It's December. It must be time to ring out the old year, and hope for the new:

"Goodbye and Good Riddance 2004: Well, I Wasn't Expecting That." Dec 10, 2004 7:40:00 pm PST

For those in the Chicago area who'd like to see a show that is not The Nutcracker or A Christmas Carol here's the info on my latest show (which opened last night).

Big, The Musical
Apple Tree Theatre
runs thru Jan. 9

Anyone in dependent on WSBK 38 in Boston for UPN, the new Veronica Mars will be shown this Saturday at the usual time - tonight it's a telethon for Children's Hospital.

X-posted in Natter where most of the VM discussion is.

Bay Area Buffistas: If you're a Comcast customer (you must have a current Comcast bill), you can get a free TiVo in Alviso, CA Friday between 11 and 1 "while supplies last". Details here: [link]

Hubby is going through his work area and just said, "Oh, here's something your board might like. Ask them if anyone recognizes the ship designation SSN 700, and if they do they can have something related to that." He won't tell me what it's about, but there you go. Profile addy good if someone knows what he's talking about and might be interested in some item related to it.

Sean correctly ID's the number as belonging to the submarine USS Dallas from the movie "Hunt for Red October". Well, he ID'd it first. Kudos to everybody who knew! Hubby came up with a baseball-type hat that was a prop in the movie--he won't say how he got it--and he figured that, in a spirit of cleaning the house, he should see if anyone wanted it. But only if they were obsessed enough to know what the number meant.

Attention DC-istas and anyone willing to drive to Baltimore!

I am having a Boxing Day party on Sunday, Dec. 26th, from 3pm or so 'till whenever. Soup and sandwiches will be served, along with cookies and other such goodies. There will be games, movies for those who are so inclined, hot cocoa, and hot (or cold) cider.

In addition, we will also be having the Second Annual Bad Gift Exchange. Simply bring something you got for Christmas that you really wish you hadn't, and it will go home with someone else. Meanwhile, someone else's trash may turn out to be your treasure!

If you are interested in attending, ping me at my email addy. If someone needs to stay overnight, I do have room for up to three guests.

Whoo! Our erinaceous made InStyle. P. 113 of the January 2005: "Erin McKean, the youngest chief editor in the history of the OAD, forecasts nascent (emerging) words."

Next, the fashion feature.

Are you, or is somebody you know, a "Wire" fan?(If not, rent the DVDs. They will either capture you, or you will think this is the slowest damn thing you've seen in your life, but Buffistas dig arc, so it's worth a shot. It has inherited Homicide's "Not Your Father's Crime Show" crown.) But this means it is time to fight for another low-rated but critically beloved show. Sound familiar? But all is not over.(Yes, I'm a geek with a letter-writing campaign. Shoot me. But wash with Ajax after.) This time, the letters go to:
HBO
1100 Avenue of The Americas
NY, NY 10036
You'll be writing to CEO Chris Albrecht, Executive Vice- President of Business Affairs Harold Akselrad, and Executive Vice President of Program Planning David Baldwin. I hope someone here does besides me, because Buffista letters rule. And I don't have to tell you to use good grammar and not put weird stuff in the envelopes. I'm not thinking we'll bring HBO to its knees but some fan support being vociferous before Simon meets the brass in mid-Jan couldn't hurt, and it's fun on occasion to bitch at people with actual power for a change.
ETA: It has come to my attention that some people prefer less...yo-tech contact methods. Direct e-mail for these guys is not available to schmucks like us, but you may use the Contact option at hbo dot com. Or sign the petition at [link] Or break Stringer's rules and use the phone to 212-512-1208. Ask for one of the departments mentioned in this message, I think.

After that, I guess, "It's all in the game," but I'm not ready to let that city go yet.