Before it's too late -- the Carnival of Christmas...

One night only! On the same stage! Jesus and Santa!

Merry Christmas...

Um, Jordan? We're going to send Jack in to have a little talk with you. He's just finished talking with Santa...

But all is not lost, because the Dandy Warhols have stopped by with the Little Drummer Boy.

Eric is almost last in with his wishes! He's in need of some cold weather gear for skiing, specifically base layer clothing. He'd like a very good quality underarmour type shirt and pant for wearing under his ski pants and coat. He'd also like gloves of a good quality made from the same type material.

Uh, Jordan? Jordan? Bueller?

And hey, it's the Yobs come by to entertain us with their rollicking version of Silver Bells!

Gerry arrives in time for the weekend shoppers with his wish list. He's gearing up for the chilly weather ahead and would like duofold thermal undershirt in blue...along with some heavy wool socks, size 10.5.

And speaking of winter, here's Snow Patrol with When I Get Home For Christmas...

UPDATE: I'd like to add the book Brilliant Orange to my wish list, please...

Mom/Oma has called in her wish list! She'd like a 16" straight edge non-stick fry/saute pan with lid...Suggest you start here, or better yet here.

She also has a couple of utilitarian wishes: an ironing board with cover, and a folding clothes drying rack.

And Sinead O'Conner stops by with her lovely version of Silent Night...

UPDATE: Ellen would like to clarify her wish for casual slacks. She likes these in a nuetral color. No purple!

Not My Fault! finally shows up with his wishes...he most wants one of these, available anytime between now and the 25th century!

So while we're waiting, I'd certainly be thrilled with a speaker set for my ipod (I have the 30MG, but I think they're pretty universal).

Alternatively, but toward the same end (the Cape house), a cordless drill would be a welcome addition!

And if you're completely bereft of ideas, there's always exotic meat and game...which I can store in my flying car for in-flight emergencies.

Hey it's the Ramones! With their Timeless! Christmas! Classic! Merry Christmas! I Don't Wanna Fight Tonight!

Page is up next, and she knows exactly what she wants: a queen size comforter set for the Cape Cod beach house similar to this:


I'd suggest you find a customer service representative of the Not My Fault! blog for further assistance...

And Paul has stopped by (one of the two remaining Fab Four, with A Wonderful Christmas Time...

Ellen's list is in! What she most wants (and really really really needs) are these Lands End moccasin slippers in light brown, size 6. There are also some sport knit slacks and cords, petite size medium, that would be very functional and comfortable...

She somehow thinks an ipod would be out of the question...Not My Fault! disagrees and puts the ipod very much in play.

Ellen also loses track of her gloves each winter, so something to match her red coat and camel coat would also be welcome...

And look who's here! It's the Cocteau Twins with their fine rendition of Frosty the Snowman...

Ashley's in with her wishes...her list includes several fine books, but she seems to have a strong desire for a large jewelry box, big enough to have hooks for hanging items and drawers and such...this one in particular caught her eye. Also this one...Dark wood is best; just nothing white or pink. She'd also enjoy colorful costume jewelry - matched earring and necklace sets especially!

For books, she'd like SuperFreakonomics, Moon Flights, Mockingbird, and Wolf Hall.

And look who's here! It's Root Boy Slim with the always entertaining Christmas at K-Mart!

Kim's wishes are up next...she would like clima-lite gear and is particularly interested in the Nike pant called "mystify". (Suggest discussing with Eric). She does NOT like the style that are tight all the way to the ankle, prefers the baggier version. Eric has a friend that can get Nike gear for a good price, and so do I.

Also, she would like a new Life Is Good hat. She already has brown with a pink heart and blue with a green shamrock...something new would be nice...

Later this evening: the kids!

And look who's here: it's Chrissie Hynde and the Pretenders with the haunting 2,000 miles.

Mike is evidently promoting a trend, as he also wants some red wine. However, he raises the bar by wishing for a couple of high quality reds...you could do much worse than going this route...or this (with which I won a competition once, but I've already told you about that).

And hey, what have we here? Why it's the Fountains of Wayne with their delightful New England holiday tune, Valley Winter Song!

Tom's up next, coming back with the tried and true for the 3rd (or is it the 6th?) year in a row with his wish for a half dozen or so good bottles of red wine. He's fond of the Cabs and Zins, and cares less for the Merlots. Blends can be nice. Any decent drinkable red wines...try here, here, and here for inspiration.

And hey, what's this? Why it's the Pogues with their timeless Christmas classic Fairytale of New York!

Following up on a successful trial last year, we're once again posting Christmas wish lists here. Because, you know, I have no other followers...

Anyway first up are Ryan and Kerri, keeping it simple this hectic season by asking for gift cards...Kerri will need new clothes after the birth of her baby, so would like to shop at Target, Kohl's, Old Navy, or Gap. Your choice!

Ryan would like a gift card from either Target or Dick's, but I would also suggest Cabela's, as he's particularly interested in a gun safe. Kind of a necessity with a baby in the house!

Well look here, it's XTC with one of the finest original Christmas songs produced in the last 2 decades -- Thanks For Christmas.

