Very high. Today alone, I spent almost 400 dollars. Spent at least 4 hours at the mall--not counting the road time each way, which normally takes 12 minutes but today took at least 30, each way. Got the Knex K-Force Land Crawler (motorized), the Psycho Jumper remote-controlled stunt car, the Protocol Dronium One drone with 2.0 MPixel camera, a dart board (with wooden case and six titanium darts), a pair of gloves, six pairs of sox, a foot pedicure kit, Girardeli dark chocolate variety pack (I think that this might be the only thing I bought today made in the United States, except the Indian food I had for lunch at the mall), a hex-bot Series 3 aquafish, a pair of size 8.5 Bladerunner Advantage Pro inline skates, a lap desk with cupholder, a pair of gold earrings with onyx settings, three bottles of wine, and a bottle of vodka. (Okay, the wine and vodka would have been purchased anyway, every third day, regardless of whether it was the holiday season.) Of course, closer to Christmas, I'll make an extra special purchase of alcohol, including bubbly and some wines that are very special.
I'm not usually a fan of hanging out at the mall, but every year at this time I sort of enjoy it. I get away from my family, my colleagues, and pretty much every one I know. I didn't have to talk to anyone except the perky, 20-year-old women who work the counters at major retailers. Best of all, I spend about as much money than the average resident of Burkina Faso earns in 4 months. Guilt free. After all, isn't that what Christmas is all about?
I like all holidays--God rest ye merry gentlemen--but I especially like Christmas. We'll probably get a duck for christmas eve, and soak it in soy sauce, garlic, and vinegar overnight before baking it on the 24th and serving it with copious amounts of rice, vegetables, and alcohol. Haven't decided on the christmas day victuals, yet, but it's certain to feature pig, rice, and copious amounts of alcohol. This year, as an added bonus, it's not particularly cold. It's the third week of December and I have yet to take the shovel out. It's almost like Christmas in July. Global warming and consumerism go hand in hand, don't they?
My only lament is that the boy no longer plays along with the Santa Claus bit. I mentioned him today and he just rolled his eyes. He never really went for the whole concept gullible like I did (even in Kindergarten he questioned me thoroughly about the logistics of the exercise), but he played along. Four or five years ago he'd at least patronize me, "Okay, dad, when you talk to Santa Claus tell him I want..." Now he has no patience for that. Ah, well. Life evolves.
Voted FF. (would have picked unaffiliated, but as it wasn't an option, I voted FF-D, but I'd be equally comfortable voting FF-R. Count my vote as one-half each, if you want.)
If I don't see you before then, Merry Christmas!
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