MetaChat - 3-point status update

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24 December 2007

3-point status update →[More:]
1. Our little Waitrose at 8.30am was insane today. People who had ordered turkeys had been given a time slot to pick them up but it appeared that something had gone wrong and there were no turkeys!! By the time I left with my fudge and cookie ingredients there was a crowd of about 60 people gathered around the customer service desk, and they didn't look full of Christmas cheer.

2. The friends I'm having lunch with tomorrow are not working, so I've made fudge and chocolate chip cookies (the last tray of cookies is baking as we speak). I'm hoping that a 'made' gift will not embarrass them if they can't reciprocate (which I don't expect anyway. The lunch invitation is gift enough.)

3. I feel slightly sick from having scraped out both the fudge pan and the cookie dough bowl. I haven't eaten this much sugar in ages.

post by: essexjan at: 10:08 | 49 comments

Oh bugger, please do the 'more inside' bit mods.

posted by essexjan 24 December | 10:20

Done!

1. Fortunately I have not been responsible for any food shopping this Christmas. This afternoon we skipped straight past the Waitrose and headed for the florists. And Threshers. The turkey is already safely in the fridge.

2. Christmas cards and presents, at least for the friends and family in my immediate vicinity, are finally sorted. Some further-away people may be getting belated cards, though. New Year's cards maybe, even. Will do better next year. (Could this be a resolution? Perhaps.)

3. Trying to decide what to play at the end of the midnight mass this evening. Am a little worried about being too over-the-top, but it's supposed to be a celebratory moment, isn't it? Christ being born, and all that, as I understand it, being a pretty good thing.

posted by chrismear 24 December | 10:36

Trying to decide what to play at the end of the midnight mass this evening.

"Santa Claus is Coming to Town" would be nice. And it's kind of Jesus-y too.

"He sees you when you're sleeping.
He knows when you're awake.
He knows if you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake"

posted by essexjan 24 December | 10:41

1a. the workers are basically using wood to shore up the wall for now, but the whole thing will need to be replaced, which is more of a two day project. We can't use the room in the meantime, it'll be too cold. The judgment call made between them and my roommate is that whoever did it basically GLUED the drywall to the brick, and it's only nailed in at the top and bottom molding. No studs! WTF?

1b. My options are to have my family over tonight, or to go to my sister's hotel for presents. Not sure what to do yet since our house is still broken.

2. I am on SUGARRUSH since I've been doing nothing but drinking coffee w/ sweet vanilla creamer and eating cookies since 9 am.

3. my poor roommate still has to do shopping- he doesn't know what to get his dad. (a librarian who doesn't own books since he can get them from the library, doesn't listen to music, won't watch the same movie twice, and enjoys building his cabin in the woods but has more tools than god thanks to an architect father leaving them to him. ouch.)

posted by kellydamnit 24 December | 10:42

1. Just woke up (JUST, as in I am still in bed). Downloaded an alarm clock application which played PinkStainlessTail's "Jingle Rock Bell."
2. Dell Technical support called me three minutes after waking to tell me that my keyboard had been shipped "ok?", but it may be delayed "ok?" because "tomorrow it is Christmas ok?" Thank you, Rahul. It was nice I guess but a bit puzzling. Plus it's 9 pm over there! Go home!
3. Laundry needs to be done at some point before I go see National Treasure with the family, then out to dinner, then to church (blech).

posted by CitrusFreak12 24 December | 10:47

chrismear is a mod? Did I miss something?

1: ≡ Click to see image ≡

2: ≡ Click to see image ≡

3: ≡ Click to see image ≡

posted by TheDonF 24 December | 10:55

1. I'm American and I don't know what a Waitrose is and I'm too lazy to Google it.

2. I really should get off my ass and ~~finish~~ start wrapping presents.

3. I can't wait to play with my new digital camera.

posted by desjardins 24 December | 11:04

I stood in the queue for Sainsburys yesterday just to get some laundry powder. They opened the doors at half nine, but couldn't check anyone out until 10. I was in the the queue then and when it was ten all of a sudden all of the cash registers started beeping!

