Chanmas 2023

Content Warning: There is meat (shown), food, and talk of alcoholic drinks in this post. *I do encourage those of you who do not drink, to drink what you all love instead of an adult bevy mentioned.

Welcome, or for those of you welcome back to my annual post on Chanmas! Since i’ve revamped this blog to be about drinking, eating and curiosities, it still makes sense to serve up some good ole’ Chanmas traditions! This year I’m doing this from scratch instead of doing a revision on previous years entry (Which if you want sillier than i went this year (which includes people to idolize), go back to 2022.)

First! What is Chanmas?

Chanmas: an unconventional holiday, concocted by Chandra Free, to express breaking from what society does on the 25th of December. The day started as a a way for “Chan” (a secular humanist) to pick and choose how she’d celebrate her birthday, which falls on the 25th. It soon grew as a philosophy of loving your mental health, and being kind to yourself during a time of year that evokes pressures on people and not always great traditions. It is encouraged to make your own “your name here–mas,” and pick and choose what you want to celebrate or not. Make your own traditions and keep what you dig (if it ain’t broke…). Importantly, spend it with yourself, with friends, family, whomever, whatever, just don’t put yourself in a toxic situation, (that is anti-chanmas.)

Now, with all that said, let’s see what some Chanmas traditions are!

Let’s break down into categories:

Food & Drink.

Attire.

Activities.

Music.

Entertainment.

Decor.

FOOD:

For starters, let’s throw out traditional meals (unless you like that.) Indulge in your faves! Calzones, Chicken Katsu and curry, empanadas, DimSum, pho, whatever you adore- this is the time to evoke something that sparks joy. I for one love a fusion of Japanese, and Chinese inspired dishes and dashes of European/American touches .

Real talk– The problem with liking speciality food is that you have to PLAN AHEAD.

Something I’ve grown into these past years is making my own food. I no longer live in NYC, and that means I don’t have access to certain unique treats anymore. (I was spoiled by that city!) So why miss out on some unique teats, when I can have what I want. Not to be that Chan, but Amazon and various online merchants help fill a lot of the gaps for some of these ingredients. Well, most things… Remember things take time to get in person and in the mail, and the inconvenient thing is that the 25th places are closed (usually).

Eve-mas, we celebrate very much like the Japanese with KFC. I’m not kidding. Some original recipe, mashed potatoes that taste a little like plastic, and some vino! Great time with the new fam.

Chanmas Day, I start with holiday mimosas. What is that Chan? IG gave me the idea where you take an ice cube tray, and make a base for your drink. So I add cranberry juice, Grand Marnier, cranberry pieces, rosemary sprigs, and orange pieces into the oversized ice cube tray, freeze overnight. Day of Chanmas, pop out the pretty cube and add Prosecco- and voila, holiday mimosa! It’s a good start to the day with the boozy bubbly! (Virgin cocktail idea, sub Grand Marnier for OJ, and a sparkling white grape juice for the Prosecco.) While you’re prepping dinner stuffs, have a brunch of charcuterie board with your fave cheeses, meats, and fruits- enjoy with that holiday mimosa! Maybe some other baked goods, have fun, it’s your tasties, but save room for dinner!

Dinner (this is where it gets fun! Least for me, haha.) I have planned for this year a 5-Spiced Duck (served with Hoisin or eel sauce), braised orange anise star lotus root, simmered Japanese pumpkin, with Japanese sweet potatoes with maple apples and sage, add watercress to add a pop of green. Optional homemade cranberry sauce can be great with the duck. Pair with sake! Dinner is prepared.

Since it is my bday, I make a matcha cake with homemade whipped cream, and blueberry sauce. (I used to go to Paris baguette to get a matcha cake with similar trimmings…it was good, but expensive.)
Other ideas can be matcha brownies, or matcha cookies… though make them whenever during this season- i have already made matcha cookies with white chocolate chips for Friendsgiving, and I’m planning on making the matcha brownies for the 23rd (NOW that falls outside of Chanmas, it’s the celebration of me and Steve’s engagement, cause why not? I’m making a 3 day celebration happen.)

Stay tuned for another entry on holiday/Chanmas cocktails! *I figured it’s too much for this entry.

ATTIRE:

BLACK. Wear lots of black….if you dig make up, add sparkle and be extreme, today is about you and being fabulous. Other colors are purple, orange, and green. Evoke Halloween, and all things ethereal and spooky. Scents: BPAL. Makeup: SugarPill, TrixieCosmetics.

ACTIVITIES:

Let’s get back to goofy- Classic Chanmas tradition includes BECOMING A BAT and running around with a Halloween blanket flapping around your arms, and eating fruit like a cute wittle bat- BUT bonus points if you turn into a Dracula and start to stalk the neighbors at night! (This blog cannot be held responsible for any necks bitten…)

Play some retro games! I don’t know what that means to everyone anymore, cause now Dreamcast, and PS2 and XBOX count (heck the generation after probably?). To an ancient like myself still think of those systems as “new.” TO ME- get your 8/16/32 bit games going. A cozy tournament of Street fighter? Some Secret of Mana? Super Mario 3! TETRIS FOR NES!! The more 2d the better. You wanna kick it old-er school? Atari! Do etttt. If you’re lacking the 2d spirit, a game where you play with others like Mario Kart , or Animal crossing…!

MUSIC:

Playlists- Make the Chanmas GAY & FUNKY, Essential Depeche Mode, Venture Brothers Holiday Singles , CHRISTMAS VAPORWAVE MIX, lofi Christmas

ENTERTAINMENT:

When the sadistic pleasure takes you, see if your loved ones love you after this-
STAR WARS 1978 HOLIDAY SPECIAL w/commercials.

The Jinkx & Dela Holiday Special, delightfully gay, fierce, crass and heartwarming. A tradition now for the Free-Emond house.

Venture Brothers Holiday Special, on the VB s1 DVD, or supposedly on MAX… i tried to link it, but MAX made it hard to.

MST3K- Santa vs the Martians (turkey day broadcast w/commercials), Santa Claus (with commercials), The Christmas that Almost Wasn’t, The Christmas Dragon (i’m not a fan of this one (or the other new one), but hey, you know, if you haven’t seen it..?)

Random holiday shows + silly holiday commercials played on an old CRT TV.

If the Holiday Special didn’t scare away your loved ones, how bout THIS.

DECOR:

I ain’t gonna lie, I have a Chanmas tree that borrows heavily from other holidays. I also have lots of Halloween decor, that’s just how I’ll ALWAYS roll. Halloween all year round- with a splash of pine and gore…i mean holly. DW candles permeate the air with nostalgic smells and tree-like smells. Ornaments on the tree evoke the past, present and… future! From goth to childhood ideals, this tree has all sorts of nostalgia, which is fine. This is largely a pagan and Victorian tradition and I love it too. I grew up with it, and I do like a lit sparkly tree.
From childhood I was appointed to decorate the Christmas tree- to today, where I decorate the tree with my husband, Steve. Some traditions I don’t mind, it’s when traditions dictate negativity, I just cannot abide.

When in doubt, put a cat in it!

LAST THOUGHTS:

This holiday should not be about gift giving or expectations, but of love and coming together to enjoy each other. Expectations should be outlawed- gifts should be reserved for when you have the means and the moment that sparks you to adorn whomever with whatever. Conditional love is bullshit- throw it out and be authentic. Unconditional love is key, and if you don’t believe in the holiday, do the day how you see it… Chanmas not your thing? Make this day your own. Please use my own nonsense as your own spring board into your reclamation of a day that needs some TLC.

