Fountain Boy

(Geez, it’s December - I should be posting MORE!)

The earliest tradition is probably the extended family get-together/Christmas Eve party every year. All the relatives from the whole state of California used to come over to my grandparents’ and we’d be loud and crowded and the usual fare of making the kids (us) have a mini recital of our respected learned instruments (to show off) and sing Christmas songs. Off key. Nowadays, it’s just my dad’s and his siblings’ families and the few cousins that live nearby. This year it’s my uncle’s turn, but his sons are working Christmas Eve, so we’re doing it the day of instead. I looked forward to this huge family reunion every year when I was younger. I still do now, but wish it could be as big as it used to be - the San Diego relatives really bring the party with them :)

The second-longest tradition was my mom’s decorating of the house. She used to love doing it (again) when we were younger, but got tired of all the work after a while. Well, this being my absolute favoritest month/holiday/season of the year, I wouldn’t stand for that. So my sisters and I picked it up the year she “gave up the reigns.” Of course, given her tidy and somewhat obsessive nature, she’d step in and fix some garlands or sweep and hang something here and there. She still does and eventually helps.

Side-story: My dad didn’t want to be involved in any of the fuss this year. So I just asked if he and my sister could stop by a house we own in Daly City (where we dump all our other junk) and pick up our tree there. He and I both saw some long cardboard boxes made for holding Christmas trees, so all I had to do was find it and get it. It’s not an easy place to park either btw, so we don’t enjoy going there all the time. He and my sister did go and he got it out and said that yes, he was sure this was the one. When they got home and took it out of the box, it was 4 feet tall.

I don’t even…

Next tradition is my sisters and me watching Home Alone 2 every year. We just found it funnier than the first and came up with our own inside jokes for it. Lots more gags and jokes that build on the last movie. Just so much more epic. Lately, it’s just been me watching it every year. But whatever. “TURTLEDOVES.”

Along with that is our video game traditions. We’d play Christmas NiGHTS on the Sega Saturn/PS2 that has easter eggs if you play it the day of. With Animal Crossing (GameCube), there’d be a reindeer walking around town (his name is Jingle) and he’d give your character exclusive Christmas-themed (Santa, rather) items. We’d only play these this one day of the year for the heck of it.

My aunt started going to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra shows (or are they concerts?) in San Jose the past few years and would invite us or other relatives. It’s not so much an “orchestra” as it is a LOT OF MOVING LIGHTS and some rock-and-other-genre twists to Christmas carols. They’re awesome, but beware the lights sending you home with a seizure…

My personal tradition also as of the last few years was watching the anime Princess Tutu all through the month, one episode a day. It’s a magnificent story that speaks to the writer in me and plays a lot of Nutcracker music in the background. So, yes. :) This year marks the 7th time I’m rewatching it.

Speaking of which, I’d also watch other Christmas or winter (or anything with snow) movies through the month besides Home Alone 2. The Nutcracker Prince (featuring a very cracky-voiced Kiefer Sutherland), er….cracks me up listening to him, but I still watch that among others every year. I should do Anastasia sometime soon.

Lastly, it just doesn’t feel like December without Scrooge. I decided to keep it a little more “fresh” for me by being a stage mouse this year and thereby keeping me on my feet more. I should post about that experience sometime later.

If you can count it, getting sick and fat is definitely a tradition. :)

This year, we have this little boy and likely buying him a lot of doggie sweaters as part of our new tradition:

Ask me anything