300 - White Elephant Gift

I went to a Christmas Party this year where we were suppose to bring a white elephant gift. Earlier in the week, I decided that I don't like white elephant gift exchanges when people try to unload their junk on each other. Yes, some present can be funny, but rarely does one get a gift that they don't want to throw away.

So this year, I wanted to give a gift that wasn't junk and kept the spirit of the white elephant. Here is my painting of a white elephant. I may do a new white elephant painting each year.

I kinda like this guy and am bummed that I did not try to get my own present.

299 - I am so going on a diet...

...starting January 2.

Some emails floating around the office.

A basket of Godiva chocolates and other goodies in our area.

Cookies…Jason’s Deli brought an assortment of cookies as a Holiday gift. The cookies are located at the Front Desk while they last.

Cookies of various descriptions on the light table outside Jon H’s area.

Shortbread Cookies…Courtesy of MZ, by our quad.

Chocolate pudding cake, homemade brownies, and candy canes…at our quad.

Come get it…muffins and cookies from Perkins at my desk.

A huge basket of chocolates in front of Henry’s area.

We have almost twice as many desserts for the luncheon than we do side dishes. If you would consider bringing a side dish instead, please e-mail me. Thanks!

Jason’s Deli sandwiches, chips, cookies and more are up for grabs in the South Main conference room.

Fruit Pizza and Pumpkin Cake in our area.

Popcorn…The first of the season – on the light table outside Mike’s spot.

Cream cheese pumpkin bread…At the coffee pot.

donuts in the coffee room... Help yourselves!

Cake…The 2nd floor is sharing their cake with others so you’ll find it at the front desk (until there’s no more).

298 - Which is scarier?

A couple of weeks ago, the family went down to Union Station/Crown Center to eat lunch and take in all the Christmas festivities. But that's not really important here.

Which image below frightens you more?

Here is a photo of Santa Claus. This life size St. Nick was one of many on display in the garden atrium of the Crown Center Hotel. It was a historical "Santa throught the years" series, but this guy in the right light was just downright eerie.

This animated display has been set up for years, probably since I was a kid. This one is just plain weird. The features on Santa are unproportional (check out his massive shoulders) and watch out for those elves.

297 - November Music

Sigur Ros - Hvarf e.p. (disappear)
Listen here.

A new EP with some new songs and some new recordings of older song...some epic, some not so. The highlight is the recording of Hafsol which has been a fan favorite at their shows with the bassist using a drumstick to tap the strings to create a percussive bass jam.

Sigur Ros - Heim (Home)
Listen here.

Heim features six live tracks recording acoustically from natural locations around Iceland...fjords, green fields, carverns, etc. This is either the soundtrack or the live music from their tour film/dvd called Heima. Heima was suppose to be released late November, but I think distributer problems is pushing this back to December. I am very much looking forward to this release.

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This is the time of year when radio starts playing Christmas music the day after Halloween. I am not afraid to admit the I enjoy Christmas music, but I usually wait until Thanksgiving to pull out the old records.

My favorite Christmas music is the old stuff, the classics where Bing is King. But I have pretty much collected all the good old classic Christmas music. The last few years I have been interested in finding modern artist making non-cheesey Christmas music. I have been interested in new original songs about this winter season. Some of my favorites have been Over the Rhine's the darkest night of the year and snow angels, Sufjan Steven's Christmas EP boxset colletion, Bill Mallonee's yonder shines the infant light, Low's Christmas EP and others. Maybe some day I'll make a list.

Here are my selections this year:
Mindy Smith - My Holiday
Listen here.

Mindy Smith is an americana folky singer/songwriter from Nashville. This album is a mix of new orignal songs with some traditonal. The new songs celebrate the true meaning of Christmas and the birth of Christ. Very good listen.

File this under "acoustic christmas."

Joshua James - Fields & Floods EP
Listen here.

I am not sure how I stumbled upon this album on the Internet, but it has been a good find. Joshua James is an indie folk singer from Nebraska and that is about all I know of him. The music is quiet and lo-fi and very moody much like Low's Christmas album. One orginal song and the rest are mostly Christmas Hymns with a couple holiday songs.

File this under "mysterious christmas."