Merry Christmas to all!

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas

The Classic.

"The Christmas Song"/Nat King Cole



Meal of Links

Fun facts to know and tell. About Christmas.

Preserving the theatrical window. Movie chains do not want the home market opened earlier.

Le Monde picks Julian Assange as "Man of the Year". I don't know French, but I figured it out.

Can you believe the "Festivus" episode of "Seinfeld" was not going to air in December. Until one man aired a grievance. It was on last night.

All about "Point Break". Now that was an Ohio State quarterback, one Johnny Utah.

Exercise Yard

"The Fighter". And the future of the sports movie.

Visitor

58 Down: "The X-Files" gp. (4 letters) Answer: SETI

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas

I love Dean Martin around the holidays. I don't know if he is best accompanied by a martini or a hot toddy. Regardless, he sounds like he might enjoy a drink or two any time of the day. Especially when he's singing, "It's A Marshmallow World". I love the word "Pumpkinhead".

"It's A Marshmallow World"/Dean Martin and Beverly Sills



I am done with work now until 2010. Posting may be sporadic over the next week or so.

Meal of Links

TV through the holiday weekend? Why, here's your last-minute Christmas specials and marathons.

This is a dick move. LA restaurant removes LA Times food critic and publishes her picture.

New restaurant reality show prize will be your own chain. Chocolate Egg Nog parlors!

The Comcast-MBCU merger. I now have a headache.

The Big House is quite a unique treasure. Let's rent it out for a party.

No one is buying 3D TVs. Now get ready for the format wars to further confuse everyone.

Put away all that late activity by Senate. We're still fucked.

Catching up with Will Shortz. The most powerful man in puzzles.

The 10 Best Serious Eats recipes of the year. The chicken wings are definitely in my rotation. Did not try the burger recipe, because this Whitey's recipe is the one.

Exercise Yard

Was Myles Brand unbelievably the sane one at the NCAA? The Terrelle Pryor incident delivers another goofy ruling by the infractions committee. Suspensions, major ones at that, but not yet?

Visitor

37 Down: Pianist Laredo (4 letters) Answer: Ruth

On the Tenth Day of Christmas

I keep resisting to put this song up, simply because there is no attached video. I've looked for years and haven't found any. But order be damned, I'm placing it in the rotation this year, because it's one of my faves. I believe Lou Rawls is the only male singer who could sing any song and make it sound terrific. Seriously, that guy had the pipes. I dig those "Police Squad"-style horns.

"Christmas is children who just can't go to sleep
Christmas is memories, the kind you always keep
Deck the halls and give a cheer
For all the things that Christmas is each year"

"Christmas Is"/Lou Rawls

On the Ninth Day of Christmas

Ah, time is running out. So, of course, I had to get Big Bad Voodoo Daddy's version of "Mr. Heat Miser" up and running. I think this matches the band's style perfectly. I think it's a great Christmas record. Should be played more often.

"I'm Mister Green Christmas,
I'm Mister Sun.
I'm Mister Heat Blister,
I'm Mister 101."

"Mr. Heat Miser"/Big Bad Voodoo Daddy



I got late notice yesterday that my windows were ready to be installed today. Trust me, any window would have been better than what I had in there previously. I had to replace 6 of them. Can't wait to see how they function when the weather gets a bit warmer than what it is now.

Meal of Links

Trader Joe's came out with their list of their most popular products of the year. I have had that Mandarin Orange Chicken and it is good. I just bought some Hummus with horseradish the other day...very good. I can attest that any of their pumpkin flavored foods are worth it. Here is one item I had from them this year that was awful. I mean that was throw away bad.

8 celebrities who rock green cars. I guess Ed Begley is not A-list enough.

Dream jobs. So, you wanted to be a computer programmer.

Jon Stewart and the first responders bill. Is he now in the game?

