31
Dec 2008
Category: General Blah Blah —
Raine @ 3:35 am ·
Comments (9)
29
Dec 2008
There’s a saying we have in this old sports town, whenever one or more of our sports teams fails to live up to expectations (which is, of course, every year, lol). I swear, we could print teeshirts with our little motto, and never have to buy another team jersey, because it would cover all the bases.
The motto?
MAYBE NEXT YEAR.
Every time I hear it on the local stations, I want to scream. It doesn’t imply more effort, or working out the problems, or trying different approaches. It implies that we just wait yet one more year (and that “one more year” has stretched into decades, btw) for the Gods of Good Fortune to smile on our sad little city.
Did I mention that it makes me want to scream?
I’m not going to pretend it’s been a good year. This home team pretty well got her ass kicked. Seasons like this leave you bewildered, looking for reasons…lost. But if survival counts for anything, I guess the game’s going on. Even if this season has ended.
And who knows? Maybe I’m wrong about that screaming thing.
So wtf.
Maybe next year…
Category: General Blah Blah —
Raine @ 2:21 am ·
Comments (13)
26
Dec 2008
…At the CHICAS site today.
Please join us. :D
24
Dec 2008
Category: General Blah Blah —
Raine @ 9:15 pm ·
Comments (6)
24
Dec 2008
—And here’s hoping everyone has finished shopping, gotten the basic cooking duties well underway, and you’re ready to relax and enjoy your holiday. :D
For your entertainment pleasure, good writing buddy VANESSA JAYE has a free holiday short story available for download at the Samhellion. It’s called “THE WOLF WHO STOLE CHRISTMAS”, and it’s a wonderful blend of romance, myth, passion, and witty writing that left me sighing for more.
Check it out!
And, because it’s a free CHICA day, we’re running a holiday oldie by popular demand (i.e., Amie asked for it) 
Our little fairy tale for writers. Please join us. :angel:
22
Dec 2008
We all know the popular, standard favorites. “A Christmas Carol”, “Miracle on 34th Street”, “It’s A Wonderful Life”, yadda-yadda.
And as much as I enjoy those, sometimes it’s the “nontraditional” ones that really give the spirit a boost (nontraditional in the sense that they’re not necessarily ABOUT Christmas, but have something to do with the season and carry their own messages).
Some of my favorites, in no particular order:
“WHEN HARRY MET SALLY”~~a lovely holiday romance (sigh). :love:
“MR. MAGOO’S CHRISTMAS CAROL”~~yes, it’s the Scrooge story, but convincingly done as a CARTOON, complete with pretty good musical numbers. :whistle:
“DIE HARD”~~nothing like a Yippee ki-yay kinda Christmas, y’know? :D
“DIE HARD 2″~~ditto. :bandit:
“THE APARTMENT”~~an older film, with Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine, about a genuinely nice guy in a not-so-nice predicament. :straight:
“DESK SET”~~a Tracy/Hepburn romance, set at Christmastime, and VERY distinctive because it’s about a guy who actually falls for a woman because she’s INTELLIGENT!! 
“TRADING PLACES”~~so many funny moments it’s impossible to name just one—a treat any time of year.
If they happen to show up this season, check ‘em out. You won’t be sorry. ;)
Category: General Blah Blah —
Raine @ 12:50 am ·
Comments (8)
19
Dec 2008
Having one of these little fellows eat right out of my hand a few times this week brought a smile to my winter-weary soul.
Chickadees are tiny, beautiful, cheery, and brave—and I seem to have discovered one who isn’t afraid of me.
Can you say big, goofy grin? :D
I’m blogging at the CHICAS site today.
Please join us.
(Birdseed optional). :whistle: