Back from the California Adventure, which consisted of three days in Fresno with Jen's family. Came back home a couple days ago to an empty house, as she and the kids stayed to linger with her father, sister, and her sister's kids. Christmas is not my holiday, and while I appreciate elements of the pageantry, and can enjoy a well-decorated Christmas tree as much as the next bloke, it still remains very much Not My Holiday.

But all that's beside the point at the moment. Quiet house means I get to do what I want, when I want, how I want (what the late Spalding Gray would've referred to as a "naughty treat"). This has mostly manifested in alternately writing and catching up on the Netflix pile that's been sitting and waiting for the last three months, which should tell you just about everything you need to know about my schedule. Watched Owning Mahowny, Ratatouille, and the last of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. Enjoyed them in pretty much reverse order, there, from least to most. Really thought Ratatouille was lovely, and it hit my mushy buttons pretty well in that patented Disney-can-make-you-cry-in-the-first-five-minutes-if-we-want-to fashion.

Owning Mahowny was great, and if you're interested in such unsolicited recommendations, here's mine -- see it. Philip Seymour Hoffman is fantastic. I've quite liked him in the little that I've seen of him before, but this one sealed the deal -- the man kicks ass. Now I'm looking forward to Charlie Wilson's War even more than I was before.

Got another one or two I'd like to watch today, but we'll see. I'm in the last 24 hours, here, and I suppose I should use the time to nail down as much of the next issue of Stumptown as possible, as the current fire on Checkmate is out, for the moment. More news on that front in the next couple weeks, I expect.

Heading home first thing in the morning. Two days on the set.

I have been to Amundsen-Scott Base, and I've been to Vostok, and I've see Carrie and Delfy and Pryce, and I've seen a whole hell of a lot of snow and ice. I've met some amazing people, cast and crew both.

I could not be happier with this interpretation of the work. Could. Not. Be. Happier.

Summer '08 cannot arrive soon enough.

More later, and maybe one or two declassified photographs, if I can get permission for 'em.