Thanksgiving! Greatest American holiday...my favorite.

If you're cooking a turkey today, here's a list of mistakes easily avoided.

No matter what you end up doing with your turkey, for God's sake remember they can't fly!
(Full episode here)

Coming soon: Christmas wish lists...stay tuned.

It was 20 years ago today...Schabowski shrugged unconvincingly at a crucial question, and the wall fell down. History was made hour by hour...

In the NBA you get 3 points for making a basket from 23' 9". How many points should you get for 90'? How about from a water trampoline? How about from a jetski? Or sitting in a canoe on top of a camp store? How many points for all of the above and several more?

A desktop black hole? What could possibly go wrong?

I think I deserve the Nobel prize for physics....because I really, really want a flying car and I think about it almost every day.

"If you smell tube socks, dirt, mushrooms, vinegar...it probably means the thing you're about to taste is corked..."

Useful advise!

My favorite new song from my favorite new band...

I remember camping years ago and one time I got very frustrated that I couldn't get a fire going due to wind and general dampness. I took about a cupful of kerosene from the camp stove, dumped it on the wood, took a step back and threw a lit match at the fire pit. FWOOMPF! Man makes instant fire, baby! Stand back!

But lighting a grill with liquid oxygen? I guess that's either genius or a whole new level of stupid I never thought about.

"I'm a fake journalist, and I'm embarrassed!"

It's been that way for quite some time, for those of us that have been paying attention.

At last! A practical use for Bud Light in a can!

Flying cars: getting closer, but a few major hurdles still remain. The final assessment seems right me: hugely expensive for the foreseeable future; more technologically and economically feasible in 20 years. If the will is there...

For anyone visiting St. Martin at anytime, I have two word to offer:

Bistrot Nu

Still waiting...

They have done the impossible, and that makes them mighty.

Hoplophobia, clearly defined.

It's the can't miss gift idea of the year!

It just gets better and better...

I pretty much gave up completely on main stream media about five years ago for some few different reasons, mostly feeling our media have abandoned serious reporting so they can advance their own narrow agenda. I now find that with the exception of sports news, I neither need nor miss major media.

Every now and then something catches my eye that shows quite starkly just the depth to which major media have abrogated their duties in the interest of advancing their narrative. None more stark than this.

When all these rapidly declining newspapers and outlets finally do go out of of business, we'll be a better society for it. All the news that fits the narrative, I suppose.

It's more good news for the varsity! FTW!

Well of course bacon makes it better. Is there anyone left on the planet that doesn't know that? Can I get my own celebrity cooking show now?

The reason I never bought an SUV: If I wanted a station wagon I'd just buy a damn station wagon...

Something new to keep you up at night...

The best albums of 2009, so far.

Again, with the quaint term "album". Everyone, myself included, loves to tear apart these lists -- why is this included but not that, and what about band such & so, and so on...But you know what? I'm just happy lists like this are still being compiled.

Baconnaise seems so 2008; a passing fad. Step aside for the new most perfect food...

Frank J of IMAO fame has uncovered the specs for the government's new car project!

(For all of Frank J's fine achievements, surely his finest achievement is that he's married to Sarah K... Visit Sarah here.)

And when your new government vehicle breaks down, hey no problem! Just head on over to the DMV Government Repair Center.

Now more than ever -- it's The Carnival of the Capitalists...

Three decades of research to show what everyone has instictively known for as long as humans have been productive: Hard work pays off!

With that in mind, Glenn Reynolds has a very unique idea that just might work...

Rachel Lucas moved to London late last year and she's been taking the opportunity to do some cultural exploration, avoiding international incidents, and asking all the important questions...

It's the 100 greatest indie rock albums of all time! [What's an 'album'?]

Well, it's one person's list. I must say it's not a bad list, but no Joy Division? On what planet is Joy Division not represented on a list like this? All in all, it's a better list than the previously released 100 most romantic albums of all time, on which Portishead was listed #4. I like Portishead as much as the next fellow, but "romantic"? Eh. If you say so. Are they top 100? No they are not. Number 4? Farce.

See for yourself...

That's a bacon wrapped hot dog sandwich, boys and girls. And why exactly not?

Haven't yet received any of the money-printing scam the government calls "stimulus"? Hey, no worries...you can look like a million bucks for less than $200.

(I suspect that's how John Galt did it...)

Could I get a diet coke with that mega-burger? All that bacon's gonna make me thirsty...

It's a Porkgasm! With bacon! Lots of bacon...

It's an all new Carnival of Space.

The flying car takes off! I'm trying to get excited about this, but it isn't really working for me. This is just a small aircraft that's kitted up to fold it's wings when leaving the runway and drive on roads. I'm looking for something I can lift off from my driveway. But hey, it's progress to that end I suppose!

A World War Two veteran passed away last week.

Winners Only Nick emails from Hollywood: "Here you go, it's your flying car!"

Here's the thing: The manufacturer is calling this a "roadable aircraft", which means it isn't so much a car that flies, but a small plane that drives. Still, it's progress.

Here's the other thing: At a cool $194,000 it's still a bit prohibitive for mass market appeal.