Roger Ebert reveals his Top 10 Movies of 2010. Two surprises: "The American", which was actually very European. And "The Ghost Writer", which I saw as a private showing at the Capitol, and was quite good.

The 25 Best TV Series of 2010. These were my regulars:

23. "Eastbound & Down"
22. "Archer"
16. "Boardwalk Empire"
7. "Terriers"
4. "Louie"
2. "Community"

Exercise Yard

Tim Howard and Everton had a good day yesterday. They beat Man City, 2-1, with 10 men.

Visitor

44 Across: Eve's partner (4 letters) Answer: Adam

On the Eighth Day of Christmas

Here's a rocker who never had a Christmas album. But there's 2 songs out there that get real popular around this time of year. Personally, I think this beats the pants off of his version of "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town", but I realize I'm probably in the minority on that one.

"Well done, Santa."

"Merry Christmas Baby"/Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band (from "Conan")

On the Seventh Day of Christmas

Really, is there any better modern Christmas song? Actually, I'm surprised at how well it holds up year after year.

"It's Christmas time in Hollis Queens
Mom's cooking chicken and collard greens
Rice and stuffing, macaroni and cheese
And Santa put gifts under Christmas trees."

"Christmas in Hollis"/Run D.M.C.



OK, all the Christmas cards have been written. All of the presents have been wrapped. Sorry to those who have stuff on backorder. I'm frustrated as I ordered early. The Christmas tunes are currently blasting. With this one on right now! I love the Vandals.

"How come, he always calls me "Kate"
and forgets his dentures on his dinner plate?"

Be nice to Grandpa, folks.

"Grandpa's Last Xmas"/The Vandals



Meal of Links

It's cold everywhere. Europe is distressed. And they cancelled all but two of the English soccer matches this weekend.

Ricky gets serious...just for a moment. Why he's an atheist.

It's science. Einstein was right.

The Senate is actually continuing to work. Due to some pretty pointed news coverage last week (Jon Stewart and Shepard Smith), the 9/11 First Responders Bill may get through. Voted down last time, changes made late. Let's hope.

Minimalism heroes. I like it.

How about renting a Christmas tree. it can be done.

Exercise Yard

It's taken me a few hours to digest today's Browns game. Losing to a team that had not won since September. Then lost its two primary receivers. Add it to the ever-increasing long list of disappointments from this team upon their return.

What did we learn today?

I think we may have seen the end of the Eric Mangini Era. I've concluded he gives way too much power to his coordinators. Today, the Browns could not stop the fuckin' run to a team that ranked 30th rushing the football. At what point do you take the headphones off and demand Rob Ryan fix that problem? I think Ryan's been overrated since he got here. Fans like his long hair and his boiler and the fact that his brother dressed like him. But the last two weeks have been awful defensively. Can Scott Fujita have meant that much to this defense?

End of the first half was a nightmare in clock management. Still can't figure out why, with 16 seconds left, the Browns were going to go for it on 4th-and-7. Then, after a five-yard penalty, decided afterward not to go for it. Complete the 12-yarder, if you can, and kick a FG. You had the timeout available. Inexcusable.

Colt McCoy was probably better-than-average today. Best on the first and last drives of the day. But they didn't exactly have the ball for a lot of time today, as the Bengals dominated possession after the first quarter. The Browns only had 43 plays.

Today's game makes you wonder what horrors lie ahead when the NFL moves to an 18-game schedule. We had a season that only 5 weeks looked promising. Since that point, it's been a slow crawl to the inevitable disappointment of every Browns season.

Wins in the next 2 games means a 7-9 season. Unfortunately, it looks the Ravens and Steelers need these games to position themselves for a playoff run.

I thought Mangini was a cinch to return next year. But his coordinators have failed him the last two weeks and we may be in for another overhaul. Let's hope not.

The Browns fail miserably, 19-17.

Visitor

None, on a cold Browns Sunday.

