I was looking for an old VHS tape that my family used to have: a recording of Jim Henson's The Christmas Toy, which originally aired in 1986 (I just found out that it saw a DVD release last month. It was originally sponsored exclusively by Kraft, and in a move the likes of which I haven't seen on television since each commercial featured a Kraft holiday recipe).

I couldn't find it, but I did find an old VHS recording of a really early Acid Lamb practice from 1994, back when we were called "Abandoned," I think. Just Darryl, Jeff and I. No vocals. I look totally skinny and young. My hair was curly so I wore a baseball cap all the time to keep it straight. I also found a REALLY early tape from 1992 when myself, Steve Robinson and Mike Denholm are lip-syncing along with Smells Like Teen Spirit, with instruments and everything. It's not the full version, just a botched take. I don't know where the full-fledged tape is.

I'm wearing the same Nirvana shirt in both videos. Sometimes I think about going through this stuff after my parents are dead and wondering how I'd preserve it.

Home is home. My dad still talks up Harper. My mom still talks to cats. The house looks great as always. I'll take some pics and post some when I have a chance.

The days are winding down in Ottawa. On Monday I'll be heading home to visit the family for a few days. Before you know it it will be 2009.

I still have a few things to attend to while I'm here. I need to buy Christmas gifts for my mother, brother, brother-in-law and sister. I had my eye on a necklace for my mother but it had been sold. The lesson is to jump at perfect opportunities, I suppose. I was feeling down about it and just generally thinking too much yesterday. Then Andrea called me, and I felt a lot better. She opened the gift I got for her, and I opened hers, a copy of the James Stewart western Shenandoah, which I watched last night, and a $10 gift card at the Elgin Street Diner.

Tonight a few people from the office are getting together to have dinner at the Parliamentary restaurant in Centre Block. I suppose this will be my first time ever entering the building. Tomorrow afternoon I'm training at Haven Books. Ian works there and offered me some hours since Parliament won't be back until January 26th. I'm low on funds, so it should help. I'm actually looking forward to working at a bookstore that's more independently run than Chapters.

On Saturday I'm heading out to the west end to party with some old Chapters co-workers, whom I haven't seen in well over a year. It was looking a bit complicated with the bus strike, but I've secured a ride both ways. Natalee is also in town, so I think we're going to hit Mod Club on Sunday. Lots to do, but it should be fun.