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X-Entertainment is still feeling pretty bad about those lobsters.

12/20/2008: Jingle Hell.

I’m not sure if it’s possible for me to have more to do between now and Christmas Eve, but I’ve decided to take it in stride.

I’m lying. I’m freaking. And I’m taking it out on everyone.

Right now, our main priority is whipping the apartment into shape for Christmas Day, since we’ll be hosting dinner for the woman’s family. I’m not really worried about the food aspect, because one way or another, that’ll get done. What’s concerning us is that our apartment is more of a place that should be studied than occupied, and trying to get it to the point where over a dozen folks can sit without setting off a chain reaction that will lead to some pointy statue falling off a shelf and killing someone is a serious challenge.

Whatever, we’ll get there. I still prefer hosting Christmas dinner to going somewhere else, because it justifies all the money and effort we pumped into decorating the house with ceramic Santas and festive tablecloths. Plus, it’s fun to drive the action. I like to play God. Perhaps I will spell “MERRY X-MAS” out on a large serving tray using nothing but prosciutto-wrapped breadsticks. And I’ll spend Christmas telling everyone not to eat them because I worked so hard on it.

A few of you have asked for a status report on my Chia Christmas Tree, and…UGH. I don’t know where I went wrong. I had such high hopes for this thing, but it just refused to sprout a full coat no matter what I did.

I have to take my share of the blame. I was so frantic about making my Chia grow correctly that I just wouldn’t stop doing stuff to it. I kept adding water, kept changing its lighting, kept moving it to warmer/colder areas — it was like a simple zit transformed into a volcanic lesion by my own hand. Had I just let the thing be, maybe it wouldn’t look like the jpeg attachment of an e-mail to Chia Headquarters, demanding a refund.

But it isn’t all bad. It certainly won’t be used as a table centerpiece, but it’s not like I need to hide the thing in fear of mass ridicule. Nobody has to know that it’s already lived a full life — I’ll just pretend that it’s still in its formative stage. Yeah, that’s the ticket. Formative stage.

It’s kinda symbolic of my Christmas season as a whole — overworked and messy, but still somehow pretty and peaceful. Or maybe I just refuse to shit on a Chia Pet that comes with a light-up Christmas star. You don’t burn bibles.

I’ll leave you with a little reading material from X-E’s Christmas past:

Santa’s 900 Hotline!
A Very Brady Christmas!
A Family Circus Christmas!
The Pac-Man Christmas Special!
The Ninja Turtles Christmas Special!

Happy SNT. I have muuuuch to doooo.


Posted by Matt. E-mail me!

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Discussion Thread: 249 comments

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Poor Chia. I had such high hopes.

FM

Ghosted by Fungusmungus @ 12/20/2008 7:10 PM EST


Remind me to read the article before posting. Not just look at the pictures. Verbal faux pas. It’s like showing up for a party in the same dress as someone else.

Not that I’ve ever done that…

Ghosted by Fungusmungus @ 12/20/2008 7:12 PM EST


Chia pattern baldness?

Ghosted by kingklash @ 12/20/2008 7:13 PM EST


Hey now, it’s just the Chia equivalent of Charlie Brown’s tree!

Ghosted by SleepDeprived @ 12/20/2008 7:17 PM EST


“Actually, it isn’t such a bad little tree…”

Ghosted by Bill @ 12/20/2008 7:17 PM EST


I’m going to miss the Advent Calender 10x this year :( .

Ghosted by Tom @ 12/20/2008 7:25 PM EST


What are you making for dinner this year Matt?

Ghosted by anotherhandle @ 12/20/2008 7:27 PM EST


Despite being done with shopping a while ago (thanks amazon!) I accompanied my procrastinating brother to the mall because I have fun every year looking for a parking space in complete chaos. This year was once again a success due to a combination of having a sixth sense and pure brute force.