On the Sixth Day of Christmas

It shocked me a few weeks ago when I heard a Pogues song used on a commercial. The times they are a changin'. But "Fairytale of New York" is the most unconventional one that gets some play around the holidays. I really enjoy this one as Shane and Kirsty do a bangup job on it. Plus you get Matt Dillon as a cop.

"Fairytale of New York"/The Pogues with Kirsty McColl



My brother and I went to the Cavs game tonight. We are streak breakers. The Cavs definitely took advantage of the Knicks having two tough games with the Celtics and the Heat and won in overtime, 109-102. Anderson Varejao proving to be the star of the game with 14 points and 17rebounds.

The Knicks could not shoot straight in the second half and the Cavs somehow scraped enough points to get this one. It appeared to be Tsingtao Beer Night, as the Tsingtao Girls danced at halftime. Yes, they were showing their Tsingtaos. I assume they sell that beer there, but I got a Bud Light from the Beer Guy.

Meal of Links

How to find better answers online. Google alternatives, that is.

Here is the easiest path to an Oscar for a woman. It's scientifically-approved.

Pitchfork has the top tracks of 2010. Well, you can't go anywhere without hearing "POWER" by Kanye West.

Best new beers. The Goose Island one with the 13% ABV looks outstanding.

DADT was repealed. Joe Lieberman deserves credit and how about President Obama who could have kicked him to the curb 2 years ago. And Voinovich was a yes. Maybe they should name a bridge after him. But this is the Senate and they are actually doing things this week? Too bad the DREAM Act went down. Next, it's the START treaty.

Turner gets it right with their Blake Edwards tribute. These are the essentials.

Remember when they turned off Niagara Falls? We have proof.

Exercise Yard

In the first of two big Cleveland basketball games today, Cleveland State visited West Virginia. They lost, 74-63. If they had won, they would have been ranked, as they would have remained unbeaten.

So, in typical fashion, the fans who may have whispered about them, perhaps be intrigued by them, maybe see them in person, will now be distracted by other things. And the crowds will remain small and then everyone will wake up when they have a shot at March Madness.

Visitor

9 Down: Plastic ___ Band (3 letters) Answer: Ono

On the Fifth Day of Christmas

We all know the one where David Bowie visits Der Bingle on Crosby's Christmas special many years ago. This parody is very funny. Ferrell absolutely kills me on this one and Reilly keeps pace.

Ferrell (as Bowie): "I'm David Fuckin' Bowie!"
Reilly (as Crosby): "And it's Bing Fuckin' Crosby, pal!"

"Little Drummer Boy"/"Peace On Earth"/Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly

On the Fourth Day of Christmas

It's hard to find this song. No, not his version of "Sleigh Ride", that is just a bonus. And who is Andy driving in that sleigh, the New Christy Minstrels? Check out those high-tech special effects, too. The guy in the front looks like some sort of hipster doofus.

But since Capital One Bowl Week starts tomorrow, it's time to dust off an Andy Williams classic, "The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year". Not Christmas until you hear this one. The production itself kinda blows, but everyone eventually moves after Andy throws Angel Dust on everyone. 1965 was a much simpler time, eh?

"Sleigh Ride"/"It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" Medley/Andy Williams



Bob Feller died at age 92 last night. Strangely, he was such a redass, I thought he'd never die. If you get chance, take a look at the front page of the PD today. They have the most beautiful photo of a young Feller with the high leg kick at an empty Cleveland Stadium. They could not have picked a better one. For some reason, they do not include that in this online collection, although some of those are pretty cool. Joe Pos has the perfect tribute. Certainly, he was the greatest Indian of them all.

1936 Bob Feller (Oscars All Around!)



Meal of Links

Pick-up lines. Some as bad as you might think.

Probably too much time on their hands. Someone built the Swamp from M*A*S*H in their backyard.

AV Club has the Worst Movies of 2010. But wait, there's more. They also have the Best Movies of 2010. The bad on the list I've seen: "Marmaduke". The best on the list I've seen: "Shutter Island", "Inception", "The Social Network" and "Winter's Bone" (Their Number 1). Next 2 weeks is catchup time.

