Do they know yet?

It's been 25 years... Wow.

From way back in 1984:

Best wishes from the Blast Off! crew -- well, that's me -- for a joyous Christmas or whatever holiday you may observe this time of year.

A Christmas tragedy

Hey, it could have been worse: she might have been America's next vice president.

(h/t reader MG)

A Christmas vignette

Okay, so I lied. I didn't blog yesterday. But I'm back today. So there.

Here's a paraphrased glimpse into a very unusual Christmas afternoon and evening:

SCENE: Friend's house for Christmas dinner. Nine people (eight adults) around the table. Discussion turns to politics. Friend's ex-husband (and father of friend's son, the only child at the table) pipes up.

Friend's ex-husband: George W. Bush is the Jesus Christ of our time. [verbatim]

Me (incredulous): Are you serious? You're kidding, right? Are you serious?

Friend's ex: He takes all the blame and all the persecution. He has sacrificed his professional life for the good of the country.

Me (still incredulous): [mouth hangs open, speechless]

Friend's ex: [says something unintelligible]

Me: This is SO going on my blog.

Under the circumstances, I left things alone. My friend claims to be a Republican (she's really more of an anarchist) who can't stand Drunky McStagger. Her ex-husband was the only other Republican at the table.

I have very interesting holidays.

No Blast Off! Radio today

You've got Christmas, Greek Orthodox Christmas, Russian Orthodox Christmas, and Divorce Orthodox Christmas. Today, for me and my kids, is the latter, as they head back to their mother's house tonight.

Therefore, Blast Off! Radio will not be heard today. Gifts were opened at 6:00 this morning (yawn!) and, as a result, the house is about to be declared a Superfund site, I think.

If you just have to have your fix of maniacal ranting, look over on the left sidebar for links to archived versions of all the previous shows. Blast Off! Radio will be back next Monday, December 31 (time to be announced) for a special Year-End Extravaganza!!!1!!eleven! (Well, actually, it'll probably be a pretty normal show, but "extravaganza" makes it so much more exciting.)

Incidentally, stay tuned for more blog news ... in the next day or so, I'll be announcing a new (and, for me, very outside-the-box) blogging venture for me, to go along with my occasional blogging on Pax Americana and the Florida Progressive Coalition Blog.

If you are celebrating today, enjoy. Regular blogging in this space resumes tonight or tomorrow. Thanks for your understanding and patience.

Limited blogging for a few days

My kids are with me through Monday, so I hope you'll understand if my entries and updates here are a little more sparse than usual for that period. I want to focus my energies on watching them enjoy Christmas.

I may be around a bit, especially late at night after they're asleep, but I hope you'll take this time to enjoy being around loved ones, too.

I'm on my own from Tuesday (Christmas Day) forward, so I'll be back up to speed in no time. Thanks, and best wishes for the holidays -- whatever holidays you celebrate.

Incidentally, there will be no Blast Off! Radio this coming Monday, December 24. However, I probably will do a New Year's Eve show (in the afternoon, most likely), so stay tuned for updates on that.

Thanks again.

The original DFH

With thanks to Wes, here are some important facts you need to know before you cast your vote in 2008.



Merry fucking Christmas, everyone!

My reasons for the season

I admit I haven't had a lot of Christmas cheer this year. Something about my first Christmas alone will do that.

I don't want a pity party, though. I had my Christmas yesterday. And these are my reasons why Christmas 2006 was special.



Best wishes for the holiday season. And for the coming year, I wish for a more compassionate government, an end to Bush's Folly in Iraq, and a return to American values that honor and respect the individuality of all, not just a few.

John Kerry has the Christmas spirit

Cowabunga, dude.

(No, it's not really Kerry. Ho ho ho.)

Today's Daily Schadenfreude: George H.W. Bush

Oh, this is a good one ...

Sorry it's distorted because I blew it up a bit, but click on the image and you'll see the original size.

The caption from the New York Daily News (natch):

Ex-Prez George Bush Sr. seemed to have a taste for eye candy when he and wife Barbara met up with the Rockettes after a Christmas show in Houston. Discreet, George. Real discreet.

I couldn't have said it better myself. You go, Poppy. Seriously, your son is fucking up the country and you're cavorting with dancing girls and the Quaker Oats guy ... I mean, your wife.

For showing us the true meaning of Christmas (and absolutely no common sense whatsoever), at least from the Bush perspective, I congratulate George H.W. Bush: today's Blast Off! Daily Schadenfreude is for you!

I think I just threw up a little in my mouth

This stamp (with the proper 39¢ value) was on the envelope of a Christmas card I just received.

Kinda ruins the sentiment for me, y'know?