Pressies are sorted.

posted by terrapin 24 December | 11:12

essexjan: please check your gmail or MetaMail. Thanks!

posted by terrapin 24 December | 11:13

1. Spent yesterday at my mom's while my brother, sis-in-law and niece were there, and had an excellent time.

1a. When I drove back home last night, I left around sunset, and during the course of my drive I got to watch a huge, GORGEOUS full moon rise in a perfectly clear, purple-to-royal-blue sky, as the approaching city was reflecting the gold and orange of the fading sun, all the while listening to MBV's Loveless cranked loud on the stereo. It was kind of transcendent and very beautiful, like a solstice gift from the universe. I'm not sure I'll ever forget it.

2. Watched one of my favorite Christmas movies, Bad Santa, last night, then went to bed around 11. And woke up just before 11 this morning! I haven't slept the clock around in YEARS. It felt great.

3. There's a cat purring on my lap and hot tea brewing in the kitchen; also, it's sunny and absolutely beautiful out. Looks like a good Xmas eve.

posted by BoringPostcards 24 December | 11:16

Waitrose is a supermarket, desjardins, probably the most upmarket one in the UK. The branch where I live is fairly small and it's too expensive for me to do my normal shopping. There's a huge one down the road near where chrismear lives and it took me half an hour to get through the traffic lights next to it yesterday, the queue to get in was so huge.

posted by essexjan 24 December | 11:16

1. Airlifting my Virginia-baked ham out the house and into Portsmouth to see what there is to be seen.

2. Checking to see if my shipped presents have shipped.

3. Might treat myself to some new muzeek/burn some holiday CD's/go to big-time Unitarian service tonighty.

posted by Lipstick Thespian 24 December | 11:22

1. Got the kitchen cleaned up, and now I'm watching the Price is Right, sitting under a blankie on the couch, sipping coffee.

2. Nice day out. Cold, but clear and sunny. Might go for a walk later.

3. Planning a big Christmas eve dinner, with cheese platter, bacon wrapped scallops, porterhouse steak, baked potato, creamed spinach, and key lime pie with vanilla cool whip. Yum. We're gonna chow down and watch The Wire later. (Getting ditched by family at Christmas ain't so bad after all.)

Happy Holidays all!!!

posted by Pips 24 December | 11:23

1. Working. Bleah. Trying to internalize and apply the truth that if I just sit down and engage this brief, today will go by quickly.

2. Smitten.

3. Ramsey Lewis Trio, the Sound of Christmas, interspersed with Smitten Songs.

posted by crush-onastick 24 December | 11:23

1. Nowhere near as hungover as I deserve, since the party we threw last night ended up having two distinct parts with two sets of party guests and as the hosts we drank our way through the whole thing. Fun though! It was a make your own panini party!

2. Need to wrap presents. Hate wrapping presents.

3. Happy. Mellow. In love. James Bond on TV, house relatively tidy, decorations up, feel all Christmasy!

posted by mygothlaundry 24 December | 11:26

1. At in-laws with mother as well. Just waiting to get through the next couple of days.

2. Going to midnight mass at the Basilica in downtown Baltimore tonight. Yay! Much prettier than the normal one we go to.

3. Caught up with friends last night. Very worried about one of them and their ongoing alcohol consumption.

posted by gaspode 24 December | 11:57

Make your own panini party? I totally want to go to one of those.

posted by box 24 December | 12:00

1. Sister at work at the crime lab awaiting notification of whether she can go home early. I'm at her house doing dishes and changing light bulbs because that's how I roll.

2. The trip to Ikea to buy a guestroom bed last night -- my 2nd trip to Ikea ever -- went well and now the guestroom at my sister's place has more than just a futon on the floor, it has a futon on a BEDFRAME.

3. The holday we don't really celebrate is tomorrow but we're going over to my Mom's house which is a bittersweet occasion after her cancer diagnosis (thanks for well wishes, no I don't want to talk about it at all yet) and I'm feeling lucky I can get my ass out of bed and dress myself.

posted by jessamyn 24 December | 12:06

1. I feel like a million pounds :-)

2. Ms is poorly. She went to the doc and he put her on antibiotics (and gave her an inhaler!). She's still working, though. Nothing can stop the woman.

3. Going to see the outlaws, then a skype con with my mom in the states. Presents.

Then, just waiting for the fat man. Kids are on cloud nine.

posted by chuckdarwin 24 December | 12:10

((jessamyn))

posted by chuckdarwin 24 December | 12:11

I still have the flu and have to go out to the bank and Whole Foods get some oranges...the only decent ones in NY are organic. Will try to pick up matzah ball soup at the new 2nd ave deli. I would have like to have been included at someone's family gathering, but this didn't happen.

Managed to send out the New Year's cards, but the ones outside of North America may arrive later. I'm still going to be alone that night and I wasn't included at any holiday parties.

Am still very angry that my aunt and uncle refused to discuss their concerns about my presence at their party directly with me.

*hugs jessamyn*

posted by brujita 24 December | 12:34

1. I have all of the food ready for tomorrow.

2. I just ate a breakfast burrito, my first ever. It was delicious. It is 5.34pm, so I washed it down with mulled wine.

3. Boyfriend has a cold, and has been playing computer games for the last three days. He said to me today "Why don't you relax? It's meant to be the holidays" after my third trip to the supermarket and then cooking and making mulled wine, etc. I told him "women don't get to relax on the holidays in general but especially when men have man-colds". He looked sheepish and offered to roll me a spliff and clean up the kitchen :)

posted by goo 24 December | 12:38

4. (((jessamyn)))

posted by goo 24 December | 12:40

1. Starting to feel slightly more human today, and I suspect that the lingering bad-tummy feelings are actually because I haven't really eaten much in the past 24 hours (my body does not function right -- or, really, at all -- without food).

2. Deciding not to feel bad about suggesting a chain restaurant for lunch today, because they have good salads and I really want to make sure I eat in a place that pays a fair amount of attention to health inspection laws.

3. So glad that no one else has wrapped their presents yet, either. I feel less behind now.

posted by occhiblu 24 December | 12:42

1. Had to miss 15 minutes of Juno last night because I couldn't stop coughing and had to leave the theater.

2. Decided to skip Charlie Wilson's War tonight in order to avoid more of the same.

3. I really, really need to go to work today but I just feel like hell.

posted by amro 24 December | 12:47

1. Getting ready to bake more Christmas biscotti. My daughter's inlaws sent over a fruit basket, so, well, you know.

2. Already had presents delivered to my doorstep this am. A friend gave me a ceramic hand made ornament, and in unwrapping it I DROPPED it.

I did glue the broken part, and I think it'll be okay. But, dangit.

3. My parents invited my daughter and son in law over for tomorrow. THAT is a Christmas miracle deserving of its own post.

4.((((((jessamyn))))))

posted by bunnyfire 24 December | 13:00

updated update...

1. my family, in constant terror of anything unknown, have agreed to go to my favorite local restaurant for dinner. I am in shock. I didn't even bother mentioning it, I was all "well, there's an Applebees a couple miles away, and a pizza hut" and my mom said "well, where do you and your friends usually eat?"

2. heat is... NOT RUNNING! WOooooooo! (as in, it's working, but it is no longer cranking to make up for cold air ingress)

3. ((((((bunnies everywhere))))))

posted by kellydamnit 24 December | 13:07

I should really go to various stores, and pick up:

1. Some beer. I like this year's Anchor Steam holiday beer pretty well, and there's a seasonal Shiner black lager that, while not my usual thing, isn't bad. Or I could just buy Chimay or something.
2. Some kind of small token of a present for a spoiled six-year old girl. Her folks would probably just as rather I didn't buy her anything, but, yeah, you know how it is, xmas is for the children. Plus I bought her something last year (Super Monkey Ball, if memory serves). I've been putting this off for months, and it's now or never. Do you think Zoey 101 stuff will be on sale?
3. A small token of a present for A, who just bought himself a giant television. I'm thinking a cable.

For obvious reasons, though, I'm not real excited about this little consumer adventure. How can I motivate myself to bite the bullet and walk through that door?

posted by box 24 December | 13:10

1. just made myself an irish coffee with some of the Jamie my boss bought me.
2. we're watching paula deen fry something on the food channel
3. I love you fuckers. even you, chuck.

posted by jonmc 24 December | 13:15

1. Making dinner tonight; not sure exactly what the plan is for the evening (lots of people working at the mall; are we doing church or no?)
2. At some point, I need to clean up downstairs and make the place look presentable.
3. I was really hoping I'd be able to get a lot of work done over the holidays. What wishful thinking on my part!!!

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 24 December | 13:22

How about Eloise?

posted by brujita 24 December | 13:26

1. I just ate a delicious stir-fry of lemon pepper turkey with carrot, courgette, peppers and spinach. I thought I'd better get some veggies inside me when I realised all I'd eaten today was fudge pan scrapings and raw cookie dough.

