It's pouring out and I couldn't be happier about it. Pouring rain, bright lightning, thunder that I swear is trying to form of coherent beat...I LOVE it. The rain tacked on about an extra 25 minutes to my already hideously long bus ride home from work, but for what I'm experiencing now -- an open window with wet wind blowing at my head -- it's totally worth it. Because storms mean holidays in some roundabout way, I couldn't resist the temptation to steer my filthy car towards a pharmacy before heading home, because only during Christmastime can a person like me conceivably spend half an hour browsing a pharmacy.
I picked up many fine items that will be covered in this very fine blog on a regular basis between now and whenever I get sick of Christmas, but it seemed fitting for no specific reason to give the first nod to Glade's Glistening Snow room spray. The can's been done up all purdy with snowy pinecone graphics and whatnot, but even when I bought it, I couldn't help remarking to the 94 yr old woman standing behind me on line that "there was no way this shit smelled like fucking snow cause snow don't fucking smell like anything," to which she replied, "snow smells like water." This situation may have played out more in my head than in real life, but that's immaterial: It doesn't smell like "snow" at all. It doesn't even smell like anything the part of my brain most familiar with my nose might make up as a "snowy smell." It doesn't even smell Christmassy!
Though it does sort of remind me of Macy*s, and Macy*s reminds me of Christmas. I hate to go all Six Degrees of Santa on your asses, but considering the 2-for-1 special price, I'm giving Glade's holiday effort an A+ with absolutely zero notes reading "you'll spray your eye out."
In other news:
I don't have an encode of it made yet, but my latest spot is a sweepstakes tying in with that Zathura flick. Note the name of the shuttle -- "X-E 79." It's spoken in the voice-over, too. Finally snuck a reference in!
EDIT: Here, now you can download it. Video is choppy and low rent, but it's the best I can do at the moment. You'll get the idea.
Posted by Matt on 11/09/2005. E-mail me!
Chestnuts roasted by 
I too love pharmacies at Christmastime. Somehow they can incorporate the holidays into more products than other stores, and they always have 18 different shaped candy canes for sale.
Happy 230th United States Marine Corps Birthday!
On November 10th, 1775, the Second Continental Congress resolved to raise two battalions of Continental Marines marking the birth of our United States Marine Corps. As Major General Lejeune’s message reminds us, the ensuing generations of Marines would come to signify all that is highest in warfighting excellence and military virtue. Each November as Marines the world over celebrate the birth of our Corps, we pay tribute to that long line of “Soldiers of the Sea” and the illustrious legacy they have handed down to us.
This past year has been one of continuous combat operations overseas and distinguished service here at home—a year of challenges that have brought out the very best in our Corps. In Iraq and Afghanistan, Marine courage and mastery of complex and chaotic environments have truly made a difference in the lives of millions. Marine compassion and flexibility provided humanitarian assistance to thousands in the wake of the South East Asian tsunami, and here at home, Marines with AAVs, helicopters, and sometimes with their bare hands saved hundreds of our own fellow Americans in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Across the full spectrum of operations, you have showcased that Marines create stability in an unstable world, and have reinforced our Corps’ reputation for setting the standard of excellence.
The sense of honor, courage, and patriotism that epitomized those who answered that first call to arms two hundred and thirty years ago is still indelibly imprinted on our ranks today. In commemorating our anniversary, let us strengthen our ties to the past by paying homage to those who have gone before us. As we honor the sacrifices of our wounded and fallen comrades, our commitment to one another remains unshakable. We take special pride in the actions of the Marines now serving in harm’s way, and rededicate ourselves to the service of our Nation and our Corps.
Happy Birthday, Marines. Semper Fidelis, and Keep Attacking!
M. W. Hagee
General, U.S. Marine Corps
General John A. Lejeune’s Birthday Message:
On November 10, 1775, a Corps of Marines was created by a resolution of the Continental Congress. Since that date, many thousand men have borne the name Marine. In memory of them, it is fitting that we who are Marines should commemorate the Birthday of our Corps by calling to mind the glories of its long and illustrious history.
The record of our Corps is one which will bear comparison with that of the most famous military organizations in the world’s history. During 90 of the 146 years of its existence, the Marine Corps has been in action against the Nation’s foes. From the Battle of Trenton to the Argonne, Marines have won foremost honors in war and in the long era of tranquility at home. Generation after generation of Marines have grown gray in war in both hemispheres and in every corner of the seven seas [so] that our country and its citizens might enjoy peace and security.
In every battle and skirmish since the birth of our Corps, Marines have acquitted themselves with the greatest distinction, winning new honors on each occasion until the term "Marine" has come to signify all that is highest in military efficiency and soldierly virtue.
This high name of distinction and soldierly repute we who are Marines today have received from those who preceded us in the Corps. With it we also received from them the eternal spirit which has animated our Corps from generation to generation and has been the distinguishing mark of the Marines in every age. So long as that spirit continues to flourish, Marines will be found equal to every emergency in the future as they have been in the past, and the men of our Nation will regard us as worthy successors to the long line of illustrious men who have served as "Soldiers of the Sea" since the founding of the Corps.