I've made it all the way through Christmas Eve

[GrpCaptMandrake]

without seeing "It's a Wonderful Life."

Something's got to give!

I smell a sentimental bawl coming on.

[Heidi]

1. Watch "A Christmas Story" instead.

Better yet, get a couple of bottles of good California wine and watch "Sideways." It's not the least bit Christmasy, but it's _real_ and hopeful. That's what I watched last night. I revere Alexander Payne more with each of his films. :thumbsup:

[GrpCaptMandrake]

4. Truth is

I'm in the midst of the ultimate thinking person's Christmas movie: "The Lion In Winter." All the real Crhistmas emotions rawly displayed. (and, on edit, some medieval spelling, too!)

I can almost recite "A Christmas Story" by heart. I've even ad-libbed some lines while working on the plumbing in the basement.

But at some point, I'll hear ". . . the richest man in town!" and have to walk away. It just happens.

Loved "Sideways." It took me everywhere I didn't expect to go.

[Heidi]

7. Great minds, baby!

I used to live in the state where Alexander Payne grew up, and I think there's a certain humanity that can come from living a long time under those harsh conditions. (I considered them harsh, politically and weather-wise, anyway.)

I'm hoping to find a copy of "A Christmas Story" in English and German, so that our goddaughters can enjoy it. No luck so far. (They speak English as a second language, but German subtitles would help a lot. :thumbsup: )

[GrpCaptMandrake]

9. I think there are laws in Germany and Austria

against translating Darrin McGavin. The RehnMcGavinsheitsgebot, or something.

P.S. Son's 10 day after Christmas. He's getting the Red Ryder. I couldn't hold out any longer.

:shrug:

[Heidi]

12. You an excellent father, my friend!

(I am _not_ the sort of liberal who believes kids should never own a BB gun under any circumstances.)

[GrpCaptMandrake]

13. Unbeknownst to him

it comes with a really long, dull and annoying lecture! :evilgrin:

"Never shoot a mockingbird, son . . ."

On edit: can't code and drink simultaneously

[Heidi]

14. .

Dear Atticus,

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

[GrpCaptMandrake]

15. You can take the romantic out of Alabama, but . . .

you know the rest.

:pals:

[NMMNG]

2. I've made it through 37 years and 4 months without seeing

"It's a Wonderful Life"

Am I really missing out on anything? :shrug:

[Heidi]

3. I've tried to watch it about a jillion times,

but I always fall asleep. :boring:

[NMMNG]

5. So I guess the answer would be "no"

I thought as much.

[GrpCaptMandrake]

8. Oddly enough,

I think it's a "guy flick." God knows enough films get accused of being "chick flicks."

That might explain both of your responses.

But I've seen bar bouncers weep openly at it.

[NMMNG]

10. One year when I was working in a bookstore

My female manager insisted we stock up on that because she was positive it was going to be a huge seller around Christmas. She just loved that movie. Alas, much to her disappointment, it sold only two or three copies.

[GrpCaptMandrake]

16. My wife and I have a running all-year-long

inside joke. When it's getting awful one looks at the other and says "Sorry. No Zu-zu petals."

It's code for "keep marching."

[NMMNG]

17. That's cute

I like inside jokes. My roomie and I have a number of them, and they serve to lighten things up, as well as to let us speak in code at times. What is funny is when we get going back and forth in public and my roomie's partner just rolls her eyes and says to anybody nearby "here they go again". :rofl:

[GrpCaptMandrake]

18. We're just awful

about "The Lion In Winter."

"There'll be pork in the treetops come morning!" (Katherine Hepburn, and therefore my wife, gets all the fun stuff) :shrug:

[Robeson]

6. Happy Saturnalia, Buffy!....

...:hi:

[NMMNG]

11. Likewise!

:hug: