Since I am a connaisseur of the movies, I thought I would present you with some can't miss Christmas classics. They are rated based on my enjoyability:

1) Scrooged.

Some say this is the movie that cemented Bill Murray's reputation as a solid star (after his initial hit with Ghostbusters). Others point to it as a bleak and depressing film. While it does have a dark menace to it, it is equally full of hilarious moments and really does embody the true Christmas spirit we all aspire to realize each year. Oh did I mention that Bill Murray delivers huge in this one. This modern day rendition of a Christmas Carol will serve as a good Christmas Eve flick. Just don't watch it alone!

2) National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.

The third in the series of Clark Griswald family adventures, this one stays close to home. Rather than the Griswalds travelling, extended family comes to them in this hilarious "nothing can go right" picture that paints a cynical side to hosting the holidays. You will laugh hard at this - especially if it is your first viewing - but in a sort of jerky, ass**** way. Probably because you are watching one of the biggest jerky, ass***** protaganist/antagonist character in comedic history. Save this annual ritual for Christmas Day...better make that Boxing Day.

3) A Christmas Story.

This is a good old fashioned story about a boy wanting one gift and one gift only for Christmas. It is done in the third person narrator sense as the man looks back at that oh so desirable childhood enthusiasm that builds up towards Christmas Day. This one is good for anytime around the holiday season, preferably daytime and maybe a week before to build up the Christmas anxiousness.

4) Miracle on 34th Street.

Not to much to say on this one. It was thrown in more for historical likeability and the good moral it tries to bestow on us! Take your pic of the classic version or the remake starring Richard Attenborough (before he died). This film gives a warm feeling on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Actually, it is also pretty gripping when you are riding a Greyhound bus for 5 hours.

5) Tie: I'll be Home for Christmas vs. Home Alone

Two child stars at their peak. Jonathan Taylor Thomas vs. Macaulay Kaulkin.
Both are good movies for kids and adults alike. Both have laughs and are surprisingly captivating. The plots differ however greatly but share the common element of being separated from one's loved ones on the big day. In I'll be Home for Christmas, Taylor is trying to get home in time for Christmas dinner and goes through 'hell in a handbasket' to do so. In Home Alone, we have Kaulkin stranded at home after his family rushes off to their trip without realizing their forgotten family member. He then goes on to ward off thankless thugs Harry (Joe Pesci) and Marv from breaking into the house. Both have their corny moments, what what Hollywood titles don't? THese two movies are good anytime on the Christmas holiday.


As the year draws to a close, here are some people you wish would just go away / die due to the incessant stories pumped at us by the media:

-Pamela Anderson
-Britney Spears
-Ashlee Simpson, Jessica Simpson, whoever else named Simpson not starring in the cartoon sitcom
-David and Victoria Beckham
-Don Imus

Special mention goes to George Strombolouplpupoppspppoouss, whose faux attitude, stoner look, dumb piercings, and general trashy show are not welcome anywhere close on a public network funded through my tax dollars. Why didn't we let ABC keep him?

updates

Well x-mas is here and part of the family is shipping out to AB. Unfortunately, with our current gift system in place, it means we needed to move around the date when the presents are exchanged. This year, we will open presents 6 days late. I couldn't care less though. Presents are so passé for me at this stage in my life.

The jays have done absolutely nothing to prepare for next year and have even complicated things by bringing in more scrappy "role" players. The opening day line-up is a joke and it is amazing that fans are calling this a contending team.

Good news is that baseball is back in the capital next year with the Can-Am League. I will be there at the first game.

I plan to upload a whack of pics to Shutterfly and Facebook. For those of you who don't have facebook, here is my Shutterfly link:

http://anthonypictures.shutterfly.com/action/

My charity situation was taken care of recently and am happy I contributed to a few local charities.

I am waiting to get the paint and will then paint the inside and outside of the kitchen cabinets. I can then put stuff away, opening up room for things, which will allow for some entertaining.

In other news, ma ended her long distance monthly contract. THis means I will to set myself up with a calling card or something to keep in touch with people in Southern Ontario.

Willy's continues to produce legendary pies. I brought donuts again but one of the brothers (the main one) was not there so it was pretty funny handing over a dozen donuts to one guy. I hope he didn't eat them all and get sick.

I could b**tch and complain about Sportsnet Regional blackouts and bus fare increases to Octranspo but I will abstain. My secret guess is that Octranspo wants to cut back on expanding infrastructure (bc the city wants to keep their budget from growing) so this is in a way rationing demand. Less riders maybe but stable revenues and costs.

So far, I have no plans for New year's. Sob Sob.