I had a very MerWii Christmas. Seriously, I spent about six hours playing Wii Sports on Christmas day. I got beat in baseball by my 9 year old cousin. I have no idea how he can turn on a ball to hit it out of the park...I guess that means I have to play more.

It was a pretty low-key Christmas, no family drama, no disasters, and a few surprises. I got a call Friday night from a cousin that lives in Missouri. He was in town and itching to go out. I had a show and a birthday to go to...and went to neither. He ended up giving me updates throughout the night about his whereabouts, and the latest bar he'd been kicked out of. I spent Friday helping my sister finish her last minute shopping at the mall. I avoid the mall like the plague, but must say it wasn't nearly as bad as I'd thought it would be.

I have no recollection of Saturday. I know I was called to Fox & the Hound to watch the Cowboys game, but other than that, have no idea what I did...

Sunday, I made Korova cookies (which were fantastic) and helped mom and dad wrap a few presents. That night we went to my dad's family's celebration. His side of the family grows exponentially every year. It was Kerry's first Christmas with the family and I'd say he met maybe 40% of the people there. I'm sure Jennifer tried to prepare him, but he looked a little flabbergasted at times. As usual, we stayed with our usual cohorts at the meal. It sounds awful, but when you have such a large family, you don't really know everyone. Our table of a dozen or so was pretty much our company for the night. The gift exchange was done a little differently this year and went much faster than in the past. We had a great time.

I can't, for the life of me, remember what I did the rest of that night. I know Larry called again wanting to go out, but I had no desire to go to the Gaslight. I'm thinking I probably read and watched Graham Norton's Christmas Special (hilarious, if you haven't seen it). Whatever I did, I must have been wiped out, because I didn't get out of bed until noon on Christmas Eve.

Mom's family dinner went off without a hitch. A few people couldn't make the dinner, but we saw almost everyone the next day. I feel as though I got back to my parents' house early that night, but that can't be right. It was probably around ten or ten thirty. I couldn't resist the lure of the Wii, and played against my nieces until about two thirty in the morning (following Midnight Mass). I think my gifts to them were a hit. They love the coaster cars, and turned the kitchen at mom and dad's into their own little racetrack. Yesterday, my mom had had enough and sent them out into the yard to circle the pavement. Lex and Lauryn love the fact that they don't have to charge a battery or pedal to make these things go, just move the steering wheel back and forth and off they go.

I was back at work today, a day earlier than planned. I need to finish this paper I'm writing and made some progress on it today. Two more days, then it's time for a drive south. It's been too long since I've visited the Hill Country.

This week beat me up...physically and mentally. I am crawling toward the 1 p.m. finish line tomorrow. I've had a new appellate brief thrust upon me at the last minute, so I've been reading more than I've ever cared to about an oh, so pleasant subject. I've also grown progressively sicker as the week's gone on. Started with a sniffle...ending with no voice and just all-around crappy feeling. At least I have 5 1/2 days to try and get over this irritating head cold.

We have the office party/lunch tomorrow, but the only reason I'm going in tomorrow is to (hopefully) finish up the research end of the brief. This way, when I get back, I'll only have to write the argument. I can dream...

I'm looking forward to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Our family usually does the big celebration on Christmas Eve and the immediate family celebration is usually on Christmas Day. This year will be a little different. My dad's side of the family is celebrating on Sunday afternoon, and is usually entertaining...gifts or not...when they get together. Mom's side is still on Christmas Eve, but in a different locale. We usually celebrate at my grandma's house, but this year it will be at my uncle's. We'll see how that goes, since his wife is a bit touchy about her things...and there will be tons of kids running wild through their living room and den.

I'm sure at one point or another, we'll end up watching A Christmas Story and Elf, we'll play games and listen to Elvis' Christmas cd...the one constant in all our family Christmas celebrations.

Tomorrow night, voice or not, I'm going to see Ben play...I'm sure this will turn into a mini high school reunion before the night's over. Saturday...sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep. Sunday? Who knows besides a trip for Dad's side of the family's celebration. Monday? Listen to kids ask 5 or 6 dozen times when they can open their presents...Mom's side....Midnight Mass. Tuesday? Sleep in, family dinner, games, drinks...and probably a few games on the Wii. (woo)

I hope you have a fun and safe holiday. It's one week closer to seeing some of you...that's a nice present to look forward to.

in need of a nap and some eye drops...

I was fully expecting today to be the day I free my desk of all files and get out of here early. No such luck. It's been one thing after another...not only have I not cleared my desk, there are three new ones to deal with. Friday feels like it's ages away.

I stayed up late last night after falling asleep at 7...woke at ten, up until 4:30. Great sleep pattern sure to follow...

My eyes are worn out from reading all morning, well the lack of sleep isn't helping matters. I've been reading about criminal procedure for the past two or three hours and working in a few breaks for some relief. I may head to the library just to get away from the office in a bit. If I can manage until four o'clock, I'm calling it a day.

Before heading into the office this morning, I read Popwatch and someone linked to The Weasel McPuppy Letters...oh my goodness, I'm not sure if they're funny to a fully-rested person, but I found the letters hilarious.

Acoustic Shows

Rundown of the last two nights:

It was a great show, Monday night. The setting was perfect...if I could have changed anything, I would have bought seats further from the stage. Holy...I felt like they were right on top of us.

We met up with some of the guys before the show @ Tom's/BL. Problems at the airport, no coats, fave movies of the year, the limitations of an iphone, jackasses we've come across...and my omni-presence at the BL were a few of the topics of conversation.

I miss the downtime with them. No people around for pictures, autographs...

Hung around for a little while afterwards...didn't stay long. I had to be in the office early.

