I’m making a pit stop on our human journey this New Year’s Eve. There was a lot of hard work done, a lot of shows performed and a lot of effort in patience during the weeks up until this - the end of 2005. And while I’ve been invited to a couple of parties, I just want to lie low in my basement apartment, work on tweaking the new website, listening to some music, maybe play King Kong on the GameCube… you know… chill.

I do have one little humorous thought which is my theory of why people are more apt to act like jerks in the days preceding Presents Day. They are doing things for others, which, of course, makes them saints. And saints, frankly, can do whatever they want. The people around them be damned! (pun intended) They are doing good for the people they know and no one outside their sphere matters. So remember next year, when they cut you off trying to turn into the mall parking lot, don’t take it personally. They are on a mission of good to make those they know happy.

So with that in mind, whilst you are out celebrating what everyone hopes will be the beginning of a great new year, remember those you DON’T know around you and keep them safe. Hopefully, they’ll do the same for you and everyone can revel in their hopes for the future without worry.

Happy 2006!

Listening to: Everything’s Different Now - ‘Til Tuesday

• MAY: In my version of Star Wars: Episode 3 - Revenge Of The Sith, Anakin would have had a better reason to cross over to the dark side than “Your wife will die if you don’t”. If he was that close to Obi-Wan, would he not have told him some geezer was threatening his family? Then more than one Samuel L. Jackson type Jedi could have stormed into Supreme Chancellor Palpatine’s office and done justice unto him. THEN Luke & Leia wouldn’t have had to share that icky kiss from The Empire Strikes Back….or would they?
• OCTOBER: Police in New York City found 13 bags of cocaine in Boy George’s apartment. His laywers claim they weren’t his, but that he was only holding them for Kate Moss.
• NOVEMBER: Billboard says that Madonna’s (or as she likes to be called at temple, Ester) single Hung Up puts her in a tie with Elvis Presley for most top 10 hits. That’s cool, but, come on. At least you never had to see Elvis in Yoga leotards with a bikini wax.

Listening to: Rabbit Of Seville - Warner Bros. Symphony Orchestra

In light of the controversy around how to greet everyone at this time of the year, I offer the following to you:

HAPPY PRESENTS DAY!

No matter what holiday you celebrate, there is one thing they ALL have in common. Gifts! Things for just you. Sure it’s fun to give, but let’s face it, we ALL like getting things. I mean come on, I got both Vol.1 & Vol. 2 of Olivia Newton-John’s video collections on DVD. Who could ask for anything more?

We all could. Let’s be honest here.

So to everyone, please have a most festive, wonderful and fruitful Presents Day!

(And, yes, my tongue is firmly planted in my cheek. Don’t be gettin’ all offended up in here)

Listening to: That Was The Worst Christmas Ever! - Sufjan Stevens

The little critters are back after being virtually wiped out in America. That’s right, that old adage of “Don’t let the bedbugs bite” turns out suddenly to be a warning for your very blood. The bedbug is a blood-sucker if you didn’t know. I didn’t. Since they have not been in the U.S. since the middle of last century, no one could warn me about them. And it’s something my grandparents decided not to talk about when they were dispensing their wisdom. Much like no one telling Pee-wee there is no basement in the Alamo.

At this point, the East Coast is ett up with ‘em. Terrorist plot? Could be! But then they aren’t really a terroristic type of bug; more of a pest thing. Maybe we should have a label for this new ‘threat’ and we can all be afraid of something new. Conspiracy theorists could have a field day! “In the news today, another attack by annoyists. A group called The People’s Choice Awards claimed responsibility for an hour-long attack of not signaling when changing lanes in downtown Seattle. The group also claims they imported bed bugs and released them in mattress stores in New York City.”

Listening to: Fingers & Thumbs - Erasure