What I drove: Infiniti G37 Coupe

I recently drove the Infiniti G37 coupe. Priced way (way, way) out of my range, this is one hot car. It's low slung and attractive, with a more aggressive look than its previous incarnation — the G35. It’s also now has a trim level with all-wheel drive — the G37x.

The G37 is available in a total of four trim levels as a coupe, but you can also get one in a four-door sedan and a convertible. While the trim levels and packages available with the G37 coupe allow you to add lots of different options, you get the same power across the board — 330 horsepower and 270 foot-pounds of torque.

The biggest difference in trim levels includes all-wheel drive on the G37x — the other trim levels come with rear-wheel drive. And while most of the trim levels come standard with a seven-speed automatic transmission, the G37 Sport 6MT gets a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission with short-throw shifter.

I drove the G37x but certainly didn't need all-wheel drive on the warm, sunny winter day I took it out. The test car had the automatic transmission with a drive sport mode, allowing you to drive the car as if it had a manual transmission. Use it when you want a little extra oomph off the line or for passing. Infiniti literature goes on and on about a driver-adaptive learning algorithm that senses your driving style and adjusts automatic shifting accordingly. What that meant to me were flawless shifts in automatic and a heck of a lot of fun in manual mode.

Base price is $38,700. The test vehicle came in at $46,385 and was loaded with a host of goodies, like a nav system; heated outside mirrors, Infiniti Intelligent Key with push button start; dual-zone automatic temperature control; leather-appointed, eight-way power-adjustable, heated front seats; leather-wrapped steering wheel with cruise control and audio system controls; an aluminum and leather-appointed shift knob; XM Satellite Radio and Infiniti Studio on Wheels by Bose.

Procrastinating

You know how there are things you need to do, but you put them off, when, really if you would just do them and get them over with, you would be a lot less stressed out? I have a list of about 10 things I am procrastinating on right now. It's like a disease. I know I'll feel more relaxed once I make these phone calls and write these stories but I just can't seem to make myself do it. It's easy to think I'll do it tomorrow. It doesn't have to be done right this second. But the longer I put these things off, the harder they become and the shorter my deadlines. What a vicious circle I've created for myself. Ok. This is it. I'm going to make these phone calls. I'm going to finish these stories.

Right after I finish my coffee. And this blog entry. And read my friends' blogs. And look at these cute pictures of a koala drinking out of a big ol' tub.

A little fresh air

In my real life job as a writer, I often have to interview people. I wish I could be more like Terry Gross, asking the right questions to elicit deep and meaningful answers. I don't. But I get the job done. On the flip side, I've never really been interviewed myself so when I read this post over at moArdy's A Motivated Notion, I jumped at the chance to be interviewed. moArdy read about it on another friend's site (and so on and so forth).

Want to get in on this interviewing stuff? Here are "The Rules:"

A.) Leave me a comment saying, “Interview Me!”
B.) I’ll respond with five questions of my choice for you to answer (and I promise to try to make them exciting and interesting.)
C.) You update your blog with the answers to the questions
D.) You include “The Rules” and offer to interview other people

Now, without further ado, my interview:
1) If you could make anything socially acceptable for one day - what would it be?
This is the hardest question for me. I kind of feel like a lot of things that are socially unacceptable, probably ought to stay that way. At first I thought I would make saying the "F word" socially acceptable, but I don't think it's that really that far a stretch, and everyone would just run around saying "F***" all day and ruin it as a really great curse word. So, I'm going to go with men wearing dresses or skirts. But only if they want to. In fact, I think it should be socially acceptable (if only for that one day) for clothes to be completely gender neutral, with no one being judged for wearing dresses or pants or pantsuits.

2) What animal at the zoo would you like to make your pet? (without worrying about any logistical issues)
A hippopotamus. Those who know me, know about my odd obsession with hippos. And if I didn't have to worry about the logistics, I would totally have one for a pet. My second choice is a monkey. Haven't you always wanted a monkey?

3) What is the most uncommon color you have ever painted (or wanted to paint) a room?
"Gold Tone" -- a bright golden yellow color. It's actually on just one wall in our TV room, but it's so bright and cheery it always makes me smile.

4) What food(s) can you never seem to leave the grocery store without?
Granola -- we buy it in bulk from Whole Foods. Mixed with plain yogurt, it's our favorite breakfast. We go through it pretty quickly, too. We love breakfast.

5) If you could relive one year - which one would it be and would you change anything?
(Second hardest question to answer!) I would relive the year I graduated from high school and entered college. I would break up with my high-school sweetheart at the beginning of the year, instead of waiting until summer. I would not date the guy I ended up marrying (at a way too young age!). In the fall, I would moved into the dorms and work harder at being sociable while stilling getting good grades. And I would be truer to myself and my beliefs and generally have more fun than I did the first time around. Hmmm... I guess I need to do some of those things now.

Possibly another reason we don't have kids

A conversation:

The S.O.: "I wish the dog could stand up on her back legs all the time." (Because he thinks it's cute.)

Me: "I wish the dog could type and do dishes." (Because that would be awesome!)

The S.O.: "Maybe we shouldn't have kids because I think your expectations for them might be a little high. You'll be trying to have them write stories by the time they're two."

Me: (unspoken) What's the point of having them if I can't try that? I'd have the first baby blog actually written by babies!

Ear worm

I woke this morning with a song stuck in my head -- an insidious ear worm. It was "These Boot Were Made For Walking." It's probably one of the worst songs to get stuck in your head, on par with "It's a Small World."

On the plus side, it allows me to post this Boots Medley video from "Kinky Boots," a British movie we watched recently. IMDb users only give the film a 6.9 rating, but I really liked it. It's uplifting, fun and its ultimate lesson is delivered by drag queens in stilettos.



Fans of "Serenity" might recognize Chiwetel Ejiofor. (Now you have one more reason to love that movie.)

What I read: "The Falls" by Joyce Carol Oates

It's true. I have to admit it now. I definitely have a thing for Joyce Carol Oates. In the past year, I have read three of her books ("The Gravedigger's Daughter," "Missing Mom" and now, "The Falls"). They're all pretty heavy books -- love, dysfunctional families, tragedy. But Oates weaves her sad tales with beautiful images and intriguing characters. There are characters to hate, to love, to love to hate and to hate to love. But there are very few characters you can feel ambivalent about.