What about your Chan?

-And if you’ve got this far, and are into the Chanmas spirit? Send a Chan a happy bday/Chanmas message. ( *she also accepts Venmo @ spookychan #1016, and paypal @ chandrafree, lol)

Seriously, I hope the 25th is free of the bullshit, and it’s full of love, even if it’s the love for yourself.

Take care this season, and to those that deserve your love and respect. If they don’t deserve you, to quote a great philosopher, “aint nobody got time for that!’

Happy Chanmas, one and all!

-Chan

p.s. no pouting!

Olives? The Essential Dirty Martini’s friends..! Smoky & Dirty Cocktail

Divina Olives

***if dry, salty, savory, spirit forward drinks are not your thing, I highly recommend skipping this entry!***

Tonight’s experiment is a smoky dirty martini. Something I’ve been dying to make!

I get targeted ads all the time and have curated my algorithm to be all about cocktails. I ain’t mad, it fuels the hobby of having a BETTER bar and the ability to make interesting drinks. Divina (I’m not sponsored by them- or anybody for that matter) targeted me with the Smoky & Dirty martini recipe and showed off some glorious olives. Mmm, olives! Funny that my 2nd entry is about another Smoky drink. It’s fall so smoke things just remind me of being around fire pits and fire places, and getting cozy around loved ones. But why not adult it up and get boozy?

DIVINA’s recipe:

Smoky & Dirty

https://divinamarket.com/blogs/recipes/smoky-dirty

Ingredients:

2 ½ oz London dry gin

¼ oz Scotch whisky

1 tsp Divina Smoked Kalamata Olive brine

Garnish: skewer of 3 Divina Smoked Kalamata Olives

Directions:

1. Add the gin and Scotch to a mixing glass with ice and stir until chilled.
2. Strain into a martini glass.
3. Garnish with a skewer of olives.

What Chan Thought & Did:

First! I’m doing story before recipe (boo! But that’s gonna set my version of the recipe with what they did).

Let’s talk about the olive and the brine. Kalamata olives are a fave of mine. It wasn’t always that way!

I’m the weirdo that grew up on black olives straight out of a can. Thinking back to those days the olives were rubbery with that good old salt factor, but lacking the right texture. But kiddo Chan was all about that olive life. Cheese and black olives remains a comfort pizza topping, but ehhh if the olive ain’t cooked, I ain’t interested. Also gourmet olives are wasted on pizza and gourmet pizza deserves better than a regular olive.

When I was in my 20s I was introduced to Kalamata olives- which are made with red wine, vinegar, salts and olive oil. They have this salty and mellow complexity that makes me happy. Not too salty, which is around my taste range. (Also I could be damaged! My husband LOVES salt and I do tend to salt things these days).

These olives from Divina are NOT the pits! They’ve very good in fact. Not too firm, but also not a soft mess. They are pitted (in case you were wondering), and hiding inside and all around them is this delicious smoky brine. It’s not “in your face” smoke like a maple syrup I got in my Vermont journeys (we’ll get there), so it doesn’t over power the simple joy of the olive, it compliments it. Sip of its brine (the juice in the jar) is not too salty and has that smoke that we need for the recipe!

No one said Japanese gin!

• 2 ½ shots of Roku Gin

• 1/4 shot of islay malt scotch

• 1 teaspoon smoky brine

So, my gin is totally wrong for this. A bit too floral (though it’s more dry in comparison to its siblings, but not London dry…) but makes for some really interesting and delightful notes- however it doesn’t allow the smoky brine to shine. The scotch is also lost here- also might be my under-whelming scotch.

Conclusion? I enjoyed the heck out of this, but it gives me ideas to make it even better. The Roku gin is too much of a star here- I love it so much- so it’s no wonder I would like this first pass.

(I also know I need skewers… yikes. The presentation!)

Take two!

• 2 ½ shots of Roku Gin

• ½ shot of islay scotch

• 4 teaspoons smoky brine

For my gin, this works better. Sadly the botanicals are lost here (yeah I love my gin, I have done it a disservice), but now it’s playing with all flavours now.

Oh jeez-?!. It’s Kalamata olive in a glass. I might have gone too far! The scientific method is not exactly in play here. Haha. But it’s more dirty than smoky or gin. But here are so many variations we can play with to balance this. Scotch back to 1/4 oz, and about 3 teaspoons and I imagine this golden! (Do we include the smoke kit? Ohhh!) But, that’ll have to be reserved for some other day! If you experiment with this one let me know in the comments. Also, get a London dry gin!

Cheers!

-Chandra

Ps. The green olives stuffed with blue cheese is very nice. Good job, Divina!

Smokey Maple Old Fashioned

Let’s start it off with my current obsession, the Old Fashioned!

Since I hate anything that is story before recipe, let’s do the reverse!

(*Note: my measures are in “shots” which is approx an ounce of liquid.)

Tools: Rocks Glass, Smoker Kit (optional for smokey part)

Ingredients:

• 3 shots of Bourbon
• 1 shot maple liqueur (Alternative: ½ shot of maple syrup)
• 3-4 dashes aromatic bitters
• 1 big ice cube

Music for tonight’s experiment: Vintage Obscura Halloween Mix [2023] — Side A

How To:

Combine all ingredients, stir, add ice cube, stir again. Then for a smokey finish, use your smoke kit (follow it’s instructions) and add smoke- and viola- smokey maple old fashioned!

About:

Tonight I chose the old fashion as my base cocktail and did some mods to it. It’s a crazy versatile cocktail, that lends itself to experimentation and it’s gosh darn PERFECT for the fall season. *Note, that I listed in the links to my Mickey glass, WHICH I ADORE & a present to me, and tools to help you out with smoking the cocktail and a decent ice try that makes som very god ice cubes. Please don’t use typical ice, they melt fast and water your drink too much up front.

Confession! I make my drinks boozy, so hence a “heavier” pour in terms of bourbon, and adding a very special maple liqueur I found in my journeys in Vermont. Typically an old fashioned is lighter in bourbon, and has simple syrup/sugar cube for its sweetener. But hey, this is where we can get creative- the sweetener component is where I find you can start subbing things that compliment the bourbon. In this case the maple liqueur is sweet by itself that makes a great substitution. I don’t like my drinks too sweet, so maybe you might want to pair a maple liqueur with maple syrup to give it more sweetness. Be careful, start little when adding up the sweetness factor… otherwise it might dominate your drink.

Just Me:

What probably started this obsession was the cocktail the Sazerac (which i’ll talk about later in another entry). It is by far, imho, a more superior drink, but isn’t as accessible or what i consider malleable as the old fashioned due to the Absinthe in it. Or was it the Benton’s Old Fashioned? (another drink i’ll do a post on!) That one is crazy too cause it has a “fat washed” component really changes the character of the drink in terms of its viscosity and heaviness.

Here I am, looking at a glass that once housed a delightful smoked variation of this lovely drink. The smoke still lingers on the glass and I am happy with my results. Lingering is the vintage music playlist I chose to write this too. Perfect spooky vibes for sipping. A fire would be even better, but I live in an apartment sorta situation so none of that for me!

Special Treasures from Vermont Used:

Smuggler Notch Distillery’s Straight Bourbon Whisky

Very subtle notes of vanilla, approachable, grain focused backend, smooth enough finish, and perfect for mixing. Worth going out of your way for? Nah. But a fun find in Manchester, VT. 

