I can’t believe it is almost that time of year again, Santacon 2008 is Saturday December 13th. Brooke and I went last year and had a blast before I got sick. This year I think a little more conditioning before the event should clear everything up. Check out when and where the event will be happening in YOUR area at Santarchy.

For just a taste of the mindset of Santacon, read the rules. Unfortunately I think it would be a little difficult to cover as a journalist.

• Santa looks like Santa. Holiday apparel is mandatory. A Santa hat is not enough. Get a Santa suit. Buy a Santa suit. Make a Santa suit. Steal a Santa suit. Get creative: be a Secret Santa, a Santasaurus, Candy-cane, a Reindeer, a Chanukah Chicken, a goddamn latke. Just don’t wear your fucking jeans.
• Santa acts like Santa. Be jolly. Belly-laugh. Let people sit on your lap. Give out gifts.
• Santa doesn’t talk to the press. “Ho-ho-ho” is good. “Publicity ho” is lame.
• Santa doesn’t get arrested. Please remember the FOUR FUCKS:
  1. Don’t fuck with kids.
  2. Don’t fuck with cops.
  3. Don’t fuck with security.
  4. Don’t fuck with Santa. (yeah, it’s okay to fuck Santa)

So if you haven’t noticed already, I have added a quote generator on the top of the left hand side of the page. I hope it brings just a little bit more variety to the site. For those looking for my twitter tweets, I’m working out a better way to get those on the site. It should be back soon. But for now, if anybody has anything they think should go up as a quote on the page, just post a comment here and I’ll consider adding it. The main thing is if I think it is funny or inspirational, or I’m just in a good mood that day. I can’t wait for some of the suggestions I’m about to receive.

I am now officially one of the girls. Oh, I knew this was coming, but it never really hits until you see it in print. Although I do appreciate the “Hey Ladies (and Nick)” part, it is a vague attempt to spare my manhood… it does not. I’m not making fun of or turning down the invite, I just wish it wasn’t a “Overdue Girls Get-Together.” Maybe something like “Co-Workers Enjoying A Sunday Afternoon At A Local Pubberie,” would have been too long.

So if any of my guy friends out there want to; start lifting weights, doing push-ups in front of each other, tackle football, steam room, sub-homoerotic behavior, join a frat, eat my body weight in meat, or high five in public spaces while chating, “USA USA USA.” Please give me a shout.

For the millionth time, the Alaska Nanooks Rifle team were the NCAA Champions. While this is a great accomplishment, I am a huge fan of the team getting to meet President Bush every fall after they win. Below is by far the best part of the article found in the News-Miner article on the visit.

Lewis and Sartz went to the Diplomatic Room, where they, along with the captains of eight other NCAA championship teams, presented the president with a gift.

“It was a blue polar fleece team jacket,” Lewis said, adding that Bush was pleased and somewhat surprised to receive it.

When asked what previous captains Ryan Baum and Matt Rawlings gave the president when the Nanooks visited the White House for the first time last year, Lewis said “a blue polar fleece team jacket.”

I bet those polar fleece jackets are going to keep President Bush warm on those cold Texan mornings.

So today I jumped (actually applied) on the opportunity to write for a spin off of Tiny Mix Tapes. I’m now on the staff page for Spectrum Culture as Nicholas Ryan. Yep, nice pen name… very creative. It is a really cool site and I can’t wait to start contributing. This isn’t to say I won’t continue helping with TMT, nothing will change there, it is just another way to get my content out into the world.

First up, I’m going to do a feature on “healthy” foods offered at fast food restaurants. First up are Burger King Apple Fries. I am going to need other suggestions, so keep them coming. I’ll probably review a half dozen and maybe even throw in the unhealthiest thing I can find for good measure.

So until I get something up, I strongly encourage everybody check out http://www.spectrumculture.com and enjoy many of the amazing writers they have on the site already.