My Favorite Movies- Christmas Specials, Part Two

Join me now for the (not at all) dramatic conclusion to Christmas Specials, Part One!

(I have too much free time.)

How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Oh, how I love the Grinch. A misunderstood, antisocial grump who lives in a cave with his dog, and believes he has the power to prevent an entire holiday from occurring. He has cojones to spare, but I guess when your heart is three sizes too small, you have a bit of extra room. I love the songs, the animation, and the reassurance that (despite my secularism) Christmas doesn't have to come from a store (much as I like that, too), but it is what you make of it. And there are some things that are more important than jing tinglers and who carnio fluxes. Also worth mentioning, my cousin Ashley has this crazed, lunatic smile she sometimes does, and I swear, it makes her look exactly like ol' Grinchy Poo when he's about to engage in some hardcore holiday thievery. You know the one. All his teeth are bared, his antennae (aren't they?) twirl, and he gives his most wickedy-grinchedy grin. It's pure Ashley, that grin. (Ashley does not normally resemble the Grinch. Just when she smiles while feeling particularly wicked.)

Frosty the Snowman
Of all the Rankin-Bass specials, this one has the most comedic appeal, thanks in large part to Jackie Vernon and Jimmy Durante. I always loved the part, after the kids have built Frosty and are shouting out possible names, the youngest one cries out "Oatmeal!" It gets me to this day. My memories tied to it are quite intertwined with also watching Twas the Night Before Christmas, and untangling strands upon strands of lights to put in windows and on the tree. Especially the color lights that had those plastic flower-shaped surrounds. Do they still make those? I always liked them best. Frosty is one of the only four specials made and aired in the 1960s that still airs today (others being Rudolph, Charlie Brown and the Grinch.)  Which explains why you may have never heard of Misters Vernon and Durante. I actually have a story about Jimmy Durante, courtesy of my dad and his brother (my Uncle Richard.) They grew up in/around Burbank in the 60s. One day, I'm not sure whether to be funny or out of genuine desire, they called a local radio station and requested some Jimmy Durante. The dj scoffed and told them no way, because "no one wants to hear Jimmy Durante these days." He was wrong, because none other than Jim Nabors called, and told him he did. This all played out over the airwaves (or so I've been told.) This is why I'm 32 years old, but understand references on a geriatric level. And more relevantly, Christmas isn't Christmas unless I've seen Frosty while decorating. It gets me in that mood.

A Charlie Brown Christmas
If you don't find yourself disgusted, at some point, with all things holiday-related, then you're either Martha Stewart, or you aren't doing it right. Charlie Brown speaks to the disillusioned soul within us all at this time of year. Luckily, Charlie had Linus to remind him, there is real meaning to the holiday season, and it's still there, even when everyone around you is concerned with their own self-serving desires and whims. I believe that is why this special endures. Our society is ever-increasingly driven to acquire the latest of everything (myself included), and seems to be hurtling further and further away from anything meaningful. For Charlie and Linus, it was the birth of Jesus and not letting commercialism ruin their holiday. For me, it's togetherness with family (even though they usually drive me crazy, we're usually able to reign it in for a day) and enjoying all the little, mundane parts of the Holidays that combine to make them special.

Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Of all the specials of all time that ever have aired anywhere, this one is my favorite. More than any other, it reminds me of my dad, making sure we saw it, even if it sometimes meant being a little bit late for a company Christmas party. Much like with Frosty, the holidays just aren't the same without Rudolph. My heart always hurt for the Misfit toys, especially the sad little doll, whose only flaw (according to Romeo Muller and a few websites) was that she didn't feel loved and had low self-esteem. I recall asking my parents what was wrong with her; they never had an answer, so I'd be sure to tell them "I think it's because she doesn't have a nose. But that's ok, because she can talk and cry!" Perhaps I was always secretly hoping to find her under the tree on Christmas morning? Overall, I love a good misfit story, and Rudolph is chock-full of 'em. My sister and I quote this all throughout the year (mainly King Moonracer's "come closer" and "footman! Show them to their chambers," and Sam's "Pull up an ice block.") I've always adored the style this was made in, the music is charmingly done, and should I ever have children, I will carry on the tradition of watching these guys whenever it airs. While it has very little to do with traditional Christmas themes, the idea of being yourself, warts and all, is one of my favorites.

It occurs to me that I have many, many more favorite holiday specials/movies. More than space here would allow. So, I'm considering a part three. Or doing something a bit more specific. Either way, hope you've enjoyed my lists of favorite Christmas specials! They may not be the most original or cutting-edge, but Christmas isn't always about that :) And that's a beautiful thing.

