Since we’re (the folks, the sister, and I) are heading up to Scranton on Sunday to spend Christmas Day with the extended family, we all met up in Columbia for an un-traditional gift-opening Christmas Eve. We started out watching Batman Begins, then broke for dinner (lasagna — yum!), went on to open gifts, and then finally got back to Batman.

My dad was diasappointed that I’d brought down Batman, although after watching it he said he’d enjoyed it more then he expected to. “I was hoping you’d bring down Shaun of the Dead again,” he told me. Last year, Shaun of the Dead was released on DVD the week before Christmas and we’d watched it as a family Christmas Night. “My favorite scene is where they’re beating on the bartender with the pool cues,” he added. That was a great scene. “KILL THE QUEEN!” “WHAT?!” “THE JUKEBOX!”

I’m taking Classic Risk to Scranton. Even though we’re leaving for Maryland early Monday, I’m hoping Christmas Night can find me, my dad, Uncle Bill and cousin Will embroiled in a contest for the fate of the world. Peaceful night my ass! I can’t remember the last time I played Risk, even though my collection of Risk-themed boardgames borders on the ludicrous: Risk & Castle Risk; Classic Risk; Lord of the Rings Risk; Risk GodStorm; Risk: Star Wars The Clone Wars (I currently have two copies of this, good effort though, Mom!); and Risk 2210 AD. How many of these Risk board games have I played? Uh, let’s not go there (although getting some peeps together for a Risk night might be a good idea).

That’s about it for me. One act of blatant rudeness on the road tonight, but my driving was limited and I don’t mind it as much when I’m only in a car for an hour. Signing off until, I dunno, Tuesday?

Happy Holidays folks.