Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, AE.

Another year behind us. That makes it nine. Wow. We've had some good times and some bad times over the years, but the fact that we're still gaming together is a testament to our friendship.

Before getting too sappy, let's take a look at what Christmas is all about. First, there's hot chicks. Whether you're in Alabama or the Yukon territories one thing you can count on is half naked anime girls shimmying down your chimney every December 25th. This alone is reason enough to stay up late. Holiday tip: If you leave 'funny' cookies and cosmopolitans on the table instead of milk and chocolate chip, the spunky lil elf girls will stick around a bit longer, and maybe even give you an extra treat.

Also, there's gaming. The holidays are chock full of in-game events that give us cool items. From Santa hats to reindeer mounts, Christmas is about loot. EQ2's Frostfell starts this week so you won't want to miss that. Christmas without EQ2 is like a landing page without hot anime chicks in skimpy Santa outfits.

Lastly, there's booze. Sure, you can get alcohol any time of the year, but this is the time of year when you truly have an excuse to get ripped daily. Whether you're drinking by yourself to drown the sorrows of being single and alone for yet another year, or if you need to dull the pain of incessant family members you'd rather not have to see at all, Christmas is the perfect time of year to get sloshed and stay sloshed. With seasonal drinks like Christmas Trees and Ginger Snaps, you're sure to have Holiday Cheer 24/7. Except the morning after. But if you took my advice and left the drinks for the girls in the first place, even a hangover can be a wonderful experience if there's naked gals with you.

Happy Holidays, Agony's End. Here's to another year.