hey dude, let's start a band! we'll have violins, acoustic and electric, and a couple keyboards, and then the standard electric lead, back-up, and bass guitars, and drums of course. only, the drums will have like 20 symbols. we'll play christmas music! i mean, heavy metal! we'll play heavy metal christmas music! and have lights! and lasers! and fire!

thus was born the trans-siberian orchestra.

i went to their christmas show tonight. it was loud. and bright. i've been deafened by concerts before, but this was the first time i was also blinded. it was pretty awesome. and 80s-tastic.

the rest of christmas was awesome as well. i have about 3 1/2 new scarves. sweet.