One week before Christmas Eve (Dec 17th) my mom and I went out Christmas shopping at the local mall. We bought presents for my dad and niece and had a really good time together. You know family bonding and all that.

My niece was especially spoiled by my mom. My mom always asks her “What kind of love do we have?” and my niece always answers: “Forever love”. So my mom got her a customized heart pendent. On one side it says… well it’s obvious what both sides say I guess. But it’s really cute and apparently it was a huge hit with her when she opened it on Christmas Eve. She’s a good kid though and she’ll remember it forever.

We went to Red Robin afterwards. I’d not been there before but I certainly wish to go back. Mmm… their milkshakes are sooooo good. Great hamburgers and spicy fries too.

Got to use my new cell phone I’d just gotten that day when we had to split up and find a way to meet up. Having something ring in my coat pocket nearly gave me a heart attack. Take some getting used to.

Managed to get a treat for myself too. A new, fancy beard trimmer which is great as there’s no attachments you just move the dial to the setting you want, you can use it charged or with a cord, came with a case to keep it all in, and it even vacuums the hairs up as you trim reducing the mess. I also got a… uh… nose hair trimmer because apparently that is needed now. *sighs*

Mostly what I’ll remember though is just spending some time with my mom and getting a little Christmas cheer which almost managed to go by without my noticing this year. It came and went so fast!

Looking ahead to next year… I’m hoping… there might be another woman to spend my holiday with too. Where oh where are you my dragoness?

My favorite gifts that Santa brought me this year (i.e. my very loving family):

Dragon Ring: Imagine the ring with a very deep purple/blue stone depending on the light. I’ve named the dragon “Whimsy” of course! It’s my very favorite gift this year.

The Razer Naga MMO Gaming Mouse: It’s hard to get used to but once I do look out! Will I finally stop being a point & clicker? Hope so! It looks even sexier in person with the blue being daker and more eerie and the logo fading in and out. It looks like it has been enchanted. A mouse of the arcane indeed. Who needs engineers?

Dragon Age: Origins: I’m all about storytelling and Bioware always delivers. However this time I’m told they have really upped their craft. I’ve barely started but already the lore is the most in-depth I’ve ever seen from an original setting with no prior games. Even only having dipped my toes in so far there is a feeling of being part of a truly epic story. The music, the character interactions, the lore, I think this is going to be something really special. And the mapmaker is supposed to be incredible. I can’t wait to tinker with that too!

In addition I got the collector’s edition of the strategy guide which includes 50 pages of lore that the normal version does not as well as additional pages with concept art, an interview with the creators, and it is also hardback. I mention it because it is the most enjoyable strategy guide I can remember buying. Though it has the usual walkthroughs a good portion of the book is dedicated to FUN stuff. Lore, tactics, character builds, and how to interact with the characters. And the production values are fantastic. I enjoy just looking through it.  The World of Warcraft strategy guides could learn a thing or three from this one. I highly recommend this version of the strategy guide to anyone interested in the game.

To everyone out there I hope you got the sugar plums you were dreaming of as well.