Metcalfe’s Vermont Maple Liqueur

Sweet, maple goodness. Smooth. BUT you don’t realize it’s very strong for what it is. (Deceptive! Be careful.) We found this one with a very beautiful view!

Thanks for reading & Salut!

-Chandra

Bonus: BPAL scent, The Witches Have a Fire Again

Renewal! The rebranding of this dead blog

Hello! I don’t know who is still around for my insights into art and my process. Sorry i dropped the ball on that years ag9. As you know I’ve use this bog mainly for Chanmas mostly. So! Since i’m feeling the bug to do something new, I’m reformatting this blog to cocktails, food, music, and other related things. Expect holiday stuff, recipes, reviews, and whatevers. New entries and more formatting of this blog to come.

Welcome to my Speakeasy!

The Not so Terrible Secret of Chandra Free; or How Venture Brothers Informed My Life

February 17th, 2023. It is a day after the 20 year anniversary of The Venture Brothers original pilot broadcast. I, Chandra Free-age 41, comics & illustrator professional person, am lost in a sea of work all while getting my graphic novel to people who pledged through my KickStarter. Inside that very book, THE GOD MACHINE vol1 re:VISION, contains a 2010 foreword by Venture Brother’s own Doc Hammer. That’s pretty scientastic, but it’s so much more than that.

2022 edition

2004- I’m in college, age 22, studying fine art and working on my personal comic. My then boyfriend and I don’t have cable at all. We’re frugal and living off PBS. On the weekends we’d go to his folks, and we were treated to CABLE. Whoa. Of course Cartoon Network/Adult Swim was our go-to when the parents went to bed. One of those weekends we had Adult Swim on, and a commercial came on. My mouth dropped in awe! The style of characters were very similar to my own, the weird humor, the bald dude with a pill addiction, the chaos! “What is this? Is it on tonight?” I wondered. Alas it was promoting it coming out in a few (weeks? Months? Not sure.) This, of course, was Venture Brothers! I couldn’t wait. Each week after that I’d be on the lookout for it while we spent our weekends there. Then it happened! We were treated to “Careers in Science.” I was enamored! The bald man, Dr. Venture, was steeped in childhood trauma and the psychology behind that, I found it ridiculously fascinating. The next episode we’d get to see was “Ghosts of the Sargasso,” Scooby Doo ref, I’m in. I don’t know what others I saw after, even if we saw any more since it was so hard to get parental trips and Adult Swim to align. So, I did what I had to do- I torrented the Venture Brothers season 1. Now I could pour over this gem, this treasure that had captured my heart. I declared then, it was my favorite show, and was sure darn happy to have it even if it didn’t get picked up. Now, that was a real concern. Here us early Venture fans were worried it wouldn’t happen. Adult Swim seemed to take forever to decide if they wanted to renew this weird Johnny Quest/Hardy Boys parody that had more promise than just the premise (took them a year?). All while the wait was happening, I was creating fan art! Oh my, I had not done that in what seemed like forever. I wasn’t a fan artist type. I was so preoccupied with my own worlds and OCs that I never even thought of it. BUT! Whoa! Venture Brothers moved me. It had infected my brain! I had to draw Rusty, Dr. O and Dr. Girlfriend. These were the days of DeviantArt, mind you, an artist collective that I was a part of, and you can still find my account with the name “spookychan”.

“Thad” damn what was I thinking?

There I would “meet” Doc Hammer through his master works, his paintings he posted there. These were luscious works- dripping in a dark gaze of women in bras, with that eerie quality of vouyerism, magical dedication, and Rembrandt-like romance. And the frames around his paints- just friggin decedent! We chatted in the comments and that was super swell! Now, at the same time LJ (Live Journal) was a big platform for embarrassing thoughts, and a great Venture Brothers community! Holy crumbs- here’s where bonds of friendships are born. Through there I met some of my dearest friends that I still chat with and love dearly- so many of these people I’d meet at cons and especially at DragonCon. But back to LJ- I would also meet Jackson Publick, and my buddy James Urbaniak (Dr. Venture, etc). James was cool- we all saw the birth of his kids, and we had our own club “The Voucher Anklets.” Damn, I miss those days, all of us chatting over politics, Venture Brothers and other fun stuff.

SDCC 2018

2005. I drop-out of college only 6 courses away from a 4 year degree. I’m frustrated with my teachers and the bureaucracy that surrounds college. I get married at this time, and get my start in comics by catching the eye of Serena Valentino (writer of Disney Villains series, Gloom Cookie). I do prelim work for a book that never comes out. I then get hired in 2006 by Drew Rausch to work with him as a colorist. All while this is going on, Venture Brothers got a DVD season 1 release (I immediately bought it) and the 2nd season finally hits! I think by this time I convinced my then husband to get us cable so we can watch it unfold! Yes, we got cable JUST for Venture Brothers. After each episode I would head to LJ for my takes on the episodes, chat with my friends and make MUCH better fan art then in 2004. Good golly, things are popping! I forget when they re-aired “Assassinanny 911” but I was floored. My first “bump” on Adult Swim happened! My “fan art” on TV. I jumped for joy, screamed and just landed on the floor in so much happiness! Magic is happening!

https://youtu.be/KRv0kdsX_ek

Around then, Doc posts about DragonCon- a convention I had never heard of. There was a promise that they’d be debuting an episode there (I Know Why the Caged Bird Kills). I get my husband to take us for the day so we can see this and meet Doc & Jackson. Note, at this time I live in Orlando, Florida, and DragonCon is in Atlanta, Georgia… a 12+ hour trip! We get there, get a day pass after waiting in line for more than 2 hours. We see a panel that has George Lowe (Space Ghost) and in hopes the boys would be there. They were not there. For whatever reason I hadn’t eaten anything, I’m a little delirious and very tired. I have artwork for both of them, and I’m feeling defeated. I remember clearly looking out the Hyatt top floor windows and just not understanding why we made such a journey. We head down and go to the Gonzo film festival. It’s loud and fun, but would Doc and Jackson even show? And then… Doc appeared! Yeah, this is one of my favorite moments in life. I go over and present him with the image I drew for him, “did you draw this?” “Yeah” “Oh it’s you! I know you!” Somewhere in this I was told I don’t do fanart, I do art, and I was part of the Venture family. Surely enough later, Jackson would appear and roughly say the same dang thing. It was wonderful. We then all watched the episode go on, and it was a miraculous moment- the way Dr. Girlfriend moved as she took out the guards- seeing that on the big screen was – PERFECTION. Doc would later come sit by me and we would talk about the episode and became” in real life” friends. He gave me his digits, and later on in the weekend we would take him out of the con area and get some food. It was wonderful. Also my first time in Atlanta, I was smitten with it and DragonCon.

