I got an email this morning from Brad wishing me a merry christmas and wondering since we had the day off if I was going to follow through with my holiday tradition of not showering. (he always remembers my traditions better than I do, like how ever year – literally – except this year, I’d gotten a flat tire on Halloween) Historically, today has been one of the few “ballcap” days at the office where I would sleep in and then shower before the holiday festivities began in the evening. But today, no work, so I replied....I’m sitting in a café in yesterday’s clothes....yeah dirty. And I was. My head was killing and all I wanted was Gus’s freaking pretzels, which was in very close proximity to where I was. Closed. Di and I tried to go their Sunday afternoon after our decedent Four Seasons Spa morning. Closed. Boo. So today, not only was I unshowered I was wearing someone else’s sweater because I think my wool blazer absorbed all the smoke from being out last night and made me want to hurl when I tried to put it on. I was sitting in Benton Park Café, the woman asked if I wanted coffee I replied....do you have soy milk? Yes, and then she brought me a glass of soy milk. Ick. We finally got it straight....coffee...with soy milk. I really like that place, food is great, good soundtrack and nice people. I was trying to focus on the RFTs article on the best music of 2008 – head killing, fuck it, I brought it home with me to read later. I loved the cover headline....We made you a mixedtape. That rocks.

I was burning CDs this week and made the 2008 equivalent of a mixed tape – and iPod playlist. But something is wiggy with my iTunes and it won’t pull in the track names on the CD. Every time a new version comes out I swear it jacks something else up from the older version I liked.

My head is still killing and I would take my migraine medicine but I took it the other day at work and was seriously high....and I have to pack, get a haircut and take him to the airport this afternoon before heading to the parents, so I think I need to be in a little of my right mind. (stop laughing, yes I do have a right mind, it just doesn’t always win out over the random thoughts) I was thinking on my home this morning that cellphones have made it much easier for people who talk to themselves in the car, like me. Whose to stay I’m not on speaker phone? My car has the phone built right in through the speakers. I could be solving the world’s problems on my phone instead of really just making bizarre comments to myself, usually about the music I’m listening too or singing at the top of my lungs. I could be doing a phone audition with Capital Records for my next album....how are you to know?

I had one migraine pill in my bag last night when we were at El Monstero and I told Rachel I would share it with her. Seriously, next time I see that show there has to be drugs involved. I did enjoy the pageantry of it all, and the burlesque pole dancers were hot. Interesting experience and SOO FUN to see everyone I’d missed while I was away and catch up!

In holiday news the Wise Guys are now on the other side of the TV stand! The star is still in sight. Actually when I was in Bethlehem they said the star was a comet. And I also learned that the Church of the Nativity is still here today because of the Wise Guys. There was a large mosaic of the 3 of them on the outside of the church (since stolen) but when the Persian came and destroyed all the churches in Bethlehem, they recognized the Wise Guys as their countrymen and left the church alone. Great story.

Trisha emailed and said she’d call when she got home tonight and we could open our presents together over the phone. My mom – the June Cleaver of Washington – still spoils me in her eyes by letting me open some gifts tonight and Trisha’s were shipped to her because she was in Cancun today for work....rough. Trisha said it will probably be matching pajamas, which made me smile because she’ll be right. And they’re not just the same pajamas, they’ll be polka dot or say Joy to the World on them...essentially pjs that say...Hey let’s not have sex. It’s actually hard to find just normal pajamas that are solids or with a simple cute print, it’s as if the whole clothing world has reverted to their childhood selves when it comes to sleeping. There has to be a happy medium between Fred Flinstone and Fredericks of Hollywood.

The post vacation, new outlook on life random happy me is still in full force. Smiling is my favorite. Work is your favorite...make work your favorite. Ok, I only have a few more days for legitimate Elf quotes. I think I just feel settled, like my body and my mind are finally in the same city. I LOVED essentially commuting to Chicago this spring and summer, but it’s good for me to realize all the things and people I love here in St. Louis too. Life is long and there is plenty of time for future changes. For now I’m enjoying my present...very much.

Merry Christmas eve.