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A 'lil HooHaa

Messing with the blogging world since 2005

christmas

Notes from my Noodle: December 20 edition

December 20, 2011

There's nothing like a trip to the city during the holidays.

First, my apologies for a lack of a blog post the past couple of days. But it seems like, all of a sudden, I’m packed up with everything. I’m back, however, with some notes and such from recent things.

On Monday, I took my annual trip down to the city to New York City. I like to try and get down there during the Christmas season because it’s quite the place to be. From the lights to the decorations to everything else, it’s really quite magical.

For avid readers of the blog, you’ll remember I went out to Chicago earlier this year to see a friend, Brendan, graduate from the Navy’s basic training. He’s been in the Chicago area ever since, working through his schooling and such. He got liberty for a couple of weeks, however, and is home. So I took him with me to the city and met one of the finest guides one will ever have for the city — fellow geocacher Heather.

Brendan with his new buddy, Elmo!

Despite a delay in the train leaving Harriman, it was a fun day. A little colder than it was supposed to be, but still a fine day. We got to see a bunch of good things (including Rockefeller Center, as seen above). We had a couple of solid meals, saw some interesting things and I, of course, got a dirty dog on the street.

Why wouldn’t I, right?

With this season in full bloom, there were a lot of characters wandering around, looking to earn a few extra bucks by posing with people. It was quite funny to see. And, being it was Brendan’s first trip to the city in this time of year, he had to take advantage of this, no?

The hustle and bustle of the city was definitely there. That comes with people who still don’t have the thought of slowing down and peeking at things. But, I wouldn’t expect anything different.

We stopped and saw the building of the new skyscraper at Ground Zero and went inside and checked out the 9/11 memorial building. We were going to try and check out the new fountains and garden, but ended up having to look at it just from afar and above as the lines to get in were quite long and daylight was dwindling as we were thinking about that. I’ll hope to visit in the spring and see it closer.

We did, however, get to find a geocache this day. A regular-sized cache in the middle of the city, which was awesome.

Heather with Cirque du Cache.

Heather (and her husband, Jim, who met us later for dinner) are mega fans of Cirque du Soleil, mentioned a new cache. Of course, it has a Cirque theme — called Cirque du Cache.

This was a fun cache to do and it’s always nice to snag a cache in the city.

What was really cool about this cache was that once you opened the cache, you signed the log and all, but there was also this piece of fabric. And you could draw something on it. Very neat stuff and very well thought out. The best part is that it was in a high-traffic area, so it was pretty fun to retrieve the cache, walk away a little bit to check things out and then put it back. Fun times.

In all, it was a lot of fun to head down to the city and see things. I got to also see a former co-worker and catch up a little bit and it’s really nice to see things all lit up.

I even got one of the thickest hot chocolates I’ve ever had (thankfully it was small, because it was rich!) while we hung out a little bit at Bryant Park.

Bryant Park is a great little spot in the city.

***

Speaking of geocaching, two of us worked to organize and run an annual ornament exchange event. It was quite the success, too, which is always nice. Having halfway decent weather recently probably didn’t hurt us, either!

A large turnout at our holiday event.

We had about 55 people to the event, by far one the largest since this annual event started four years ago, and also one of the largest turnouts of any of event in our small area.

I co-planned the event with Beth, who had a successful game she created for the event. But, more than that, was her Toy Drive idea. It seemed that most people brought unwrapped toys and filled the large box her and her brother and sister-in-law brought. They then delivered the toys to the local Salvation Army, making sure that the toys would remain in our area.

So as fun as the event was (the spot we held it was excellent as well), it’s even better to know that our geocaching community was good enough to give back to the community during this holiday season and thought about others in need.

As this week continues, if you have the chance to give to an area Toys for Tots or something else, try and remember that there are people out there that have it worse than many of us. So if you can give at all, try and do so this holiday season.

***

Eddie Edwards vs. Sami Callihan delivered on a recent 2CW card.

For the final part of this Notes From My Noodle, I want to turn to 2CW, an independent wrestling federation out of the Syracuse area. Several of us have gone to a bunch of their events, but basically in Binghamton. We took the trek to Syracuse on Friday to see one of their biggest events of the year and to see a match that indy fans have wanted to see — Eddie Edwards vs. Sami Callihan.

Each time we’ve gone to watch 2CW, I thought the federation has delivered some great entertainment, good matches and a well-planned event. But this event was really solid (seeing matches such as Brodie Lee vs. Jay Freddie was outstanding and many other matches were excellent). And it was capped by Edwards vs. Callihan, a match that made me really want to drive to Syracuse.

