Christmas is pretty much over now. I must say, this was the best one I've had in quite a few years. It can't really compare to any Christmas from my childhood, cuz something was just so much cooler about it back then. I think Kate used the word "magic", which I think is perfect. Obviously, giving and receiving presents is always great, but there was just something about it back then that was so happy and exciting and wonderful. I think right around junior high is when it started to fade, but I got a glimpse of that happiness again this year. I spent Christmas Eve with Kate, which was better than I could've imagined. We got all dressed up and went out to eat, opened our presents, and went to a little candlelight church service. It was so nice. Her gifts to me (there were 8 or 9 of them) were so great and thoughtful and they made me feel a little bit stupid about my gifts to her... but it's ok. Then she and Mia came over on Christmas at around noon to spend a little time with my family. I got to watch Mia open a few presents, and just that convinced me that Christmas will be the best when I have my own kids. Then my family went to Christmas dinner at my aunt's, which was nice. Then the day after Christmas was Kate and my 6 month anniversary. We didn't really do anything special cuz she was busy most of the day. Then the next day was another family thing at our house. Then today was another family thing at our house for my dad's birthday. Hopefully that'll be the last of the family stuff for a while. Not that I mind it usually, but 3 parties in 4 days is just too much.

So of course now that Christmas is over, we're nearing the end of 2003. I just saw a bunch of "Top 5 albums of 2003" lists online so it made me start thinking about my favorites. First I have to figure out what all was released this year. Let me think aloud for a moment...

Radiohead - Hail to the Thief
MxPx - Before Everything and After
Thrice - The Artist in the Ambulance
Andrew WK - The Wolf
The White Stripes - Elephant
Alkaline Trio - Good Mourning
Dashboard Confessional - A Mark, A Mission, Blah blah blah
Five Iron Frenzy - The End is Near
Coldplay - Live CD / DVD
The Living End - Modern Artillery
The Suicide Machines - A Match and Some Gasoline
Less Than Jake - Anthem
Blink 182 - Self-Titled
NOFX - War on Errorism
Lagwagon - Blaze
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes - Take a Break

I'm sure there are plenty more, which I'll figure out in the next couple of days. I'll post my top 5 with some explanations on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Speaking of which, Bill will be here on Tuesday morning. I'm so excited. I need to change my pants. For New Years Eve we (Bill, Kate, Sara and I) are going to the Metro to see the Violent Femmes and drink a lot - one of my Christmas presents to Kate. Doors open at 9 PM, I believe, and it's open bar until midnight. Hopefully we'll be able to find a place to stay downtown overnight and such. It should be good times.

I think that's about it for now. I have to work in like 7 hours, which sucks so bad. Paul is on vacation in St. Thomas, the bastard, so it'll make this week shittier than usual. Hopefully it'll be a little less hectic because of the holidays and such. We shall see. Anyway, I hope everyone (all 2 or 3 of you that read this) had a great Christmas, and I hope you have a Happy New Year as well. Be safe.

Love,
Rick