The Morning After

We had a very nice Christmas, though tempered by grief over Rudolph's demise and a plumbing leak. [There is a new development on the story (Rudolph's death, not the leak) which I'll report on later in the day.] With older kids in the mix, we didn't get around to exchanging gifts until noon, once they were all up. In the meantime, Premium T. weighed in with a premium breakfast of blueberry pancakes and sausage...

That afternoon, she took kind of a break from cooking and baking to watch Remember the Night with me, a truly delightful 1940 holiday movie with Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck. In short, NYC prosecutor Fred winds up taking shoplifter Babs to his rural Indiana home for Christmas. It sounds hokey (and it is to some extent), but the two stars are fine together and the Preston Sturges script elevates the story. (Great line: "There's nothing scarier than a square guy. If all men were like you, there wouldn't be any nice girls left!") Night is definitely the kind of movie they don't make 'em like any more. In this scene, Sterling Holloway sings "The End of a Perfect Day":

What is your favorite holiday movie? As much as I enjoy Remember the Night, mine is still Holiday Inn...

Friends joined us for dinner, and we had a great time. T. and Reilly pretty much outdid themselves with the homemade eggnog; prime rib with red win jus; mashed potatoes with truffle oil; gratin of rutabaga, parsnips, and butternut squash; sauteed forest mushrooms with garam masala, braised endive; pumpkin pie, meringues, and sugar cookies. The gym beckons...

Officials call Bayou St. John a flood protection liability, but New Orleanians call is a 'treasure': A fascinating article that typifies the engineering and environmental complexities faced by New Orleans as it rebuilds. The comments, which are by-and-large respectful and impressively informed, are as integral to the story as the article itself. They provide a window to the extent of which New Orleanians have educated themselves on the minutiae of flood control and environmental protection...

I for one can't wait for this. I can already hear the wingnuts grinding their teeth and howling in agony...

"Fit For Office: Buff Bam Is Hawaii Hunk"...

Incredible aerial footage of the extent of the TVA storage pond breach in Harriman, Tennessee here...

BXVI sez "Amen" to iPrayer...

In a witty and original analysis, Another Old Movie Blog unravels the cinematic eroticism of the typewriter here...

Is Obama a geek? Or is he "too cool, too athletic, too normal"? The debate rages here. The article also explains the elusive difference between a geek, a nerd, and a dork...

My friend Margeaux Kent explains her bookmaking technique:

There's more about Margaux's superb work here. The web site for her business, The Black Spot Books, is here...

Friday's Choice: With the old year winding down, Hot Tuna reminds you to "Keep Your Lamp Trimmed And Burning" because your race is almost run:

Jorma Kaukonen explains how to play "Lamp" here.

Update: "He will be missed"

With the Red Nosed family in seclusion following Rudolph's violent death, close family friend and confidante Hermie the Elf (shown here conferring with the storied ungulate) issued the following statement:

"It is with great sadness that we confirm the sudden and inexplicable death of a beloved father, husband, and friend. The shooting happened during a routine practice run for what shapes up as a particularly snowy Christmas Eve. He will be missed.

"Rudolph loved children, birds, and deer feed, and was never happier than when flying through the air with the greatest of ease. Moreover, he turned what many regarded as a glaring physical defect into an asset that made Christmas possible for millions of children around the world.

"The Red Nosed family categorically denies that Rudolph interfered in any way with oil and natural gas drilling. Moreover, the family does not understand Governor Palin bragging about her shooting prowess at this time of sadness."

Mr. Elf declined to answer questions about whether the Red Nosed family would seek legal redress. "They're not thinking about anything but their grievous loss," he said.

Update: Rudolph death confirmed

Alaska state officials confirmed this morning that Governor Sarah Palin had indeed shot Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. 

At a press conference, the former Republican candidate for vice president described the "shootin' as necessary to the policy of 'Drill Baby Drill." According Governor Palin, the glare from Rudolph's nose made drilling on Alaska's North Slope "just about impossible." 

Governor Palin dismissed the possible environmental impact of the killing: "Ya know, I know there's just one red-nosed reindeer, but it hardly qualifies as an endangered species. And when ya gotta drill, ya gotta drill." 

As for the famed ruminant's importance to the delivery of toys on Christmas Eve, Palin pointed out that the additional oil and natural gas gained from the shooting meant that Santa would have plenty of fuel for his annual trip, although she allowed that there "would have to be some modernizin' of equipment."

Governor Palin took offense at suggestions that the shooting was accidental: "With that nose? As good a shot as I am, I coulda hit him blindfolded."

Breaking News -- Rudolph Slain

Details to follow as they become known.