I was hoping the weather would hold, so I could make the trip to Amarillo...for what I was sure would be a very different crowd. The crowd at Cactus Theater(for the most part) was a listening crowd.

Tuesday night:

After making sure the roads and the weather weren't going to be an obstacle, I made the drive north. I met up with Nikki at the venue and I think it's safe to say we saw the better of the two shows. It was just a more relaxed, full out show.

Randy played so many of my favorites...I remember "Miss You With Me," "Kiss Me in the Dark," "Before I Believe it's True," "10 Miles Deep," "Down & Out," "Where You and I Belong," "One More Goodbye," "Empty Glass," "Live Forever," "This Time Around"...and a few more new ones. It was GREAT!

I forgot how much Amarillo loves Jason Boland. He was definitely into the show, and played some of my favorites as well. I never tire of "Proud Souls." He also threw in "Mexico or Crazy," "Somewhere Down in Texas," and "Shot Full of Holes," "Pearl Snaps," and "No One Left to Blame." He looks and sounds better than he has in a long time.

They played for well over two and a half hours. Matt Martindale was there and was called up to sing a few, too. It reminded me of the "Boys from Oklahoma" acoustic show in maybe 2002(?) featuring: McClure, Cody, Jason, Stoney, and Travis Linville. Everyone looked like they were having a great time on stage and in the audience.

I only took a few pictures, and looking at them now, they're nothing special, but oh well...the memories of the shows are.

monday rush...

It's been fairly busy today, I was hoping the usual Christmas slow-down was here...apparently not.

I've had little time to work on the discovery from Friday, so that will now be pushed to Wednesday afternoon. Tomorrow, I'll be out of town for some hearings on a few motions. Wednesday morning is a wash. I won't be in the office until after lunch.

Jessica and I are going to the acoustic show tonight. I bought the tickets a few weeks ago, and we lucked out - front row, center section. I haven't seen Boland in I don't know how long... I took a look at their pictures from Greenland and can't wait to see him tonight. I've got to remember to buy something for their annual toy drive.

Friday night, we went out to see Reckless. The crowd was pretty good, considering finals are underway. Muzzie was in town with the older boys. He got up and sang on Seven Nights in Eire. I passed on the messages and you should have seen his eyes when I mentioned the previous weekend. LOL

Saturday, Charlie! Stoney was playing down the street, but I couldn't pass up Charlie @ the Blue Light. It had been so long since I'd heard him sing. I've seen him/talked with him plenty of times, but that's not the same. It was a fantastic show, with a GREAT new song. Stephanie was cracking me up with the return of her little chant: Charlie Shafter is what I'm after! HAHAHAHA

I've got nothing this coming weekend...and that's fine with me. I'll watch Superbad a few more times and read.

two more hours...

The week flew by, and as expected, this afternoon is d-r-a-g-g-i-n-g along. I would love a nap, or pretty much anything but what I have sitting on my desk right now. It will probably keep me occupied for the next few business days.

I'm ready for the RK show tonight, I'll try to remember to take some pics for you Maureen! LOL

I have this "recipe" for Margarita Jell-O shots I'm dying to try. Maybe, I'll go out to the Strip this afternoon. I took the last of my tequila to my parents' house over the Thanksgiving weekend and have yet to re-stock.

There's an area forecast for the dreaded rain/snow storm the tail end of this weekend. I'm hoping it won't interfere with my plans to make it to Amarillo, Tuesday night, for the Randy/Jason/Chris Knight acoustic show. I've already wiped my schedule for Wednesday morning and am really looking forward to seeing the show in the two different settings.

NYE is fast-approaching, and I still don't have a clue as to what I want to do. Stoney @ the Wormy Dog? RRB @ City Limits? RK @ La Zona Rosa? Nothing at all? I'm planning on making a decision this weekend, so I can figure out where the heck I'll be driving/staying.

I didn't have much to do tonight after leaving the office, so I decided to go watch Into the Wild. It was finally released here about two weeks ago, and now I had the time to see it.

I'd read the book, knew the outcome, and was still fascinated by the movie. If you get the chance, definitely see it at the theater, for the shots of scenery alone. It's a beautiful movie, even without the story of Christopher McCandless. To see the shots of the Grand Canyon, Alaska, and even the pastures in South Dakota on the big screen is well worth the price of admission.

Emile Hirsch is great. He has to carry the majority of the movie alone, and does it well. The relationships created with the people on the journey were my favorite aspects of both the book and movie. I loved the way the story unfolds, and just loved the movie in general. It may be the most impressive movie I saw this year.

Brauns, Brauns, and coming up? More Brauns...

I got home not too long ago from a great weekend in Dallas/Ft. Worth.

• Magic markers,

• clean-cut Willy,

• harrassing Muzz,

• setlists,

• shots, shots and more shots,
  

• 6 a.m. barnstorm,

• got a guitar...

• Waffle House Courtney

• "What's a man gotta do to get milk poured on his car?"

• Christmas tree

• Micky!

• why can we not leave a bar at at normal time, like normal people?

• "You Shook Me All Night Long" (*best part of the weekend...I don't think I've ever laughed so much - I was in pain)

• Neiman Marcus disco ball tree + robots

• they're ALL with us

• gang fight in front of Razoo's and six of Ft. Worth's finest

• free tequila shots

• "Lonely All the Time"...right into "Little Mama"

• La Quinta - Spanish for rendezvous

• ...and last, but definitely not least...to the left

I am beat this morning...I came in after court and just want to fall asleep at my desk. It was great seeing everyone. I wish I could've brought you guys and the amazing weather back home with me.

Hoping for a fast week - with Reckless in town and some Charlie Saturday night...