The Future is Made of Vibraphones

Jim Henson's Muppet Christmas Cards

nobody@vox.com(mikepop) — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 12:08:49 -0500

I included a song from the Muppets on my Xmas Mix Tape, and because of that song (and the Christmas special / soundtrack (and Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas) ) I often find myself thinking about Muppets at this time of year.

I can remember getting special permission to stay up and watch the first episode of the Muppet Show the day it premiered. I can remember some of the bits from that episode, and how I reacted to seeing them. They are among my earliest memories. Those early shows were a major influence on my sense of humor, music and who knows what else.

Here is a collection of Muppet holiday cards, going back in time far before the Muppet show. The earlier ones were prints made by Jim Henson himself.

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Xmas Mix Tape

nobody@vox.com(mikepop) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 23:40:02 -0500

Xmixtape

I have less Christmas photos than last year, but here is a baker's dozen of songs for your 2007 Christmas Mix Tape:

Riu Chiu - The Monkees
You wouldn't expect the Monkees to be aware of many sixteenth-century Spanich villancicos, yet they do a nice job recording this one. translation of lyrics

Christmas is Here - Richard Popovic
If there is someone else on Vox as influenced by the Monkees as I was, it is my brother Rich. Plus he actually learned to play guitar and write songs and stuff.

Ice - Shellyan Orphan
Some of the guitar notes of this song sound as if they were plinked out on an icicle xylophone. Very haunting.

The Christians and the Pagans - Dar Williams
You don't find many solstice holiday songs out there. From my good friend Dar. ok, I just had dinner with her the one time

Christmas Song - Dan Bern
Speaking of pagans, Dan works hard to offend as many religions as possible in this song. I was at this performance, recorded in a church in Berkeley.

A Christmas Carol - Tom Lehrer
We go back in time several decades to continue the somewhat cynical view of Christmas.

All I Want For Christmas - Timbuk 3
Star Wars and Thundercats in the same Christmas song? How has this song lived below the Christmas radar for so long?

B-B-Blue Christmas - ???
Speaking of under the radar, I have no idea who does this song or where it came from, but it always makes me laugh.

Space Christmas - Shonen Knife
A nice beat and I can dance to it. I give it a 7.

What's This - Danny Elfman
A different perspective on Christmas (assuming you are not undead).

Christmas in Killarney - The Chieftans
For the drinking portion of your holidays.

The Peace Carol - John Denver and the Muppets
Speaking as someone who never knew John Denver worked with other bands besides the Muppets, this song brings back a lot of pleasant memories. If you manage to steal a few quiet moments on Christmas, hum this softly to yourself. You might also be interested in these old Muppet Christmas cards from Jim Henson.
Secret Bonus Track To Drive You (Or Someone You Love) Insane: Jingle Rock Bell - http://quasistoic.org/PinkStainlessTail%20-%20jinglerockbell.mp3

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Deck The Bike

nobody@vox.com(mikepop) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 20:34:10 -0500

Got my bike all festooned for holiday travels:

Bike Christmas Lights

Blurry Bike Christmas Lights

Fugu To Go

These battery-powered L.E.D. lights are amazingly bright! I've had some good comments on them so far.

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[P | Gh]osts Of Christmas Past

nobody@vox.com(mikepop) — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 20:59:49 -0500

LEGO Santa

For anyone who wasn't here this time last year, here are some Christmas posts you might enjoy:

I Was An Online Santa

Being an online Santa is a lot like being a mall Santa - some people ask for things, some people give you a hard time, but most people just want to rip your beard off.

The 25 Pictures Of Xmas
Christmas pictures from my past and present, the majority set in Maine. I posted one a day in December through the 25th.

Unfortunately I don't have the time to do another picture series this year, unless you want to see my new puppy eating 25 Christmas decorations. I will get a few pictures up though (for example).

Do stay tuned for some new special Christmas posts/collections. There will be music! There will be muppets! There will be...wait, I guess you don't need anything else.

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The Post Of Updates

nobody@vox.com(mikepop) — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 20:31:35 -0500

Puppy Update:

We decided to name our new puppy Trixie - she seems to be turning into quite the trickster so it suits her well. She had a lot to adapt to at once: a new family, cold weather, snow, walking on a leash, stairs, etc. The snow right now is over her head, but she forges ahead bravely. She is great with letting other people meet/pet her, and is getting more comfortable with other dogs as we socialize her. She is a food gobbler, which is something we were not used to. We got her a toy/dispenser that slows her down a bit and that has worked very well.

Bike Update:

I am still biking to work most days even as an early winter drops cold temperatures and snow on us. The coldest I've biked in so far is about 10 degrees F. When the roads are snowy/slushy it is a bit slower going, but I have an alternate route worked out that keeps me off the worst of the side streets.

Everything Else:

Between the puppy and getting ready for the holidays and shoveling snow it has been a busy month so far. Last night we went to the holiday program at Strawbery Banke which I highly recommend if you are ever in the Portsmouth area in December. Last week we had some guests in town and enjoyed walking around downtown Portland, going to the museums and eating good food.

Coming Soon:

Skiing! Christmas! Travel! Other things!

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Unwise Christmas Gift

nobody@vox.com(mikepop) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 21:28:12 -0500

From the "It Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time" department:

Sushi-screenshot

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Drive South

nobody@vox.com(mikepop) — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 12:06:50 -0500

So Christmas passed, and I have nothing left to write about it seems :)

Not really. Rather, I caught some soft of weird virus and slept for a fairytale-esque amount of time. But I feel 100% better now. Which is good, because I'll be on the road to NY later today. Stay tuned for the fuzzy cameraphone pics for a few days!

Christmas weekend was enjoyable. We walked around Portland, ate sweets and listened to a jug band belt out Christmas carols on the street. We wrapped presents. We unwrapped presents. Food-wise there was fondue (apple-smoked cheddar) Christmas eve and I made lobster-stuffed shells on Christmas day. And of course there was a supporting cast of cookies, chocolates and other assorted goodies.

How To Survive a Robot Uprising: Tips on Defending Yourself Against the Coming Rebellion

I got some great stuff including How to Survive a Robot Uprising which is exceptionally well put together and hilarious. It is easily broken into chunks of reading, perfect for digesting while traveling.

LEGO Santa

Thanks to everyone who commented on The 25 Pictures of Xmas series! It was a lot of fun to do and helped put me in the holiday spirit. If you were busy or something Christmas Eve, you might have missed LEGO Santa, which turned out to be one of my favorites. I staged him in front of a page from our "Night Before Christmas book", with some cottonballs to stand in as snow in the foreground.

Hey, this turned out to be another Christmas-related post after all! Don't worry - a Nintendo Wii also turned up under the tree, so that gives me something new to focus on once the last of the candy canes are licked.

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