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Here I'll share my deep and meaningful thoughts on any number of topics. Ever wondered what it's like to spend 3/4's of your life living out of a suitcase? You can read it here. I'll also spill the latest on my Broadway ventures and adventures, my many obsessions (such as Manilow and Virginia Tech football,), wild weekends in Vegas, what music and movies I'm currently enthralled with, and just random ramblings on life in general. Pull up a cyber-chair and enjoy the read....and please comment (unless you hate me, and then keep your thoughts to yourself).

As I sit here, it's less than a week till Christmas. The cards aren't addressed, the presents aren't wrapped (or in some cases, aren't purchased), the tree isn't decorated, the baking isn't done, and I'm feeling the holiday stress. So what to do? Procrastinate a lilttle longer and sit here writing this blog entry. Actually I'm a Christmas fanatic. As most people who have entered my home during the holiday season can attest, it's like Christmas threw up in here. My motto is: "There's no such thing as overdecorating!"

I'm also a big fan of Christmas music, so in honor of the holiday season, I thought I'd have a Christmas-themed blog entry and discuss my rankings of the all-time greatest Christmas albums. So without further ado:

#1: CARPENTERS - CHRISTMAS PORTRAIT (1978)

OK, for anyone who knows me, who holds the #1 slot (or maybe, who DOESN'T hold the #1 slot) may come as a surprise. But this is hands-down without question the all-time greatest Christmas album in my opinion. Karen Carpenter had one of the most heart-tugging voices in music history, and combined here with brother Richard's great arrangements, this one is a classic. Get the "special edition" version which combines their original "Christmas Portrait" CD with some unfinished tracks recorded prior to Karen's death and instrumental versions of great holiday classics. Karen's version of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" is definitive for me, and of course, her classic"Merry Christmas Darling" (which I don't think anyone else has even dared to sing, have they?) If you have to have one Christmas album in your collection, THIS is the one.

2. BARRY MANILOW - BECAUSE IT'S CHRISTMAS (1990)

OK, so he's #2. The word I always think of with respect to this album is "lush". Also "romantic". You want a Christmas album to snuggle by the fire with that significant other to? This is the one. Barry mixes traditional Christmas tunes with some of his own compositions, including one of my absolute all-time favorites "Because It's Christmas". And listen to him sing ALL of the harmony voices on "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas". A fun duet with Expose' ("Jingle Bells" a la Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters) and a seductive one with KT Oslin ("Baby It's Cold Outside") add to the package. And as long as we're talking Manilow, you can also add ...

. 2a. BARRY MANILOW - CHRISTMAS GIFT OF LOVE (2002)

You can't go wrong with this one either. This one swings, from a rousing "Happy Holidays" to get things started to a really kicking "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm". I read a review of that one recently that said "You can hear the smile in his voice when he sings it". I liked that, and agree 100%. Plus a powerful rendition of Joni Mitchell's "River".

3a & b: BARBRA STREISAND - A CHRISTMAS ALBUM (1967) and CHRISTMAS MEMORIES (2001)

OK, this is cheating but, just like Barry's 2 Christmas CDs, I can't pick between them. Streisand's '67 album is deservedly a classic from one of the world's all-time greatest singers in her prime. It's quirky just like Barbra, and definitely not traditional. Her frantic "Jingle Bells" and her reverent "Ave Maria" and "Lord's Prayer" are worth the price. Her 2001 Christmas album was widely maligned, and I could never figure out why. In many ways, I like this one better than the first. Her vocals are still breathtaking, and I like some of the new and different songs on here like "Christmas Love Song", "It Must've Been The Mistletoe", and "Christmas Mem'ries".

4. A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS (1965)

Again, a classic. Vince Guaraldi added great jazzy twists to traditional Christmas favorites like "Drummer Boy" and "O Tannenbaum" and added 2 more classics to the American Christmas pantheon: "Linus and Lucy" and "Christmas Time is Here".

5. ELVIS PRESLEY - IF EVERY DAY WAS LIKE CHRISTMAS (1994)

OK, once again I'm cheating a little bit. This compilation is actually a combination of both of Elvis' Christmas albums: his classic 1957 "Christmas Album" and his 1971 "Wonderful World of Christmas". Both are really great Christmas CDs. The '57 one showcases the young Elvis at the very height of his career, and in addition to the classic "Blue Christmas" also has some great rockin' stuff like "Santa Claus Is Back In Town" and "Santa Bring My Baby Back to Me", and a tender "I'll Be Home For Christmas". The '71 album I enjoy mainly for the new songs included, such as "On A Snowy Christmas Night", "It Won't Seem Like Christmas Without You", and "Holly Leaves and Christmas Trees". Plus there's a raunchy "Merry Christmas Baby".

So there's the top 5, and here's some other enjoyable ones to consider in no particular order:

LINDA EDER - CHRISTMAS STAYS THE SAME (2000) - the greatest voice since Streisand, and the spiritual songs on here move me more than any other

BETTE MIDLER - COOL YULE (2006) - This one is brand new and I'm really enjoying it cause....well....it's Bette!

HARRY CONNICK JR. - WHEN MY HEART FINDS CHRISTMAS (1993) - Picked this one up on sale post-Christmas a couple years ago, and was surprised how much I loved it.

MARIAH CAREY - MERRY CHRISTMAS (1994) -"I Miss You Most At Christmas Time" is quite possibly the world's saddest slit-your-wrists-at-the-holidays song of all time, which is precisely why I love it. It still gets me. Also love her "All I Want For Christmas Is You" and "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)".

CELINE DION - THESE ARE SPECIAL TIMES (1998)

RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER SOUNDTRACK (1964)

KENNY G - MIRACLES (1994), FAITH (1999), WISHES (2002) - Great holiday instrumental music which is perfect background for that holiday dinner, trimming the tree, etc. And his "Auld Lang Syne" tribute on the "Faith" album, done to commemorate the turn of the century, is underlined with audio news reports from the preceding 100 years. It's incredible. On "Wishes", he does a post-9/11 update to it.