Joy to the world.

3 days in a row in town just days before the (2004th) birth of Christ is tentamount to murder. Not only are the major shopping districts packed full of people rudely squeezing past each other laden with bags of festivity-induced haul, tempers on the average are up, and woe befall you if you a) attempt to drive into town, b) find a parking lot in town, and c) take public transport in (and out) of town.

This year (when has it ever been different?) I've had to buy both my own present, as well as dad's entire haul for the family (despite having cheated and just handed over the cash instead) and that of the extended family. Christmas isn't about sharing the joy and season's tidings and what have you commercialized crap the media and retail outlets have been harping on about, it's about gift-giving. Last-minute, thoughtless gift-giving. I mean, who cares as long as you've got something to give, right?

Been to church twice in a row this weekend and it isn't funny in the least. Two days of 730ams and little sleep (not to mention brother insisting on waking up at absolutely the last minute and being "late"), dismal spirits and forced greetings to and fro. Am also sick to death of smarmy christmas songs (one more time Santa dashes through the snow on a one-horse open sleigh I swear I'll dismantle the damned thing myself), the exodus of which signals the vicious onslaught of annoying New Year ditties.

Call me a party-pooper, but Christmas is the suckiest time of year. This year's 'celebration' has sucked ass big time, but the good news is, it's over. Bring on the New Year.

***

She will never return and still she will never leave.