Alert the seniors. Sweet Moses, an old-timey soda fountain, opens up soon. Mr. Negative's response: "Get ready for five dollar milk shakes."

"Pulp Fiction"-$5 Milk Shake



Biden says, "Bah, humbug!" Especially those R's who are crying about working til Christmas.

It was a pretty hot year in 2010. 129 degrees in Pakistan? That's a bit steamy. BTW, I didn't have much snow here earlier in the week. Worked from home on Monday because it was blowing all over the place. But when all was said and done and done. Maybe about 4 inches. Working in Hudson though, wow. They and Twinsburg were in that 18-24 inch area. they didn't have the roads back to normal until yesterday and it was still flurrying there yesterday afternoon.

Why Jews eat Chinese food on Christmas. Looks good.

Another death today. This one, Blake Edwards. He leaves a litany of well-known films, with some of them rated as great.

Exercise Yard

What if you could redo the NFL Draft? Why, it's a Christmas Miracle!

Visitor

33 Across: Ding Dong relatives (5 letters) Answer: Ho Hos

On the Third Day of Christmas

As you know, I have the largest selection of Christmas songs in the Tri-State Area. This year's crop was really average. It seems Coldplay and The Killers are going to continue to each make a Christmas record every year. This year it's "Christmas Lights" for Coldplay and "Boots" for The Killers. We may or may not get to those later. Annie Lennox, Katherine McPhee, and even Shelby Lynne all have Christmas albums.

For me, Little Jackie's "Mrs. Claus Ain't Got Nothin' On Me" is this year's best. But this was done for a Target CD and there is not a good video for it. It does appear on one of their TV ads though.

A strong Number Two is from, of all people, Paul Simon. The single "Getting Ready For Christmas Day" has a really good beat. This is sort of Paul goin' down to Graceland. Except he is going to Timber Country and a little church by the side of the road. A decidedly workin' man's view of Christmas.

"I got a nephew in Iraq
It's his third time back
But it's endin' up the way it began.
With the luck of a beginner
He'll be eating turkey dinner
On some mountain top in Pakistan..."

"Getting Ready For Christmas Day"/Paul Simon

On the Second Day of Christmas

Asleep At the Wheel can really grow on you. Keeping that Texas Swing alive. This song is kinda funny, the video kinda lame. But the story is Ray Benson has too much to drink and ends up in jail for Christmas. I'd say that's a modern seasonal original. "Everybody's havin' Christmas turkey. Bring me bread and water to eat."

"Xmas in Jail"/Asleep At The Wheel



Right on cue. Time Warner Cable comes through with a Christmas present for me. Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Soccer Plus in glorious HD.

Meal of Links

This is pretty cool. Especially if you saw "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford". A Yogi Bear parody! Keep the kiddies away.



Mr. Skin has a decent job. Therefore, he has his list of the Top Ten Nude Scenes of 2010.

Top Tweets of 2010. BTW, I am a huge fan of Miss Catherine Middleton.

"Jeopardy" tries to outdo Adam Richman. They'll have their own version of "Man vs. Beast".

No words for this. Except, "Americans is stupid".

Alan Sepinwall takes a look at the TV portion of the Golden Globe nominations. Mostly run-of-the-mill.

I think Joey Pants is interviewed. Barely any questions, but he talks for a while.

Exercise Yard

Barry Cofield's sack dance is killing me.



Visitor

18 Across: Actress in a classic shower scene (10 letters) Answer: Janet Leigh

On the First Day of Christmas

I am typically not a fan of these videos. I think the most famous one was a Mannheim Steamroller or Trans-Siberian Orchestra song that got posted, went viral, and got co-opted by a beer company. So, it was nice to see something different. Might be an old video, but the song is worth it just for the line, "world's smallest turkey...".

Sign o' the times. This year, only two displays on my block.

"Christmas Wrapping" (Lighting Display)/The Waitresses



Meal of Links

Dissecting "The Larry Sanders Show". It's on DVD again. This time in its entirety, and the reaction is very positive.

Inside Anonymous. A glimpse into the world of hacking.

"Zoolander 2". It's getting closer.

The 20 Best Live Acts of 2010. Missed 'em all this time around.

Racist cupcakes? I dunno, certainly goofy-looking, but Duncan Hines pulls the ad.

Another icon destroyed. "Cash Cab" is fake.

Exercise Yard

Akron beat Louisville, 1-0, for its first NCAA soccer title. Their only loss? Why, it was Cleveland State.

Visitor

15 Across: Ruthless J.R on "Dallas" (5 letters) Answer: Ewing

After bolting from work early today, a huge crowd of 8 saw Russell Crowe in "The Next Three Days". It was worth it to hear my Dad bitch about the Senior price at the Regal.

Anyhow, Crowe is a teacher at a community college in Pittsburgh. Yes he is, and they actually filmed it in Pittsburgh. He's married to Elizabeth Banks who conveniently gets arrested, charged and convicted of the murder of her boss rather quickly. This allows the appeals process to peter out, as Banks is housed at county during that timeframe. Without makeup.

After that, Russell has to decide how he's gonna get Banks out of jail and he sets up a meeting with Liam Neeson, a prison breaker turned author. Liam has broken out of seven jails. That sounds good on paper until you realize he keeps getting sent back to to the hooskau.

So, Crowe goes about plotting how he can spring Banks. He needs cash, passports, IDs, weapons, and most importantly, a plan on how to get her out. Neeson sets expectations at 15, then 35 minutes. You see, roadblocks, train stations, airports will all be set up to stop you, by those times. Now Neeson is onscreen for maybe 5 minutes but he outlines what Crowe needs to do, even telling him to pick a destination where Americans don't normally travel. "Think Yemen." Then we see Crowe for about the next hour or so do just that. Plot.

In the meantime, I get to stare at Olivia Wilde who shows up in a rather thankless role. Brian Dennehy is also here as Russell's father, but I don't stare at him. Then we get onto the prison break and the start of the lam.

Not bad, by any means, but not much potential to do much else with it. No one is great in it and no one is terrible.

Meal of Links

A slideshow of 40 people from "Twin Peaks". Of course, I read every word. Even David Lynch is sorta still acting.

Thanksgiving facts. I hate Green Bean Casserole.

Go ElfYourself! This time with a float.

21 ads from the '80s. Did Taco Bell really serve tacos that large?

It depends on what your definition of an earmark is.

Motor Trend named the Volt its Car of the Year. Rush Limbaugh didn't like that and attacked Motor Trend. Motor Trend fought back. It really is a brilliant rebuttal.

Salon just finished its list of the hackiest pundits. Definitely worth reading.

Don't Stop Believin' in Robocop



Remember when you could shop for records? Check out the Black Friday vinyl. Lots of Christmas-y stuff, including Sinatra. Local participants here.

Exercise Yard

Hustler loses the case of publishing photos of Nancy Benoit. No damages yet.

Visitor

39 Down: Aniston's ex (4 letters) Answer: Pitt

It's that time of the year.

It's Mixmas.

Ugh!

Meal of Links

W. has been making the rounds this week. Revisionist history taking place on the question of how bad was he? Uh, really bad.

Palin still lies. Plus, the producer of "Dancing With The Stars" says this gem, "I don't really see any particular gain for them in skewing a ballroom dance competition." From everything I've heard, Bristol Palin is terrible.

Alcohol. And what it does to your body.

"Wheel of Fortune" had a puzzle solved the other day. Not really news, until you realize it was a seven-word answer with only one letter revealed. Contestant next to her cannot believe it.

