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The holiday season got off to an early start in my household. It started with this post, and has continued with lots of shopping, eating and movie watching. Having a 2 year old gives me more excuses to act like a child. It’s meant more time in front of the TV, exploring all kinds of Christmas related movies, specials and TV shows.

It’s been a great past few weeks – even if I have lamented the lack of Christmas Robot Films.

In terms of Christmas themed viewing, I’ve watched everything from A Christmas Carol with Jim Carrey, Dreamworks Christmas Specials, the British version of The Office Special, Christmas Vacation, Die Hard, Yo Gabba Gabbba!, Only Fools and Horses, White Christmas, Elf, and a few more.

The brilliant David Brent in The Office

In fact, I feel like I’m at a good point to list my (3) favorite Christmas films. I know you may disagree, so please feel free to share yours.

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Depression.
de·pres·sion
Noun: Severe despondency and dejection, accompanied by feelings of hopelessness and inadequacy.

I’ve dealt with depression for most of my life. I’ve often considered writing about it, but always refrained for a number of reasons – embarrassment, shame and privacy. I’m over that now. I’ve come to understand depression in a new way. It doesn’t just affect me (and boy does it), but it causes immense pain to millions. I’ve come to recognize depression in others whether they’ve explicitly told me or not. I’m not ashamed of it anymore.

My friend Casey Mullins, wrote about it almost two years ago – Giving Depression a Voice. My friend Despi told me about the post and I immediately read it, a lot. I was so thankful someone I knew was writing about it. I thought it was so courageous. I could never do such a thing. Well a lot’s changed.

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And there I suddenly heard, and even saw on paper – the complete construction of the Rhapsody, from beginning to end.

George Gershwin in reference to Rhapsody in Blue.

George Gershwin

For Oliver’s 2nd birthday, my Father sent him a copy of Fantasia 2000. This was just a few weeks before he died. My Dad loved classical music. So does my sister Chantal, who’s pretty fancy as a freelance double bassist. He brought classical music into our household. Sometimes I surprise my sister by naming a composer as a piece is playing.  It’s a very rare moment of pride (and accuracy).

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Remember Fab 5 Freddy? I do. He was a hip hop pioneer. I also remember Yo! MTV Raps and Ed Lover. The good old days. It’s what helped shape my musical tastes. Thank you Fab 5 Freddy and Happy Holidays to everyone.

The tree went up today. There’s added excitement with OIiver and his two-year old outlook on life. And I’m a big kid anyway, so I’m all for it. Lea and I put it all together and O did his best to disrupt the process. Along the way, I got to hang my favorite ornaments, which is what this post is all about. My favorite 5.

I’m a sucker for Elvis. Especially any gospel music by Mr. Presley. BUT, when it comes to Christmas music, give me some Blue Christmas by Elvis. So good. This ornament is a new edition this year. Courtesy of Garden Ridge. Yep, I went there.

Elvis Presley, Blue Christmas

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A lot of my posts are tagged with the word ‘surrealism’. I’m not shy in expressing my admiration for surrealist work, Salvador Dali and my main man, Andre Breton. But there’s another person I’ve failed to mention thus far, and I’m slightly surprised – Luis Bunuel. A collaborator of Dali, surrealist and Oscar winning filmmaker – a man that rarely promoted his work, offered very little explanation, and simply allowed the subconscious or dream-state to speak for itself. My kind of guy.

The eyeball cutting scene, inspired by Bunuel's dream

After I had researched enough of Dali – I discovered one of his films – Un Chien Andalou – a short he created with Bunuel. The image above is one of its most memorable scenes – Bunuel dreamt about slicing the moon. Dali had dreams of ants crawling on his hands. I dream too.

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