"The Falls" begins in June 1950 and spans the next 28 years of the life of Ariah Littrell, who becomes Ariah Erskine, then Ariah Littrell again and Ariah Burnaby in short order. I don't want to give too much away, but this is an Oates book, so you know there will be joy and pain right from the start.

Set in Niagara Falls, New York, "The Falls" paints a picture of the city, from its tourist sites to the infamous Love Canal. "Love Canal" -- words I remember vaguely growing up, words then-president Carter talked about. I'm embarrassed to say I had to look up more information about the controversy while reading this book. (You can find some information here, here and here. And there's plenty more information out there.) The lives of people suffering illness due to toxic dumping melds with the Burnaby family, which suffers its own toxicity.

I think Oates may be a bit of an acquired taste, as I've said, she deals in tragedy and dysfunction. But I have definitely acquired the taste. I have a hard time putting down her books and seek out new ones and old ones I've yet to read.

Words of wisdom

My 13-year-old niece sent me an e-mail yesterday with this little gem: "I hate stuff right now." As the "grown up" in our relationship, I knew that I should be all "Now, you don't really 'hate' anything." But even as I thought it, I knew it was a lie. Instead, I ended up saying, "You know what? I hate stuff sometimes, too. Just don't let it get you down for too long. Being 13 sucks sometimes. It gets better. I promise."

I remember how I hated when I was a kid and an adult would tell me those were the best years of my life. Being 13 was not the best time of my life. It may have been easy in terms of not having a job or bills or debt. But it's such a weird awkward age -- especially, in my humble opinion, for girls. We deal with the crazy changes our bodies are going through, wondering if what we're experiencing is "normal" because even though our friends are going through it too, it's never quite the same for any of us. Am I too big, too small, too short, too tall? What is happening to my skin, my boobs, my hips, my body? Why do I feel like crying all the time and why the hell did I have to be a girl? Ok, maybe not everyone felt exactly like that, which is kind of my point. (I imagine there were girls out there who had all the answers and were sure of themselves and didn't worry about the changes they were going through. If so, they were the freaks, not me.)

At the time, I thought, "If this is the best time of my life, that means it goes downhill from here. Oh that sucks. I hate everything." So, my advice to my niece was to hang in there. Sure, there will be harder times in her life (as in all lives) but that doesn't diminish how hard it is to be a 13-year-old girl. I only hope she knows how amazing she is, how much I love her and that she can always come to me for advice -- even if the best advice I can give her is to grab some chocolate and ride it out.

What I drove: Mazda 3

Not every vehicle I test drive can be a fully-loaded luxury car. Some are just good old-fashioned, reliable, economical, affordable sedans, like this week's Mazda 3.


It's your basic compact sedan, with one significant difference: This $18,000 car is really fun to drive. It's got a lot of get up and go, with its 2.0-liter, 16-valve, four-cylinder engine pumping out 148 horsepower (more than many of its competitors). And that's plenty of power for this small car that likes to go.

This is a car I would actually consider buying and could actually afford -- unlike many of the vehicles I get to test drive.

The Mazda 3 is sporty and fun to drive. It craves the curves, zipping along equally well on twists as it does on straight-aways. The car feels connected to the road with responsive steering and handling, thanks in part to the four-wheel independent suspension. And if you have to end the fun and stop quickly, electronic brakeforce distribution evenly sends brake power to the wheels to prevent nose dives.

Equipped with variable-valve timing, the Mazda 3 gets good gas mileage — 22 miles per gallon city/30 mpg highway, with the automatic transmission and 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway with a manual transmission.

What I read: "Watchmen" by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons

I finished reading "Watchmen" last week and have been putting off writing about it, because, frankly I'm not sure what to say about it. With all the buzz surrounding the upcoming movie based on this graphic novel and the fact that TIME Magazine has named it one of the 100 best English-language novels since 1923, I'm a bit intimidated to say anything negative about it.

I should start by saying this is the first graphic novel I've ever read. And yes, I'm a bit of a snob about it. I don't think a graphic novel should be classified as a "novel" on a list of best novels. I don't think it's fair. Regardless of how great the graphic novel is, I feel like it's a bit of a cheat -- if a picture is worth a thousand words, how many words did this author not have to write to tell this story?

That said, I didn't hate "Watchmen." I found it intriguing and the characters likable and unlikable in turns. Good and evil are not black and white, and there are some funny moments, some scary moments and nail-biting moments.

On the other hand, I can't say I would put this book on par with titles like "1984," "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," "The Great Gatsby," "Beloved" and "The Grapes of Wrath." I think the editors of TIME Magazine might have wanted to show how cool they are by including a graphic novel.

I'm not sure if I would have included "Are You There God? It's me, Margaret" either. I always preferred "Tales of a Fourth-Grade Nothing."

Check out TIME Magazine's full list here.

(And no, I haven't read every book on the list.)

This is probably why we don't have kids

Ripley's a pretty good sport when it comes to tolerating our game of Let's Put Packing Materials on the Dog. She will demand treats when it's over.

I imagine kids put up with such nonsense until a certain age, but they can hold grudges and have the power to put you in a bad nursing home when you get old.

What I drove: Ford F-150

Although it doesn't really make sense for most of us to own a full-size pickup truck, they are pretty fun to drive. I recently drove the newly-redesigned Ford F-150. It gets ridiculously low gas mileage (14 miles per gallon city and 18 mpg highway) and is almost 20 feet long. But it has a presence, and if you need a truck, I think the Ford is the way to go.

I'll probably get grief from my GM-loving family, and my practical- (and green-) minded friends will probably scold me for promoting this truck. But I can't help it, I just really love this truck. I would never own it, but it was a sweet ride. The test truck was loaded with goodies, like 18-inch bright aluminum wheels, dual-zone automatic temperature control, power-adjustable pedals, leather-trimmed seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and climate controls, as well as power-adjustable, heated sideview mirrors, with integrated turn-signal indicators and auto-dimming driver-side feature. Additionally, the test vehicle has heated and cooled front seats — to keep you comfortable no matter what the weather’s like — with 10-way power-adjustments.

Not only is it not practical for me, but with a price tag of more than $43,000, it's priced way beyond my means.

History

January 20, 2009: The swearing-in of President Barack Obama

If you missed it, The Huffington Post has video and the full transcript of the new president's speech.

"For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace."

