Justice is an Incredible Motivator

R. Kelly recently missed a court date, causing him to lie any cancel a concert in the Twin Cities.

Not that I care, really. I enjoy Kelly's music, he's an entertainer, and a good one at that. He'll keep your attention.

He's also got a 5 year old court case that has yet to go to trial...

You know about the child pornography charge, I get that. But if you really think about it, the last 5 years have been very good to R. Kelly, who existed in mediocrity with the exception of a few songs here and there. Kells doesn't even often top the R&B charts. Yet, buy involving himself in every song and remix he can, it's impossible not to know that he's famous.

Apparently that makes him impossible to take to court. God forbid we should ask him to trial for what he's being charged with.

It seems he may finally be running out of steam, with an upcoming court date in March. I'm not saying he's guilty, but damn. Drop the charges or have this trial. You're wasting Illinois taxpayer dollars.

One Small Victory

My wife has conceded to opening all but two of her gifts. She also conceded that I could do the same.

I had actually completely forgotten that she had gotten me gifts, too. Funny how that works.

Adding It to My Resume

I snap pictures of Ice Turds, apparently.

You already know this because 80% of my traffic comes from Afterglide anyway. I still haven't decided if being permanently associated with icicle poop is a good thing.

I'm a Sucker for Gorgeous Women

Those of you who know me, know that I can keep a secret till death if you ask.

You also know that some things are better left unsaid, and that I've never been too curious about anything. Here to listen, if it may be the case.

Interestingly enough, I don't like keeping gifts secret. Actually, I hate it. Too many years of failed gift giving to my mother have tempered a die cast cloud over any excitement I might have over giving a gift as a surprise. Nothing I have ever bought her has been satisfactory, and it's become a custom that a gift receipt accompanies every gift, from vases to leather jackets (which are exchanged for other vases and leather jackets).

My wife is the center of my life, and due to the terrible experiences I've had with gift giving, I like receiving some sort of confirmation that what I have gotten for her meets with her satisfaction. She has nice taste, but she is not a stubborn woman. Classical sensibility, but she understands that I am not a millionaire.

I do so love buying things for her, and worse than that, I enjoy giving them to her.

Today, she purchased a laptop. Well, I paid for more than half of it. The one we came to look at was sold out, and she does like Sony notebooks, and I certainly can't blame her. But to be able to give her something is a pleasure. She has a certain smile. To know that it is useful gives the item a whole new level of satisfaction.

My family's Christmas tradition was a harrowed representation of consumer reality.
My brother and I were allowed dollar amount allotments for our purchases, and we received them almost immediately after the purchase, saving a "stocking stuffer" for the Christmas gift that my dad would consider proper, though wholly unnecessary. Due to my mother's fickle nature, my parents would also receive their gifts prematurely.

Although I'm trying again, I'm stoic in my certainty that my mother will actually enjoy , or at least feign enjoyment of the Coach Swingpack I bought for her.

I only wish that my wife would give in to my demands that she open her gifts early to grant me a relief from my current state of mind. Of course, if she does, then I'll never break the curse. Still... the gifts are shaped interestingly, aren't they, dear. Don't you just want to open them?

Please?