I dunno why I named us all, but here we are a decade + later…

2007. It’s February, I’m going to NYCC for the first time to shop The God Machine around to publishers. I have 6 packets for my choice publishers to keep. This goes in all sorts of directions, but the publisher Archaia is interested for sure! I go to the Venture Brothers panel and meet James for the first time in real life- and he asks how it’s going with my search for a publisher. It’s a lovely moment that’s online somewhere…. 😉 I got James, Doc, and Jackson to sign my season 1 dvd, no one else. Which kinda makes sense now. These three people mean a lot to me. As much as I appreciate others who have contributed to the show, these three remain my cornerstones and friends. Chris/Jackson created this monster, Doc is the other half and so a rich component to it, and James is the lead of the show and without his iconic voice(s) it wouldn’t be the same. The kindness all 3 have shown me through the years has been something affirming. So let’s fast forward mid year- literally a publisher was messing with me, “when you finish this project we ‘might’ publish you” and I was having a life crisis of sorts because God Machine was all I wanted to do, and was making pennies for coloring pages. Then it’s 2007 DragonCon, and here’s my turning point. I just had a breakdown about everything, and I hadn’t told my then husband about it till we got there. I get a chance to hang out with Doc, and I tell him what’s going on, and he says the most simple thing, “fuck them.” He proceeded to tell me to go to those publishers who were interested in me at NYCC and touch base. He was right! I got so in my head I forgot something so simple that I was NOT locked in with this publisher, that I could talk to those others who I was courting and see where that takes me. I took Doc’s advice, asked one of my friends what they thought of their publisher (Archaia) and they said that even 7 months later Archaia was asking about me and God Machine! A few months later, I had my first contract for God Machine to be published!

There’s a lot that went on, that’s for another story if I ever tell that, but flash forward to 2010. I’ve already met forever friends, Kim, Niki, Cassandra, Damien, Damian, and so many more, but I would meet my ride or die, Specsoselot this year. We’re all at SDCC, I met this person who came over to Archaia’s booth to meet me for a print I told her I’d print out for her (Revenge btw), and I had totally forgotten about it! I draw her something cause I feel bad (so much wrong is going on in my life at the time and I’m slacking), I give her the drawing and don’t think much more than that. I want to state that I have partial facial blindness, so it takes me forever to learn people’s faces, if at all. So the next day, I have a podcast with Venture Bros Blog, and this person is sitting next to me and I’m wondering why… until she opens her mouth and she speaks the most beautiful language, the language of Venture. I fell in love. And, of course, she’s the woman from the other day! I apologize for not recognizing her, and I want to know more about her. She’s just the best. The last day of con she finds me sick and not doing well, and by golly she asked if she could help me, and she did- she took over and brought in people to see my prints and such. A real lifesaver. To this day, if you find me at a con, there’s a big chance you’ve seen her by my side. She’s my Billy Quizboy to my Pete White.

2018

Back to God Machine, still 2010, I’m on the cusp of publishing my first graphic novel and I have Doc do my first foreword. It’s great. It’s fucking crazy and poetic, it’s something I had to put in my latest print edition of the book. It brings everything together. That late 2010 edition of God Machine would solidify my career in the comics industry.  I attribute a lot of that to Doc, and to Venture Brothers. Cause not only did Doc give me that advice, but my fan art brought me closer to so many people via Deviantart, LJ, twitter, facebook, and beyond. I attribute my fans to having that commonality and giving my book a chance through it all. 

The other seasons of Venture get complicated and even more bizzare like Lynch doing super heroes in NYC. It’s a world building show- in that world these characters grow through their TV lives and in NYC, a place I lived in a decade of my life after Florida, and set a perfect tone for my own adventures. Damn was NYC the best days, but like the show, I also had to move on.

When I did the campaign for The God Machine vol 1 re:VISION in late 2021, I asked James and Dana Swanson (Toonami), to do the voices in my Kickstarter video and my heart just soars. To be a part of my campaign, my friends who I have made through this show, just sends me! I have times with all of these people outside of cons, pep talks, life talks, and just being friends. Chris/Jackson is a constant inspiration, James is a joy, and Doc a real life guru and friend. And this show- from pop references, to being one of the best looking shows that is intelligent, hilarious, and full of love and heart. I think that’s really it, at the heart of the show is its people- those who make it and those who love it, and then there’s overlap. Without it, I don’t know where I’d be. I built a fan base with Venture art, I built a long lasting friend base -based on our eternal love for this show, this ridiculously magical show. 

I’d like to mention some people that have become important to me from this Ventures community, I want to thank Michelle W. for taking pics at WEEP shows and commissioning me to do art for her and our deepening friendship, for Vanessa for her Venture Cheerleading and talk of tater tots that lead to a beautiful friendship and introducing us to Patti- a supporter and such a sweet friend and co-creator. To so many of you, Jess for being a dear of the dearest, Rilo my brother, Carmen, Adam, John J, Ann- Marie, Ken Plume, Marc, Delz, Amanda, Xmas, Aaron F, Jon R, Annie W, Jennifer, Ashlely, Jut, Kitt Quin, and so many more -almost 2 decades there’s a lot to know and praise and brain cells that are dead and old. I’ve seen so many of you, heard your stories, and I love you all.  Damn. You all just fill my heart.

I dunno if you knew me through the Venture Brothers, but I’d still like to thank Thom Trainor from DragonCon for believing in me… I miss you dude. We all do.

Thank you Venture Brothers, happy 20 years in this world. Thank you for everything and then some. May your special set the standard for things to come.

-Chan, Divorcee engaged, Berlin, CT.

Faves: Dr Venture, Malcom, Dr. Mrs

Pre-order The God Machine vol1 re:VISION

Chanmas 2022

Chanmas Traditions

Content Warning: There is meat (shown), food, and talk of alcoholic drinks in this post.

Another Chanmas approaches! Will you celebrate the 25th of December, the Chanmas way?

“But, Chan, What is Chanmas?” Glad you asked my dear friends! Chanmas is not only *my* birthday that falls on the 25th, but a day (or month if you will) of breaking traditions, doing things you want to do, and having fun. Celebrate it with your favorite holidays this month of December, or borrow from Chanmas! In my mind it’s all about taking back your mind space during the holidays and not being beholden to other traditions (unless you dig those, then by all means!) Let’s mix and match what makes us feel happy!

Here are some nifty suggestions for traditions to help you get started! (feel free to do them throughout the month of Chanmas too!)

UPDATE: 2022 More mods! More recipes, fixed links, and foods from last year!

Let’s start with the favorite of Chanmas traditions: Torturing your loved ones on a ZOOM/Skype/facetime/etc meeting with the STAR WARS: Holiday Special. (1978 edition w/commercials- which are the best part really and the Bobba Fest cartoon!) Prepare them with the suggestion of booze, if possible!

Ignore food traditions of the 25th and go get (or make) Japanese dishes, DimSum, Tacos, Pizza, basically YOUR favorite kind of food- (availability is subject to your area, plan accordingly.)

What I do for appetizer before dinner & eve:

Cheese board w/smoked salmon, meats and berries, turkey cranberry balls, baked brie, matcha brownies (see below for this recipe).

What I do for dinner:

Green tea cake (see the bottom of post for recipe I use) with blueberry sauce  and whipped cream! (yeah this comes after everything, it may also be my bday cake…)

Matcha Brownies! (I add lemon citrus salt to the top)

5 Spice Duck!

Braised Orange Anise Star Lotus Root & Simmered Japanese Pumpkin & Japanese Sweet Potatoes w maple apples & sage

But if those OTHER holiday treats are your thing, add them to your dinner! 

(And if you want to celebrate the Japanese way, get some KFC and champagne for Chanmas Eve!)

