raybear | "Maybe you drove them away from Christ"

Here's the quick play-by-play of the weekend:

Yesterday I went to a discussion/performance on "Language of Hip Hop" as part of the Humanities Festival around town. This local group, All Natural performed, and now I'm getting into their music. I hung out with Damon some in the afternoon, bought more records, of course, and just walked around the neighborhood an enjoyed the weather. After he left, I watched some TV, went for a long walk where I also chatted with

geekgrrl47, then watched the end of O Brother.
Today I slept in, went to get bagels with MelRo, and we walked around (again enjoying the unseasonably warm weather), and talked and planned a lot about upcoming holiday ventures.

So I called my parents this morning and hung up on them. Oh, stalker? Well, today is my dad's bday, and I assumed they would be at church this morning, so I called specifically so I could just leave a message on the machine wishing him (and belatedly my mom, though I did e-mail her) a happy birthday. But he answered. So I hung up. I just couldn't deal with it right now.

Which brings me to the next topic. Holidays. This is the very tentative plan for now:
1. Thanksgiving in Philly with M. Rowen and the Family (trademark Bad Boy for Life)
2. Xmas in Chicago
3. New Year's elsewhere with MelRo, possibly San Fran.

Now. I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving and think that will be lots of fun. Xmas is problematic because of the whole parental unit thing. I do NOT want to go to a city and deal with all the stress. Plus, this year is way different than last year regarding my physical appearance. LAst year, I passed most of the time to strangers, but I still looked pretty similar to my former dyke incarnation. This year, my parents will probably have a hard time seeing me. And I don't want my xmas ruined, to be perfectly honest. I like xmas. It's not terribly politically correct, and I hate how oppressive it can be. I feel apologetic for that. But I love every non-religious aspect -- Frank-Capra-winter-wonderland-eggnog-turkey-tree with ornaments-lights-rudolph and frosty-bing crosby-etc. etc. etc. Hell, I even like a couple of the xmas carols, despite not being in touch with the whole nativity thing. So a lot of these things I associate with Atlanta and home. But I don't want another half-and-half xmas -- as in half happy about the xmas activities, half miserable because I'm not able to be myself. So this is what I came up with today (with the help of MelRo). I'm hosting xmas in Chicago. And going all out. Here's the plan.

Right after

limenal finishes her exams on Dec. 7th, we're having an Xmas Cocktail Party on Dec. 8th. I'm going to buy a tree, and have people help decorate it that night. We're going to serve red and green cocktails (Cosmopolitans and Midori Sours). And possibly eggnog. I'm going to make fudge and martha washington balls. And sugar cookies. And pumpkin pie. And I"m going to play xmas songs all night, possibly lounge versions. And there will be a viewing of Santa Claus is Coming To Town. And the entire evening will be irony-free. I bought invitations this afternoon (along with my guilt-ridden belated bday cards to my parents). In each invitation, I will included an additional slip of paper, announcing that I will be hosting festivities on xmas day as well. I will make a large turkey. And dressing. And more pie. I will rent the Grinch and "Home for the Holidays" and "Its a Wonderful Life" and "Scrooged" and "A Christmas Carol" with George C. Scott. OH! And the Charlie Brown Christmas special. And maybe in the evening go see some cheesy big blockbuster movie at the theater.

And to top it all off, maybe I'll invite my parents to Chicago for Xmas, and that way they'll be turning my offer down, rather than the other way around. And I will have the best xmas ever.

(Of course, any and all LJers are invited.)

I feel really good and excited by my plans.

Which is good since I'm feeling nervous about sending pictures to my parents from my
California trip. I feel like they'll get angry/upset by seeing them because of my physical changes. But as Melanie so astutely pointed out, they'll have to deal with it eventually, and sooner is probably better than later.

Alright, I'm going to go do some house chores, like taking out the garbage, vacuuming, and maybe even laundry. I wish there were more Sundays in a week.