Making a List, Checking it Twice

In case you missed out, my Pop Culture Christmas list is up at HuffPo.

But I know what you really want. You want my REAL Christmas list, the one I actually send to my family, because even though I am 26 years old I still write a Christmas list, every single year (I wasn't kidding when I said I value the importance of the list and its ability to help your loved ones shop at a greater ease).

So for a refresher, last year's list, and now the new one... (pulled from the family email chain).

I really don't need anything, and it's funny because this might be the first year where I seriously struggled to think of what I want/need:

But as Carla has insisted...

Here ya go (bigger stuff listed near the top):

Coachella tickets
Digital Camera
Barbour "Beaufort" coat in Olive - or whatever they are calling green (maybe Sage?)
a bike
Someone to pay off my credit card debt? (A long shot, I know)
That we go onto the AT&T family plan!!!
New headphones (with a mic) for my iPhone (I legitimately need these bc those ones that came with the phone are shitty and I've already gone through two pairs)
Up! on DVD
Save the Cat (screenwriting book)
Elephant Bucks (TV writing book)
Maybe a gray purse? I am into slouchy messenger bag types that aren't too big... or dark brown, or a bright red/orange bag?
Gift certificates to any of the following are always great: J. Crew, Madewell, Piperlime, Anthropologie, Amazon, Target, Lulu Lemon, Orvis
New Yoga mat and maybe one of those nice yoga blanket/towel things

Some thoughts:
(1) Yes, I asked for a gift card to Orvis. I'm from Maine, remember?
(2) I really, really want an excuse to not pay my cellphone bill so I figure the family plan is the best bet.
(3)The one common thing on both lists? Someone to pay my credit cart debt. How sad.
(4) Compared to last year, I'm a little less obsessed with working out, it would appear.
(5) I don't want to disclose how many digital cameras I've gone through, which is why I know that's one thing on my list I probably won't be getting...
(6) Ha. Hahaha. I "struggled." Haha. Lies.

Worth Noting

1.) Per last night's terrible dream I've spent some time googling Earthquake Phobia this morning (also known as Seismophobia). In addition to that nightmare, I keep having sensations where I feel rumblings and I am convinced we're about to have a big quake. The dream was super realistic though--very scary. Took a strange turn with the looters/vampires.

Oh wait a minute. I watched an episode of Buffy last night in which there was an earthquake. Well that explains the vampires and the dream... and my general phobia contributed I am sure.

2.) I am channeling my inner hipster today with a flea market men's plaid shirt that I've belted with a thin braided gold belt, skinny gray corduroys and gold ballet flats. Normally when I wear this shirt sans belt I just look like a boy, so I'm hoping the gold flare ads a feminine touch. Undetermined thus far.

3.) I have the thinnest traces of a hangover this morning due to drinks last night with co-workers, followed by trivia with friends (we came in 3rd after most incredible comeback). The downside of all this (besides slight headache) is that it felt like a Friday when I woke up. Sadly, it's not.

4.) Twitter addiction continues. And I designed my own layout. It's a little too me-centric but I wasn't really sure on Twitter etiquette when it comes to design.

5.) Anyone catch Jindal's rebuttal last night? Or has anyone not seen the amazing internet lampooning he's receiving this morning? Loving the Kenneth the Page comparisons...

And now, what you've ALL been waiting for!

So I bet you woke up yesterday morning and thought to yourself, I wonder if Annie got everything she asked for for Christmas (list refresher here). And let me tell you right now: I didn't.

But THAT, my friends, is OKAY. Of course it is! What would Christmas be without disappointment?

HOWEVER, let me tell you all about the exciting presents I did find under our tree this year.

(I should preface this by saying in my family it's a bit of an unconventional Christmas--my brother and I have our own traditions in the morning, then we spend the bulk of the day with family friends, and return home to find our dad and step-mom have dutifully played the role of Santa and our tree is once again replenished with gifts.)

This year Josh (my brother) and I decided that rather than spend money we don't have on gifts, let's be as frugal as possible. I gave him some scripts (because he is an ACTOR) and a $75 gift card to iTunes (that I obv didn't pay for--re-gifted company holiday bonus present, duh).

As for me?

As we ALL know (by we, I mean you, me and the handful of other readers of this here blog--a few of which have come out of the woodwork since I've been back in the hometown I might add) my tastes are not that different from that of a 12 year old boy, circa 1999. My big present from my brother was... a NINTENDO GAME CUBE! In fact, his Nintendo Game Cube, that he got for Christmas... circa 1999! YES. (Long time readers may recall I asked him for this like 6 months ago so it's about time he delivered.) Most exciting would be the games he included, and the only 4 I could possibly want:
The Mega Sonic Collection (I am SO going to re-beat Sonic 2),
MarioKart Double Dash (even better than the N64 version, I SWEAR),
Zelda (because I am SO Link--see previous post about LARPing outfit), and
Paper Mario which apparently is SWEET (direct quote from my SISTER--not really my sister but we call each other that OKAY--"i want to play paper mario sooooo bad. the possible combo of south park mediums and maaaaaaario make me quite giddy.")

