'Tis the season for...

...McRib to be back.

...watching The Bucket List just because it's on (see previous entry).

...the #9 and #11 teams in the nation playing on December 23 in something called the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl.

...good drivers to become bad drivers.

...bad drivers to become worse drivers.

...your car to appear invisible to every other driver on the road, so they may cut you off without recourse.

...keeping a minute-by-minute tabulation of how much you've spent on someone else, while trying to assume what someone else has spent on you.

...public outlets of music (e.g. the mall, the radio) to manage to play the worst Christmas music ever created. Just play versions of "O Holy Night" one after another, minus Mariah Carey's. That song shouldn't sound like it's being sung by an over-zealous American Idol hopeful trying to impress the judges.

...realizing how incredibly good Mark Kozelek/Sun Kil Moon is.

...being thankful for lower gas prices, among other things.

...frozen pizzas, it seems.

...difficult first experiences this time around.

...driving to work in 9 degree weather.

...cashmere.

...finishing up that 2008 compilation (see next entry).

...getting ahead of yourself with book purchases, some of which might not be read by this time next year.

...leaking shower drainpipes and non-responsive maintenance men

...utter disappointment and bad luck in fantasy football after a season primarily filled with the opposite.

...no regrets. Seriously.

...spending.

...hating the New York Yankees even more.

...taking liberties with hours at work.

...upcoming work travel to Hayti, Missouri. Note the location of this place. Truly one of those places you assume you'll never have a reason to visit.

...internet hilarity.