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This afternoon I captured the last episode of The Day The Universe Changed from VHS to the hard drive of my A/V editing computer. I’m about seven hours’ work away from finishing this VHS-to-DVD project I started a few months ago.

It wouldn’t be such a big deal, I suppose, if I wasn’t so terrible at actually finishing projects I start. My basic dilettante nature trips me up time and time again. The solution, I’ve decided, is to set myself a couple of projects at a time and steadily see them through. If I can build one small-to-medium success upon another, maybe I’ll instill in myself a better work ethic… or something.

What’s the other current project, you ask? I’m posting weekly recaps of a series currently running in Japan, Mai Otome, on the anime site. Nifty, eh? And once I’m done with this VHS-to-DVD project I think I’m going to tackle making another AMV. It may end up being my last such endeavor but I want to go out on a high note, having made at least one video I can be proud of.

Go, me!

It’s a bit disconcerting, not to mention annoying, to enter your room at the end of the day to find your trashbins knocked over and a grey tabby at the head of your bed.

Note to self: Start latching the door firmly every time we leave the room, eh?

The highlight of today’s post-holiday experience involved being blinded, briefly, several times. Yes, we went and had family pictures taken: the kids and I, Rob and Bryant, and of course Wendi with all of her kids.

It wouldn’t have been so bad if I hadn’t such an amazing knack for having my eyes closed when the shutter clicks. Five tries, it took us. I can’t really complain, though, ‘cause the kids all had more pictures to get taken than I did. The really amusing bit, though, was Bryant’s solo shoot. Here’s this six-month-old baby who’s already been alternately cajoled and blinded for several minutes, and now he’s not even being held and people want him to look up into the camera and smile? So unfair, when all he wants to do is explore the prop sled he was plunked down upon. Mind you, it didn’t help that all six other people in the studio were trying to get his attention and a smile; no wonder he didn’t know what to do in all of that racket. Luckily, he’s the most cheerful baby I’ve ever seen.

So, at some point in the not-too-distant future I’ll have a print of me and my kids looking only somewhat dorky. I’m pitching in for one other print as well, since I’m quite certain that Sis will want a copy…

There are two good things about this particular holiday. The other one is the opportunity to consume large quantities of delicious foodstuffs, such as turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls, and pumpkin pie. Mmmm, pie. And rolls. And turkey. And stuffing. And… well, you get the idea.

The first one, of course, is spending an evening with one’s closest family, for whom I am intensely thankful. I’m also thankful for my life, my health, my job, and the handful of truly wonderful people I’ve managed to surround myself with.

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody!