Chapped.
Honked.
Irritated.
Annoyed.

Don’t you hate it when you wake up with a screamin’ backache at 2 a.m., schlep your carcass downstairs because you can’t sleep, take aspirin, read to pass the time, then get super sleepy around a half hour before it’s time to get up and get ready for work?

Oi.

Still, it’s an exciting day, being the last day of school till Tuesday & all. Sleep can wait for tonight. I pine for good rehearsals this day. I hope I get a few. A couple. One.

Then it’s off to spend the evening with Mavis, cooking and baking. Tomorrow morning: Harry Potter with the family who aren’t doing double duty by visiting in-laws. Tomorrow night’s dinner should be a grand time. Can’t wait to see everyone.

If I don’t get the chance to check in with you tomorrow morning, have a wonderful holiday, my fiends. I am thankful for you, for if not for your kindness, participation and indulgence, finkweb.org would have been a failed endeavor a couple of months in. You keep this thing going; I heart you all.

Happy Finksgiving

What is this vacation of which you speak?

It’s full out insanity till Saturday around here. Daughter Johanna is visiting from Texas, and it’s been great chatting with her. Tonight is dinner-and-movie night with Bob and BFF Kay, then tomorrow after school, Mavis and I start the cooking and baking. Thursday evening: turkey! Friday, the Js for a sleepover. Somewhere in there, I need to squeeze in some time to write rhythm section parts and see the Harry Potter movie.

But I ain’t complainin’. What do I enjoy more than having family and friends close by for the holidays? I’ll get back to you when I think of something.

So, what are your plans, fiends? Are you leaving town? Flying anywhere for the sole purpose of getting a TSA beatdown? (I mean patdown.) Staying in? Cooking? I must say I do get excited about the cooking part. I’m even excited about using that dandy new warming tray Helen sent over last night. No last-second rush to get side dishes on the table so they can be marginally hot when everyone sits down. Nice.

Two more days. I can do this.

Fink, hangin’ in there

If I want the holiday gifts to be wrapped and ready on time, I have to get started. But I’ll keep the Finkmobile parked at the house, thanks.

I do most of my Christmas shopping online; it’s a ton easier, and this year, lots of merchants are offering free shipping in addition to sale prices. Bonus. Why schlep through the malls? I mean, there’s the whole experiential thing, but I’m not much for that unless lunch is involved. And chocolate. Chocolate and lunch, in that order.

Admittedly, I just don’t have the ambition to do what daughter-in-law Hannah does every year: Black Friday. But does she ever get some great deals. She’s got them scouted out already. I hope she doesn’t run into any fistfights this year…

I might shop as well on Black Friday — from my parlor. I suppose I should adopt some kind of shopping tradition that involves family fun. Mavis and I usually equate shopping all day long with getting a root canal. We’re such party poops. What traditions do y’all have? I know Tom Hanks’s family celebrates Hanksgiving to ring in the holiday season. Other families have Black Friday outings. Maybe I should come up with an idea or two. Or maybe not. *turns up space heater, gets another cup of coffee*

Jake and Justin tonight — four thumbs up.

FO