Merry Christmas 2006 everybody!

Yes, of course, it’s almost five months late, but better late than later.

On the 17th of Decemeber, the ‘rents Tom and I went down to the Met.

And heard a great philosopher of art give a talk (I can’t quite remember his name, but he seemed smart enough.

A pretty dope museum if you ask me, that Met.

Five days later, the party really started, when my older brother Luis Jose arrived. And of course, we both recorded ourselves recording ourselves.

The whole fam finally came together for the first time in a long time.

Which obviously led to hamming it up for the drunk cam.

Look at these two lookers.

Why don’t we add the youngest of the first batch to finish off the original triad? Oh yes, we can all strike a pose.

Then LJ went a bit over dramatic proclaiming his unworthiness to my blogging self, but we all know he’s fully worthy.

Which then began the real reason for the gathering, the tree decorating. Which I only have this picture of somehow? Whatever, you get the picture.

Then I went off to work on these.

It’s my Xmas gifts to everybody.

Don’t they look nice under the tree?

I thought they looked very nice.

The younger set gets together to ham it up for the camera.

Oh wait, now we’re really hamming it up.

And so, we skip ahead, right to Xmas eve, where I helped mash some potatos.

While my dad set out all the delicious yummyness.

And Luis Jo came out of nowhere.

But seriously folks, we all helped out.

Then gathered round the table.

And dined some delicious food.

At which point the kids all went out to see Curse Of The Golden flower, which did not live up to my expectations.

Don’t you just love New York on Xmas?

Upon returning home at 2am, we found Santa’s helpers still awake.

And after not enough sleep, we finally reached the official day. Merry Christmas, everyone! Don’t I look like I’m just having he time of my life?

But forget about me, take a look at that beautiful tree.

It wasn’t until I had grown up a bit, that I realized what a blessing the Stephens’ Xmas were, with an abounding overflowing bounty of materialistic goods. I took it for granted, as a kid, thinking that multiple gifts for all seven of us was just the norm, even when the harsh reality of third world poverty lay just outside the walls. I took it for granted that my Russian immigrant grandfather worked himself to death to fight his way out of the squalor, an accomplishment none of his 3 siblings matched. I took it for granted that my father took that ball, and out of his 4 siblings, kept the work ethic, dedication, and business savvy of his father to not squander away the hard-earned wealth, but actually made it grow to allow me the life of privilege that I have lived. These days, though I still love me my gifts, I try to remember what it took to get them under that tree. I can’t help seeing them in a new more somber light, not my right, but the miracle of humongous sacrifices made by the recent lineage.

Anyways, we all came together with some breakfast.

And the gift opening began. I got a very apropos air freshener.

Tom got a much needed snare.

Dad and Karen got art and  philosophy action figures.

Caitlin got this dope coat.

But not to be outdone, she also received a gift from herself, santa.

Then I decided to give everyone my gift.

Which stopped things for a bit, as everyone perused the pages. I made an iphoto book of most of my Dad’s art (more on it in a bit, because these are just printouts, the actual books didn’t come until later).

But I think I hit a slam dunk and everyone loved them, especially the man himself, who took a bit of time to look upon his oeuvre, slim nods of approval slipping out from time to time.

Then Karen opened up Jenna’s gift to the family, Cranium, which we have yet to use, but which will be incredible when we finally do.

Then I got my new soccer ball from Luis Jo.

The first three seasons of Seinfeld… it was about time.

And the first season of the amazing race.

Caitlin got some cool shawls.

I got Infinite Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind.

Dad got a super grill.

More clothes for the girls.

I got a NY transit map shower curtain. Who’s getting lost now, huh? Not me.

Dad got a laptop desk.

Luis Jo models his new coat.

I model my new coat and hat.

Michael Chabon’s new novella.

The Post Secret book, which is pretty awesome.

And a new large SD card.

Then LJ got up to give a little speech.

He wanted to personally ask each one of us what we should give him for Xmas. I had to play soccer with him. (Which i did without a camera, which was very unlike me, but it was a quite fun pick up game with some colombians at Riverside Park).

Caitlin models her new shiny coat.

Or is it Phoebe’s coat? Maybe be it belongs to both of them.

Dad gets a new hat too, plus an El Greco book.

I get a cool turtle neck.

Check out these awesome mom jeans.

Which brings us to the main event, my new Canon Rebel XTi.  Yes, I took the plunge and got an dSLR to bust out some good large pictures.

Dad was so excited by his coat, he did a little dance.

What a wonderful Xmas. Thanks for everything fam.

Doesn’t my new map fit right in?

Now, Xmas in the Stephens household has always meant double fete-ing. We start the day with the regular activities, but we end the night with Luis Jo’s birthday. Yes, I was born on Halloween, and LJ on Xmas. So we all headed out.

For some family style Italian.

With all of us gathered round.

Celebrating Luis Jose’s solar circumnavigation.

We then went home, where he got a bunch of gifts, like this Cate tie from me. HBD LJ!

Then next day, my gifts finally arrived.

Don’t they look fucking awesome!

You know the artist himself loves them. Don’t you wish you could see the art yourself? Well now you can, because as a secret birthday present, I have made a website, but shhhhhh, don’t tell him yet please. It’s a surprise.

Hamming it up with sunglasses.

Never seems to get old.

Now where was Jenna in all of this, you might ask?

Well, she was busy, cause her family was in town, having their own Xmas. So we had a bit of familial convergence.

And we hosted the Warnecke’s at the Stephens’.

Look at us all just lunching it out.

Don’t the brothers Nathan and Greg just look like they’re having the best time?

Of course we showed off my dad’s art book, which they all enjoyed.

Then took the whole family’s picture. Aren’t they just the cutest Arizonian’s you ever did see?

That night, I cracked open my new camera for the first time, and damn if the picture quality isn’t just the bomb.

I mean, look at how cute my cutie looks.

The next day, on our way out of a movie, we heard the news that James had passed away. Rest in piece, James.

Then the day after that, Jenna’s parents took me out to a cute little thai place that gave you rose straws.

Then we went for a nice walk passed the fetus woman in midtown.

Through central park.

Where Jenna finally said good-bye.

That night we all fed off the heat at the hearth of the computer, with special guests Louie and his girlfriend Lily.

We watched this silly shoes video and laughed.

Then gathered ourselves.

For a delicious Saigon Grill feast.

The next day, before yet another movie, we swashbuckled at Phoebe’s.

Where no one could dethrone my dad, even with his age. Maybe that’s because he was a Fencing Olympian in Munich ’72.

Two days after that I made out with this tuba.

Just kidding, we went out to the village vanguard to see some good jazz, on Tommy’s suggestion, and that was the only pict I could get inside.

Then on our search for a restroom, Caitlin couldn’t keep her hands to herself.

Thus we had one of the last full groupings of the fam.

As LJ left the next day (just look at that juicy SLR shot).

And Caitlin was off soon after that, too her semester abroad in London.

So we had a nice steak dinner.

Well, that just about round’s it up. Merry Xmas 2006 everyone!

But first, winning at the work poker table sometime in Dec.

Then I came into work to find a line of ladies gathered blocks and blocks just to get their grubby little hands on dresses.

The next day, we all went out to the overpacked Sound Lounge party.

So many random randos around that we just chilled with work people, like the P-Sauce.

And Ben, this is the last picture of him I have without his middle finger.

Obligatory cute party picture.

Then this guy, who Jenna flirted with a while back, and who I met randomly at NAB showed up.

Steph rocks it with Mitch behind the plant.

Nicole looked intensely on.

While we went after the Xmas picture area.

And made them proud before escaping the croud.

Stephen came back for the very last of the Dell loving, Vera producing.

With Rob on the mixboard.

Such were the days.

Which brings us to the main event. The PS 260 Xmas party.

We all gathered round.

And round.

Jenna got this thing.

Steph got this thing.

John got this thing.

Maury got this thing.

Patrick got this thing.

Everyone got things, get it? Then we jumped into the elevator.

And hit up some Korean BBQ action.

Floyd loved it.

Sophie really loved it.

Even Jenna, with picky tastes, kinda loved it.

Good times.

At either table.

See? I told you.

The food tasted delicious.

You can’t beat that Korean style.

Or Ned’s excitement.

Cuteness continues.

We left Little Seoul, and on our way to greener pastures, we quickly hit up Shabeen to check up on Patrick.

What greener pastures? Why Kareoke, of course.

And everyone made it out.

Everyone sang.

And I just kept snapping pictures.

Keep an eye on that one on the right.

Keep an eye on Madeleine, too.

Yes, and it gets better.

The crowd is almost ready to rock.

There we go! You know what time it is when that Animal House song comes on.

It’s Jenna time.

Couch time.

Jenna and Robert time.

Everybody!

Drunk Time!

Ronan and his girlfriend time.

I told you to keep an eye on this one.

Bryan understood.

Jenna wondered about her shoe.

And we rocked…

…the night away.

Well well well, blog time seems to be moving forward at a brisker pace. We finally arrive at December 2006. So what went down in the late fall…

Ever been to a fancy shmancy French Hotel in midtown?

Ever noticed a strange line under a funky neon sign?

Murray, Garza, his girl, and I did, thanks to a tip somewhere.

And wouldn’t you know it, a fancy place like that has a little greasy burger joint with great shakes. You should check it out, if I could remember the name of the hotel.

We then went to Rod’s apartment, where his roommate keeps it real with a massive tv. But we had to leave, because we were off to see a movie.

And here, the story got a bit interesting, sans pictures. I thought it would be Rodrigo and me, so I said let’s go see “Stranger Than Fiction.” The group then increased to include Murray and Kallop (a fellow Catie I had not seen in a bit). Ever go to a Sci Fi movie? The previews are usually sci fi. Action movie? Action previews… you get the picture. This is rule we all understand. So as the previews started to roll, and we were hit by “Dreamgirls,” followed by “Something’s Gotta Give,” the guys, who I dragged to this film I had always been curios about, began to panic and turn away from the screen. And I wondered if I had misjudged the slightly magical-realist preview so bad to drag guy guys to a worthless romantic comedy. I got nervous.

