Holiday festivities have gone quite smoothly over the past couple of days, including the greatest miracle of all: Christmas dinner cooked by me!

It's not that I'm a bad cook; it's just that I don't really enjoy cooking. Usually what I cook is quick, basic and (usually) tasty, and my comfort lever is cooking just for hubby and I. Adding company is where I get nervous. And making a holiday meal means too many ovens and burners going!

But, my roast beef and Yorkshire pudding turned out to perfection, as did all the fixin's. All the slicing and dicing and preparation paid off. The family left stuffed and happy. Phew!

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Gift-opening took place on Christmas Eve, and everyone was spoiled rotten. I got a few new outfits, but the highlights were from my brother, who seems to be the only one that "gets it." He gave me Season 5 of "House" and three cool books:

• "Dust and Shadow," which is subtitled "An Account of the Ripper Killings by Dr. John H. Watson." I really wanted this one; heard great things about it.
• A biography of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, titled "The Man Who Created Sherlock Holmes."
• A collection of short stories titled "Sherlock Holmes in America."

Hubby and I don't exchange gifts, but I managed to guide some other relatives' buying decisions, which meant he got a couple of enjoyable things to open other than shirts and ties!

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Friends List fun continues by mail, with more arrivals since my last list of Christmas thanks.

Note to aswanargent -- you're right! That card was too perfect not to send! It's an image of Santa at the gym, relaxing as the reindeer sweat it out on exercise bikes! I ought to copy Santa's idea. (Although I guess if I did, I'd be *shaped* like Santa!)

Also, thank you, beechercreature for the "post cards." They are very special, knowing they are pictures you took. Thank you for the thought, time and effort. The Viewpoint Inn looks intriguing!

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And last but certainly not least: A package from... David McCallum!!

This isn't *exactly* a Christmas gift, but its timing couldn't be more perfect:

Here's what was in a box on my doorstep on Boxing Day! (Click for the full effect.)






( The back story is behind the cut )

Thanks!

Now that I've been to the post office a few times this month, I'm more convinced than ever that Christmas in July is the much more sensible route! (Not to mention fannishly fun, right flist?)

Of course, that doesn't mean that I've actually mailed -- nor even *written* -- any Christmas cards. I might be optimistic and say I'll send out New Year's cards. But I'm thinking, realistically, Valentine's greetings will be about the right timing.

So, thank you and congratulations to those fine folks who found it in the hearts and schedules to send bright and cheery holiday cards my way: pride_of_erin, cheights, trillingstar, inthekeyofd and maddiec24. And a special peppermint kiss to severina2001 and the ever-marvelous maverick4oz for filling my stocking with Star Trek, House and Rod Taylor goodness!

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Regifting

Well, not really re-gifting... just re-posting some links and reminding everyone of a bounty of audio recordings I've stashed away online.

The following David McCallum readings and Sherlock Holmes radio plays have been uploaded to Drop.io, and the links are active for a year from the last time someone accesses them. So, please click away and download these treasures -- for yourself to enjoy and to keep the links active. If you find any dead links, please let me know, and I will re-upload.

McCallum reads: Firstly, click for a page full of David McCallum audiobooks. There's something for everybody: Lyrical children's stories, Victorian mysteries, military techno-thrillers, Russian histories, etc. All beautifully read.

Sherlock Holmes on radio: Behind the cut are 30 episodes that I archived at Drop.io. I selected these adaptations (and a couple of pastiches) as ones that I felt capture the H/W relationship beautifully, whether you view it as friendship... or something more.

These star Clive Merrison as Sherlock Holmes and Michael Williams as Dr. Watson. The adaptations and performances are perfection!

( Archive of BBC-Coules-H/W goodness )

Girlfriend and Dolphins: My weekend with my BFF was exhaustingly pleasurable. We shopped, ate, drank and gabbed about as much as expected. We tried to watch movies on Friday and Saturday night, but she fell asleep within the first 15 minutes both nights!

When she departed on Sunday, it was my turn to snooze. I proceeded to sleep through the first half of the Dolphins game. Unfortunately, so did the Dolphins. The team and I woke up in the second half. The Dolphins then teased me by coming back and tying the game before succumbing in overtime. At this point in the season, however, I think I will just be thankful for an entertaining game!

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Lee on House: Last night, I posted screen caps from Lee's guest appearance on "House." I hope to get to "Criminal Minds" in a more timely fashion!

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Eddie Drake fic!: ozsaur wrote "Wanted" fic featuring snarky-but-loveable Eddie Drake! And even better ... it's dedicated to me! \o/

Check it out here. The voices of all the characters are spot on. I love it. Thanks, ozsaur!

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NCIS tidbit: I love the turns of phrase in this Los Angeles Times TV review, especially when it came to "NCIS" and My Man Ducky:

In the episode I watched, a love interest for Ducky, the dandyish old medical examiner played by David McCallum, turned out to be a killer, and watching his bow tie hold together his breaking heart was unexpectedly affecting.

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Exercise log

Wednesday: Two-mile walk with hubby.
Thursday: Four-mile run on treadmill
Friday: Nothing
Saturday: Nothing except lots of walking around shopping centers :)
Sunday: Four-mile run outside

Here's a programming public service for anyone with Turner Classic Movies in the U.S.... "Sunday in New York" is on tomorrow (Monday, Dec. 21) at 4 p.m. Eastern.

