Felicity Banks

#249: Re-gift

December 23, 2010 at 7:45 pm (Daily Awesomeness)

One of my close friends gave me a really excellent book for Christmas – something which was very touching, since he originally planned to give me lollies (and yep, I’m dieting – it’s the only way to achieve the healthy weight range this year, which I’ve been fighting to reach all year despite sickness and stupid amounts of travel).

It so happens that CJ and I already own the book. My friend knows our habits so well that he not only picked one of the best YA fantasy books ever written, but also immediately asked, “Do you already have it?”

He’s a close enough friend that I answered in the affirmative – but he also knows me well enough to know that having one less Christmas present on my list is extremely helpful right now.

So thank you, Friend Who Gave Me A Book I Already Had, and thank you, Friend Who Will Be Getting That Book For Christmas. I’m grateful to both of you.

Have you ever regifted something? Ever had it go horribly wrong? Do tell!

Tomorrow: This year’s sarcastic Christmas letter – back by popular demand, and this time it has pictures (plus I’ll re-insert my favourite video of 2010).

Keep those Heifer comments coming – every comment (no matter how random) gives them a dollar.

More goats!

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S#57: Secret Squirrel

December 22, 2010 at 11:05 pm (Daily Awesomeness)

Today’s mission was to visit a secret hiding spot – somewhere high up.

I chose a Chinese Elm tree at my parents’ house. Back in the day, I used to be able to climb this tree to get onto their roof, then slide down a branch Legolas-on-the-Oliphaunt’s-trunk style to get down. The access branch has long since been “retired” but the tree is still flourishing.

So here it is: today’s awesomeness (suggested by steffmetal.com).

Step 1: The manly hoick into the branches (yep, I was wearing an ankle-length dress. The last three times I visited I wore pants, but it was always either raining, blowing a gale, or both).

2. The first, “Hmm, maybe this isn’t such a good idea” moment.

3. The triumphant smirk as I reached my destination.

4. The casual glance back at the envious mini-people below.

5. The distressing realisation that I’m now stuck.

6. And finally, the descent.

I walked inside happy, brushing twigs and leaves from the outside of my dress, and wriggling to dislodge those trapped and digging into my skin.

No fatalities = awesome.

By the way, YES  – comments on this entry get magically crunched into money for the charity Heifer International. Ditto for any comments this week. And yes, it’s a cunning ploy to draw out all you silent readers who visit several times a week without saying a word. Don’t worry; I won’t bite.*

PS A few days ago I promised to post the recipe of the best Christmas Pudding I ever tasted. It’s now up at http://shootingthrough.net/2010/12/19/245-food-on-fire/

*unlike a goat. Goats will not be sent to your home address, I promise.**

**Unless your home address is a poor village selected as a lucky goat recipient. If that’s the case, I can’t help you – except of course with the aforementioned goat.

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#246: The Whole Family Thang

December 20, 2010 at 8:11 am (Daily Awesomeness)

My sister and her husband and baby daughter are a-visiting, yay!

Yesterday, for one day and one day only, my entire immediate family (plus spouses and children) got together, and ate Christmas lunch.

The newest member of the family was understandably suspicious. . .

. . . and it was VERY clear who’d taken on the role of drunken uncle.

Quotes from the lad included:

This drink is going up, up, all the way to my brain.

That’s funky.

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#244: Gingerbread House

December 18, 2010 at 11:02 pm (Daily Awesomeness)

Today CJ and I went to a Christmas party, and discovered our friend had made a village of gingerbread houses, with one for every single guest (he made them from scratch, too). Seriously awesome – and seriously fun.

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#242: Modern Art

December 16, 2010 at 2:19 pm (Daily Awesomeness)

Art should provoke an emotional response. Some modern art is brilliant, and some makes me say, “That’s PATHETIC!” (which is, technically, an emotional response).

I’ve been thinking about my own piece for some time now, and wanted to make some kind of comment on Christmas. Here’s what I finally came up with (there was a flash of late-night inspiration, naturally):

For those who don’t know, Gaviscon is Australia’s leading product for the relief of heartburn and indigestion. What could be more Christmassy than that?

Please file your comments on the worthiness or otherwise of this piece of art* below. Bonus points for any of the following words:

synergy

juxtaposition

visual allegory

hurynoggininity

For those who prefer the kind of art that looks nice, I give you “Ana at Twilight” (when the wall is toasty):

*I DID mention a few days ago that I’m no artist.

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#241: Good Santa/Bad Santa

December 15, 2010 at 1:50 pm (Daily Awesomeness)

To a Christian (such as myself), Santa is a big fat symbol of capitalistic greed taking over what’s technically our religious holiday. (99% of us get over it on the theological loophole of, “Ooh! Presents!”)

I had a strange and somewhat disturbing moment in Indonesia one Christmas, when I discovered that poor Muslims were refusing charity gifts from Western countries because they contained pictures of Santa – something they considered a Christian religious symbol.

Arg. In this particular instance, volunteers sorted through the presents removing all the Santas, and it was all fine.

Indonesia is also the country that responded to terrorist attacks on churches by beefing up security – and dressing the armed guards as Santa. I like that.

THANK YOU to my parents for always telling me, “Santa Claus is a game we play at Christmas”, and for never forcing me to sit on the scary man’s knee.

And THANK YOU for my church, for happily bringing Santa into the celebrations, letting him give away ACTUAL LOLLIES (good health and OH&S can get stuffed) – and most of all, for having him ride in on this each year:

Coming soon: Modern art. Secret Squirrel. And my review of “Leviathan” and “Behemoth” by Scott Westerfeld, who is infinitely cooler than Santa.

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