I have seen Eddie Edwards many times. He’s athletic and works stiff — in other words, believable beyond belief to the point where some of the things he does really make you wonder how these guys do it.

Callihan, well known among the independent fans, is also a top-notch talent.

A five-star match was predicted. And these two delivered. It was a high-paced match, full of athleticism and character. Say what you will about professional wrestling — no matter if the outcome is determined or whatever — you have to be athletic and be able to tell a story inside that ring. These two did it.

The card, overall, was excellent. I would make the trip to Syracuse to see these guys again.

A funny afterthought. We stopped at a convenience store down the road from Syracuse to grab something to drink and something to snack on. While there, Sami Callihan came in. I noted that we had traveled a couple of hours to see that match because everyone was talking about it.

He asked me if it was worth it?

I told him they delivered and it was worth it. We chatted with him for a few moments and he shook hands a couple of times and thanked us for coming. I’ve talked to a few of these others and they, too, are very friendly with fans. That’s a good thing. Independent wrestling survives on smaller fanbases and these guys have the hope to, one day, make it big. Being friendly and outgoing will hopefully help them in their quest to reach the top.

Until then, it’s my hope they keep working local promotions so, when I can get away and go, I get the chance to see this top-notch and affordable entertainment.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook by clicking the button on the right side of the page!

Filed Under: Entertainment, Events, Friends, Geocaching, My world, Notes from my noodle, Photography, Pro Wrestling, Travel Tagged With: 2cw, bryant park, caching, christmas, city caching, eddie edwards, geocaching, geocaching events, holidays, new york, new york city, oneonta, oneonta ny, pro wrestling, professional wrestling, rockefeller center, sami callihan, travel, wrestling

2 Comments

What to watch this Christmas season

December 13, 2011

As the old saying goes, it’s the most wonderful time of the year.

But besides the cheer, sparkling lights, and the such, what else is wonderful?

One thing I love about this time of year are the Christmas specials on television. From Rankin and Bass to Jim Henson, this season is pluck full of great specials. And though I own many of these specials on DVD, I still look forward to watching them on network television as it’s a throwback to childhood. These shows are fantastic.

With that in mind, I went digging and have come up with my eight favorite Christmas specials. I’ve tried to keep them in the animated/Muppet genre, so there’s no “Christmas Story” (after all, I don’t want to shoot my eye out with the Red Rider BB gun!), or Miracle on 34th Street etc.

Instead, these are those classics that last all of 30 or 60 minutes (including commercials). (Note: Some of these videos from YouTube are not allowed to be embedded, so when you hit “play” it will ask you to go to the YouTube site to watch. If you click the link, it will open a new browser).

8. How the Grinch Stole Christmas

This is a classic (the animated one, not the Jim Carrey one)! The meanie green Grinch looking to take away Christmas from everyone in Hoo-ville! And he nearly succeeds, too! Alas, there’s a heart growing and a happy ending in this Dr. Seuss tale!

7. A Charlie Brown Christmas

I am a massive Peanuts fan. And I like pretty much all Peanuts-related shows. So this is no different. As normal, poor Charlie Brown can’t seem to get anything right, can he? But it is Christmas time, so things are bound to change.

6. ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas

I love this special. If you watch it on network TV, some of it is now chopped. (Commercialism at its finest!) Alas, I have the video finally, so I can watch it from beginning to end. This one is all about trying to make amends with Santa after some local letters ticked him off. It takes you through the work of clock maker Joshua Trundle and his attempt to make Christmas good again!

5. Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town

Rankin and Bass are synonymous with Christmas specials, and this is one of their big ones. It’s the story of Santa Claus and how he came to be. It’s filled with great music and a good story. The sounds of Fred Astaire singing during this special is worth it on that merit alone. It’s a good one. Enjoy it! (This clip takes about 10 seconds before you start hearing sound).

4. Frosty the Snowman

Happy Birthday!

How many of you have no idea what that means when I mention Frosty? If so, make sure you watch this Christmas special, immediately. It’s a timeless classic and well worth the watch. Another Rankin/Bass classic and narrated by Jimmy Durante.

3. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

Misfits. Flying deer. A bumble.

What’s not to like?

Rudolph is a classic in every sense. And this is one that I have to watch every year, no matter what. From dentistry among elves to the Island of Misfit Toys, this is one of my favorites.

And… Burl Ives. Perfect. Have a Holly Jolly Christmas, folks.

2. The Year Without a Santa Claus

It’s shocking how many people tell me they have not seen this one. It’s one of my favorites for sure. It’s a well-done Rankin/Bass production with fantastic music and an entertaining show. It’s about Santa being sick one year and needing to cancel Christmas. What will happen?

