Ketchup, #1

I know I know...procrastination on the blog. I just haven't really felt like writing in it recently. Put the blame on Mame.

Right before I left for Boston, the Frenchies came and took over the flat for the week. It is always a treat to have the Frenchies here with me. And what a treat it was to see Steven, whom I haven't seen since the last day of classes in Paris!, who is doing so well and is really improving on his English! We were bouncing between languages so much the entire evening we were together that we got many-a-weird looks on the streets ("Is that English or something else?! I don't get it!").

Try to get all of the Xmas gifts I wrapped (including a bottle of wine and a painting canvas) from my place to Roosevelt Island was one of the worst treks I have ever had in NYC. I had 4 bags to haul onto the subways. I even left early, thinking that I would be beating the Friday rush. Well, it seems that the rest of Manhattan had the same idea as me. The trains were stuffed and people were scolding me about having taken a seat up with my many bags (it gave us all more standing room, though) while pinning me up onto my delicate canvas.
The bus ride while on the island was no small task, either; the kids on the bus had no sense of balance or common sense and were falling all over the place (near my stuff!). When I finally got off of the bus at Dad's apartment, my bag o' gifts broke and I scrambled enough arm room to hold it while briskly walking to the complex. I get into Dad's room to be redirected almost immediately to the car outside.
By the time we get to the car, I discover the bottle of relatively pricey NY wine I bought from the Farmer's Market had broken in the fall and was now drenching all of my wrapped gifts. I was the grumpiest Kim ever the whole ride back; my gifts were all partially ruined (sans canvas) and I wreaked of fine wine the whole ride up...a testament to the wine I would never get to enjoy on Christmas Day. At least the drive home wasn't terrible...only an hour longer than usual.

At least when I got home I was greeted by clinical Jeff and quiet Dom, a fabulous mix and ex-couple. We talked about what we had been up to, mostly.
The next day I ended up going out with Dom and her sister (Lauren) and Sam for the evening! It was Sam's 21st a few days before or so, so I treated him to a drink and dinner at Not Your Average Joe's. We had a lot of fun; Sam and I making fun of each other, Dom and Lauren goofing off on the side. And of course, the food was good. We then went to see "The Golden Compass". As an avid fan of the Dark Materials Trilogy, I was rather disappointed in the film. The ending wasn't even accurate! And I felt like if I hadn't read the book already, I would have been clueless as to the storyline. Then again, how could they actually put that dense book into a movie, anyways?
After the movie, Eric came over to my place and we chit chatted for a while. Love that boy.

Sunday Jeff came over for dinner. It's amazing to see how similar he is to my dad. Both are quite gregarious and boisterous when in a group of people. Howling at themselves or jokes, loads of stories or jokes to share.
And Scott came over. It is wonderful, I don't see him for months on end, and the moment he opens the door, it's almost like my spirit sighs with relief. He really is my soul-mate, even if he does like boys as much as I do (is that even possible?). We all talked about some, then Jeff left and Scott and I got into a very emotional conversation (one that included him eating our leftovers, of course). I love how I feel around Scott.
In between visits, I gutted my room. Most of the clothing I had, and little trinkets around the room, have been given to Salvation Army or are slowly being auctioned off on Ebay. I am starting to feel a bit better about my room, since it's full less of just...stuff.

Xmas Eve was Mom's birthday, as always. She wanted to go out to a movie, so we did: "PS I Love You". Actually not a bad chick flick! I got a bit weepy during parts of that movie. I especially loved the amount of Irish accents involved in the film.
Aimee and I made dinner and dessert for Mom. I know, I know, shocker; Aimee cooking. But she actually did a really great job! I'm proud of her, my little girl is growing up! Mom seemed to like the meal, and the presents we got her.
After her birthday we went to Midnight Mass at church. It is interesting, it seems as if the church has split once again into the "New Generation Churchies" and the "Old Generation Churchies", and the Xmas Midnight Masses seems to be made solely for the Old Ones. It was smaller than usual, but I knew almost everyone in the pews. It was really fun to see people I hadn't seen in years (or was it just a year ago?). My friends and I joked about how we felt we would burst into flames due to our attendance in Church, and the music was sung in warbles and slightly out of tune, like always. The only thing that made it hard to tolerated was our interim minister: she bounced around to be "lively" and gave a sermon that made absolutely no sense, eyes closed and all.

Christmas was mostly somber. Woke up and opened presents with the family. I didn't ask for much, so luckily I wasn't given too much to pack up and bring back to NYC or put away in my room. But I did get a fun Belly Dancing kit (which will be put to use). And some money and gift cards. It seems like everyone liked my gifts, so I was pleased.
The ugliest gifts were also bestowed upon me by the ever-"loving" Dad's Parents. They made it visually clear that I am the least favorite of the grandchildren, and I can only laugh about it. I mean, really, it's hysterical!
Dinner was good: prime rib, anyone? Not your normal dinner, but it was a pleasantly different meal.
Scott and I were then joined by Aimee and Andrea to see "Sweeney Todd: The Movie" (yeah yeah, not very Christmasy). I don't think Tim Burton could have done a better job on a Sondheim musical! Very symbolically done, and the singers were all impressive! I love Johny Depp's voice! Oh yeah, we met up with some of the other Andover guys (Dany and Josh), who laughed with me about the amount of food Scott scarfed down from concessions. We also ran into a lot of people before the movie, which I found odd.

I think now would be a good time to emphasize the freezer that was my house. My dad doesn't turn on the heat ever (is it his comfort, or the money? who can be sure). Which means, to me, it was about as cold inside as it was outside. I didn't leave my boots and 4 sweaters while in that house, and I became almost immobile from the cold, for fear that moving would only increase my chances of dying from hypothermia (which I nearly approached). He told me I was overreacting, as my mood slumped quickly into a grouchy, ice-cold Kim. I don't do well in the cold; in fact, I am in my worst sorts the colder it gets. I also grew a sinus infection (surprise surprise), and my body ached and screamed for warmth. It took me about 3 days back in my warm NYC apartment to thaw from the deep freeze.

I think it's time for a break in text.