Ghosted by Jeff Mack @ 12/20/2008 7:28 PM EST


So….last night…I thought I was feeling better after my virus that I STILL have…so I went with hubby down to the convenience store and got some pumpkin spice iced coffee, some mini donuts and a lottery. I won ten on the lottery…

on the way home…I started feeling really queasy, like every bump made me want to yak. So…all of a sudden 3 BIG police vans pull up behind us and make us pull over into a parking lot…I was all like “quick honey, hide the weed!”(not really..I was still nervous though, because its not everyday you get pulled over by 3 cops in the dead of night…so they all get out and surround the jeep, and move flashlights around the whole thing…and the head cop was asking where we were and where we were going…turns out there was a hit and run accident and the vehicle description matched our Jeep. I’m feeling really sick by this time, and the cop asked me If I was alright…I said”I’m gonna throw up” And I grabbed a bag and puked right in front of the cop. So…yeah….been sleeping all day

Matt you have outdone yourself with the advent this year! Really! It’s been a blast!

Ghosted by mandy_Reeves @ 12/20/2008 7:29 PM EST


My mother found some mistletoe for me today! I’m thinking I’ll wire it to a headband to where it’s hanging just above my head. The boy will not be able to resist me! MWAHAHA.

The Mystery Science Theater 3000 anniversary set, which is on my Amazon list, has apparently been discontinued by the manufacturer:( If no one bought it for me, I’m shelling out $150 to buy one off someone in the Amazon Marketplace. It’s reached the point where I believe I cannot possibly live without it.

Ghosted by Cheetara @ 12/20/2008 7:30 PM EST


Also, for ridiculous holiday fun (read: turning people you know into dancing elves), click my name!

Ghosted by Cheetara @ 12/20/2008 7:32 PM EST


Wow. This is the last SNT before Christmas. The tree is SO a Charlie Brown Tree Chia Pet.

Ghosted by Aaron @ 12/20/2008 7:33 PM EST


I am familiar with Chia dissapointment, Matt. Sorry to see it.

Ghosted by Vincent @ 12/20/2008 7:35 PM EST


Just wave you arms around it and it’ll become a beautiful little Christmas tree.

I’m in that group who believes that X-Emas has saved their sanity. It’s certainly been doing a good job at preserving what little is left of mine. It’s the only festive place I can go to. Hell, my house isn’t even decorated yet! :(

Ghosted by Invader Norbert @ 12/20/2008 7:36 PM EST


Last SNT before Christmas!

Merry Christmas, everybody.

Ghosted by Mike J. @ 12/20/2008 7:47 PM EST


No more posting Dept. 56 stuff. I’ve learned.

But back to the Chia tree, maybe all it needs is a little less love?

Ghosted by PlantMonster @ 12/20/2008 7:49 PM EST


Happy SNT ya’ll! :) Hope yur havin a goodun. Sorry to hear about the Chia Tree Matt. I think it’s still a nice little tree though.
goob: I’ll be on a little later tonight for our scheduled racein.

Ghosted by ULTRAMAN @ 12/20/2008 7:50 PM EST


Instead of giving an idea for an SNT topic, I’ll let someone else choose a topic. Matt, on the Travel
Channel, they are showing Samantha Brown’s Walt
Disney World Special, though it is almost done. It
reminds me of the trip I recently took there.

I wish Christmas Vacation was on. I saw it for sale
at Target this morning. I bought a Cobra Rattler
instead. For a good laugh, download Merry Christmas
Mister Bean on YouTube.

Ghosted by LoneStar76 @ 12/20/2008 7:54 PM EST


Merry X-ma-SNT, everyone… Holy crap, I’m actually IN the SNT, not the Sunday Night catch-up…

Ghosted by DocDragon @ 12/20/2008 7:58 PM EST


You reviewed the Pac-Man special way back when? I somehow missed that. I wrote my own review last year, and yours would have been a nice extra bit of reference.

I also feel I must point out this special cameo. I’ve been doing all I can to beat the Advent drum around my own quarters.

Ghosted by Mars @ 12/20/2008 8:11 PM EST


RUN FOR YOUR LIFE KUSE!!!!!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tamaleaver/3121888662/in/pool-cupcakestakethecake

Ghosted by ashley @ 12/20/2008 8:37 PM EST


I hate to be a downer, but is anyone else just not feeling Christmas this year? I mean, I’m enjoying the decorations and all, and doing all my usual holiday activities, but I’m just not all Mista Snowman about it like I usually am, and that’s depressing. And it seems like it’s not just me – I don’t know if it’s the recession or what, but Christmas just doesn’t feel very Christmassy this year. Anyone else feel the same? Anyone have ideas on how to pull myself out of the funk?

Ghosted by jazzy @ 12/20/2008 8:40 PM EST


Jazzy, I think a bottle of wine usually helps that situation.

