The Char-Lettes

My church hosts an annual Oscar Night. Any member can submit a video 5 minutes or less in length to be judged. The audience views all the entries and votes for the standard categories: best actor, best actress, best music, best animation, etc.

I decided to enter a video this year (because I'm in graduate school and have an abundance of free time...cough, cough). I wanted to make a music video featuring music from The Trans Siberian Orchestra. I love their music. I have been known to listen to their songs in the summer. I know, I know, shame on me. Anyway, I filmed the video (which took awhile) and handed the clips to my fantastic film friend Janet who did the editing, cropping, and designing. The video won Best Actress and Best Costume/Make up.

Here are the Char-Lettes performing Queen of the Winter Night.

Untitled from JanetFelosi on Vimeo.

List Noted

I received an email from P-Squared regarding Little Boy Blue's Christmas list.

Little Boy Blue revealed his wish list a few weeks ago when in Target. I took notes. Some of the Lego toys are under $20. He tore the pictures out of a catalog and keeps them handy to look at and covet. Er, I mean, dream.

P-Squared then listed five different Lego sets.

I noticed he'd copied all the siblings minus Little boy. I took the opportunity to respond first.

Dad, since I wasn't at Target with you, my wish list is unknown. To be helpful, I've responded with my list. I like
- a new car
- a road bike (I'll even settle for one that's only $1,000)
- tuition paid in full

Then the email responses snow-balled. First from TheDeanInc.

Since we are all laying this out there, I want:
- a 3 year old BMW M3 (not as picky on the 'new' part that Charlotta wants)
- some new jeans, preferably True Religions.
Scratch that...just get me some very high valued Nordstrom gift cards.

Next from P-Squared himself:
Well, if we're revealing, I want
- a new truck. Then Johnny can drive my truck.
- some new shirts and slacks.
- a replacement of the Acura for (me) mama mia

- a new garage door
- or shingles for the house.
Nothing TOO costly.

Then Johnny commented:
That's an ugly truck, no offense, but if you're the one driving it, then SURE, go for it!

And finally Smelly Shelly wrote:
I need these. (She's enrolled in Dental Hygiene school) They range from $700 - 900 but I don't know if that includes a prescription.

- this car
...or the SUV
...or a black Range Rover

______________________________________________

I hope Mama Mia wants a new four car garage...

Home for the Holidays

Whether home is a house,

a high rise apartment building,

a house with lots of land,

a house with lots of water,

or a house on wheels,

May you have a very merry (and sweet) Christmas!

A Christmas Poem

Twas the week before Christmas;
Lists ran through my head,
Of tasks not yet finished.
My heart filled with dread.

There were stockings to stuff,
And presents to buy,
Cookies to bake,
And ribbons to tie.

Parties yet to attend,
Christmas cards not addressed,
Everything must be perfect;
I was rather obsessed.

When what to my open inbox did appear?
Yet another email wishing me holiday cheer.

Bah Humbug! I'm busy!
No time for your fun.
Contact me next week,
By then I'll be done.

My time is all scheduled.
I've no time to stop.
I must stay focused,
Or all plans will flop.

No phone calls,
No emails,
No letters,
No eating.

No carols,
No blogging,
No Facebook,
No reading.

To the store, then home, and back to the mall.
Dash this way, dash that way, dash away all.

The store clerk said 'Thank you'
And gave me a smile.
I began to feel...festive.
Boy, that took awhile!

Christmas was coming
And I'd nearly missed it!
I'd been too busy rushing
To stop and enjoy it.

The family and friends
With which I'd been blessed,
Had true Christmas spirit
While I sat and stressed.

I had fresh perspective;
A new Christmas goal:
I'd be friendly and nice -
Earn no stocking coal.

It's people like you
That I hold so dear.
You're a present to me
As Christmas comes near.

So to all of my friends,
In cyber space or near,
Merry Christmas to all,
And a Happy New Year!

Back to the Future

I found this list the other day.

Obviously it's a list of what some one wants for Christmas. Initially I assumed the list belonged to Little Boy Blue since he's the only one that would ask for Time Machine parts.

Then I read chocolate as the second item. I certainly understand why chocolate would be listed as top priority. Is chocolate also that important to Little Boy Blue or is this a list I wrote when I was younger? ...oh the mysteries.

And one more thought. The first item specifically asks for a Time Machine Clock. This indicates, to me, that the writer already owns a Time Machine but wants to accessorize with a new clock, similar to someone purchasing a new stereo for their car. If my theory is correct, time travel could be more than just a concept at my house. Which begs the question, is this list from the future? or the past?

Happy New Year

Reasons why I loved Christmas.
Incidently, the same reasons why the New Year will be difficult.

