Catch her, Inda Ri!

You know, stuff like this annoys me. (link c/o twistedchick) I don't mind if this woman wants to make the decision that her own son isn't mature enough to handle a book like Catcher in the Rye, but her knee-jerk assumption that all the other parents should agree with her frosts my shorts.

First off, if you want to object to a book you actually do have to read it. I know the usual response here is "I don't have to witness a murder to know that murder is wrong" but the catch there is that you know it's a murder. Condeming a book without reading it is like calling a dead body a murder victim without knowing what happened. Maybe it was murder, maybe they died peacefully in old age. You just don't know.

Plus, what a classic example of how people in these situations really do come off as being reluctant to teach children to think for themselves. This woman didn't read the book, she trusted the word of somebody else, who she doesn't even know, to read it and explain it to her. I'm sorry, but is informing yourself and making your own opinions directly that damn hard? Hell, it's not like Catcher in the Rye is even that big a book! Take an afternoon, skim it if you have to.

What gets me too is that naturally it's not just enough to say her kid can't read it. Oh no, the entire freshmen class shouldn't read it as well. Gee, thanks for complimenting your fellow parents by assuming they were neglectful assholes who just hadn't gotten around to condeming the book like you did. Did it never occur to her that, unlike her, maybe some of those other parents had already read it and approved of their kids reading it too?

Grr. Argh. At least the school in question is treating it as a matter for discussion and conversation, rather than something to have a knee-jerk reaction to. Maybe some good debate will come out of it, and people will learn things.

In unrelated news: happy Christmas Eve Eve! I'm at work, for my sins (note to self: really take time off next year). But on the plus side I'll be getting out an hour early tonight, which, combined with no dance class, leaves me with plenty of time for present wrapping and cookie baking. I might even have time for super sekrit insane-o project that has taken over my brain. (note to obsessedmuch: Eeeee!)

Now if only I could take a nap...

Yearly Christmas Carol rant

OMG! The radio just did Christmas Shoes and Bruce Springsteen's version of Santa Claus is Coming to Town back to back! Why has God forsaken me, WHY???

Also, can somebody please tell the pop tarts that shouting != singing? I'll forgive Christina Aguiliera a bit as clearly this was something she did years ago when she had to do whatever they told her, but Jessica Simpson's got to cut that the heck out.

Grumble grumble.

Frosty's coming, and he's pissed!!!

One of the businesses I drive by on my way to work has a huge inflatable snowman on the roof.

This would normally be festive, except today it's windy. So instead of a happy snowman who quietly sits and waves and bids you happy holidays, it's an ANGRY snowman! And he's struggling to break free from his bonds so he can kill you with his giant candycane!! RAR!!!!

So, you know, run for your lives.

Xmas! WOOOOOOOO!!!

Okay, who ordered the monsoon?

After I got off work today it was pouring down rain. I mean seriously, sheets of water coming down from the sky. I decided to go easy on myself by picking up dinner on the way home, so that was a fun adventure of negotiating traffic and then trying to run through the downpour and still keep my food reasonably warm and dry.

Got home, changed into comfy clothes, settled down to eat and then the doorbell rang. It was the UPS guy, delivering what was literally a stack of boxes to my door. Right about then is when "Ack! Xmas is so soon!" became "EE! Christmas!!!" because it so felt like I was getting a preview from Santa or something. So I got all bouncy and excited and I've been that way for hours now. So my thanks to those of you who helped kick-start that feeling (I thanked you in email as well, but can't hurt to do it twice).

Thanks also to everyone who has sent cards, btw. My card garlands are full and doubled up now. I really should make another one but the need didn't arise until this week and I've only ever been home at night, when I think my neighbors would mind if I pounded on the walls with a hammer. But having full card garlands always means a lot to me, because there were a couple of years there when those were the only decorations I could have, so again my thanks to those who sent something, no matter how big or small. =)

After decompressing from work with food and Lost on Tivo (reruns, yes, but worth rewatching to catch details mised the first time 'round) I then set to cooking. The sugared almonds are done, as are the fudge sandwich cookie bars, and all of my presents to family are wrapped. (The latter of which was done while watching West Wing on Tivo, as thanks to the marathons on Bravo last year I now assiciate West Wing with the holidays).

Tomorrow I have a half day of work, then I come home, take advantage of the leftovers of tonight's dinner for lunch, make the cheesecake cookies, go to church, have dinner and the annual Christmas Eve pig-out with my parents, come back home, get the pork roast prepped for Saturday, get the brunch bread prepped for Sunday (possibly, we'll see how the time goes), make the onion gravy for Saturday, and then hopefully go to bed before Santa gets here.

Saturday itself I head over to the folks where it'll be me, Mom and Dad, Older Brother and his family, and one of my fav. aunts. Not sure when all that will be done, but hopefully with enough time for me to come back home and make the brunch bread for Sunday if I can't do it tomorrow night.

It's going to be busy and chaotic, but so worthwhile. :D

Lust for life...

Older Brother just sent me this link: for those of us who aren't in the UK, and are missing the experience.

It's not the full UK experience, granted, but it's at least one of them.

heeheeheehee

Ahem.