Robert Downey, Jr. as Mr. Peanut



Combined with Nissan ads and "Due Date", his voice is all over the place.

Danny Pudi talks about "Community". He had a line two weeks ago in the Halloween episode, when Troy was fighting the zombies, that was choice: "Troy, make me proud. Be the first black man to get to the end."

Diabetes myths debunked. Some think it's contagious?

Exercise Yard

Look at the Browns this week. they are all growed up. Nantz and Simms with the call. "Let him have a life."

Visitor

17 Across: High jump technique created by 1968 Olympic gold meadlist Dick (11 letters) Answer: Fosbury FlopTEXT

Check out Banksy's opening for "The Simpsons" from last Sunday. Absolutely skewers Fox. Pretty dark. And it was originally darker.

"The Simpsons" Opening by Banksy



Meal of Links

Lots of times, financial issues are really difficult to grasp. But this is the best primer on the current foreclosure crisis.

You know the old saw about Canadians who cross the border for healthcare. Well, it isn't true.

Wes Anderson helps shoot an ad for Stella Artois. That is a beer I seldom drink. BTW, "The Darjeeling Limited" gets the Criterion treatment.

Alec Baldwin texts during a movie. Deservedly, he gets the M&M treatment.

"Castle" Bids Farewell to Stephen J. Cannell



Wal-Mart is already discounting toys for the holidays. Ten bucks for Monopoly seems reasonable.

Songs that mention other songs. Appearances by "Bowie" and Shooter Jennings.

Everything you wanted to know about "The Empire Strikes Back".

Jenn Sterger. The perfect harassment victim?

Anderson Cooper. The accidental gay activist?

Exercise Yard

Confessions of an agent. Good read, but I wish the guy had represented some better-known players.

Visitor

25 Across: Stand-up guy who played Tobias Funke on "Arrested Development" (10 letters) Answer: David Cross

Browns lose to the Falcons, 20-10.

What did we learn today?

How could we possibly be duped into thinking that Jake Delhomme was healthy enough to start today's game. There was still a legitimate question a couple of hours before kickoff on who was going to start at QB for the Browns. So, again this was Mangini trying to fool the opposition. Let's see how this is handled after they had to play the Delhomme card today. Pittsburgh knows both Delhomme and Seneca Wallace have injured ankles and there will be no mobility from either next week. Maybe it's Joshua Cribbs! Yeah, sure. After his interception against the Steelers last year out of the Wildcat.

Delhomme is taking a lot of heat from the fans today, but there is no way he was healthy to play. Makes you wonder what is going on with Colt McCoy's progress.

Wallace didn't make any mistakes today and maybe the outcome would have been different if he stayed in the game. I doubt it though.

Why do we continually give credit to the Browns defense? Sure, they held the Falcons to two redzone field goals and a blocked FG, but look at the horrendous playcalling by the Falcons down there. First FG came after two Michael Turner runs get stuffed, including a weird looking misdirection on second down. Then a third down pass was incomplete. The second FG comes after Turner gets a first down at the Browns 14, then a run, a really short completion and an incompletion. The blocked FG comes after Turner rips off a 55-yard run to the Browns 12, then one run, an incompletion, followed by an incompletion on an insane shovel pass. Therefore, once again proving my theory of Offensive Coordinators: "It's not enough to beat you, I have to show everyone I'm smarter than you." Shovel pass, are you kidding me? It's the Browns, they cannot stop the fucking run. 165 yards by the Falcons today, if you need 'em.

Oh, and the only time the Falcons go deep today, it's a Matt Ryan-to-Roddy White special for a 45-yard TD. Ryan was 6-18 at the half, but ended the game 16-28 for 187 yards.

We got nothing from Joshua Cribbs and Joe Thomas, who most would consider the Browns best two players. Cribbs is getting nothing in the return game and the Wildcat is basically non-existent. Cribbs had a catch for 8 yards and two runs for 11. Had one chance at a punt return for 3 yards and had 3 kickoff returns for 64 yards. Very blah.

