Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia

Fear of the number 666.

I bet you didn't know that already. I sure didn't.

Christmas with the family is over, but the holiday continues. I'm sure you can understand my lack of activity here since my brother and I already got enough grief for spending time online over the holiday. Nothing too bad, mind you.

It was wonderful to be together with family and to visit with friends around home. Though I was only gone for a week, I almost forgot what K-town looked like. ;)

I managed to join the shopping hordes on Boxing day. I found myself at a store at 6am on the 26th. If that isn't scary enough, then hearing that some people showed up 6 HOURS EARLIER! That is a little bit much for me. Still, it was good to give it all a try.

Since it's me, I'm happy about my purchases but can't help but be a little uncomfortable with my consumption. I have difficulty with the imbalances in the world, but then I contribute to them. It is a difficulty inconsistency for me to swallow. Yet, I manage to put it out of my mind when necessary. I feel as though that makes me, if not a bad person, then at least not as good a person as I would like. I know that it isn't a helpful perspective for my own personal well-being so I have to watch out. I guess acceptance tempered with an on-going consciousness will have to suffice.

I hope that you enjoyed any holiday time that you might've had and that you have a great year ahead. :)

Happy Holidays! Of course my holiday wishes go out to all but I guess I'm spreading the joy now because I started my holiday yesterday afternoon. So, instead of blogging on office time I'm cozy at home pondering the holiday that is laid out before me. :)

The storm has passed. It left plenty of snow in it's wake. I've shoveled four times since the storm started and I expect that my driveway is soon to be plowed-in again. Ah, the joys of home ownership.

The holiday begins tomorrow. The trick is figuring-out how to use it. I thought I was going to be busy, busy but it looks as though I may have a little more free-time than I thought. I guess there are worse things than free-time.

I hope you've got some free time coming up and that you're looking forward to it.

It has begun in earnest. The snow has started to fall here in Kingston. I'm heading to bed and looking forward to waking up to a full-on blizzard in the morning. It's nice having a grocery store in my backyard. I may even walk the few blocks to the heart of downtown to do some shopping since I'm hoping anyone who needs a car to get where they're going will just forget about it. Unfortunately, I know some people that won't/can't. To them I, I send warm, safe thoughts.

Here comes the silly

After grapling with whether to be silly or smart in my last post I have returned to my silly ways. Michigan Lawsuit Abuse Watch gave awards for the most obvious warning labels in their Wacky Warning Label Contest.

This year's winner (on a tractor) "Danger: Avoid Death."

Another winner (on an iron-on transfer for t-shirts) "Do not iron while wearing shirt."

It highlights the stupidity of a legal system that encourages such over-the-top messaging, but it's funny too. :)

Silly or Smart?

No, I'm not trying to better understand my most influential character traits (we all know the former is much more applicable than the latter). Rather, it was my decision about what to post. I know, I know. I go so long without posting and then I have two possible posts at the same time. It's CRAZY. Not really, but I'm trying to add a little zest. ANYWAY...

I have chosen to stick to the "smart" theme and share with you a site that was brought to my attention through the wonders of Facebook and a fellow former Trentite. The site is The Story of Stuff. Through the effective use of video and low-fi animation, the creators effectively break-down our system of production and consumption into an easily-digestible 20 minute show. In less than the time it takes to watch a sitcom (and likely a silly one at that), you can consider yourself informed about aspects of our consumer lifestyle that may be new to you. Quite timely considering the season, I would say. Enjoy!

Sorry for my extended departure. I know, it sounds like a broken record, broken record. It's not as though nothing is happening in my life. Rather there are some things I will write about and some I won't. For those I will write about there are also times when I will and times when I won't.

I will say that the holiday moves ever-closer. A good thing, to be sure, but I can't help but get nervous as the deadline to take care of pre-holiday responsibilities comes closer along with the holiday itself. It'll all be fine and, knowing me, I should be able to largely put it out of mind once the holiday begins. It's just getting to that point. Ah well... It'll come.

I hope you're looking to the holiday with more excitement than trepidation. :)