Time to get dressed up! Wear something grossly festive to you. Black is a fine color for this day. (Blood Reds are VERY acceptable, as it represents the blood of your fallen enemies. Purple is also fine, as it means you are made of magic and probably royalty!) If you’re feeling extra, get dolled up and paint your face in extreme colors and whatevers! Might I suggest trying Sugarpill costmetics? (they are POC woman owned) And put on your favorite BPAL scents (if you’re in the need for spooky smells and festive smells too)

Mx. Chanmas herself from 2 years ago (sadly, I got sick on last Chanmas and couldn’t dress up):

Think of being a bat as you run around the house with your spooky blanket poised as wings! Sing the song of your bat people!

Make sure you watch “holiday” themed MST3Ks. They will make you question Santa forever… (also marathoning MST3K via Pluto or Twitch is highly acceptable too! They have their own edition of the Yule log on the 24th-25th?)

• Santa Claus Conquers The Martians
• Santa Claus
• The Christmas That Almost Wasn’t 
• Upcoming MST3K Christmas episode… find it in Dec. through The Gizmoplex(also if you get a sub to the Gizmoplex you can find and buy these episodes, i think!)

Draw a little something for yourself. If this is not your thing make sure you do that special something that makes you feel good (cuddling an animal, writing poetry, singing karaoke, DnD…)

PLAY MARIO KART OR ANIMAL CROSSING WITH ONLINE FRIENDS! Here’s some wintery Animal Crossing music for you.

(Also, if you’re feeling the gamming spirit, try a 2D Fighting game or classic retro games! Nostlgia makes the heart grow larger!)

Snacks: Pumpkin spiced anything or Cranberry anything goodie to eat. (Green Tea anything gives you like a bonus of +20 HP.) 

Give tribute to this zaddy-

• The World According To Jeff Goldblum 2 Seasons (Disney+)
• Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra (spotify link- he’s got a new holiday song, not my jam, but maybe it’s yours?)

Venture Brothers Holiday Special is MUST. -Also, play all the Venture Brothers holiday music through the years! (click here for all the songs free!  Thanks, Ken Plume!)

• The Venture Brothers: A Very Venture Christmas (buy it here on amazon [go to extras to get it] – ALSO! Maybe think about having an Amazon watch party?)

DRANKS!

• Chan’s favorite, The Sazerac (I use bullet rye, Doc Herson’s Green Absinthe, and a simple syrup [instead of a sugar cube])
• Benton’s Old Fashioned (This has a fat washed bourbon for this one- I do duck fat from my 5 spice duck.)
• Sake (try Tippsy Sake for great selections! Like seriously -love them! Yuzu sake is a big plus here!)
• Mulled Wine (red wine, cloves, fresh orange peels, star anise, cinnamon sticks, and spike it with brandy for an extra kick!)
• TOO MUCH- Coffee (may I suggest Bones Coffee for flavoured choices?)
• Hot tea (British, green, flavoured, you pick!)
• Hot cocoa! *spike it if you’re in the mood for that sorta thing, and load it up with goodies like homemade maple whipped cream, marshmallows and pumpkin spice!

Cocktail ideas to go with that Matcha cake + blueberry sauce? Here’s my buddy J. Michael Bestful’s ideas to doll up some old favorites:

#1: old fashioned; putting some of that blueberry sauce in a glass with orange peel & bitters, muddle, add whisky & big ice cube, stir. Whisky could be bourbon, or a Japanese blended whisky.

#2: for something lighter, whiskey Collins. Same choice of whiskies, some lemon & honey. Build in glass, add ice, stir. Top with fizzy water of choice.

#3: gin & tonic, but muddle the blueberry sauce with basil or mint, add a squeeze of lime, then proceed to build the gin & tonic.

Thanks, J!

*****Go out drinking with friends the night (or sometime during the month) before Chanmas! Sake is a plus! Hangovers a not so welcome bonus. 

-or  Go out to a graveyard the night before! Wake the dead with your song! be sure to dress warmly in blacks…! 

 

Speaking of which….

If applicable dance mother clucker, dance! -let the spirit of Dave Gahan move you.

Playlists:

• Depeche Mode (naturally – a Deep Cut playlist)
• Venture Brothers Holiday Music (see above for link)
• The Ventures Christmas Album (wait, how did that get on here???)
• The God Machine Master Playlist (select random on this one)
• Animal Crossing Fire Place Music (yeah, another AC music thing, can’t help it!)
• HALLOWEEN Inspired dark playlist
• Jinkx & Dela Holiday Special
• SCRATCH THE RECORD WITH THIS SHOW STOPPER OF AKWARDNESS

Text/message a Chan on this special day. (We hear she likes that a lot.) @spookychan!  (dms are always closed to non-mutrals, but drop an @ in my mentions -if I’m still on Twitter as of this writing…) ALSO!  Friend Chan over on Switch- but please tell her you’re doing so! ex. She will not add random pics of Pikman with the name of John… 

CHAN SWITCH FRIEND CODE:

Drag it up! I’d say, go to a drag show (as in Queen/King/etc) this month, and if at home or in a place with no drag shows, perhaps checking out what the Drag performers are doing this year for the holidays online! (and tip them! even if they are not asking for tips! Find their venmo/paypal!)

(This is NYC’s own Kizha Carr @thatbeardedqueen. Saw her on Chanmas night many years ago! Check her out!)

Try THE JINKX & DELA HOLIDAY SPECIAL -it so crass, and lovable!

Praise Saint Bowie, because. (also, have Bowie with cat on head.)

COLORS to decorate with:

• Black
• BLOOD Red
• Grey
• Purple
• Orange
• White
• If you do green, make it Absinthe green!

Decorate the house with Halloween decorations. Beistle decorations make a fine addition to your crypt’s haunted halls.  (Bonus if you get a white tree, and decorate it with orange/purple lights, lots of black, purple things- bats, cats, Krampus, occult yellow triangles bent on conquering the world (that one is for Jess) Top the tree with your favorite monster, spooky thing so that they might judge you from above…)

Give Thanks to the patron saint of food, Tony Bourdain (here’s a clip of him with Lidia B & Christopher Walken and Octopi for Evemas) *I added Tony this year, cause he’s someone very special in my eyes, and someone gone too soon.

 

Here’s the big thing: Give VIRTUAL & in person hugs, lots and lots of hugs and appreciate those who are around you and far from you and that are a part of your life. Which at the core of it all is what Chanmas is all about- that and having fun with your special people, even if they are far away. ❤ 

Pet your favorite fur-babies. They love to experience the love too!

Make up your own tradition. Do it! I dare you! (It’s fun! Today can be your day!) Seriously though, I know the traditions i’ve set forth might not be to everyone’s liking, but watch your favorite things, do your favorite things.

Also, if back in 1981, it’s December 25th, and your name is Charlene Free, give birth to a Chandra Free, kay? (Time travel tradition.)

PLAY THIS. (I always cry when I play it, for dumb reasons)

Also, no pouting!

Enjoy your Chanmas! ;D

-Chan

*NOTE: If you don’t drink, or eat meats, change up these traditions with your favorite drink or food vice. It’s okay! We do not judge on Chanmas day. Point is to have fun your way. 😀

nice touch! (yeah, watch some old Garfield & Peanuts specials…)

Chanmas 2021

Chanmas Traditions

Another Chanmas approaches! Will you celebrate the 25th of December, the Chanmas way?

“But, Chan, What is Chanmas?” Glad you asked my dear friends! Chanmas is not only *my* birthday that falls on the 25th, but a day (or month if you will) of breaking traditions, doing things you want to do, and having fun. Celebrate it with your favorite holidays this month of December, or borrow from Chanmas! In my mind it’s all about taking back your mind space during the holidays and not being beholden to other traditions (unless you dig those, then by all means!)

