happy happy 2010.

2010. Sometimes it felt like it was flying by and others where it was positively dragging itself as though it's legs were broken. But when I look back at pictures, it's only the flying bits—which I am incredibly grateful for. I'm fortunate, in many ways. But what I remember most about 2010 is how fortunate I am for the amazing people I have in my life.

There were a few firsts this year. First high school reunion, first trip to Denver (and first professional-type convention). I had my first try-out for roller derby and thusly my first knee injury (meniscus tear). Still, I got my first derby name (Frankie Dee Bruisevelt)—and my first time out as a non-skating official. With the obvious exceptions, firsts are fun.





Then there are the things that happen every year. Holidays, birthdays, sunny days in San Diego in the middle of July. For the third year, Comic Con week was the thing I looked forward to the most and was not disappointed—a week in my favorite city with my favorite people surrounded by our favorite things. There are few things better than that.



We had True Blood Sundays and a game night here and there. Shenanigans abound. These are the people I know I can count on.




It was also the summer (or year) of Scott Pilgrim. I don't think a movie has quite dominated my life in such a way. Jason Schwartzman signed my phone and I got to meet Edgar Wright outside a classy old theatre before the sneak preview.

And as far as the furry friends? It was a year of first there too for the smaller one. Clark had his first therapy visit, his first agility trial and a bunch of first place ribbons. And Maggie's had her best year yet. Coming from a neglectful home, learning to be a dog and relax and play has been a process. But this year she's come out of her shell. It's nice to be able to take her more places. I think she enjoys it too.

Happy, happy, near year and here's to a lovely 2011.

you've got a bit of a panda vibe going on.

Along with the Whovian episode and the Jedward disaster fest, this ensemble (with Cee Lo Green) has entered my top three episodes of Never Mind The Buzzcocks.

"Pandas are absolute wankers."

i said hey! what's going on?

One of my favorite pre-holiday events?



The annual Val visit and the dinner that we celebrated it with.

Where else can you sample shepherd's pie, mac and cheese and/or taco boats, find out that Anna's bed only holds five adults and get a 4 Non Blondes song stuck in your head forever?

merry merry.

If you celebrate this holiday religiously or just for warmth and joy of being with your loved ones—Merry Christmas.

Here's a little holiday mix I put together:

1. Winter Wonderland | Phantom Planet - for obvious reasons.

2. Oi To The World | No Doubt - Who doesn't like a punk vs. skins holiday carol? One of the most fun holiday songs, ever.

3. Fairytale Of New York | Pogues & Kristy MacColl - Shane MacGowan, 'nuff said.

4. Somewhere In My Memory | John Williams - Home Alone 2 is one of my favorite Christmas movies (after Santa Claus: The Movie of course) and in a recent discussion about which was better, the first Home Alone or the second... bird lady trumps shovel man.

5. Carol of the Bells | Phantom Planet - Again, obvs.

6. White Wine In The Sun | Tim Minchin - Now one of my all time favorite Christmas songs. So incredibly witty and beautiful and I usually tear up at the end.

7. Sleigh Ride | John Williams with The Boston Pops- Coming from a New Englander family—the Boston Pops have been a staple throughout my childhood memories of Christmas. This was always my favorite song as a kid because they make the whip sound and someone makes a trombone whinny like a horse at the end.

8. Happy Xmas War is Over | Neil Diamond - They didn't have the John Lennon one on grooveshark and the fact that Neil Diamond covered this made me laugh. Oh, Neil.

skip to the end.

After a full day of shopping with Anna and Jess, I came home to chill out and ended up listening to a Kevin Smith Smodcast—SMoviemakers with Edgar Wright.

And now I'm going to end up starting an epic rewatch of Spaced, because it's simply been too long and hearing Edgar talk about the process working up to that... I've got a renewed craving.

I think Matt's still stoked to have been ahead of the curve on that one. I remember when it arrived on the doorstep from amazon.uk for his freshly de-regionalized DVD player our first Christmas. That was my gateway drug into British television.

No looking back, no regrets. Fried gold.

my buddy bernie.

I don't have many living heroes. People who I greatly admire who can still surprise me with their selfless actions. But one of them is Bernie Sanders, who I would get all giddy about when he stopped by on Olbermann or Rachel Maddow. One of two Independents in the Senate, Senator Sanders is a Democratic Socialist—sharing my values about things like single payer healthcare, income equality, accessible and quality education (and I could go on and on). He makes me wish I lived in Vermont.

Today, the honorable Senator Sanders took to the floor of the Senate at 10:25am and eviscerated the proposed tax bill in what ended up being an 8.5 hour filibuster. He pointed out the ridiculous nature of giving tax cuts to the richest of the rich while the middle class in this country gets pushed further and further towards the poverty line. I tuned in on my C-SPAN radio app (YES, I HAVE A CSPAN APP—DEAL WITH IT) at the start and listened all the way through.

All the way through. Sitting at my desk, working and listening. Going home for lunch and listening. Getting home from work and watching on TV. Bernie was supporting me by speaking and I was going to support him by paying attention. Within 30 minutes of being home, I had sent emails to both of my own Senators—because in the end, that is what this about. Participating in your government.

This is where I really wish more people my age were like the young people in the UK. There should be rallies in the streets over this and so many other injustices that get passed because nobody cares, nobody bothers to understand.

Thank goodness for people like Senator Sanders. At 28, I couldn't imagine talking for 8.5 hours and he did so passionately at the age of 69.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/10/bernie-sanders-filibuster_n_795087.html

whose streets? our streets.

It annoys and disappoints me to no end that this kind of protest doesn't happen here. American young adults are brainwashed into thinking the news and politics are boring and would rather watch Dancing With The Stars than stand up for their rights and protest the government cutting their education benefits.

You cannot justify tripling tuition in a country where you still pay an old lady to wear a shiny hat and live in a castle.

i really like christmas. it's sentimental i know, but i just really like it.

Christmas time is here.

Time for nerdy cheer.

Seriously though, I love our geek tree. It's the first time we've had a white pine. I like the long needles, but I wish the branches were stronger. I love that there's more than one Wolverine hidden among the white pine branches and we have classy, blown glass ornaments of Batman, Chewbacca and the Incredible Hulk. If I had to guess, there's probably an even percentage of DC and Marvel adornments, followed by Star Wars, Disney and then random awesomeness.

Like the Simpsons...

And some swanky, martini goodness thanks to Charles.

And a place for Wonder Woman to hang her hat.. er... tiara?

And for those other people out there who don't buy into the mythology, my favorite song of the season. You know, this... and Frosty the Snowman.

sick puppy.

There's nothing sadder than a sick dog. Especially one who gets so congested he snorts and then scares himself into a shaking stupor.

I don't know where he picked it up, but Clark got a cold. While I knew they existed, I never had a dog actually catch a cold before.

Little dogs with short, squat, little faces can have a cold turn into something real nasty, real quick. So after a trip to the vet, he's on antibiotics. He loves being on medicine. To him, he's thrilled to get a piece of cheese twice a day—who cares if it's stuffed with pills?