In Which I Attempt to Sum Up the Last Few Weeks, Inverted Pyramid Style

December was a busy time for the Becks, as they celebrated graduation and the holidays in their trademark Mach 3 style.

Graduation day was much anticipated by some (Ak) and merely tolerated by others (Court, who, in true Grinch style, spent the preceding week trying to figure out how to stop graduation from coming. Despite her attempts, graduation came anyway). Flanked by her supportive husband, parents and in-laws, Court arrived at the ceremony in her cap, gown and tallest stiletto heels. When the time came, she haughtily teetered up to the podium, shook hands with the department head, accepted her diploma cover and said her piece with nary a trace of sarcasm or foul language. The Becks and Hathaways then retired to the house for an afternoon of champagne and Scattergories, followed by an amazing dinner at Hayes Barton Cafe where they feasted on Boston Creme cake, Bailey's tieramsu and eggnog cheesecake. When asked for a comment, Court said, "All in all, I'd have to say this day was not bad." (Off the record, this reporter later learned that the sometimes aloof Courtney is in fact very grateful for the support of her friends and family and felt honored to have so many people present at the ceremony.) Days after the ceremony, Court was spotted sporting a stylish short hair cut. Despite rumors, a link between graduation and her hair cut have not been confirmed.

Never ones for downtime, the Becks moved straight from graduation into the holiday season. Christmas began with a quiet celebration at home, complete with holiday nachos, Humbug wine, A Christmas Story and early Santa-ing. Christmas Day was spent in Salisbury where the Becks enjoyed oyster stew, a Christmas Eve service, a visit from Santa Claus and lots of family time. The Becks concluded Christmas in High Point with more family time and a screening of Cat Ballou, a Hathaway family favorite.

The Becks celebrated New Year's at home with their second annual throwdown. They continued in their traditions of making entirely too much food, serving signature martinis and playing board games before ringing in the New Year with a champagne toast. A good time was had by all attendees, and the Becks are already making plans for the third annual throwdown. But it was not a good night for everyone in the Beck household. This reporter has uncovered proof that two housemates were not allowed to attend the party. "My brother and I were locked in a room all night," said a blue tabby who declined to give us his name. "We cried and cried, but no one would let us out." When asked for comment, the Becks retorted that it was the cats' affinity for party food and not their own cruelty that resulted in the cats' eviction from the party. At press time, no charges had been filed.

The New Year holds many challenges and anticipated events for the Becks. Today, FIRST Robotics kicks off for the 2009 season, marking the beginning a busy build season that will culminate with a competition in late February. With graduate school behind her, Court plans to spend the first quarter of 2009 expanding Purple Pony Communications. It is rumored that the Becks plan to leave Cary soon and will begin searching for a new home next weekend. Whatever the future may hold, one thing is certain: the Becks will approach 2009 with their own special idiom.

Tis the season

Hello, and welcome to the inaugural post of the Beck family blog! It's a year of many firsts for us... first ringworm epidemic, first marriage and now our first holiday season as a family. The Saturday after Thanksgiving, amidst weak protests from Tracy (aka Ak) (aka The Grinch), we decorated the house for Christmas. The boys were, as always, quite enthusiastic and willing to help.

Last year, Woot offered this wine as a symbol of holiday good cheer. Ak, being known to utter a few humbugs of his own during the holiday season, immediately had a case shipped to Court's house. While initially dismayed to see 6 bottles of the same wine, Court did appreciate the irony. Fortunately, it turned out to be pretty good wine, and has become a Beck holiday tradition (perhaps a short-lived one, as we only have one bottle left).

Court hung the first ornament on the tree -- the Holiday Armadillo! Which could be risky, because everyone knows if Santa and the Holiday Armadillo are ever in the same room for too long, the universe will implode!


Baby Ben helps with the rigging of the holiday disco ball. This was a wedding present. By the by, Ben "helping" went about as well as Ralphie helping his dad change the tire in "A Christmas Story." Oh FUDGE! He looked appalled when he was informed that his help wasn't so much helpful.

Alex, on the other hand, was quite an asset. "No, wait, tie the twine to that piece, see? That will work as a stabilizer plus improve the equilibirum. Good work today, person who brings me food. Now, go hang it, not too high because I intend to hunt it. When you're done with that, bring me food."

Meanwhile, back on the piano, Ben bravely wards off the tissue paper, thus ensuring the safety of the nativity scene and restoring order and justice to the living room.

Marty missed the decorating of the tree, the hanging of the holiday disco ball and the attempted nativity scene heist. He did, however, keep that pesky bone from troubling us. He's pretty close to a perfect dog.


Our stockings were hung by the bookcase with care, in hopes that no cats would find their way up there.

Ben inspects his big brother's handy work and studies the jump for later.


Alberto, our tree. This lovely little tree was purchased from the TROSA lot at the Streets at Southpoint. Great trees and a great cause -- check it out if you haven't already bought your tree. We have since added some garland and a star. However, due to the destructive nature of cats (especially little silver tabby kittens named Ben), we thought it best to leave ornaments off the bottom half. After a hard evening's work, we retired to bed, leaving our perfect angels to guard the tree.