just a week left ...

... till Christmas is here. Well, that's the case for me anyway. Most of you folks have a whole 7-1/2 days! LOL

I've noticed a lot of people that are exhibiting a bit of holiday stress — at the office, at stores, on the roads, etc.

As for me ... I'm feeling extra Christmassy this year. Today I watched "Love Actually" and "It's a Wonderful Life" and it jacked up my level of holiday happiness. I wrapped a few more presents ... only have about 5 or 6 left to wrap. I need to take a pic of the pile sitting out in my living room ... adn I need to make sure I get the ones for godkids and whatnot delivered over to the house early for once, instead of the night of the opening of presents! LOL

I've been listening — and singing along — to Christmas carols most of this weekend ... OK, and even during the week, especially at work. I really like Andy Williams' take on most of them ... just bought an Elvis Christmas CD recently and need to upload that to iTunes.

That being said ... I miss having Christmas at HOME.

I do Christmas now at other people's homes. I love them and they're like family, but it's not the same.

I guess that's why I've never bothered to go beyond my tiny little fiber-optic Christmas tree sitting on top of a corner shelving unit. I mean, I could go out and get a tree tomorrow — they're on sale because this is a glut year for the island. Here, because everything has to be shipped in by container — can't just be trucked up or down from another state — there are two kinds of Christmas tree years: 1. The trees sell out after about 2 weeks after Thanksgiving and there are no real trees to be found anywhere; 2. There are so many trees that you kick yourself if you spend $70 on a tree because about 8 days later, that tree is only $25.

So right now, most trees are about $25. A stand would cost me another $12 or so. But I would also need tree lights, ornaments and other things, like ribbons or garland. That's far too much effort and cost for a tree that will just sit in my living room and not really be for anything.

Maybe next year. Maybe.

OK ... I'm going to go watch "Love Actually" again and do some manly weeping.
Judy to Jack: "All I want for Christmas ... is you."

Jamie: "It's my favorite time of day, driving you."
Aurelia (in Portuguese): "It is the saddest part of my day, leaving you."

Daniel: "Well, you know — I thought it might be something worse."
Sam (incredulous): "Worse than the total agony of being in love?"
Daniel: "Oh. No, you're right. Yeah, total agony."


Mark (on posterboard) to Juliet: But for now, let me say ... Without hope or agenda ... Just because it's Christmas ... And at Christmas you tell the truth ... To me, you are perfect ... And my wasted heart will love you ... Until you look like this ... (holds up picture of a mummy)

Random Guam Fact Of The Day:
• It's unclear exactly what the original name of Guam was, since the Spanish really didn't go out of their way to understand or preserve the original Chamorro language. Chamorro activists like to use "Guahan," but some have argued that the name was actually "Baum." We'll never know ... unless/until we find a way to go back into time.