So, I skipped a day. I'm a bad blogger. But bad blogging habits aside, I have had a pretty great holiday season so far. Yesterday, our friends Dennis & Paul came by again along with my brother and his wife. We had some drinks, put the kids to bed and watched a bit of Primetime. It was an amazing story about the couple that had sextuplets. Having two babies two years apart is as close as I'd ever wish to get to having six babies at once!

I pulled away long enough to count out money for a vicious game of MonopolyÆ. We began pretty slowly, establishing our rules for engagement ñ no free parking cash, one free pass for life allowed (against my wishes, though it worked in my favor in the end), and mortgage pay-offs (when selling back properties, ect.). Most of these items are in the rulebook, so not really new, but the audience involved needed a refresher course.

If anyone feels the need to give me a belated Christmas gift, you can get me one of these.

In the past, Iíve always understood MonopolyÆ to be a competitive and virtually festive free activity, as Iím usually losing and rarely ever get in any good shots at my competitors. Last night was different in every category. We were all a bit giddy and punchy. I got to laughing so hard at Dennisí comparison of me to Joan Crawford and the wire hangers; tears came streaming from my eyes. On top of that, my domination of the game on all fronts led me to a showdown with my wife.

It came down to her, the four houses each on the yellows and one house on Boardwalk & Park Place; to my hotels on the light blues and the purple. I owned the Jail corner and crushed each player as they strolled by. The feeling of power left me intoxicated with joy and my mouth was uncontrollable with cocky stabs and insults. Itíd be safe to say that the next time we decide to play a rematch, Iím going to be dead.

Today I had lunch with another good friend, Lane, downtown at Erbert & Gerbertís. Yummy! I strongly recommend the Boney Billy with bacon.

Besides all this holiday cheer, I also introduced myself to the owner of a company here in Wausau, and told him I heard he was looking for someone to sell his wood. Well, an interview is set up for Monday at 10am. Wish me luck!