Here are some nifty suggestions for traditions to help you get started! (feel free to do them throughout the month of Chanmas too!)

UPDATE: 2021 Modded a few things here and there, recipes, and added more music. It’s still a part pandemic list with stay-at-home/skype/zoomies/whatevers… but it started out that way too!

Torture your loved ones on a ZOOM meeting with the STAR WARS: Holiday Special. (1978 edition.) Prepare them with the suggestion of booze, if possible!

Ignore food traditions of the 25th and go get (or make) Japanese, Chinese, or YOUR favorite food- (availability is subject to your area, plan accordingly.) Make a green tea cake (see bottom of post for recipe I use) with blueberry sauce  and whipped cream!

But if holiday treats are your thing, add them! (And if you want to celebrate the Japanese way, get some KFC and champagne.)

Time to get dressed up! Wear something grossly festive to you. Black is a fine color for this day. (Blood Reds are VERY acceptable, as it represents the blood of your fallen enemies. Purple is also fine, as it means you are made of magic and probably royalty!) If you’re feeling extra, get dolled up and paint your face in extreme colors and whatevers! Might I suggest trying Sugarpill costmetics? (they are woman owned) And put on your favorite BPAL scents (if you’re in the need for spooky smells and festive smells too)

Ms. Chanmas herself from last year:

Think of being a bat as you run around the house with your spooky blanket poised as wings! Sing the song of your bat people!

Make sure you watch “holiday” themed MST3Ks. They will make you question Santa forever… (also marathoning MST3K via Pluto or Twitch is highly acceptable too! They have their own edition of the Yule log on the 24th-25th?)

• Santa Claus Conquers The Martians
• Santa Claus
• The Christmas That Almost Wasn’t 

Draw a little something for yourself. If this is not your talent, make sure you do that special something that makes you feel good (cuddling an animal, writing poetry, singing karaoke…)

PLAY MARIO KART OR ANIMAL CROSSING WITH ONLINE FRIENDS!

(Also, if you’re feeling the gamming spirit, try a 2D Fighting game or classic retro games! Nostlgia makes the heart grow larger!)

Snacks: Pumpkin spiced anything or Cranberry anything goodie to eat. (Green Tea anything gives you like a bonus of +20 HP.) 

Give tribute to this man-

• The World According To Jeff Goldblum (Disney+)
• Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra (spotify link)

Venture Brothers Holiday Special is MUST. -Also, play all the Venture Brothers holiday music through the years! (click here for all the songs free!  Thanks, Ken Plume!)

• The Venture Brothers: A Very Venture Christmas (buy it here on amazon – ALSO! Maybe think about having an Amazon watch party? )

Drinks!!

• Tiki Drinks (*you can make it a virgin cocktail)
• Sake (try Tippsy Sake for great selections! Like seriously -love them! Yuzu sake is a big plus here!)
• Mulled Wine (red wine, cloves, fresh orange peels, star anise, cinnamon sticks, and spike it with brandy for an extra kick!)
• TOO MUCH- Coffee (may I suggest Bones Coffee for flavoured choices?)
• Hot tea (British, green, flavoured, you pick!)
• Hot cocoa! *spike it if you’re in the mood for that sorta thing, and load it up with goodies like homemade maple whipped cream, and marshmallows!
• Absinthe if you dare.. (no burning sugar cubes though- that ruins the drink. True story!)
• boozy cocktails to go with your boozy tunes…

Cocktail ideas to go with that Matcha cake + blueberry sauce? Here’s my buddy J. Michael Bestful’s ideas to doll up some old favorites:

#1: old fashioned; putting some of that blueberry sauce in a glass with orange peel & bitters, muddle, add whisky & big ice cube, stir. Whisky could be bourbon, or a Japanese blended whisky.

#2: for something lighter, whiskey Collins. Same choice of whiskies, some lemon & honey. Build in glass, add ice, stir. Top with fizzy water of choice.

#3: gin & tonic, but muddle the blueberry sauce with basil or mint, add a squeeze of lime, then proceed to build the gin & tonic.

Thanks, J!

*****Go out drinking with friends the night before! Sake is a plus! Hangovers a not so welcome bonus. (Chanmas Eve tradition!)* This is at your discretion. Please be vaccinated, and healthy before doing this one, please.

or Go out to a graveyard the night before! Wake the dead with your song! be sure to dress warmly in blacks…! 

Also, the night before, enjoy some of those drinks that you adore!

If applicable dance mother clucker, dance! -let the spirit of Dave Gahan move you.

Playlist:

• Depeche Mode (naturally)
• Venture Brothers Holiday Music (see above for link)
• The Ventures Christmas Album (wait, how did that get on here???)
• Chan’s rando playlist of non-festive music
• Animal Crossing Fire Place Music (play it with a yule log video-for calming & soothing)
• HALLOWEEN TUNES
• Jinkx & Dela Holiday Special
• Xmas Camp the House Down (coming soon along with more playlists- still working on this one >_> 12/13/21)
• SCRATCH THE RECORD WITH THIS SHOW STOPPER OF AKWARDNESS

Text/message a Chan on this special day. (We hear she likes that a lot.) @spookychan! (dms are always closed to non-mutrals, but drop an @ in my mentions) ALSO!  friend Chan over on Switch- but please tell her you’re doing so! ex. She will not add random pics of Pikman with the name of John… 

CHAN SWITCH FRIEND CODE:

Drag it up! I’d say, go to a drag show (as in Queen/King/etc) if you’re vaccinated,  and if at home or in a place with no drag shows, perhaps checking out what the Drag performers are doing this year for the holidays online! (and tip them! even if they are not asking for tips! Find their venmo/paypal!)

(This is NYC’s own Kizha Carr @thatbeardedqueen. Saw her on Chanmas night many years ago! Check her out!)

Try THE JINKX & DELA HOLIDAY SPECIAL -it so crass, and lovable!

Praise Saint Bowie, because. (also, have Bowie with cat on head.)

COLORS:

• Black
• BLOOD Red
• Grey
• Purple
• Orange
• White
• If you do green, make it Absinthe green!

Decorate the house with Halloween decorations. Beistle decorations make a fine addition to your crypt’s haunted halls.  (Bonus if you get a white tree, and decorate it with orange/purple lights, lots of black, purple things- bats, cats, Krampus, occult yellow triangles bent on conquering the world (that one is for Jess) Top the tree with your favorite monster, spooky thing so that they might judge you from above…)

Here’s the big thing: Give VIRTUAL hugs, lots and lots of VIRTUAL hugs and appreciate those who are around you and far from you and that are a part of your life. Which at the core of it all is what Chanmas is all about- that and having fun with your special people, even if they are far away. ❤ -and if you’re able to, give REAL hugs!

Pet your favorite fur-babies. They love to experience the love too!

Make up your own tradition. Do it! I dare you! (It’s fun! Today can be your day!) Seriously though, I know the traditions i’ve set forth might not be to everyone’s liking, but watch your favorite things, do your favorite things (keep socially distant though and wear a mask if going out…)

Also, if back in 1981, it’s December 25th, and your name is Charlene Free, give birth to a Chandra Free, kay? (Time travel tradition.)

PLAY THIS. (I always cry when I play it, for dumb reasons)

Also, no pouting!

