Hungry Ghost's Daily Diet (TM)

It was horrible.

Had the day off today, but it didn't help, still had to wake up early to run errands etc. But I finally got home, cleaned up somewhat and even had a short nap. Then the fatal mistake was made. Decided to go buy some wrapping paper....

In the 3 - 4 blocks I walked to get to the stores, I witnessed a shouting match over a parking spot (if they'd not been shouting, I might even have told them that the tow-truck monitor that spot diligently), drivers speeding down residential roads in mad circles to find parking honking and obviously fueled by rage and harrased looking pedestrians trying to cross the street against the lights.

Lovely, was just lovely. Such a miasma of peace, joy and compassion in the air. Ha.

Entered Pier 1 and the scent of their dumb candles hit me in the nose. Reeled out because couldn't take the smell. Flapped arms in the cold air to get the smell out of my coat.

Went up to Future Shop. Why are fluorescent lights so soul-numbing? Granted, a big retail box which sells electronic goods and that hires salespeople who've majored in pushiness isn't the best place to find Christmas spirit...but I thought it was particularly souless, more so than usual.

Walked out quickly. To Shooper's Drug Mart where the christmas goodies have already gone on sale!!! I guess the red hearts for Valentine's will be out by late Monday.

Realised that I'd lost the plot completely when I was standing in front of the gift-wrap in dismay, and a dishevelled lady with an elf-hat forced upon her by the store asked if I was finding what I wanted.

I turned to her and said that I just wanted everything to disappear - and gesticulated feebly at the display of shiney, glitzy, non-recyclable and completely unecessary papers, ribbons, tissue, gift bags, boxes for gift cards, plastic sequiny thingys to hang on the gift, gift card accents - things you stick on the name tags you put on the actual gift itself - and gauzy, crass-fake-gold-and-silver-mesh to put around the wrapped gift itself.

What does any of this have to do with the significance of Christmas?!

I think what I really resented was the fact that some company out there had made the effort to market all this crap as part of Christmas - just so that people will consume, then toss all that crap on Christmas morning. Then go out and consume again. Consume. Consume. Consume.

GAHHH!

THe elf-lady looked at me blankly then said with a sad expression on her face: "Me too".

I apologised for being a gringe and moved on. Had to call WD though and do a partial rant.

But think about it - Giving a gift is one thing if it's meant with the heart, but what does it mean when you feel obligated to 1) give something to someone, 2) wrap it up nicely in unecessary paper, ribbons and all the accoutrements of gifts that are so prevalent these days 3) see it destroyed in seconds, 4) catch the glimpse of dismay on the recipient's face before he/she puts on a fake smile and the 5) when you're gone promptly regifts or bins it.

Sigh. Is it any wonder I can't stand this time of the year? I was doing pretty well until I saw the gift wrap display thingy. No wonder I'm disagreeable more disagreeable than usual.

For the record, I bought tissue paper for wrapping - that at least can be put in the recycling bin.

*****

In other happenings.

The snowstorm in Denver. Huge, big dumps. Closed airport. TOM was supposed to fly out to Wyoming today, but his flights which went via Denver have been rescheduled to Tuesday. Means he'll probably miss Christmas with the family. His mum isn't happy about that, but as he quite reasonably said (or so I thought): "I don't control the weather....yet"
*****

Have cleaned up the office and left everything ship-shape. I hope. Still have work to do, but that can be done next week when I'm away. Yesh. I'm away next week. In fact away till after the new year. I have several goals for next week:

1) Dim Sum with Dr. L
2) Chilli Crab at Sunnyhills for OUR Christmas dinner
3) Review grants
4) Avoid all the "best and worse of 2006" shows. Must we relive the year? MOVE ON.
5) Explore the dives in SOMA, Dr. L has pwomised to be guide.

oooh look San, another 5 things. This list with your 8 which you made up for me and the 5 from the tag make 18. Another 82 to go.
*****

Have been asked to cat-visit this weekend by DW² who has gone skiing. His instructions were kinda long - two paragraphs. But I managed to parse it down to the following:

Hokay

to recap:

Flush uneaten food
Refill dish
Refine presentation
Present chilled water to His Nibs
Open balcony door so HN can access spring water
No need for suicide watch
Lounge languidly and read to keep HN company for a spell

*****
Pick the shell of numerous prawns, washed rugs, did laundry (whites and coloured), washed dishes, wrapped up gifts (all two of them), put on elf-hat to try and recapture Christmas Spirit. Not working. Handel's Messiah doing better job though. Sent out electronic cards to friends, culled non-working e-mail addresses, heard from SQJ - the first to return my wishes, v. faithful of him.
*****

And finally. If you've made your way down all the drivel.