ALSO, Josh gave me a comic book that has FANTASTIC FOUR AND IRON MAN which is AWESOME because I am starting to read more comic books (as opposed to only watching the movies--like I said, HUGE NERD).

When the parentalish units arrived, real presents came--such as tennis lessons (hurrah! It was on the list!), a gift certificate to LuLu Lemon (as was also asked for), and my most prized new possession--A BUTTER DISH (get excited, roommates!). There were other fun things, but I believe these are most worth noting. I did a handful of shopping in NYC prior to getting to Maine so I think all the new clothes are essentially Christmas presents as well (lotsa new shoes, Cowboy boots included).

It was a nice little Christmas this year--usually my brother and I get stressed out spending money we don't have on each other and this year it was awesome not to spend a dime. And the less presents you get the more you get to sleep in. WHICH IS AWESOME.

On a more serious note--it is SO nice to be home and to see all the friends and family I don't get to see during the rest of the year. I honestly love my community here in Maine and love running into so many people. The salt of the earth! And I love getting to where my BEAN BOOTS ALL THE TIME. BEAN BOOTS ARE AWESOME.

Well it's about 3pm here and I am still in my PJs. VACATION IS AWESOME!

Happy Holidays to Me

Loyal Readers:

At last, the moment you’ve all been waiting for! Yes, folks, it’s not even Thanksgiving yet, but I am in the holiday spirit, and what better way to celebrate these hard economic times by taking a gander at my ridiculous Christmas list. Yes, it’s disgusting. I will make no attempt to act like I am kind and selfless and good and not at all spoiled. I will say, however, recently I've mentioned maybe an alternative to gift-giving, but my dad and stepmom protest and so I don’t even bother anymore and just send them all my hearts desires per their request.

Below, for your enjoyment, is the email chain. Chain might be an improper term here, because we will likely never see a list from my brother (and if we do it will be the day before Christmas) and my dad will not respond (it all comes back to his wallet anyway).

So below, find the Christmas list exchange between my stepmom and I, and afterwards we’ll examine my selections.

On Thu, Nov 6, 2008 at 9:08 AM, Carla Weisberg wrote:

hi you two-
to help us bring a little more cheer and a lot less disappointment to your upcoming holiday season I am looking for the coveted top ten (give or take) list from each of you.
can't promise everything of course, but last I checked, santa's a pretty nice guy.

annie you get double duty, so give us a slightly bigger list seeing it's your birthday too
and while I would love to give you a gift certificate to whole paycheck, please think festive as well

xc

On Mon, Nov 10, 2008 at 6:26 PM, Annie Stamell wrote:

You really don't have to get me anything (not like I will be able to afford buying presents), but I know you want a list anyway...

Ski trip
48 more sessions with trainer at Equinox (FYI as of Wednesday I am starting with new
person)
a few weeks of Pilates sessions with instructor at Equinox
A full session of Tennis lessons at Beverly Hills Tennis Center (www.beverlyhillstennis.com)
This jacket (Men's S, "Natural"): http://www.patagonia.com/web/us/product/product_focus.jsp?OPTION=PRODUCT_FOCUS_DISPLAY_HANDLER&catcode=MAIN_FA_US.CLOTHING_GEAR.MENS.JACKETS&style_color=23055-723&ws= or this jacket (Women's M, "Blackberry - Lupine" I don't know,
surprise me), http://www.patagonia.com/web/us/product/product_focus.jsp?OPTION=PRODUCT_FOCUS_DISPLAY_HANDLER&catcode=MAIN_FA_US.CLOTHING_GEAR.WOMENS.JACKETS&style_color=25475-769&ws=)
Gift certificate to LuluLemon (need new pants, like some of these: http://www.lululemon.com/products/womens/bottoms/pants)
Gift certificate to J. Crew, Anthropologie, Bloomingdales, or Madewell (http://www.madewell1937.com)
Gift certificate to Whole Foods
Gift certificate to iTunes
Money for a pair of cowboy boots
A leather bag that is red, orange or yellow
A black or grey clutch
Money for a monthly cleaning lady
Hanky Panky Thongs (they are one size fits all--any and all colors)
Athletic socks
Spinning shoes
Infinite Jest by
David Foster Wallace
Subscription to the New Yorker (FROM XMAS LAST YEAR, this still has not come BTW)
Gas card
Someone to pay off my AmEx and/or Chase Cards
A pay raise
Peas on Earth

JOSH PLEASE NOTE I DON'T WANT 24 this year! Don't watch it anymore... you don't have to get me anything actually... I don't have any money to get anyone anything so please feel free to reciprocate that...

