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Waking up at 11:19 a.m.
Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Blueberries, Strawberries, Chia Seeds, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Honey.
Finishing The Guest (2014). I'm really loving this little sect of throwback 80's horror movie genres that almost feel like a spoof.
Fixing a problem with my computer not allowing me to edit tag info on mp3 files.
Getting Christmas cards and gifts ready.
Oat and Almond Biscuits. Lentil Dal Burger Sandwich with Mustard and Tomato. Sweet Potato Chips with Salsa. Pu-erh Tea.
Packing up. Wishing a Merry Christmas to Kevin before he goes off to work at China Wok. Then scooping up Ana from her house.
We drive out to Goldsboro, North Carolina. It was pouring down rain earlier in the day and now it's drizzling off and on. Dealing with the minor annoyances of driving in the dark – other car's headlights blinding me through the mirrors and eager drivers riding your tail because going 70 is simply not fast enough. Ana naps for a long time while I listen to newly acquired tunes.
In 2 hours and 55 minutes we arrive at my dad's house. He's sitting in a chair with a beer in hand right by his new smoker smoking pork shoulders and cabbage. He's thrilled to see Ana and I. I can see it in his eyes that he's been drinking since the afternoon. But he's okay. It only makes him more jovial and comedic. Jennifer and her boyfriend, Luis, are here. Patty of course is here. Her sister and her sister's two boys are here too. The younger one runs around with his Nintendo DS begging Ana and I to snap photos of him. He's a ball of energy.
There's a big pot of homemade Chicken Tamales on the stove. I help myself to a couple and fix up a Salad to share with Ana. My dad focuses in on Ana and makes sure she gets a hefty glass of Duplin Wine (made in South Carolina) in her hand. I get my own glass. The aroma before the sip is rich and sweet. And so begins the good times. We walk over to my dad's neighbor's house bringing our respective drinks. Ana and I perform a short set of songs on guitar while A Christmas Story airs on the TV above us. At some point we manage to get my dad off his feet and dance during our rendition of "Rocking Around the Christmas Tree". I'm thoroughly buzzed from the wine. After the stroke of midnight we chime in with "Feliz Navidad" appropriately. It's a genuine jolly old Christmas here in North Carolina.
It seems like the night will never dwindle down. It's 2 in the morning and we're all still awake in the living room at my dad's house laughing and doing stretches on the carpet. A couple other neighbors stop by.
Sleep at 3 a.m.
[i] Images by me.
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