What I watched: "Wonderfalls" The Complete Series

"Wonderfalls" is a quirky little gem that only lasted four episodes on Fox back in 2004. I missed it then. I only found out about it because "Pushing Daisies" is getting canceled, and Bryan Fuller, one of the writers for "Pushing Daisies" and "Dead Like Me" was a writer/producer/creator of "Wonderfalls." Three excellent series, all gone before their times.

Thanks to the magic of Blockbuster (or Netflix or Amazon if you'd like to buy it), the entire 13-run series of "Wonderfalls" is available on DVD. And I'm glad it is. It's fun and funny and romantic, and if the episodes seem to be tied up in too-neat-little packages, well, that's sometimes how it should be. It's exciting to wonder what the hell is going to happen next on a show like "Lost," but sometimes it's nice to just have everything tied up. It reminds of sitcoms when I was a kids.

Like "Pushing Daisies," "Wonderfalls" is visually vibrant, with interesting sets and a cute female protagonist, her cute male love interest. There's also an array of supporting characters -- from odd to outlandish-- that includes Lee Pace, Ned of "Pushing Daisies." At the end of the final episode, while I wished for more, I was left feeling satisfied with the outcome and happy to have discovered this show.

"Wonderfalls" may be a bit too quirky for some people, but those who like either "Pushing Daisies" or "Dead Like Me" (or both) should enjoy it.

Meet Lucy and Opal

I've mentioned before that my mom was pretty crafty. She was talented at sewing, crocheting and baking and decorating cakes, as well as a wide variety of other crafts.

A few years ago she started making dolls (like the ones to the left here). I think she must have really enjoyed making them -- even though she called them ugly -- because she had a whole roomful of them. People would ask her to make them with various themes: sports teams, NASCAR racers, John Deere. I have one featuring the logo of my alma mater and another with (crazy cat lady?) cat theme.

I know I'm probably old enough that I shouldn't be naming my dolls and stuffed animals, but I still do. (Don't you judge me.) The one on the left is Opal, and her companion is Lucy. They grace the shelves in my office.

Their spindly legs, hand-sewn faces, crazy hair and floppy slippers make me smile. They also serve as a reminder of the importance of creativity and trying new things.

But mostly they make me smile.

What I drove: Hyundai Sonata

Last week I test drove the 2009 Hyundai Sonata. It's a nice sedan -- and not just in a nice-for-a-Hyundai sort of way. It really is nice, with lots of extras, like heated leather seats, an Infinity sound system with six speakers, XM Satellite radio with free three-month subscription, a USB jack and an auxiliary MP3 input jack inside center console storage. Equipped with a 3.3-liter V-6, the Sonata pumps out 240 horsepower and 229 foot-pounds of torque. Not shabby.

As I wrote in my test drive story:

With Hyundai’s line up of good-looking, reliable cars, it is no wonder customers have such loyalty. When I mentioned I was test driving a Sonata, several people told me how much they love their Hyundais. In the past, Hyundai may have been considered a low-end economy car, but no longer. I guess I’m going to have to stop being surprised by how much I like nice a Hyundai is when I drive one.

My test drive of the 2009 Hyundai Sonata published Jan. 9 in The Gazette.

It just goes to show you

I was all set this morning to do my kettlebell DVD, write a quick blog post about the car I test drove last week, then head off to another test drive. (I still plan to post about the Hyundai Sonata later today.)

Instead, when I went to get my pets their breakfast, I was greeted by standing water in my basement. Thankfully, it wasn't deep and it wasn't waste water. The feed from the water softener became disconnected somehow -- we're trying to blame the cat for that one -- and leaked. It may not be poo water but it was already starting to smell mildewy and it seeped under the carpet at the bottom of the stairs. So, instead of a kettlebell workout, the S.O. and I got a workout by carrying boxes, running the carpet cleaner and the wet/dry vac and moving the washing machine and dryer out of the way (O.K., yes, he did most of the heavy lifting).

And the whole time all I could think of were the immortal words of Roseanne Roseannadanna: "It just goes to show you, it's always something."

If you're not familiar with Roseanne Roseannadanna, you should be. Gilda Radner was one of the funniest ladies of all time. Check out this video from a live performance. Classic.


Update: I realized later that most of you don't know that I had to have my windshield replaced yesterday and were probably thinking, "What's she on about with this 'It's always something' crap. Well, between the crapped-out laptop, the cracked windshield and the flooded basement, I was feeling like karma was out to get me a little. Nothing major. Just like "it's always something."

The pros and cons of working from home

As a freelance writer, I do most of my work from home. (There's the occasional journey into the real world for test drives and interviews.) Although there are some great benefits to being self-employed and working from home, there are some major downsides, as well. Funny thing is, some of the pros can just as easily also be seen as cons.

Pro: I can wear whatever I want.
Con: Because I can wear whatever I want, I often spend entire days in my jammies, sweat pants or baggy jeans.

Pro: I get to spend time with my pets and the Significant Other (who also works from home, but has a "real" job).
Con: The pets and S.O. can be mighty distracting some days, what with their constant demands for food and attention.

Pro: I can take a break and play solitaire or do a crossword puzzle whenever I feel like it.
Con: Crossword puzzles, friends' blogs, solitaire, books and the warm, inviting glow of television (including reruns on Hulu) are constantly calling to me, like sirens luring my ship of motivation to death on the rocky shores of slackerdom.

Pro: My work hours don't have to be limited to 9-5, Monday through Friday.
Con: Short turn around times are not limited by the traditional work week.

Pro: I have a fridge and cupboard stocked with healthy snacks, rather than a vending machine filled with processed fat and high-fructose corn syrup.
Con: My kitchen is just a few steps away, making it easy to munch all day long.

Pro: I don't have to deal with the gossip and drama from co-workers.
Con: It can be isolating, and when I do talk to someone face to face, I can yammer on and on.

Pro: My office can double as a guest room.
Con: My office doubles as a guest room.

Pro: I can start work later in the morning, which allows me time to work out before I start my day.
Con: I have no excuse for skipping the gym.

Pro: I set my own hours and decide what work I want to take.
Con: As I've noted above, I'm a lazy slacker and would rather follow my friends' blogs and read books 14 hours a day.

Pro: There's less stress.
Con: I never know when I'll have an actual assignment that pays, you know, actual money. It's a different kind of stress. Thank goodness the S.O. loves me enough to support me being a 40-something slacker with aspirations as a writer.

