Angela Mason's Blog

It's here! It's here! It's finally here! Welcome 2010! Happy NEW Year, one and all! For me, that's exactly what it is, a new year, a new beginning, and a chance to take a deep breath and start anew. 2009 for me wasn't necessarily a bad year, just a long one, and I'm always anxious to fly through the holidays and get started on the new mountain to climb. My holidays turned out to be as relaxing as they could be; considering I work a lot of hours over the holiday season; but joyous nonetheless. I stuck with the same holiday routine, Christmas Eve at my Mom's house, Christmas Day at my Dad's...and the New Year wherever I plop myself down after a long day at work, raise a glass of cheer and engulf myself in the Twilight Zone marathon on SyFy. The holidays for me certainly had their highlights, however. As much as I don't take stock in gifts, when someone really puts some thought behind a gift I tend to treasure it forever, no matter what it is. My best friend and I have this yearly "competition" of sorts that we lovingly call the "Ugliest Stocking Contest". Basically, we find the tackiest, ugliest stocking available and fill it with really obnoxious stuff. It adds a lot of shopping fun for us and promises many moments of belly guffaws on Christmas night. Holidays past I can tell you I've gifted some real gems like: flying screaming monkeys, chicken chuckers (picture little, plastic chickens catapulted across the living room), angel snot (no explanation needed), and salt and pepper shakers shaped like a muffin and a bagel. Great stuff! However, this year, my Sweetheart decided to get in on the Ugliest Stocking Contest, shopping long and hard for some amazing finds. Truly amazing. He even took a few moments to brag a few weeks ahead of the holiday claiming his ugly stocking gift could not be topped! Although I balked at his jaunts, knowing he couldn't beat me out; especially in his rookie year, he more than shocked me with this stocking trinket. I am now the proud owner of "Paleo Poop". Yup...you've got it right...my very own, fossilized dinosaur turd! Unbelievable! This stuff (apparently 65 million years old, and apparently from a carnivore) actually comes with a certificate of authenticity and it's own little trophy stand! Unbelievable! In case you're wondering, yes, I'm proudly displaying my fossilized poop on my shelf in my living room; it's quite the conversation piece! By the way, if you want some of your very own Paleo Poop (aka: Coprolite), or you think I'm pulling your leg, check the gift store at The Academy of Natural Sciences Museum. This one will be very hard to beat next year, that's for sure! I'm still shaking my head in disbelief! Ha! Remember, it's never the gift itself people, it truly is the thought behind it, although in this case the thought process was surly there, AND the gift was pretty fantastic! Happy New Year! Until next time, keep your helmet on. -Ang