But in the end, maybe because our expectations fell so much. We all seemed to enjoy the movie. I thought it was quite intelligent and charming, though a bit too clever at parts. I hope Brent liked it.

Anyways, I have one more non picture story. Jenna was away that weekend for a wedding of her cousin, a weather girl, to her new husband, the sportscaster, and as she dislikes going to movies at the movie theatre, I made a weekend of it, and saw 5. Yes, five. Déjà vu, The Fountain, Casino Royale, Stranger Than Fiction, and Shortbus. Now, that’s what I call a weekend.

Monday, I got in the money for the first in a long time at the Post Production Poker game.

Then the next Saturday, Jenna and I got a real treat, Stephanie Land, our receptionist, put on a show.

She takes amazing pictures.
 

And makes great stationary.

We all had a lot of fun.

And I think she made good money. It was a good showing.
 

The old ex made it in for the day.

So Kerry and I hit Saigon Grill for some lunch.

That night, Sarah Tew and Keith threw a party at their apartment.

Good old Michael showed up.

And heated discussions were had.

Jeff showed up, his website’s new bee tee double-u.

Obviously, a hostess picture was necessary.

Biggest surprise, Alex, with his girlfriend, who I’d never met.

And you know it can’t be a party unless Patrick steps through the lintel.

Or is it Patrick and Paul who have to both be there?

I think they’d agree.

Even Dan K. showed up, with a Ben Van H. look alike at the left.

And let us not forget Ms. Slepian, making everyone have a good time.

At this point, not being paired up with anyone to talk to, I stood on a chair.

And took a continuous stream of pictures.

After a few years of a having a camera, I like to take a picture and tell the protaginsts of the frame as I show it to them, that what we have just captured is “already a classic.” In this instance, I did not lie.

I met this guy, I think he was a marine.

And this guy, who had a dope oldschool Polaroid.

He shot an awesome portrait, too.

Don’t you just love Keith’s small canvas wall?

Or older generation Wesleyanites whose name you don’t remember?

Or even better, a Barbie orgy lamp?

Which brings us to this Guy. God, what a weird awkward moment. He really wanted to do this magic trick, which he commandeered the room for, but only begrudgingly from some of the other folk, and he actually pulled it off. Obviously, this took doing things in a specific way, which Polaroid then began to question, asking for more shuffling and the like… Well as he did it again, and Polaroid kept at him, and the tension began to suffocate us all, I pulled a weirdly diplomatic trick, which I am not ashamed to say I am proud of, and gave a little speech like this: “listen dude. Obviously it’s a trick, and he needs to do things in a certain way, and obviously, you could point out these things, but wouldn’t it be more fun if he actually did the trick?” Polaroid agreed, and magician finished the trick. And then we all moved on to watch Magician sink himself lower and lower into weirdness when he tried to bully us all into playing poker. Then he wouldn’t pose for the blog unless he pulled this weird pose. Pretty Crazy.

At some point Michael’s girlfriend Leah arrived, who thought I did not remember her, but how could I forget this?

And then, in a zestful party mood, I went on to chat with Michael about a myriad of topics, falling finally onto the shared class we took the fall of senior year, Surviving Ulysses. Now, that was a life changing class for me, not only did we gorge ourselves with the literary masterpiece of our time, but we also blew through the major modernist novels that followed, Ezra’s Cantos, Mrs. Dalloway, Murphy, and T.S.’s The Wasteland. I had an eye opening blast. So I asked Mike what he thought, pretty sure we would get into a nitty gritty discussion of its greatness, only to be shockingly disarmed by his reply, “I didn’t really like it.” He didn’t really like Ulysses that much either. Wow. I just never saw it coming. Then, a few sentences later, as we discussed other huge novels of the same ilk like Infinite Jest, I uttered something I do believe is true, “part of the appeal of these big huge hard novels is being able to say that you have read them. People look at you differently.” I like being honest, and this was a sort of academic truth I think we all know but don’t confess. Michael laughed at this, couldn’t believe I would say it, and in some weird rebuke to his not liking the class, I just kept at this point like it was the only thing about the book I like. I think by the end of it, Mikey thought I was a bit deranged, I definitely feel like he lost some respect. So, Michael, if you do ever read this blog, yes I enjoy telling people I read it, but those huge big books that I love, Ulysses, Infinite Jest, and Gravity’s Rainbow, are fucking masterpieces, with a literary depth and allusion that really rocked my young impressionable mind. And yes, their erudite diction and length is a bit much, but that makes them all the better, because after you finish climbing the behemoth word counts, you feel different, you have accomplished something that not many have. They made me smarter. They made me want to write better. And that’s the truth, I love those books because they are fucking great, probably the best I’ve ever read.

Phew! I’ve been meaning to say that since it happened in December. On with the post.

I met this girl, friend of Beth’s I believe.

The party continued.

I had a great time.

As did Mr. Gallagher.

And especially the cat, Mr. Business.

Oh, and I’m trying something new. Seeing as I am so way behind on posting, I opened up a flickr account that I will upload photos just as I live them. So enjoy.