Auld Lang Syne And All That Jazz - Part 1 of 2

Happy 2003. Bust out the sparkling cider.On to the review.My sister and I spent a week with my dad and stepmom. It was downright spiffy.Sunday: A performance of "A Christmas Carol." It was extremely entertaining. Sitting in the aisle seat prompted Scrooge to come up and talk to me three times during the course of the play.1. "It won't kill you to crack a smile, you know." (as the play began)2. "Would you like to go in my place?" (when he had to finally make peace with his nephew)3. "See, it wasn't so bad after all, was it?" (as the play ended)Monday: We went to the International Spy Museum in D.C. Also very interesting. We saw a fascinating video that actually taught us how to pick locks! How's that for a public service announcement? We also learned that George Washington and Benjamin Franklin were spies. Can you imagine what the world would be like if George W. Bush were a spy?Agent Covert: Agent Dubya, do you read me?Agent Dubya: I copy you, Agent Covert. What's our strategery?Agent Covert: Proceed to enemy lines disguised in the native clothes in the trunk of your car. Once you get there, proceed to the pay phone across the street from...Agent Dubya: Ah, forget this, Agent Covert. I'm pressing the button. (Sends nuclear missiles to Iraq)Agent Covert: You just signed your own death warrant, sir. You're right outside the Iraqi border.Agent Dubya: Hmm, well, is there a "Cancel" button on this nuke launcher thingamajig?Tuesday: Christmas Eve. We ate dinner with stepbrothers Blaine and Jeff, Blaine's fiancee Jeannie, her daughter Sydney, and her parents. It was very nice seeing everybody. After that the four of us headed to church for the Christmas Eve service. The best part of that was singing, "Silent Night," by candlelight.Wednesday: Christmas. We opened presents and tried 'em out. I'll post a list later, maybe. We also watched the movie, "Showtime," with Eddie Murphy and Robert De Niro. Hmm. It was half-decent.To be continued...Peace