What's IN/OUT this week

First off, I’d like to apologize for skipping last week’s INS/OUTS. The problem was: I forgot.

IN: Regional holiday songs. My buddy Tom asked me what my least-favorite Chrstmas song is and I quickly answered, “Dominick the Donkey.” He told me he’d never heard of this song before his wife introduced him to it, and he was pretty sure it was regional. I texted East Coast friends and then friends west of Ohio and turns out it is very regional and I located its brief history here. It was an Italian-American novelty song that was big in the 1950s and ’60s, and — per The Bulwark — “you’ll likely only hear it in the Northeast, especially around Philadelphia, New Jersey, and New York City, where (Lou) Monte was from.” Something about its regionality — and because Monte also brought us this swingin’ tune — almost makes me want to change my opinion on it. That, plus when Tom and I texted folks asking if they knew the tune, those who did replied with “HEE HAW.” OUT: Our other picks for worst Christmas song. Mine included Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime” and Springsteen’s “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”; Tom’s were “Little Drummer Boy” and “All I Want for Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth).” All great picks. Please comment and tell me yours!!!

IN: A big snowfall (for Dottie). We’ve gotten more snow in the past week in Chicago than I’ve seen here in a long time. It is pretty, and I am accepting that I’ll just look like a sack of potatoes for the foreseeable future. But the dog is in heaven. I received a text from daycare on Saturday that was just two photos of Dottie losing her mind in the snow, and they said she had the best day ever. (Lucille Bluth voice) Good for her. OUT: Using Dottie’s photos for marketing purposes! Shouldn’t I get a little something if you’re using her to sell holiday gifts to other dog owners?? Maybe a complimentary nail trim?? Because I don’t want to do it???

IN: A sweatsuit. I bought a couple of sweatsuits from the Gap last year (they sell petites in 100% cotton, I am helpless against this combination) and now that it’s potato season, this is my at-home (and sometimes out-of-home) uniform. This is a timeless pairing for a reason, and the reason is that sometimes women want to be appreciated from afar. OUT: Rash season. For my fellow dry-skin homies out there: What lotions and balms and creams and witchcraft are we using this winter? Is it LaRoche-Posay’s dermatologist-recommended Trip to Mexico City?

IN: Dave’s custom advent calendar. In case you missed Tuesday’s newsletter, I made Dave a little gift to be opened each day this month (through the 24th, of course). Because I have a very short-term memory, each day’s gift has also been a surprise to me so far! OUT: The gifts where I need to do something. Apparently I owe him a 15-minute back rub. Whose idea was this? Why are there not more gifts that we can share? 

Tell me what you hated this week!