I'm going to be a rock star

Nevermind that my guitar is acoustic, I don't know how to play it and for that matter, haven't played an instrument since 7th grade. Nevermind that the only women older than I am who are still rockin' have been doing so for three decades or more.

None of that matters, because now that I have held this guitar in my hands (a birthday gift from the S.O.), I will be a rock star.

Becoming a rock star was inevitable, really -- all those hours glued in front of the television during the heyday of MTV (back when they played music videos 24 hours a day), the endless lip-synching sessions in front of my full-length mirror with my hairbrush microphone and my audience of adoring stuffed-animal fans. And -- the best part -- I probably already have some hearing damage thanks to Sony.

I know how to read music (mostly) and I already have the start of callouses on my finger tips (due to not being able to put the guitar down yesterday). I've already learned one chord. So it's just a matter of time before you're all stealing my music off the internet and begging me for front row seats to my next concert.

That, or maybe, by next Christmas, Lisa and I can perform a duet that doesn't suck.

Reflecting

Less than a week ago, most of us probably spent at least a little time reflecting on the past year. Having a birthday so close on the heels of the new year, usually means I spend a few more hours this time of year reflecting on the past 12 months than people with birthdays in, say, June or July.

The past year hasn't been one of my best. I lost my mom. I lost my job. I found out I can't have a baby of my own. A bunch of my friends lost their jobs.

On the other hand, people I met at my job are still some of the best friends I have. And I'm not at a job that stresses me out every day. I feel like I have a closer connection with members of my family (loss can do that). And I'm still writing and making something of a living at it.

I don't really make new year's resolutions, but I try to set some goals, even if they are just to stay healthy and active, be kind and learn something new. My hopes for the coming year are that I will have more laughter, fewer tears, less stress and more love, health, wealth and happiness. I also hope that this year will be less eventful than the last couple. And I pass that wish on to those who read this blog. (Because you deserve some kind thoughts if you put up with my ramblings.)

Because it's my birthday, I am giving myself this lovely(?) giraffe(?) cake(?), courtesy of Cake Wrecks, one of my favorite sites. I believe it was posted on my birthday just for me.

I can laugh because someone didn't actually spend money on this disaster for my birthday.

So, happy birthday to me and a better year to all of us.

But I refuse to do the Chicken Dance

You know those women who fight to catch the bouquet at a friend or family member's wedding? Yeah, I have become that woman.

To be completely honest, I didn't really fight anyone for the bouquet, but only because I had a good 3-inch reach on the competition and didn't have to fight.
The Significant Other and I don't have plans to be married and don't talk about it all that much. But after a really unique ceremony, including the maid of honor singing "Fields of Gold" and even the groom tearing up, combined with a couple glasses of wine and a champagne toast, I guess I was thinking about marriage more than I care to admit.

Although I didn't actually elbow anybody out of the way to catch the bouquet, I was more enthusiastic than I should have been, causing the S.O. to get a little embarrassed when everyone looked around for him.

But that was a couple days ago and the glow of champagne and catching the bouquet has dimmed. I assure you I'm not clipping pictures out of bridal magazines or checking venue dates or picking out the song for our first dance. And I'm not hounding the S.O. for a ring.

On the other hand, my birthday is just a couple days away ...

What I read: "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen

Perhaps I was taken in by the subject matter or maybe it's because I finished this book on a cold snowy day when I was feeling pretty crappy. Whatever the reason, while I normally seem to have a similar taste in books as my friend Kate, on this occasion, I'm going to have to disagree with her.

I once fell inexplicably in love with someone based solely on his love for horses. And although I've never imagined running away to join the circus, there was that one summer when I dreamed of running off with the rodeo.

So, I do think I was drawn in by the subject matter and the romantic nature of the circus and the characters involved. And maybe the writing itself isn't deserving of gushing praise, but I really liked this book -- in an escapist, love-at-first-sight-even-if-it's-wrong, completely-lost-in-the-moment kind of way.

I'm sure Kate's assessment of the lack of character development is correct, but I still liked the characters. I especially cared about Walter, Queenie, Bobo and Rosie -- not to mention the main characters, who I didn't see as completely "good." They made dumb decisions and were lucky enough to have them turn out OK in the end.

Yes, in the end everything does get wrapped up in a too-neat little package. But that's part of why I thoroughly enjoyed the book. As I've admitted, maybe it's just my state of mind today and the snow falling outside the window and maybe I'll come back to this book at a later day and scoff at my own critique.

But not today. Today I'm awash in the warm glow of cotton candy, sawdust and the receding sound of the circus calliope.

They know me

A couple of friends gave me zombie-related gifts this Christmas. "The Zen of Zombie" offers "better living through the undead." And the corporate zombies were given to me so I "wouldn't forget what it was like to work in a cubicle."

It's nice to know others share my obsession with zombies and that my friends accept me despite this obsession. In fact, I recently attended a bachelor/bachelorette party, complete with strippers -- "Zombie Strippers." It's not what you think. Well, maybe it is. It's an awesomely bad zombie movie, starring Jenna Jameson and Robert Englund (of Freddie Krueger fame). There's not much plot to the movie, but it has plenty of gore and cheesy humor. It's not for the prudish or easily offended though. But throw in a group of rowdy friends, some pizza and beer, and it was a good time.

On a sad note, my laptop recently joined the ranks of the undead -- it beeps and whirs but it isn't cognitive. I'll be working on a Frankenstein PC until I the laptop is repaired (or indefinitely). It's not that the PC is out-dated, it's just been pieced together. I have a hand-me-down monitor, a brand-new wireless keyboard and mouse and an essentially homemade CPU. But it works ... well.

The thought of being without a computer was scarier than any undead thing could ever be -- especially with four writing assignments coming up. And as a person who works from home, I couldn't imagine not having e-mail and the internet to connect me to the outside world. And it is nice to type on a full-size keyboard and look at a full-size monitor.

What I drove: A year's worth

I put together a little slide show of the cars I test drove this past year (although I think I may have missed one).

Here, for your viewing pleasure, is What I drove: The year in review.

When in Rome

It has come to my attention that many people don't know how to use chopsticks -- or are uncomfortable trying to use them in front of other people. I thought I was the only one who made it into my 30s without being able to use chopsticks well. I suppose living with someone of Korean descent made it easier to learn quickly. (Even though I still only know a few words of Korean.)