I love the songs in this movie. And Mickey Rooney voicing Santa Claus? Awesome.

However, I’d be remiss to just post one YouTube video for this one. Because as great as the show overall is, having the Snow Miser and the Heat Miser are great. And their songs midway through are tough not to share. So, the first video is my favorite song from the show and the second is the Miser Brothers.

The Misers:

1. Emmet Otter’s Jugband Christmas

“Look at the birds up in the trees…”

“We’re not birds, we’re a jugband!”

I love this special. It’s been my favorite since the 1980s when it used to play on HBO all the time during this season. Now, thanks to DVD, it’s something I own.

If you are a fan of the Muppets, you should like this. It’s a Jim Henson production. The music is grand. I love the story. Some of the lines are highly laugh-out-loud funny.

This is a must-watch for me every year. Hopefully it’s the same for you or will become that way!

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook by clicking the button on the right side of the page!

Filed Under: My world Tagged With: 'twas the night before christmas, a charlie brown christmas, charlie brown, christmas, christmas specials, christmas television specials, dr. seuss, emmet otter, emmet otter's jugband christmas, frosty, frosty the snowman, gring, heat miser, how the grinch stole christmas, peanuts, riverbottom nightmare, rudolph, rudolph the red nosed reindeer, santa, santa claus, santa claus is comin' to town, santa claus is coming to town, snow miser, specials, television, the year without a santa claus

5 Comments

Welcome to the most wonderful time of the year!

December 1, 2011

It’s December 1.

And, in my mind, that’s when the calendar truly turns to the holiday season. The music, the decorations — everything associated with this season is going to be in full swing soon enough.

You’ll probably start hearing the songs soon enough on the radio (if they haven’t already been playing)! (The above YouTube video is one of my top three favorite holiday songs!)

More and more houses will start putting decorations up.

Lines at the stores. Traffic in places you don’t usually expect it. Sometimes, snow. It all depends on where you are for that one!

But the holiday season is here.

Two nights ago, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer played on television. Tonight, it’s Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town. I’m sure others will follow in suit, soon enough.

So that means the tunes will be playing for the next month. The displays will be in full force. Lines at the stores will be longer and longer. Traffic anywhere around shopping areas will be more congested.

But, it’s a good time of year.

I have a hard time not smiling on a nice cool night with Christmas lights shining.

I realize that my current economic situation won’t allow me to be as “generous” this gift-giving season, but it’s still a good season. I learned long ago that this holiday season isn’t just about the gifts, but rather the time with family and friends. It’s about the act of giving, not the amount you give. And this year, one that I’ll never forget for obvious reasons, has made me realize a lot of things in life, including how wonderful this time of year really is.

So as this time of year really shifts into gear, stop for a moment and realize what we have. If you are reading this, you probably are doing OK. The world might not be perfect, but at least you are doing OK.

Take a moment to take a deep breath when getting mad in a long line or in traffic (I’ll admit, I’ll need to do this as well!)

Smell some holiday flowers. Say hi to people. Smile.

And, if you can, give. Toy drives and food drives are ongoing this time of year. If you can spare anything, even one toy or can of food, try and do so. I know a member of our geocaching community is organizing a toy drive at an upcoming event and I am going to try and bring a couple of new, unwrapped toys to give. I might not be able to do a lot, but I will do what I can.

If there’s any other way to give this year, try and do so. Volunteer. Help a neighbor putting up his or her decorations. Just get into the spirit.

As a World — and for those of you in the United States like me — it hasn’t been an easy year. So let’s at least try and have a good ending to it.

Oh, and while you’re at it — try not to put on 25 pounds by eating too much!

Now I leave you with one of my favorite Christmas specials — The Year Without a Santa Claus — and one of the best scenes…

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook by clicking the button on the right side of the page!

Filed Under: My world Tagged With: burt ives, christmas, christmas specials, holidays, holly jolly christmas, rudolph the red nosed reindeer, santa claus is coming to town, winter, year without a santa claus

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hoohaa29

Writer who loves images just as much as words! In search of perfectly poured pints of Guinness and great hot dogs. Find me on twitter @softball29.

Couldn’t resist stopping on the way to work too Couldn’t resist stopping on the way to work too quickly snap some photos of this scene. Hamden Covered Bridge. #bridge #coveredbridge #hamden #snow #winter #instagood #photooftheday #happy #picoftheday #fun #igers #bestoftheday #life #photo #iphonesia #igdaily #iphoneonly #love #beautiful #photography
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