I suppose I should use it every once in a while, huh?

So the holidays are almost over. Only looking at New Years to get past at this point, and around these folks that pretty much is going to be a non-event. I’m ok with that, really. We’ve had our big blowout of the season, and it was a smashing success. A good time was had by all, and I got to spend my Christmas with some incredible people. I got a feeling word might get out about my hangover breakfast and there could be more folks losing their keys next year, though. Heh.

All in all, it was a very nice Christmas. Other than a minor fire at my Mother’s house (wrapping paper + candles = bad), the party there was pleasant as well. Got some spiffy swag, and had some delicous roast beast and other assorted foodstuffs. The kids seemed to be pretty happy with their gifts overall. I think between the various households they got everything they asked for, and a little that they didn’t. One of the gifts was Guitar Hero II, which has turned out to be an absolute blast. At this point I think I’ve played it more than Alex has. Uncle Dana came through with an Amazon.com gift card, which payed off the rest of my Burning Crusade pre-order, so that’s a bit of cash I don’t have to come up with in a few weeks.

Other than the holidays, things have pretty much been the same around here. Got the insurance situation straightened out (with a little help from a very generous friend), and have plans to prevent the situation in the upcoming year budget-wise. Things are looking a little better in the financial sector for the upcoming future. Not necessarily great, but not quite as bleak as they have been.

Weight wise? Bleargh. I started up with Yourself!Fitness again yesterday, and I’m a bit bummed at the fact that I seem to have lost all the progress I made in the past. 15 minute workouts are making me sore as hell again, and I can’t do nearly as many repetitions of the various exercises as I could. Ah well. Haven’t gained back a trememdous amount of weight, so hopefully I’ll be able to get back to where I was without too much effort.

Yep. Not a very exciting post. My sister was giving me shit for not updating, though, so I figured I should get something out here. Perhaps more tomorrow if I’m feeling more exciting.

Twin Peaks Season 2 Coming to DVD

More updates later. Sick now.

Holy Crap! Hogfather movie! (ganked from thryn)

Ia! Ia! Cthulhu meets Holmes!

Just a reminder that we’re going to be gathering here, as always, on Christmas Eve this year. If you’re planning to attend, please let me know so I can start putting together a head count.

For you old school locals, Scott Engle and his other half Donna are going to be here for the party!

I work for a local financial institution that is based out of the Tampa Bay area. Recently, one of the higher ups in our organization has asked us to think “unconventionally” and see what we can do to appeal to a younger market. Financial instituions all across the country are seeing a drop in members recently, and we’re trying to figure out what we can do to attract some new blood (and keep what we have).

If you’ve got a minute, and would possibly like to help steer a financial instution in a direction that you think would make it a better business, tell me a little about yourself and how you bank.

How old are you?

Who do you currently bank with (if you don’t mind sharing)?

What do they offer you that you find beneficial?

What DON’T the offer you that you wish they did?

Do you use their online services? If so, do you like them? What do/don’t you like about them?

If the web site for your bank/credit union offered more than just a place to do home banking, would you visit it? What kind of content would make you visit on a regular basis?

Do you have accounts in more than one financial instution? If so, why?

What’s the single most important thing to you when selecting a financial instituion? What’s the least important thing?

If you can think of anything else that might help us in our efforts, feel free to add it. And don’t feel that you have to answer every one of these questions, either. I’m just trying to throw some things out there to get the thought process flowing. I may be following up with people who comment by asking additional questions based on what they’ve said. If you’d rather I not do so, let me know in your reply.

Thanks so much for your help!

(cross posted)

Just found out that Santa died.

Silvasy, Joseph A., 66, of St. Petersburg, died Tuesday (Oct. 24, 2006) at St. Anthony’s Hospital. He moved here in 1977 from his native Warren, Ohio. He was an Army veteran and a welder-fabricator for a manufacturing company. He enjoyed travel and the collection of Christmas ornaments. For about 20 years he and his wife dressed as Santa and Mrs. Claus at their home in what became a seasonal tradition in the city. For the past five years he was the Santa in the Lions Club parade. Survivors include his wife of 19 years, Jackie M.; a son, Anthony J. “Tony,” St. Cloud; three daughters, Lori King and Deana Chambers, both of New Port Richey, and Dori McCloud, Warren; a brother, William T., St. Petersburg; two sisters, Dorothy Peters, Warren, and Susan Morris, St. Petersburg; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. R. Lee Williams Funeral Home & Crematory, 49th Street N Chapel, St. Petersburg.

Kim’s mother died early this morning. She’s leaving this afternoon to drive to Mississippi with her friend Duffy.

Edit Just to avoid any possible confusion, as we have several Kim’s in our social circle, I’m talking about my kid sister.