Ghosted by ashley @ 12/20/2008 8:42 PM EST


Mandy, I’m feeling pretty pukey too. I am about 99% sure it’s NOT a result of my 11 hour snow day at the bar down the street yesterday. Seriously, I don’t get that way…unless I picked up some germ from one of the townies.

Ghosted by Amy @ 12/20/2008 8:53 PM EST


Having never done the Chia thing myself, that’s what I assumed they always ended up looking like.

Cheetara if it’s any consolation the MST3K 20th Anniversary Set set is being reissued but without the tin packaging, Crow figure and postcards.

Ghosted by Anthony @ 12/20/2008 8:54 PM EST


It IS a weird time right now Jazzy with the economy, I sort of feel christmassy, but on a scale of waiter bot to Mista Snowman I’m hovering around James Lipton. I don’t know if that makes sense…I’m feeling it but not all the way.

Ghosted by mandy_Reeves @ 12/20/2008 8:57 PM EST


Whoo! SNT! Party! CHRISTMAS MAGIC!!!!!! *Runs around*

Ok…Got that out of my system! I’m about to watch Scrooge. The musical version with Albert Finney. It’s good stuff if you’ve never seen it…

Ghosted by Cameron T. @ 12/20/2008 8:58 PM EST


Merry Christmas, X-Eers! Great post, Matt! I’m starting to get into a festive mood. I’ve been watching some Christmas DVDs and I’ve got Christmas music on the stereo!

Ghosted by Hoverbored @ 12/20/2008 8:59 PM EST


New thread: your favorite Christmas album(s). Unoriginal? Yes. But fun just the same.

Ghosted by Hoverbored @ 12/20/2008 9:06 PM EST


I’m feeling a lot better today than I did yesterday, which was just crappy. I got a really sweet Secret Santa present from one of my co-workers, a cute little purple fairy figure. My co-workers know me better than I think they do – that’s the second year in a row I got something good in the store’s Secret Santa exchange. Last year, I got a nice orange-and-tan scarf that perfectly matches my tan winter coat.

Another co-worker complimented me on my efficient handling of the massive crowds at the store today. There were lines literally going into the aisles from 11AM to almost 4PM. It’s obvious he never handled the crowds at Wildwood and North Cape May in Cape May County during the summertime. They made today at the store look like a minor disturbance.

From what many of my customers said today, I’m VERY glad I finished my Christmas shopping last week. People mentioned elbow-to-elbow crowds and having to follow cars to get a parking spot.

Ghosted by starwenn @ 12/20/2008 9:08 PM EST


Hoverbored

Without a doubt, it is Mannheim Steamroller’s first Christmas album, though the second one is very very close…

Ghosted by Cameron T. @ 12/20/2008 9:16 PM EST


Happy SNT all!! By the way, FX is showing Home Alone if you’re looking for something Christmas-y to watch.

Ghosted by BgBlyStyle @ 12/20/2008 9:20 PM EST


Your tree has mange.

Ghosted by Chiablo @ 12/20/2008 9:21 PM EST


Hoverbored: My favorite Christmas album ever? John Denver and The Muppets: A Christmas Together. My family has it on vinyl (it came home with me after dad passed away) and we’ve listened to it every Christmas that I can remember. Listening to it these days makes me a little sad, but it still holds a very special place in my heart. A few years back I finally bought a CD copy for everyone to enjoy. I especially love “The Peace Carol” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” (it cracks us up how Miss Piggy thinks they’re saying “piggy pudding.” XD)

Anthony: Considering that the Crow bust is one of the things that drew me to the set, I’ll only buy the one that includes it.

Ghosted by Cheetara @ 12/20/2008 9:22 PM EST


Hoverboard

A Chrismas Together by John Denver and the Muppets. I try not to play it all year long so that it stays special, but I can still remember listening to the album on my parents’ record player while wearing the enormous, cushy headphones with the curly cord that plugged into the stereo. This would have been in the extremely early eighties.

Ghosted by Amy @ 12/20/2008 9:23 PM EST


Ha, where did you come from??? I’m glad someone else has special original memories of that album.

Ghosted by Amy @ 12/20/2008 9:24 PM EST


Jazzy, I know how you feel. My advice for you to cheer up is to go to YouTube and download Arnold
Schwarzenegger prank calls They’re good if you want a
few laughs.

