Just a quick post to let everyone know that if you’re looking for good desktop wallpaper made by graphically-inclined people, check out Pixelgirl. They have over 1000 images and 9 different resolution sizes to choose from — my current favorite is titled Silver Lining

Almost lost my blog there for a minute (and was seriously freaking out), but thanks to fresh backups after deleting my entire database and re-installing WordPress ’cause a table didn’t format correctly (or something ), Universe is still alive. A couple minor plugins aren’t compatible and/or fully functional yet and I’m sure there’s more tweaking to be done, but nothing serious … it’s 4 am and I should probably go to bed — the rest of the “big upgrade” will come later.

This will be updated as the weekend progresses! Had presents at Brian’s mom’s house on Thursday night — here’s what I got from her:

• stocking: Burt’s Bees Lifeguard’s Choice lip balm, Christmas rubber duckie, stuffed Christmas moose with candy canes, lollipop, Dove chocolates, plastic candy cane filled with Hershey’s Kisses, chocolate Santa, and Milky Way Santa
• stuffed cow from Williamsburg
• “udderly Christmas” ornament
• striped turtleneck sweater (that I already have … will exchange it later)
• black puffy vest with faux fur hood

Here’s what I got from my family 3 days later:

• stocking: Sumatra Extra Bold Starbucks coffee, Starbucks gift card, SmarTrip card, and AMC Theaters gift certificate (from Dad)
• hand-knit red scarf (from Grandma)
• money (from Grandma)
• Gap gift certificate (from Grandpa)
• portfolio presentation case (from Grandpa)
• trunk organizer (from Grandpa)
• glove box organizer (from Uncle Chris)
• cell phone/sunglasses organizer (from Uncle Chris)
• back seat organizer (from Uncle Chris)
• The Matrix DVD (from Adam & Max)
• Shrek 2 DVD (from Ross)
• red cashmere sweater (from Aunt Ann)

And here’s what I got at Brian’s dad’s house:

• The Mask of Zorro DVD (from his dad)
• The Phantom of the Opera (Original 1986 London Cast) CD (from his dad)
• The Best of Hanson: The Christmas Collection CD (from his dad)
• The Best of Hanson Live and Electric (UK) (from Brian)
• heated massage car cushion (from Brian)
• off-shoulder shawl (from the Lees)

So, I think I did pretty well Pictures and details will come later!

The tree is up (90% of which I did since Ross was slacking), evil traffic jams and mall crowds have been braved, the presents I have so far are wrapped (the rest will be here by Friday), and general house decorating is almost done All I have left to do (knock on wood) is get a wreath!

As if the holiday festivites aren’t enough, the WordPress gurus have decided to release version 2.0 — a humongous upgrade — this week. I mean, it’s all fine and dandy with me, I love when releases come out (ooh something shiny!), but come on, why during one of the busiest weeks of the year?

I finally took the time to check out the natural products store here that I never would’ve known about had I not lived in Harrisonburg and gone through my month-long vegetarian phase (still don’t eat much meat though). Anyway, the store was pretty and am gonna start going there the next time my dad lets the food supply slip lol.

Edit: Okay, it’s official. The new version of WordPress drops on December 26th (obviously better than this week). Cool.

If it says I’m offline under the “About Me” blurb to your right for an extended period of time, don’t worry — I’ve been getting upwards of 30 spam messages a day from screennames that are simply letters and numbers jumbled together, which means blocking them won’t have any effect. So until I find out why they’ve suddenly appeared and how to stop them, I’ve set my AIM so that only people on my buddy list can IM me. If you aren’t one of them and really need to get in touch, just use the Contact page (and let me know your screenname if you’re so inclined). Thanks!

*shudder* I just spent $150 on Amazon on Christmas presents. And I still have 4 - 6 people to shop for (1 - 3 of whom haven’t given me lists), not to mention the whole Secret Santa/stocking thing Christmas always makes me broke. On a better note, we got our tree today (finally!) and I put up all the outdoor Christmas lights (and managed to break two in the process lol). Tomorrow will consist of more shopping, decorating, and general errand-running. Fun.

Saw The Chronicles of Narnia Friday night at the new Tysons theater, and it was so good! I actually didn’t like it that much in the beginning, but then it got progressively better — to the point that I downloaded the music as soon as I got home and will buy it when it comes out on DVD So if you haven’t seen it yet, go!

The heat in Harrisonburg is working again! Don’t know what was wrong with it since I left 3 days ago, but oh well … not freezing is all that matters.

Okay wtf is wrong with our heater? It was working last night but then when I wake up this morning it’s freezing — cool, 55-degree air is coming out of the heater vents again, and I don’t get it … we got a full tank of oil a couple months ago, it can’t be gone already can it? I don’t know … but I left a message with LJ so hopefully he’ll get it and come soon. Not to mention it’s snowing pretty hard (about an inch so far) and I can’t drive anywhere ’cause of it

Edit: Yay it’s fixed! He just came and all he had to do was press the red button to turn it back on (it shut off for safety ’cause something was in the line) … I feel kinda bad for making him drive out here when I could’ve done it myself, but oh well … I’ll know for next time.

Edit: Nevermind — after pressing the red button the air stays warm for maybe 20 minutes, but then just goes back to cool. Then you have to press the red button again and the cycle just goes over and over and I don’t know wtf is going on. Granted, the temperature has risen to maybe 62 degrees, which is better, but nothing like the 68 or 70 that it should be. We need space heaters and a fireplace.