Ugh! I’m soooo tired right now. All this holiday stuff plus deadlines at work equals one tired Steve. I wrapped all the presents I’m giving out tonight, and everyone on my list had at least one oddly shaped item that had me cursing the fact that I bought it in the first place. I haven’t had time to bake all the cookies I’d like, since my family has a “cookie exchange” policy; if you want certain cookies, you have to trade for them. But since my parents just had their kitchen redone and Mom just had the oven hooked up this week, it’s likely to be a one-sided trade (I give, but don’t receive).

I’m told that I’m a bit slow in noticing this (“it was so last year”), but it seems to me like every fifth person has something in that tan Burberry plaid (it’s called “Classic Check”). Either a scarf or carrying a purse.

If you like your Christmas music on the aggressive side, listen to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. My Mom was playing this, and my girlfriend blurted out, “Merry Christmas, dammit!” In particular, check out this version of O Come All Ye Faithful at the iTunes store.

And I heard this most interesting little tidbit: FYE stores raise their prices as December 25 approaches. My girlfriend was told this by a clerk at one of the Philadelphia area stores. Seems FYE likes to prey on the desperate shoppers. I know that their prices are “grab your ankles” high at normal, but to raise them as you get closer to Christmas?!? Dude, that sucks. And so does FYE.

Anyway, have a belated Happy Hanukkah, a Merry Christmas, and a Joyous Kwanzza!