Wonderland in 2007

December 26th. Does this date indicate that it's time to bring things down a few notches and prepare for the new year? The Christmas season has officially climaxed, producing a lingering nostalgic feeling not so unlike post-partum depression(or so says the literature). You are no longer decorating and hastily planning festive events, your calendar has suddenly freed up your weekends leaving you without reason to miss your study group, your sexy attention-grabbing holiday attire is left neglected at the dry-cleaners, the once magnificent-appearing tree has managed to last through your party before sucking up its last drop of nutrients, the presents now lay strewn about the house rather than perfectly and affectionately wrapped for all to appreciate and speculate over their hidden treasures and the house is just a hair quieter than the preceding weeks.

It was a great holiday however. One filled with mistletoe and nog parties, jingle-bell rock concerts (too bad I was incapacitated with the flu until the last song of the night), gingerbread house-making contests, family and close friends (or if you're my parents, a house sandwiched with long lost relatives, your neighbors and your neighbor's friends' neighbors).

To say good-bye to 2007, I thought I would put together a snapshot of the last year (and a half), capitalizing on all the most spirit-filled moments of course. I apologize in advance for not being able to capture on film all the people with whom I've been able to create and share wonderful stories. There have been many a camera lost in my day but the memories I still hold. (Although I hear your memory is the second thing to go...)

From vino tasting to cheesy garb

Pearl Street had its first wine tasting turned Christmas extravaganza this past Saturday. As my school semester wrapped up, the opportunity for celebrating ripened. It also gave me a chance to try my hand in the kitchen with Rachel Ray's Express Meals. The plates were shiny at the end of the night and the bottles dry so I may have to repeat my culinary adventures for a new trial of judges (preferably before the toasting ensues) this weekend at the family yankee swap (if there are any takers). Pesto pizza with zucchini and mozzarella anyone?

Note the classy Budweiser t-shirt was upgraded to mom's festive holiday mock (the only shot I got was from the rear, my apologies Santa). In fact, that sweater landed me a couple of scratch tickets for outdoing the tackiest of the tacky that evening. The sweater has now transferred hands (temporarily) and will be making a guest appearance at Burkey and Jon's upcoming Christmas show next Thursday night at Copperfield's. This garment will have seen more spotlight than I could ever hoped for. Someone needs to put a tracker on that thing.

Bizarre Bazzars

A friend of a friend sponsored a craft fair the other night at Toast in Union square. She performed a medley of folky covers, with which I was unfamiliar, and with what appeared to be a random handful of males she came across in her passing through Inman square, Neponset Circle and Beacon Hill. To my delight, the crew complimented each other famously. The goods for sale were mostly pieces of recycled art, like crushed Coke can clocks (how's that for alliteration?), tape measure earrings and hard-cover book clutch purses (which I nearly bought as a Christmas present for my older sibling until it registered that he's my brother).

Luckily, there are various arts and crafts events coming up in anticipation for the holidays. The South End's annual market at the Cyclorama is this Sunday 12-7p. Last year, I found it well worth the dollar for admission to peruse the clever and wacky handmade items for grab. I couldn't convince myself to fork over the dough for a screen-designed T-shirt but it at least sparked some ideas (Still working on opening that personal clothing line...)

Also this upcoming week is Winter Arts week in Boston. Each night, at a different location, there will be art for sale, live music and complimentary apps and drinks for the first hour (free to get in). The schedule is as follows:

SUN 12.09.07 7PM TO 10PM AT BARLOLA
160 Commonwealth Avenue Boston, MA 617.266.1122
Complimentary Cocktail Tasting
Live Flamenco Performance
Pablo Picasso, Claude Manet & Peter Marx Lithographs

MON 12.10.07 11PM AT VIA MATTA
79 Park Plaza Boston, MA 617.422.0008
Late night Christiania Vodka Tasting at the Enoteca
"Soundscapes & Landscapes" Artwork by Lisa Finch & Duncan Reid
Downtempo DJ set by Yuki

TUES 12.11.07 10PM AT PHO REPUBLIQUE
1415 Washington St Boston, MA (South End) 617.262.0005
Complimentary Appetizers + Christiania Vodka Tasting
Downtempo DJ set + Artwork by Jen Roberts

WED 12.12.07 10PM TO 12AM AT VINALIA
34 Summer St Boston, MA 617.737.1777
Complimentary Christiania Vodka Cocktail Tasting
Open mic with Live music by Circus Band + Artwork by Ivan Brens

THURS 12.13.07 7PM TO 10PM AT ZOCALO
414 Commonwealth Ave Brighton, MA 617.277.5700
Complimentary Mexican Appetizers
Music compiled by Brother Cleve
Artwork by Tim Whitehair, Manuel Rodriguez Jr., and various artists

FRI 12.14.07 9PM TO 2AM AT GOOD LIFE
28 Kingston St Boston, MA 617.451.2622
Complimentary Appetizers + Christiania Vodka Tasting
Music by The Band of Gypsies + "The Female Perspective"
Art by Marisa Oge, Marie Share, Margaret Whitehair & Nicole Olenio
House music by DJs Francesco Spagna + Enrique Florendo

SAT 12.15.07 12PM TO 8PM FINAL EXHIBIT
325 Columbus St Boston, MA in the South End
Complimentary Chistiania Vodka Cocktail Tasting
Art Collections from various artists