2. I was going to go to an AA meeting, but need a nap instead before Midnight Mass (at which chrismear is playing the organ).

3. I am furious at the Royal Mail and the USPS because Jason's card did not arrive, even though it was posted at the same time as all my other cards.

posted by essexjan 24 December | 13:27

1. just downed my first bowl of green beens, new potatoes and ham mrs chewie concocted yesterday. It. is. awesome. She even put ham hocks in it.
2. it has shaped up to be a social holiday after all; dinner sat at the business pahdnah's house, dinner last night with sister & her family (in a neutral restaurant thank god). then I got a call from an old friend who's in town and asked me over tonight for a reunion of the crazies. I'm really looking forward to it.
3. the big cat has woken us up 3 nights in a row digging around on the desk in the bedroom. today we figured out why: that's where we stashed the cat toys they're getting tomorrow.
4. ((((jessamyn))))
5. wonders if jonmc & pips got my email last night & hopes they don't think I'm a freaky weirdo invading their brains b/c I'm really harmless and a social dingbat but wanted to say hi.

posted by chewatadistance 24 December | 13:36

4. I'm watching "Shrek the Halls" where Donkey has hijacked Shrek's house for a Christmas party and the assorted critters are dancing to Journey's "Don't Stop Believing".

This is probably the best thing that'll be on TV over the whole of Christmas.

posted by essexjan 24 December | 13:44

(We were delighted, for sure, chewie... sorry for the slow reply... happy happy!!! : )

posted by Pips 24 December | 13:45

1. Boyfriend and I did Christmas yesterday because he left this morning to spend Christmas with his parents. Lasagne and Chianti and presents and a James Bond movie from my new collection.

2. I enjoyed the latest James Bond movie right up until the torture scene and then I had to turn it off. I may never find out how it ends.

3. I got a new shortwave radio for Christmas. Every time I get a new radio I play with it as if I've never seen a radio before. Fun!

posted by JanetLand 24 December | 13:49

1. had a kind of zen shopping day yesterday because I've bought NO presents and don't feel the need. I made one and sent it off in time. I shopped instead for our traditional chicken soup recipe.

2. mad at the hubby for being pretty damn inconsiderate, trying to cool down before he gets here and we start the soup.

3. I've set the TV on stun to keep the kids out of my hair while I clean - I'm amused that they associate "Tom and Jerry" with cartoons from 1925-30, and don't even know about the cat and mouse.

((jessamyn))

posted by lysdexic 24 December | 13:56

1. Am drinking an assortment of teas (green, ginseng, etc.) and taking the good sudafed as i have pretty much figured my reactions have been more from smoke, improperly wash Beatrix and her endless toil as vanguard of the dust hunt. And i'm hoping the good sudafeds will be a bit of a lift.

2. Been doing odd elf things: sneaking around delivering cakes, hopefully unseen, assembling gift life things-- still resisting shining shoes, and a bit tired of the endless tidying that the Bees has been so incredibly good at making me do.

Look, she's adorable. Freaking adorable. And she manages to be adorable in this "I'm a little lady all of four years old" in between and during things she really shouldn't be doing, like getting on top of everything to its terminally undusted tier. And it's kind of great, and it's of tiring, and it's no big deal except she needs more adventure. But she's is really good at making her own fun, too.
Look. She made her own special bucket just a bit ago.
≡ Click to see image ≡
≡ Click to see image ≡
≡ Click to see image ≡
3. Was originally planning on having her do a little dance in costume we planned to do for my parents but my father is worried about her coming over even though things went pretty good on her first visit as far as the other cats were concerned. Ditched the idea of preforming but i tried a piece of lace on her earlier that she found in my piles of recycled left overs and she was incredibly good about it. So i'm thinking of making it into a little drape but not sure if i should add a chain or a deep red fabric i know will look nice on her, maybe just to take pictures, maybe to add to her adorability factor.
She has a little hipster striped skirt outfit i might just bring for display and cute factor, in her purse. Not a crazy animal dresser. It's just cute, and she's a ridiculously good sport about things. Plus she likes stuff.
Will load the pictures of kitty gift stockings later.