My Favorite Movies- Holiday Specials, Part One

I have a secret. It's not a dark secret, not scandalous, and it would probably not in any way affect my future as a state senator. It doesn't involve wetting the bed, the natural color of my hair, or my undying adoration for Tom Petty. I love holiday movies, holiday specials, pretty much holiday anything. I hear your groans, the "we saw this from light years away!" protests. And I admit my transparency. I also admit, I friggin love holiday movies and shows. Here are my favorites, and why I love them so.

Christmas With the Kranks
The first time I saw this was just because it happened to be on tv, and I happen to hate channel surfing. It stars Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis as a couple who decide to take off Christmas, just this once, and the chaos that follows their decision. As much as I love Christmas, I can admit to wanting to just skip out on it and avoid the stress and the calories sometimes. If you don't find yourself tearing up a little when Luther gifts the Scheels then you probably have no soul and should probably be forced to watch Sarah MacLachlan ASPCA commercials until you grow one.

Bad Santa
Certainly not the warmest and fuzziest of all Christmas movies, but definitely one of the funniest. Billy Bob Thornton is Willie, a scuzzy, always sauced professional criminal, whose heist of choice is casing malls while playing Santa. He meets the naive, practically abandoned Thurman Merman, who attempts to befriend Willie, believing he is actually Santa. After learning Thurman's mother left, his father is "climbing mountains" (jailed for embezzlement), and his only guardian is his senile grandmother, Willie moves in. Thurman starts to grow on Willie, and he becomes a sort of father figure. Willie meets bartender Sue (Lauren Graham), gets blackmailed by head of mall security (Bernie Mac), and attempts the heist with his partners in crime, Marcus and Lois (Tony Cox and Lauren Tom), only to find out they have other ideas. Cops come, shots are fired, but in the end, we learn family isn't limited to the one you were born into.

Twas the Night Before Christmas
Based loosely (pretty loosely) on the Clement Clarke Moore poem, this is a Rankin-Bass cartoon about a clockmaker who decides to build a clock to entice Santa to town, after a group of punk-ass adolescent mice write a letter to the local paper, claiming Santa doesn't exist- and sign it "all of us." I loved this one as a child, as it and Frosty remind me of decorating the house and tree. And I also have always loved anthropomorphized mice. And how Albert realizes that sometimes, the adult thing is to have faith in magic.

Home Alone
It seems like everyone should know about this one, and that it only seems right that you see it at least three times every December. Seeing it as a kid made me kind of envious of Kevin, either way, really- he was either going to spend Christmas in Paris, or have his whole huge, lovely home all to himself. Not that he got to choose, but if I may be so bold as to overanalyze this movie, I think his options represent a dichotomy we must all feel, at some time- do we continue with the (possibly tired) traditions, or do we forge our own path to holiday happiness? Plus there's beating the baddies, a mysterious, creepy neighbor, and John Candy. And the house. There is something so early-nineties about it that has stayed with me all this time. I have house envy. It makes me want to move to whatever Chicago suburb this house is located in because house.so.purty. The house used in the film is actually in Winnetka, Illinois, and is currently a tourist attraction about "getting your house in the movies."


Trying to post all of my favorites into one entry apparently caused some hiccup with my computer or Blogger, so I have to split this post into 2. So stay tuned for the epic conclusion of "Holiday Specials, Part One."

Another Christmas Post

Yeah, this is kind of (kind of?!?!) late, and I am not one to feel the urge to show the world every little thing I receive, but it is a blogging tradition, and really, what else do I have to blab about? With that, I bring you my first ever "what Santa brought me" post. In January.

First of all, I GOT A CAMERA!! I could end this post right now and be a very happy camper. It's  a Nikon Coolpix in plum, which is very nice. I still need a memory card, but I've already had fun with it, and can't wait to get my greedy little clutches on a memory card.

Next up, an Ulta gift card for $50, which became an Urban Decay Sustainable shadow palette, two Organix 3 piece travel sets (love the Brazilian Ever Straight set), which were BOGO free, and I still have $10 left. The palette was half price, and let me tell you, there is nothing I love more than using a gift card during a sale.

My niece, Mady, let me know that the gift from her (and my brother), was picked out, purchased, and possibly even wrapped solely by her lonesome. Not bad for a 5 year old. I was told well before time, that it was picked (by my brother) because I "will never grow up." I guessed that it was a stuffed animal by examining the box. It's a stuffed Hello Kitty, and she looks like she's dressed to flamenco dance. She and my pink poodle-y HK will live in my crafts room, as soon as it's cleared and ready. And thank you Moosy and George, I love it! 

From the sister, I got one of those nail stamping kits, which has led to me cussing when my favorite design won't stamp properly. And perusing Amazon for Cheeky plates. And even more polish. She also gave me a peacock themed pad, which is adorable and living in my purse. I can never have too many pens or pads.

