Metrosexual Must-Haves

While trying to find suitable gifts for the Brooklyn Hillbilly and the other men on my Christmas shopping list, I stumbled upon the Metrosexual Must-Haves category at Target.

I knew immediately that I was in the right spot. The BH is just going to LOVE his new yoga mat.

Getting in the Hillbilly Holiday Spirit

I'm not quite there yet.

I spent a grand total of $18 on Black Friday, and that was on a hardback book I planned to buy anyway but decided to purchase then because I had a 50% off coupon for Waldenbooks.

Even though I didn't get in until about 1 a.m. after the WVU-Pitt football game, I did briefly toy with the idea of going shopping early Friday morning. When the alarm went off at 4:30 a.m., however, I slammed the alarm clock to the floor, rolled over, and slept till 10 a.m. Happy Black Friday to you, Mr. Clock.

Not on my Christmas List, but maybe for some of you hardcore WV Governor's Mansion fans -- and I know there are just tons of you wild, crazy folks out there -- a new Governor's Mansion Christmas Ornament soon goes on sale at Tamarack (yes, it's brazenly referred to as a Christmas ornament throughout the story -- hoorah!) .

If your Christmas shopping was done at 11 a.m. on Black Friday, the Christmas cookies are in the freezer ready to be thawed at a moment's notice, your house is guarded by a gigantic inflatable Santa and team of reindeer, and all you have to do is sit around and wait for Dec. 25th to roll around, then maybe you should consider some of the following WV activities:

• Christmas-related Activities in WV - a list compiled by the WV Gazette. Most are in the Charleston area, but some are located elsewhere in the state.
• Wheeling Chamber of Commerce - you know, home of the Festival of Lights!
• WVcalendar.com
• Morgantown CVB's list of events

BTW, a special note to the Brooklyn Hillbilly, if you Google "clarksburg WV holiday", the second item you get is for female exotic dancers in the Clarksburg area. (*TUESDAY A.M. UPDATE* - Michelle informs me that, sadly, it's fallen to #4 overnight.)

Giving Thanks

I returned to the Mountain State on Wednesday, which means I had the distinct pleasure of traveling the entire length of the WV turnpike during steady snow showers on the busiest travel day of the year.

So, what I'm most thankful for this year is living through that ordeal.

But besides that, I'm thankful for:

• having a job. In my line of work, I'm just glad to have one, but this year I'm especially thankful to have a better one than I had last year.
• family and friends, including the folks I've met online.
• a year's worth of safe travels. This year I got to see Yellowstone, the Black Hills, the Grand Tetons, and many other wonderful sites. I'm thankful for the opportunity to travel so much, as well as getting through it all in one piece.

Thanksgiving Week Travels

It's the first time in recent memory -- perhaps ever -- that I've been out of state for the most sacred of all WV holidays -- the first day of deer season.

It seems, however, that I instinctively go out in search of great horned creatures at this time of year, regardless of my location, because my travels took me to the Cataloochee area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which just happens to be home to the NC elk herd.



Even though it was a chilly November Sunday evening and getting to the site required traveling miles over winding, sometimes one-lane mountain roads, a sizeable number of vehicles crowded the valley to see the elk. A park ranger patrolled the area to make sure no one got too close to the "wild" animals, and of course someone did. An older lady with a box camera just had to creep closer and closer to one of the larger male elk.

I wonder if this type of project might work in WV, as long as we could be sure the elk and deer wouldn't interbreed, creating a variety of even larger suicidal, vehicle-seeking animals.

For Bookaholics

A friend (and fellow bookaholic) introduced me to paperbackswap.com a few weeks ago. So far, I've sent out two of my books to fellow swappers and received one book that I'm planning on giving as a supplementary Christmas gift.

The more I use the site, the more impressed I am with it. It's a wonderful example of a simple-looking Web site that works, and works very well. There are a lot of convenient and cool features, including a chat room -- but I've not gotten quite that addicted yet.

So, take a look! :)

Helpful Hint

To those doing media interviews on the topic of finding housing for Hurricane Katrina evacuees:

It's probably best not to use the term "final solution" when referring to a plan for finding more permanent housing for the evacuees. It would sound better to say "permanent" or "long-term."

Perfect Timing

A few days ago when it was 70-something degrees, I took my good winter coat - the one I wear when I want to masquerade as a non-redneck - to the dry cleaner and said, "Ohhhh, I don't need this till at least next week."

It's now frigid and supposed to get down to 17 tonight.

Grrrrrr.

Thanks to everyone for the well wishes. And a special thank you to the neighborhood cat that left a decapitated mole on my sidewalk. Nothing like dead vermin in the morning - very thoughtful indeed!

Last night, I was so sleepy by the time I got to bed, I decided not to take the aged-to-perfection Tylenol PM. That little science experiment will have to wait for the next illness.

Just in Time for the Holidays

According to an Associated Press story, the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Administration has banned the sale of 190-proof grain alcohol in West Virginia.

Please plan your holiday festivities accordingly, and if necessary, revise your letter to Santa.

May I rent your germ-laden children, please?

I've had whatever virus is making the rounds. I'm going on week two of the fun.

While lounging on my couch, suffering from fever and occasionally imagining tiny gnomes skating through the dust on my living room floor, I came up with an idea: I shall obtain some children and expose myself to lots of germs and build up my immune system. Yes, that is the answer!

And then I went to sleep for about 24 hours, slobbered about a gallon of saliva onto my pillow, woke up, and realized that my friends with children probably have no better immune systems - they simply cannot slow down long enough to be sick.

BTW, do you think it's bad to take Tylenol PM that expired in 2002???

If my last post is dated 11/16/05, then you'll know the answer.

Not the Time or Place

I was scanning the rows of greeting cards at Wal-Mart when I was inserted into a family squabble against my will.

"Mom, I'm not going to discuss this with you now," the young woman said loudly.

Of course, Mom was nowhere to be seen. The woman was alone and conversing over a cell phone. Yet another Wal-Mart shopper arguing with thin air, forcing her senseless monologue on others.

"MOM!"

"No, MOM! I said I'm not going to discuss this with you now. It's not the time or place!"

Funny, that's what I was thinking - it's not the time or place, SO HANG UP THE DARN PHONE, DO YOUR SHOPPING, GO HOME, PHONE MOM, AND ARGUE YOURSELF SILLY IN THE PRIVACY OF YOUR OWN HOUSE!

Of course, I realize there's no hope for this behavior to change, especially when people are now robbing banks while chatting away on their cell phones (1, 2).

Signs of the Season

It's Nov. 11 - Veteran's Day - and I've just encountered my first Salvation Army bell ringer at Kroger. Then, on the short drive home, I saw a Christmas tree prominently displayed in the picture window of a house. To me, it seems just a wee bit early for both. I'd like to savor autumn for just a moment before being thrust into Christmas.

Cat Blogging: Carry-on Baggage

I'd planned to start packing tonight for an upcoming trip, but someone else in the house had a different idea.

And later in the evening...


There's quite a battle brewing over this luxurious bedding.