Well, we're safely in NJ now. It was a pretty quick drive. Normally, as you drive along the Merritt Parkway in Conneticut, it's hard to tell that you're passing of a lot of houses and other development. But around Christmas, you can see them if the owners have put lights up. And there's one break in the wood where there's a very large mall, and tonight its parking lot was packed with shoppers.

A few days ago, this T-shirt arrived in the mail, addressed to O, shipped from the Billy Bragg Merchandising Union in England. So I finally got in touch with my brother and yes, it's a gift for me. And who is Tommy Cooper, anyway ? Still, it's a cool T-shirt !

We've got other nice things in the mail too, like CDs from explosivo. (Thanks !) Unfortunately, there's one thing that O intended to give me that still has not yet arrived. Grr !

Christmas Eve at the in-laws should be pretty fun; the tradition is to stay up until midnight to open presents, with continuous eating before then. (And can my mother-in-law cook !) Well, I better get some sleep to prepare for this marathon !