December 30, 2011: Another Dark Matter interview! Ugly ornaments! Maximus! News of note!

I've been doing quite a few online interviews in support of my comic book, Dark Matter, that launches January 11, 2011.  The latest here with Ryan Thomason at WatchPlayRead (http://watchplayread.com/wpr-interview-with-dark-matter-writer-joseph-mallozzi/) in which I discuss both Dark Matter and Stargate.

Now onto matters of equal importance…

#9 - Apparently, marinating them is tricky but well worthwhile. They're light and airy.

I am very disappointed with the lack of ugly Christmas ornaments out there.  I was expecting a veritable cavalcade of creepiness to grace this blog.  What I received, instead, was a simple smattering of suspect taste.  My sister, already in the running with one of her entries, one-bettered herself by gifting Akemi the following delicate little monstrosity:

It's all in the side view.  I, meanwhile, received a far more tasteful branch-hanger:

Made Christmas truffles last night.  And what, exactly, makes them "Christmas truffles" besides the obvious fact that I'm making them during the holiday season?  Absolutely nothing.  The cocoa powder-dusted milk chocolate-nutella and gianduja liqueur were the big winners.

So, how are you all recovering from the holiday cheer?  Relaxing? Watching anything?  I should really get around to watching (actually rewatching for the hundredth time) A Christmas Story – the greatest holiday movie of all time (Trains, Planes, and Automobiles comes in a close second)!  I'm presently working my way through the third season of my new fave series, Breaking Bad, and looking forward to season 4 that I downloaded to my Mac from iTunes prior to leaving Vancouver.  I hear the fifth season, premiering this summer, will be its last.  :(

Thanks to everyone who has inquired about my pug, Maximus.  His appetite is back and he seems to have returned to a lower-key version of his old self.  He's been especially needy of late, following Akemi and my mother around the house, but, sadly, has been keeping a wary distance from me since I am the dispenser of medicines (in bitter liquid form squirted into his mouth twice daily).  My immediate concern is his weight.  He was a downright svelte 18 pounds on the way here, just perfect for carry-on status.  I've got to make sure he stays nice and trim – at least until we're back home in Vancouver.

Some news of note…

Forget that new car.  Start saving up for a bomb shelter condo.  Need I remind you that 2012 is almost upon us?  Doomsday, anyone ?

And sticking with the doomsday theme: 10 Real Survival Guides for One Very Fake Apocalypse

And was we wrap up 2011, let's get to those best and worst lists:

Worst films of 2011  Agree?  Disagree?

  Mostly agree, I'm sure.

The Most Epically Awful Videos of 2011: Even Worse Than Rebecca …  Really?  Even worse than Friday?

The 10 Stupidest Crimes of 2011  Consider yourselves forewarned.  Do not make these same mistakes.

11 Of The Stupidest Employees Of 2011 – Careers Articles Also take note – calling in a bomb threat at work is not the best way to secure a day off.

An early blog entry today as I'm off to run some (more) errands and attend a party.  Don't want to keep you up too late waiting for my post as I know a few of you (Das) turn in before nightfall.