Starting the new year

Spent new year's eve at the home of scarletbronte and loloc, who always throw a fine soiree. There were thick and delicious steaks, drinks, champagne at midnight and good company in abundance. mimerki introduced us all to the Chinese tradition of burning hell money (thanks to ironymaiden for the link!) of which I heartily approve, and offered up tarot card readings for 2005 (mine was interesting, given what may be my one resolution for the new year). And I concluded the evening with a soak in the hot tub with mimerki and ironymaiden. The latter described the hot tub soak so poetically here that I shall simply link to her LJ and have done with it. There was some discussion of throwing me a Poverty Party the Saturday after my contract at Microsoft ends (my last day will be January 21); I'm entertained by the thought.

Yesterday I spent quietly at home writing, reading and watching DVDs I received for Chanukah, including "Return of the King" as well as episodes of "Starsky & Hutch" and "The Twilight Zone" ('80s version). It's great to watch these TV shows in such pristine condition. I've worn my old videotapes to death and they're pale, scratchy ghosts of themselves. But watching them now is just a pleasure. I'd forgotten how intense some of the '80s TZ eps are, most of all the adaptation of McCammon's "Nightcrawlers" which, for its time, was more intense and violent TV than many viewers had ever seen before and actually had a demonstrable effect on the show's ratings. At some point soon, I hope to put together a list of my favorites and have a TZ marathon here for friends, especially those who've never seen them, because they're so worth seeing and I want to share them.

So it was a pleasant, private day, the kitties and I just sitting around enjoying ourselves. Today, it's back to more social things.

( Some thoughts on new year's /r/e/s/o/l/u/t/i/o/n/s/ goals... )

Extremities: the first meme of the new year

I am amused.



At 4145 miles from your furthest extremity to the Mediterranean Sea, you outdo the Amazon to become the world's longest river. The piranhas hate you.

Beneath you lies an underground river with six times your volume. You kept this remarkably quiet for several thousand years. In fact, you're full of mystery; your source wasn't discovered until 1862. You're also full of water. And crocodiles. And nuclear pharaoh machines that run on light and can see through time.

Which Extremity of the World Are You?
From the towering colossi at Rum and Monkey.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I like that last bit especially, about "nuclear pharaoh machines that run on light and can see through time." Sounds a little like something a friend of mine would write. And how's your wa today? ::grin::

In other news
Saw "The House of Flying Daggers" today and was mightily impressed: beautiful film beautifully made. Pretty people, pretty clothes, operatic story. I recommend it.