I know this will come as a shock to those of you who haven't seen me around these parts in a while, but I haven't dropped off the face of the planet. Just been very busy with work (typical) and trying to get ready for Christmas. The shopping and wrapping and mailing has mostly been done (I've been on vacation since the 8th, which has helped a lot!), and now I just need to tackle the rest of the Christmas cards. Non-U.S. people, your cards went out a week ago and hopefully are starting to arrive in mailboxes about now; U.S.-but-non-California people, your cards will go out tomorrow.

The wreath is on the front door, and I've managed to get a few of the holiday decorations set up (mainly candle holders, which require the least amount of de-cluttering). I keep thinking that one of these years I want a tree again (just a little table top one, as my floor space is limited), but that's not going to happen this year. I think I will splurge on a really lush poinsettia plant, though. (Tavi, that's one of the things on the agenda for tomorrow.)

I've also been using my vacation to see some films. So far I've seen The Blind Side (okay, and Sandra Bullock is good), The Road (visually spot-on, but the book is better; crazybutsound, you should read it), Precious (incredible performance by Mo'Nique), and Invictus (loved it). I still want to see The Fantastic Mr. Fox, Up in the Air, The Young Victoria, and A Single Man. That last film is based on a Christopher Isherwood novel (jenni_snake take note), and is creating a lot of Oscar buzz around Colin Firth. And at the moment I'm more inclined to seek out The Hurt Locker (one of the benefits of living in L.A. is getting a chance to see films you missed the first time around when awards season prompts a re-release) than the much-hyped Avatar (which had my eyes glazing over before I finished reading the reviews). I could add a couple of additional films to this list, but they're mostly limited-release-for-Oscar-qualification-only, and won't really be out in theatres until after the holidays. Oh yes, and I'm hoping that Michael Haneke's The White Ribbon turns up here before Academy Awards night. You never know with the foreign-language Oscar entries; sometimes they all hit town before the Oscars, and sometimes none of them do. (Just checked; it opens here December 30th.)

Have to quote Hannibal Lecter here and say "Ta-ta". I'm babysitting my neighbour's cat while she's back in Kansas for Christmas, and it's time I went over to provide Harley with a lap to sleep on for an hour or so.

And in honour of the season, I've taken some holiday icons out of storage. :-)