Bugs Palace!

Another year, another Christmas marathon completed.  This year was Christmas Eve: Dinner at Shannon’s moms house, followed by finger foods and snacks at the Shoups (Uncle Ronnie and Aunt Linda’s) .  Christmas day started early, back at the Shoups for presents with my Moms side of the family. Then, off to Shannon’s Mom’s place for presents, followed by her Dads place for presents and dinner. Once dinner was done, it was back to the Shoups for a night cap and more general mayhem. But wait theres more! Boxing day, we went to Shannon’s Aunt Barb/Uncle Randy’s place for dinner, and then one last trip to the Shoups to finish off the marathon.

Being Abigails first Christmas, we had a wonderful time, just being with family and friends. She made the rounds to pretty much everyones arms, and spread smiles everywhere she went.  As an added bonus, her Uncle Jordon and Aunt Stacie were in this year for the holidays from B.C., and finally got to meet our angel. I think they approved.

The theme this year was “spoiled”. Shannon and I apparently don’t comprehend the meaning of budget. I felt bad, knowing that I had essentially doubled the soft limit the we had put on each other, not even counting the stockings. (She got an iPod Touch, speaker docking system, and some other cool goodies.). The bad feeling I had went away when I opend my present from her. An Epiphone Les Paul Stanadard, in translucent blue. This guitar is effing sweet. On top of our gifts to each other, both of our families spoiled us rotten as per usual. I’ve given up trying to set limits with them 🙂 On behalf of Shannon and Abby,  Thanks EVERYONE for the gifts.  And also, thank to the wonderful hosts of our Christmas marathon.  Everyones home was like they always are during the holidays.. Perfect.

Special thanks to my beautiful wife. I hope my playing doesn’t drive you tooooo crazy this year. I will try and keep it down somewhat.

Only 3 more weeks (less a day) until Christmas.  I hope you are done your shopping. I’m not, but I never am until the week off.  I can’t wait for turkey time! For those of you looking for gift ideas for me HERE is my yearly list.

Another fun thing about Christmas this year, is that it will be our daughter Abby’s first Christmas. She is still too young (will be two months on the 8th), but it’s still gonna be fun. My family has bought some adorable little Christmas outfits. Stay tuned for pics of her in each of them 😉

I completed my stereo shopping last month. Thats right. The stereo for the vehicle which I will not even own till next summer already has a complete stereo system waiting to go in. Next summer better come quick, cause i’m getting impatient to install this stuff.

Lastly, Shannon, Grant, Donna and I went to Copps Coliseum in Hamilton a couple weeks ago to see the Trans Siberian Orchestra. Oh-My-God. Yes, its Christmas music, but the music is actually pretty awesome. That, and the seizure inducing light show that goes with it is beyond words. I will certainly be repeating this concert next year, and the year after …..

My house has been invaded by more pink things then I ever knew even existed. My beautiful little girl has been more then a little bit spoiled this month. (Yes, shes a month old now!). Shannon and Abigail attended two baby showers in their honor this month. One for Shannons Dads side of the family , and one from my side of the family. We’d both like to thank all of you for having the showers, and also, everyone who has graciously have given gifts both at the showers and at the house. We’re a little overwhelmed by all the love/generosity/help, but we truly do appreciate everything that everyone has done for us.

I have spent 100% of this month on an Apple computer. And the last few days found me migrating from OSX10.4 -> 10.5. And I love it. The one or two quirky little things that bothered me after the ‘switch’ from Winblows seem to have been not only taken care of in Apples latest OS, but have actually taken the things I missed about Windows and made them sooo much better, and useful. If you haven’t had the chance to use the preview mode in Apples finder to view images/documents, I highly recommend you do. Also, now that Shannon and I have both became very familiar with OS, its looking like she will be inheriting my Macbook next year and I will be upgrading to either a Macbook Pro, or a possibly an iMac (or heck, both!)

I’ve also learned two very valuable lessons this month.

1. Don’t go ‘looking at stereo stuff’ with Kevin on your lunch. Impulse buys are sure to happen. I didn’t intend on buying subwoofers, but 2for1 deals, and a gentle nudge from Kev found me with two new subs in my hands.
2. Don’t bid on stereo parts on ebay, unless you are ready to buy them, because sometimes, the first, low, opening bid, actually wins the item. In my case, 2 items: a 4 channel Clarion amp, and a 7band Clarion EQ.

Yes, I’ve been not-so-slowly aquiring stereo components for a vehicle I do not even own yet. At this point, I have everything I need for a full out, stereo system, bigger then any I have ever owned. The only things I have left to get are : rear speakers (4″ or 4×6″), some more wiring, more sound deadening material and a box to put my subs into. I was looking at just building like I always do, until I came across THESE babies. 200$ to my door, instead of 50$ in wood, 30$ in carpet, 20$ in glue, and hours and hours of figuring stuff out. Essentially 100$ goes to someone who can build it so I don’t have to. And this way, its been designed, and fitted exactly for my vehicle.