Ramblings

Posts wherein I let my mind spill out all over the page. Usually lacking focus and quite possibly whiny.

There are 164 posts filed in Ramblings (this is page 17 of 17).

Christmas at the Movies

According to this Post-Gazette article, there was a big melee on Christmas day at the Waterfront Loews theater, made up largely of teenagers. The theater was apparently “overrun” as the article says. And this isn’t a small theater either, I think they have at least 20 screens. Now they’re thinking about closing on Easter and future Christmases.

I remember in elementary school, I was good friends with a guy who was Jewish. He said his family always went to the movies on Christmas because they knew it would be empty. Apparently they (or at least this one) aren’t anymore. And I have to admit that the idea of spending Christmas evening at a movie theater does seem foreign to me, especially on my own as these kids seem to have been. As a family event maybe, but going by myself or with a couple friends just isn’t something I would have wanted to do at that age on Christmas.

Is this unusual, or am I just really out of touch with society? It hasn’t been that long since I was a teenager…

Lasagna for Dummies

I made the most delicious dinner tonight. It’s lasagna, but with cheese ravioli instead of the noodles. Simplifies the process a whole bunch.

Line the bottom of the pan with the ravioli, mozzarella cheese, sauce, and other toppings (meat, etc). Repeat the stack as tall as desired. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Voila!

It doesn’t hold together quite as well as ‘real’ lasagna when dishing it out, but it gets the job done. Plus I have leftovers for a week.

Quite a handy recipe to have on hand for the lazy bachelor who is tired of microwave meals.

New for ’05!

Thanks Brandon for the inspiration.

’04 has come and gone. I was going to write a part V entry of my favorite TV shows from the year. Instead, I’ll just list ’em. Lost, Stargate: Atlantis, and Battlestar Galactica are three quality new shows. My current favorite on TV, including non-new shows, is still Arrested Development. Nothing else makes me laugh as regularly.

New Year’s Eve was fun. Kirsten and Brandon showed up on the 30th (mere hours after I returned to Oakland), we had dinner and visited Dave and Buster’s. Then on the 31st a large cadre of friends joined in: Amber, Justin, Dan, Brandi, John, Chris, Jesse and Tiffiny were all here at one point or another. Revelry was had by all. And the pepperoni bread was much delicios. Got so wrapped up in revelry that we almost missed midnight. And I am now in possession of far too many half empty bottles of various types of liquor.

Weather has been chaotic recently. New Year’s Eve soared into the mid 50s, even past midnight. I had the heat off and windows open. Very surreal. Today cooled off a bit, but still no sign of snow or anything resembling it. Not that I’m complaining, mind you.

I graduate in just a bit over 7 months. Then a job! I can’t wait really. But I’m gonna enjoy my few days before classes start up again this week.

Anyway, that is all. Gonna go catch some shut-eye. Less rambly in the future, I promise.

A bit of Christmas loot…

Belated Merry Christmas!

I do this self-servingly. If I make clear my interests I’m more likely to attract like-minded readers. 🙂

Got some very nice gifts from some very nice people. Here’s a list of some that come to mind:

  • Looney Tunes Golden Collection v.2 DVD box set
  • Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II (Xbox)
  • Apollo 13
  • The Dave Barry 2005 Desk Calendar
  • Subscription renewal to Analog Science Fiction and Fact
  • Warm feather down blanket (stupid drafty Oakland apartment…)

Saw one side of the family today for the first time in ages. Grand fun all around. Tomorrow it’s off to the other side.
Probably will toss in a Christmas experience roundup entry tomorrow night.

update:
I also received the Queen & Country novel “A Gentleman’s Game”, by Greg Rucka.
And a gift certificate to Dave & Busters! Perhaps the perfect gift 🙂