My Christmas Lists

I'm very much secure in knowing that the dummies who believe in the Mayan Calendar Doomsday thing are quite mistaken.* So, it's time to lighten up a bit and to start having a few happy thoughts for this holiday. Maybe going into a trance and doing a bit of free-association in writing out these lists would help me get into the spirit of the holiday more, and eventually spur me on to finish my Christmas shopping. Anyhow, here it goes:

Top 10 Favourite Christmas Foods

1. Buttertarts
2. Cabbage Rolls
3. Buttertarts
4. Turkey with Stuffing and Gravy
5. Buttertarts
6. Wild Mushrooms in Cream Sauce
7. Buttertarts
8. Shortbread Cookies
9. Tangerines
10. You guessed it. . . more Buttertarts

Top 10 Favourite Christmas Drinks (to suit my ever-fluctuating sways between the vulgar and the sophisticated)

1. Rye and Coke
2. Big Rock Wart Hog Ale
3. Spiced Rum and Coke
4. Clamato Juice/Virgin Cæsars (Otherwise, this stuff being dumped in beer, or mixed with vodka is ruined for me)
5. Gin and Tonic
6. Red Wine (Merlot, Shiraz, Cabinet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Malbec)
7. Big Rock Traditional Ale
8. Bristol Cream Sherry/Port Wine
9. Cranberry Punch
10. White Wine (Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Chablis, Pinot Grigio)

The 7 Stores I Actually Like Going to in Saskatoon during Christmas Time**

1. McQuarries' Teas and Coffees (great assortments and gift baskets of coffees, teas, and hot chocolate)
2. Bulk Cheese Warehouse (cheese/sausage/deli food to me are like what candy is for everyone else)
3. Saskatchewan Liquor Stores (for samples and free magazines, and of course, booze)
4. Bill's House of Flowers (the smell in there instantly cures the winter blues)
5. McNally Robinson (Canadian owned bookstore, the problem is that I have more in mind as what to get for me rather than shopping for my loved ones)
6. Early's (Close by, locally owned, pet friendly, lots of stuff there for the gardeners/pet lovers)
7. Lee Valley (Canadian owned, lots of stuff there for woodcrafters/hobbyists and gardeners)

Top 10 Playthings That Would Delight Me To Get As Gifts (Even Now as An Adult)***

1. Chess Set
2. Scrabble^®
3. Go (Igo in Japanese) board
4. Risk^®
5. Wood Block/Jigsaw puzzles
6. Domino Set
7. Mah Jong Tiles
8. Mancala Board
9. Dart Board
10. Chinese Checkers

Top 10 Other Significant Gifts That Would Be Cool to Get

1. The Remastered Release of the CD, 2112, by Rush (Release date Dec 21/12, same day as the Mayan Calendar Apocalypse thing) to compensate for their concert I missed here earlier in September)
2. Cross Country Ski Pants (Salomon)
3. Mandolin style slicer/shredder (for my kitchen)
4. Windows 8 Upgrade
5. Djembe Drum (I may risk annoying the hell out of my neighbours, but had so much fun with one of these at my last convention)
6. Ledge planters (for growing more stuff on my deck while conserving space)
7. Bamboo Steamer (for my wok, the old one fell apart, two tiers plus lid)
8. Gift card from Pier One or HomeSense (I need to spruce the place up a bit)
9. Gift card from anyplace that sells f*$^%ing shoes that fit me
10. Actual time to enjoy this stuff (or more time to enjoy the cool stuff I already have, and be with the people I like)

Some Songs/Albums That Aren't Christmas Specific, but Fit The Season Well

1. Imagine - John Lennon
2. Winter - Tori Amos
3. Ring Out Solstice Bells - Jethro Tull
4. Gregorian Chants Album
5. The Coldest Night of the Year - Bruce Cockburn

*- It's pretty stupid to put credence into some apocalyptic predictions of a culture's religious calendar , when the same said people couldn't even predict their own civilization's demise.
**- During the holidays, I try to support my local merchants/retailers stores whenever I can.
***- Oddly and surprisingly, even after all this time, I still don't have any of these games around my own home. I'd like quality crafted classic board games, not a cheap plastic facsimile. The lack of knowing more people around interested in playing such things, and having so little time at home to play them are the reasons/excuses. The sad thing about the preponderance of video games is that the simple fun and social pleasures of a board or card game are getting phased out, getting replaced by too much simulated violence.