I could pick up a chunk of chicken or a nice solid vegetable before. Now, I can eat just about anything with chopsticks. And for some reason, some foods really do taste better when you eat them with chopsticks, instead of a fork.

Over at eHow.com, they have a little tutorial on using chopsticks. Before you start, here's what eHow says you'll need:

Things You'll Need
A pair of chopsticks.
A hand with fingers and an opposable thumb.
A little patience.

Despite the silliness of that list, the article is somewhat helpful, but this video is better:


Or go rent "Kung Fu Panda" and watch the lesson on using chopsticks in the special features. The little girl in the video is adorable.

Trying my hand

Last month, I decided I was going to try to learn to crochet. My mom crocheted a lot, and I wanted to be able to do it, too. It was a bit of a disaster. I've been told knitting is easier and I should take a class. My mom tried to show me how to knit and crochet and sew and all those things when I was a kid. But I was too much of a tomboy to sit still for such girly pursuits. She did make me take Home Ec in junior high, so I learned some sewing and cooking -- no matter how hard I wanted to try not to (I couldn't stand to not get an A).

I'm no good at knitting or crocheting and only passable at sewing and cross-stitching. But I still always want to do crafts. I have a desire to create. So I'm trying my hand at a little jewelry making. I gave a friend a pair of earrings I made for Christmas, and she was gracious enough to say they looked good. I worry that she's just being nice.

Yesterday, I went out and bought a new pair of round-nose pliers. They seem to allow me to twist the wire more easily than standard needle-nose pliers. The earrings to the right are my latest attempt at jewelry making. They need a few minor adjustments, but I think they look pretty good.

On the other hand, my photography skills still leave something to be desired.

What I watched: "Bender's Game"

Fox may have canceled "Futurama" years ago, but the hilarious antics of Fry, Leela, Bender and the rest of the gang live on in feature length DVD movies. The latest one is "Bender's Game," a weird mix of Dungeons & Dragons, the Lord of the Rings and Star Wars.

I'll admit the humor in "Futurama" may not be for everyone, but I laughed out loud through most of the movie, because of lines like this:

"Oooh dreadfully real. If you die here you'll really be dead. But instead of science, we believe in crazy hocus-pocus. It's like Kansas."

If you're a fan of "The Simpsons" or "Futurama," this is definitely worth the price of a rental. If you're not a fan, I have to wonder why. "Futurama" has a foul-mouthed beer-swilling robot, an ass-kicking red hot cyclops chick and a slacker from the 20th century. What more could you want? Hermaphrodite centaurs? Dragon battles? Love triangles? Oh, yeah, this movie has them all. And more.

Check out the trailer:

What I read: "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak

Recommended to me by several people, "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak ranks among the best books I've read this year. I had put the book on hold at the library and waited a couple weeks, even though the library's Web site showed several available. When I went to look again, I found that the library keeps this book on the teen shelf. Thinking I wasn't in the mood for a "teen" book, I almost skipped it.

But at a Christmas party, my friend loaned me her copy -- practically forcing it into my hands. Thank goodness she did.

"The Book Thief" was nearly impossible to put down. It's one of those books you can't stop reading, can't wait to see what happens next, yet hope never ends. Finishing the book, I found myself wanting to turn back to page one and start over.

Like the characters in his book, Zusak paints vivid images with his words.

"Their glasses chimed together and the moment Liesel raised it to her mouth, she was bitten by the fizzy, sickly sweet taste of champagne. Her reflexes forced her to spit straight onto her papa's overalls, watching it foam and dribble. A shot of laughter followed from all of them, and Hans encouraged her to give it another try. On the second attempt she was able to swallow it, and enjoy the taste of a glorious broken rule. It felt great. The bubbles ate her tongue. They prickled her stomach. Even as they walked to the next job, she could feel the warmth of pins and needles inside her."

Himmel Street and its inhabitants come to life, struggling with each other, what's happening in the world around them and their own inner demons. I knew little about the book before I read it and I don't want to say too much about the plot or the characters because it was such a joy for me to discover them on my own. I hope you can do the same.

Oh

Another beloved performer has passed away.

Eartha Kitt, the self-proclaimed "sex kitten" whose sultry voice and catlike purr attracted fans even as she neared 80, has died. The singer, dancer and actress was 81.

I always loved hearing Kitt sing, and she was the Catwoman for me. She even made a great (hilarious) Disney villain as Yzma in "The Emperor's New Groove."

It seems that 2008 has taken a lot of favorites from Paul Newman to Bernie Mac to Heath Ledger to many, many others. Each one reminding me of my own loss while at the same time giving me a bittersweet taste of nostalgia.

Enjoy her rendition of "Santa Baby."

All was merry and bright

Christmas 2008 has been a good one, despite my initial misgivings. I received a care package from my sister-in-law. I spent time with friends and family. We had a great meal of turkey, baked sweet potatoes and green beans with pine nuts. I watched some Christmas movies, including "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and one of the 12 showings of "A Christmas Story."

Thank you to those who made my holiday season better than I thought it could be without my mom. I hope you all had as good a day as I did -- or better.

God bless us, every one.

Where's my brain?

Between the crowds at the grocery store and the lack of breakfast, my mind doesn't seem to be working properly this morning. Maybe I'm reverting back to a little kid -- so excited about Christmas Eve that I can't think straight.

There are several presents under the tree, but only one of them is for me. So it's not the brightly wrapped gifts that have turned my brain mushy. Maybe it's the sweet potato boiling away, getting ready to be whipped into a pie. Maybe it's the gifts I'm going to give. Maybe it's the people I'm going to see later today, with the promise of good food, wine and laughter. I'm sure it's a combination of all of these things.

Here, look at a picture of my cat staring down a hippo. Because my brain has already moved on to other pursuits today.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas nostalgia

Who didn't love the Rankin and Bass Christmas specials? They don't make them like that anymore. ABC Family is showing Christmas movies and specials all month. And just because I don't have kids of mine own doesn't have to mean my inner child is dead.

There have been plenty of things throughout the past two years that have chipped away at my inner child's innocence. But a good Christmas movie seems to be just what the doctor ordered. There's nothing that will melt my cold black heart quite like an old-school Christmas special.