Enjoy your Chanmas! ;D

-Chan

*NOTE: If you don’t drink, change up these traditions with your favorite drink or food vice. It’s okay! We do not judge on Chanmas day. Point is to have fun your way. 😀

nice touch! (yeah, watch some old Garfield & Peanuts specials…)

Chanmas 2020

Chanmas Traditions

Another Chanmas approaches! Will you celebrate the 25th of December, the Chanmas way?

Here are some nifty traditions to help you get started! (feel free to do them throughout the month of Chanmas too!)

UPDATE: 2020 “stay at home” edition! This was largely a stay at home list anyways… (get your Skype/Zoom/wahatever ready!)

Torture your loved ones on a ZOOM meeting with the STAR WARS: Holiday Special. (1978 edition.) Prepare them with the suggestion of booze, if possible!

Ignore food traditions of the 25th and go get Japanese (or YOUR favorite food- availability is subject to your area, plan accordingly.) But if holiday treats are your thing, add them! 

Time to get dressed up! Wear something grossly festive to you. Black is a fine color for this day. (Reds are VERY acceptable, as it represents the blood of your fallen enemies. Purple is also fine, as it means you are made of magic and probably royalty!) If you’re feeling extra, get dolled up and paint your face in extreme colors and whatevers! Might I suggest trying Sugarpill costmetics? (they are woman owned) And put on your  favorite BPAL scents (if you’re in the need for spooky smells and festive smells too)

-Think of being a bat as you run around the house with your spooky blanket poised as wings! Sing the song of your bat people!

Make sure you watch “holiday” themed MST3Ks. They will make you question Santa forever… (also marathoning MST3K via Pluto or Twitch is highly acceptable too!)

• Santa Claus Conquers The Martians
• Santa Claus
• The Christmas That Almost Wasn’t 

Draw a little something for yourself. If this is not your talent, make sure you do that special something that makes you feel good (cuddling an animal, writing poetry, singing karaoke…)

PLAY MARIO KART OR ANIMAL CROSSING WITH ONLINE FRIENDS!

(Also, if you’re feeling the gamming spirit, try a 2D Fighting game or classic retro games! Nostlgia makes the heart grow larger!)

Snacks: Pumpkin spiced anything or Cranberry anything goodie to eat. (Green Tea anything gives you like a bonus of +20 HP.) 

Give tribute to this man-

• The World According To Jeff Goldblum (Disney+)
• Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra (spotify link)

Venture Brothers Holiday Special is MUST. -Also, play all the Venture Brothers holiday music through the years! (click here for all the songs free!  Thanks, Ken Plume!)

• The Venture Brothers: A Very Venture Christmas (buy it here on amazon – ALSO! Maybe think about having an Amazon watch party? )

Drinks!!

• Tiki Drinks (*you can make it a virgin cocktail)
• Sake (try Tippsy Sake for great selections! Like seriously -love them! Yuzu sake is a big plus here!)
• Mulled Wine (red wine, cloves, fresh orange peels, star anise, cinnomon sticks, and spike it with brandy for an extra kick!)
• Coffee (may I suggest Bones Coffee for flavoured choices?)
• Hot tea (British, green, flavoured, you pick!)
• Hot cocoa! *spike it if you’re in the mood for that sorta thing, and load it up with goodies like homemade maple whipped cream, and marshmallows!
• Absinthe if you dare.. (no burning sugar cubes though- that ruins the drink. True story!)
• boozy cocktails to go with your boozy tunes…

–Go out drinking with friends the night before! Sake is a plus! Hangovers a not so welcome bonus. (Chanmas Eve tradition!)* NOPE. be socially distanced this year! Sorry, my spookies!

Go out to a graveyard the night before! Wake the dead with your song! be sure to dress warmly in blacks…! 

Also, the night before, enjoy some of those drinks that you adore!

If applicable dance mother clucker, dance! -let the spirit of Dave Gahan move you.

Playlist:

• Depeche Mode (naturally)
• Venture Brothers Holiday Music (see above for link)
• The Ventures Christmas Album (wait, how did that get on here???)
• Chan’s rando playlist of non-festive music
• Animal Crossing Fire Place Music (play it with a yule log video-for calming & soothing)
• HALLOWEEN TUNES
• SCRATCH THE RECORD WITH THIS SHOW STOPPER OF AKWARDNESS

Text/message a Chan on this special day. (We hear she likes that a lot.) @spookychan! (dms are always closed to non-mutrals, but drop an @ in my mentions) ALSO!  friend Chan over on Switch- but please tell her you’re doing so! ex. She will not add random pics of Pikman with the name of John… 

CHAN SWITCH FRIEND CODE:

Drag it up! I’d say, go to a drag show (as in Queen/King/etc) but since we’re staying at home, perhaps checking out what the Drag performers are doing this year for the holidays! (and tip them! even if they are not asking for tips! Find their venmo/paypal!)

(This is NYC’s own Kizha Carr @thatbeardedqueen. Saw her on Chanmas night many years ago! Check her out!)

Try THE JINKX & DELA HOLIDAY SPECIAL

Praise Saint Bowie, because. (click him for Starman)

COLORS:

• Black
• BLOOD Red
• Grey
• Purple
• Orange
• White
• If you do green, make it Absinthe green!

Decorate the house with Halloween decorations. Beistle decorations make a fine addition to your crypt’s haunted halls.  (Bonus if you get a white tree, and decorate it with orange/purple lights, lots of black, purple things- bats, cats, Krampus, occult yellow triangles bent on conquering the world (that one is for Jess) Top the tree with your favorite monster, spooky thing so that they might judge you from above…)

Here’s the big thing: Give VIRTUAL hugs, lots and lots of VIRTUAL hugs and appreciate those who are around you and far from you and that are a part of your life. Which at the core of it all is what Chanmas is all about- that and having fun with your special people, even if they are far away. ❤

Pet your favorite fur-babies. They love to experience the love too!

Absinthe says hi!

Make up your own tradition. Do it! I dare you! (It’s fun! Today can be your day!) Seriously though, I know the traditions i’ve set forth might not be to everyone’s liking, but watch your favorite things, do your favorite things (keep socially distant though and wear a mask if going out…)

Also, if back in 1981, it’s December 25th, and your name is Charlene Free, give birth to a Chandra Free, kay? (Time travel tradition.)

PLAY THIS. (I always cry when I play it, for dumb reasons)

Also, no pouting!

Enjoy your Chanmas! ;D

-Chan

*NOTE: If you don’t drink, change up these traditions with your favorite drink or food vice. It’s okay! We do not judge on Chanmas day. Point is to have fun your way. 😀

nice touch! (yeah, watch some old Garfield & Peanuts specials…)

Chanmas 2019

Chanmas Traditions

Another Chanmas approaches! Will you celebrate the 25th of December, the Chanmas way?

Here are some nifty traditions to help you get started!

UPDATE: 2019 brings us more links so you can follow along easier and other additions. ❤

Torture your loved ones with the STAR WARS: Holiday Special.

Ignore food traditions of the 25th and go get Japanese (or YOUR favorite food- availability is subject to your area, plan accordingly.)

Wear something grossly festive to you. Black is a fine color for this day. (Reds are VERY acceptable, as it represents the blood of your fallen enemies.)

Think of being a bat as you run around the house with your spooky blanket poised as wings!

