Random Thoughts from a Large Head

Am I the only person who hasn’t left any of the Lord of the Rings films
being
absolutely blown away by them? I only seem to really appreciate the film
on a
second viewing and from the comfort of my own home. I think it has
something to do
with being in a more comfortable chair and having the ability to pause the
film so
I can go to the bathroom.

I certainly try to appreciate the LOTR films. I’ve seen the 2nd and 3rd
films at
the Galaxy on the Largest Screens in Texas. I liked the film well enough, but,
really, when
my butt goes numb 2/3 of the way through and I’m wishing that the story
would quit
tidying itself up so nicely with super-extended Frodo close-ups because now
my back
is numb, the film quits being enjoyable.

So, is it just me?

I’m heading to Panama City this afternoon through Sunday.

If you’re at the Atlanta airport tonight, give me a wave. I have a four hour layover there. Whee!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

In case you missed them, here are some photo galleries where you can find me in the holiday spirit:
Lucci House Party
DFWblogger Holiday Party
Second Annual ScoLow Scavenger Hunt

Friday night I caught the Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players and Polyphonic Spree. Check what Josh said — it’s an accurate assessment. I really enjoyed the Spree. As hippy dippy as they are, their enthusiasm is infectious and you leave the concert happy about things like the sun! and holidays! and goodness!

I need to pass on a very important life lesson. One I learned the hard way. One that you should not continue reading if you’re squeamish.

If you need to vomit and you aren’t near a toilet, do NOT cover your mouth with your hand. You will only create a spew spray.

Learn from my example: Two weekends ago, I was struck down by food poisoning and a migraine. Thinking the pukiness had passed and that what I really needed was some food, I went out to dinner. My headache was not subsiding, so I went home straight after dinner.

I was halfway home when I started to get that feeling. The one where you know it is coming, but you think you can will it to stay in. No luck.

I covered my mouth with my hand, causing a spray of nastiness all over my car. After pulling off on a side street and wigging out, I managed to drive the rest of the way home.

After changing into some clean clothes, Tina and Connie took me to the Baylor ER, where I very promptly was hooked up to an IV with some anti-nausea medicine by Cute Nurse Matt.

A couple of hours later, I was seen by a doctor, who decided I needed some migraine medicine.

Our own little ER excitement started once I got the migraine drugs. Shortly after Cute Nurse Matt inserted the medicine into my IV, I started getting a very warm and prickly sensation. “That’s weird,” I told Tina, describing the new sensation. Tina bolted down the hall shouting “NURSE MATT! NURSE MATT!”

Cute Nurse Matt returned and very calmly and nonchalantly removed the migraine medicine. He returned later, having learned that the reaction is fairly common. I was given the medicine again, this time with some Benadryl first. This time, I didn’t feel any hot prickliness, but I became very squirmy. A couple of hours later, I was ready to go home. Sunday morning, I felt famished and so much better.

Thank the Good Lord for health insurance!

But my car still smells. I’ve had the windows open for 10 days now and I’ve shampooed the carpet and upholstery.

So remember, kids, if you’re gonna spew, don’t cover your mouth.

I’ve
been having a hard time getting in the Christmas spirit this year. Here it is
16 days out and I have yet to even crack open one of my many boxes of Christmas
cheer. The only way you’d know it is the holiday season is that I am playing
a constant stream of Christmas mp3s in a feeble attempt to haul out the holly.

This hasn’t really ever been the case. I love holidays. I have some sort of
decoration for any major holiday. I have three large tubs of Christmas decor:
lights, ornaments, 4′ tree, towels, rugs, blankets, stuffed animals, figurines,
candles, clothing and jewelry. In past years, I have been know to get crafty
and decorate Christmas gifts for others.

I think I get my holiday love from my mom. She’s a teacher. Teachers seem to
be really into holidays. Probably because that means they get two weeks off.

Rannie asked me to be a part of his
Advent
Calendar and I figured it was just as good a way as any to get the cheer
in gear.

Almost
every photo I have here in Texas is from the period of 1996-2000. This time
period is post-living with my parents and pre-digital camera. So, a glimpse
of Christmas with the Scofields in 1999.

My grandmother was beginning to have difficulty getting along on her own in
San Francisco, so the plan was to move her to Florida with my parents. An elaborate
Grandma Grab was planned out: my mom would fly to Dallas, then San Francisco;
Grandma and Mom would fly to Dallas; Dad and Carolyn would drive to Dallas.
Christmas would be at my place.

I bought a live tree, spent tons of money on decor at Garden
Ridge, and created a festive atmosphere for my first apartment and my first
Christmas hosting the family. All five of us gathered in my third-floor one-bedroom
apartment. Below (from left) is the back of my large head; my Dad, investigating
a gift; my heavily-eyelinered sister; and my Grandma, checking out some of her
loot. Note the wreath above Grandma’s head — I decorated that bad boy. Also
note the halogen lamp on the left decorated to look like a candy cane — do I have skills
or what?

This look is one I am sorry to see captured on film. I may look like I’m interested
in what someone else is receiving, but really I am wondering how fast I can return
the gift in the box and get the cash. Inside the box is a replica of Ben
Hill Griffin Stadium, better known as "The Swamp", where the Florida
Gators play football. I never did return it. It’s still in the box and I’ve moved
it to five different places. If you see this look, kick me in the butt for being
such an ungrateful snob.

Looking through these photos, and others from Christmases past affirms what was
written just a few days ago at sh1ft: "Christmas
… isn’t about the decorations we put up. It’s about family and spending time
together." I’m looking forward to the 24th, when I go home to be with
my Mom, Dad, and sister for the precious few days a year when we are together
as a family. It doesn’t matter if I have a tree up in Texas or not. And that’s why I love the holidays.

Part of a Photojunkie Christmas

Today I hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate Internet Explorer.

(with the fiery and all-consuming passion of 18,000 suns)

“It’s the good girls who keep the diaries; the bad girls never have the time.”
– Tallulah Bankhead

(where “bad” for me = shopping, doing some freelance work, procrastinating, talking on the phone a lot, and watching tv)

I got my ticket for the Polyphonic Spree/Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players Show and I’m sooo excited that I just can’t hide it.

Details on the 2nd Annual Sco-Low Holiday Photo Scavenger Hunt will be coming out soon. Save the afternoon of December 20th.

This site hit 100,000 visits yesterday. Thanks for stopping by and occasionally coming back!