Joe Thomas had a bad day at the office today. Too many times, he was beat on the left side today. John Abraham doing most of the damage. Abraham had only 7 tackles in the first 4 games, today he had 5. Abraham had a sack early, his sack of Wallace put him out of the game, and he basically punched Delhomme in the head contributing to Delhomme's second interception. Just awful.

Then there is the walking contradiction known as Peyton Hillis. He fumbles early. Runs 10 times for a paltry 28 yards. But makes a beautiful 19-yard TD catch.

Three turnovers including a pick six, the third one this year from the Browns. Absurd penalties. Remember Jerome Harrison running for 286 yards against the Chiefs last year. At today's pace, it would have taken him 286 carries to do that. Plus, the Browns had bad clock management at the end of the half with Delhomme basically wasting 18 seconds without running a play from the 50.

Then, at the start of the third quarter, the Browns OC, Brian Daboll, decides that a gimpy Delhomme is well enough to start firing the ball over the place. 10 of the first 14 plays in the second half were passes. So much for the Browns "identity".

This game left me sour. The final score was in no way indicative of how poorly the Browns played today. Only helped by Atlanta playing to their level.

Next up, it's the Steelers.

Meal of Links

Solomon Burke died today. One of the best.

The next 10 years. From a radical pessimist. Say goodbye to the middle class.

The truth about Titanic is finally revealed. The guy made a wrong turn.

Must be Christmas. The ice rink at Rockefeller Center opened today.

Truly Awful Onside Kick



Exercise Yard

Mariano Rivera. Hall of Fame pitcher. Probably the best closer ever. All-time Yankee great. So, for his first national TV ad, he decides to star in a commercial for...Taco Bell?

Mariano Rivera for Taco Bell



As Leonard Pinth-Garnell would say, "Monumentally ill-advised!".

Visitor

None, on as beautiful of an October Sunday as you'll see.

Merry Christmas to All!

I don't have to attend work until January 4. So, I am going to have nothing but fun the next 11 days. And that includes two Browns games. Gee, 60 years ago today the Browns won their first NFL title.

Meal of Links

As I start to write this, Santa is in Estonia. Because I'm tracking him on NORAD.

Your Christmas TV marathons. Me? I've got 11 English Soccer matches from Boxing Day through Wednesday.

Sweden has one bizarre Christmas tradition. Lots of people watch a Donald Duck cartoon.

It seems the Apple Tablet announcement will be next month.

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas

This version of "Mr. Heatmiser" has become my favorite Christmas song in recent years. It's sort of traditional, it's got a good beat, and allows for singing along. And kids of all ages like it. "I'm Mister Green Christmas. I'm Mister Sun. I'm Mister Heat Blister. I'm Mister Hundred-and-One. They call me Heatmiser. Whatever I touch. Starts to melt in my clutch. I'm too much!"

"Mr. Heatmiser"/Big Bad Voodoo Daddy



Exercise Yard

George Michael died today. Not that George Michael. No, the one who used to run the Sports Machine. Spent many a Sunday night with that guy. Much bigger influence than we probably know.

Visitor

24 Across: Presidential pollster John (5 letters) Answer: Zogby

That healthcare bill may actually pass tomorrow. Then comes the hard part.

Meal of Links

Catching up with one of my Dad's favorites, Ray Davies. He also talks about a possible reuniting of The Kinks.

If you don't want or can't afford Apple products, here are some alternatives. Apple TV gets shredded all the time, get something else.

Jeff Dunham's show got cancelled. Well, that didn't last long.

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas

Decided to jazz it up with this version. God, I thought he was gonna pull a Jerry Lee there for a minute.

"Linus and Lucy"/David Benoit



Exercise Yard

Merry Christmas! Michael Schumacher resumes driving in Formula One.

Visitor

43 Across: "What The Butler Saw" playwright (5 letters) Answer: Orton