volksdragon | Weekend/Holiday/Gadgetry Update

My weekend started last Wednesday, a day earlier than most folks, as I took off a day for a doctor's appointment, and Widget was off from school and needed minding. We spent Wed. morning downtown with Widget watching a doctor peer into my eye socket. No major problems there. After that, we spent most of the day either Thanksgiving shopping (food stuffs) or relaxing on the couch, saving up energy for Thursday!

Thursday - Up pretty early to drive to CT (the in-laws) for Thanksgiving, and see the Manchester Turkey Trot Road Race! The Dad-in-law had secured an invite to the law office of a friend (right on the parade route) to watch the race and eat and drink, so we did! I was totally surprised about half-way through the race when one of the racers started yelling out MY NAME. It was a guy I race with, and I had no idea he was a runner! How wacky.

siercia was amazed once again that I can go to HER hometown, and see someone I know there. It's a super power. The rest of Thursday was the regular whirlwind of relatives, FOOD, and a nice change - eating Thanksgiving dinner out on the porch in 65F weather, in my shorts. :) Much yummy bread stuffing was consumed, and much Blackberry and Winter Warmer beer was consumed. As always, we were the first to arrive, and the last to leave. We were home by 8pm or so, and spent a relaxing night... relaxing. Relaxing for me included online-purchasing a birthday present gadget, to be expounded upon below.

Friday was another at-home day for me, since again Widget was off from school, and it was a REAL holiday for my company. Rather than busting my tail early in the AM on Black Friday for my gadget lust, I just ordered it Thursday night for in-store pickup at Circuit City. GOOOOD CHOICE. Hannah and I waltzed into CC about 10:30, and it looked like a mini-tornado had made its way from one end to the other, includng a once-over on all the staff. There was still an insane line, but thanks to the wonder of in-store pickup, and a shrewd checkout-lane choice, we were in and out in about 15 minutes. The total hauk consisted of Guitar Hero III, Casino Royale, 300, and a Garmin Nuvi 350 automotive GPS. I had been debating between an Xbox 360, a Wii, and a GPS. I opted for the GPS for a few reasons, partly because I found a great deal on one, and I could order it ahead without having to engage in hand-to-hand combat at 5:30am with a bunch of other unwashed half-frozen idiots. Also, WANTED! The rest of Friday was a return trip to the house, a quick GPS setup in the car, and then Widget and I spent the afternoon at the Aquarium, which was filled with British and Russian tourists. Aside from them not running their "DANGEROUS ANIMALS" live exhibit (which was the real reason I wanted to go), we had as good a time as we usually do, including seeing the Harbor Seal Training in the big tank outside.

Saturday: TRAINS! A friend had clued me into a big multi-state Open House of Model Trains exhibit (pictures at http://www.flickr.com/wileycox/) that was running in NH and MA. I managed to convince Siercia to join Widget and us in driving from house to house in New Hampshire looking at some pretty amazing Model train layouts individuals had set up. We were out from 10:30 to 4:30 actively looking at trains, stopping for food at a cool little catering/deli place, Mizuna Market and Cafe, near Greenland, NH, where we also stopped at a Bead store to satisfy Siercia's Bead Lust. We topped off that day with a visit to

elsterm and her husband and BABY who I HAD NOT MET AND IS WAY TOO CUTE. After that, Zoe (the GPS) led us home (she had actually led us everywhere today, we took no other maps with us, and just programmed in locations!).

Sunday, I was up early for rehearsal, as today was a SINGING day at church. A piece we had rehearsed for probably two months, all-told. I even had a 5-note solo. Woo, go me! Sound piddly, but I don't think I've ever been more nervous singing ANYTHING before. I didn't pass out, but I thought I was going to start hyperventilating while singing. :) Everything turned out well, neither I nor the Solo Soprano nor anyone else messed up, we sounded good. I spent apres-church time mowing the lawn, playing some "Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories", hanging out with the DirecTV guy while he replaced our satellite receiver (which had BURNED UP the access card inside) and got us our TV back. Not only do we have TV again, but the old receiver had been providing BAD resolution, everything looks beautiful again in HD! Siercia and Widget spent the day at a playdate/knitty appointment, and having their hair done downtown. After they came home, we all kinda chilled out, and then Siercia and I watched the Patriots game. THAT WAS TOO CLOSE. :)

So, how was your holiday?