Oh man. Christmas was sweet! The type of sweet that melts in your mouth and then clogs your arteries. Oh blessed, sweet, corn syrupy Christmas. I will miss you.

Candy Land

I used to work for a company that held seminars for people interested in Real Estate. I was on the phone with a customer one day and they asked, "Do you realize the knowledge you have at your fingertips?!" I awkwardly admitted I had never attended a seminar or looked through any material. The customer, completely amazed at my lack of interest, refrained from scolding me and I mentally committed to learn the tricks of the trade. The knowledge I left with wouldn't qualify me as an instructor but it is enough to appreciate these fine works of gingerbread houses - well, graham cracker anyway.

FOR SALE: 1 bedroom; 1 bath; snow capped roof; mint brick; licorice door frame; nerd paneling; gumdrop bushes. Complimentary roof opening for summer breeze. Total Fat: 9G Calories: 360 Market Price: $2.61 Nice Neighborhood. Call Muffin Man (on Drury Lane) for more details.

FOR SALE: Modified Double-wide; 2 bedroom; 1.5 bath; gummi bear insulated roof; licorice piping door, window, and walkway; cookie/snow capped side decal; minty walls; m&m garden. Total Fat: 11G Calories: 398 Market Price: $4.23 Able to deliver. Call Little Debbie for details.

FOR SALE: Abandoned cookie house in woods. Great fixer-upper project for ambitious owner. 1 bedroom; 1 bath; gumdrop grass; gummi bear adorned lawn (mass graveyard?); licorice trunk in roof for potential fire escape or tree swing; house entirely filled with skittles, gummi bears, and m&ms for midnight snacks; child delight. Total Fat: 21G Calories: 618 Market Price: $6.29 Call former occupants - Hansel & Gretel for details. They prefer phone interviews - something about breadcrumbs and witches.

I'm Dreaming of a Red Christmas

Redneck that is.

You know it's a Redneck Christmas if...

at least one present comes in a Halloween Harvest bag.

You know it's a Redneck Christmas if...

at least one present is wrapped in a garbage bag.

You know it's a Redneck Christmas if...

you receive a gift wrapped in a shopping bag - and not even the store the gift came from!

You know it's a Redneck Christmas if...

any duct tape is used.

Hope you each had a wonderful Christmas be it White or Redneck!

Winter Wonderland

As I listened to Winter Wonderland on the radio recently, I realized life has changed. Sleigh bells don't ring - there are no sleighs. Walking through a winter wonderland? Not in Georgia! Want to build a snowman? Where's the snow? Last year I adapted my favorite Christmas carol - Silver Bells. This year, I present a "Georgia Winter Wonderland".

Cell phones ring, won't you answer?
Car pool lanes, they're driving faster.
A beautiful sight,
The mall's lit up bright,
Walking through the Georgia Square Mall.

Gone away is the phone booth.
Here to stay is the blue tooth.
It clings to your ear,
And we can all hear,
The details of your life; what's going on.

In the mall we all can charge up more debt.
And hope we get a raise to pay it off.
We'll say, "Next year I'll go on a diet.
But ring up this dessert, I gotta try it."

Later on, as I'm buying,
A bunch of 'stuff', I'll keep trying,
To not overspend,
Or leave out a friend,
And wish I didn't know so many folks.

In the parking lot, "Now where's my car?"
"Did I park it here or over there?"
I'll have lots of fun just walking blindly.
I hope I don't pull out all of my hair.

When I'm home, oh it's thrilling,
Presents wrapping, stockings filling.
And hoping I'm done,
'Cause it's not much fun,
Walking through the Georgia Square Mall.

Walking through the Georgia Square Mall...

Father Time

I got to see Santa this weekend. Who knew he would be at the Marriot in Atlanta, Georgia? (Who knew I would be at the Marriot in Atlanta, Georgia since I live only 90 minutes away.) I quickly stepped aside to chat with Mr. Claus while my friend waited in line for her Starbuck caramel apple cider. Mmmm...

Oh yeah, back to me and Santa. Since I always have the well being of others on my mind, I asked for world peace...naturally. He didn't say anything in response. I guess my humility left him speechless. Something like that anyway.

But, I've had the whole weekend to rethink my request. Santa, I want more time. Time to finish the applications for grad school within my self inflicted timeline; time to get all the supplies for the church Christmas party this weekend; time to buy an outfit for the company Christmas party next weekend; time to shop for presents to give to my family members; time to go to the gym ~ well, that's a bit greedy of me, I'll stop there. Time. That's all I want. Time.

So if my blog seems a bit irregular compared to usual, blame it on Santa.