A couple nights ago I recorded "A Year Without Santa Claus." And it's just as wonderfully cheesy as I remember.

Here's Big Bad Voodoo Daddy showing the love.


If you're not feeling the Christmas spirit after that, there's not much I can do for you. You should probably go read "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and check the size of your heart.

And he puzzled and puzzed, till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!
"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas… perhaps… means a little bit more."

What I drove: Toyota Venza

I recently drove the all-new Toyota Venza, and it's one snazzy crossover. It's sleek and refined and priced well out of my range. But that's what's great about doing test drives. I get to drive luxury and near-luxury vehicles without paying the price -- or having to come up with the extra insurance money.

The Venza is loaded with standard equipment like an eight-way power driver’s seat with lumbar support, power windows with auto up and auto down on all four windows, chrome exhaust tips and an auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass. The V-6 version comes standard with 20-inch alloy wheels, while the four-cylinder version’s standard wheels are 19-inch alloy.

The Toyota Venza is something of a cross between a Toyota Highlander and a Camry, the sales consultant said. It has as much ground clearance as a Highlander but with the agility and comfort of a sedan. With it’s sleek, up-scale design, the Venza should appeal to both the Toyota and the Lexus crowds.

Although the Venza has similar attributes to its Toyota stable mates and its Lexus cousins, it shares no platform with any other model. Toyota built this vehicle from the ground up, putting a lot of thought into ergonomics and ease of use, I was told.

If I had $39,000 burning a hole in my pocket, I might consider driving the Venza. It's a really nice car. But considering the Subaru Forester rings up at nearly $14,000 less and offers many of the same amenities. I'd probably have to go with the Forester.

What I watched: Humbug edition

It started yesterday afternoon with the 1938 version of "A Christmas Carol" on TCM. That version stars Reginald Owens as Ebenezer Scrooge. It's a faithful adaptation, but my favorite, by far, is 1951's "Scrooge" starring Alastair Sim.

While TCM seems to show the 1938 version each year, I can't find any channel showing "Scrooge." But thanks to the magic of YouTube, I was able to watch the entire thing online. (Click the link to watch the first 10 minutes, then watch #2 through #9 for the rest of the film.)

The 1951 movie holds a special place in my heart because one of my hometown television stations showed it every Christmas Eve after the late news. I would beg to stay up and watch, then lie awake, afraid the ghosts would come and show me the error of my ways.

I love this movie and I love the story of "A Christmas Carol." I watch the movie nearly every Christmas season and have read the book multiple times. It's such a wonderful story of redemption -- none of us are past hope if we're still alive. As a child, I didn't understand Dickens' criticism of the debtors' prisons and poorhouses, but I knew what it meant to be charitable and I loved the wonderful scary chills the movie gave me.

My other Christmas favorites are "Prancer" for all its sweet cheesiness (and Sam Elliot!), the animated "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," "A Charlie Brown Christmas" (of course) and "Scrooged."

Put a little love in your heart!

What I read: "Dreams from My Father" by Barack Obama

Our president-elect wrote "Dreams from My Father" back in 1995, shortly after he was elected the first black president of the Harvard Law Review. You can see why I thought this book would be relevant now. Not that everything (or even most of what) I read is relevant.

"Dreams from My Father" is an ambitious book, written by an ambitious young man. And it may have been a bit too ambitious for Obama so early in his career. As he says himself in the Preface to the 2004 edition:

I confess to wincing every so often at a poorly chosen word, a mangled sentence, an expression of emotion that seems indulgent or overly practiced. I have the urge to cut the book by fifty pages or so, possessed as I am with a keener appreciation for brevity.

That said, the book is filled with beautiful images of Obama's childhood in Hawaii and his visit to family in Kenya, as well as a youthful angst based on a search for identity.

Raised by a white mother and grandparents, young Barack never quite fit in. I'm sure we all experience something like that as children, but I can only imagine how hard it would be when you don't even resemble your own family.

Although the book is a bit self-indulgent (and really, what memoir isn't) it's an intimate look at a man with no idea he would one day become one of the most powerful people in the world.

While working in Chicago as a community organizer -- a phrase that was spit out like curse words during the recent campaign -- Obama tried to mentor a friend's teenage son.

I asked him if he was still thinking about the air force, and he shook his head; he'd stay in Chicago, he said, find a job and get his own place. I asked him what had changed his mind. He said that the air force would never let a black man fly a plane.

I looked at him crossly. "Who told you that mess?"

Kyle shrugged. "Don't need somebody to tell me that. Just is, that's all."

"Man, that's the wrong attitude. You can do whatever you want if you're willing to work for it."

Many passages moved me, because hindsight is 20/20, and one slight change in Obama's past would have lead him down a very different path. We've yet to see what kind of president he will be, but this book gives insight into the kind of man he is.

I was especially moved by the tribute to his mother (from the preface to the 2004 edition):

I think sometimes that had I known she would not survive her illness, I might have written a different book--less a meditation on the absent parent, more a celebration of the one who was the single constant in my life. In my daughters, I see her every day, her joy, her capacity for wonder. I won't try to describe how deeply I mourn her passing still. I know that she was the kindest, most generous spirit I have ever known, and that what is best in me I owe to her.

You have to respect a man who loves his momma.

I am loved

I never meant to upset anyone or make anyone feel sorry for me, but after my wonderful sister-in-law read this post from earlier in the month, she sent me a care package to let me know that three people in Michigan love me. I'm not ashamed to say the gesture and her accompanying note made me cry. In a good way, of course.

I'm also not ashamed to admit that I will probably eat every one of those sugar cookies all by myself. My sister-in-law's sugar cookies are that good. Too bad the significant other wasn't here when I opened the box.

I grew up without sisters, but my sister-in-law has been in the family for a while now, and I think I should start considering her an actual sister. Especially after this.

I think my mom must have rubbed off on my sister-in-law as much as she did the rest of us kids. And I like to my sister-in-law rubbed of on Mom a bit, too. I'm pretty sure Mom got a lot sassier after Melinda married my brother. And that was a good thing.

Just say no

I've always been one to exercise. That's not to say I'm in great shape. I work hard, but genetics and time are not on my side. Plus, (thanks again to genetics) I'm hypothyroid, so my metabolism also fights me every step of the way. Nevermind that I refuse to completely give up junk food. I tried it, but labeling certain foods "bad" just makes me crave them more. So I subscribe to the belief of everything in moderation (including moderation).