Please note I really just want more sessions with the trainer at Equinox and Pilates and Tennis lessons the most.

Maybe I will think of more things. But that is all I got at the moment.

Some thoughts (I wrote this yesterday so today I’ve got some perspective, OBV):

1.) I sound quite apathetic. No, forlorn. Yes forlorn. Sadly, I have no money to buy anyone presents, so it’s really uncomfortable asking for them.
2.) I am obsessed with working out. This is true. I do love to work out, and the higher rated things on the list all relate to exercise somehow—you could even argue the Patagonia jackets and cowboy boots do.
3.) I don’t trust my family to buy me things I actually want. Hence the request for gift certificates to specific stores.
4.) I have no money for basic amenities—hence my need for groceries, gas, socks, a cleaning lady, and someone to pay off my credit cards
5.) I am a little bitter about not having received my New Yorker subscription from last year
6.) I’m funny. (See “A pay raise” or “Peas on Earth”)
7.) I don’t want my brother to buy me another season of 24 which I have clearly signaled to him in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS SO THAT WHEN HE IS QUICKLY GLANCING AT THIS EMAIL A FEW MONTHS FROM NOW HE MIGHT CATCH THAT PART.
8.) I want a very intense, very long, very deep book by an author who recently and tragically killed himself (see Infinte Jest by David Foster Wallace). I’m obviously feeling quite lighthearted this year.
9.) I really just want to exercise. That's all. Call me simple, but I guess that's what's going to keep me happy these days.

Fascinating stuff, no?

Adult Clothes

I've gotten about 5 compliments on my outfit today. Not to toot my own horn, but it's worth noting, primarily because today I happen to be wearing a reasonably nice-looking dress, tights, heels, a big necklace and even attempted to partially blow dry my hair which is something normally reserved for Saturday nights and days Obama is elected president (maybe I'll sneak into the bathroom in a second and take a pic of the current outfit for ya), but anyway... In response to one of my guy friends who complimented me (shocker: guys like dresses too?) I declared, "Thanks I am wearing adult clothes today."

First of all, it's a little weird that I responded with that, but since I've written about 500 posts establishing my weirdness factor; no surprise there.

Secondly, it's a sad truth if you compare my outfit between today and yesterday. We all know that Mondays are tough, and usually my clothing choices reflect that. By Tuesday I have my shit together so I can actually clothe myself in something reasonable. Yesterday I looked like I child, today I look like an adult.

And my final point (who knew I'd be taking a three-point introspective into clothing choices today), I really am tired of having to figure out how to dress for a company where it's a total mix between casual and business formal. I could seriously wear jeans one day and a ball gown the next, and no one would bat an eye. Well maybe a few people would bat eyes, because who wears a ball gown to work, but you get what I mean, right? God I miss college.

Ironically, when making my formal Christmas list for my family yesterday (more on that later), the only actual clothing items were two different Patagonia jackets. I could probably even wear those to work, with my ball gown underneath.

If this is NOT under my Christmas tree December 25th I will first disown my family and then explode into a million tiny forlorn and neglected pieces

Buy it for me here.

Christmas List

I realize it isn't even October yet and therefore the only holiday currently entertaining people's thoughts (if any) is Halloween (which PS I still have to spell out musically using that goddamn song we learned in 4th grade, "H-A Double L-O, W Double-E-N-spells Halloween) however with my dad's visit this weeken, talk of Christmas came up. Early, yes, I know, but unavoidable when you are a struggling assistant and can only really look forward to big ticket items on major holidays and therefore discuss such wants when a parent is in town. Some items likely to show up on my list this year: a bike, pilates classes, gas money. I'd like to add this:



Seriously. I'd be the coolest kid at school. By school I mean work. Can't you just imagine that sweet R2D2 watch on my arm? All the other kids would be SO jealous.

On another note, family friends in Maine continue to give me a hard time for the period of my life (translation: since birth) when I would create highly itemized and specific Christmas lists for my mother (I only wanted to make her shopping experience easy, okay?). I had categories, sub-categories, preferred stores, brands, sizes, colors--you name it. I even had one page I called "miscellaneous" where each year similar things would show up:

Karaoke machine
Trip to Euro Disney
Black Ford Explorer
Trampoline

(You know the year they closed Euro Disney for banktrupcy issues or something happend to be the year we were going to France and I actually wrote a letter to the head of Euro Disney to please keep it open. For me. I had some seriously grand delusions as a child.)

While my love for the SUV, Disney and the karaoke machine rotated in and out with other large items (other cars, technology, small countries), I asked for a trampoline EVERY SINGLE YEAR. Even though every other family in my town, and just about all of my close friends, had them and I could always use one if so-desired, I wanted nothing more than a trampoline to call my own. I never got one, and I have to say, despite the obvious safety issues and the fact that now a trampoline would make little to no sense, a part of me still wants one.

So let's throw that on the list too.