Began the morning with work. It was so quiet when I came in, I didn't need to gather carts until later. I shelved items and organized what little needed to be finished in the gift kiosk. It picked up a little bit later in the morning, but was never really busy. Swept the store and put cold items away later, but I mainly did those carts. Other than getting a little overwhelmed, no problems.
Got my schedule when I was there. In good news, I have the next three days off. That does mean I have to work the rest of the week, but only one day (Tuesday) is late. That will give me plenty of time to get Christmas stuff done, including cards and my remaining shopping.
Went straight home after work. Did a Match Game episode while having a quick lunch. Kirstie Alley of Cheers turned up as a rather unamused contestant in three syndicated episodes in 1979...but her first episode was one of the better ones from the syndicated run even before she arrived. Gene got so tired of waiting for a contestant to give an answer, he lay on the floor and pretended to take a nap! Later, Charles hams it up on a question involving his native New York, to the point where Betty White brings him tissues.
Headed out around 2:30. I wanted to get to the library. Newton River Park was surprisingly busy for a semi-cloudy, windy day in early December. It's very close to winter now. The recent gusts have taken the remaining leaves off the trees. The reeds on the river are empty black brush strokes against the glassy green ripples. I darted around kids on their way home from school and Canadian geese looking for a snack.
The Haddon Township Library wasn't too busy, but they did some major rearranging in there. The adult DVD shelves had been moved further back in the main room, and there were fewer new releases shelves. I actually did manage to get most of the titles put away this time.
Took out a pile of movies and cartoons. Grabbed the holiday sets for Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, and The Cat In the Hat Knows a Lot About That. I still haven't seen the recent Christmas comedy Elf in full and wanted to see Men In Black International and X-Men: Dark Phoenix despite them not doing well at the box office this summer.
Made it home by 4:30 and went straight on the computer for some writing. The trolls attack Charles, stealing his lute and easily throwing him aside. First Brett and her ability to manipulate plants, then Patti and her water abilities save him.
Broke for dinner at quarter of 7. Had leftovers while watching Elf. Buddy (Will Ferrell) is an very, very tall elf who discovers he's actually a human being who was adopted by Santa's elves. Papa Elf (Bob Newhart) and Santa Claus (Ed Asner) send him to New York City to find his father. Turns out he's the son of Walter Hobbs (James Caan), a children's book executive who's been on the naughty list for years. Buddy is an excited goofball who thinks everyone is always on the nice list. Most New Yorkers would disagree, at least initially...but his kindness rallies others to his side, including a shy worker at a department store (Zoey Deschanel) he has a crush on, his new younger brother Michael (Daniel Tay), and his stepmother Emily (Mary Steenburgen). It may not be enough Christmas spirit to power Santa's sleigh when he crash lands in Central Park, but Buddy eventually teaches everyone - even Walter - that there's a little holiday spirit in everyone at this time of year, even jaded New Yorkers.
This was really cute. No wonder it's become one of the most popular holiday films of the new millennium. Ferrell gave one of his best and most famous performances as the elf-raised man who firmly believes in Christmas, Santa, and everything they stand for...even when everyone around him thinks he's off his nut. Caan's almost as good as his harried father who is more caught up in pleasing his boss than his family, until Buddy shows him what he's missing.
If you're a fan of Ferrell, or are just looking for a fun and different holiday comedy, you'll want to head to Central Park and see the Big Apple through the eyes of Buddy, too.
Finished the night with YouTube. I enjoyed the vintage Christmas specials I dug up last year so much, I went looking for even more. Unearthed The Perry Como Winter Show from 1973. Sally Struthers, Jack Burns, and Avery Schriber joined Como as he took them from sunny California to a wintry landscape and a house ready for the holidays. The group The Establishment provided background voices and joined in the dance routines. I loved all of them turning up in their pajamas for a couple of songs performed on Christmas eve, along with the hilarious Old Hollywood spoofs at the Club Igloo near the finale and Como taking Schriber to see Santa Claus.
If you're interested, here's the link for a little bit of retro holiday lunacy:
The Perry Como Winter Show (1973)
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