Most of December was spent trying to tie up the semester and with Christmas. Christmas Part One was held at the usual time in Wisconsin. The snow was quite festive and the winter had not yet turned weird on us.
It was good to see my family. The prime rib feast and haul of presents didn't hurt either.
Christmas Part Two was delayed this year. We waited for Mari to return from her Middle East adventure before celebrating. The new schedule didn't stop us from crashing Joe's New Year. The weather was much milder so we were able to grill our New Eve's dinner. Joe furnished the massive porterhouses and the lobster for the lobster mashed potatoes. And he picked out some great wine for us---so good in fact that when the time came for the champagne toast, our tastebuds had been spoiled. Rule: Never drink your weakest wine selection last.
We also took a little tour around a couple of Louisville neighborhoods to see some Christmas decorations. There were some impressive light displays, but one of my favorites was the inflatable nativity scene. There is just something so absurd about it that I can't resist. I am fairly sure that I will have to do some sort of penance for laughing too hard at the prospect of the baby Jesus floating around...
When Mari made it back to the states in mid-January, the real party could begin. We relaxed at home, heard some stories, and opened more presents. Joe was delighted with a prize from my parents: a toy chicken that dances to "The Chicken Dance." Still nurturing my intense dislike for The Chicken Dance (you may have to be from Wisconsin to understand why it may be an issue), I was appalled. I must admit that I am entertained by the dramatic choking and squawking sounds the toy makes when you grab it by the neck. I won't try to analyze that reaction too carefully.
I have since been caught up in the usual flurry of activity that marks the beginning of every semester. Five separate preparations seemed like an okay arrangement before I got into it. It has been a lot of work. I don't really regret it because I will take four separate literature preps over taking on a bunch of composition classes any day.
None of this seems particularly out of line, does it? Family gatherings and work obligations are both important. How could I feel any shame? I think it has something to do with the amount of time I have sunk into watching TV.
Specifically, I have been trying my best to catch up with Lost. I had stopped watching the show about midway through Season Two, mostly due to scheduling issues and some impatience with the show. I had heard some complaints about much of Season Three so I was comfortable with my choice. And then I heard that things had improved. So I thought I would get into the groove again by Season Four. It had been so long that I decided to start at the beginning. I am now three episodes away from finishing Season Three and the DVR is loaded with the latest episodes from the current season. It has sucked up a lot of time, but I have really been enjoying it.
The experience of watching TV shows on DVD is quite satisfying, especially for a show like this one. I haven't had a problem with Season Three at all and I suspect a lot of that has to do with my access to it. I haven't had to put up with all the games and delays that the networks play. I didn't have to wait for weeks between episodes. I didn't have odd repeats or teasers to put up with. I could just immerse myself in the universe.
I am pretty excited about getting into Season Four. I have heard that the network is going to be better about scheduling. I am not quite ready to believe the talk, but I can always hope.
I will soon be relatively free from my compulsion to watch Lost episodes. I would like to believe that will mean a more productive future for me. However, I know myself better than that and I can't lie. I will just have to be better about balancing my time.
And I will have to work hard to ignore the shelf that holds Season Three of Doctor Who and Season One of Supernatural.
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