Wassailing. I’m thanking my lucky stars for the X Lounge– it’s just hitting the spot. Tuffy gave OXO a great review on Friday night, and I’ll give it a gold star for Saturday too. I waited in a short line to get in, as they were adhering to their room capacity fire code, but we received our drinks quickly and could move without spilling drinks and pushing people. Saturday was especially enjoyable, as evening hospital staff parties trickled out to the mall. Many lords-a-leaping and ladies dancing… especially at 216 (above).

Giving spirit. Our local March of Dimes chapter held its annual gala at the Doubletree with a “Mad Hatter” theme. Did you go? Brad and Jeff from 106.1 hosted!

Presents. I don’t care for the commodification and commercialization of happiness in its every suede and vanilla-scented form, in principle. In reality, I love big city shopping right before Christmas. So. Much. It’s the one time of year that I drive to Pentagon City Mall and revel in all-American consumerism! Without fail, I spend a day fantasizing about what it would be like to get to design the four-story decorations hanging from the glass ceiling, letting myself test too many perfumes and guiltily enjoying the light-headed high, and trying on things I will never buy to take cell phone pictures of myself in the dressing room in them. Last year, a NYC Abercrombie had male still models with shirts off. Most wonderful time of the year. So how’s Fashion Scare looking this holiday season? Anyone want to share their Barracks valet experience? Richmond shoppers, any parts of 64 to watch out for cops?

Winter sports. I’m afraid I’m not talking about skiing, as Wintergreen’s slopes still haven’t opened. (In fact, an e-blast to its subscriber list with a large photo of snow-making machines blowing ice into the air was anything but uplifting.) I’m talking about football! After Virginia Tech’s win, UVA is going to play Texas Tech in the Gator Bowl! I’m not a sports fan, but I know that any bowl game that has a name other than a corporate sponsor is pretty prestigious. Orange Bowl* vs. Papa John’s Bowl. They should have called it the Pizza Bowl. Mmm. Pizza bowl.

*FedEx sponsors the Orange Bowl. Don’t sue me!

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