Poshdeluxe

as you know, i’ve been geeking out (just a little) about the holidays. but, hey!, that’s kind of the point. i can’t HELP the fact that christmas provides me with so v. many opportunities to let my cheeseball flag fly (mmm, cheese balls).

to illustrate my point, i’m providing three examples of the christmas activities i engaged in over this past week. there is NO WAY you can participate in these events without feeling all giddy with the christmas spirit to the point where you spontaneously hug people and/or shout, “I LOVE CHRISTMAS/YOU GUYS/THE WORLD!”

you may argue that you don’t actually *have to* engage in these activities, and you would be right. and then i would call you a grinch and talk in a low, mean voice whenever i’m around you and/or sing “you’re a mean one, mr. grinch” until you decided to cease all communication with me.

ok, example #1: the trail of lights

dessiree and i met up with erica g, erica f and josh to explore the Eighth Wonder of the World, the trail of lights. you may recall my visit to this electric wonderland last year. basically, they plaster zilker park with lights and wooden boards of cartoon characters, and people walk around and go “oooh” or “whoah” or “what is that supposed to be?” and drink hot cider, unless you’re me, who is deathly afraid of the port-a-potties.

i mean, how can you resist colored lights and candyland and drug-addled popsicles?

what about the opportunity to stick yr face in a painted wooden picture so that you can look like a happy christmas family standing by the river?

um, josh, i think that dog is about to bite yr hand off. just so you know.

i’m sorry, but i CANNOT pass up these face-hole pictures. i wish there were more of them in the world. like, even at the grocery store.

and then there’s the unparalleled trail of lights Live Entertainment, which this year featured a clogging/tapping (?!) group of older ladies, plus one guy, in sequined vests. please watch this video immediately.

josh: “why are they all dressed like blackjack dealers?”

me: “THIS IS AWESOME! erica, are you recording this?!!”

of course, the end of trail of lights is the best part, cos you get to spin under the giant tree! until you throw up! major props to erica g. for capturing this sensation without falling over and dry heaving.

example #2: white elephant party

my friends mark and kristen hosted our community group’s annual christmas party at their place, and it was PACKED with things that make me loudly exclaim my love and excitement over and over until people start to doubt my sincerity (trust me, i mean it).

first, there were toddlers!!!!!!!!

honestly, even if the party was just me, watching/playing with max and naomi, it still would’ve been the best night ever.

but there was MORE!

there were christmas cookies!!!!!!!

seriously, this is art, people. DELICIOUS ART.

and just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, we did a white elephant gift exchange! i LOVE getting rid of crap and receiving other people’s crap. it’s just so FUN!

here’s kristen and mark, with the best gift of the night:

yeah, that’s right. the n’sync xmas cd!!! of course, it was from yrs truly. because i know how to ROCK the white elephant.

example #3: caroling on sixth street

as i mentioned in my christmas music post, i LOVE attending the alamo christmas pops sing-along and watching george michael’s hair in “last christmas” and a claymation destiny’s child try to make “rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer” as bootylicious as possible.

but then, when the show’s over, guess what? the audience goes caroling down sixth street!

and who better to lead the singing of carols on the most alcohol-drenched street in texas but santa owen and henri the elf?

if these guys don’t inspire you with the christmas spirit, then, well, you might want to find a milk carton, cos yr HEART IS ON IT (i.e. missing, i.e. junior high book reference).

caroling on sixth street is nothing like caroling in yr suburban neighborhood or a rest home. ok, well, sometimes, old people can give you some weird looks. but they are NOTHING compared to the looks of awe/confusion/surprise/disgust that you receive when you’re singing “feliz navidad” and prancing past the chuggin’ monkey.

especially when you’re being led by an elf and a santa who climb sign posts and instruct you to sing run dmc’s “christmas in hollis.”

it takes a lot of dedication to handle this type of caroling. obvs, erica is a pro.

here’s a video of our caroling group attempting to get into the jackalope:

FYI, we were denied entrance.

however, we were far more successful at the beauty bar, where you can stand on the sidewalk and sing yr heart out to the people on the patio, because the door guy cannot control who stands on the sidewalk.

look at those excited faces!! there’s even a lady with antlers and xmas lights on her head!

as you can see from my three v. compelling examples, it’s been a full-out holiday geekfest for me this week. and it’s just going to CONTINUE, cos as of 5 PM today, i am officially on holiday vacation!!! holla!!!

given the break and christmas/NYE, i won’t be posting every day. but i will be popping in now and then to update you on my cheeseball flag status (current: Raised High) and various highly fascinating activities.

i may even buy a christmas sweater!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FA LA LA LA LAAAA, LA LA LA LAAAAAAAAAAAA