Sausages and potato soup. I had no idea what the movie would be about, all I asked was that it be diverting. Which it was. Still not sure what it was about, but I do know the CGI people had fun.

One of the really bad things about a cold during the holidays is the inability to sing along to the music. All I’ve been able to manage is a croak, and it hurt, not to mention the coughing spasms after.

Especially on all those Mariah Carey higher-octave ones. It’s a good thing I work alone.

The crowd gathered to watch the tallest building in the city collapse after explosives were detonated. It merely tilted. Everyone laughed.

Except the supervisor of the demolition company hired to bring the tower down.

The tallest building in the world is also very, very heavy (700,000 tons). Geologists are concerned that Taipei 101 has reopened an old fault. Two recent earthquakes have been blamed on the building.

A holidayish rabbit that someone on your list might find appealing.

One costs almost as much as my first house did, back in the days before houses set you back a cool million.

The woman in front of me last night had two small packages of Hawaiian chips, two packages of popcorn, one butter, one kettle, and six bottles of hard lemonade. She was probably not spending the evening alone.

To my chagrin, I got an email this morning confirming my Lands’ End shipment that I asked to be held till Dec. 15. Seems they don’t have the means in place for delayed shipping.

Which means my recipients will get their presents next week. Apparently, it pays to not shop early.