The Day, The Aftermath

Certainly, Christmas and the (non-denominational) "holiday season" is all about love, and peace, and joy, and giving and sharing with your fellow man (or women or bi/quadruped). But getting has it's appeal, too. What did you want this year? What did you receive as a gift this year? Be it a 4 megapixel digital camera or a sweet kiss under the mistletoe... do tell!

This year was supposed to be a pretty sparse one for us. We were happiest, of course, to have my son Zac with us and growing fast, so we didn't think too much about gifts - giving or receiving. (My mom ended up getting little trinkets on our behalf to give to my cousins and other kiddie kin.) It was still, though, I think one of the best Christmases yet.

It was Zac's first, and Katie's fourth, so yes, their loot was substantial. I got Katie a bike, and even got a little teary as she sped off Christmas morning... to think how soon she'll be a rebellious, cynical teen! My favorite moment, and thus my favorite "gift," would probably be Katie and Zac both laughing uncontrollably with each other. There's nothing that warms the heart like the giggles of children.

It's probably a sign of early onset middle-age-itis, but otherwise my favorite presents tend to either come in envelopes, or are simply a spare hour or two to sneak off and take a nap.

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The best gift I received this Christmas was that our newest member to the family, Gillian, is in good health after spending 10 days at Kapiolani Women and Children Hospital after being stricken with RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus). Not exactly something a newborn (or anyone else) should ever be infected with. It's a nasty little virus. Definately a party pooper.

Other than that, Christmas sort of pretty much passed us by.

There's always next year. We're looking forward to it.

Gee, after those two items I feel rather materialistic, but: have a look at my new toy! All 300 LPs in my collection have suddenly been brought back to life!

Glad Gillian's home again, Haken!

And Link, no shame... that kind of geekly glee is was what I was looking for, after all! Pretty cool. 300 LPs, huh? Whew. If I had LPs, I'd go for something like that... or maybe a "retro" system, right down to the old vacuum tubes and transistors for that "rich, warm sound." (My mom still has a huge collection of LPs, and an old wood-cabineted, solid-state TEAC stereo to play them on.)

There are many things, to be sure, I coveted ... not just for Christmas, but in general. If I had cash to blow on gadgets, I'd have no problem picking stuff! Maybe I could sell a kidney for a TiBook?

I had a Law and Order kind of Christmas -- I asked for and received the first season on DVD, and with a gift certificate to Fry's, I bought the interactive game.

Thing is, my computer is as old as Katie, and it barely fits the minimum requirements for the game. So I don't think I'll be playing it much.

In terms of new music, my brother's trip to Japan in November resulted in Christmas bounty that included WINO's Everlast, Youjeen's Bewitch, the Brilliant Green's The Winter Album, Hyde's Roentgen, and Kicell's Kinmirai.

I liked my gifts.

I picked up another cheap digital camera (using the cash I got from my dad for Christmas). This time a SiPix Stylecam Deluxe.

I think it's 1.3 MegaPixel. Still no off switch.

As far as giving goes, anyone read Wednesday's Star Bulletin with the comic strip Zits? This year I was giving out gift cards as presents.

I got mostly Christmas cards which is enough of a gift for me, just to hear from people who are thousands of miles away. My Dad sent me a $50 check which I used to buy myself a vintage Aloha shirt from a small booth in Waikiki. It was my first so I hunted and hunted until I found the right price and the right pattern. I'm still expecting a pair of food baskets from my family in Alaska.

Oh yeah, I got quite a few phone cards so I can call my distant relations throughout the mainland.

Me? I got a lava lamp! (I've wanted one of those for years!)

I got awesome gifts, but perhaps the best was a watercolor set, complete with brushes of varying types and canvas (book of sheets). I loved drawing and crafts when I was a kid but got sidetracked somewhere around the high school era. I get my first lesson sometime in the next few weeks. Very excited.

:) All gifts were nice but I got a wedding band set from Tom this year. I'm not much of a jewelry type (eh, I no even weah Hawaiian bracelets!). However, this is different. Sweet, huh? My oldest daughter gave me a beautiful earring and necklace set, too!

The warm fuzzy gift was being able to have brunch at the Hilo Hawaiian with my brother, mother, father and my family. My brother lives on O'ahu and we only see him a few times a year. I think it was especially meaningful for my dad being that he just lost his sister the week before. Family time is a good gift!

I got some excellent gifts and received some lovely cards from unexpected sources. Santa was very kind, as he gave me two cameras; one digital and one film. I also got an interesting book, and Mom mailed a load of homemade baked goods and other goodies. Last but not least, the woman at my favorite plate lunch eatery surprised me with some homemade cookies and a free plate lunch.

And all this time I thought I was on Santa's naughty list.

While I got sick during Christmas, I still made it to the Big Island to spend the time with my family. The best thing was just being there and not spending it alone in Honolulu.

As for "things", I got a small inventory of gifts, mostly of the CD and DVD variety from my sister, friends and parents.

I refuse to answer on the grounds that it might incriminate me. :)

I think I'm in gift limbo, as Christmas and my birthday are less than a month apart. I'm one of those people who always got combined gifts because of it.

My brother knows that limbo well. Born on Dec. 13, he's been combo-gifted as far back as he can remember. Of course, now that his preference for cash as a gift is well known, combining isn't too much of a problem for him. $40 beats $20 any day.

My neighbor's son (only three) is born Dec. 26. The poor dear.

DVDs are a growing favorite gift category of mine... a luxury I often covet, but can rarely afford. I've been eyeing that "Back to the Future" trilogy set for myself, lately. But I already bought myself my Christmas present back in October - an MP3 CD player for the car. I love squeezing ten full albums on one disc!

I love squeezing ten full albums on one disc!

You know what is cool... making a 10 hour MP3 mix of various songs and genres on one CD disc. So easy to do with iTunes and my Power Mac G4. You may also want to know that those mp3 CDs can now be played on many home DVD & CD players....

I got my first Christmas present in October- a 5MP Nikon digital camera (5700), but the best one I got a week before Christmas:

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