the habit of being

Christmas Eve night at Sam’s.

By “Sam’s” I refer to my paternal grandfather’s house, not the popular wholesale chain. Emma (half sister) and Ginny Lee (first cousin) are gorgeous. I have a pretty family. Sam’s house has the most amazing lighting in the world. I look better there than anywhere else I’ve ever been, excluding a darkroom at VSU. Maybe my family isn’t particularly beautiful, it’s just that I never see most of these people anywhere but in glamour-light.

I had my hair up in twin buns ala Princess Leia/Sailor Moon/Nelle on the most recent new episode of Ally Mcbeal. There were a couple feathers robbed from my Magenta (Rocky Horror) feather duster added as garnish. Sam decided huge wild turkey feathers were more appropriate, so I spent the night looking like a cross between a reindeer and a turkey and a rabbit. My black feather boa was along for the ride, so I was quite a sight to see. My younger relatives were highly amused. Tyler (step-uncle’s son?) started crying because he wanted feathers in his hair too.

This step-uncle of mine insisted I give him my URL. If you’re reading this, showing my website to my extended family is NOT cool.

My half-sister’s mother’s second husband (does this guy have any actual relation to me?) is the most interesting person at these get-togethers. He’s an english teacher, I think. I like him. I wouldn’t mind him reading my website. Not that I don’t LIKE the rest of my family, but surely someone out there understands just how personal a personal web site can be. Especially mine. I’m okay with sharing my intimate feelings with a bunch of folks I’ve never met and never will meet, but the idea of my family reading some of the things on this site is absolutely terrifying. brrr.

Rachael (half-sister with cool step-father) gave me two novels: A Clockwork Orange, which I’ve read, and On the Road, which I haven’t. She gives literature in the tradition of our late grandmother, Ginny.

Since returning home, I’ve been locked out of my room, finally allowed in to find a lovely new art/drafting table waiting for me(!!), put together my mother’s Christmas stocking, and stared longingly at my three wrapped gifts from James, wishing midnight would come sooner.