And... Go.

This year, the annual celebration of Penultimate NIght (December 30th) was held at Otto's Shrunken Head, the Tiki dive bar on 14th Street. Jacket and tie were required (though one guy wore a tie and lab coat, and we decided that was okay). We all had fun. We all drank fruity tropical beverages with festive garnishes out of sculpted mugs. We all got quite cheerfully looped. Nice way to see '04 out the door. -PAR

Two days ago, it was in the low teens, and we had the first snowfall of the season here in NY. (And today, it's in the low fifties, and raining. What gives?) -PAR

A beautiful autummn day in the District Of Columbia: And a cold night back in New York: -PAR

Yes indeed. Nothing brings home the holiday spirit like GIANT GLOWING INFLATABLE ELF RUMP. -PAR

Tomorrow I open the record store, then catch a bus down to D.C., where I see The Pixies two nights in a row. I'll be back in time to be at work by 11AM on Thursday. I'm pretty damn excited. -PAR