I the last year or so I have developed exercise-induced asthma. When I work out at a pretty intense level (and sometimes not so intense), I'll start coughing. I'm not a smoker and I never have been. I did work almost a year in an office where everyone except me smoked, so I blame that. The doctor prescribed albuterol, suggesting I take a puff shortly before working out. It helps, but not enough. I find that if I keep my heart rate below 140, I don't cough too much. But I don't feel like I'm getting enough of a workout unless my heart rate is above 150, close to 160.

She has now prescribed Singulair. From the prescription information:

This medicine is used for the prevention and long-term treatment of asthma. It is used to prevent asthma attacks caused by exercise.

As with all medications, there is a list of possible side effects, including unusual weakness (great for a workout), stomach pain or upset, dizziness, cough (wait, what? isn't that why I'm taking this?), headache, tiredness and stuffy nose. And I should CONTACT (MY) DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY (yep, it's actually in all caps) if (I) experience hallucinations, fever, persistant sore throat or earache or flu symptoms.

But wait there's more!

CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience sever stomach pain, server thoughts or actions (!?!), muscle aches/cramps, irregular heartbeat, yellowing eyes/skin, numbness/tingling of the hands or feet, easy bruising or bleeding, swelling or seizures.

Obviously, my doctor must believe the benefits of this medication outweigh any possible side effects. I'm sure I'd be better off if I didn't read this stuff. I don't usually have severe reactions to drugs. Not unless I think I should, anyway.

Here's hoping the medicine helps with the exercise-induced asthma and doesn't make me see things that aren't there.

Happy Hippo Butts

They may be the one of the deadliest animals in Africa but hippos are damn cute -- especially the babies.
A newborn hippo swims next to her mother at the Berlin Zoo on Tuesday. The female calf, which has yet to be given a name, already weighs 18 kilograms (40 pounds) -- as opposed to her mother, who tips the scales at a formidable 2.5 tons.

The real reason I have short hair

From "The Zombie Survival Guide" by Max Brooks:

The simple fact is that ghouls attack by reaching out to grab their victims, pulling them in, then biting. Logic dictates that the less material a person offers up for grabs, the better his or her chances will be. Baggy clothing, complete with pockets, straps, or anything that might hang freely, will be a convenient handle for grasping zombie claws. Anyone who has worked in factories or with some kind of heavy machinery will tell you the importance of never letting anything hang loose. Tight clothing, obviously within comfort limits, will help to eliminate this danger. Hair can be a similar hazard. Many times, victims have been seized and even dragged by their hair to a gruesome end. Tying one's hair back before a conflict may work temporarily. However, a short haircut, one inch or short, is ideal for hand-to-hand combat.

True, I think my short 'do makes me look younger and suits my face better and it's easier to care for, and my hair is naturally curly/wavy and has a tendency toward frizz when it reaches a certain length, and I have an awesome hair stylist. None of those reasons are the real reason for my short hair. It's not about fashion, it's all about survival, people.

If you're a Max Brooks fan -- and who didn't love "World War Z" -- he's at it again. "Those who don't learn from zombie history are condemned to repeat it."

The more you know.

What I drove: 2009 Subaru Forester

Some things seem to just go with Colorado: ski slopes, crazy weather, aspens, fleece vests and Subarus.

I don't own a Subaru, but I know a lot of people out here who do. As far as vehicles go, they make sense --they're not huge, but they're plenty big for hauling all your gear. They're good looking, get decent gas mileage and they're all-wheel drive.

I recently drove the newly remodeled Forester. When I bought my car last year, the older Forester made the short list, but lost out due to the price point. The new Forester is bigger but sleeker with a more aerodynamic body. It's priced at $25,460, which isn't outrageous and it feels like a much more expensive vehicle.

From my test drive story (which publishes in The Gazette Dec. 19):

The Forester, like all Subarus, comes standard with all-wheel drive. That all-wheel-drive system has 30 years of Subaru experience behind it. The symmetrical all-wheel drive creates optimal balance for stability and sharp handling, with power flowing in a direct path from the engine to all four wheels, according to Subaru literature.

I spent a good portion of my test drive in the Forester seeking out any lingering snow and ice from a recent snowstorm, trying to test the car’s all-wheel-drive performance — this from a person who hates to drive in foul weather.

Unfortunately, the best I could do for adverse conditions was a gravel parking lot and some standing water. Still, the Forester gripped the gravel and didn’t spin its wheels or throw any gravel when I accelerated out of the parking lot, and there was no pulling when driving through puddles. On the dry roads, the Forester had a smooth comfortable ride, handling like a smaller vehicle, with minimal body roll, even on tight curves.

Here's Yoda!

Years ago, I worked on an I.T. Help Desk. While the job was mostly hell, I had a good friend who made the days bearable. One of the things she did to help me keep from screaming and pulling my hair out was to hide a Happy Meal Yoda figurine around the office. Some days, I'd get off a particularly frustrating phone call -- "if you reset my password, you'll know what it is" -- I'd look up to find Yoda peering at me from the leaves of a plant or peeking out of a coffee mug at me. It was as if he were saying, "Take deep breaths, you will. Suppress your dark urges, you must."

I wonder if the people who design Christmas tree ornaments know Yoda's effect on me or if they're just trying to make a buck. I suspect the latter.

Either way, I'm thankful for my latest ornament find. And I'm thankful to Maureen for helping me get through those Help Desk years.

Merry Christmas to me

The local Western Warehouse* is closing. Bad for them, good for me. The boots were 30 percent off. I've been really happy with my old pair of Ariat Fatbaby boots so I went to find a new pair. The pickins are getting pretty slim, but I found a pair. They're not black. But they are pretty ... and comfy ... and on sale.


*Clicking the Western Warehouse link shows the company is evidently becoming Boot Barn.

I'm getting too old for this

Last night, some of my former coworkers and I got together for a Christmas party. We had great food and delicious Margaritas. I felt relaxed and a little tipsy, but certainly not drunk. The significant other played designated driver, so I didn't have to worry about how much I drank, anyway.

Unfortunately, either because I really am getting too old to party or because I don't party enough and my body doesn't know what to do with high-fat snacks and tequila, I woke in the middle of the night feeling like crap. My stomach hurt and I had trouble sleeping. I didn't wake up with a hangover and I feel mostly fine (other than tired from a busy day and lack of sleep). So, I'm going to say that it's not my age but rather my normally clean living that made me feel so lousy after a few Margaritas -- and celebratory shots -- and Mexican food.

It was all worth it and I'm thankful I went, because the party was great, as was hanging out with some of my best friends -- and definitely the coolest people I've ever worked with. I even got a present that made me laugh out loud. Nice stitching, Kate.

WARNING: Naughty word in the image below!

What I drove: 2009 Nissan Rogue

It was probably the shortest test drive I've ever taken -- including ones when actually shopping for a new car -- but I actually like the Nissan Rogue. Despite it's blatant product placement on "Heroes" and the fact that all Nissan vehicles are barely on my car radar, I think the Rogue is a pretty nice little crossover.

I was given the test drive assignment Monday with a deadline of Wednesday. Two days is a really short turnaround, especially for someone who has been used to having a couple of weeks to call the dealership, set up the appointment, spend a few hours driving the vehicle, then take a week or so to pull my notes and specifications together and write the story. It's not one of my better stories. It's mostly information about the car's power and amenities, with less about the actual drive. But it gets the job done. And on such short notice (throw in a snowstorm to make driving treacherous) I think I did ok.

From my story:

The Rogue offers a refined ride and practical amenities, but it has a little bit of a wild side under the hood. The 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine is paired with a continuously variable transmission. While a conventional automatic transmission typically has four or five fixed gear ratios, a CVT has an infinite number of ratios, according to Nissan literature. Put the Rogue in drive and go. You never feel the vehicle shift gears.

A CVT also optimizes your gas mileage, Robinson says. The front-wheel-drive Rogue gets 22 miles per gallon city and 27 mpg highway. The all-wheel-drive version does nearly as well with 21 mpg city/26 mpg highway. But it’s not just about saving gas. With 170 horsepower and 175 foot-pounds of torque, the Rogue really zips.

On the road, the Rogue glides along like a fish in water. It handles nicely on all road conditions from packed snow to dry pavement to bumps and dips. The front-wheel-drive version I drove laughed at the snowy, slushy roads, so I imagine the all-wheel-drive version could take on some of the roughest conditions Colorado could throw at it.

The ride is smooth and quiet. But you can add all the noise you want with the optional Bose audio system with AM/FM/in-dash six-disc CD changer, eight speakers and XM Satellite Radio, with a free three-month subscription.

Christmas workshop

Thank you Martha Stewart for making me feel inadequate, once again. Granted, it is my own fault for signing up to receive e-mail updates about her Christmas Workshop. I don't know why I thought I'd get cute and simple ideas for Christmas decorations and treats. We all know Martha doesn't do simple.

Under the heading "Easy Holiday Crafts," we're taught how to make such things as evergreen bobeches (I had to look that word up.).

Maybe those aren't really difficult to make, but the process involves gathering fresh evergreen leaves and wiring them together. I've tried wiring fresh flowers before, and it's not something that's in my skill set. I guess I'm more the paper-chain kind of gal.

My favorite line: "Your best damask tablecloth is now safe." My who-mask what now? I am so visiting the wrong Web site there.

The Christmas kitty, however, is perfectly content with my less-than-perfect holiday decor.

Home again

Thank you lucky stars, karma, St. Anthony (patron saint of lost items) or whatever cosmic power returns green iPod Shuffles to their rightful owners. I thought for sure mine was gone forever.

You see, last week, while at my Literacy gig, I dropped my iPod at the school. Of course, I didn't miss it until the next morning when I was getting ready for the gym. By then, snow covered the ground and was still coming down. I called the school, but no luck.

I normally call the after-school program before I head over, to make sure the kids to be tutored are in attendance. Yesterday when I called, I asked if they had found my iPod. They had found an MP3 player, but it wasn't green and it wasn't an iPod. When I got to the school, one of the teachers called me over to her desk and handed me my iPod! A little girl had found it outside. I think she contemplated keeping it for herself, but either her conscience got the better of her or she listened to the music I had loaded and found it lacking -- there's absolutely no Hannah Montana or Jonas Brothers on my playlist.

Whatever the cause, my iPod is home again, and I promise to keep a closer eye on it now.

Deadlines

Happily, I am going to have some freelance writing assignments coming my way. Unfortunately, the first one is due in two days. The extremely short turn-around time is due to a transitional period at my old place of employment. I'm taking the assignment because the pay is better than before and I'm not ready to burn any bridges.

So, the plan is to drive a car tomorrow morning and have the story written by Wednesday morning. I'm not worried about getting the story written once I've driven the car -- I usually write test drives in about a day -- I'm worried about the dealership getting back to us and having a car for me to drive.

Some things, I guess, are out of my hands. I'm just thankful to have a writing gig lined up.

Trimming the tree

It's hard to think about Christmas without my mom. Even though I haven't been home for the holidays in several years, Mom was still a part of my Christmas. She sent care packages with her homemade peanut brittle, cookies and gifts -- usually at least one of which was handmade. Mom's peanut brittle was legendary. Even people who claimed not to like peanut brittle were won over by her recipe -- handed down to her from my paternal grandmother (the secret is the cooling and pulling process).

This year, there will be no care package. As I hang the ornaments and put out the decorations, there are plenty of things to remind me of Mom: Santas and ornaments she made and ornaments and decorations from when I was a kid.

While it makes me sad to not have her around any more, the decorations also make me nostalgic. And I'm thankful to have the things she made, items she created with care and love, items that can't be bought or duplicated.

And maybe someday, I'll figure out how to make peanut brittle the way she did.

O Christmas Tree

Thank you pine tree for allowing us to cut you down to decorate our home.

Last year, we trekked out to the Merry Christmas Tree Farm to find our Christmas tree. We have decided to make cutting a fresh tree one of our holiday traditions. So, today, we began our quest for the (not so) perfect tree.

One of the things we love about cutting a tree from this farm -- besides the fact it is small and local and has alpacas -- is that the trees aren't perfect. If we wanted a perfect tree, we'd buy an artificial one.

Although we set off in a different direction from last year, we ended up in about the same area. And the tree is pretty similar to our 2007 tree. It's tall and slender, fresh and fragrant.

And with a price of $30, pretty affordable. Tomorrow we'll trim the tree and deck the halls and get the Christmas season rolling.

Christmas alpacas