this for any of you. If you want to keep reading, go ahead, but this is more for my own theraputic release.

So anyway, the blessings were pretty decent this year. Got a free vacation to LA and Las Vegas. Made it through another year as a homeowner with no major disasters. Got a bit of a promotion at work, and still manage to remain on speaking terms with the wife, which I think is a pretty good thing after three and a half years of marriage. We're much better than still speaking (for the record).

Not so much of a blessing, losing some relatives with others in the hospital or nursing homes, some stressful times with work and school.

2007 will be another interesting year. I'll finish grad school, maybe upgrade a car, maybe start talking about upgrading a house in the next couple years, and start the conversations on planning for other things that will eventually be coming.

Wonder what other trainwrecks, blessings and sad times 2007 will bring. Then again, if I knew, it wouldn't be a whole lot of an adventure and life would be pretty boring.

But I'm pretty lucky at the end of the day to come home to the gal I proposed to four years ago last wednesday, and still get to share everything with her.

So bring on 2007.

Microwave Peanut Brittle Recipe

Jules, I can't believe you've never had peanut brittle! This is fast, easy and foolproof if you read the directions correctly. ;) Unlike the stovetop versions, there is no need for a candy thermometer.

Ingredients:
1 c. Spanish peanuts (unsalted)
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. white corn syrup
1/8 tsp. salt
1 tsp. butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. baking soda

Mix peanuts, sugar, corn syrup, and salt in a large glass bowl. Heat mixture on high for 4 minutes. Stir. Heat for 3 more minutes. Add vanilla and butter; stir. Heat for 1 minute, 15 seconds. (If you like sticky brittle, heat only 1 minute.) Stir in baking soda. When mixture gets foamy, immediately pour onto greased, foil-lined cookie sheet. Cool & break into pieces.

A note about peanut brittle

I say this knowing that Hayley & Julie have gotten all domesticated and might make peanut brittle someday soon. If you happen to make the big mistake of accidentally doubling the amount of corn syrup, don't try to double the recipe halfway through the cooking process. It doesn't work. You WILL have to throw out the whole batch and start over.

*sigh* Lots of time and ingredients wasted last night. :(

my plans

I brought up my Nebraska visiting idea to my dad this morning (he loves it when i interrupt his work day). He thinks it sounds like a good plan and now there's a possibility of him and my mom going to visit your parents, but dropping me off in Lincoln on the way there. My parents have to talk about it, and call your people, but either way I definitely think this is going to happen!!! I'm thinking about the weekend of January 13-14, though I have no idea when I'd come or go - that would depend partly on you. Also, my dad doesn't work on the 15th, the Monday because of Martin Luther King Jr. day so it turned out to work for him as well.

Anyway, I'm SUPER excited. And I seriously want to go, even if I have to drive all by my lonesome.

I Got In!!!!

Hello all. I just thought I'd tell you all that my dreams might actually come true. I just found out that I've been accepted to Nebraska Methodist College in Omaha for their BSN Nursing program which will begin Fall 2007!!!!!! Finally all my hard work is paying off!

yet another way to procrastinate....

e-bubble wrap

Who Wants to Snuggle by the Fire?

Christmas is one of my favorite holidays. I get all warm and fuzzy inside when I listen to my Mannheim Steamroller CDs, burn my peppermint candle, light up my Christmas tree, and watch my favorite Christmas movies. However, as I have gotten older I've realized that Christmas has a lot of romantic possiblities. Obviously Andy was aware of this, since it was during this blessed time of year that he proposed to our little Ashley.

My problem with this romance is that I have none. I have been visiting a lot of friends that I haven't seen in a while that lived in the same dorm as me last year. Most of them are a year younger than me. All the guys had those little boy crushes on me last year. I just found out that every single one of them has a steady girlfriend. This didn't bother me at first since I'm not crushing on any of them, but by the time I had listened to the "we're starting to get more serious" speeches, I realized I was the only one that didn't have a story to share. Even worse, was the looks on their faces when I said I haven't been dating anyone. Hello, as if I don't feel bad enough about myself, they had to send me the pity glance.

I haven't forgotten the reason for the season, but part of the holiday is about spending it with loved ones. Even though I have an amazing family, there's nothing like love from the opposite sex. I'd love to snuggle by the fire and bring a guy home to the parents. I know you'll all reply with the "give it time, you'll find him" speech, but do save your breath. I'll take your words for what they are worth, but my happiness in the meantime will waver. For now I'll settle by watching the love scenes in Christmas specials.

Exorcise the Scrooge Within

There are many wonderful things about the Christmas season: renditions of O Holy Night that bring tears to my eyes, festive decorations, the Charlie Brown Christmas special, parties, baking cookies with Mom & the girls, the solitude of a Christmas Eve church service, gingerbread coffee creamer …

However, there a few things that I have such disdain for that I wonder if I'm a grumpy old Scrooge. I’m hoping that by confessing now, I can enjoy the rest of the season without getting annoyed. When you’re done reading, post yours and don't think about your Christmas anxieties for the rest of the month.

Dirty Santas. You know, those gift exchanges during which everyone draws a number, then the participants get to pick a present or steal someone else's? I’m always amazed that normal people turn into greedy asshats during this exercise, and I get embarrassed for the person who brings the present nobody wants.

Secret Santa and White Elephant exchanges. I think they cheapen the spirit of gift giving and contribute to the gross commercialism that Christmas has become. I know I’m in the minority. When I politely declined to participate in our office’s Secret Santa, people gave me the "You Scrooge!" look.

“Seasons Greetings” cards. It’s surprisingly hard to find Christmas cards that actually say Merry Christmas on them. I belong to a message board that discussed this very topic last week. Apparently, non-Christians prefer Seasons Greetings and Happy Holidays because Merry Christmas is “too Christian” and isn’t inclusive of everyone’s religious beliefs or lack thereof. Oh, the irony.

Stress. It’s a side of Christmas that I didn’t experience until a few years ago. I’m super worried about getting my cards done, baking goodies, and getting presents purchased and wrapped in time.

To offset all this negativity, I have another confession that will make ya’ll squeal with delight. I can’t wait to be a parent at Christmas. What could be better than being Santa Claus and reading “The Night Before Christmas” to Junior before tucking him into bed on Christmas Eve? Christmas is pure magic for the kids.

To the Wisconsin Clan

Hey kiddos, I hope you are doing okay. I hope that your dad starts to feel better soon and I'll keep you all in my prayers. Good luck with finals coming up and try to relax during all the madness. I love you all!