Predictions For 2007

This year, I predict dragons will finally make it big. My Aunt Mary and folks like Darcy will have many legs up on this trend. Look out for dragons on, in, and as tee shirts, tattoos, cartoons, movies, gummy candies, nativity scenes, etc.

This is my family's Baby Jesus in a manger scene.
(The cat is a new member of the cast.)

The weather will be worse this year. As a result, more friends will join me in the bay area where it's kind of mild.

Xui says beards are out so he's growing one. He says Mayans will be in this year.

Brother John predicts that Saddam Hussein's execution will really mess things up in Mesopotamia. He thinks there will be big money in alternative fuel. Invest now. He also thinks people are going to have to fundamentally change their ways, and 2007 will mark a turning point.

Ed says country music, even indie country, will die for good. He's been stuck in the deep north of Northern California for days now, so I can see how he'd come up with this one. He says that Kabbalah is out and Zoroastrianism will be the religion of choice for the Pepsi generation.

I'm hoping to compile a more comprehensive IN and OUT list, so be on the look out.

Happy Boxing Day!

Boxing Day is celebrated in Canada, a country we visited just the other day. Yup, Elias and I traveled by ferry to Victoria, a lovely city on Vancouver Island in the province of British Columbia.


We've all heard of the mounted police.

Here I am with some local wildlife.


This is me at the Royal British Columbia Museum.

Ho Ho Ho

We arrived last night and completely missed the famous Christmas trees we're were supposed to be able to see. I feel a little ripped off.

This tickled me:


So far, the weather's not too bad. We even had a little sunshine today, followed of course by wind and rain.

We Are Crazy!

This post is a companion or follow up to the last one. I'm kind of conflicted about our xmas travel plans. While I am excited to see friends and family, I'm afraid of the cold and discomfort that I'm sure to experience. I understand that a million people in the northwest are currently without power, and that winds are shutting down bridges and airport runways. People are getting in car accidents, and schools are closed. Even California papers are reporting on the bad weather. Mostly cheerful Cloudy's reports have evolved from delight to despair. She complains, and Xui has confirmed to me, that there was only one rainless day in all of November!

An Article Everyone Can Enjoy

I have work to do, cookies to bake, and presents to buy. You see, Elias and I are getting ready to travel to Seattle. To get us all in the mood, check out this Sherman Alexie piece about my favorite Black Starbucks and Elias's precious Sonics. Enjoy.

Nothing Lasts Forever

Our lives are about to change. BSG is moving to Sunday nights, and I'm having second thoughts about whether or not it is important enough for me to schedule my life around it. I'm not the only one.

Holiday Cheer

Is it just me, or are there tons of diamond ads on the tube lately? Maybe the industry is worried that thanks to Leonardo DiCaprio's movie, people are going to opt out of purchasing the blood stones.

Today, Kottke posted a link to this cheery photo essay on diamonds. Check it out!

Update: LA Times published an article on this topic.

Children's Parade

My buddy Tom and I went to check out marching bands at the Oakland Children's Parade and were kind of disappointed by all the military demonstrations. Lots of ROTCish messages and not enough peace and love.