It’s been a packed few weeks as we head toward the end of 2007, and though it feels strange to be back at work between Christmas and New Year’s, here I am. Aimee left the week before last to spend two weeks in Boston, and I used my time wisely, renting as many videos and DVDs as I could stand to watch, from local stores with great selections. I’ve been keeping a list of movies I want to see for more than 10 years, and I was finally able to knock off some long-standing titles thanks to the deep stock of obscure titles at Eddie Brandt’s Saturday Matinee in North Hollywood and Rocket Video just down La Brea from our apartment. Eddie Brandt’s loaner policy, which allows you to borrow one tape from their loaner list of obscure, not-on-video videos for each tape you rent, was very helpful, as well, and before the two weeks are over, I’ll have tackled 15 or so titles that I’d never had the chance to see before.

Last Monday, Michael and I enjoyed some friendly Little Three bowling with Amherst and Williams alums in the area mixing it up at the Mar Vista Lanes. The class of 1997 had the strongest showing, with four of us representing, and though it was a fun evening, it ended a little sourly when I realized I’d lost my cellphone in the process. The phone, which I got when we got new plans and new numbers out here in L.A., was probably a little too slick and full-featured for me, after my six years of using essentially the same Samsung flip-phone, and losing it was payback, I guess. Luckily, I didn’t get rid of that old phone, and I’m now back to its clunky, sturdy comforts. We’ll see if the rumors about Apple’s new phone bear any fruit in the coming weeks; Aimee will probably say I lost my phone on purpose if they come true.

After our office holiday party on Friday afternoon, I took the subway and the FlyAway bus to the airport, which worked out well – about an hour for the trip, $4.25 total, and no hassles with traffic or parking. I flew overnight to Boston, where Aimee picked me up and we had breakfast at Darwin’s, one of the things about Cambridge I miss the most. We stopped at the new ICA for a moment, but it wasn’t open, so I’ll have to save that for the next time around. Boston was rainy and foggy, so I didn’t get the white Christmas I hoped for, but it was still nice to be back for a bit. We enjoyed a three-day weekend with Aimee’s family, which was great, especially hanging out with my niece and nephew, who both seemed to really enjoy Christmas, and the Legos and dolls and coloring books that came with it. We saw some crazy local Christmas light displays, watched Elf, and had some quality time with the family in groups of various sizes. I spent a good three or four hours assembling a Lego castle for my nephew, and though everyone was thankful for the help and sorry that I had to tackle the task, I enjoyed building it just as much as Jack enjoyed playing with it. More photos of the weekend here.

It was over before I knew it, and I flew back Tuesday afternoon, churning through New Yorkers on the plane in an attempt to catch up the the present issue. Aimee will be back in tomorrow night, and then we’ll have our first New Year’s Eve in Los Angeles this weekend.