Make sure you watch “holiday” themed MST3Ks. They will make you question Santa forever…

• Santa Claus Conquers The Martians
• Santa Claus
• The Christmas That Almost Wasn’t 

Draw a little something for yourself. If this is not your talent, make sure you do that special something that makes you feel good (cuddling an animal, writing poetry, singing karaoke…)

PLAY MARIO KART WITH FRIENDS. (if no friends play online or substitute with 2D Fighting game or classic retro games made for co-op or just for you as you play through the day!)

Snacks: Pumpkin spiced something or Cranberry something goodie to eat. (Green Tea something gives you like a bonus of 20 HP.)

Give tribute to this man-

• The World According To Jeff Goldblum (Disney+)
• Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra (spotify link)

Venture Brothers Holiday Special is MUST. -Also, play all the Venture Brothers holiday music through the years! (click here for all the songs free! Thanks, Ken Plume!)

• The Venture Brothers: A Very Venture Christmas (buy it here -I tried my best to find it, but man it’s hard to find, it’s not even streaming on Hulu.)

Drinks!

• Hot tea (British, green, flavoured, you pick!)
• Tiki Drinks (*you can make it a virgin cocktail)
• Sake
• Mulled Wine
• Coffee (may I suggest Bones Coffee for flavoured choices?)
• Hot cocoa! *spike it if you’re in the mood for that sorta thing, and load it up with goodies like whipped cream, and marshmallows!
• Absinthe if you dare.. (no burning sugar cubes though- that ruins the drink. True story!)
• boozy cocktails to go with your boozy tunes…

-Go out drinking with friends the night before! Sake is a plus! Hangovers a not so welcome bonus. (Chanmas Eve tradition!)*

If applicable dance mother clucker, dance! -let the spirit of Dave Gahan move you.

Playlist:

• Depeche Mode (naturally)
• Venture Brothers Holiday Music (see above for link)
• The Ventures Christmas Album (wait, how did that get on here???)
• Chan’s rando playlist of non-festive music
• Animal Crossing Fire Place Music (play it with a yule log video-for calming & soothing)
• SCRATCH THE RECORD WITH THIS SHOW STOPPER OF AKWARDNESS

Text/message a Chan on this special day. (We hear she likes that a lot.)

Praise Saint Bowie, because. (click him for Starman)

COLORS:

• Black
• Red
• Grey
• Purple
• Orange
• White
• If you do green, make it Absinthe green!

Decorate the house with Halloween decorations. Beistle decorations make a fine addition to your crypt’s haunted halls.  (Bonus if you get a white tree, and decorate it with orange/purple lights, lots of black, purple things- bats, cats, Krampus, occult yellow triangles bent on conquering the world (that one is for Jess) Top the tree with your favorite monster, spooky thing so that they might judge you from above…)

Here’s the big thing: Give hugs, lots and lots of hugs and appreciate those who are around you and that are a part of your life. Which at the core of it all is what Chanmas is all about- that and having fun with your special people, even if they are far away. ❤

Pet your favorite fur-babies. They love to experience the love too!

Absinthe says hi!

Make up your own tradition. Do it! I dare you! (It’s fun! Today can be your day!)

Also, if back in 1981, it’s December 25th, and your name is Charlene Free, give birth to a Chandra Free, kay? (Time travel tradition.)

PLAY THIS. (I always cry when I play it, for dumb reasons)

Also, no pouting!

Enjoy your Chanmas! ;D

-Chan

*NOTE: If you don’t drink, change up these traditions with your favorite drink or food vice. It’s okay! We do not judge on Chanmas day. Point is to have fun your way. 😀

nice touch!

NEW MST3K Episode! The lowdown!

Thought I’d dust off the old blog and post about one of my favorite things, Mystery Science Theater and its return! For anybody who doesn’t know, I usually work on my comics and art while Mst3k plays in the background and is very influential to me!
Anyways!

I was one of the MST3K Kickstarter backers and got to view the first episode early! Let’s jump right in, won’t we?

WARNING: Spoilerish review sorta.

MST3K: S11 E01 Reptilicus

“Nobody calls him that…”

The Beginning! (Oh No the movie is starting again!!): We jump right into the story of why our new test subject, Jonah Heston (Jonah Ray) is selected. It’s a quick moving scene introducing Dr. Kinga Forrester (Felicia Day) and TV’s son of TV’s Frank (Patton Oswalt). All three of these characters are respectably charming and welcome to the MST3K canon. Also a cameo from Wil Weaton! (Is it just me but does It feel like that inner circle of nerds made this show ;)) It’s a nice start accented with all the neat miniatures/stop motion. There’s a new Doorway sequence that makes sense with living quarters and work rooms. It has a very Möbius/ Nostromos /Alien feeling! The Skeleton Crew gives a neat musical flair to everything and their design is a great throw back to old sci-fi movies with monsters with helmets and skulls. Costumes are on point with wonderful colors and design. The “commercial breaks” make me feel like it’s a real tv show. Very nice and authentic touch! Also the return of invention exchange and letters gives us that original format of Joel and early Mile episodes. 

Host segments & Music: I felt like the host segments were to few to give us enough of who our cast is. Regardless they are fun! The musical number, “Every Country Has a Monster”, is catchy and fun. Certainly in the same vain as the Godzilla Genealogy Bop. I’m eager to see if there are more musical numbers, especially since we have so many musical things going on in the show! Did I hear the Canada song at some point?!? Yes I did! Also, “Mighty Science Theater” (the outro music) is soooo lovely. 

New Voices: I think Hampton Yount does a great new Crow. He’s a nice mix of Trace and Bill and easy to figure out when he’s talking. Now Tom Servo (Baron Vaughn) and Jonah sound so similar to each other I have yet to figure out who is who sometimes. I’m sure with more views and as the show continues they will become more distinct to the ear. Did I mention Gypsy (Rebecca Hanson)! I agree with Joel’s need to update her. Giving her a real female voice and more mobility seems right and respectful vs. her almost dense male voice, and cumbersome original self. I will always love original Gypsy, but I’m totally digging new her. 

Jokes: I was wondering if they were going to do this, but they did! They brought back old classic MST3K running jokes. Yay! If you’ve ever watched/listened to MST3K throughout you know they repeat jokes, their own lexicon if you will. But no fear, new updated jokes are here too. (Can you count how many Kickstarter jokes there is..?) I am concerned that they blow through the jokes a little too fast and not let them land naturally. It seems forced. Though on second viewing (aka having it on in the background) the jokes land better and starts feeling more like MST3K. If you’ve never seen MST3K, that’s okay, there’s tons of jokes to get but if you’re a long time fan you’re are treated well. 

Movie: ugh. Not enough Repliticus!!! He really is the star of the movie and so badly shot too!!! Who doesn’t love a badly made monster? Yeah, this is the regular cheese MST3K is known for. Nice to have the original widescreen as the new format the show gives us. Joel said he always wanted to have the movies like this so you can have all the opportunities for jokes. Not much else to say about this other than; Petersen. :p     

Final Thoughts: A good start. Feels a little forced at times, but the ingredients are here to make some real magic in the future. It’s not bad by any stretch, and so far earns its 11th season cred. I’m excited to see more host segments and how these characters are going to grow. It looks like that they doing a continuing story like the Mike episodes used to have (least that seems to be the set up) all while keeping that Joel charm. I highly recommend checking out the new MST3K this April 14th on Netflix when not only will the first episode be available but the whole season!!! Watch like crazy (if you like it) – Netflix will possibly renew it if it has lots of love. 

Outro Card: YUP.