But that's OK, because Nick is ready to launch his Pixel Pals creation and so will soon be swimming in enough filthy lucre to buy everyone he knows a flying car!

Meet the Pixels here...

Red remembers John Updike remembering Ted Williams...

There's a new Carnival of Space over at Martian Chronicles. Freaks. I kid! Space rocks!

"Burn the land, boil the sea, you can't take the sky from me..."

Tina Sugandh is dreaming of a White Christmas. I've got a white Christmas.

Audra and the Antidote would like to wish you a happy whatever you celebrate. No direct link, so go here and click the play icon next to "We Wish You..."

Are you kidding me??

No. No they are not kidding. That's a bacon cheese roll.

Is it just me, or is it becoming obvious that there's a massive conspiricy by the world's cooks to kill us all? That aside, let me just say: Niiiice....

It's yet another Christmas wish list update, and possibly the last.

Jordan would be happy with anything from this fine collection of items. He also claims he'll love you forever if you could find a t-shirt from his '80's era hero band, Skid Row. So here you go.

Kim is going the traditional route: A nice pair of slippers (size 7), climalite gear (Adidas or Nike), an electric mattress pad (NOT a blanket), queen size, dual control -- and one of those neck warmers you pop in the microwave...

The "Dear Santa" requests continue to trickle in...

Eric would like a digital photo frame for his office; lots of nice ones can be found here. He'd also be appreciative of any cool soccer apparel: training shirt, pullover, and the like. He suggests you find me if you choose to go this route, and I would first direct you to the fine folks at Eurosport, and particularly these items, or perhaps these...

Continuing with the Christmas wish lists (and not waiting for a real flying car):

Alexa has emailed a list to all interested parties. Bottom line? She wants and most enjoys clothing items from Pac Sun Check her list for specific items...

Page has also emailed a list (tried to import here as pdf, but Blogspot doesn't accept pdf and doc files). She most wants a silver necklace, and is particularly fond of the Brighton styles, which happens to also be conveniently located at Evergreen.

As for me, I've taken a liking to these casual sweaters over the past few years. And if I found one of these under the tree, well that would be kind of fun too...Color khaki, please.

That's all for now...still waiting on Jordan and the Tolland branch. Also the Matriarch.

Dear Santa,

The benevolent dictators that operate the Not My Fault! blog want...

Alright, trying something new this year. Not sure yet if it'll work out but it seems as good an option as anything else.

So let's have those Christmas Wishes!

Ashley responds first, and quite conveniently provides a link to her own Amazon page. You can surprise her with anything from her wish list.

Mike is asking Santa for a power drill - rechargable, of course. You could do worse than going here...

Ryan wants a gun safe. Also a new Patriots sweatshirt. Coincindence? I post, you decide. I like this one. He could also use a heated cable to prevent ice buildup on the roof between the house and garage, and water softener of some sort. He'd also like to get some new Dungeons and Dragons stuff, but would want to pick it out himself so you'll have to go the gift card option.

Kerri would like a digital picture frame (this seems a good place to start), a carrying case and armband for her 80 gig iPod, and new headphones (the behind the head variety). She could also use some new sweaters/long sleeve shirts, and wishes to point out her longish torso...medium to large would do it.

Jerry would like to stock up on some new cold weather gear (perhaps he
knows something?) He'd like, in order, gloves, hat, heavy socks, and perhaps a sweatshirt. (He's a Patriots fan.)

Ellen would like to add some new kitchen equipment, specifically some nice matching mixing bowls and a panini press. (not the whole pan, just the thing that looks like an iron that holds down the sandwich in the grill pan she already owns. Which, by the way, why couldn't you use an old iron?) Anyway, start here and then try here...She's also looking for sweaters/tops, but no turtleneck styles, please.

Tom, sticking with a good thing, is asking for 6 or so bottles of good quality red wine. Nothing outrageous, but bottles that he hasn't bought for himself. He urges you to find me to help with the selections, and I agree. I won a competition once. Have I told you about it? Why yes, yes I have...

That's all for now...I'll post additional wishes later this evening.

Thanksgiving, a truly great American holiday. My favorite.

How about a nice bacon wrapped turkey? Later, enjoy the previously mentioned bacon apple pie...

But what to drink? Why a bacon infused bourbon cocktail, of course!

Yep, bacon, Thanksgiving, and Pilgrims...they go together like, um well they don't, but who cares.

I posted on the bacon apple pie a couple of weeks back, and was subsequently admonished for missing the "baconaise" gastronomic breakthrough. It's mayonnaise. With bacon! Genius!

But wait, that's not all. Why not enjoy some chicken fried bacon with that? And if you're still feeling a need for further bacon goodness, why not enjoy a shrimp and bacon club sandwich?

Bacon. Is there anything it can't do?

How did I miss this story? Oh that's right, "jounalists" don't really report "news" anymore. They're just another special interest group seeking to advance a narrow narrative.

Anyway, the Pentagon has cleared a flying car project! Though in classic Pentagon-ese, it's called a "Personal Air Vehicle Technology" project.

Whatever. Just put me on the list...