May you all deal well with families and assorted tribulation.
A little tired, spacey, and Rankin Bassed.

posted by ethylene 24 December | 14:14

like not life
And i wonder how old Potato was when John leashed her. i am hoping to make her a legal resident by New Year's and take her around a bit more.
Mom even has a kitty stroller.
Should eat something...

posted by ethylene 24 December | 14:18

1. Hanging out here in wine country California for the holidays with the in-laws
2. Missing my family
3. Watching the turkey vultures swoop past the deck

posted by octothorpe 24 December | 15:15

1. I just discovered that I get a full day paid holiday and a half day paid holiday for New Years. I'll have been working at this job for a grand total of 3 days at that point in time. SWEET.

2. I has budget. I move one square closer to FREEDOM!

3. My parents haven't fought yet today. In fact, they seem to be all smily and laughing. Maybe this Christmas won't suck as much as I think it will.

posted by sperose 24 December | 15:39

Yeah, Eloise, that's a good idea. Thanks.

posted by box 24 December | 15:40

1. Spent the morning grocery shopping and freaked out in the kitchen thinking I'd forgotten to bag the beef tenderloin for tomorrow night but then realized I'd left the bag by the front door. Temporary brain fart - or maybe being all domestic affects me adversely?

2. Waiting for my old-fashioned chewy molasses cookie dough to chill in the fridge as required before baking.

3. Making green curry chicken tonight.

posted by phoenixc 24 December | 16:08

1. Went out and got a carton of cigarettes, a couple of lighters, a pack of rolling papers, toilet paper, Dr. Pepper, lettuce, onions, and a jar of pickles. Now we're set thru the New Year.
2. Listening to Arvo Part's "Litany" and finding it increasingly depressing.
3. Mom is taking Xmas presents from last year, unwrapping them, and then rewrapping them in different paper. I don't know why, and I'd frankly rather not know. As long as she's occupied.
3.5 We had hamburgers for lunch! I like hamburgers.

Hugs, jessamyn.

posted by BitterOldPunk 24 December | 16:41

3. I love you fuckers. even you, chuck.

Right back atcha. (it's a Crimbo miracle!)

I just got the first two seasons of The Mighty Boosh on DVD from my mom (we did pressies on skype). I know what I'll be doing later.

posted by chuckdarwin 24 December | 16:50

1. We don't have to go over until tomorrow now, so i can finish her holiday outfit, which she let me fit on her (how good is that?)
This is her stripey skirt ensemble i have dressed up with a teeny brooch. (She only just tried on the top earlier, never wore the skirt.)

2. i wonder if i can get some ho ho ho to go go go.

3.All i want for Christmas is BLOOD.

posted by ethylene 24 December | 17:41

1. Spending Christmas day with my parents, who I haven't seen in over three years due to them being assholes. But we reconciled when my gram died, and they've really helped me out of my post-divorce financial predicament, so I'm hoping tomorrow will go well. I know I'll be on my best behavior.

2. Missing my boyfriend, who is in Missouri until Sunday for Christmas with the family. They wanted me to come, but I didn't have the vacation time saved up, so he's taking me out in April. This leads to the question of what happens when he graduates and (hopefully) goes off to a PhD program in May, since he won't ask me to come with him because he doesn't know where he's going yet, but he wouldn't be taking me home in April if he's gonna dump me in May, right? Right?

3. Looking forward to New Year's for the first time in a long time. It's been a rough year, what with the divorce, the tumor, the putting off of the bar exam, and the ten months of unemployment due to all of the above. I'm spending New Year's with the boyfriend in Bisbee (an old mining town turned artist's community), which was his idea (meaning he wants to spend New Year's with me, not boozing it up with his friends). When the New Year rings in, I will be employed, in love, tumor-free, and all in all, in much better shape than last New Year's.

posted by Twiggy 24 December | 18:44

1. Had a swell birthday with Science Girl, checking out the Frye (one of those things I've always meant to do but never got around to until now) and eating yummy vegematarian goodies.

2. On behalf of those of us working tonight and/or tomorrow, you're welcome.

3. Hugs to those as needs 'em, good wishes to the rest.

posted by bmarkey 24 December | 18:59

The line was way too long at the Union square whole foods--NO WAY was I going to the one at the Columbus circle mall, so I fled. Line also too long at 2nd ave deli, so I went to Sarges where the soup and tea didn't stay hot long enough and a drunken woman was trying to get me to talk to her.

I have some crackers, one orange, a browning banana, pecans, peppermint tea bags, some emergen-c packets and a bunch of apples I bought last week but feel too clogged to eat now. I want to be coddled with soup and lime jello and have my other rock me.

posted by brujita 24 December | 19:09

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