A Very Micah Christmas 2013

Well, we're winding down 2013 and I'm *finally* putting this year's edition of A Very Micah Christmas up. Too late? Maybe. But Epiphany isn't until January 6th, so you still have a few days of guilt-free enjoyment.

I put all of the songs into a Spotify playlist - well, all that were available on the service - and you can stream it below:



But that's only part of the story. The full experience includes the following songs:

1. "Flannel Sheets" - Good Night, States
2. "Silent Night" - Nick Lowe
3. "Twinkle (Little Christmas Lights)" - JD McPherson
4. "(Don't Call Me) Mrs. Christmas" - Emmy the Great & Tim Wheeler
5. "Underneath the Tree" - Kelly Clarkson
6. "She Wants It All" - Jumbled
7. "Deck the Halls" - 11 Acorn Lane
8. "Christmas at the Ale House" - The Irish Rovers
9. "You'll Never Find My Christmas" - Bishop Allen
10. "Breaking the Ice" - Samantha Crain
11. "Krampus" - Houndmouth
12. "Go Tell It on the Mountain" - Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors
13. "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" - Colorfair
14. "We Three Kings" - Mark Lanegan
15. "Sugar Cookie" - Sugar & The Hi-Lows
16. "Baby, It's Cold Outside" - Lyle Lovett with Kat Edmonson
17. "Blink Before Christmas" - Phil Moore & The Phil Moore Four
18. "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" - Leigh-Ann Eshleman
19. "Angels We Have Heard on High" - Beta Radio
20. "Can I Interest You in Hanukkah?" - Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart
21. "A Winter Romance" - Dean Martin
22. "Winter Wonderland" - Louis Armstrong
23. "The Christmas Song" - Frank Sinatra
24. "Merry Christmas from Scotland (Lulled with a Stiff Drink)" - Laurie Cameron
25. "Joy" - Tracey Thorn
26. "That Leaf Sure Is Heavy, But You Have to Turn It Over" - Listener & Dust
27. Surprise!

You can snag them all here. Happy listening!

Quoth the Santa, "Nevermore!"

While I’ve loved and appreciated all of the Christmas cards I received this season, this one is my favorite. Thanks, author of my favorite currently ongoing series of books!*

*I am not a name dropper.

Big Krampin'.

My tree's no longer nekkid.

In with the new tree skirt, out with the red bath towel. And I got this really boss pipe ornament. Thanks, Target's post-Christmas 70% off sale!

I say it every year around this time...

Maker's Mark has the coolest swag.

'Tis that part of the season

Even for Batman.

Raise a glass...

Woman with a Scottish brogue + booze + a dash of melancholy = a Christmas song that totally nails my sweet spots

You can get Laurie Cameron's "Merry Christmas From Scotland (Lulled With a Stiff Drink)" - for FREE - here.

MILF on the Shelf: Day 25

Santa got me the greatest gift of all: a MILF!

Die Actually

So, the other day while I was continuing my heroic intake of holiday movies, it occurred to me: Alan Rickman has starred in two absolute Christmas classics. That's a stunning achievement unmatched by anyone else. Therefore, I have crowned him the King of Christmas Movies.

I even made these pictures to commemorate his coronation.

MILF on the Shelf: Day 24

I said to set out the *milk* and cookies for Santa, MILF!

The fair trade candy canes must be sustainable.

MILF on the Shelf: Day 23

Festivus is over early this year, MILF!

Finally! A good version of this song.

I found this during my Christmas music search last night. Maybe it's the subdued nature of this cover. Maybe it's her removing the Betty Boopness that's plagued every modern version of the song. (Thanks a lot, Madonna.) Maybe it's just because I find her very cute. But I'm really digging Daniela Andrade's version of "Santa Baby."

I think I'm going to buy it today. You can get it here.

Buried in free Christmas music

For the last few weeks I've been swept up in holiday activities and getting my own Christmas mix out into the world, so I've really slacked off on keeping up with the flood of free, new music online. So for a couple of hours now I've been combing through Noisetrade, Santas Working Overtime, and Stubby's House of Christmas. (And I still have a few more blogs to check up with!) Boy, is there a lot that I've missed. But that just means I'll be ready for next year's mix.

Anyway, I felt compelled to post this song I came across by AKW, "Christmas Will Be Cold Without You." What a wonderful little downer of a holiday song! I know absolutely nothing about this band, but I'm really digging their tune. And it's FREE! So download it and go cry in your eggnog, you hipster.

MILF on the Shelf: Day 22

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A festive eye opener

My new mug.

The 2013 Sound Opinions Holiday Spectacular

Of all the podcasts that I listen to, this is one of the episodes that I look forward to the most every year. Enjoy!

MILF on the Shelf: Day 21

That's my didgeridoo you're blowing, MILF!

MILF on the Shelf: Day 20

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"Christmas Tomorrow"

More Christmas caroling from Billy Eichner (kind of). I may have just found the "hidden track" for next year's Christmas mix.

MILF on the Shelf: Day 19

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Deck the witch house...

This afternoon calls for a not-really-a-Christmas-song-at-all Christmas song. Yep, that's a pretty haunting choral version of "O Holy Night" that Salem samples here. Spooky!

(I've been tempted to put this on my annual Christmas mix for years, but always chicken out. It'd probably be better suited for my Halloween mix.)

MILF on the Shelf: Day 18

You'll shoot your eye out, MILF!

A whole new (yellow) world...

It was 24 years ago today that The Simpsons Christmas Special - the first episode of the series - aired, giving my life new meaning. I say that with only a hint of hyperbole.

Snow coughing!

Mike Doughty does Run-DMC.

MILF on the Shelf: Day 17

Ah, settling in with a Yuletide literary classic, I see, MILF.

Billy on the Street + Amy Poehler + Christmas carols = Best Video Ever Today

Billy On the Street: Christmas Carol Ambush with Amy Poehler! from Billy on the Street

I love this so much.

MILF on the Shelf: Day 16

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MILF on the Shelf: Day 15

MILF never has a second cup of coffee at home.

MILF on the Shelf: Day 14

Are you trying to take credit for my Christmas mix, MILF?

MILF on the Shelf: Day 13

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A nativity set is incomplete without Camels!

It was a different time.

MILF on the Shelf: Day 12

Get out of my breakfast nook, MILF!

12 Days of Holiday Bullshit: Days 1 and 3

I got two packages today...

Cards Against Humanity cards! Guess I should pick up a copy of the game at some point.

MILF on the Shelf: Day 11

Peeping MILF!

12 Days of Holiday Bullshit: Day 1

So a few weeks ago I signed up for Cards Against Humanity's 12 Days of Holiday Bullshit, in which they promised to send you junk over, well, 12 days. Now, I've never even played the game, but: a) I love Christmas stuff, b) I can't resist the mysterious allure of a grab bag, c) the number of open slots of this limited promotion was rapidly ticking down, and d) it was only $12.

Today my first "gift" arrived. I think it's coal. Maybe. I dunno. Can't wait to see what's next!

EDIT: Upon checking the website, this is actually the second day's gift. Either the first day is still in transit or it got lost/misdelivered. Bah humbug!

MILF on the Shelf: Day 10

You've got red on you, MILF!

Time for a "Snow" day

Uh, guys, Snow and Snow 2: Brain Freeze are on Netflix. I may have to call in sick today. Normally, I can't stand cheesy made-for-TV Christmas movies, but I have a soft spot for these two because: a) I find Tim Cavanagh to be an endless fountain of goofy charm, and b) Ashely Williams is a stone cold cutie patootie.

I'm loathe to call these two movies "good," but they're more watchable than the rest of the tripe churned out this time of year.

Everybody wants to see the lights...

Well, I can scratch "take a party bus on the Tacky Lights Tour" off of my bucket list. I've always wanted to do it and it just so happened that a friend organized a trip for her birthday over the weekend. It really is something to behold. If you ever get the opportunity to take in the sights, do it!

(You can see all of my snaps here.)

MILF on the Shelf: Day 9

You're doing much better than I am this holiday season, MILF!

MILF on the Shelf: Day 8

In George Lucas's first draft of The Empire Strikes Back, this was called a MILF-MILF.

MILF on the Shelf: Day 7

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Merry Krampus!

The first annual RVA Krampusnacht in Carytown was a rousing success last night. There were lots of Krampuses (Krampi?), angels, "children" hit with switches, and even jolly old St. Nicholas. Smiles all around - plus a few "WTF?" looks - and everyone seemed to have a good time. I think this will only get bigger and better next year. Here's to bringing a little bit Old World Christmas to Richmond!

You can see more of my snapshots from last night here.

MILF on the Shelf: Day 6

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MILF on the Shelf: Day 5

I appreciate that you want to help with the laundry, MILF, but those are my unmentionables!

Ornaments of future past

I've been known to get a bit overzealous when it comes to buying Christmas ornaments. Considering that my tree's small again this year (and to give my wallet a rest), I'm limiting myself to a single new one this season.* I believe I made a wise selection.

On Etsy over the weekend I came across this wooden ornament that's a play on the X-Men logo. I'm decades removed from my comic collecting days, but one of the titles I used to snatch up as a kid was X-Men. This ornament gives me a big ol' nostalgic warm fuzzy. And it also makes me chuckle.

*I reserve the right to pick up more if I come across any especially fun ornaments.

MILF on the Shelf: Day 4

You're all up on my wood, MILF!

MILF on the Shelf: Day 3

Good grief! MILF knows where I work.

MILF on the Shelf: Day 2

MILF be Cyber Monday shoppin'!

MILF on the Shelf: Day 1

MILF wants to watch a Christmas movie!