"There's only two things I can't stand: irrational intolerance of another's culture, and the Dutch."

Sigh.

In line with the crazy junk food cravings that have ruled my life this month, I had a craving for junk entertainment this afternoon - namely, the third Austin Powers movie. The Boy's mother had asked us to stop in on Ceilidh this weekend while they were away on Christmas visits, so I thought that it would be the perfect painless way to spend two hours. The odd part came when we arrived and realized that they had come back ahead of schedule...so we let them feed us dinner and we all watched the movie together.

Double sigh.

I had to fast-forward the Fat Bastard scenes; I can only take so much scatological dialogue while I'm eating spaghetti. And, well, the Fook twins were a bit much when you're watching a movie with your spouse's mother. Other than that, it was exactly what I'd hoped for: a big stupid mish mash of ideas and a budget a little too big for the original concept. I did enjoy Tom Cruise, tho'. And the "smoke and a pancake" bit - although I suspect that Scherezade could explain it in a way to make it even funnier.

I'm somewhat regretting the fact that my vacation is now half over. It's never long enough, damn it. And with the way I'm dreading my return, I think I'll consider it a definite moral victory if I can manage to get through next weekend without taking any of my anxiety pills. I'm just now getting reacquainted with what it's like to feel fear without reaching for a prescription - and while I don't like it, I like it far better than the alternative.

We went out dancing last night, as part of the New Deal with my body involves leaving the computer terminal behind once in awhile. I was very pleased with myself: new "I mate then kill" t-shirt, red & black candy striped stockings, my favourite 'vogs, pigtails and Stacy's goth kilt. And how's this for stick-to-it-iveness: I took the bus to meet the Boy. It helped somewhat that last night was positively balmy for Toronto in December - although we walked for about 40 minutes to get to the Garden and although I was wearing candy-stripe tights, I hardly ever winced in pain. I think it also helped that the wind-chill was almost nil.

The Boy was absolutely miserable the whole night - he hasn't had a good night at the Garden in about three years, and I keep forgetting this in my lust for some dancing fun. For my part, I danced as much as I could in between running back to talk to him. Favourite songs: "Tainted Love," "Supernaut," "Spiderman," "Disappoint" (Dirk's theme song), "Just One Fix," "Get Down/Make Love," "Gimme Shelter" (slow interminable Sisters of Mercy version), "Pagan Love Song" etc. etc. I danced my ass off, trying to ignore the black lights that lit up the lint on my shirt like a Christmas tree. Considering that my primary interest in the Garden is the people inside and considering that I was by myself for much of the time, I was surprisingly ecstatic. I think part of it came from being on the floor for some weird retro and the shared companionship that comes of being one of the few to appreciate an obscure song. That, and being lit up like a lint Christmas tree. Mustn't forget that.

Saw Dav & Jesse very briefly, but the latter was passing through on the way to R351570R and the former was still too enthralled with his bendy yoga gal to talk much. At one point I thought Dave was smiling at me, but I quickly realized that I was just blocking his line of sight. Hmph. Cute as I was, I just couldn't compete with bendy yoga girl...although that is of course as it should be.

Boy in Garden: So...you mate then kill.

Me: Yes.

BiG: What stage are you on now?

Me: (shows wedding ring) But I'll be killing him any day now.

Two years ago Dirk gave us the world's best postcard, and I lamented the fact that I didn't have a scanner. Well, now I do...so here it is!

(This picture belongs to Smirnoff, I didn't make it, yadda yadda yoo, be happy for the free advertizing.)

2 years ago today: The first and best Christmas from Away.