I’m having trouble getting onto the Christmas spirit. I don’t want this to be a sad post, but I’m having trouble. Before you start reading this, think of things I can do to get into the spirit. I’m going to write this and list the things about Christmas that I think are bad ass.
1. John Denver and The Muppets: A Christmas Together. When I was a kid I loved the Muppets more than anything (I actually cried when Jim Henson died). I watched The Muppet Babies every Saturday morning when I was a kid. And John Denver, well, I thought he was actually Martina Navratilova. I was totally cool with this idea that a great, female tennis player and the Muppets could singer together and be merry, even if Animal caused a raucous. BTW, here is a picture of John Denver and Martina Nava... I'm tired of looking it up.
This one is JD.
This one is MN.
2. It’s a Wonderful Life. My family watches this movie every year – or at least we try. I love Jimmy Stewart and the way he delivers lines. I wish I could imitate his voice. Somehow my wife hasn’t seen it before, but she’s seen A Christmas Story a million times. Likewise, I haven’t seen A Christmas Story before. Who is worse for not seeing the other movie? Check out these clips and you tell me:
3. Stop Animation Movies. Why aren’t there movies like this for every holiday? Halloween? Thanksgiving? MLK Day? When I was a kid, I think (even if I never mentioned it to anyone for fear of being mocked) I wanted to make movies like that. I saw an episode of Pee-Wee Herman’s Playhouse once where they explained the process of making those types of movies, and I saw that it took quite a bit of patience and time to make those movies. My dream was over in a heartbeat. Regardless, the campy, cheesiness of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer remains awesome to me. I wish I could imitate Rudolph’s voice, too.
4. I like getting new stuff. Christmas is the only time of the year where I get a bunch of new, random stuff (I know stuff isn’t descriptive but it’s hard to enumerate this). I have a great family, so even when I got older, I received tons of new stuff every year. There is really no other time when this happens. Over a year, I’ll accumulate all sorts of stuff but not in a flurry of excess like Christmas. As a kid, I’d have the biggest treasure trove of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in the ‘hood. I was that guy.
5. Cinnamon. I like the way it smells. Why does it disappear for the rest of the year? We need more cinnamon.
6. Being a Teacher. I get two and a half weeks off, and it’s great. I can’t imagine what it’s like to have a normal job, but I know that every year that I teach and get all my holidays off for extended times, I’ll never be able to work a 9-5 job. Also, my kids get my Starbucks gift cards sometimes when they are TRYING to butter my up for a good grade. Well, it doesn’t work, but thanks for the Starbucks, kid; I’ll think about you when I take a sip from my caramel macchiato.
That is all for now. Obviously, I’m appreciative for many other things (chill out family!). I try to keep this blog light, and if I’m boo-hooing about how much I love everyone, I’ll lose my humorist cred.
Also, here is a drawing of a cowboy-robot I drew.
I had never seen It's A Wonderful Life until marrying into the family. It's a good movie, but I think I prefer A Christmas Story. I've seen that one a million times, just like your wife. It will always be my favorite Christmas movie.
ReplyDeleteWho says you can't have cinnamon year 'round? I burn cinnamon candles (or cinnamon derivatives...) all year long. They are Nate's favorite.
The only way cinnamon sticks around all year is if someone buys me year supply of Big Red. In that case, Christmas will be here 24/7 when I'm in your grill!
ReplyDeleteRudolph is the best TV show of all time! Also I love the music, it is a stop action musical with dancing elves and stuff. How can anyone top that!
ReplyDeleteEvery year at this time when I am at the end of year crunch, I hate all teachers.
It's nothing personal.
I would hate teachers, too!
ReplyDeleteI made a stop motion film for a class project when I was eleven (the year before I started homeschooling). Three characters were walking through a cave and freak accidents kept happening until everyone but the main character was dead. At the very end she grinned and bowed.
ReplyDeleteIt was totally fun, I would do it again.
Also, I'm normal.
I definitely think A Christmas Story is better.
Though if you're having trouble getting into the spirit of the holiday I would suggest going to the store and picking out the ugliest Christmas sweater possible and wearing it. Feel free to document the comments you get on it (the range will be brilliant).
-E
How come no one likes the classic?!?!? Sucks to A Christmas Story! If you like A Christmas Story better, I hope you're not taking any wooden nickles! Hee-Haw!
ReplyDeleteI hadn't seen It's a Wonderful Life until a few years ago. Christmas Story is my favorite holiday comedy, but It's a Wonderful Life is my favorite holiday classic. Each family has its own traditions. Believe it or not, there's people who haven't even heard of A Christmas Story. They must not have TBS. I LOVE angryaliens though, and those are two of the best!
ReplyDeleteActually, I never heard of A Christmas Story until I was a grown-up (like early 20's). And you know what? We didn't have cable when I was a kid! Ingrid, you are House.
ReplyDeleteForget Christmas Story AND It's a Wonderful Life. You should be watching Christmas Vacation. You can't get any classier.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, though, I have always been partial to A White Christmas. Maybe it's because I have a crush on Danny Kaye. I'll bet that's the first and last time you'll ever hear someone say that!
Yeah, the only part of Vacation I remember is when he's at the mall talking to the hot sales lady and he says, "It's a little nippLy outside." I think that's where I learned women have nipples too. Better ones.
ReplyDeleteJohn Denver and MN *do* look quite similar...o_O"
ReplyDeleteI've only seen It's a Wonderful Life, but my favorite Christmas film is White Christmas.
Getting into the Christmas spirit is a bit difficult when you are away from your family, but it's not so hard when there is a mountain of snow when you look out your window! And eggnog. I need some eggnog, dammit.
-Barb the French Bean