Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy Winter Solstice, Happy Kwanzaa, Merry Universal Health Care, everyone!

... and remember: that ugly, ill-fitting Holiday Sweater you're thinking of returning to the department store may mean the loss of some Innocent Shop Girl's sales commission, so, instead, take a moment or two to think about how you might make it work in your wardrobe!!!!!

:-) Luv, AlbGlinka

Newz

Insomnia, up at 4am and so was one of my kitties, racing thru my bachelor pad and eventually crashing into my ironing board which then crashed into my oven door. Sorry for the racket. downstairs and upstairs neighbors!

Main reason for the insomnia: a potential position shift (a promotion of sorts) in my job: different designer/ floor/ schedule/ money/ responsibilities.

I feel flattered that I've been asked-- it's a more high-profile fashiony spot. It just means... having to "swallow the Retail Kool-Ade" more than I've been willing to do thus far. I definitely can't go into more details than that.

My fate's now intertwined with someone who's leaving the position at some point in the near future...

Wondering if it's God/Goddess/Universe/Tao/Spirit's will for me?

RE:Ality and Non-RE:Ality TV: Jumping the Shark and Jumping the Grande Jeté

It's that depressing time of year when several Re:Ality TV shows wrap up their seasons and RE:Ality TV Addicts have to wait until early January for new seasons to begin. (Bachelor and American Idol, f'rnstance!)

I have been a rabid fan of Survivor since Day One, but I have to say, I was pretty disgusted with this Gabon season. So many unlikeable contestants, headed up by the Horrid and desparately in need of Long-Term Therapy Corinne and the Alcoholic Curmudgeon and Dog-Fancier Randy. I had trouble deciding who to root for. The H.S. Teacher dude who won deserved it, but he was a bit crusty for my tastes. "Sugar" was cute, but that's about it. I liked the Video Gamer... what was his name again? I guess the fact that I can't remember sums up everything about the season for me. Ken. Just looked it up on TelevisionWithoutPity.

Corrine reminded me of myself a few years back, when I thought that being sarcastic and mean was "interesting" and that nice people were boring. Hopefully she'll grow up one day and realize how ugly her attitudes are and how much they hurt others and herself.

Moving on to Stylista, my other guilty pleasure these past few months... Johannna won. She seems like the editorial type. I spent a few days freelancing at magazines back in the day in NY and those offices are full of gals like that. I think that DeShaun's downfall was that he couldn't spell or copy-edit for shit, and that is an important job-skill at the entry level. This show may be a one-season wonder, I'm not sure, but I enjoyed it. I so want to be "ON TREND" these days myself! The bitchery on this show was hard to take at times too, but at least it was comical, and everyone in the Fashion Biz is kind of like that anyway.

Last but not least, I wonder if any of my loyal blog-readers caught the PBS Dance In America Broadcast last night of my beloved San Francisco Ballet's Nutcracker? It was exciting to see so many of my fave dancers on TV, and I thought it was very well-filmed. I see The Nutcracker just about every year. What I enjoy the most, aside from the gorgeous music and dancing, is seeing the all little girls in the audience in their velvet frocks, white saggy tights and black patent leather maryjanes.... the dressed-up mommies and daddies are fun too.

Happy Holidays all y'all! Only four more days of Retail Hell for me until my break next week, wooohoo!

Ride 'Em Cowboy

I bought this PoloRL belt the other day-- I had a coupon for an extra 20% off for having survived a year at my job and wanted to buy something completely frivolous with it. Never in a million years would I have thought I'd own a belt like this, but I find it funny. When you're around this merch all day long, you can't help but start growing attached to it.

I immediately thought to mix the belt up with my beloved tie-dye: an Artsy/ Gay/ Hippie/ Cowboy/ Bear look I'm creating for myself.

My footsies are a wreck from being on them all day long, but I sure do want a pair of cowboy boots next...