My Own Diversion

This is a time for reflection as well as celebration.

As you look back on the past year and all that has taken place in your life,

Remember each experience for the good that has come of it
    and for the knowledge you have gained.

Remember the efforts you have made and the goals you have reached.

Remember the love you have shared and the happiness you have brought.

Remember the laughter, the joy, the hard work, and the tears.

And as you reflect on the past year, also be thinking of the new one to come.

Because most importantly, this is a time of new beginnings
    and the celebration of life.”

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled down for a long winter’s nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

“Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes — how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

 

“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night.”

Yesterday, my boyfriend and I went to go see The Day The Earth Stood Still, The IMAX Experience.

First of all, let me say that if you are going to an IMAX theater make sure it’s a a real one, because we were fooled. Chery Hill, NJ claims it has such said theater. It does not.

Tickets were $14. Which is not really horrible for what we got in return. It was better than a regular movie experience. The screen was way bigger, but sadly just a normal screen. The sound was amazing, you could feel the action in your seat. Lastly, the picture quality was liquid! That was truly the most amazing part of the whole thing.

As for the movie, not so amazing. Actually, not even close. The bast part? Keanu Reeves. They actually cast correctly for his part. No emotion, no action, just a man hanging out acting serious. The kid? Well, nothing personal against Will Smith’s son but I wanted to strangle him every time he opened his mouth. I’m done ranting now. Maybe Not. The action itself could have been better. Don’t get me wrong there where some “Wow Cool” moments, but nothing to jump up and down about.

I would have been extremely pissed if I did drive the 100 some odd miles to NYC to an authentic IMAX to see this film. Not only is it no where near IMAX worthy, it is definitely not even regular movie theater worthy. My advice If you really must see it? Wait for the DVD.

Here is a simple and delicious recipe for the holidays.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup butter
• 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 2 cups peanut butter
• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

 DIRECTIONS

Melt 1 cup butter or margarine over low heat. Remove from heat and stir in confectioners’ sugar, peanut butter and graham cracker crumbs. Spread mixture in a jelly roll pan. Pat down evenly.

To Make Topping: Melt together 1/2 cup butter or margarine with 1 cup chocolate chips. Spread this mixture over peanut butter mixture. Refrigerate 1/2 hour. Cut into squares.