The post-loot wrap-up.

Our odd little 'Varky family may have our quirks and oddments, but we know how to Do Christmas (and yes, I refer to the crass material end of the sublime-crass spectrum). Stockings are a Big Thing, with nary an orange in the toe. More like Russell Stover novelty candies, a bag of Jelly Babies, a roll of Gorilla Tape in the toe (these are large stockings...besides what are you gonna use if your gorilla tears?). Peanuts, snack box of raisins because they used to be in MY stocking, too! The Dread Dormomoo got a titanium spork. Everyone got a stainless metric spork,




That's right...metric.

Urban Survival playing card decks, like the plane-spotting decks in WWII, but...urban.

Stuff like that there.



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As to the Christmas presents, I had requested, and promptly forgot about, a place setting of the "2001: A Space Odyssey" flatware used on the Discovery.  The stainless setting was designed by Arne Jacobsen in 1957, and is the ne plus ultra of Danish modern design






A place setting is a moderate holiday extravagance. A full set is a more take-out-a-mortgage expenditure.
I got the place setting! The Dread Dormomoo loves me!

For DVDs, I got "Casino Royale", the David Niven Bond vehicle, and also Disney's "Darby O'Gill and the Little People", which I believe was Sean Connery's first US Big Break. Odd Bond connexion between the two. *George Noory voice* "Synchronicity. Wow. That reminds me of my favorite movie, "Contact", but then everything reminds me of that!" I really miss Art Bell. I have not located his new show, yet.

"Star Trek: TOS" set. The good news, it's "Star Trek: TOS". The less-than-stellar news: it's remastered with groovy new effects. But it's "Star Trek: TOS"! (The remastered digital "fixes" were noted and admitted to by the givers, which is why I bring it up. I'm happy as a clam, (or a camper, or George Noory with a new "Contact" Blu-Ray), and the package design is far cooler than the wobbly tricorder-esque packaging of the original set a few years back. Besides, the "bad old" originals are on Netflix or summat. I am NOT being that guy!!)

Mercy! Mr. McLeod got Boilerplate for me. Paul Guinan and Anina Bennett have chronicled the invention and exploits of history's mechanical marvel. Peruse the site. It is pretty work, and predates the current steampunk fad. There is a J.J.Abrams movie in the offing, and for some reason, this does not fill me with dread.

Perhaps the crowning glory of the haul was a slim package. I was aware of it, having bought it, but it was to the DD and me from Santa. He was aware of the surpassing awesomeness of our customary crock pot chuck roast on Sundays, but recognised the tendency to get in a gustatory rut, and so sought to broaden our culinary horizons. Ecce liber:



It brought horror to the family. I win the Stephen King Christmas Prize!


This book is the backbone of some of James Lilek's most amusing work.
Funny? YES!
Puerile? CERTAINLY!

Happy Christmas, and a Jubilant Boxing Day!
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I may be off (!) this weekend. The Dread Dormomoo and I are attending Anime South in P'cola, and I may or may not do blogging. Con all day, then crashing. We shall see.

Also, a note to Warren Zoell: no models 'neath the tree. I fear I have been cut off by my family until I put together the ones I have already.

@Michael- I think we have everything pulled together, now, and can ship next week!