One Break, Coming Up!

I’m heading out for Christmas break soon, and I should probably leave some message here in case the airplane I’m on sprouts a leak and I am sucked out of the cabin like a string of link sausages, and then ingested into the engine, because I mean, who can resist sausages?

I should probably share something festive. Something really Christmassy. A personal Christmas memory.

Okay, well, here is my favorite Christmas album:

Now, some purists would claim that Van Halen Fair Warning is NOT technically a Christmas record, but that’s only because those people were not given this album for Christmas like I was back in 1981. I still remember sitting by the tree on Christmas morning, listening to the opening riff of “Mean Street.” Until my sisters came down stairs and kicked me off the record player so they could listen to REO Speedwagon. Whatever.

Anyway, my point is that Christmas memories are personal, and no one can explain why some things are meaningful to them. Like those really ugly ornaments you had on your tree when you were growing up that suddenly were not there one year, and you said to your mom, “Mom, why haven’t you put up the pipe-cleaner elves yet?” And your mom said, “Oh, I threw those ugly things away!” And you said, “How could you do that!? You’re a terrible mother!” And she said, “Oh yeah, that’s another thing. I’m not really your mother.” Remember those? The ones with the glitter?

So, in summary: Most people will tell you that you only need to listen to the first two--and maybe the third Van Halen album--but I think Fair Warning is really good, because I got it for Christmas.

12/21/2007 at 07:54 PM

Posted by Aridi on 12/21 at 09:54 PM

Happy Holidays to everyone!


Posted by Apple Pop on 12/21 at 11:54 PM

Ah, I remember the glitter. I also remember hanging generic objects on the tree for unkown reasons.


Posted by Xbob42 on 12/22 at 01:29 AM

I got a Taiwanese mail-order bride for Christmas.  ‘Twas awesome.  But not as awesome as getting Brütal Legend for Christmas.


Posted by masquerade on 12/22 at 01:00 PM

Ah, yes, Christmas memories. The beatings, lashings and the cage that came down. Happy times.

Merry Christmas all. Enjoy your holiday, Tim. I gave my only copy of Psychonauts to a friend for Christmas this year. He is all lonesome studying for his PHD down in Oxford, which is apparently I hive of nothing. So I thought I would illuminate, nay, blind him with the light of Psychonauts. I shall buy another copy from the store when I can afford to.

Also, do you have a specific European store/supplie for those of us living across the lake? It would be nice to know whether or not I were going to be crippled with Tax/Vat should I spend over £35.


Posted by iwamoto on 12/22 at 01:28 PM

ah yes, the moment i read the title i heard DLR say it, i think it’s a great album, if not the best VH album

my best christmas memory is when i got psychonauts last year, already had it for xbox, i got the pc version, i remeber i said “hey, i already have this one” and my dad saying “oh, i don’t know if i can return it?” and me yelling “RETURN IT?” firmly wrapping my arms around it like it was a child

wonder if i’ll get the PS2 version this year…


Posted by Juese on 12/22 at 09:42 PM

I never reply to anything, but Fair Warning was THE first album I owned (in terms of being able to pick out on my own, IE not Mitch Rider and the Detroit Wheels), and it’s still one of my favorites.  Sinner’s Swing and Mean Streets deserve to be hoisted on the shoulders of thick men and paraded around the living room.


Posted by Anne on 12/23 at 01:17 AM

This was an album I had to buy for myself and hide from my mother.

I imagine that when my son rebels and has to hide cds that they will be country music.  Perhaps Slim Whitman . . . great!  Now my emotional baggage is giggling.

So far The Boy hasn’t brought home pipe cleaner elves—just an attractive sunflower seed and raisin owl that does not at all look as if it is being electrocuted and a macaroni and pinto bean wreath.


Posted by Evitron on 12/23 at 09:48 PM

Mmm...Schafer Sausages. A hint of insanity in every bite.

I’ll check that album out. Rawk is always good in my book.


Posted by Ofiler on 12/24 at 10:56 AM

Yeah, I remember that! Have you found *your* real mother yet? I’ve narrowed my candidates down to 87.

Wish me luck!


Posted by beckey on 12/26 at 10:55 AM

I got an autographed psychonauts poster for christmas. Above the g-men you wrote “our backs are killing us.” I’m so happy with this present. I work in a frame shop and I’m going to use my employee discounts to have it framed all fancy.


Posted by ReaperOscuro on 12/28 at 04:32 AM

A bit late, but happy tidings to one and all!! And Tim, what can one say, but Amen to what you said, for it be truth.


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