Ghosted by LoneStar76 @ 12/20/2008 9:35 PM EST


I’m sitting here trying to watch some James Lipton Actors Studio shows on youtube…that or I might watch 7 pounds with Will Smith…(don’t wanna plug the site bc it’s a gray area of legality and morals in the sense that its pirated.

But I am probably going to the theater to see Slumdog Millionaire on Monday. or The Day the Earth Stood still. I don’t think The Wrestler, with Micky Rourke is out in my theaters yet.

Ghosted by mandy_Reeves @ 12/20/2008 9:41 PM EST


Jackson 5 Christmas, my very favorite.

Ghosted by Shelby @ 12/20/2008 9:43 PM EST


This is karma for our neglecting of Halloween. I am personally taking out a lawsuit towards my university. I want my Halloween season back, you bastards!

My house isn’t decorated, and oh man, does it feel awesome <333

Ghosted by Neg @ 12/20/2008 9:48 PM EST


Amy: We posted within a minute of each other. Crazy! When I was a kid, it just didn’t seem like Christmas until we listened to that album. Dad would sometimes play it as we opened gifts:)

Ghosted by Cheetara @ 12/20/2008 9:52 PM EST


Merry Christmas my X-E’ers and a Happy New Year. I know I don’t drop by often but I always read and love all your comments and stories. May peace and love rule throughout your season and your lives.

XO CM

Ghosted by Mamas Boy @ 12/20/2008 9:54 PM EST


I went to Target today and it was a madhouse of people buying last minute items. I went there on Black Friday and it was nowhere near this busy that day.

I was gonna buy the MSTK 3000 Anniversary collection for my brother on Christmas, but it was too expensive. I’ll probably buy the stripped-down version for his birthday.

My mom goes into a similar frenzy like Matt described for Thanksgiving. Thank god that is the only holiday she does.

Why don’t they make Advent Calendars for Halloween? You know it would be popular.

Since I don’t have any Christmas Albums, how about a Worst Gift Survey, since we did best gift a few days ago?

One year my aunt basically raided the cheap DVD bin at Wal-Mart and everyone got DVD’s of basically some of the worst movies ever made. For some reason I got the live action “Cat in the Hat” movie. I then gave it to a friends young daughter and I don’t think she ever opened it.

Going to watch the latest WWE “Tribute to the Troops.” Cya later.

Ghosted by JLAJRC @ 12/20/2008 10:00 PM EST


I still get Hess trucks from my last remaining Grandmother. The funny thing is, she still wraps batteries to go with it. You know, just in case I want to play with it.

Ghosted by Bill @ 12/20/2008 10:09 PM EST


worst gift…dried out magic markers in a package covered in Juice stains…some bitch that hated me gave me that as a grab bag in 4th grade. She wasn’t poor, so It’s not like that was an excuse. she was a fucking little bitch.

Ghosted by mandy_Reeves @ 12/20/2008 10:16 PM EST


Someone gave me the evil eye. I have spent today with a bad case of death or something, with my husband working until 10 PM. Sick and alone, at Christmastime.

I feel better now, and he’ll be home soon, and there’s a blog post and a mangy Chia Tree and everything. X-E has really made my Xmas season! I’ve had a season kind of like X-E Matt’s – busy and frantic and wild but nice somehow.

Ghosted by Rev. Back It On Up 13 @ 12/20/2008 10:17 PM EST


CHRISTMAS MAGIC! that is all. :D

Ghosted by ULTRAMAN @ 12/20/2008 10:17 PM EST


I’m upset that SleepDeprived and Bill beat me to making the Charlie Brown joke. Rawr!

Ghosted by Lucky @ 12/20/2008 10:37 PM EST


Bill= I got a Hess Truck from when I went to Florida. It came with free batteries. I wish I had the one with the space shuttle.

Ghosted by LoneStar76 @ 12/20/2008 11:03 PM EST


Bill, it’s my tradition for my Grandma to give me Hess Trucks, too. She’s in a nursing home this year, so she gave me the money to buy this year’s truck. It’s not nearly as Christmas Magicalâ„¢, but it’s tradition, dammit!

And Hess gives you the batteries for free when you buy the trucks.

Ghosted by Invader Norbert @ 12/20/2008 11:26 PM EST


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