HAPPY NEW YEAR!

...better late than never. Stay tuned, may be a few random posts here until I get the 'new joint' ready.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

...and here's looking to something brand new in 2010 (both the year and a new blog)!

Toys for Tots...

Whoa! If this isn't a walk down memory lane, I don't know what is. I think I received almost all of those during my rookie X-mas career. Who needs a Leapfrog when you have wooden dog w/ wheels for feet?!

Oh Tenen-BOMBED!

Christmas Tree is up at the AMBFAD Laboratories and the entire staff is passed out...nude...on the front lawn. Now, bring me some figgy pudding and 'fix me a turkey pot pie!'

An AMBFAD Holiday Tip...

The above may be the worst holiday idea ever...it's certainly not a happy one...unless of course you are attempting to get someone sick for Christmas...retribution for a traumatizing past gift of underoos or something.

Is it Christmas? Is it Christmas?

Not yet...but it's coming quick. Enjoy this nice holiday ditty from Captain Sensible while you wait impatiently.

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like...

CHRISTMAS!

I realize I haven't posted up w/ any yule logs or good tidings, but i've been mega-busy trying to wrap up an absolutely crazy six months at my not-so-new-anymore job. Don't think i've forgotten about the AMBFAD faithful...i've been doing some planning for the 2010 'reboot' and ask that you continue to stay tuned.

To everyone who contributed to the over 10,000 views this blog has received...THANKS! Considering I haven't posted up w/ anything new in quite a while, that's encouraging to see.

No Such Thing as a 3-Day Weekend...

...when you're unemployed. Heh.

That said, everybody have a great holiday weekend and, please, don't forget to say thanks for all the Veterans who've given their lives to keep this country safe. Thanks!

Bunny Bonus Party Cut...

I know Easter isn't until Sunday, but I wanted to post up w/ this vintage UPA 'Peter Cottontail' toon from the 50's. Equally as swinging as the 'Frosty the Snowman' one I shared around X-mas. Fun stuff.

Hippity Hoppity and You Don't Stoppity...

Taking the boys to the mall later this morning to see the Easter Bunny...who they're absolutely fascinated with right now. They think the whole concept of a walking, talking rabbit who breaks into your house to hide badly-colored eggs, cheap toys and sub-par candy is awesome. Ahhhh, to be young again.

(Kick-ass art courtesy of the brilliant Todd Schorr)

If It's So Good for You...

...can I have one for Breakfast? It's supposed to be nice and warm out today, so I may enjoy a Harp and Cider or two later this afternoon instead.

I Was Mad for Jigs and Reels...

...an El-F tradition. I've pretty much played Black 47's 'Funky Céilí' every St. Patty's Day since my Junior year in college and the line: 'think of ya' Bridie whenever i'm sober, which isn't too often I have to confess'...still makes me smile every time. They're great live too.

Grab a pint (or several pints), dye something green and have HAPPY ST. PATTY'S!

Saturday Bonus Track...

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! Give that special someone a big slap on the ass and tell 'em you la la love 'em.

...or you could just play them the above Pixies video from the reunion gig at the Paradise in Boston a while back.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

ALL OUR BEST TO YOU AND YOURS...HOPEFUL THAT THIS YEAR MAKES LAST YEAR LOOK LIKE CHOPPED LIVER! 2009 BABY!

Ello, Kiddies!

Hey there, kids! I've been busy w/ toy-assembly, a cold, two kids w/ a cold and trying to take advantage of some of those after-holiday bargains. I've also been burrowing through the Doctor Who Season 1 and 2 DVD sets...starting Season 3 tomorrow.

Speaking of 'The Doctor'...this year's BBC X-mas special, 'The Next Doctor', in which Davids' Tennant and Morrissey battle evil Cybermen in snowy Victorian London was AWESOME. The story was great and both David Morrissey and David Tennant were flat-out magnificent. Highly recommend tracking it down online for those of you in the States...may just be my favorite X-mas episode so far.

That's all for now, please pardon the 'holiday decor' still present...I don't usually take down my tree/X-mas lights until after New Year. Whoot!

X-mas Rapping...

Well, we had a very successful X-mas in the Famous household...everybody was on the receiving end of some good loot from the fat man in the sleigh. The kids had a blast and we're headed to my folks to spend some quality x-mas time w/ them and my sister's brood. Hope yours was a good one too, i'll be back in a few days. Peace!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

From the entire AMBFAD Family to yours...HAVE A JOYOUS HOLIDAY! As always...

'Have yourself a merry merry Christmas

Have yourself a good time

But remember the kids who got nothin

While youre drinkin' down your wine'

Getting is good, but tis' better to give than receive...take some time today to do something (anything) for those less fortunate. God bless us, each and every one...Peace on Earth...Happy Birthday!

Hurry Christmas, Hurry Fast!

The Chipmunks classic 'Christmas (Don't Be Late)' down-pitched. Satan, I mean DAVE, I still want a hula hoop!

...OR, You Could Just Go Back to Whiskey.

Does it really 'solve your holiday problems' or just make you forget you have them until you wake up passed out under the Christmas tree? Well, if it works for 007, it's good enough for me.

HOLIDAY/WINTER BEER WRAP-UP!

I'm by no means any sort of connoisseur, but I do love kicking back w/ a really good beer during the holidays and subsequent Winter months. I gave a shout out to one of my favorite holiday traditions in Mickey Finn's amazing Santa's Magic in an earlier post, but here are some additional recommendations for this time of year:

SAMUEL ADAMS WINTER LAGER

As they always have it on hand in local grocer's refrigerated section, Sam Adams Winter Lager has become a staple around my hacienda this Winter. Luckily, I really do enjoy the hell out of it. Malty w/ some caramel, orange peel and cinnamon for a spicy and sweet beginning. Ends with a slight hop taste. Good stuff. Check out their website HERE.

SIERRA NEVADA CELEBRATION ALE
Again, pretty easy to find in most good groceries and liquor stores, Sierra Nevada's Celebration Ale always tops the list. Great flavor, very hop-laden w/ a slight bit of a fruity taste...this year's batch REALLY hop-laden. If you don't like spice, look at something else. Me, I think it's the right blend of everything. Check out their website HERE.

GOOSE ISLAND MILD WINTER ALE
I'm not a big fan of their actual Christmas Ale, but Goose Island's Mild Winter Ale is some decent stuff. Made with a variety of specialty malts including roast barley and rye, this beer is a caramel forward, very slightly spicy ale that has a nice slight hop aroma. Very drinkable and, again, not nearly as overbearing as their actual holiday offering. Check out their website HERE.

BELL'S WHITE WINTER ALE
When they aren't on the outs w/ Chicago distributors, Bell's White Winter Ale has been a holiday favorite for the past few years. I usually go more for wheat ales in the Summer, but being it's a smooth and lightly carbonated beer w/ hints of clove, banana (!), and cinnamon...it serves as a nice precursor to the darker/heavier stuff i'll be imbibing Jan-Feb. Check out their website HERE.

BELL'S CHRISTMAS ALE
Bell's also stepped up w/ a delicious, but hard to find holiday brew...i've only been able to enjoy on tap at one of my local watering holes (DURTY NELLIES!). Taste has a nice clean malty character, moderate sweetness with some light fruit notes. A bit of citrus hop flavor and low bitterness for a a very drinkable and pleasant beer. See their website link above.

J.K. SCRUMPY'S HARD CIDER
I enjoy a good pint of cider every now and then, especially in the Fall. I tried J.K. Scrumpy's Hard Cider at holiday beer tasting at my favorite local liquor store (DOBBY'S!) and it wowed me so much I grabbed a few bottles to have on hand for the holiday. It's organic, so there are only two ingredients: Juice and Yeast. The resulting offering is sweet...literally. Good hot or cold as well. Check out their website HERE.

'BEER BELONGS...ENJOY IT!'