I forgot to complain that I haven't done ANY Christmas shopping. I don't even know what I'm getting anyone -- I don't even know what most people want -- hint, hint, family! Plus, the uncle I drew in the Steen side gift draw is the one person in the whole family who will not appreciate anything particularly "New York." Unless maybe I can find some leftover Republican convention trinkets. (OK, I confess, I still hold it against this uncle for the Christmas when I made a comment on the football game we were watching and he laughed and said something to the effect of "so you know about sports now". Although the nice flip side of that memory is my brother sticking up for me, which he does not do publicly very often.) At least on the maternal side I have my grandmother -- ok, I actually do know what I'm getting her, if only because she only put two things on her list. When do I get to have one of the girls my age, though? With cousin-in-law and sister-in-law in the draw this year we have a lot more women and I still have yet to draw someone from my generation (it's usually one of my aunts). It was kind of funny at Thanksgiving, though, when we were writing up our lists and my cousin, my sister-in-law and I were copying household items off each other, since we all have new apartments ("a spice rack!" "oh, I want a spice rack!" "I need a saucepan with a lid!" "Oh, me too!")

I'm regretting putting the new REM CD on my Christmas list if only because I know this will be like when I wanted Supernatural by Santana and I got two copies because no one could find anything else I asked for. Hint -- go to Barnes & Noble, people. Last time I was in the 71st St. B&N I was very impressed with both their selection and their prices. Of course, whoever draws me on Dad's side will probably ignore my list and buy me another little knicknack figurine so whatever. The last few have not been too kitschy, but you can only have so many ceramic figures with wings. Ah well, if it wasn't for Christmas presents I'd have hardly anything to decorate my apartment with. And that is the extent of my Christmas present griping (until I start shopping seriously).