I'm a fan of the movie Groundhog Day, and I remain amazed that, to my knowledge, there hasn't yet been film that uses the same premise, but with Christmas Day being stuck in a recurring loop (although the idea has been used in the animated show Fairly Odd Parents). It's a great idea, and would underline the Too Much of a Good Thing idea in a quite possibly amusing and terrifying way. I bet it happens one day - or maybe it already has and I just don't know the film.
Anyhoo, as wonderful and special and lovely as Christmas day is - and has been again this year - I'm glad it's a 1 in 365.25 event. This year we were particularly sleep deprived, having gone to bed late on Christmas Eve, then soon after retiring, being woken by the children repeatedly, and the patchwork of intrusion and insomnia meant that we probably didn't get much more than an hour's sleep before the pre-arranged 6am curfew arrived and our bedroom door was opened by three wide awake and fully dressed eager and excted children. I have to admit that the energy and joy behind my Merry Chrismas!!! surprised even me with it's aithenticity - an authenticity which made it a self-fulflling prophecy, and we were soon assembled downstairs and tearing into out presents. It was slightly reminiscent of five tree-shredders aimed at the center of the room and being fed with rolls of giftwrap. But nicer and happier than that.
One of the nice things I look forward to each December 25th, probably around 7am, is sitting with a cuppa and a little net pouch of chocolate coins, and just peeling the gold foil and eating an entire purseful perusing the scene and watching the kids examine this and that and chat to each other about the stuff they have.
I've now got some great things to watch and read, including We Could Be Heroes / Summer Heights High (two Chris Lilley series about Australian dysfunctionals), 8 1/2 Women (Peter Greenaway Film), Roma and La Strada (Fellini), Count Arthur Strong The Musical, Mighty Boosh Series 3 (and the Book of Boosh), and the entire Hitchcock cannon. Also looking forwad to reading the Dawn of the Dumb (Charlie Brooker) and Have You Seen... a personal introduction to 1000 great films by David Thompson, and excellent film writer and historian. I'm also beingushered into a new phase of accuracy in beardcare.
There a couple of lovely VW related gifts - including a most unusual camper van dimmer switch (not a typo) and a very attractive tin 24 window camper to add to my Beetle and Camper collection.
I visited dad in the morning, and it was a very special time for me. I have no idea how much of what I say goes in sometimes, but at one point, stuck for something to say, I asked him to tell me a joke. He then mumbled something unintelligible for the next minute or so, giggling to himself intermittently, and at the end we both laughed at what was a genuinely lovely and funny joke that probably neither of us understood, but made me feel so much happier than most jokes I've ever heard. He got some nice presents too - Michelle got him some clothes and stuff including a pair of socks with Greatest Grandad writen on them and a picture of someone spookily like him. Excellent.
At lunchtime, back at home, we were joined by my mum, and we had a delicious traditional feast. I love Christmas pudding, but no-one else is all that keen, but they do like to see it being flamed. This year was especially exciting, as when I was lighting the blow torch which I use to warm a ladle half filled with brandy, the thing fire-balled in my hands and took most of the hair off my right hand. It was quite scary, but I think it will be expected every year now, as the gently flaming pudding was very tame in comparison.
Visits with family and friends throughout the day followed - and it was so nice to see everyone we encountered, filled with Christmas cheer and all that. The day timed quite nicely - no real rushing, no crowds, no boredom, and a small nap in the afternoon whilst the Queen told everyone something that we didn't catch but we're not sure it matters all that much.
The day ended with a few episodes of Arrested Development season 1, which was really funny and something we'd never seen, but it's got a great cast (including Jason Bateman and Michael Cera (both from Juno) and sharp, fast quirky writing with performances to match.
Today the kids will probably be having a space hopper race, and we'll finish watching Indiana Jones and the Kingdon of the Crystal Skull. I've got more chocolate coins to get through now. Catch you later...
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