So, is “twas” a word? Or is it a contraction? I’m going with contraction.{{ct}}[[ct]]Not that a contraction isn’t a word, I guess. Just unsure if it requires the apostrophe or not.[[ct]] And, in looking it up online, I see it is, indeed, a contraction. So good for me. Even better, the next word in the dictionary (online, anyway) is “twaddell,” which is an excellent word, whatever it is.{{twd}}[[twd]]In case you care: “A form of hydrometer for liquids heavier than water, graduated with an arbitrary scale such that the readings when multiplied by .005 and added to unity give the specific gravity.” Kind of disappointing. Sounds like it ought to be some sort of vulgar euphemism, doesn’t it? “I gotcher twadell right here, buddy.”[[twd]] In the spirit of the season, I was looking for some feel-good, uplifting shit to add to my Netflix Instant Queue this morning, and settled on The Grapes of Wrath. Nothing like the Depression-era Dust Bowl to lift your spirits on Christmas Eve.{{gw}}[[gw]]The part where Granma Joad dies is a real hoot.[[gw]]

Christmas Eve? Holy shit, when did that happen? Not that I’m not happy to have Monday off, of course. Though I’m technically not “off” as I have the support duty on Monday. I won’t have to do much more (hopefully) than check in and make sure there are no web catastrophes, for which I earn an additional day off (actually 12 hours, I think, ‘cuz it’s Christmas – no war on Xmas here, by golly), so that’s a pretty good deal. My wife, sadly, got a shitty deal, and has to go to work today. Apparently there’s some sort of policy that all patients have to be screened within 48 (or is it 72? I forget) hours of admission, which means some people get screwed over when Monday (or Friday, I suppose) holidays roll around. And she got screwed on the day after Thanksgiving, too. Doesn’t seem fair.

I also have to get my car inspected today. Well, technically I don’t have to get it done today – I could wait a week. But I thought I’d be proactive and get it done ahead of time. I dunno about your neck of the woods, but this is always a concern here in NY. I hope I don’t get screwed over on anything. I’m throwing them an oil change in hopes that will satisfy their extortion quota.

On the bright side, the place I’m going to is right next to Radio Shack, Staples, and Home Depot.{{ds}}[[ds]]Oh, and the Dollar Store, too! Does going there make me officially old? Well, tough. I need some Chinese AAA batteries.[[ds]] So I should have plenty to do while I await sentencing{{rs}}[[rs]]Plus I actually need to get a project enclosure and a rocker switch at Radio Shack, and I could use a hunk of 10/4 SJ cord for my generator. Just in case you’re looking for stocking-stuffer ideas. I could always use another tape measure or set of screwdrivers, too.[[rs]]. Plus they have Wi-Fi, though I don’t reckon I’ll bring a computer with me. Somebody needs to buy me a Droid tablet.{{tab}}[[tab]]Hand-me-downs accepted. I’ll even settle for an iPad – and you don’t need to worry about getting it to me by Xmas; I can wait a few days. Shoot me an e-mail if you need my shipping address.[[tab]]

I keep forgetting to watch Current{{ctv}}[[ctv]]I’m kind of an HD snob. When do we get it in HD?[[ctv]], but stumbled across it this morning, and am watching the Young Turks Christmas Show (or whatever it is). I don’t find Crank nearly as annoying as I used to. And it’s nice to see him back together with Yank – even if it’s only for one show.

Now Olbermann is on. Haven’t seen him in a while, either. Guess I better make a fresh pot.

Well, y’all better get out there and get shopping. Only two weeks ’til Russian Christmas.