A Good Christmas

I'm finally getting around to posting some Christmas pictures. Mostly because I'm lazy...

I love Christmas. Everything about it. But the last few years I think I've come to realize that I like the build-up to Christmas more than the actual event. I love the music. I love the TV specials. I love the parties. I don't mind the shopping. Then the actual day is usually a little of a let down. I guess nothing can compare to the excitement of it when you were child... This year though it started to turn the corner again. This year at Christmas my son Jack is 17 months and starting to get it a little. He can recognize Santa and Rudolph, he loves the Christmas tree and really learned how to dig into his presents. It's only going to get better. Seeing Christmas through young and excited eyes has rejuvenated my love of Christmas. I can't wait until next season!

2005 Christmas pic

Merry Christmas everyone! Here is the Stoppel family Christmas pic...

Just Jack

I had Thursday and Friday off so that gave me a lot of time with Jack this weekend. It was great. On weekdays, when I get home from work, I usually have about an hour with him before he hits the sack. Here are some of the highlights... His first trip to White Castle (I think), cruising the Target toy department, making a lap through Hot Comics, the Science Museum of Minnesota's dinosaur exhibit and watching the Vikings get spanked by the Steelers.

Trailer Trashed

ZedSix and I took in the 12th Annual Trashy Little Christmas with Twin Cities greats Trailer Trash. They have been putting on great shows at Lee's Liquer Lounge since 1993 and their Christmas shows are the greatest. Trailer Trash is a western-swing band that puts their own special spin on many Christmas standards and they make each their own. I was lucky enough to have these guys play at my wedding reception. A good time and a good buzz was had by all...

Holiday parties...

My company really knows how to throw a Christmas party! We all got rooms at the swanky Graves 601 Hotel in downtown Minneapolis. This was by far the nicest place that Jennie and I have stayed at or probably ever will stay at. The beer flowed like wine... A really good time was had by all... I think... Still piecing together the end of the night. Good thing we took pictures or we may not remember many of these things... The bathroom was the best. The shower had water spraying to multiple spots (mmmm...) and I could watch a tv when I was on the can the next morning shitting my guts out.

CARsmas tree...

It's that time of year. Yup. Time to break out the fake Christmas tree. As we were setting it up, Jack started placing his Hot Wheels on the branch holders. I gotta tell ya. It is just so damn fun having a son!

Pack...

Devo Art

Devo frontman Mark Mothersbaugh has an art show running now at Ox-Op gallery in Minneapolis. The show displays pieces from his "Postcard Diary" series which consists of details from sketches and paints he has made on the blank sides of postcards. He has been making these since the early 70's and now has more than 25,000. I brought my Freedom of Choice for him to sign at the opening but unfortunately he wasn't there....

Supersuckers and Rev. Horton Heat RAWK!

Here I am with Rev. Horton Heat and Eddie Spaghetti at First Avenue in Minneapolis - December 5, 2005. It was -5 F and I almost talked myself out of going. I'm glad I went becasue both shows were excellent. To bad I was getting a beer when the Rev. sang my favorite song of his - Five-O Ford. Do yourself a favor and check out these bands. Rev. Horton Heat & Supersuckers