Also among my loot, were fuzzy pajamas (soooooooo so so good), underthings, half a set of the taco bowl molds (other half went to Kaemae), the Sweet on Paris BBW spray, and a Christmas scent warmer. Even though we didn't have it on December 25, I think I would vote to plan the next one out this way again. We had a huge breakfast, watched tv, opened presents, and made pizzas. I'm not really big on change, and that especially extends to holidays, but this change wasn't so bad. And I'm already planning for the next one :)

A Merry Little Jaunt

So, here's something about me maybe no one else knows- Christmas lights are my boyfriend. In rational, not-so-nutsy terms, that just means "I really, really like Christmas lights." I have long enjoyed sitting alone at night in the living room, staring at the lit tree. Sometimes with cocoa. Sometimes sobbing. The holidays can be a sad time! I was also a fan of sneaking the ornaments out to play with during the rest of the year, but that's another story for....never.

Getting back, I heart lights of the yuletide variety. Growing up, my family would take trips to a town called Natchitoches (Nack-eh-tish), to view their light display. Here's the deal regarding Natchitoches- it's maybe the oldest settlement in La, Steel Magnolias and an episode of Ghost Adventures were filmed there, and they have meat pies. It's kind of like New Orleans north, except smaller, less crowded, and not smelly. As this relates to now, they have a Christmas festival, the main event being the displays of lighted designs on the river. I've never actually been for the big party with fireworks and funnel cake, but have several times gone on the 45ish minute car ride, singing carols with cousins, eating M&Ms, getting gum stuck on my jeans, to ooh and ah over these huge, lit up ornaments. If you have always enjoyed gawking at lit homes during the holiday season, then Natchitoches is for you! Plus, you know, sometimes there's funnel cake.

The carousel reminds me of my grandma. Miss you, gammer!

 For more about Natchitoches and the Christmas Festival, click here. Also, don't question my sanity due to posting about a holiday that was two weeks ago, I won't be celebrating for yet another two weeks. Kinda like in Almost Famous, but with less sticking it to "the man," and more procrastination.

(Also, please do pardon my amateur hour photography. All I have is a cell phone. Surely this coming Christmas, Santa will take pity on me and bring me a Nikon?)

Ode to 2012

Dear year,
You were a rotten sot,
You, devoid of any bon mot,
I'd like to flush you down the toilet,
Alas, I'm afraid, my plumbing...you'd spoil it.
2012, do kiss my ass,
2012, you harlot lass,
I hated you with every fiber of my being,
2012, no more of you will I be seeing.
I've never claimed to be a poet (despite what I may have said between 1994-1999), but for me personally, I hated this last year. There were high points- my sister got married, had her first child, I started the year employed and with benefits, had a working vehicle...then time passed. Cars stopped working. I stopped working. Money was scarce for most of us. Just before Christmas, our grandmother passed away (she would have been 73 this past Sunday, also my sister's 25th) and least of all, I've had a cold for nearly a week. And strange dreams, about apocalypse, demonic possession, and things that go boom in the night. And that was just last night. I blame it all on the constant near-disaster that was 2012. Hell, I'll even throw in there that 2012 sucking so much ass is why none of us got to see The Great Gatsby on Christmas day, like we were supposed to have. Parle à mon cul, 2012. Hasta la pasta and good riddance.
That said, I mourn the shortness of the holiday season. Perhaps because we always seem to wind up postponing it, so the feelings have passed, when the rest has been dragged on. I mean, Rudolph just doesn't have the same feel in January as he does in December. And don't even get me started on how I missed every hour of "24 Hours of A Christmas Story." This year, our family Christmas is Jan 20. A week before my birthday. I miss the good old days of holiday stress involving not getting all the cookies made on time, will we be late for the party at granny's house, are my warmest pajamas clean?! Having to feign holiday cheer for an extra damn month is not tops on my list of "shit I really want to do." And don't get me wrong, I adore Christmas. All the happiest memories of my childhood seem to gather between December 23-25. I'm especially fond of Christmas Eve-eve, where anticipation is highest, bonfires are being lit, fireworks purchased, and granny was still making her fudge, Mexican wedding cookies, and punch. My goodness....I could drown happily in that punch. That said, I seem to be indulging in much more bah, humbug the older I get, and the more things change.
My hopes for our upcoming holiday celebration are cookies, pizzas, pretzels dipped in chocolate, presents, holiday cartoons, butane for the heater, my cold to be long gone, all of us having the ability to be there, and poor Moo juice will finally get to open her gifts, like she was promised to do 3 days ago. And as for 2013, I hope Christmas happens WHEN IT DAMN WELL SHOULD this year, that we're all prepared, that things in general look up for all of us, and for the love of gingy, no.more.funerals. the last two years have been difficult in that regard, and I think our family deserves a break. Also, I hope to not have a cold, because seriously, this thing is rough.
Happy new year. Hope it's lovelier than you've hoped for :)