It's one of my very favorite Rod Taylor movies, and it isn't out on DVD yet (just VHS). Another pathetic oversight by the people who hold the rights to Rod Taylor movies and torment us fans.

But I digress! I'm giving it a special mention because of my new U.N.C.L.E. friends. Maybe you can help or see for yourselves.

I'd swear that the set of Cliff Robertson's super cool bachelor pad in "Sunday New York" (see trailer) is the same as Marion's swingin' apartment in "The Piano Giuoco Affair." Anyone have any special intel?

I'm working on a mailing list for an upcoming work event, and just input the address for someone who lives on "Morningwood Place."

*immature giggle*

Lots of really odd-ball stuff keeping me busy this week. Plus, driving around town during this time of year -- tourist season PLUS Christmas season? Not fun. At least there is no snow to contend with!

Went with mom to see a lawyer today so she could re-write her will. {Insert family drama here.} It's not all bad; she basically wants to protect her estate against my brother's creditors. {Insert heavy sigh here for my brother's latest round of woe.}

Tomorrow I've got a series of meetings -- one work-related, two life-related. The good news is that I'll be taking off work after the first meeting. The bad news: Financial Planning. Wishful thinking: The nice financial planning lady will say, "Retire now!" A girl can dream!

At the end of the week, my bestest friend is coming for a visit. There will be cocktails, shopping and giggling. But before then, there must be much cleaning! In other words, guest room = gift wrapping central. Girlfriend might wind up with a bow stuck to unmentionable parts if I don't get to a-tidying.

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Wishlist update! maverick4oz made me shiny new Florida icons! I'm using one now, unwrapped before Christmas. I'm naughty like that.

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Exercise log, so too much more time doesn't go by and I forget...

Friday: Four mile run outside
Saturday: Three mile walk with hubby
Sunday: Ummm.... Christmas shopping was exhausting! So was rooting for the Dolphins! In otherwords, nada.
Monday: Three-mile walk with hubby.
Tuesday: Four-mile run on treadmill, with the fourth mile a sub-8-minute mile!

Two of my favorite flisters, maverick4oz and rileyc have made their holiday wish lists and because they are awesome as well as pushy, I will follow suit.

Mav's wishlist also includes the rules.

Here goes:

1. More time in the day!

2. Ficlets of any of my favorite pairings. There are sooo many to choose from, as my Profile page attests.

3. For that matter, icons of any of my favorites. Or pretty Florida scenes.

4. A synopsis and hi-def screen caps of Lee's House episode. (This will help matters regarding wish No. 1.)

5. Recs or uploads of songs you like, especially if they set the mood for any fannish thoughts.

6. Send me a postcard from where you live. Or post a picture of your desk, or house or favorite spot in town. I like to "see" where you are!

7. Comments are love. Find any fic or vid of mine, old or new, and and tell me what you like about it. Fic tag or slip_f18.

8. Fulfill a wish for RileyC or Mav!

9. Give yourself a hug from me.

10. Give where you live: A local charity in your area could use your time, some food, some clothes, a check, items for its thrift store, etc.

I will add my voice to the chorus of laments about LJ's wonkiness in relaying comment notifications. I'm disorganized about it enough! I don't need LJ to mess me up further! Phooey.

-=-=-=-=-

I want to give an *amen* to this NCIS review that was included in my ncis_newsletter today. Except for the part about the McGee-DiNozzo exchanges in the one episode, I agree wholeheartedly with the writer's sentiments.

Give me "sturdy, serviceable mysteries" I say! And, may I add, in addition to jettisoning supervillains, get rid of the thoroughly annoying NCIS directors too. Didn't like Jenny much; like Leon even less. Bring back Tom Morrow! He was a sturdy, serviceable director. (And, hey, he'll be free after this season of "Lost"!)

OK, I feel better now.


-=-=-=-=-

Last night, I partied with the younger set. Yep, check out the pics I took here!

It was a Christmas party for the kids of some of the clients of the nonprofit where I work. They were all so delightful and excited. Definitely a highlight of my work-related activities of late!

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Exercise log

Today: 5-mile run outside
Wednesday: Aforementioned party.
Tuesday: 4-mile run on treadmill.

When I was on the treadmill at the gym last night, I spotted one of the TVs showing a commercial with a vaguely familiar spokesperson: Cyril O'Reily. Or, rather, Scott William Winters. (Sans sock puppet.)

What was alarming that it was an ad on Fox News for Goldline International. It was kind of like "what's wrong with this picture?"

Sure enough, it's him. Hmm, the press release doesn't seem to mention "Oz" for some reason...

Following is a quadruple-drabble featuring Gibbs/Ducky that started out as a single drabble that I didn’t have time to write during the challenge week. And then nakeisha provided a new prompt that fit *exactly* with an idea had in mind, so I thought I’d make it a double drabble. But I didn’t have a chance to write that till the next week came along. And then... well you get the idea.

Each of these *might* stand alone, but they’re best read as a series. I maybe should have just written a 1,200-word ficlet, but that would have been too easy! I kind of enjoyed the challenge of whittling each section down to 300 words. (ncisdrabble100 allows "drabbles" to be up to 300 words. Thank goodness!)

So, I hope you enjoy this little series in response to ncisdrabble100 challenges 163-166.


( Challenge 163-166 )